Welcome to Local/e!

Hi! I'm Kalsoom, and welcome to Local/e, my collection of destination guides and travel tips!

I'm an avid traveler, and that bug developed fairly early on in my life, given that I am what many call a "Third Culture Kid" (TCK) - my dad is from Pakistan, my mom is from Bangladesh, I was born in Dubai but have a complete in-your-face American accent thanks to my years attending international schools in Dubai, Dhaka, and Islamabad before moving to the States for college when I was 18. (Whew!) I was really lucky to have traveled a lot when I grew up - from summer vacations visiting family in the States or London, to spring breaks in Egypt or Singapore, to school trips to Thailand or India. I probably didn't appreciate it as much when I was younger, but as an adult, that type of education and exposure was an incredible privilege, and is why I see the world the way I do today. I'm deeply curious about different cultures and communities, and absolutely love discovering new places and serendipitous moments that happen when you travel with your eyes wide open.

As a result, my style of travel is a bit more off the beaten path & local than overly touristy (side note: I hate selfie sticks with a passion). While I think some touristy things are a 'must' on any itinerary, I also love uncovering fun and interesting insider tips and spots. These are not always the easiest to find, and those tips are not often in one place, so I generally spend an inordinate amount of time researching and planning my travel.

I started Local/e because I believe finding the right mix of must-see and hidden-gems should be easier than it is right now. This collection of destination guides are my love letter to the places I've been, and if it cuts down your own hours of research, then my job here is done.

Enjoy! I'll be posting a new destination guide every week, along with other travel tips, and would love your feedback as this site evolves!

Cheers,

Kals