Traveling Where the Water Might Not Be Good

An example of a Grand Tour

If you are lucky enough to have been born in a country with clean, running water, then you already have a better life than at least half of the rest of the world.  My Wife is coming back tomorrow from a 16 day  medical mission trip in Southern Egypt.  Whereas, there are far worse places in the world, this trip has served a purpose of exposing her to how most of the people on the planet live.  Clean water is not guaranteed, so it can make life pretty hard at times.

Back when I was in college, I approached my guidance counselor about the chance to study abroad for a semester.  When she asked me where I wanted to go, I mentioned maybe England or Australia, because I lacked the foreign language skills.  She gave me one look and said "Absolutely not"!  I'll never forget how shocked I was at this statement.  I pressed the issue and she explained to me that a study abroad trip is a once in a lifetime experience, and you need to go somewhere were the water isn't clean to see how the other half live.  I'd have plenty of time in my life visit these other places, but I needed to be exposed to some harsh advice.

Well, she was not wrong, and I thank her for her stern advise.  Since one of my majors was European studies, I found a way to go to Southeast Europe.  The experience was eye-opening, and I would not trade it for anything.  I did come home with a new-found respect for all the things I had.

They used to have something like this back in the 1600-Late 1800's called the Grand Tour.  It served as a right of passage for a young man to experience the rest of Europe.  Well, in today's world, travel is easier, and there are many more places to see.  If you have the ability, I highly suggest you go somewhere were the water isn't always clean and take it all in.  You'll find that it does change you.

Wonderful Moment of the Day: Only 1 more day until my Wife comes back!