🤯 This Moment Changed My Entire Worldview

Wisdom from Jack Kerouac, Best Museum Cities, No Google Translation, & A Funky Texas Town.

Daniel Catena

May 17, 2024

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In 2010, I was a part-time window cleaner in Wellington, New Zealand.

How I got here is a story for a different post.

The job was decent, but the people I worked with made it the best.

I worked on a small team of guys from Fiji, New Zealand, and Iraq.

One morning, the man from Iraq rolled up his sleeve.

“Come here, I want to show you something.”

I saw a massive mark that crossed his entire forearm. It looked like he had candlewax on his arm but it was the scar from a severe burn.

I was in total shock, awe, and curiosity.

“This was from a bullet wound,” he said in a casual tone as he continued his story, “From an American machine gun in Kuwait.”

My draw dropped.

This man fought for the Iraqi army during the Gulf War in 1990. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait. Under President Saddam Hussein, they occupied the country for seven months. In January 1991, a coalition of forces led by the US defeated Hussein’s military, forcing them to leave Kuwait. Many people on both sides died in the fight.

I couldn’t believe I was talking to a former Iraqi soldier.

In my mind, I only pictured Iraq as “the enemy,” and “the bad guys.” This was what the news fed me as a kid.

But this was a good man. He had kids, a wife, and was working hard to support his family. He was the opposite of everything I imagined an Iraqi soldier would look like.

I didn't know what to say and then we all started working.

He accepted me. And I accepted him.

It was here I realized my worldview was totally wrong.

I learned that we need to remove politics away from people and view them for who they are inside.

Governments aren’t people.

At our core, we are humans under the same sun trying to make it in the world.

He fought for his country because he felt it was his duty. He loved his country, just like I love my country.

I decided not to ask his views on the war or the US.

But it wasn't important.

What mattered was that we were here, now on the same team, trying to clean this damn department store.

(Turning it over to you) What moment totally shook your worldview? Leave a comment!

⚓️ Travel quote of the week

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”

― Jack Kerouac

🤲 Community Travel Hack

Last week, I received a great comment from

Duwan Dunn

. She shared an excellent way to thwart pickpockets:

Wear clothing with lots of zippers. This way, you make it hard for shady people to figure out where your valuables are located.

This is a pro tip! Thanks Duwan! 👏

🧐 Did you know?

person taking picture of man wearing brown hat painting — Photo by Ståle Grut on Unsplash

According to Statista, Paris (297), Moscow (261), Los Angeles (219), Seoul (201), and London (192) have the most museums in the world.

I’m depressed because the nearest city to me (San Francisco) only has 132!

These figures are from a few years ago, so it’s likely each city has more museums.

🎏 Culture Corner

woman sitting on cliff during daytime — Photo by Nadine Rupprecht on Unsplash

There are many words out there with no English translation. One example is the German word, “fernweh,” which sounds like FAIRN-VEY.

Life Hack says “fernweh” means to feel nostalgia or homesickness for a place you haven't visited before. Instead than a desire for what we know, it’s a strong desire for what we don’t know.

Consider the word wanderlust adjacent.

🌆 City Showcase

Byran, Texas

In the heart of Brazos County, Bryan is located in central-eastern Texas. Houston is approximately 100 miles away.

Texas A&M is the state's biggest university.

It's only ten minutes away in nearby College Station. Bryan has a population of about 83,000. Niche rates Bryan as one of the best places to live in Texas.

Here are a few ideas of what to do in Bryan:

Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History: Explore and learn at Bryan’s largest museum. You can get a deeper look at Texas’ history with fun exhibits.
Go Mural Hopping: According to Destination Bryan, the town has over a dozen gorgeous murals in its Historic Downtown.

You can get a better taste of the bustling art scene during the monthly First Friday where local food vendors, bands, and artists set up shop.
Downtown Bryan Street & Art Fair: Every year in April, artists from across the region set up booths to share their works. It’s a fun family event.
Try the Bryan Taco Trail: Bryan is a food-lovers destination. One of its top tours for visitors is the Bryan Taco Trail. Dozens of local Mexican restaurants participate in the program. You can try exclusive tacos, earn points, and get prizes.
Also, you can’t leave Bryan trying barbecue. C&J Barbeque and J.Cody’s Steak and Barbecue are top-rated on Google.
Go wine tasting: The Messina Hot Estate Winery is the top destination in Bryan, according to TripAdvisor. Besides a tasting room, there is also a resort for guests to book relaxing accommodations.