“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends”. – Maya Angelou
By far, the most profound impact travel has made on my life is it has opened my eyes to humanity. In today’s world of fierce hatred of differences, there is nothing more important than accepting and understanding our fellow human beings. Without aiming to get too political, I believe strongly that in order to become a better world we must embrace and accept our differences. Hatred only acts to destroy the very world we are trying to create.
The world is not only made up of white Catholic privilege. The world is an amazingly diverse and beautiful place filled with people of all different colors, ethnicities, religions, beliefs and backgrounds. Travel has taught me that we must be open to accepting others and realizing that we are all truly one: Humankind.
I am fearful of the world we have become. I don’t know how to explain it to my children who are questioning the hatred they are seeing and hearing about in the news. The only hope I have as a parent is that they too can see the world and realize that it is a beautiful place filled with people who despite their differences, all want the same things out of life: Love, happiness, health and prosperity for their families. We really aren’t as different as we may seem.
In Ethiopia at Mosebo Village. June 2014
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”. – . Saint Augustine
Me and Mary learning how to bead
Me and one of our guides arriving at Barranco Camp. Mount Kilimanjaro
Our group, #Bloggers4Haiti
I met this woman selling her handmade dolls on the street outside my hotel in La Paz.
Volunteering in Honduras
Me and Tomas in Havana, Cuba.
Maria. Guatemala.
Family in Guatemala.
Lovely Nepali girls smile at the camera.
Children at a day care center in Honduras where I volunteered last January.
Me and Maria, my Honduran host
Volunteering in Costa Rica
Volunteering in Morocco, I get Henna done.
This post was inspired by the awful political election and the weekly photo challenge: Transmogrify. Whatever your beliefs, let’s not let fear and hate taint us.
Inspiring. I stand with you in love and peace. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much!
So many beautiful people here, Nicole. Thanks for sharing.
janet
You’re welcome Janet!
I have a similar story of personal change coming up! I so agree with you that travel is a natural inoculation against hatred and prejudice. When we see that most people on this earth are just like us at our cores, it is much harder to hate or magnify differences. We are lucky to be able to partake of those lessons; I often wonder how these values can be as effectively taught to those for whom this is not possible.
Oh can’t wait to hear about your story Lexi! I wanted to add on to the post that you don’t even always need to travel to experience differences. I guess this is more for people like us who live in big cities. My children go to an urban school where it is extremely diverse. We have a large Somali population and Mexican population as well as African American children who all go to school together. So far so good. It is really wonderful as when I grew up it was very very white.
So good for kids!
🙂 We are going to Costa Rica in April as a family. I’m very excited!
Great place for kids! We did a spring break there one year and also a long work tour one December. Have fun!
Beautiful images, inspiring words and couldn’t agree with your message more!
Thank you Jane!
This was a wonderful post Nicole. I too fear where our country is heading and wonder how we will ever turn it around.
Yes it is very very sad and quite disturbing. We can hope the future generations know better!
We can continue to do our part by spreading kindness and compassion.
Yes we can LuAnn!
I couldn´t agree with you more, very well written and the photos are such a great illustration of all your travels and the beauty of people everywhere, love it! Greetings from KL, Ron.
Thank you Ron! Hoping to get over that way someday too! I know I will. 🙂
What an inspiring post Nicole and I so echo your sentiments. Beautifully written and stunning images as usual.
Thank you Miriam. We are living in scary times. I just want our election to be over.
I can totally understand that Nicole. Here’s hoping for the best.
ME too but I’m worried.
Truly stellar Nicole – couldn’t agree more!!
Thank you Tina!
An inspiring post Nicole. It is astounding to watch the rhetoric in your country these days. I really have come to try to avoid it whenever possible.
It is so darn right awful that it has changed my entire outlook on this country. Terrible, disgraceful and deeply sad.
Hang in there friend. Sending hugs from the north if that helps at all.
Your photos are absolutely amazing! And you are right about trying to explain the harshness of today’s world to our children BUT you have highlighted the fact that there is still hope in small places with big hearts, especially when the global outlook may seem hopeless. Thanks for sharing; continue to be awesome 🙂
Thank you Gale! I keep trying.
Interessante und tolle Aufnahmen…
Thank you!
Fabulous take on the challenge.
Thank you very much!
Copan Ruinas in Copan, Honduras has $5 a night hotels you should check that out sometime. Also awesome blog.
Thanks! Would love to see Copan. 🙂
Your blog is a beautiful view into traveling and different cultures. I especially liked the photo of you and Thomas in Cuba. Reminds me of a photo my dad has of himself and a man in Belize. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much! It was a special memory!
The best way, with local people, good post!
Yes indeed!