The Japanese have perfected good manners and made them indistinguishable from rudeness. - Paul Theroux

You must not judge people by their country. In South America, it is always wise to judge people by their altitude.

You have to find out for yourself. Take the leap. Go as far as you can. Try staying out of touch. Become a stranger in a strange land. Acquire humility. Learn the language. Listen to what people are saying.

You define a good flight by negatives: you didn’t get hijacked, you didn’t crash, you didn’t throw up, you weren’t late, you weren’t nauseated by the food. So you are grateful.