Comments on: My Tour of Duty In Vietnam http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/ A two-year trip around-the-world. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:17:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Anne Lingwall http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/#comment-2252 Anne Lingwall Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:05:27 +0000 http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/#comment-2252 Andy-I occasionally like to browse over your website to see how far you've moved since the last time I checked-I have really enjoyed being an observer of your travels (really adventures, I guess). Never having said anything in the past-tonight I was particularly moved by your observation, "people are people, and language and cultural differences aside, we are all more alike then we are led to believe." I share that observation wholeheartedly from my own travel experience (though small in nature, compared to you). Last summer, around this time, I was living and studying in a small town in the Dominican Republic. The opportunity to simply exist in another culture for a longer period of time not only gave me the opportunity to reach beyond the small scope of my previously sheltered existence, but it, as you said, allowed me also to strip away language and cultural differences and find comfort in simply developing new friends and connections with people that I found an understanding with on a "basic" level. I think it is a heartwarming, delighting and shocking thing to realize what exists beyond yourself. Cheers to your continued travels- Anne Lingwall (one of those Iowa City kids) Andy-I occasionally like to browse over your website to see how far you’ve moved since the last time I checked-I have really enjoyed being an observer of your travels (really adventures, I guess). Never having said anything in the past-tonight I was particularly moved by your observation, “people are people, and language and cultural differences aside, we are all more alike then we are led to believe.” I share that observation wholeheartedly from my own travel experience (though small in nature, compared to you). Last summer, around this time, I was living and studying in a small town in the Dominican Republic. The opportunity to simply exist in another culture for a longer period of time not only gave me the opportunity to reach beyond the small scope of my previously sheltered existence, but it, as you said, allowed me also to strip away language and cultural differences and find comfort in simply developing new friends and connections with people that I found an understanding with on a “basic” level. I think it is a heartwarming, delighting and shocking thing to realize what exists beyond yourself. Cheers to your continued travels-
Anne Lingwall (one of those Iowa City kids)

]]> By: Steve Rice http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/#comment-2241 Steve Rice Thu, 29 May 2008 23:34:10 +0000 http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/#comment-2241 Andy, It's good to see your films on the internet. Nathan introduced them to me before he left for Korea. North Vietnam is a little different from BenDalatour Colorado I would think. You are quite right; Individuals can be friendly to each other. It the mob mentality that usually prevails in foreign policy. Good luck in your world travels. If you get to South Korea, look Nate up. The machine gun looked like fun. Andy,

It’s good to see your films on the internet. Nathan introduced them to me before he left for Korea. North Vietnam is a little different from BenDalatour Colorado I would think.

You are quite right; Individuals can be friendly to each other. It the mob mentality that usually prevails in foreign policy. Good luck in your world travels. If you get to South Korea, look Nate up.

The machine gun looked like fun.

]]> By: Andy http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/#comment-2211 Andy Sat, 17 May 2008 05:23:51 +0000 http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/#comment-2211 Teresa, that is such a GREAT way to put that 'recognizing myself in another.' And I'll bet that happens at least once a day as I travel, even in the places at the edge of the Earth. Thanks so much for the comment. Teresa, that is such a GREAT way to put that ‘recognizing myself in another.’ And I’ll bet that happens at least once a day as I travel, even in the places at the edge of the Earth. Thanks so much for the comment.

]]> By: Teresa http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/#comment-2210 Teresa Sat, 17 May 2008 05:01:43 +0000 http://noboundaries.org/blog/2008/05/15/my-tour-of-duty-in-vietnam/#comment-2210 "The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far in my travels is that people are people, and language and cultural differences aside, we are all more alike then we are led to believe." I've been thinking about this very same topic lately, Andy. As an American living in Japan, I have ample opportunities to encounter 'open wounds' of fear and distrust as a result of war. Further compounding misunderstandings, language and culture can at times expand the divide. And yet, it is remarkable how similar we all are. The teenage girl wanting both approval and freedom to make her own choices. The professionally successful but unhappy woman anguishing in a difficult time in her marriage. The farmer worrying about global food prices. The overworked teacher, hoping to make a difference. Each friend here helps me to expand myself. And, perhaps the greatest spiritual lesson is to do just that: recognize myself in another. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far in my travels is that people are people, and language and cultural differences aside, we are all more alike then we are led to believe.”
I’ve been thinking about this very same topic lately, Andy. As an American living in Japan, I have ample opportunities to encounter ‘open wounds’ of fear and distrust as a result of war. Further compounding misunderstandings, language and culture can at times expand the divide.
And yet, it is remarkable how similar we all are. The teenage girl wanting both approval and freedom to make her own choices. The professionally successful but unhappy woman anguishing in a difficult time in her marriage. The farmer worrying about global food prices. The overworked teacher, hoping to make a difference. Each friend here helps me to expand myself.
And, perhaps the greatest spiritual lesson is to do just that: recognize myself in another.

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