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
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
US airlines at greater risk as global carriers bypass Middle East after attacks on Iran
Flight disruptions continue in the Middle East. Airlines are rerouting flights to avoid conflict zones. This follows missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. US actions may increase risks. Some airlines cancelled flights to Dubai and Doha. Evacuation flights are underway. Many people are stranded. Airlines are taking alternative routes. This increases fuel and crew costs. The situation remains fluid. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region, an organisation that monitors flight risks warned on Sunday, as some airlines cancelled flights to and from Dubai and continued to avoid large parts of the Middle East due to missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, the latest upheaval to travel in the Airlines said it cancelled flights from Singapore to Dubai following a security assessment and British Airways cancelled flights to and from Dubai and following an early barrage of Iranian missiles, Israel reopened its airspace for six hours on Sunday to bring back those stranded abroad since the conflict with Iran began on June Airports Authority said so-called rescue flights to the country would expand starting on Monday with 24 a day from various destinations, "marking a significant step toward the gradual restoration of routine international travel." It said each such flight departing Israel could carry up to 50 Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, said the U.S. attacks on Iran may increase risks to U.S. operators in the region."While there have been no specific threats made against civil aviation, Iran has previously warned it would retaliate by attacking US military interests in the Middle East - either directly or via proxies such as Hezbollah," Safe Airspace flight tracking website FlightRadar24, said airlines maintained flight diversions around the website showed airlines were not flying over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel. They have chosen routings such as north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, even if these mean higher fuel and crew costs and longer flight and drone barrages in a growing number of conflict zones represent a high risk to airline the nine days since Israel attacked Iran, carriers have suspended flights to destinations in the affected countries, though there have been some evacuation flights from neighbouring nations and some bringing stranded Israelis Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed due to war, the Middle East has become a more important route for flights between Europe and are also concerned about a potential spike in oil prices following the U.S. attacks, which will increase the cost of jet the days before the U.S. strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar and United Airlines did the same with flights to Airspace said airspace risks could now extend to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. "We continue to advise a high degree of caution at this time," it BA and Singapore Airlines cancellations were only for Sunday, but Singapore said other flights between Singapore and Dubai may be affected as the situation remains "fluid".BA, owned by IAG, said customers scheduled to travel between now and June 24 to Dubai and Doha can rebook up to and including July 6, free of carriers, El Al Israel Airlines, Arkia, Israir and Air Haifa, said earlier on Sunday they had suspended rescue flights bringing people back to Israel until further Al said it would also extend its cancellation of scheduled flights through Friday and Israir said it had halted the sale of tickets for all flights through July authorities opened the country's main airport, Ben Gurion near Tel Aviv, for rescue flight landings on Sunday between 1100 and 1700 GMT. The small Haifa Airport serving Israel's north was also open from 1100 to 1700 Al, along with Arkia, Air Haifa and Israir, said they would operate at least 10 flights on Sunday from 1100 of thousands of Israelis and others who had booked tickets to Israel are stuck the same time, nearly 40,000 tourists in Israel are looking to leave, some of whom are going via Jordan's borders to Amman and Aqaba and others via Egypt and by boat to said it had evacuated 21 people, including 16 Japanese nationals, from Iran overland to Azerbaijan. It said it was the second such evacuation since Thursday and that it would conduct further evacuations if Zealand said it would send a Hercules military transport plane to the Middle East on standby on Sunday to evacuate New government was also in talks with commercial airlines on how they could help.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
US updates travel advisory for India: মার্কিনদের ভারত-ভ্রমণে লেভেল ২ ভ্রমণ সতর্কতা!
Videos US updates travel advisory for India: মার্কিনদের ভারত-ভ্রমণে লেভেল ২ ভ্রমণ সতর্কতা! | Zee 24 Ghanta US Updates Travel Advisory for India: Americans Upgraded to Level 2 Travel Alert! US Updates Travel Advisory for India: Americans Upgraded to Level 2 Travel Alert! | Updated: Jun 22, 2025, 11:40 PM IST Advertisement US Updates Travel Advisory for India: Americans Upgraded to Level 2 Travel Alert!
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Last Caveman on Earth' : This 62-year-old lives like it's the Stone Age
Almost everything around us is connected, phones, homes, cars, even watches, and because of this, it's hard to even imagine a life without constant notifications, deadlines, or noise. We wake up to alarms, check emails before brushing our teeth, and measure our days by productivity rather than peace. While technology and city life have brought comfort and convenience, they've also come with their own baggage of stress, anxiety, and a sense of never truly having enough time. But what if someone chose to step away from all of it? Not for a vacation or a social media detox, but for life. While most of us wouldn't consider living without electricity or running water, there are still rare individuals who take up simplicity, silence, and survival in the most raw form. People who find richness in the rhythm of nature instead of the rush of the modern world. One such person is Aliah, a 62-year-old man living in a cave on the remote island of Socotra, Yemen. His story has gone viral because he represents something deeply human, which is choosing freedom from the chaos. This man lives on the rugged coastline of Socotra, Yemen, and has become an internet sensation after travel vlogger Colin shared a video of him on Instagram. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Where he wrote, 'This might be the last Caveman on Earth. Meet Aliah, the 62-year-old caveman of Yemen. He lives on the rocky shores of Socotra, surviving off the sea with nothing but what nature gives him.' In the video, Aliah is seen fishing by hand, walking barefoot over sharp rocks, lighting fires, and sleeping in a cave, just like humans did thousands of years ago. Despite the harsh conditions, he appears content and physically strong. 'His days are measured by the tides and not time. No phone. No electricity. Just the rhythm of wind and water. And still, he smiles like he knows something the rest of us forgot,' Colin adds. The viral video has gained over a million views and sparked a wave of admiration. People online are in awe of Aliah's resilience and peace. One user commented, 'He's richer than most millionaires.' Another said, 'No phones, just pure passion and living in the moment.' Many admired his health and fitness at 62. 'Ok, he should share his dental hygiene routine. Those teeth look way better than I'd expect TBH,' someone joked. Others pointed out the emotional and mental peace such a life may offer. 'No tax, no bills, no anxiety, no overthinking, I bet he's a really happy dude.' Another comment read, 'He's not crazy. He hasn't been affected by Western ideologies,' suggesting that Aliah's peace may come from staying disconnected from modern pressures. Aliah also spoke about his family in the video, revealing that he's lost some of his children over the years. Yet, despite the loss and solitude, he continues to live peacefully in his cave, grateful for what the sea and land provide.
