While I understand the mixed responses to this post, and I started writing a lengthy comment with my own point of view, I realized that all said and done, this

While I understand the mixed responses to this post, and I started writing a lengthy comment with my own point of view, I realized that all said and done, this is just what the author wants. It is commendable that the author is going to these lengths to experience what they are after. I'm not sure it has to be quite this extreme: for instance, you don't have to deliberately visit in the worst possible weather to experience the place authentically, especially since you're already going off the beaten path to places where most tourists aren't going to visit anyway. The only problem with this sort of travel is that you're not really getting to live as a local, no matter what sort of condition your subject yourself to. Real life has bureaucracy, waiting in line for boring stuff, sometimes concerning stuff. It has limitations that stem from what you make, while visiting significantly smaller economies you are disproportionately wealthy and you don't really share the locals' means for survival. No matter what you do, you are still a spectator, and while you're learning about different cultures and lifestyles, it's okay to have some fun.