A virtual language holiday

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jeffers
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A virtual language holiday

Postby jeffers » Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:35 pm

The thread about travel got me thinking about an idea I had inspired by the pandemic: a "virtual" language holiday. I know there have been companies offering virtual tours of places during the pandemic, but my focus would be linguistic. Here are a few of the things I've thought about doing to create a virtual day out in some city in France (destination not yet decided):

  • Get audio walking tours of the city. Obviously the audio language would be in the target language. Listen to the tour while "walking it" using streetview. Maybe I could do this even more immersively using the Google cardboard VR I have somewhere?
  • Watch a documentary or two about the city
  • Eat appropriate local food for my meals, snacks and drinks
  • Put on relevant background music while preparing and eating food (e.g. my Cafe Paris CD)
  • "Go to" entertainments: e.g. watch a film, watch a stand-up comedy

Any other good ideas?

For me, I could only do a short trip, because I have a full family bumping about the house who would quickly shatter the illusion! However, if I were single (or had a partner who wanted to do the same), I would consider making a 2 or 3 day thing of it.
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Iversen
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Re: A virtual language holiday

Postby Iversen » Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:04 pm

Leave the house and bring your phone and a computer with you - and afterwards write a travelogue in French about your trip (and show that to your family so that they don't think you have been idling the time away, or worse).
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Adrianslont
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Re: A virtual language holiday

Postby Adrianslont » Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:59 am

I relate to this post.

I was on the other thread wallowing in self pity as I haven’t been allowed to leave Australia for about 18 months - and every couple of days I find myself virtually travelling on YouTube travel channels or like Jeffers on google maps with plenty of street view!

Yesterday I was in google maps looking around Pangandaran in West Java, checking out the beaches and the lay of the land. I started clicking on the restaurants and checking out their menus, the photos and reviews! I’m thinking, “that looks like a pretty good $3 breakfast!” :lol:

I also jump on TripAdvisor and booking.com from time to time.

And I have Indonesian travel instagrammers in my feed - two of which are companies with whole world focuses - so I get ideas about lots of places everywhere!

All of these behaviours were present pre-covid but seem more frequent now. And there is lots of yearning!

In lieu of overseas and even domestic travel, I am currently restricted within 10km of my home, I make an effort to walk in an area I don’t really know once or twice a week. I take photos, buy a take away coffee, and occasionally meet a colourful local to chat with! :lol:

Edit: minor change for politeness!
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