Thursday, July 28th 2011
Skip The Passport
By Kristina Fisher
Think you need to get a passport, book a flight, and buy that instant translator app to experience a different culture or brush up on that foreign language? Think again. Forget the passport and airfare, but don’t forget that translator. There are plenty of places in our very own city that whisk you away to a different culture, where English is unnecessary and new experiences abound. So get out and explore for a weekend. Save your pocketbook some serious damage, especially with airfare on the rise (what’s with all the extra fees?!?), and enjoy the cultural diversity right here!
Were you thinking of planning a trip to Mexico? Ok, there’s no beach on the near south side to rival Cabo or Cancun, but you’re sure to get a more authentic cultural experience than any resort can offer. If you’re looking for a chance to brush up on your rusty high school or college Spanish, why not check out one of the amazing Mexican restaurants on Lincoln Avenue? For a culinary experience you’ll never forget, try La Canoa (1520 W. Lincoln Ave.) during a big fútbol game or on Sundays for some live mariachi fun. They take requests, so be sure to come with your favorite Mexican ballad in mind. The food is delicious! Their specialty is seafood, and there’s no lack of spice. To be extra authentic, opt for the corn tortillas when they ask. And to drink? Any Mexican import beer… or, of course, tequila! For a night of dancing, minus the English small-talk, hit up Salsa Saturdays at Wherehouse (818 S. Water St.). You can get your free lesson at 9 p.m. and be ready to test out your new moves all night long! There are plenty of Latin heartthrobs and beauties to fill your dance card and help you practice flirting in Spanish. It’s not Mexico, but it is fun… and it’s right here in Milwaukee!
For something a little more off-the-beaten-path, why not spend a Sunday immersed in Serbian culture? Chances are you’ve never been inside of one of Milwaukee’s most beautiful churches. Attend the Sunday, 10:30 a.m. church service at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (3201 S. 51st St.) to be instantly transported to another culture. The service is in Serbian, the conversations are in Serbian, the church is amazing, and you’ll feel like you just stepped off the plane in Belgrade. While there, check out the schedule for one of the Serbian folk dance performances or when to watch the United Serbian Soccer Club take the field. There’s plenty going on in this cultural community! For a late lunch after church, head to Three Brothers (2414 S. Saint Clair St.) after 4 p.m. This little (and I mean little) gem packs a cultural, as well as, culinary punch. There aren’t many tables, but the food is delicious, and you’ll get a chance to test out that translator when the owner Branko comes around to introduce himself. While there, imagine a little Serbian baba cooking in the kitchen. Try the Serbian salad, a combination of tomato and an amazingly sharp Serbian cheese (a traditional dish) and, of course, the burek or lamb… and don’t forget the šljivovic! This plum brandy is a must for any Serbian celebration, or heck, even just for dinner. Živeli!
For a taste of the Middle East, and to test out your Farsi, spend an afternoon tasting Persian cuisine at Shiraz Persian Grill (2921 N. Oakland Ave.). Try one of the delicious kabob or stew plates, and when you fall in love with the flavors of Iran, just walk across the street to the Shiraz Persian Market (2864 N. Oakland Ave.). You’ll surely find the owner of both businesses hard at work. Get out that translator app and strike up a conversation. Ask how to make that delicious falafel from the Persian Grill, and get all the ingredients right there to recreate the dish at home. For a fun addition to your Iranian afternoon in Milwaukee, check out the hookahs and tobacco at the market. This tradition is a must! If you’re not looking to buy your own, you can always partake at Casablanca (728 E. Brady St.). They have a large selection of hookah tobacco and an exotic ambience to enjoy the tradition. You may even find yourself entertained by a belly dancer! Order in Farsi to really impress the staff and owner.
The point is to get out an explore the cultural diversity in your own city. If you know a language or want to learn, there are endless opportunities to experience a new culture and language in Milwaukee. You just need to get out an explore. Find a cultural community center to get a listing of upcoming events. Or venture into a new neighborhood to experience authentic cuisine from all over the world. These places are sometimes off-the-beaten-path and sometimes right under your nose. You may pass a cultural gem like Shiraz everyday without stopping in. So forget the plane, and spend the money you saved on that expensive vacation experiencing all the cultural diversity Milwaukee has to offer. Just don’t forget that pocket translator!
