Navigating the World

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‘Sami Al Alsheikh discusses how his upbringing shaped his perspective on travel and culture. Moving from the U.S. to Saudi Arabia as a child, he emphasizes the importance of forming personal values and exploring diverse cultures. Sami shares memorable adventures, such as gorilla trekking in Uganda and visiting the Long Neck tribe, highlighting the contrast between tourism and authentic experiences. He advocates for respectful curiosity and stepping outside one's comfort zone, illustrating how travel fosters personal growth and broadens perspectives.’

Background

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I lived my first ten years of life in the United States before my Saudi parents permanently moved back to Saudi Arabia. The whole experience of moving back at such a young age, to actively learn a relatively new language and culture really helped in shaping my identity and always lean towards forming my own independent opinions.

This upbringing helped nurture sympathy towards people you perceive as different. You are not locked into a particular very local paradigm.

This can be incredibly liberating and take your mind on a very beautiful entertaining journey. Instead of blindly accepting a set of values, you create your own. You see a different world others don’t see. It gives you a sense of humility and feeling (maybe undeservedly) privileged at the same time.

What initially sparked your interest and curiosity to explore places through a more unique, locally-focused lens?

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All of us have that stereotypical image of a person in sunglasses sipping on a cocktail as if it’s the ultimate joy when travelling. After enough of that, I began to realize that the moments that I cherish

and remember, were all through experiences that I did on the side. Or found that the highlight of the trip was the people with me in it.

If you travel a lot you cant help but end up noticing how big cities have the same fast-food restaurants everywhere. Malls are very similar. Theres various “authentic” cuisines in almost every major city now. Then the idea of tasting street food emerged. Its almost always more of the same.

That’s what makes you interested in eventually touring the slums of Mumbai, trekking by endangered species in a jungle that’s continuously decreasing in size, climbing mountains where theres no services, visiting local illiterate tribes that live right by Ivy league educated neighbors, visiting countries that that have more of a communist culture, and even visiting countries under military rule, learning how whale-hunting effects marine ecosystems, are all very eye-opening, character building experiences that have a lasting very positive effect on your life.

Such experiences help you not just comprehend but feel the difference between vacationing and travelling.

When considering visiting another country for the first time, can you share with us some of the tactics you use to ensure your travels are focused on authentic experiences?

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I avoid anything directed to tourists by corporations and instead read about recent experiences of others or ask others and ask people who have been there.

On the other hand, travel advisories, I can’t take seriously at all. For an authentic experience and for safety too, there is no better way than going with a flexible travel plan and talking to locals you feel you can trust.

What is it that you liked most in Uganda?

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Africa is vast and my experience so far is limited so far to eastern and central Africa. I’ve been to many countries and Uganda is my favorite so far. Theres just something in the atmosphere that’s so relaxed and authentic.

When you see “poor” families living in a modest house by banana trees, taking care of their own livestock, with their children freely playing in open space in broad daylight as intended by nature, with no access to processed or genetically modified foods, you cant help but imagine how many back home would be willing to spend fortunes to live such an experience.

Granted, the other side of the fence is always greener, but it does make you think, and definitely broadens your horizons. The shift in thought isn’t just an intellectual one, but its deeply felt, hence the effect such trips can have on a person.

Can you tell us about the time you went to Africa and your experiences there, such as gorilla trekking in the jungle?

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Gorilla Trekking is popular in a jungle between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda where these beautiful, endangered creatures live.

The Ugandan wildlife authority was extremely accommodating. They provided armed guides in uniform take you to gorilla populations that are used to humans being around them. You can opt for more wild populations if you’re a zoologist interested in animal behavior research. The fees paid for this experience helps protect these endangered species.

I know of no traveler that as been to 50+ countries that didn’t find Gorilla Trekking in Uganda in particular, to be the best or one of the best experiences they’ve ever had.

It’s not like a safari at all. It’s a category of its own.

What about mountain climbing?

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Contant physical movement in nature, being up in the mountains for days, sleeping in tents, without basic services, and eating very basic food, is an incredibly rewarding experience.

There’s purity in such pursuits that transcends all social norms and social structure. It’s almost like going back to your most primitive state. It’s just you, your abilities, your mental strength, your physical strength, and you're planning. You can’t take anything else with you. There’s raw purity in that is so beautiful.

After such experiences you wont just appreciate the mountains more, you’ll appreciate what you already have a lot more whether its your coffee, your favorite dish, or your family.

You mentioned connecting with the Long Neck tribe- what surprised you most about their way of life and culture?

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You can’t have this experience without becoming aware of interesting ethical aspects. Is a human zoo that’s unethical to visit? Or is supporting them an ethical duty? Simply having to seriously think about such aspects is an experience that adds to you.

I visited their camp near the golden triangle located between Myanmar, Thailand, and China. The golden triangle used to be the main source of opium in the world. Near it, is whats essentially a refuge camp where a few tribes now live in an attempt to wean them off opium trade. They now sell their products to visiting tourists who come to see the long necked women and their neck rings.

The men in that camp, and other tribes altogether barely receive tourists. People would want to take pictures of the women wearing those neck rings. Apart from efforts of nonprofit organizations that’s how they end up generating income.

This resulted in some describing it as a human zoo. I can understand why. I can also understand the complexity of the situation and the historical/economic context.

I left with very mixed feelings, but with an experience that will always be remembered. One that reminds you things aren’t always either white or black. You learn to observe more and judge less.

I heard the experience visiting the lip-plate tribes in southern Ethiopia is somewhat similar and rather very touristy as opposed to authentic, but I’ll never know until I visit myself.

When visiting communities, how do you go about diplomatically learning about their traditions, diets, religions and social norms without passing cultural judgement?

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If you don’t share beliefs with others, you believe each other’s beliefs to be superstitious. So, you will in the form of another pass judgements and that’s normal. What’s important is to be respectful and just accept that people are different. To learn you can focus on questions about beliefs that influence practices like diets, festivals, social norms etc.

Can you tell me about your attempt to interview cannibals and what you hoped to understand from those conversations?

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I never had to interview cannibals in mind. While browsing the Internet in Uganda I came across a video of some guy who actually interviewed a cannibal in broad daylight. So I asked my driver if we could visit cannibals, and where they existed. He replied in a serious tone asking if I was from the press. I could smell trouble coming from that and figured from his tone and discipline that hes probably an undercover officer. I never perused it further.

It did spark an interest and made me read about Aghoris in India, and tribes in Papua New Guinia. I definitely wouldn’t mind interviewing one someday.

What qualities do you feel are important for smoothly mingling with and understanding people from varied backgrounds?

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Its always good to show that you did your homework. Read about their beliefs before visiting. Many are thrilled to learn that you know about some minor details about their beliefs and become eager to share more. Ask if doing this or that is okay or not, even if you already know the answer, just to demonstrate that you’re trying to be respectful.

Situational awareness is an absolute must. Go with a group if you feel you don’t have it.

How do destinations like communist Laos give you insights that corporate-influenced places may lack?

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While laos is still technically communist, Chinese flavor of communism/capitalism is slowly creeping in. It does lack services that corporate competition can provide which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Its like travelling on a time machine. Theres no familiar fast food chains. Most areas don’t have modern supermarkets. People are poor but they don’t seem to be desperate, rushed, or hungry for money. The pace is so slow. People seem to be so chilled.

It makes you wonder what pace should we perceive as normal? Where’s the middle ground? Its a fascinating experience that makes you value small things that you may be missing, and value small often overlooked things you already have.

What specific skills or mindsets do you feel your explorations have helped you develop that would be applicable to the role?

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A mindset that takes into account history, accumulation of experiences, economic situations, wars, social structures etc makes you become narrow-mindede less judgmental. In fact i’d suggest that one main aspect of being narrow minded is judging others based on nothing but your value system. The more you travel the more you sense this.

With regard to skill, you realize the importance of situational awareness, the ability to assess risk, read rooms, body language etc also became aspects I came to value more and more.

How do you think your open and curious approach to travel could help others broaden their perspectives?

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I think when people see others break out of social norms related to travel and actually enjoy it, whats unthinkable or far reached starts to gradually become thinkable. Some would feel left out.

Then it becomes an idea that may be executed someday. Sometimes all it takes is one meaningful trip to realize how so little we are and how large the universe is; a thought that can change the way you perceive life altogether.

What types of exploration challenges or risks are you comfortable taking on in the pursuit of new experiences and cultural understandings?

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As long as im alone and don’t feel worried for the safety or well-being of somebody else, id say I feel comfortable in places or situations people who don’t travel would perceive as risky. However, its calculated risk nevertheless. Id take advice from locals seriously.

With regard to comfort im comfortable being uncomfortable for a few days for the sake of a new experience. You need to get out of your comfort zone to pursue anything meaningful.