Leaving Your Familiar Ground
Let's face it. A lot of travel today is the equivalant of going camping in an RV. It's a matter of taking your habitat and recreating it in a different place.
Why travel if you're not really traveling? Eating the same things, doing the same things, surrounding yourself by people who speak your language seems kind of a waste to me.
Don't get me wrong, this does not always mean roughing it. For me, with my lifestyle, a night of luxory in a five star hotel is definitely off the beaten path! Shmoozing with that crowd can be a lot like sweating in a Banya with a bunch of Russians or sitting on a Thai fishing boat. Different language, different etiquette, another adventure....just kind of wierd.
Ah - Yes! The "I Was Actually Here" Picture
Don't rip on it, this is a very important part of the whole travelling schtik. It's the currency of life experience (and bragging rights for that matter). It's the "swag" of traveling just like T-Shirts from rock concerts or scrapes and bruises from doing something rough.
I like how this guy does it because it follows a prescribed line of cool-ness. No dumb faces; no standing on one leg with his arms in the air; no evidence of screaming the typical "woo-hoo" (an obvious sign of trying too hard). He's just hanging out and taking a shot on his way somewhere.
The single person shot is also classic because it leaves us wondering. Is his girlfriend taking the picture? If so that's one story. Is it a local and he's trouping on his own? Another, bold story. He's probably not with a group or there would be at least another person, one more story. Regardless, it's as curious as the place he's visiting.
My Nemesis in Russia - "Holodets" 
At first glance, some of you might think "It's pie right?" then upon closer inspection you notice that there's meat ivolved in this dish. "Wait a second, meat in a pie? Meat pie?" Nope. And that's not pudding either.
Holodets is one of the hardest parts about Russia, not just because of its foul-ness but becasue Russians love it so much and insist on pushing it on others. If you are into pieces of meat and fat floating in a gel from when the fat cooled off (basically cold fat in fat) then have at it. As for me, I have eaten it as a gesture of thanks enough times and will now beg off when offered (and it will happen again and again)
Incidentally, the secret to eating your host's food and dealing with it is biting and swallowing. Don't chew it. Don't taste it with your tongue.
Suck it up, be a man and swallow it. Tell them thanks and move along. don't do this too quickly, however or they will offer you more. Oh yea, developing a reputation for food allergies helps a lot too.
