Author Description

Nearly 32 years ago, Gene Simon and I took a trip around the world. It proved to be an extraordinary experience for me and one I think about every so often. Quite recently, I found a couple of boxes, stored over the years, which contained my written impressions and notes from the trip. They also contained an abundance of letters written home and received, nearly 600 photo slides, my travel journal, and a few guide books. Most of what follows is directly taken from my writings during my travels, though I filled a few gaps with my own recollections. It would be impossible for me to know the extent to which this year of travel made lasting impressions in me and my character. But I did learn, I believe, then and now, what Mark Twain said to be true, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." I may have vegetated somewhat since, but I was taught during this particular year that the world's people are much better than I would ever have imagined before setting off on this adventure. In every country we met strangers who became friends and who shared not only their hospitality and ways of life but also their views of the world - often views different than the prejudices I was carrying. I also learned then, and hopefully realize still, that our own country is abundantly blessed in a myriad of ways. We are rich and safe, healthy and educated, and really have no business whining.One final note: though acting as tourist on occasion, the real experience was as the traveler, following no well-defined course and without expectations of pleasure or reward - that is what made all the difference.