Broad Views Through Travel with Mark Twain

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” ― Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad

Our kids are now in their mid-twenties. Our last “family trip” with just the four of us was a road trip that started in Washington, D.C., and ended at Niagara Falls. Every trip we took them on included museums and historical sites. We wanted them to learn about cultures and people—to see how others live, what they eat, and how they celebrate life.

In a world where color, race, and religion sometimes divide, my wish as a mom is that they will carry the memories of those trips with them. As they meet people along their own paths, I hope they can appreciate and embrace what they’ve learned. I hope they’ll remember to bow when greeting people in Japan or Korea. I hope they’ll remember that in Mexico, Italy, and Spain, a warm greeting often includes a kiss on the cheek. I hope they’ll remember to place their napkin on their lap and use good table manners when dining in fine restaurants, to remove their shoes where it is customary, and to respect the people and places they visit without expecting others to cater to them.

But most of all, I hope they’ll remember to love all people. After all, our children grew up knowing that all men and women are created by the same God of the Universe.

I don’t know when the last trip together will be, but I hope the lessons they’ve learned on our journeys will help them avoid “vegetating” in one small corner of the earth. In time, I hope they too will step out to explore the world and begin gathering memories of their own.

Every culture has its own way of showing respect, here are a few fun customs from around the world I would like to share:

🌍 Cultural Tips Abroad

• Japan & Korea – Bowing is a common greeting and it’s polite to use two hands when giving or receiving something.

• Mexico – Greetings often include a handshake plus a hug or kiss on the cheek. Social punctuality is flexible.

• Denmark – Shoes are often removed indoors; hygge (coziness) is part of daily life.

• Germany – Punctuality is essential; clink glasses and say “Prost!” while making eye contact before drinking.

• Italy – Two cheek kisses are a standard greeting; cappuccino is a morning-only drink.

• Spain – Lunch is the main meal, often at 2–4 p.m.; greetings usually include two cheek kisses.

• Finland – Silence is comfortable; saunas are central to family and social life.

• Taiwan – Gifts are given with two hands; avoid clocks or sharp objects, as they symbolize bad luck.

• England (UK) – Queueing (lining up) is serious business; politeness is highly valued.

• Hong Kong – Tap the table with two fingers to thank someone for pouring tea; red envelopes are traditional for giving gifts.

• Caribbean – Greetings are warm and friendly; “island time” means schedules are flexible.

Part of traveling well is preparing well—knowing just a little about local customs makes every journey smoother and more meaningful.

What’s a cultural custom you’ve experienced abroad that surprised you—or stayed with you?

The “Innocent” Lessons Learned

In his book The Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain wrote, “One must travel, to learn.” I chuckled at the title because, as every traveler knows, we often learn the hard way through unexpected experiences.

Last year my husband announced, “I have to take vacation time or I’ll lose it by the end of the year.” Music to my ears! Ireland and Scotland? Machu Picchu? Or maybe a cruise? After searching for a few days, I found the perfect deal—a Princess cruise through the Panama Canal. I booked it right away.

As I arranged the flights, I needed our passport information. My husband went to grab them, and from the hallway I suddenly heard, “Oh, SHOOT!” You guessed it—our passports had expired!

Panic set in as we discovered that expedited passport services can cost $300–$600 plus the normal passport fee. Thankfully, we learned about U.S. Passport Agencies that help travelers in emergencies. My husband secured an appointment at the Western Passport Center, and just 48 hours later, we had new passports in hand—good thing, since we were leaving in only five days! Yes, we had booked a 12-day cruise without valid passports. Lesson learned

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies/western.html 

Another “passport moment” happened in Denmark when we were trying to fly home. Although both my husband and son had their full names listed correctly on their passports, the airline’s booking system had dropped their middle names. That left two passengers in the system with the exact same first and last name—and it refused to issue tickets for them. After several stressful hours with airline staff, it was finally resolved, but we learned an important lesson: when traveling with family members who share the same name, contact the airline in advance to make sure there will be no issues with their system.

Like Mark Twain said, travel teaches us. Here are a few tips we’ve learned along the way that may help you avoid a passport panic:

🌍Passport Tips for Stress-Free Travel

• Check expiration dates early – Renewals can take 3–8 weeks, and some countries require passports to be valid for 6 months beyond your trip.

• Know where to go in emergencies – In the Southwest, the Western Passport Center can provide expedited service. (Check current rules first.)

• Match names exactly – Make sure your airline reservations match your passport, middle names included.

• Duplicate names? – If two travelers in your party share the same first and last name, call the airline ahead of time to prevent check-in issues.

• At security – Always pick up your passport and boarding pass after screening.

• Abroad – Know each country’s rules on carrying your passport vs. leaving it in the hotel safe.

• Backups – Give someone at home a copy, and keep a secure photo of it on your phone.

• Never check it – Keep your passport in your carry-on or personal bag—never in checked luggage.

• Embassy abroad- find out where the closest embassy is located, or have the phone number.

Travel comes with surprises, but a little preparation keeps the “innocents abroad” from becoming “panicked abroad.”

Flush Your Mind with Clarity- Your HSP will thank you!

Do you know what HSP means? I didn’t until a few years ago. HSP — highly sensitive person — is sometimes called being an empath. I’m not an expert (so please Google it if you want a deeper dive), but I’ve spoken with several moms who agree: sensitivity and empathic traits are common among people on the autism spectrum.

When I saw the photo from “Lora Says” (below), it reminded me how much we affect the emotional well-being of those around us. I’m not saying we must take responsibility for other people’s feelings, but our emotions can strongly influence our loved ones—especially those who are highly sensitive.

I wish I’d learned emotional intelligence when my kids were younger. The old saying, “If mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy,” feels truer when you live with an empath.

A few years ago, I watched the short video below. It made sense: what we pour into our minds can — and should — be flushed out when it’s hurting us. Why? Because constant exposure to violence, outrage, or fear takes a toll.

Last week’s headlines showed this clearly. The news and social media exploded with coverage of a tragic murder. I don’t want to diminish the gravity of what happened — far from it — but I can’t imagine how painful it must be for the victim’s family to see constant reminders of their loss across every tv or electronic device. When did seeing another person’s death become fodder for entertainment, laughter, or political rage? When did our media become so dehumanizing?

So how do we keep our glass clear when so many external influences are darkening our minds? I invite you to ask yourself: what am I watching? What am I listening to? What am I paying attention to? The answers matter because your empath loved one is literally feeling it through you and what you bring into your home. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BZLE-W8_Pa8

That’s why I choose to limit my exposure to the news. News organizations profit by selling fear and outrage. What if they chose to highlight the beautiful and the brave instead? What if our feeds were filled with stories like “Lora says” and other quiet heroes? The algorithms will show us what we search for — so we get to choose.

Today I want to speak up for the HSP and Empath kids who can’t always say what they feel. I invite you to clear your mind and fill it with light. I’m not suggesting you ignore important events or stop being informed. Rather, limit the input you allow so you can keep your energy high, your emotions steady, and your perspective hopeful. When you choose to be a light, your empath loved one will be more at peace too.

🌿 A Gentle Media Diet Checklist for Empath Families

Think of this like food for your mind. What you take in will affect your energy, outlook, and the atmosphere of your home.

🔵 Check the Ingredients
Pause before scrolling or clicking: Will this lift me up or weigh me down?

🔵 Set Daily Limits
Decide how much news or social media you’ll consume. Even 10 minutes less makes a difference.

🔵 Choose Uplifting Sources
Follow accounts and podcasts that inspire, educate, and bring joy. Let your algorithm learn what you love.

🔵 Balance Input with Silence
Turn off the background noise. Quiet moments calm the nervous system.

🔵 Notice Emotional Aftertaste
After media, ask yourself: Do I feel lighter, heavier, anxious, hopeful? Adjust tomorrow’s intake.

🔵 Model Healthy Habits
Explain to kids why you limit certain content. Show them that protecting your mind is as important as protecting your body.

🔵 Protect Empath Energy
HSPs and autistic loved ones may “absorb” your stress. Keeping your own glass clear keeps theirs more peaceful too.

✨ Bonus Tip: Replace 15 minutes of scrolling with gratitude, journaling, prayer, or simply watching a sunset. The shift is powerful — and contagious.

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