Gearing up, part 1

"Mankind was made to travel. If we were supposed to stay in one place, then we would have roots instead of feet."

Sydney Edsill

link: Mankind Was Made to Travel

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Confession: I have an addiction. That addiction is traveling. All I ever want to do is travel. I don't understand why people wouldn't want to travel. Mind you, I'm not a fan of the actual getting there part where you're stuck in a car or plane or boat or whatever for hours on end. But the destination is always totally worth it.

Just take a moment to think about the world and how diverse it is. Think of the huge mountains and beautiful valleys and deep oceans and wild jungles and dry deserts. Think of all the cool, cute, and terrifying creatures that inhabit all those places. Think of the brightest flowers and tallest trees and reddest rocks and softest sand. Think of the busiest cities exploding with never-ending lights and sound, and think of the remotest areas where you can look up at night and see more stars than you could ever imagine existing. Think of the breathtaking art and architecture made by human hands: cathedrals and sculptures and paintings and bridges and castles. Most importantly, think of the people. Think of the cultures. Think of how each culture has inhabited their own little corner of the world and made it uniquely theirs. Think of humanity - we are all connected to each other.

This is why I have contracted the incurable disease of wanderlust. I would feel as if I wasn't living my life to the fullest if I did not visit these people and see the world through their eyes. I have so much to learn in my lifetime; how can I gain an accurate knowledge of the world if I don't go out and see it?

Travel is an enemy to ignorance and prejudice and is an ally to open-mindedness and kindness. I travel because I refuse to be ignorant. I travel because I love people and I value each individual's perspective. I travel because I need to in order to become a better me.

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p.s. I'm sure most of you are wondering about the name of this blog. The local language of the area I'll be staying in is Luganda, and "mzungu" means "white person" in Luganda. I've been told that a lot of the locals will be calling me mzungu quite often, so I might as well get used to it now!