A World of Impressions: 1 Passport, 31 stamps, Thousands of People
I’m writing from the plane on my passport’s final trip. It expires tomorrow after 10 years, countless miles – and hopefully a few changed lives. I always want to keep my old passports – this one has 31 stamps, four visas and full pages rich with memories.
Eastern Europe: This part of the world reminds me of the necessity to foster dreams – after meeting people suppressed under the communist regime. While working in the Ukraine, I learned a lot about the freedom Americans have to succeed – and the entrepreneurial difference one generation post communism can make. Ukraine – A Country of Contrasts, as well as Gaining the Competitive Edge will give you a better look. The rich history of Hungary and the Czech Republic, along with their ability to prosper, were a wonderful nightcap.
Ireland: The green countryside, sheep wandering across the road and the Irish spirit have always impressed me. What I remember most about our last trip to Ireland was that it was my final one before becoming a mom. There’s no stamp in my passport for that, but certainly is in my heart. And sometime that stamp is in direct conflict with those on my passport.
Egypt: After providing training and consulting to help Egyptians with their agriculture education system two years in a row, I have to point to the people as highlight. Many in the western world are leery of Arabic countries. I suspect many cultural divides of today’s world could be eliminated if people would converse with those different from them, rather than judging them. More on this at Thinking from Egypt. Oh, and that is me on a camel at the pyramids – a story for another time, but consider moving 2 ton stones without mechanization.
Canada: It’s not an extension of the U.S., as some Americans believe (especially in my home state of Michigan where you can easily cross the border). February in Regina is not glamorous and a blizzard in Saskatoon caused me to miss the only speaking engagement I ever have, but the warmth of the Canadian people makes up for the weather. Who knows, maybe we’ll be able to take a holiday and enjoy the wilderness here someday?
Australia: Hands down, best trip ever. Two weeks of glorious countryside, coral reefs and summer in December. Amazing wine (26 bottles in ourcarry-ons). Breathtaking sites. A day of swimming with fish, sharks and turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, overlooked by the Daintree Rainforest. Fabulous Aussies and their endearing accents. We even managed to visit a dairy farm and learn about their agriculture. If someone gave us a reason to move there, we likely would have.
South Africa: My strongest memory is the millions of people who live in shacks in worse condition than anything we’d house an animal in. This picture single handedly drives me to ensure agriculture has the tools to help bring food to those without. Read more about this experience at South African Safari Yields Agricultural Insights. Feeding a lion cub, having a giraffe block traffic and seeing the speed of a cheetah was amazing, as was the food, flowers and being able to harvest wine grapes.
Mexico: Travel is a hassle (and getting worse by the year). One of the upsides is the frequent flier miles that takes our family to warm places in the winter where our phones and brains don’t work. Lots of smiles while four wheeling on the beach and across the Mexican countryside, painting poolside, splashing in the ocean, shopping with ambiance and just relaxing as a family. Soul soothing!
U.S.A.: As much as I love to explore other countries and cultures, I also cherish being an American. It gives me great pride to come home to our flag and all it represents. I’ve also found that leaving our soil provides an outstanding reminder of America’s freedoms.
I have to wonder what will stamp the next passport. The last decade brought the changes of starting my own business, a family and a new farm. I suspect the next decade will bring very different changes. I’ll continue to be blessed if my next passport is as filled as this one has been.
And, by the way, if you haven’t ventured from the shores of your home country, find a way to make it happen. I guarantee those passport stamps will change your perspective.
Hungry for more? Related posts:
