I had a conversation with a neighbor over the
weekend. We were standing in a heated room, rubbing our tummies after a
wonderful potluck Thanksgiving dinner. Food was being packed up to take home
for leftover meals because we had so much. He and his wife have traveled, and
asked me about some of our recent tours. Then he asked me a question that gave
me pause, “Do you think people appreciate what they see when they travel?” Hmmm.
I answered
with what I know, some do. They tell me, they express it, they show it. Some, I
don’t know. I hope so. We take so much for granted, and when you have the
opportunity to see the way different people in the world live, more often than
not, we return home knowing how blessed we are. BLESSED.
Here’s just a few things I’m thankful for:
- Clean water. Just take a few steps in any direction, and turn the tap and there it is. We went to a Samburu village in Kenya that we have visited before. This culturally nomadic tribe live in huts made from branches and cow dung with an occasionally plastic tarp or cardboard roof. They sleep on goat hides. It’s the real deal, not a recreation for decoration. The Chief wanted us to be sure to see their new water tank. It’s a giant, black plastic container. They pay about $100 US to have it filled and it lasts two weeks and three days. But with it, the village of 14 families no longer have to walk to the muddy river. The girls can be in school rather than needing to haul water in buckets. The tribe won’t need to follow the rain and can stay in that area. The village is understandably so proud of their water tank. I think of that when I carelessly let the water run.
- Food and the means to prepare it. In Peru, the locals have eaten Quinoa for centuries. Now the grain is in high demand as a organic food for exporting. They can’t afford to not sell it and are experiencing a shortage of basic food for their families. Remember, it’s not like the extra money earned can go for McDonald’s happy meals, they don’t have those options. In India, I was constantly amazed at the beautiful women in their colorful sari dresses, reminding me of butterflies as they floated down the road. But they were picking up cow manure off the paved road and forming it into a shape that would be dried on the same road. Then it would be picked up and stacked to be used as cooking fuel for their home kitchens. We complain if our oven light burns out.
- The chance to be with family. Husband Doug worked aboard cruise ships for many years. He loved getting to know the Indonesian crew on the ships. Most of the time, his cabin steward or the guy that worked backstage had a similar story. They were working to support their families back home in the Philippines or Cambodia or somewhere that jobs were few and the pay was low. Some supported a wife and children. They might go months or a year before having the opportunity to go home for a visit. Marriages were on two sides of the planet. Babies were growing up and teenagers were becoming independent and all of this life was shared over a telephone at the next port of call. Yet, they smiled and made sure our families were happy with their service. Sure, it’s an effort to be with our kin, but what if that weren’t even an option?
Traveling is a way to continue to learn, but it is
also a way to appreciate. We have so much, no matter how little, to be thankful
for.
Remember to express your thanks to those around you
and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
