Responding to Julia's question...

"Do you believe it is important for people to travel? Is remaining stationary as many did in the past more beneficial than our constant need to travel today?"

 I personally love this question.  I haven't traveled too much, but I have seen more than a lot of people (because my father was in the military and we moved around a bit).  I have seen places that have blown my mind!  Outside of the country I have been to France, Spain, Mexico, and Canada; and each place has been very different, especially compared to USA.
Though everywhere is basically the same, it's amazing how different everything and the people can be.   Going to France made me feel better about my mannerisms.  Spain made me realize just how beautiful a country can possibly be, with it's landforms and how artwork can go hand-in-hand with it.  Canada, I don't remember too much about it, eh?  The place that hit me the most was Mexico.

 Going to Mexico made me feel thankful for everything that I have in my life.  SO many people live in poverty due to the minimal wage being six dollars a week there.  Learning about this and more about how the people live there, made me realize how much people in America take for granted.  Going and seeing this place first hand changed my views on my life entirely.

I personally feel that people should get out and travel.  It doesn't have to be to other countries.  Hell, it doesn't even have to be out of your state!  Just getting out and seeing things that aren't part of your every day life is key.  I feel to understand the differences in places and even people, we need to go out and see it first hand.
Like with when I went to Mexico, I never really understood everything that was taking place there, and just how bad things can be for a person.  Yes, we see poverty and such in our own countries, and even in North Adams, but not to the extent that I have seen in Mexico and even Spain.

Their lives are so different compared to ours, but that is their life, and every life is different.  Different cultures, different people, different morals, different ethics, and just different lives: it all needs to be seen first hand -you can't learn about this fully from a textbook.


My question to you is: Have you ever traveled to a place that has changed your outlook on how you live your life?  Where was it?  How so?  How did traveling change your mind set on not only life, but also how humans interact in different places?