“]   

Paddling the trickle of a stream, swallowing diesel fumes, one realizes the vastness of this great world. The maze of floating tin shacks still out of focus, hum with activity causing ripples to rock the canoe. Open arms greet with plates of dried fish covered in algae. At that moment comes the realization the world has more variety of people and ways of living than ever imagined. Becoming a part of their lives for a tour of a one room floating shack, making eye contact as they paddle alongside or sharing family photographs transforms personal views. Everyday life is stagnant and repetitious. Traveling to meet new cultures offers an orchard full of trees with blooms of adventure and serendipity screaming for the senses to savor.