"Nothing so liberalizes man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people." 1867...Mark Twain.
How could Mark Twain have known just how true this statement would be 143 years later? I have always loved travel; from my childhood days in the family pop-up tent to easy-going day trips, and the excitement of international travel with all of its adventure and the expectation of what a different country will be like.
Traveling in 2010 is far different than 10 years ago, and certainly radically different 20 years ago. I am dating myself now, but in the 1960's, travel was more or less limited in that one had to come up with large sums of cash to view the world or travel outside of one's own borders. Folks were content to camp back then and head out to one of our nation's state parks in search of adventure, seeking something other than the familiar.
Times have changed and what was once a luxury is now more affordable than ever. With Internet sites such as Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and others, we can travel near and far. We can choose domestic or international and we can include day trips, cruises, and car rentals as part of our trip choice. We can stay in big, fancy resorts that include everything from meals and entertainment to unlimited beverages and activities, or we can choose a smaller boutique setting or more rustic Eco friendly environment. The choices are limitless.
The fact is, wherever we choose to travel to, we will most certainly meet new people and learn new things; whether that means learning from others, the places we travel to or learning more about ourselves. Travel expands our minds and is as important if not more important than education alone. Other than school, where else can you learn about history, cultures, and traditions? Where else can you try new fruits and vegetables and native dishes? Where else can you experience a different religion, different architecture, new customs and clothing? Travel offers us all a glimpse of something old, something new and something that brings us out of the place where we are most comfortable.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness."...Mark Twain
Like Mark Twain, I believe travel can shape us, our thoughts and our minds if only we allow it.
Sarah Marshall, The Travel Mommy and editor for the AWT Culture Clash department, fell in love with the Middle East the night she ate at a world class fish restaurant in the Port of Aqaba, accompanied by her husband, her diving partner, and a Bedouin and his camel. To Marshall, world travel is about embracing world cultures and immersing yourself in them. From attending a Palestinian wedding in a refugee camp to being the guest of honor at a Bedouin banquet, Marshall incorporates native culture into her own, no matter how unfamiliar. 
