Preconceptions

We receive misshapen information via the media, from people who try to promote their own agenda, from misguided gossipers, from unintentional narrow-minded racists. Believing you know what a people, place or experience will be like before the encounter breeds prejudice and misunderstandings. I try to remain positive, open minded and expectant that my own preconceptions are wrong.

Friends and family understandably worried about my safety. They conjured up images influenced by movies and negative news stories. To dispel these worries gave me immense satisfaction and is a large reason why I wrote this book. It’s important to me to treat people in an unbiased and equal way, without expectations.

Before the trip I thought about how various situations would feel, how certain people would act, how I would respond, how the trip would influence my life. Many turned out without much surprise, others I still find difficult to believe. To me, an open mind is more precious than any wallet.