This thread is half a shameless plug for a youtube video created by a high school friend of mine (Please press "Like" if you do) and the other half an urge for you to travel the World. To me anyways, the video captures the essence of 'travel abroad'.



I am an old fart. . . but I've led a pretty adventurous life. As kids, we traveled all over the place, relying on relatives, friends, friends of relatives, and then thereafter, friends we made in those strange places. Back then, the reputation of 'backpackers' was a step above gypsies. . . "Yes, they travel around but they're jobless high school drop outs with no future."

Fast forward a few decades and my "jobless friends with no future" are execs in some of the most notable companies in the World. . . and along the way, we made, retained, and continue to make friends all over the World. There is a statement made in the referenced video that rings true to me . . . "Couch Surfing is seeing the World through the eyes of the local." - To me, this is the difference between the "ugly American holiday" vs. "a trip that adds value to your life." This is the difference between immersing yourself into a culture vs. judging it from a foreign point of view. It's the difference between genuinely appreciating another for their differences vs. simply accepting their differences.

You kids have it too easy. . . guys. . . travel! Meet people! Learn the World! . . .and yeah, this is a PU forum so . . . meet the ladies!