Open to other cultures

Wherever we go, we are guests. And I want to behave accordingly.

What awaits us in unfamiliar places, what people will we meet, what do they want from us, what do we want from them? My experiences are almost the same across the globe. If we are prepared to accept the circumstances on the ground and try to understand how the local people live, we can have truly moving experiences.

Don't judge other people by their skin colour, nationality or religion, but try to understand their circumstances and what drives them – with this attitude, you can almost always discover something you have in common and a shared joy. Allow yourself to get involved! It is immensely enriching.

Tolerance

Travelling in the Caribbean or Cape Verde, the children paddle towards us in the anchorage bay and sit on the outriggers of our catamaran. Of course, you have to be a little careful. But a harsh shooing away cannot be the method of choice when the children are simply curious. Even if it has occurred to them to get some sweets from the rich white people.

Openness

Joy of Living