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us the gift of seeing ourselves as others see us). As the wise and perceptive traveler soon
learns, people in other countries may admire our technology and imitate our popular cul-
ture, but many deny that America is a city on a hill, a place worthy of emulation. In grow-
ing measure, people in other countries resist and resent the spread of the American way of
life, especially in foreign affairs and international dealings. To see ourselves as others see
us, however painful, is also a gift of travel.
THE GIFT OF AN OPEN MIND
The late James Michener, novelist and travel writer (
Tales of the South Pacific, The Bridges
of Toko Ri
), warns us against rejecting people and cultures that are different from our own:
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you
might better stay home. You are like a pebble thrown into the water; you become wet on
the surface but you are never part of the water.”
[17]
Michener is telling us to travel with an open mind. He warns us to be cautious in
judging other societies against our own. Some principles of the American Creed, of course,
are not to be compromised. Self-government, honesty in public affairs, freedom of expres-
sion, and compassion for the less fortunate are worthwhile standards by which other societ-
ies are to be judged. But the open mind is also forgiving of shortcomings and failures. And
that is yet another wonderful gift of travel. To understand that gift a bit better, let us now
take a look at one of the most celebrated wise travelers in the history of western civiliza-
tion.
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