Around the world in 30 days: Reflections

I am not sure that there exists a phrase that sums up the reverse of ‘home thoughts from abroad’, but that is what is attempted here, a few days after returning from circling the globe.

1. Yes, travel broadens the mind. In many ways it is only the sights, sounds and experiences of actually being somewhere else, immersed for however short a time in another culture, that can begin to give a better understanding of other countries and their people. However, with all we now know about the causes and effects of climate change, long-distance travel is an immense privilege, and should not be taken for granted or undertaken lightly. Would I fly across the world in the interests of learning more and seeing new places, rather than primarily to visit close family members? Absolutely not. This trip has reinforced the importance of reducing air travel and taking all other possible steps open to individuals to reduce the emissions of climate-change-inducing greenhouse gases and also to eliminate as far as possible our use of unsustainable and polluting products.
2. Stereotypes about other nations are invariably blinkered and often based upon a minority who are not representative of the real character of a country’s people. There are wonderfully warm, friendly and welcoming people everywhere and the issues from abroad that are given prominence by our domestic media may well not be the primary concerns of the majority in the country concerned. Having said that, the current political leadership in the United States and the ongoing confusion around the UK’s exit from the European Union do seem to be universal topics of conversation and concern.
3. Home is where the heart is – it is a cliché but true. It is only where one is rooted and grounded in a local community, and with the opportunity to both draw on and contribute to all that community has to offer, that a real sense of home and of belonging can be felt. Being a ‘citizen of the world’ is fine for a while but eventually you realise that you cannot achieve anything while rootless.
4. If you want to write about a journey then there is no better way to travel than by train.