Journey to Find Heritage via Travel

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Where do I come from?

It is a question that parents cringe when they hear it from their child (only second to 'where do babies come from?'  It used to be back in the day that people knowing what cultural background their parents were from would travel to the "homeland" - e.g. Irish, Jewish, Chinese.  Even my relatives have gone to visit the Great Wall of China to see what life was like then.  But what if you were adopted or come from an ethnic melting pot?  

Heritage tourism is defined as traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past.  One should focus on cultural identity and learning about historically significant events in the region that helped shape the culture.  It should be more than sightseeing the major attractions like the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower.  It is no surprise that the tourism industry is picking up on this need for immersion and are offering everything from recreated streets to virtual reality simulators.  Check out the following:

• Scotland: relive and learn about the Battle of Bannockburn everyday at the visitor center where Robert the Bruce (Scottish) and Edward II (English) face off.   
• England: in Waterford, be immersed through 1300 years of Viking history through virtual reality in an authentically recreated Viking house in a real 13th century Friary.
• Remote (Off-the-beaten-path) locations: slow it down a lot and ditch the virtual reality by experiencing remote villages; learn age-old folk dances by firelight, see ancient cave paintings, or cook fish by an open fire
• Bangkok: from street food to viewing temples by riverboat, there is sure to be something to savor; this isn't just about sampling Thai food, it is about a cultural dining experience
• World Heritage @ Epcot: Yes Epcot is a theme park, but it is also a melting pot of experiences from all over the world.  Check out the rotating art exhibits and enjoy interactive storytelling, all without the hassle of getting a visa (plus it is a great way to introduce the kiddos to other cultures).

Now get genetic testing done and potentially find a distant relative in a far off country.  Companies like 23 and Me and Ancestry.com have teamed with airBnB to allow one to visit a country where your genetic markers have traveled.  Of course, the data is only as good as the number of people who have submitted samples so at best, it is an intriguing look at where the family genes may have been in the past.  Don't confuse ethnicity with a DNA test.  

Safe travels!

"Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow." - Anita Desai