Compared to our recent visit to Spain and Portugal, this part of the world was less familiar. J.J. and I therefore had a much more eye-opening, thought provoking experiences.
US education about world history and geography is concentrated on Western civilization. Hearing and seeing not-so familiar names and places motivates me to study.
I made a list of topics to Google about the early history of Indo-China, about Muslims settlements from throughout Southeast Asia and how their presence impacted the host countries.
Equally interesting is the historical and present political and economic influence of contemporary China, and the effects of the ongoing conflict between India-Pakistan on their neighbors.
“Travel can be one of the most rewarding forms of introspection.” - Lawrence Durrell
“Certainly, travel is much more than the seeing of sights; it is a chance that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” - Mary Ritter Beard
Aloha -- Cathi