 |
| Photos: Jann Segal |
I observe when I travel. It is part of my sightseeing
experience, but more often part of my post –trip reflections. I have felt the tears
of history in Vietnam; observed how clotheslines can reflect how an entire
society lives all over the world, and very particularly in India; and beyond
doubt, how women preserve their culture and heritage worldwide. I am sure that
men participate somehow along the line, but it seems that the role of women is
more prominent. Performing small acts or rituals to preserve cultural heritage is
truly something to celebrate no matter the culture. For an understanding of
different cultures makes us richer. Many countries have women’s cooperatives
where this activity is nourished, and the women are afforded a livelihood as
well. As it turns out, the countries where
I have observed this most prominently were countries I also wanted to return.
In two cases, these were countries I visited on an independent trip and later
returned with Overseas Adventure Travels. In the case of India, I took an OAT
trip there to two separate regions, but also included independent travel. In all cases, the way the women preserved their
heritage was unmistakable.
