Welcome back to one of our favorite sections, “Meet the Lokafyer”! Today, we’re going to talk with Monse, who is originally from Mexico, but now lives in Kanazawa, Japan. What you’ll see in this conversation is that being a local does not always mean being born in a certain place. Sometimes, you simply become a local by experiencing the city that you are visiting and obviously, staying for a couple of years or more helps a lot. But what we’re trying to express is that feeling at home is something that you can achieve with curiosity, passion and love, and that’s precisely what Monse has done. For some people, going to a new place might be an exciting experience, but also scary, almost like a challenge. A language barrier, chaotic traffic, long distances, etc., can all be elements that stress you out… but as Monse will later tell you, everything is easier when you have a friend to help you out. And of course, that’s what Lokafyers are! Your new friends in a different place to help you have the greatest adventure of your life.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hello Lokafy friends, I'm Monse Galicia from Mexico. Currently, I'm studying for my Ph.D. at Kanazawa University in the area of Metabolism and Endocrinology. I'm a very social person, that enjoys the company of positive people, and dances salsa music.
How long have you been living in your city and what do you love about it?
I've been living in Kanazawa for about 4 years, what I love about my city is the opportunity to enjoy the summer on the beaches near Kanazawa and during spring and autumn in the mountains for a nice hiking day.
How did you discover Lokafy and what made you want to become a Lokafyer?
I discovered Lokafy because one of my friends told me about it. I decided to become a Lokafyer because I normally like to show the city to my close friends, and I got many positive comments from them, joking that I should become a tourist guide.
What are some of the most memorable experiences you've had with travelers through Lokafy?
I have many nice memories with the travelers, I met a family from Thailand and they treated me like part of their family that day. We drank matcha together and took photos together. I really enjoyed that day.
How has Lokafy changed your perspective on travel and culture?
It has been a really nice opportunity to appreciate and consider for future personal travels the benefits of meeting with a local person from the town. Those places that only the people from the city know and delicious food are always appreciated.
What are some of the tips or advice that you would give to someone who wants to travel like a local?
If you have a friend in town, TAKE HIM / HER!!! Because that will save you a lot of time and you can use that time to explore the city more. In case you don't have a friend in town, I will recommend looking for a person who has been living there for a long time and has knowledge about the history of the city. At the end of my tour, my travelers always made jokes about lord Maeda, and they said " Now we understand why Kanazawa has the big golden hat everywhere or the "Gold Daruma".
When you’re not working for Lokafy, what do you
like to do for fun?
I like to visit Karaoke because I love to sing, and I also enjoy watching movies and TV shows from different countries.
Any final comments for travelers visiting your city?
Prepare yourself to enjoy and try very delicious food in Kanazawa, Kanazawa is very famous for its cuisine, so I hope you are ready to eat tons of sushi and sashimi.
If you visit Kanazawa during winter, be ready for the snow, during summer please bring many water bottles with you and sunscreen.
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