Thank you for your real story!!!  This is a great refresher course on travelling for good reason:  To really "be" in the place, to meet the people, to feel it and live it, then leave it a little better if possible, for the gift we have received.

This reminds me I need to get out of here and do something good this year too.

P.S.  Like my son, you went rock-climbing without giving me warning and are "causing" me post-event-worry...  You kids!  ;)

Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.