Reasons I travel

                I was reminded yesterday as to why I enjoy travel and why I think it is impoprtant.  We woke in the morning excited to drop our motorcycles off at the shipping warehouse, the next big step towards our travels in Europe.  But what happened at the warehouse, the experience we had, was an eye opening one.  There we were, dropping off two expensive Harley-Davidsons, leaving on what most would consider a trip of a lifetime.  Spending an extravegant amount of money to, at the end of the day, take a vacation.  Though I do feel there is more to it than that, ultimately, that is what it is.  In this warehouse we were surrounded by luxury items such as riding lawnmowers, vintage cars and crates of Tesla motors...all of these items being shipped overseas to people with plenty of money.  What we didn't expect to see was three train cars, tucked in a corner of this monster establishment, packed full of bags of rice.  The rice was being shipped to Africa.  We inquired about this and was told that the train cars come through weekly.  The rice comes from Arkansas, finds it way to this loading dock, then shipped to Africa where lives depend on its arrival.  I don't think it was the thought of rice being shipped overseas that struck me, it was the diversity of items around it.  Here sat a shipment that will keep people in a country overrun with hunger, disease and conflict, alive for another day.  Next to it, items that will help somebody mow there manicured lawn easier or impress there buddys.  Something to think about anyway.  It's a big world out there with people living in all sorts of conditions.  Be thankful for what you have, even if it isn't much.