If you travel with an open heart and mind, embracing both cultural differences and similarities, you may find many pearls along your path—even if your luggage goes astray. And ALWAYS, ALWAYS pack your sense of humor.
Although some environmentalists believe staying home or only traveling within walking or bus distance can help solve global warming, I disagree. I ride the bus and walk more than I drive to reduce my environmental impact at home. Each trip teaches me how to leave fewer carbon footprints in the sand—packing lighter also saves my back. Whether I’m attending church in Tonga or knocking back an ale in Germany, I find the people are the pearls in most countries.