This is fantastic! The reason we should all travel. Helps us to remember to be humble. I particularly like how you pointed out that we all chase 'authentic' experiences but then can end up staying in tourist areas, visiting tourist attractions and not really experiencing the authentic life. Sounds like you had a good taste!

I've had a few authentic experiences in my travels. My favourite was sleeping in one big room, on the floor with a Thai family. We all slept the same - on the floor on mats with small blankets. There were a few fans around the room. Dinner was cooked outside, we ate prepared it together, ate together and had a jolly time. Zero on the luxury front.

I will be honest, after that weekend I was very very very pleased to see a toilet that I could sit on, not squat over!