Mini Mission # 5 - Become a Regular

Image via Film Intuition

Walking into a familiar place is a great feeling. Part of what makes living abroad so challenging is the lack of familiarity - it can be really alienating to feel like a stranger in your own city. I've found that it really helps to find a few places to make my own. I have my local café, my favorite flower stand - and my local bakery even knows my regular morning breakfast order. There's something comforting about nodding hello to your local café owner and the other regulars every morning that makes you feel like, well, a local!


Your mission is to go out and become a regular. Somewhere. Anywhere! Choose a destination, and stick with it - make it part of your daily routine to visit your new "place". Maybe your local bar or newsstand, or possibly a kiosk that carries your favorite brand of chewing gum. Nod hello and soon you'll be getting nods in return - and maybe you'll even get some new friendships out of it.  At the very least, you will feel more at home, and probably also feel more comfortable practicing your language skills - but don't forget to say no to English!

Are you a regular anywhere?