"The Enormity of Human History"

Here is a quote from the book "Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter" by Josh Gates that my roommate, Crystal found. Something about it we just both found entrancingly beautiful:

"The experience of leaving one's homeland can be psychologically profound. Travel illuminates a strange dichotomy of scale. When we stand in the shadows of empire, before solemn, ancient temples, we feel the enormity of human history ash over us and are humbled by its magnitude. But, paradoxically, the world is also revealed to us as strangely small and universal. It is impossible to watch that old familiar moon rise up over Hong Kong Harbor and not be struck dumb by the idea that the same soft light is shining down on Burbank, California. To think that when we look west over the misty cliffs of Moher in Ireland, someone on a beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is looking back. In an instant, we can observe the world expand and contract in one seemingly contradictory motion

To that dangerously expanding group of xenophobic Americans who seems content cleaving only to the familiar embrace of the United States, I contend that you will, on some level, forever feel unfulfilled. Seeing the world is a prerequisite to understanding one's place in it."

It's amazing the people you meet when you travel abroad. There is part of studying abroad that is about experiencing the new local culture. But there is an even larger part that is about discovering yourself and your culture. Through my now almost 10 months abroad, I have been able to view America from a new angle. It is a beautiful world that we live in and the only way to know this is to travel and see it. I stand by Osaka as my favorite city so far (blog post to come, I promise!) but I would never have chosen to go to Osaka. My first choice would have been Tokyo (although, since I have yet to go to Tokyo, I may still find I like it more there).

So words of advice: TRAVEL! and never stop travelling. Remember that even the place you live in is foreign to someone, so make sure you get the chance to explore your own hometown.

<3

P.S. Mr Gates, if you read this, Crystal is a huge fan of yours. She raves about your book ALL the time, watches every episode of your show, and is very disappointed you were at Waverly Hills just 5 months before she started volunteering there. She would appreciate it greatly if you would follow her on twitter. Best regards, Kate