travel | The Toad In MY Road

Thanks to a couple free airline tickets from my Sister and Hilton points gained through frequent work travel, my husband and I were able to travel Italy for the past 7 days. We first visited Rome, seeing the Vatican, especially the Sistine Chapel – one of my bucket list items, Parthenon, Trevi Fountain, and several other smaller sites. Next we visited Sienna and saw a Medieval Village and imagined how it’s citizens of past centuries lives their lives. The City Center in Sienna is one of the best preserved Medieval villages in Italy. The original wall surrounding the city still stand and the central church dates back to the early 12th century.

Today we are on our way back to Rome where, tomorrow, we will visit the Coliseum and view the place where so many Gladiators fell, and, where many Hollywood films were made. Friday we are going to travel around on our own and just see what we can find. Saturday, the torture tube known as an airliner, will whisk us back to the USA.

One thing I have discovered about travel, first in Germany, then in Japan, and now in Italy, is that most of the people in these countries are very much like people in the USA. Most are good, want a home to live in, food on the table, transportation, jobs, an education for their children, and for their children to grow up safe and become successful adults. Not much different than me. Of course there is always the bad element, the pick pockets, the thieves, etc., no different than in the USA.

And I find people in the service industry unfailingly polite and willing to help the American who does not speak their language. If they don’t speak English, they will tell you so, politely, and offer to find someone who does speak English.

The food in Italy has been fabulous. Europe in general seems to eat more pork and MUCH less beef than the USA. Having said that, I have had the most tasty pork and beef on this trip. European pork and beef has much more fat and thus more flavor than I find in pork and beef served in the USA.

For that matter, I found that higher fat content in beef, pork and chicken is more highly prized in Japan. There, a chicken breast is cheap as it has no fat content. The legs and thighs are more expensive due to their high fat content and better flavor. Interesting contrast to the USA where lean meats of all kinds are more expensive and more highly valued.

If you have the chance to travel to a country, other than your home country, I highly recommend it. Take in the culture, the food, and the people. Once you see what is out there, the world does not seem quite as threatening or horrible. Yes, there will always be bad elements in every society, race, and religion. But overall, I find there is more good in the world that we give credit.

28 February 2018, Atlanta International Airport

Today at the airport in Atlanta, I witnessed humanity at its worst. A blind man, with a large, gold Labrador Retriever Guide Dog exited the train at terminal A. Everyone was jostling past this man in their hurry to their destination. People were actually banging into this man and his dog, knocking them about as they hurriedly went on their way. Both man and dog remained calm as humanity swirled about them. The man looked left, then right, not sure of which way to proceed. His blindness was obvious, not only because of the large guide dog in complete Guide Dog harness, but because there were only had 2 slits of skin where his eyes should have been. Clearly he was either born without eyes or lost them due to injury or disease.

I stepped up to the man and asked if I could help him to the escalator. He responded, “yes, please”. I guided him to the escalator. As we ascended to terminal A, the gentleman asked if I could point him to the line for a food outlet where he might buy a wrap. I agreed to help. At the top of the escalator, there was a Great Wraps and I guided him to the line to make his purchase. I asked if I could assist hm further and he said no and thanked me for assisting him. He wished me safe travels and I wished him the same.

I relate this story not because I want praise for helping a blind man but rather to say how much in awe I am of this man, and all unsighted people, who travel alone. I cannot imagine the courage it must take to step out into our busy world alone and not be able to see where you are going. Sure the guide dog helps you move through the traffic, but the dog cannot tell you which way to go to get to the escalator. It cannot tell you which eatery has wraps. Instead, you must rely on the help of total strangers and pray that they are willing to help you.

Today I witnessed 100’s of people rush by this man with no thought to offer assistance. I wanted to shout to the people – slow down, be aware of others, show some compassion for your fellow man for one day you may be the person that needs help.