Oh...Life Is A Journey

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Life is a journey.
It's like traveling across the seas.
As you traverse the ocean,
or encounter the air,
excitement and apprehensions always come into play.

You expect what you've planned,
but be open to surprises.
Changes may be essential
as it is inevitable,


Ethnocentric tendency is not the key
it is the "open mind" that is needed
to appreciate the beauty.

I have been grateful that all my experiences in every country I've visited in the past had been a pleasant experiences. (Of course I stay away from places that will put me at risk and places where temptations dominate (to say it...I am not into bar scenes). Many were eye-opener for me and widened my understanding of human cultural differences in many aspects. One saying I remember reading that struck me so much was about this thought: "It is not the different ethnicities of human beings in different parts of the world but the differences in cultures amongst people. In my point of view, we are all same, what differs differs are the "ways of life" and "life principles and values." Each one wears "lens" that enable us to see differently and think variably. Despite of these differences, there are, of course, universal norms that all of us know and should abide.

I treasure the positive experiences I had in each country I've been. The people I met, the culture I saw, the language I heard, the food I've tasted, the peculiar gestures I learned that may seemed to be "deviant" with my ways, and many other things including the land and water scapes of the places I've been linger in my thoughts as I reflect and revisit my experience. What a worthy adventure I had that will always be there and will not expire or decay unlike material possessions. Below are some of the countries that have a place in my heart and mind.

Thailand the land of the friendly smiles.
You inscribed in my mind the calmness of heart.

China the red dragon of the east.
What a history you have from the Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BC).

Egypt where the river Nile stretches her water.
You mesmerized me with the marvels of the pyramids.

Galapagos, the idyllic dream destination islands of many.
You envigorated my concerns to the wildlife diversity we have.

Ecuador, the country on the zero latitude.
You gave me the experience to traverse the Amazon river basin.

Peru, the land of mysticism of the Incas.
What a wondrous work of strength and diligence to build the Machu Picchu.

Vietnam, where Hanoi's organized chaos is an icon.
You made me witness in how Vietnamese work to be the next Asian tiger.

Cambodia, the land of the meek people and of the majestic wats.
You made me connect my heritage with what they have.

Laos, what a peaceful and country to visit.
You made me appreciate the humbling experience of the Lao people.

The Philippines, the land of the rising sun.
You mesmerize me with my past to look back.

Costa Rica, the place of the "Pura Vida!"
You instilled in my mind the diversified nature in it's pure state.

Colombia, the country of the "happy people!"
What a great opportunity to see the improvement after long-time unrest.

Panama, the isthmus between to continents.
The canals show how environmental alteration hastens communication.

Canada, the peaceful country friends to all.
You impressed me with the friendly citizens I met.

South Korea, the country of extraordinary experience.
Language, culture, people and ways of life challenge me.

United States of America, the destination that many has dreamt about.
The richness and vastness of your national parks and reserves amaze me.

Amsterdam and Japan both brought forth new cultures to me.
Amazing to see the varied lifestyles and cultural diversities.


Nepal, Hong Kong, Israel and Tanzania the next to come.
What will I find sparkling and worth-remembering?

Oh, life is a journey like in traveling the world.
You expect the expected and adjust with the unexpected.
Awareness and understanding are significant moves,
to appreciate the beauty and NOT necessarily to partake what others do.
We all have our own principles and values deeply rooted in our heart.
To understand the differences of our brothers and sisters,
respect and understanding integral values to upkeep.


Native cultural home in Vietnam, Summer 2010





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