Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
My best vacations
have been both fun and
intensely educational.
Seeing how smart people
overseas come up with
fresh new solutions to the
same old problems makes
me more humble, open
to creative solutions, and
ready to question tradi-
tional ways of thinking.
We understand how our
worldview is both shaped
and limited by our fam-
ily, friends, media, and
cultural environment. We become more able to respectfully coexist with
people with dif erent “norms” and values.
Travel challenges truths that we were raised thinking were self-evident
and God-given. Leaving home, we learn other people i nd dif erent truths
to be self-evident. We realize that it just makes sense to give everyone a little
wiggle room.
Traveling in Bulgaria, you learn that shaking your head “no” means yes,
and giving an ai rmative nod can mean no. In restaurants in France, many
travelers, initially upset that “you can't even get the bill,” learn that slow service
is respectful service—you've got the table all night…please take your time. And
learning how Atatürk heroically and almost single-handedly pulled Turkey
out of the Middle Ages and into the modern world in the 1920s explains
why today's Turks are quick to see his features in passing clouds.
Traveling thoughtfully, we are inspired by the accomplishments of other
people, communities, and nations. And getting away from our home turf and
looking back at America from a distant vantage point, we see ourselves as
others see us—an enlightening if not always l attering view.
Good people have dif erent passions.
Connect with People
One of the greatest rewards of travel comes from the people you encoun-
ter—especially if you're open to letting them show of a bit and impress
you with their culture. As a traveler, I make a point to be a cultural lint
