Travel is a valuable learning experience – our world is linked like never before, we need more understanding 

To travel or not is right up there with when to claim Social Security, if a Roth conversion is desirable or the amount of retirement income needed – many answers and personal choices.

I will admit travel can be a hassle, mainly the getting there and back if flying is involved and while trying to get through customs. Because of an incompetent desk agent we missed being stranded in Istanbul by seconds. Leaving Moscow was a nightmare as we were intentionally ignored while Russians were put ahead of us, again nearly missing our flight. Occasionally you will encounter an attitude from a local, but pretty rare.

None the less, in my opinion travel provides a valuable education. You learn about people, about societies and cultures. You learn that your way of life is vastly different than many others – especially valuable for many Americans. You can gain an understanding of history that helps better understand current world events. 

Needless to say, the desire to travel is highly personal, but not traveling when there is the ability to do so is missing a great opportunity to learn and understand this world. The greater the difference between our own and other cultures, the more valuable the experience. Russia, the Ukraine, Eastern Europe and Morocco opened my eyes. Hey, they don’t even use toilet seats in the Ukraine. 

I have never been to Asia, but my cousin Carol just returned. Do you have a desire to sleep on a mat on the floor and dine on roaches and tarantulas- she did.

Seeing how so many Palestinians live in abject poverty helps you understand the conflict there. Not much happens in the world that does not affect us in the US. 

We are not much for resorts, sitting by the pool or on the beach, but I was fascinated walking on the Giants Causeway in Ireland. My vision of Oxford in England was changed after I walked in some of the buildings. 

You can better understand how we are all connected when you hear a McDonalds in Europe referred to as the American embassy or feel right at home in a Starbucks in Germany. 

I was initially surprised how many people speak English, very good English in many cases, especially among younger people. Hand gestures work pretty too well when speaking different languages😎

Even our aborted South American cruise was a learning lesson about how people react in an emergency under stress and also how nations set their priorities. 

Talk about inequality, not much beats Russia where some people in the rural areas live as if it were the middle of the 19th century.

Travel the U.S. and see amazing sites, we have nearly everything from coasts, to deserts, soaring mountains, giant lakes and rivers, and prairies. People who live on the coasts probably can’t understand driving across the Great Plains with barely the need to touch the steering wheel for twenty miles it is so flat and straight.

The differences within our 50 states is incredible. Someone will know where you live once you say a few words. Is it a sack or bag, a sub sandwich, grinder or torpedo, soda or pop? We are Americans but also very different just based on where we live. 

For me, not being able to travel as much now is a bit depressing. I truly miss it.