What was the most important thing you learned in Belarus?
And every time I answer it's different.
They only eat chicken and potatos.
Different cultures are literally different worlds.
Moscow hates Canadians.
Oolibka = smile in Russian.
Jesus loves endlessly and can work miracles through you.
But my final answer is different. There is something way bigger that I learned that is none of the above. (Well, the Jesus thing is pretty big, but I already knew that so I don't feel like it should be classified as something I learned there.)
No matter where you go, no matter what language they speak, no matter who you are talking to: smiling is the international language.
It doesn't matter where you go. People are drawn to the positive. Think about it. Would you be more likely to approach someone who is complaining about your food, and your washrooms, and your general standard of living; or someone who is smiling, laughing, making jokes, and taking everything about your culture in stride?
It's true! Nobody likes a pouter. Nobody. Ever.
So here's my advice to you:
if you're going to travel bring with you - pain killers(for pain), antihistamines(for allergies), antiemetics(in case you have to puke), laxatives (in case you can't poop), antidiarrheals(in case you can't stop pooping), peanut butter(just in case your stomach really REALLY doesn't agree with the food), and toilet paper(just in case. It's a luxury from home).
Put in a genuine effort to submerse yourself into the new culture and it's beliefs.
And smile. You'll make lots of friends.
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