There are a couple of ways to experience 'the real flavour' of a country. You can go first class, but when you ‘buy it’ you'll only see a sanitized, orchestrated version of the world. Alternatively, you can wander out into the streets solo and really get immersed. Things happen, spontaneously, accidentally and genuinely. The latter approach inevitably results in a richer cultural experience—but can also come with diarrhoea.