I recently watched one of my favorite travel movies, Only You. And I was struck as usual by this line delivered by Bonnie Hunt’s character:
You know what I think? I think anything can happen here.
I think that’s one of the things we all love about travel, the pleasant shock that comes from a refreshing new perspective. Anything can happen here, we think. It’s a new place with new crowds of people. The energy is different. Potential is everywhere. We’re surrounded by unique opportunities, wishing fountains, fresh ideas. And it’s at some point, while imagining all the unfamiliar faces going about their lives in this fantastic place, that we hopefully come to the conclusion not that anything can happen there but that anything can happen. Period.
Remember when Mr. Keating had the students stand on their desks? When Elizabeth Bennet traveled to the country because “what are men compared to rocks and trees?” You can find the theme almost everywhere. What we need – all of us, very often – is a change in perspective. The ability not just to look in on other lives and lifestyles but to see our own lives from a distance.
This is the reason I love writing for a company that specializes in student tours and all kinds of educational travel for young people. And also why I admire the group leaders and administrators who work so hard to give these students the chance to have their eyes opened wide to possibility, the chance to realize for themselves, anything can happen here.
Anything can happen.
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