Travel teaches how much we humans are similar and connected. But the differences wake up our brains to new possibilities. From Dubrovnik, Croatia on the Adriatic Sea, let’s activate culture shift.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of travel is experiencing a new culture, which manifests in big ways, including language, tradition, and dress and small details of every day living. For me, this brings variety of the new and perspective on what’s familiar. And in both ways, we got very lucky in Dubrovnik.
My speech here happened to coincide with The Festivity of Saint Blaise, celebrated on the same day annually since the year 972 AD! Many thousands travel here from near and far to gather in celebration and pay tribute to the Patron Saint and Protector of the City, wearing traditional dress, joining in worship, and uniting as a community. This festivity is based upon the legend that St. Blaise appeared to warn the people of an imminent attack by the Republic of Venice, thus saving the city more 1,500 years ago!
That history and time frame are mind blowing. Navigating the unfamiliar promotes mental agility. Then imagine, what would it be like to live here? Waking up to these views. Or taking alternate approaches to everyday activities.
Such culture shift offers the chance to reevaluate our choices. What aspects of your life do you take for granted when they’re really quite amazing. What do we view as fixed? Can you identify and incorporate some of the unusual?
It’s a bit like the perspective you get from walking the city walls – zooming out to see the bigger picture. Maybe even viewing your problems and life’s complexities more objectively.
You don’t have to leave town to experience culture shift. Explore a new place or community near you. Sample unfamiliar foods, music, or activities. Or travel by reading books to experience different times, places, and people.
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