Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Travel Thoughts - October 5, 2011

As I am getting ready to undertake the lengthiest and most exciting journey
of my life, a poem I wrote back in 1997, comes to mind.  I had just been
to India for the first time and I wrote the poem on board the Sun
Viking, a small Royal Caribbean ship on the continution of my
vacation which included several days in Bangkok and a twelve day
southeast Asian cruise.  I was away from home a total of a month and
made some of the dearest friends of my life.  I was, also, frequently
appalled and ashamed by the behavior of many Ameicans traveling with
me.  I read the poem at the passenger talent night on the ship and have
done so many times since.  It has also appeared in a Minnesota newspaper
travel column and was publshed on the International Women in Travel
website.



Travel Thoughts

As we travel about our shrinking globe,
Let us take the time to see,
This earth's most precious resource -
People like you and me.

Though we speak myriad languages,
And may dress in a different style -
A common bond unites us all,
The ability to share a smile.

As we pack for each new adventure,
Let's leave bias and prejudice behind,
Treating others as we'd like to be treated,
Remembering to respect all mankind.

We must pause to see the beauty,
In even the smallest things -
In the smiling eyes of a native child,
In the bright hue of butterfly wings.

Let us take good will as we journey,
No matter how near or how far,
And rejoice in the cultural differences,
That make each of us who we are.

Try to be less hasty to criticize,
As hither and yon we roam,
For if we're always finding fault,
What's the point of leaving home?

To be able to travel is truly a gift,
So be grateful as each journey ends,
For all we have seen and learned on the way,
For the joy of new found friends.

May we share our planet's beauty,
With the utmost respect and care
Leaving nature and all whom we meet,
Better for our having been there.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 1997 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved. 





11 comments:

  1. Hi Carmen, so true, I love this poem; we made many new friends on our travels that I'd dearly love to see again! Have a wonderful journey!!

    Cheers from Oz,
    Alaine

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  2. I enjoyed and agree with your poem - wish more people were kinder.

    Gosh you are going away for a long time.

    Enjoy the blessings.

    sandie

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  3. I do agree. The people we have met along the way bring the best memories.
    Kat

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  4. What a beautiful poem, and very inspiring to think good thoughts.

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  5. manuela9:01 AM

    that's beautiful, and spot on! I hope your preparations are going well, not long now, eh?

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  6. Amazing- I had not visited for a while my dear friend- so happy I did. This reminds me of how well you write and the experience of travelling in your life... well- WOW

    Great one piece!

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  7. beautiful poem as always, Carmen, I really admire your poetic thoughts. Wish you a very beautiful, fun and safe trip, and wish to see you when you get back.

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  8. No wonder you come home with so many friends around the world!

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  9. You do sound as though the travelling bug is in your veins. You must have made many friends through all your visits and you will be getting really excited to be taking off again.
    You write beautiful poems.
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  10. Oddly, I am packing for a trip to India too - and I also worked for the City & County of SF during the fun years 1969-74. I am curious: will you be looking at India as a place to relocate at all while you are there? I assume from your prior income that your Social Security payment monthly is relatively high and there are countries that give all sorts of perqs to immigrants who have a guaranteed $500 or more income per month. Medical treatment is very good in many places (and affordable!) and you have the experience to know that other places - even the most unwesternized - are not as dangerous or difficult as the average non-traveling American believes. I am of the opinion, after living abroad for more than 8 years in a country much feared as a place to be, that America is one of the most dangerous places to live and travel on Earth. I have a particular personal issue that is somewhat unique to me that prevents emigrating, but believe me, I'd be gone in a New York minute. I don't hate my country and I am glad I am American, but I don't much like trying to live here. You already are having a big wrench, leaving a place you lived 13 years; why not go that extra mile or thousand? Have an awesome time, get used to squat toilets (seem cleaner to me than sitting where others have sat) and be sure to get out of the larger cities as much as possible.

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