In search of common ground

#145

My Dear Friend of Democracy,

I want to tell you why I love travelling.

Of course, because I see something new. That makes life interesting. But also because when travelling, I look for (and often find) familiar things. Things that make living together so valuable. Friendly, helpful people, good food, accommodation.

This is a central experience while travelling: that other people are helping me. Not just out of selflessness, of course. Mainly because it's their business. But still. I can travel around, and wherever I am, people are supporting me in living a pleasing life.

Yes, I know, that is our daily experience in a functioning market economy and democracy. But this experience fills you with more gratitude when you are not at home, not in your traditional and familiar place. On a journey, you are more vulnerable.

That's why I like to travel around.

There is also a broader picture.

Travel experiences sharpen your view of what constitutes human coexistence. When you travel, you can get the impression that people are having very different lives. However, on a certain level, the similarities outweigh the differences. Laughing in community. Healthiness. Having accommodation protecting you. Having enough to eat, ideally tasty food. Being able to lead a self-determined life. – While travelling, you can learn that people everywhere have similar needs.

And you can see these similarities all the more clearly, the further you travel to the fringes. Ways of life seem to change dramatically, but essential things remain the same. What thrives people. That and how they care for others. Such things.

We all have the same origin. We, therefore, live on common grounds. Travelling enables us to find them.

See you in Europe,

Johannes

PS: In case you are interested, I collect my photographic travel experiences on a photo blog called “To the fringes”.