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Business Insider/Andy Kiersz, data from World Bank
The world's easiest countries to do business with aren't global giants like China, Brazil, and India, according to a new World Bank ranking: The small and well-organized economies of Singapore and New Zealand led 187 nations in the annual "Ease of Doing Business" list.

China, the world's second-largest economy, came in at 90th and has barely improved from two years ago when it was listed 93rd out of 189 countries.

The 12th annual report is designed to measure "ease of business" by using quantitative indicators on business regulations that can be compared across 189 nations.

According to the report, those indicators include starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency.

Estonia, Germany, and Switzerland improved their standings and placed in the top 20, while much of the rest of the nations have only been slightly reordered.

Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Central African Republic were among the worst nations to conduct business with.

Here's the top 31:

And here's the bottom 31:

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These Are The Most Business-Friendly Countries

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The world's easiest countries to do business with aren't global giants like China, Brazil, and India, according to a new World Bank ranking: The small and well-organized economies of Singapore and New Zealand led 187 nations in the annual "Ease of Doing Business" list.

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4 Reasons Why Business Travel is Still Important

In an era when mobile phones and video conferencing are ubiquitous, some people question the need for business travel at all. Many companies view business travel as simply an expense and don't see the benefits that come from it. Sitting in an office and staring at a glowing screen is not a replacement for putting your feet on the ground. There are four key reasons why business travel is still important.

Closing a Deal or Signing New Business

Face-to-face meetings are important to closing business. Oxford Economics has found that the rate of converting prospects to actual customers nearly doubles when a face-to-face meeting is added. In many industry segments, that can mean closing nearly 100% of the business deals. Some Fortune 100 companies won't sign large contracts without a face-to-face meeting between company leaders. Think about it-would you trust your professional future to someone you've never met?

Networking

When you are out in the field, you have the chance to meet people you would never interact with if you were sitting in your office. This networking can take several forms. One scenario is that you meet someone you have no relationship with at all, strike up a conversation on a plane or in a restaurant, and you find that there are synergies between your businesses. Another possibility is that you're visiting an existing customer and meet someone else you don't have a relationship with, and you figure out how your company can expand its footprint with this new contact. You are broadening your book of business with an existing customer just by networking. You never would have uncovered these opportunities without an in-person meeting.

Leadership

Two key parts of leadership are the ability to inspire others to have confidence in you and your company and to motivate others, even if you lack authority. To do this, you need to be visible-both with colleagues and with customers. Taking the time to meet with people in-person can help them feel that you are invested in their success.

Human Interaction

The biggest reason why business travel is important is to foster personal interactions. Face-to-face meetings can increase understanding and empathy, reduce miscommunication, and foster a team spirit of "us." Prior to launching my own business, I was an executive at an international advertising agency. I had a colleague in Europe, and our communications were fraught with tension and misunderstandings. We just couldn't get on the same page. I frequently felt like we were working against each other, instead of working together for mutual success. After about a year of this, we had a chance to meet in person. During our meeting, we found we had common goals and were able to build a long, productive relationship with each other. This never would have happened on a conference call.

Technology is not a substitute for getting in front of your customers and colleagues. Business travel is not only a cost to your business; it can also result in tremendous benefits and yield new business opportunities.

About the Author

Laura Longwell is a former marketing executive who now travels the world as a journalist and photographer. As co-founder of www.TravelAddicts.net, she focuses on the luxury travel segment and how travelers can maximize their travel experience with a minimal number of vacation days.

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4 Reasons Why Business Travel is Still Important - TripIt Blog

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4 Reasons Why Business Travel is Still Important In an era when mobile phones and video conferencing are ubiquitous, some people question the need for business travel at all. Many companies view business travel as simply an expense and don't see the benefits that come from it.

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Studying abroad may be one of the most beneficial experiences for a college student. By studying abroad, students have the opportunity to study in a foreign nation and take in the allure and culture of a new land. Here is a list of the top 10 reasons to study abroad!

1. See the World

The biggest reason you should consider a study abroad program is the opportunity to see the world . By studying abroad, you will experience a brand-new country with incredible new outlooks, customs and activities. The benefits of studying abroad include the opportunity to see new terrains, natural wonders, museums and landmarks of your host nation.

In addition, when you're abroad, you won't be limited to traveling in just the nation in which you are studying - you can see neighboring countries as well! For example, if you study in France, you'll have the option to travel through various parts of Europe including London , Barcelona , and Rome.

2. Education

Another reason you might consider studying abroad is for the chance to experience different styles of education. By enrolling in a study abroad program, you'll have the chance to see a side of your major that you may not have been exposed to at home.

You'll find that completely immersing yourself in the education system of your host country is a great way to really experience and understand the people, its traditions, and its culture. Education is the centerpiece of any study abroad trip-it is, after all, a study abroad program-and choosing the right school is a very important factor.

3. Take in a New Culture

Many students who choose to study abroad are leaving their home for the first time. When they arrive in their new host country, they are fascinated by the distinct cultural perspectives. When you study abroad you will find incredible new foods, customs, traditions, and social atmospheres.

You will find that you have a better understanding and appreciation for the nation's people and history. You will have the opportunity to witness a completely new way of life.

4. Hone Your Language Skills

Chances are if you're planning on studying abroad, one of the major draws is the opportunity to study a foreign language. Studying abroad grants you the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in a new language, and there is no better way to learn than to dive right in.

In addition to the considerable language practice you will get just in day to day life, your host university will likely offer language courses to provide you with a more formal education. Immerse yourself in a new culture and go beyond a purely academic experience

5. Career Opportunities

When you finish your study abroad program and return home, you will return with a new perspective on culture, language skills, a great education, and a willingness to learn. Needless to say, all of these are very attractive to future employers.

Many students find that they love their host country so much that they decide to seek work there. If you can relate, you will find that a local education will be very valuable when searching for a potential job in that country.

6. Find New Interests

If you are still questioning why to study abroad, you should know that studying in a different country offers many new activities and interests that you may never have discovered if you'd stayed at home. You might find that you have an as-yet undiscovered talent for hiking, water sports, snow skiing, golf, or various other new sports you may never have tried back home.

You'll also have the chance to discover other new and exciting forms of entertainment. Plays, movies, dancing, nightclubs, and concerts are just a few activities that you can enjoy.

7. Make Lifelong Friends

One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet new lifelong friends from different backgrounds. While studying abroad, you will attend school and live with students from your host country. This gives you the opportunity to really get to know and create lasting relationships with your fellow students.

After the study abroad program ends, make an effort stay in contact with your international friends. In addition to rewarding personal relationships, these friends can also be important networking tools later down the road.

8. Personal Development

There is nothing quite like being on your own in a foreign country. You might find that studying abroad really brings out your independent nature. Students who study abroad become explorers of their new nation and really discover the curiosity and excitement that they harbor.

A benefit to studying abroad is the opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. Being in a new place by yourself can be overwhelming at times, and it tests your ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to problem solve.

9. Graduate School Admissions

Like future employers, graduate school admissions boards look very highly on study abroad experiences. Students that study abroad display diversity and show that they aren't afraid to seek out new challenges or put themselves in difficult situations.

Most importantly, students who have studied abroad show just how committed they are to their education. Graduate schools regularly look for candidates who will bring a unique aspect to their university. Students who have studied abroad have shown that they have the curiosity and educational acumen to be a leader in graduate school.

10. Life Experience

Why study abroad? For most students, this time may be the only opportunity they ever get to travel abroad for a long period of time. Eventually you will find a job and career, and the opportunity to study abroad may turn out to be a once in a life time opportunity.

Take this opportunity to travel the world with no commitments but to study and learn about new cultures. Studying abroad is an experience unlike any other.

Related Content:

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10 Benefits to Studying Abroad | Study Abroad Guide

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Studying abroad may be one of the most beneficial experiences for a college student. By studying abroad, students have the opportunity to study in a foreign nation and take in the allure and culture of a new land. Here is a list of the top 10 reasons to study abroad!

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One of my biggest reasons for wanting to travel with my children is to give them a global education. An education that is not about memorization but is about learning through living. No matter what their educational philosophy, be it unschooling, traditional homeschooling, or immersion in public or private schools, In this two part series I have teamed up with Justin from The Great Family Escape to ask traveling 30 families one question: Here are their answers: traveling families will all agree that travel is an amazing way to spark curiosity and passion in their children.
Immersing in another culture, experiencing something new

The best educational experience we've had traveling can't be pinned to one event, one place. It's a process, a journey of discovery and exploration as we learn together about the world 'hands-on'.

Our philosophy is to invite curiosity and inquisitiveness by providing new experiences - opportunities to ask questions because of something we saw, a place we visited, a food we tried.

Some of our best experiences have come by immersing ourselves in another culture - when the children have the chance to see, feel, taste and experience something new - rather than just reading about it in a book or on the internet.

Like eating spicy Indian food with your fingers (using only your right hand), because there are no utensils. Or drinking water right out of a coconut that we picked ourselves off the tree. Wearing a sari, exploring tide pools, watching for wildlife, hiking to waterfalls, catching salamanders or starfish, climbing ancient ruins or active volcanoes.

A few of the most memorable adventures together were riding an elephant in India; spying dolphins in Panama; watching sea lions and gray whales in Alaska; a crocodile refuge in Mexico; listening to howler monkeys in Costa Rica.

The most rewarding parts are when they ask those questions, while you're driving in a car, flying in a plane or on a boat - "Dad, how are clouds made?" or "Why are those frogs red?" or "How do you say 'waterfall' in Spanish?"

They're eager and ready to learn, they want to know. And you're there with them, excited to answer their question, or to find out the answer together.

Isn't that the way schooling should be?

A little Marine Biology in Mexico

Early last week I tackled my fear of night scuba diving. Tigger was fairly bummed he couldn't join us for that. I always admire his courage and lack of fear, even if it sometimes gives me more grey hairs. So to make it up to him, I decided to take him on a sunset snorkel. The beach near our hostel has some excellent snorkeling during the day, has a super easy current, and since evenings here are about 24-26C it's still warm enough to enjoy ourselves.

I try to always find the teaching moments in any activity we do. I make them subtle so he doesn't always feel like he's in school, which, since we're unschooling, technically he is. He was taking so long getting ready that I decided to go ahead into the water without him to help encourage him to move a bit more quickly. We weren't equipped for a night snorkel after all.

Immediately I was discouraged. There were hardly any fish around. I knew we would probably see less fish at this time of day, but I didn't count on almost no fish! He was still struggling to put on his fins, so I kept searching. I managed to see a sea urchin as it moved over a rock, but he had seen those already. So I continued looking. Then suddenly I spotted movement and an odd shape. I carefully swam over to a small set of rocks and noticed a small ray going along the sand. I was so excited! I kept track of it while I yelled to my son that he was missing out. By the time he finally made it into the water, though, I had lost sight of the ray.

I swam back and forth trying to find the small ray when suddenly I spotted a much larger one. I signaled for Tigger. We got to watch it as it dug in the sand looking for food. As I have seen throughout the area while snorkeling and diving, generally the fish pay absolutely no attention to us, and this ray was no exception. Perfect for us since that meant that we could hover above and watch it for several minutes. During the walk back home, we had a great discussion about stingrays, nocturnal sea life, and general marine ecology. And even a little bit about underwater orienteering (using the sand patterns to guide you back to shore). These are the kind of memories that live on for a long time, and they provide an education no regular day in a class could ever provide.

Absorbing the daily life in Turkey

We find great educational opportunities wherever we go. Sometimes that means finding a great science or natural history museum, but more often it means just taking in the world around us and learning about how the place we're visiting is different than what we're used to at home.

Our trip to Turkey last year was especially great because the culture and architecture are so different than home. While we visited many of the typical tourist attractions, we also learned a lot from just wandering the streets.

We learned about how different regions of the world use different spices by tasting the local food. We learned about how people in different cultures dress differently, and about how we show respect by covering our heads or taking off our shoes when we visit a mosque. And just about every time we went we saw different ways of dressing. This was such a great way for the kids to see that people could be kind and welcoming without looking just like us. Even the way people shop is different from what we're used to. And sometimes people catch their own food.

At the end of the day, I think the kids learned more from these experiences than they did from the history we tried to teach them at Topkapi palace or Aghia Sofia.

People are people. Lessons from Tunisia.

One of the things we've wanted to accomplish with our children through world travel has been to help them to see that people are people, no matter where they live, what they look like, or how they believe. Spending three months living in Tunisia, a tiny North African country with (at the time) a Theocratic (Muslim) Dictatorship was the ultimate educational experience. Wintering in an apartment deep in the Muslim world allowed our American kids to see Muslims as people, not propaganda posters. This is a lesson I wouldn't trade for anything.

They learned to live by the daily rhythm of the call to prayer from the mosque, to greet veiled ladies in the market in Arabic, to wrap a Bedouin scarf properly to keep the sand out of their faces in the desert, to sip the strong tea and dip the bread in honey "just right." they learned the depth of the meaning of "Inshah Allah" from our neighbours, our cab driver and our friend who lived in the troglodyte house near Matmata. They learned about the religious differences between Christianity and Islam during Eid-Al-Kebir (when the Muslims celebrate God providing a ram to Abraham in place of his son ISHMAEL as a sacrifice.) They learned that there are many similarities as well.

Not all of the lessons were easy, or fun. They learned what it feels like to be a stranger in a a strange land, illiterate, unable to communicate (Mom speaks French, but none of us read or speak Arabic.) They learned about the harshness that sometimes results in a patriarchal society where children and women are subordinates when Elisha was slapped hard across the face by a man who was a complete stranger when out playing one afternoon. They learned what it's like to be discriminated against simply because of their nationality when we, as Americans, had to provide more documentation than anyone else to get internet and when we were ratcheted down in our access as a result. They learned what it is like to be discriminated against based on skin colour and religious persuasion when the artichoke seller changed his call to "Artichokes on sale to Arabs not whites," when he saw us coming, and when rice was tripled in price for us, and when the secrete police "guarded our biked" for us every week outside the church we attended with a few other western Christians. They watched our apartment too.

The best education experience our kids have had didn't just happen over the winter in Tunisia. It happens every day as we walk the planet. The best educational experience they have is putting faces on the faceless, names on the propaganda posters in forming relationships with the exploited, the war-torn, or the persecuted. It is, perhaps, the best lesson any of us could eve learn.

Turtle Conservation in Indonesia

On Pulau Derawan, Indonesia, we learnt about turtle conservation. It was pretty magical. Walking up the beach at night, looking for laying turtles, then watching them lay.

Z got to help the guys from the hatchery remove the turtle's eggs, count them, and rebury them. And he released some babies that had hatched into the sea.

It was amazing hands-on learning, and we consolidated it with a project on why turtles are under threat, using examples he'd seen on his travels and read about in the news - from pesticide fishing to reef and habitat destruction, through to hunting and oil spills. It really helped add to what he'd learnt about ecosystems from diving and spending time on reef.

The kindness of strangers, a man literally takes his shirt off his back in Morocco.

For us parents, the biggest "educational" value we hope our children will take from the years on the road is that it is a good thing to be humble and to need and accept help and that when ever you think things are going bad somebody will step out of a crowd and give you a hand and this purely and solely out of love and nothing else. This is the number one reason we decided to show our boys the world; we want them to understand that the world and its people are something we must take care of and we can actually like rather than fear.

When our boys were 2 and 3 we backpacked through Morocco. One night we found ourselves on a 12 hour journey on a local bus. The four of us had been lucky to get four seats on the busy bus. At about 3 a.m. Desmond (our older son) woke up and without warning vomited all over himself and the seat and us and the corridor. It went very quickly, but the mess was incredible. We had no spare clothes with us (as we had put the backpacks on the roof of the bus), just a nearly finished role of toilet paper and a couple of wet wipes. We tried to clean up the mess as well as we could without waking everybody on the bus, but it was pretty hopeless and our poor son had to stand in the aisle whilst we were trying our best. A young man, maybe around 25 years old, woke up, assessed the situation, quickly took his t-shirt off, used it to clean up the mess on our son's arms and legs and offered his seat to our tired Desmond and his mother (me). He was left standing up without a top, but would not accept his seat back. We simply couldn't believe his generosity, his helpfulness, his giving without expecting anything, his unconditional love for our Desmond! We wanted to invite the man for breakfast upon arrival and buy him a new shirt, but he had gotten off during the night unnoticed and all we could do was to pray that Karma would work and that he would be a very lucky person.

Since then, we had countless more situations like that and people every where in the world have gone out of their ways to help us. I hope this story will touch you as much as it still touches us, and the thing is that these kind of moments happen much more often in poor countries and nations that get mostly bad headlines (like Pakistan, Syria, China, Mexico)! Of course they happen elsewhere too, but honestly, do you know a rich guy who would take his shirt off at 3 a.m. to clean up a stranger's vomit???

American History in Boston.

Our most educational trip was a recent week we spent in Boston and out on Cape Cod. We've been going to Boston for years for events and for short vacations but this was the first time we really concentrated on studying history in a fun way with all of the kids. We loved walking the Freedom Trail and discussing all of the events that brought our country Independence, but there are two things that stand out in my mind. First is that all the times I've walked past the Old State House I had never toured the inside or reviewed the actual events of the Boston Massacre. As much as I love history, there are so many facts to remember, or forget as the case may be. I was floored when it was brought to my attention that only 5 men were killed in the massacre. It was a good reminder of how media plays a part in our history and how certain words evoke mental images. The other fascinating part of our trip was visiting Marconi Station in Wellfleet where the first wireless transmission was sent between America and Europe. Looking at the advances in technology in the last 100 years from the first transmission is mind boggling!

Passion, conservation, volunteer spirit, at animal rescue centers.

One of the greatest educational travel experiences we've had as a family (three boys plus mom and dad) has been to visit animal rescue centers. The staff members and volunteers we've encountered have been universally friendly and knowledgeable and were willing to spend time with the kids talking about the animals, their care, and the dangers they face. Inevitability, we learn about indigenous cultures and national politics, since conservation issues s often cut across the various spheres.

Here are a few specific places I can recommend:

Parrot Sanctuary, Hacienda Nohpat, Mexico: We stayed almost a week in this hacienda in the Yucatan, on the outskirts of the bustling city of Merida. In addition to being a beautiful place to stay, the property is also an active parrot rescue center. The parrots came out to have breakfast with us on the patio every morning.

Turtle Sanctuary, Mexico: The center is in the southern part of Isla Mujeres, an island off the coast of Cancun. It was built to protect the island's native giant sea turtles, which used to be killed for their meat, shells, and eggs. Now the center cares for several turtle species and every year, they are released back into the ocean by local school children. We're headed to Costa Rica in August and plan to visit the Sloth Sanctuary, as well as the Jaguar Rescue Center.

We always make a donation to the help the center's cause. A friend of mine who travels to Africa several times a year for work visited an elephant rescue center in Kenya and adopted two baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Fund. She visits them every time she goes.

Visiting rescue centers has taught all of us about conservation, but also allowed the kids to meet inspirational people who are truly passionate about their work.

Nuclear Energy in The Grand Canyon!

It was one of those moments when you realize you're doing the right thing by taking the kids out to travel the world. Sitting around the campfire, sleeping under the stars....time to talk....conversations drift...and all of a sudden, you find you are in the middle of a most incredible educational experience!

We had a lot of wonderful educational experiences during our travels far and near - way more than I can count. But I think the most important and valuable of them where the times when we just talked. Those times when my husband and I shared our knowledge freely and easily; not trying to make a "lesson" out of it, just talking. And our sons trying to make sense of what we're saying.

Those were the times we couldn't have planned if we tried. Spontaneity at its best. Teachable moments extraordinaire.

So out of them all, which one was my favorite educational experience? The night we camped near the Grand Canyon and our conversation drifted- to nuclear reactions and nuclear bombs. It wasn't long before we were talking about energy sources... and the need for renewable energy...and finally, how we could solve all the world's problems.

Our nuclear conversation happened in the fall of 2006 when our sons were a mere eight years old, but it's still a vivid memory for us all. I often wonder how much my boys would understand about nuclear fallout if it wasn't for Davy's carrot puke soup. I know that makes no sense -you'll have to read the whole story here.

Learning your P's and Q's in Costa Rica

In Pavones, one of the beach towns I stayed at here in Costa Rica for two weeks, I connected with some families who were really into teaching their kids to be kind and thankful. A couple from Alaska had the habit of expecting their two kids to say please and thank you for every little action and so their two and three-year old boys were very used to it already (with lots of reminders from their parents), unlike most children that I know that age.

Before this, I had a preconceived idea that we should not impose on the children to say please and thank you and that it´s better to wait for it to come naturally, but seeing the gentleness that this couple carried this conditioning, I changed my mind. After all, we don´t mean from the bottom of our hearts every please and thank you that we say, we also do it out of an educational conditioning and it´s nice to have it. It was great to have Luísa watching a boy younger than her saying lots of please and thank yous. There are no better teachers than other children.

A German mother in that town was also really kind to her 4-year old girl and one time when we were ready for a snack at their house, they had this little ceremony of holding hands and thanking for the food, saying a few funny verses that made everyone smile. This was super sweet for us to be part of. As I later read in a book about the Waldorf education that the first 7 years should be dedicated to teaching thankfulness to children, I incorporated the holding hands together before eating (sometimes).

Soaking up history in Scottland

One of the best educational experiences we've had with our daughter (who is eight) was at the Battlefield of Culloden, in Scotland. We were renting a home on Loch Ness, and loved the atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands - we took a Loch Ness Boat trip, saw Urquhart Castle, met artists and musicians, ate well, shopped in Inverness. But the thing that struck our daughter most was Culloden. We pulled into the parking lot, and were overwhelmed by the large amount of cars and buses. We asked Lillie if she really wanted to go in - she had learned about the battle before we headed to Scotland - and she gave a definitive YES.

Culloden is the site of the battle that changed the course of Scottish, British - well, truly, world history. On April 16, 1746, the Jacobite army fought the British army, to reclaim the throne of Britain for Bonnie Prince Charlie. It was an incredibly uneven battle, where the Jacobites weren't fully prepared, were starving and cold. A surprise night attack plan failed, and in the day, the exhausted Jacobite soldiers surged to their death. The Culloden Experience is a beautiful new visitor center on the site. After you walk through - and read of all the experiences, see the artifacts from the time (and found on the Battlefield in the years since then); view the short film in the surround movie theater, walk the hallway hearing voices from each side, well, then you head out to the Battlefield proper. It's huge, a moor, full of weeds and water and uneven ground. It's awe-inspiring, that people fought so hard here for their beliefs.

And our daughter? We had expected to stay an hour, maybe two. We closed the place, after five hours there. We spent long hours in the Visitor Center, where she read each information point, watched maps, interactive battle plans. She tried on period clothing, felt a spent bullet. We got our audioguides and headed out to the Battlefield itself. She was in awe - stunned to see a place of war, where so many died and where history was made. Even through the rain, she meandered along paths time and again, listening to the stories and FEELING the sense of place, of history. We had to drag her away, when we were told that we were the last visitors. She looked back the whole time we drove away, unable to tear her mind away from the impact of Culloden.

It sparked countless conversations, about history, Scotland, monarchy, clans, war, peace, gender roles, families, immigration, geology, archaeology, and more. She still talks about visiting Culloden - for her, it was the highlight of our stay in Scotland. It's a classic example of when someone WANTS to learn, they throw themselves in wholeheartedly. I'd go there again in a heartbeat.

Sleeping in a Cave Hotel in Turkey!

When backpacking around Turkey, we heard about Cappadocia's underground cities and how its people to this day lived in rock caves. We thought that as a family it would be fascinating to learn firsthand about these underground cities and above-ground cave homes. The landscape of Cappadocia possesses incredibly unique rock formations. Even more intriguing is how people have burrowed themselves into this unusual land, making it their home. They've not only created a life for themselves, but have thrived for thousands of years.

As a family, we took tow days to tour Goreme's Open Air Museum (above-ground cave dwelling monasteries) and Derinkuyu Underground City (one of the largest and deepest underground cities in Cappadocia) with very informative guides. The experience was a mixture of claustrophobia and amazement with the everyday lives of people who lived in the underground cities and cave dwellings.

Through our tours, we learned that Cappadocia is World UNESCO site, having over 200 underground cities, with only 43 of them open to visitors. We read about the underground cities and cave dwellings on the internet and even stayed in a cave hotel to enrich our experience. As a family, living in a cave hotel for a week was an educational experience in itself. The discomfort of living in the dark and cold during the winter gave us a better appreciation with what the cave and underground city dwellers lived through hundreds of years ago. To finish off the experience, our son wrote a grade three report about what he learned in Derinkuyu.

The really big questions.....in SE Asia

Cambodia and Vietnam, due to its culture, have given our five year old a lot of food for thought. Specifically, as cemeteries tend to pop up everywhere and anywhere and look very different to the ones at home (they are sometimes just mounds of dirt, adorned by shreds of coloured paper to represent flowers) questions have arisen regarding theology.

Once, while on the back of a motorbike, driving on the dirt roads through the countryside of Battambang, Cambodia, my five year old asked me about eh cycle of life. "Why does God make you, and then you die?" Nice-I had to really scramble to answer that one!

And then in Cambodia and Vietnam, we've been confronted with people with physical deformities, more than you would normally see at home of course du to the poor medical care here and poverty in general. So the children ask questions as to why they look like that (elephantiasis, missing limbs, etc.) They are learning that 1) they are lucky to be normal and 2) people with deformities are people too, 3) people with deformities cannot help the way they are and 4) its ok to look and ask questions, but please do not stare!

Confidence, generosity, and appreciation in SE Asia.

During our travels we've visited just about every museum, science centre or zoo that Asia and Australia has to offer. Exploring Petrosains Science Centre in Kuala Lumpur, learning about deforestation and it's effects on elephants at elephant rehabilitation centres throughout Asia, seeing how strong Orang-utans are when a baby girl orang-utan proved she was 20 times stronger than their father in Kota Kinabalu, learning how volcanoes form firsthand by eating lunch inside one in Bali and observing the structure and lava flows, touching clouds in the mountains of Malaysia to understand that clouds aren't solid ... all of these were priceless educational experiences.

But perhaps the most educational experiences our children have had was meeting another travelling family from Belgium who were driving around the world in a converted army truck. Actually they were a huge influence on us all. My husband dreams of driving around the USA in an RV have expanded to exploring the whole world in a truck. Meeting another family that had driven through countries I had never even dreamed possible with kids helped me rethink what was possible for us. Noah and Hayley learnt the most from them though.

Before meeting this family, they had been a little unsure and insecure about their new lifestyle. We'd only been travelling for a few months and they were still adjusting. Despite stopping longer in each location than we'd originally anticipated to give them a chance to adjust and make friends, they became shy and only wanted to pay with each other. When they met the young boys from this family it all changed. It was the first time they'd seen kids travelling like they were and overnight they went from shy to confident. They started playing with other kids, even when there was no language in common, talking to new people that we met and exploring more without wanting us with them. They started embracing the trip and talking about going to Africa, China and even Antarctica. The boys were incredibly generous with their possessions, sharing their toys with Noah and Hayley, and even giving their favourite toy away to poor children that they met on the streets of Cambodia. From this point on Hayley and Noah became better at sharing and adopted a similar principle of being generous to children that had less than them. Pretty big lessons for children who were only 2 and 4 at the time.

Since then they've met children from throughout the world and a whole range of other travelling families. I still feel that even with all the educational opportunities we've enjoyed, meeting other families along the way and having the chance to play with children from other cultures has been the biggest educational advantage of this trip. The kids now have friends from all over the world, who speak different languages and play different games but that doesn't stop them from finding a way to play together. They understand that people speak different languages, come from different backgrounds, and realize that they are lucky to have more than a lot of other kids, even though they are just travelling with a handful of toys. They are confident, will talk to anyone anywhere, form friends quickly and are more sharing than most kids their age. As I said, these are huge lessons for children this age to learn!

After five years on the road its hard to pick!

This is such a tough question for us because we have been traveling the world non-stop for 5 years as a family ( already to 42 countries on 5 continents on 23 dollars a day per person) and our PRIMARY means for travel has been for education, bonding and becoming fluent as a native in the world's major languages. Thus, EVERYTHING we have done has been an amazing educational experience.

Do I pick swimming with dolphins in Portugal while working with marine biologist, or riding a camel at Petra in Jordan, cruising and training through the Norway Fjords, walking the ancient walls of Dubrovnik,Croatia, or Rhodes,Greece or Rothernberg, Germany, swimming with sharks or feeding turtles in Bora Bora, a sleep over in an African tent with wild animals in Sweden at Europe's largest zoo, sailing the Turquoise Coast in Turkey, flying with Harry Potter near Scotland at Hogwarts, playing native instruments with an Aborigine in Sydney, hands on learning with archaeologist at Ephesus, Troy, Mycenia, and Pompeii , hiking 9000 ft up to the ancient Buddhist Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan, spending time in Fez Medina which is as close as anything on this earth to doing time travel back to the middle ages, learning to surf in Kauai, visiting the best museums on 5 continents ,experiencing the best live theatrical shows in Manhattan, London, Paris, San Francisco, Madrid etc, or even knowing how to make one's way on every subway and train system of most major cities from Paris, New York City and London to Singapore, Vienna, Bangkok , San Francisco or Stockholm, not to mention being an old hand at traveling by cargo ships, train, bus, plane, sailboat, RV, car, walking, biking, and hiking the world.Or even her online learning like piano, violin and Chinese teachers on different continents over webcams as we roam.The possibilities are endless and I've barely made a dent.

There is a reason why our Soultravelers3 Twitter page has a picture of the Sahara on it. I'd say a 6 year old taking a two hour ride on a camel deep into the Sahara to over night in a Berber tent during a rare rainbow was a peak experience, but even more so bringing treats to 60 Berber kids and that 6 year old doing a violin concert for these kids who had never seen a violin and live without running water.

BUT I think I'd have to say the very best education was immersing her in Spanish and Mandarin so that she is fluent as a native in both and knows the cultures deeply ( because the only way to really know the culture is to learn the language well and spend time with locals).

Thank you to all the amazing traveling families who contributed! Head over to The Great Family Escape for the second part of this two part series!

And a big thank you to Justin, for coming up with the idea for this post! Justin and his family are preparing for their very own amazing adventure! Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Related posts:

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30 Traveling Families Share Their Best Educational Experiences

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One of my biggest reasons for wanting to travel with my children is to give them a global education. An education that is not about memorization but is about learning through living. No matter what their educational philosophy, be it unschooling, traditional homeschooling, or immersion in public

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Category: Essays, Paragraphs and Articles, Important India On By

Education Tours are very important for the overall development of a student. It gives them an opportunity to learn from their own experiences and from the experience of others.

When a student visits a historic place and learns about the history of that place, it feels as if he is seeing the historic events from his own eyes. We also learn from the mistakes that were done by historic characters.

From Kashmir valley to Kanyakumari and from Kutch to Kalimpong in the east, our country provides hundreds of places known for architecture, climate, scenery, environment, history, development, industry, culture, music, dance, religion a fauna. Then, there are seats of learning, which one may like to visit.

Also read: Short Essay on Importance of Travelling in Education

Simply reading books on science, commerce, arts, medicine, management, computers, education, law, engineering, history, architecture, etc. produces only book worms. For having enlightened citizen for a better world-order, we should encourage educational tours in our schools and colleges and thus develop the personalities of the young boys and girls.

Education tours gives us pleasures too. It breaks the monotony of life and fills the mind with joy. Moreover, travelling teaches it's to bear hardship, and this is a good training for success in the struggle of life.

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Importance of Educational Tours in Student's Life - Important India

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Category: Essays, Paragraphs and Articles, Important India On By Education Tours are very important for the overall development of a student. It gives them an opportunity to learn from their own experiences and from the experience of others.

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''The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."  

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''The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."  

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Saint Augustine

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Our educational philosophy is simple: the best way to help students gain new perspectives and build skills for the future is through experiential learning. As an accredited institution, we partner with educators across the world to create global education programs that blend classroom, digital and experiential learning for students.

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TRAVELLING AS A PART OF EDUCATION

Points: Introduction - Desire to know the different culture - Great travelers of the past - Travel is meant for benefit of man - Book knowledge is half knowledge - Conclusion.

By travelling is ordinarily meant going from one place to another for domestic, business or similar other worldly purposes is not really travelling. Travelling, as the real sense of the term indicates, is going from one interesting place to another to see and learn more and more. It has, thus, an educative end in view.

The world is very wide place in which prevail different cultures, manners and customs. So a man living comfortably at home can have no idea of these. He remains narrow in mind, narrow in thinking and narrow in appreciation. But man has a natural heart-hunger to know how others think, feel and live. This impels him to move out of the limited sphere he lives in. Even when there were extreme communication difficulties, there were men who left their cosy home in search of knowledge and experience. All of them had to walk on foot and pass through perilous places infested with wild animals. They had to pass over insurmountable mountains and cross impassable and roaring rivers and seas. The allurement of the unknown was so irresistible with them that they went on and on with a hungry heart and without caring for dangers and difficulties.

History records examples of such knowledge-seeking and daring travelers. The Greek travelers Homer, Pythagoras, Herodotus and Megasthenis, the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, the Venetian traveller Marco Polo, the Egyptian traveller Ibn-e-Batuta, the Persian traveller Sheikh Sadi and the English traveller Mungo Park were so great in their knowledge and wisdom because of their wide and adventurous travels. The work they have left are a testimony to what they saw, learnt and felt.4essay.blogspot.com

This shows travel is meant for the benefit of man. It broadens the outlook by bringing the traveller in contact with people of different tastes, cultures, manners and customs. Our narrowness and angularities may wear away and we may be liberal in everything when, by travel, we are inclined to know and appreciate others. This gives us an opportunity to be relieved of the prejudices that we usually have about others whom we do not intimately know.

Book knowledge is often half knowledge theoretical in nature. Knowledge acquired through travel is practical. Travel thus supplements book knowledge and can make man a complete whole. It is for this reason that so much stress is laid on travel for students. It is said about Sheikh Sadi that he travelled for thirty years after finishing his education to be able to say only what was correct and his Gulistan and Bostan are a combination of his book knowledge and what he saw and learnt abroad.4essay.blogspot.com

The communication difficulties of the ancient days do no longer exist. So travelling now-a-days has become easier and less expensive. But its necessity has become all the more great. What the ancient travellers acquired in years we can now acquire indays. So undertaking travels during and after education is imperative for us all. The present-day world has become smaller for communication facilities and people all over the world are eager to know one another and become closer. One who lags behind will assuredly be denied a share in the universal brotherhood that is in the offing. Like Ulysses's our yearning spirit should ever desire to follow knowledge like a sinking star beyond the utmost bound of human thought.

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TRAVELLING AS A PART OF EDUCATION Points: Introduction - Desire to know the different culture - Great travelers of the past - Travel is meant for benefit of man - Book knowledge is half knowledge - Conclusion. By travelling is ordinarily meant going from one place to another for domestic, business or similar other worldly purposes is not really travelling.

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Jeremy and Angie, with Pittsburgh, PA shining below. Teaching Traveling: Teaching others about your city is a beautiful form of eduction! Welcome to Jeremy Jones, who runs a popular site with his wife, Angie, about all things Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jeremy,...

Irvin (on the left) volunteering in the Dominican Republic. Teaching Traveling: Looking for an opportunity for student travel to volunteer abroad? See this story from New York high school student, Irvin Solano, about how he was able to volunteer in...

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Teaching Traveling | Global Education and Teacher Travel Community

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Jeremy and Angie, with Pittsburgh, PA shining below. Teaching Traveling: Teaching others about your city is a beautiful form of eduction! Welcome to Jeremy Jones, who runs a popular site with his wife, Angie, about all things Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jeremy,... Irvin (on the left) volunteering in the Dominican Republic.

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Nabin Paudyal
Co-Founder, Siplikan Media Group Read full profile

Almost every one of us agree that life's real education happens outside the classroom. Classrooms with teachers, friends and textbooks are of course one way to learn but they are not the only.

In fact, traveling is the best way to learn things and the things that matter. Whether you stroll through the streets of Paris, hike through the most trying trails in the Himalayas or spend a sunny afternoon on the Caribbean beaches, travel will never fail you as a teacher.

Here below are ten reasons why traveling is the best form of education you can get irrespective of the places you travel and adventures you have.

1. You learn languages.

English is spoken in almost all parts of the world and it will work for you mostly. Nevertheless, it's always better to learn the native language of the place you're going to visit. In a way, travel forces you to learn languages.

After learning the basics through books, apps or videos, you can stretch your skills when you speak with the actual native speakers. By putting your language education into use, traveling mostly develops your listening and speaking capabilities.

Even when you have already studied a language, traveling is the best way to master that language. When you travel, you don't just test your language skills in a real world scenario but also learn things like accent, intonation and slang in the most practical way.

2. You learn about other cultures.

Not just traveling to a foreign country but also to the different parts of your own country is the best way to discern what it's all about. You better understand how the cultures around the world vary and where the common ground lies.

Differences exist in cuisines, etiquettes and lifestyle across different cultures. But in spite of the differences, you can find so many commonalities like shared love for art, nature and ancestors that bind all the different cultures together.

Education is not just about learning things to make our living but also contributing towards making it a better place to live in. The understanding of diverse cultures plays a vital role in your education.

3. You learn history.

You studied about the civilizations and major historical events in your history class. All that was really cool. But nothing beats traveling to historic landmarks and exploring your way around a city's history and culture.

When you stroll through the streets and visit museums, palaces and galleries, the entire nation's history comes out right in front of you. Learning about different dynasties, conflicts and changes is so much easier when you actually explore a nation.

Most often, what we learn about history through text books is deviated from reality. Entering into a dialogue with the locals you understand history in a more accurate way or at least it provides with you with a whole different perspective.

4. You learn about today's world.

Travel teaches you not just about the world as it was in the past but also as it is today. It's probably the best way to truly understand the political situation, economic scenario and social structure of the world we are living in today.

Our views about distant people and cultures are often influenced by what we are fed through the media. Traveling is a way to learn about them for real and not through the eyes of the media, which are often biased and prejudiced.

When you begin to travel often, you fully begin to understand the underlying reasons behind why the societies of different areas are shaped in a particular way and differ from the societies in other places.

5. You learn about nature.

When you move out of your comfort zone of the concrete jungle and begin to explore the most exotic natural wonders of the world, you will begin to realize the colossal majesty of nature.

Understanding the grandeur of nature is essential to solving most of the issues of the world today such as climate change, air pollution and global warming. When we fully realize what we are going to lose with our conduct, then solving these issues will be much easier.

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So better than spending all the funds in organizing seminars and conferences,. It would suit you better to send the people backpacking to the most exotic mountains, lakes, forests and plains of the world.

6. You learn to do new things.

Traveling will test you in each and every step you take. As you're exploring your way into the unknown, traveling naturally forces you to do so many things which you wouldn't have done otherwise.

Whether it be while learning to pet the elephants in Cambodia, mountaineering through the snowclad mountains in Nepal or dancing Samba in Brazil, you will experience plenty of new things during your travels.

Traveling is in fact a way of learning to learn. You are out of your comfort zone and so you must learn to be able to adapt to a new learning environment in a very short time. It also helps in your overall learning as well.

7. You learn social skills.

You may be little shy and find it difficult to engage yourself socially. But traveling will change that as things like talking to complete strangers or asking them for favor is not an option but a necessity during travels.

If you are thinking of some personal development courses, you don't need to do so. Travel your way to a wonderful place somewhere and if possible, on your own. You'll grow much better than through such courses.

Lack of skills in conversation, presentation and public speaking often limit opportunities for us. Most of us find it difficult to master them how hard we try. If you're facing difficulty with them, traveling will make your situation much easier.

8. You learn to be independent.

If you have spent your life being reactive, reacting to the circumstances placed upon you and you want to change that and haven't been able to do so, traveling will teach you to be proactive and control your own fate by yourself.

Traveling forces one to be independent. This is even more the case when you travel on your own. There's no choice but to make decisions and take initiatives completely by yourself as you don't have anyone to tell you what to do nor anyone you can outsource the task too.

Independence is a fundamental goal of education. The focus of what we refer to as traditional education may be on financial independence but traveling will also teach you to be independent intellectually and emotionally.

9. You learn compassion for the lives of others.

When you travel extensively, you begin to realize that in spite of all the differences, we all are same somewhere deep down in our hearts. All your prejudices based on race, color and nationality will subside.

You can't truly hate anyone when you know what they have been through and why they behaved in a certain way in the first place. And when you travel, you have a better understanding of people and their actions.

You'll be touched when you find so many wonderful people all over the world that you begin to feel the whole world is your home. There is a fair share of bad people and good people out there.

10. You learn about yourself.

Probably the most important aspect of education that travel helps is your education about yourself. Travel is your best teacher not only on history, language and politics but also on yourself.

You realize your true potential, the things that you really enjoy and the person who you really are. Without travel, you have a very limited understanding of your true self and you may even be completely unaware of your real persona.

If you haven't really decided what you are going to do with your life or what you want to be in future, traveling extensively and preferably to places you have never heard of before, is the best way to help you make a decision.

Featured photo credit: Plane In The Sky via pexels.com

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10 Reasons Why Traveling Is The Best Form of Education

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Nabin Paudyal Co-Founder, Siplikan Media Group Read full profile Almost every one of us agree that life's real education happens outside the classroom. Classrooms with teachers, friends and textbooks are of course one way to learn but they are not the only. In fact, traveling is the best way to learn things and the things that matter.

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10 Reasons Why Travel is the BEST Education

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We all know that travelling the world is a great way to force personal growth and experience life through an entirely new lens. We also know that there are somethings you can learn while travelling that you just can't get from a course or a text book.

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." -- Saint Augustine

The Earth is filled with infinite experiences, wonders and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Imagine hiking through the verdant, kaleidoscopic Amazon rainforest, camping out underneath the aurora borealis in the Canadian tundra or meandering through an enchanting Kenyan village. Much education is experienced in a classroom or through a textbook; those avenues do get the job done, but they aren't nearly as fulfilling or effective as traveling the world is.

See the world, and broaden your cultural, intellectual, and spiritual education like you could never have imagined. Here are five reasons why traveling is best education possible.

Though English is a reliably popular second language for most corners of the world, prepared travelers need to do their fare share of language studying. Before visiting a country where English isn't the primary language, learn the basics through a book or audioguide.

After building a foundation, stretch your skills by talking with actual native speakers. A textbook can't teach you slang, intonation, or vocal expression, but other people sure can. Not only will conversing help expand your cultural horizons, but it will also hasten your listening and speaking capabilities.

Explore Cultural Differences

In communicating and interacting with other cultures, you'll find just how they vary from your own. In Italy, many people go on "passeggiatas," or post-meal walks. In Mexico, it's common for people to take a "siesta," or nap, after lunch.

Different cultures prefer different types of cuisine, manners, and social expectations. Be certain to read up on these aspects of "culture shock" before your travel, and learn to embrace them when you're there. Learning is the ultimate point of traveling, so take it in whole-heartedly and keep an open mind.

Discover Cultural Similarities

After observing what separates your culture from another's, keep an eye out for common ground too. Do you and the people around you have a shared love of art? Or both communicate with a heavy emphasis on body language? Where do your moral and social values align?

Too often, people classify those who are not like them or who speak a different language as "other." Break down those barriers by finding shared interests, habits, and values.

History taught at all levels of education in the United States generally skews towards a Western emphasis. American history is the bulk of what's taught, and the remainder, world history, is relatively Eurocentric.

By exploring other parts of the world (or even hidden gem locations in your own country), you'll play the part of an adventurer discover all new artifacts of knowledge. Pore through indigenous texts, embrace fascinating styles of art, stand beneath overlooked landmarks, and study the events the shaped nations.

Understanding another culture's history is the premier way to understand its politics, motivations, and social habits. Take your travel slowly so you can really marinate in the world around you. It may be the only way to learn about it authentically.

The very act of traveling is a test of one's will, patience, and fortitude.

The most well-planned traveler will see his or her plans fall awry. Rides show up late, suitcases explode, boarding passes get lost, and it all usually happens at the same time. Traveling teaches everyone how to improvise.

Don't adhere too strictly to a planner; feel free to get lost down a windy, sun-soaked alleyway or find hidden treasure in a sprawling marketplace. Unleash your inner pioneer and show yourself what you're made of. You're guaranteed to be impressed.

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5 Reasons Why Traveling Is the Best Education

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." -- Saint Augustine The Earth is filled with infinite experiences, wonders and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Imagine hiking through the verdant, kaleidoscopic Amazon rainforest, camping out underneath the aurora borealis in the Canadian tundra or meandering through an enchanting Kenyan village.

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I'm fortunate to have grown up with a family that loved to travel. By age 25, I'd been to 30 countries, so it's safe to say my lust for wandering has been cemented for life. My travels, of course, brought with them a lot of fun and memories, but they also taught me an incredibly important lesson I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else: travel is the best education you can get.

Now, full disclosure, I'm currently in graduate school, so I definitely advocate formal education at all levels, but I also firmly believe there are just some things you cannot learn in the classroom. I'm not going to lie, I've stayed in some nice places and enjoyed the more luxurious side that can often accompany travel, but in addition to lunching at Parisian cafes or relaxing on white sand beaches, I've also worked at an elephant conservation camp in Thailand, witnessed a riot in a third world country, and spent a day cooking with a Berber family in their two-room home in the Atlas Mountains. Travel has introduced me to other cultures, humbled me, and taught me things that would never be as profound out of a book (and I'm a writer, so obviously, I love words). Ready to book a trip, yet? Here are 12 reasons why traveling is the best education you can get.

1. You'll Learn About Other Cultures

Immersing yourself in another culture, whether foreign or even just in the U.S. (anyone will tell you - the East Coast is way different than the West Coast), is the best way to get to know what it's all about. What people wear, how they talk, the pace of life, the cultural norms, the local cuisine... it's something you have to experience firsthand to get a sense for what another culture is like. Speaking of eating...

2. Food!

NYC may boast world-class restaurants, but you'll never find fried chicken like you can in the south. You can pretty much get anything anywhere in this day and age, but regional cuisines are always more authentic when you're actually in the locale. And taste aside, you can learn a lot about a culture and how it differs from your own by what people eat on a daily basis. Expanding your palate definitely expands your mind.

3. You'll See Historical Monuments

Reading about The Colosseum and Notre Dame is cool and all, but seeing them in person? A whole different ball game.

4. You'll Visit World-Famous Museums

JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images

The same applies here. The Mona Lisa and those Renoir paintings are far more spectacular in person. But big name museums of the world aside, most cities have their own museums where you can learn about the town's history and culture.

5. You'll Pick Up A Foreign Language

After studying a language in school, the best way to bypass conversational and move towards fluent is by putting it into practice with native speakers. But even if you haven't studied a language before, traveling will force you to pick up certain words and phrases from other languages.

6. It Will Challenge You

An education isn't just about knowledge and facts. There's an emotional education travel can give you as well. As exhilarating as it is, being in a new place with different surroundings and out of your routine can be unsettling - throw in not speaking the same language, and it's even more stressful. From getting lost, to having difficulty communicating, to not knowing people around you, or even just not knowing where to go for a meal, traveling will most definitely take you out of your comfort zone, on a big or small scale.

7. You'll Have Adventures

Whether you're petting tigers in Thailand, riding camels in the desert, or spending a night out on New Orleans' Bourbon Street, travel calls for adventure and spontaneity, and forces you to try things you never have before.

8. You'll Meet New People

Meeting people and learning about them is an education in and of itself - and who better to give you inside scoop about a foreign city than a local? Not to mention, having connections, no matter where they are in the world, is more important than ever right now. You never know where they could lead, and if nothing else, you could gain a friend or two.

9. You'll Learn About Your Traveling Companions

The best way to get to know someone? Travel with them. Even if you think you already know them inside out, spending 24/7 with another person in a foreign setting is definitely eye-opening.

10. You'll Learn About Yourself

I always say I'm never the same person after a trip than I was when I left. Stepping away from your day-to-day routine can give you perspective, and can release you from that bubble we sometimes cage ourselves in. I've made huge decisions while traveling, from deciding where to go to graduate school to realizing it was time to move to a new city. Nothing forces you to be introspective like putting yourself in an unfamiliar location.

11. It'll Humble You

There's a great big world out there, and your problems and grievances probably won't seem as big after seeing more of it. Traveling can also help motivate you, and to help you remember that as much as we love where we're from, there's always more out there to see.

12. Speaking Of Where You're From...

Oh, it's totally cheesy, but coming home can be just as rewarding as taking the trip itself. Going away can remind you of just what's important to you, and of everything you left behind and missed.
Images: Fotolia; Giphy; Sienna Fantozzi; Getty Images; Niall Kennedy/Flickr

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12 Reasons Why Travel Is The Best Education

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I'm fortunate to have grown up with a family that loved to travel. By age 25, I'd been to 30 countries, so it's safe to say my lust for wandering has been cemented for life. My travels, of course, brought with them a lot of fun and memories, but...