I was watching "No Reservations" with Anthony Bordain the other night and realized that my writings in the 20th Century, metaphysical and separate from now as they seemed, were actually not as different as I thought.

I am still into introspection. I am still into figuring out life. The only difference now is; I tend to focus part of my reflection or study, if you will, into the politics of human beings and how those politics affect our world rather than just the inner workings of individuals and how they are affecting a smaller circle of life.

Those of you who are friends of mine know that I travel a lot. I have traveled enough to become a visitor rather than a tourist and am delving deeper and deeper into our world. In part, that is probably the reason I feel that I have a right to voice my opinions about politics in America and the people and conditions around the world now and why I didn’t several years ago.

I have traveled to 561 cities in 60 countries and this year, 2012 and 2013, I have or will revisit India, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Hong Kong, Viet Nam, Russia, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Turkey, Singapore and Finland plus, I will be adding several new places in my quest to experience and learn about the world.

I will visit Alaska for the first time and cruise to several islands in French Polynesia. I will visit Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji. I will also visit Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Hungary. On my trip to the Continent of Africa, I will visit South Africa, Mozambique, French Comoros, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka, cruise the Bay of Bengal and visit Malaysia for the first time.

Am I lucky to be doing this or what? I thank God every time I remember that this is a Supreme gift. Of course, it is also a product of working my butt off for years and years but when I look back at all of that now, I thank God for giving me the direction! It was so worth it!

Now, back to my reason for writing today…

Question: If you don’t travel the world, how can you really know the world?

Moreover, if you haven’t physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually connected with the various parts of our world, how can you possibly know what you are talking about when you give your opinion about it?

Yes, I know, beliefs and opinions are after all just that, but before you have one and give it, shouldn’t the opinion at least come from some personal knowledge and not simply a belief or conclusion conjured up from reading or seeing what other people want you to read or see?

I can guarantee you that one walk into the underbelly of the slums of Mumbai, one trip to the brackish waters of Thailand to be with the fishermen who are wading waist high to grab their catch, or simply sitting and watching the people for 6 hours in the Abu Dhabi airport will give you more real insight into the world than reading any book possibly can.

You need to travel to understand. You can’t do it from behind a computer screen, television or by reading a newspaper, magazine or a book. You can’t educate yourself on the world by getting a college education. You need to travel.

And, don’t just travel where it is pretty or where it is just comfortable. Expand your life and your comfort zones and forge your own opinions about the world by going to see the people and the places that the tour companies rarely show.

Do it. And while you are at it, support other people to do the same so that they will know more about their world as well.

And, please, for God's sake, don't whine and say you aren't "priviledged" and don't have the money. Get off your butt and use the brain and body you were given and make the money! Listen to your intuition, your head, your heart, your God, if you believe in one, and they will guide you! Times like these are precisely where the genius of invention is born!

I have a lot more to say about life and my experience of it than my political point of view so I am revising the “Vicky” section of Vicky.com to reflect that. This section is moving to an area of its own. (I never really belonged with the Debt Clock anyway!)

Below is the quote by Anthony Bordain that moved me to write today. He said it as he was about to leave the jungle of Malaysia. Hopefully when I visit Malaysia for the first time in 2013, I will come away feeling as enriched.

Until we meet again.

Aloha,
Vicky

There is something strange about leaving.
I don't feel I belong here but I don't know if I belong back in NY anymore either.

As you have probably noticed I am not an expert on the places I visit.
I am not an authority. I am a visitor, a traveler, an enthusiast.

Is it possible to feel hollowed out and enriched at the same time?

Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts. It even breaks your heart. But that's okay.
The journey changes you. It should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, your heart, and on your body.
You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.

- Anthony Bordain

Make Your Voice Heard E-Mail The White House and Your Elected Officials

E-Mail Vicky