jetsetter

When my wife and I were thinking of making the roughly three thousand mile move from Atlanta, Georgia to Los Angeles, California we were told so many horror stories about California. We were warned that the gangs were constantly on the prowl robbing and murdering random people at every turn. We were told that traffic was so bad that you’d have to leave three hours early for a destination ten miles away. We were even cautioned not to wear certain colors in the day time. I am glad we possessed the wherewithal to take the outlandish cautionary tails with several grains of salt. All of the people that fed us these horror stories had one thing in common — they had been confined to the very same state in the very same country for several years. They were prisoners by choice, afraid to experience the culture other locals had to offer. We eventually found out that California is not much different than Georgia when it comes to clear and present danger.

When my wife and I prepared to leave for Greece (where we were married) the same Xenophobic naysayers appeared out of nowhere to warn us about the notorious pickpockets, purse thieves, and European gangsters that we would doubtlessly encounter. Although I’m sure these people were there lurking somewhere, our experience produced none of these characters.

They gave us the same song and dance about Mexico which we discovered to be untrue. Mexico was filled with beautifully polite people who are doing their best to get along in the world just like anywhere else.

So the time has come to visit the Motherland–Africa. Durban, South Afica to be specific. People have come out of the woodwork to tell us how “dangerous” it is there. We have been warned about the killing of foreigners due to a dire job situation. We’ve been warned about diseases, water, randon violence, etc. While we have not yet visited, its not hard to see through these people’s seemingly matter-of fact anecdotes and into their FEAR. We have great friends that live in Durban who report a beautiful coastal city with a modern infrastructure. Who should I believe? The closed-minded California-trapped twenty something year olds or fellow global citizens with more experience in their little finger than most people gain in a lifetime?

My point is this: do your own research before traveling. Talk to several people who have actually been to the place you are visiting and make your own conclusions. Don’t allow someone else’s FEAR and myopic view discourage you from your own personal growth.

Godspeed–Until next Time.

Travel the World !!!

Sirius -C-

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