Embracing Life
Travel
Mark Twain said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness."
Twain's quote helped me to understand my intense desire to travel.
Adventures outside of Florida were limited during my first 45 years of existence. Mysteriously, something changed. God planted a seed (a yearning) for me to explore beyond my safe boundaries. I prayed for possibilities to fulfill my new passion. Unexpected doors opened to visit cities in the United States and countries abroad.Those trips were unplanned missions. Giving total liberty to individuals preparing the agendas, I promised to go with flow. Somehow, I knew if I surrendered, the intention of those assignments would become clear. Each time I returned home with messages to protect our fragile global environment and to enjoy the splendid diversity of the landscape and people.
My travel education and etiquette broadened on a recent visit to Italy, when I joined a tour for an 11-day escapade. A group of 43 people from around the United States, ranging in age from 13 to70ish, became my family. Traveling without relatives to an unknown country was frightening. As always, however, I was willing to embrace the trip's purpose.
In addition to seeing magnificent art and savoring authentic culinary cuisine, I witnessed bias behavior. It seems prejudice is everywhere.
Our Roman tour director expressed disgust with the agreement made between the Italian and French governments regarding the Renaissance palace, Palazzo Farnese. Possession of the castle changed many times. In 1936, Benito Mussolini ransomed it from France and regained ownership. Today it houses the French Embassy. The French pay the Italian Government a symbolic fee of one euro per month. Hard feelings still exist between the citizens of the two countries.
The European culture is difficult for many Americans to accept. Few public toilets are free and most are unisex. Hotels only offer one key per room. Front desk personnel retain the keys when guests temporarily leave. Most restaurants do not open for dinner until 7:30 pm.
While air conditioning is becoming more prevalent, most Italians prefer the fresh night air. Many cafés and shops still do not have AC. Since our tour took place in July, my travel family suffered from extended exposure to heat. Several members developed skin rashes, nicknamed, "travelers crud" (a common American ailment).
The most difficult transition for me was not having ice -- a rate commodity and luxury.
Even though the tourism industry stimulates the Italian economy, many (not all) treated us with disrespect.
However, I witnessed several subtle situations, which represented huge steps towards peace.
One such event took place on a muggy afternoon in Perusia. An elevator ride with an elderly woman made my day when she asked if we were Italian. When our answer was no, we are American, she grinned and welcomed us to Europe. After quickly explaining she was Iranian, not Italian, we knew her gracious greeting was sincere.
Stephanie, a recent high school graduate from Gainesville, was a role model in exhibiting tolerance. Her Jewish faith did not prohibit her from appreciating the Roman Catholic religion. She was the perfect ambassador, always considerate of new customs. Without realizing it, Stephanie served as a mediator and showed compassion for those who needed assistance.
Our tour included visits to many magnificent churches, including St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Near the end of our journey, we traveled through Umbria. A visit to the Duomo di Orvieto ignited my spirituality. There was something special about this 14th-century cathedral. After being lured inside by its ornate façade, I found a simple, majestic sanctuary. Organ music resonated off the ancient walls and into my soul. Perhaps the unpretentious (yet sacred) structure provided the venue for me to connect with God. My mission in Italy was complete and my message clear.
Regardless of our national origin, political affiliation or religion we are one human race. Appreciating and accepting cultural differences are imperative to attaining universal harmony.
I agree with Maya Angelou when she said, "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." §
