While traveling, we try to dive into the local culture as much as possible in order to gain a better understanding of the differences and similarities between us and the people we meet, the customs we observe, and the mindsets that drive them.

Learning of another culture from first hand experiences is incredibly thought provoking, and can be life changing. I often find myself questioning why I believe one thing with pure conviction while a whole other set of people believe in another with the same passion and conviction. Who is right? Or are we both wrong?

By removing the act of judgment, we arrive at the truth: there is no right or wrong, just differing perspectives.

Even though it is challenging for me not to apply judgments and opinions based on my upbringing, remaining open, and just being an observer in the experience, leaving preconceptions and cultural biases at the border is essential to get closer to a new culture.

We have had the privilege of meeting some people along the way who have been open, and shared their perspectives with us, enabling us to gain a greater insight into the mindset and subtleties of a culture that could otherwise be missed.

To us, this is the difference between vacationing and traveling, having and taking the opportunity to build real relationships, to go deeper into the cultures and inevitably learn more about ourselves along the way.