All 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 25 different countries. That’s a lot of traveling!
I guess my early life dictated my wanderlust; I went to 5 different elementary schools in 8 years, so the foundation for travel was laid early in my life.
I was a sailor, a soldier and a salesman and those professions took me to many places most folks don’t get to see. Being on an oil tanker in the middle of a hurricane can focus your attention on the fact that you are rather insignificant in this world, but then to watch a brilliant sunrise the next day is a real gift. I’ve been to the richest countries as well as the poorest. I’ve dined on local delicacies (not much equals the Moreton Bay Bugs (lobster) in Australia, Salmon roe in Sweden and C-Rations in Vietnam. Have to give a shout out to the kimchi in Korea; not for the faint of heart.
I’ve been to the Australian Outback, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Tieneman Square in Beijing and so many nameless places in my travels. Watching a glacier calve in Glacier Bay, Alaska is certainly worth a mention.
What did I learn in those travels? Mostly, that people are pretty much the same everywhere. A smile will bridge just about any communication gap. I also learned that, even with all our faults and problems, the USA is still the greatest place to live and I’m thankful that I was born here.
I am now fortunate, as I enter my 8th decade on earth to live in a beautiful place where I see God’s handiwork every day.
Vince Burget
Silver Stories 