Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
suspicious of people of no faith or a dif erent faith. Both societies seek a
defense against the onslaught of modern materialism that threatens their
traditional “family values.” Both societies are suspicious of each other, and
both are especially suspicious of each other's government.
When we travel—whether to the “Axis of Evil” or just to a place where
people yodel when they're happy, or i ght bulls to impress the girls, or can't
serve breakfast until today's croissants arrive—we enrich our lives and
better understand our place on this planet. We undercut groups that sow
fear, hatred, and mistrust. People-to-people connections help us learn that
we can disagree and still coexist peacefully.
Granted, there's no easy solution, but surely getting to know Iranian
culture is a step in the right direction. Hopefully, even the most skeptical
will appreciate the humanity of 70 million Iranian people. Our political
leaders sometimes make us forget that all of us on this small planet are
equally precious children of God. Having been to Iran and meeting its people
face-to-face, I feel this more strongly than ever.
