I get it wherever I can find it. On a train, a bus, a plane. Eavesdropping is the writer's greatest ally, that and watching people's faces when they think are unobserved. My daughter is always saying, "Stop staring, mum!"
Of course, other times - I just let the sheer other-worldliness of a place soak into my skin. For a while I live a completely different life, and I had one such experience recently. We stayed at the fabulous Villa Joya in Portugal, courtesy of a charity auction held in aid of Action Against Hunger.
It was sublime. I love Portugal (even if the language is pretty impossible).
Blue skies and palm trees...
Lunch by the pool (with not a cheese & pickle sandwich in sight)
Flowers everywhere...
Course after course of fancy food, served in teeny-tiny exquisite portions...
And romantic sunsets which must have been set up by Central Casting...
And now it's back to the train...
