What Motivated me to Travel

You asked what motivated me to travel. Well, I am a very lucky city boy. I worked for the Penn State University Agricultural Extension Service in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the late seventies. I am a city boy, born and raised in downtown Philadelphia. I found myself in rural Dauphin County Pennsylvania where I worked with 4-H youth for two years.

After two years I had the opportunity to represent Dauphin County as an 4-H IFYE Representative. (International 4-H Youth Exchange). The farm folks helped me raise the necessary funds to travel to Egypt, where I spent three months living with seven different families throughout the country. Boy, was that a great way to know and understand a country and culture.

I lived with the Egyptian families. I found them to be an honest, sincere, and religious people. They are proud of their long history and tolerant of their fellow man. I was even there during Ramadan. I have a true appreciation and respect for the Muslim Religion, being a Roman Catholic myself.

I had some free time on my way home to visit Greece, Turkey, & my living ancestors in Italy. That is what started me traveling & I have been traveling ever since.

Thanks to you Rudy, my wife Mary and I visited Hong Kong & Bangkok last November as a result of one of your "Deal of the Week" pieces. We had a great time.

Keep up the good work, Rudy!

Your enthusiastic Listener in Philadelphia,

Joe

 

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