“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley

You have heard the complaints from your friends and family right? The French are rude, Venice smells, Muslim countries are dangerous and they hate Westerners. Did any of the rumors that you have heard stop your desire to go to a foreign country?
I have never run across a rude local in all of my journeys. I have never been to a country that I did not find beautiful in it's own way. I found the French to be lovely, Venice beautiful and Muslim countries to be charming.
Before I went to France, I had heard for years about how rude the French are. I had also heard that if you attempt to speak the language, they got friendlier. Isn't that the same all over the world? I know that here, in America, there is a huge prejudice to immigrants that do not speak English. I have also heard other English speaking countries have the same complaint. It is human nature to be suspicious of anything or anyone different. That is understandable.
What I do not understand is believing what other people say without checking it our for yourself. I really do not understand it when the media is involved.
One of my favorite geography shows is Globe Trekker. I would show this to my middle school students when I was teaching. I remember in particular, the episodes through Jordan and the Wadi Rum. Ian Wright led the way through local weddings, feasts and festivals.
I think when I saw that episode is when I first got my desire to see Jordan. Globe Trekker is definitely more 'liberal,' if you consider 'liberal' as meaning....getting to know the locals.
At times, I have ventured out of my comfort zone and been WAY nervous about a country that I was visiting. I have even not enjoyed 'the moment' because of the discomfort. Every time I get home from the journey and had a chance to reflect, I had fond memories of the event. I also had regret that I did not enjoy the moment more.
The regrets are getting fewer, the moments more enjoyable. I will never regret that I have never taken someone's word about a country as the 'truth.' I have always wanted to see for myself. I have never been disappointed.