On journeys through the States we start,

(Ay, through the world, urged by these songs,

Sailing henceforth to every land, every sea,)

We willing learners of all, teachers of all, and lovers of all.

from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

 A traveler is, at once, diplomat and refugee, observer and participant. And what is, perhaps, most beautiful about traveling is that none of these roles are played consciously.

I recently picked up a copy of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman and have since found myself floored by its beauty. Whitman wrote of the connectedness and utter sameness of all men and women, how you can only know yourself by knowing others. While his poetry contains truths that apply to all, I think travelers have the insight to really understand Whitman’s words.

In the upcoming months I will be visiting France, China and Portugal, three countries containing three very different and unique cultures, but I know that in each I will find that the people all have the same basic needs as you or I — the need to love, the need to be loved, the need to be happy, the need for meaning. Whatever language is spoken or religion followed, or however different the culture may seem, by keeping in mind our sameness, we are in a position to bridge the differences that don’t matter. Then we can learn about another way of life without appearing ignorant and teach others about ours without seeming arrogant.

I challenge every traveler to pick up Leaves of Grass and not feel as though Whitman had put on paper the truths of your heart and the words of your head.

— Kate Gallagher, advertising and editorial coordinator