Geography

I haven't travelled much. Oh sure, I've seen a lot of the United States... Been to Hawaii a couple of times even. Travel abroad? Well, I've been to Victoria, Canada and Tijuana, Mexico... I've cruised as far south as the Bahamas but there's so little I know of the rest of the world.

I'm torn at the idea of travelling abroad. I'm so bad at math that the idea of foreign exchange rates gives me the shakes. There's also the thought of travelling to a country where English isn't the first language. The very notion of being unable to communicate a basic need horrifies me.

I do seem to have a feeling of wanderlust... I often wonder if I were to travel to say Italy or Australia, would I find a sense of commonality in my surroundings? Or would it be quite the opposite... Would I be in awe of how different everything is from what I'm familiar with?

We currently are hosts to a houseguest from South Africa. A lovely woman who runs a Montessori School and is visiting The New School which my kids attend in hopes of incorporating some of our schools democratic ideals. My guest and I sat over breakfast this morning discussing politics and points of view. I don't think she knows how monumental it was for me to gain a perspective on what goes on elsewhere in the world and the perception others have of our nation, our government and our people. Our guest is here until Saturday and I still have so much I want to learn. I'm already left with the notion that should I ever go to South Africa I think I might see a great deal of commonality, not only in the landscape but in the people.