American tourist reveals 6 culture shocks she's faced in Montenegro: No McDonald's and more
Nestled between rugged mountains and the shimmering Adriatic Sea, Montenegro is a hidden gem of the Balkans. This small country in southeastern Europe is known for its natural beauty and medieval towns, receiving millions of tourists every year. However, as with any other country, there are things about Montenegro that will shock the average tourist.
Travel vlogger Helene Sula revealed six such things – or 'culture shocks' – that Americans will experience if they travel to Montenegro. Her Instagram video, titled 'Things in Montenegro that would send an American into a coma,' reveals the many ways in which life in the Balkan nation is different from the US.
For Helene, the first and most shocking thing she experienced was people starting their day with a shot of liquor - rakia, to be more precise. Rakia is a type of fruit brandy that is popular across the Balkan nations, and the American woman was shocked to see people consuming it before breakfast.
Smoking in Montenegro is still prevalent and popular. In fact, unlike the US, smoking indoors is allowed.
Next, she spoke about the lack of popular food chains in the country - Montenegro has no Starbucks or McDonald's. 'If you're craving a Big Mac or a Pumpkin Spice Latte, too bad. There are no McDonald's or Starbucks chains here. And there are no Apple stores either, not even in the capital Podgorica,' she revealed.
A post shared by Helene Sula - Travel and Lifestyle Blogger (@heleneinbetween)
For Helene, another culture shock was the belief in Montenegro that air conditioning can make people sick. 'I've had so many people tell me they got sick from their air conditioning,' she said in her Instagram post.
She was also surprised to find that people in the small European country did not smile or greet each other, even a little. 'It's not rude, it's just the Balkan way,' she clarified.
Finally, she was shocked by the country's driving culture, where tiny cliffside roads are navigated with no guardrails. To top it all, the locals drive fast - fast like 'they are in the Fast and Furious,' revealed Helene.
She ended her post with a word of appreciation for the country's 'insane beauty.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Farah Khan Posts Pic From Maldives Holiday; Malaika Arora Asks 'Where Is Dilip?'
Last Updated: Farah Khan vacationed in the Maldives with her cook Dilip, who is popular on her YouTube channel. Malaika Arora humorously inquired about Dilip in a photo. Farah Khan recently jetted off on a holiday in the Maldives. She was accompanied by her cook Dilip, who appears alongside the filmmaker in all of the videos on her YouTube channel. She recently posted a solo photo from her vacation, which prompted a hilarious response from Malaika Arora. Dressed in a white T-shirt with American actress Farrah Fawcett's photo, Farah Khan penned a hilarious caption. '1farah.. 1farrah.. #maldives," she wrote. Malaika was one of the first ones to react to the photo and ask, 'But where is dilip ??? Swimming ??? Sunbathing ???" Take a look: For the unversed, Farah, who visits celebrity homes with her cook, Dilip, to prepare their signature dishes, also paid a visit to Malaika's mother's house. Social media sensation Dilip had a major fanboy moment upon interacting Malaika up and close. Recently, Farah and Dilip were clicked at the Mumbai airport, gearing up for what is said to be the latter's first-ever international trip. Overjoyed, Dilip expressed his excitement by distributing chocolates to the paparazzi and even posed solo after being encouraged by Farah, who cheered him on in a fun, lighthearted moment. When asked how he was feeling, the smiling Dilip replied, 'Bahot acha lag raha hai," charming everyone with his heartfelt simplicity. Following the brief photo-op, Farah bid the paparazzi goodbye and handed them the box of chocolates as a thoughtful parting gesture. In another appearance last week, Farah and Dilip were seen engaging in fun interaction with the paps. It all started when a paparazzo complimented Farah and Dilip for their cooking videos, saying, 'Arey uncle aap viral ho gaye, maloom hai? Bohot viral ho gaye ho (Uncle, you have become a viral sensation, do you know that)." While Dilip laughed at his remark, Farah jokingly reprimanded him, replying, 'Aye, uncle kisko bola. (Hey, who are you calling Uncle?)" which left everyone in splits. Dilip, Internet's latest obession, is lauded by fans for his funny remarks and simplicity. Owing to his growing popularity, he even shot for an ad with Shah Rukh Khan. First Published: June 08, 2025, 20:05 IST
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump's new travel ban set to take effect amid escalating tension over immigration enforcement
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's new ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries is set to take effect Monday amid escalating tension over the president's unprecedented campaign of immigration enforcement. The new proclamation, which Trump signed on Wednesday, applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It also imposes heightened restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela who are outside the U.S. and don't hold a valid visa. The new ban does not revoke visas previously issued to people from countries on the list, according to guidance issued Friday to all U.S. diplomatic missions. However, unless an applicant meets narrow criteria for an exemption to the ban, his or her application will be rejected starting Monday. Haitian-American Elvanise Louis-Juste, who was at the airport Sunday in Newark, New Jersey, awaiting a flight to her home state of Florida, said many Haitians wanting to come to the U.S. are simply seeking to escape violence and unrest in their country. 'I have family in Haiti, so it's pretty upsetting to see and hear,' Louis-Juste, 23, said of the travel ban. 'I don't think it's a good thing. I think it's very upsetting.' Many immigration experts say the new ban is designed to beat any court challenge by focusing on the visa application process and appears more carefully crafted than a hastily written executive order during Trump's first term that denied entry to citizens of mainly Muslim countries. In a video posted Wednesday on social media, Trump said nationals of countries included in the ban pose 'terrorism-related' and 'public-safety' risks, as well as risks of overstaying their visas. He also said some of these countries had 'deficient' screening and vetting or have historically refused to take back their citizens. His findings rely extensively on an annual Homeland Security report about tourists, businesspeople and students who overstay U.S. visas and arrive by air or sea, singling out countries with high percentages of nationals who remain after their visas expired. Trump also tied the new ban to a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, saying it underscored the dangers posed by some visitors who overstay visas. The man charged in the attack is from Egypt, a country that is not on Trump's restricted list. U.S. officials say he overstayed a tourist visa. The ban was quickly denounced by groups that provide aid and resettlement help to refugees. 'This policy is not about national security — it is about sowing division and vilifying communities that are seeking safety and opportunity in the United States,' said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, a nonprofit international relief organization. Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro's government condemned the travel ban, characterizing it in a statement as a 'stigmatization and criminalization campaign' against Venezuelans.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Philippines now visa-free for Indian tourists
Philippines now visa-free for Indian tourists NEW DELHI: Philippines has joined the increasing ranks of countries that have become visa-free for Indian tourists from Sunday. Post-Covid, several places have gone either visa-free or visa-on-arrival to attract the high-spending desi tourists. These include Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka (free electronic visa), Seychelles, Maldives, Philippines, Indonesia (visa on arrival) and Hong Kong (online pre-clearance required), according to Travel Agents Federation of India VP Anil Kalsi. 'Indian nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible and non-convertible period of 14 days for tourism purposes, upon presenting a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, confirmed hotel accommodation/ booking, proof of financial capacity, and return or onward ticket to the next country of destination,' according to the website of the embassy of the Philippines in New Delhi. The reason for this change is also stated clearly: 'enhancing tourism arrivals from India.' 'Indian nationals holding valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or United Kingdom (AJACSSUK) visas or residence permits may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible period of 30 days for tourism, upon presenting a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, and return or onward ticket to the next country of destination,' it adds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Forget To Block Ads Before Sunday Lifestyle Tech Tips Click Here Undo These updated visa-free privileges for Indian nationals can be availed of at any Philippine port of entry, and are not convertible to a visa-based stay or other admission status categories. Indian nationals must also not have any derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in order to be admitted into the country without a visa. 'Indian nationals transiting in the Philippines or entering the country for long-term visits and non-tourism activities are required to apply for an appropriate Philippine visa at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their country or origin, place of legal residence, or any country that requires entry visas for Indian nationals. Indian nationals who are eligible for e-Visas may also apply through the official Philippine e-Visa website . The DFA reminds that e-Visas may not be extended or converted to other visa-based stay or other admission status categories,' the embassy says. India has seen a spurt in outbound travel post-Covid by its nationals, while foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) to the country are yet to return to 2019 levels. In 2024, India is provisionally estimated to have received about 97 lakh FTAs, about 1.4% more than the previous year. India had crossed the 1-crore FTA mark for the first time in 2017 and had peaked at 1.1 crore in 2019. On the other hand, more Indians are travelling to foreign shores than they did in pre-Covid times. Barring the West, other countries — especially in Southeast Asia — are going all out to woo the high-spending desi globetrotters by majorly simplifying visas to boost their economies. The travel industry in India is requesting Govt to take steps to help boost inbound numbers that will create much-needed jobs and earn forex.
