"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness. Broad, wholesome, charitable views cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth"--Mark Twain
Morality Tale - On Guam passport ownership is about 80%. We have to have one just to get on a plane. Even for direct flights from Guam (USA) to Hawaii (USA), and all the residents little islands in Micronesia (even babies), need one because all fights pass thru Guam. Most local kids get one about age 15 and never are without one again. Guamanians often see this as part of our 2nd class citizenship, along with not being able to vote for President, while paying Fed. Taxes.
Travel outside of the country also takes money. Overlay this map with an average income map and you will see a large overlap. You used to be able to go to Mexico and Canada with just a driver's license, so people didn't need a passport unless they were flying somewhere. If it weren't for pilgrimage, I might never have gotten one, and now that I'm back home in Indiana, I'm resisting getting a new one. It's not the fear of travel, it is the dread of explaining why my name doesn't match my birth certificate.
I love my passport and I have some funny passports stories. Travel seems simple now but I did not have a passport until I was 46... There are some truly cheap fares. It is often the family needs that keep us from venturing outside our comfort zones but it is so worth it. It is even better if you take the family with you. Travel also makes me count my blessings.
Morality Tale - On Guam passport ownership is about 80%. We have to have one just to get on a plane. Even for direct flights from Guam (USA) to Hawaii (USA), and all the residents little islands in Micronesia (even babies), need one because all fights pass thru Guam. Most local kids get one about age 15 and never are without one again.
ReplyDeleteGuamanians often see this as part of our 2nd class citizenship, along with not being able to vote for President, while paying Fed. Taxes.
Travel outside of the country also takes money. Overlay this map with an average income map and you will see a large overlap. You used to be able to go to Mexico and Canada with just a driver's license, so people didn't need a passport unless they were flying somewhere. If it weren't for pilgrimage, I might never have gotten one, and now that I'm back home in Indiana, I'm resisting getting a new one. It's not the fear of travel, it is the dread of explaining why my name doesn't match my birth certificate.
ReplyDeleteI love my passport and I have some funny passports stories. Travel seems simple now but I did not have a passport until I was 46... There are some truly cheap fares. It is often the family needs that keep us from venturing outside our comfort zones but it is so worth it. It is even better if you take the family with you. Travel also makes me count my blessings.
ReplyDelete