Educate yourself on the road!
Ever
read a review that was so bad it put
you off seeing the movie...? Only
to catch that same movie a few years
later when run on television, to find
out that it was actually a fabulous film,
or in your view anyway? It's the problem
with pinning your beliefs on one person's
opinion - it's not always right! Even
if it is published for millions to read!
For
years I have watched the television,
almost nonchalantly, as soldiers from
many different wars, tears in
their eyes, would march on ANZAC day
in remembrance to those fallen at war.
I don't know how the nonchalance was
born, but I imagine it is through the
staid method of teaching in my school.
It made war seem uninteresting, as if
the teachers were giving the events a
bad review. Not that war should be cheered
at, but I do feel the quintessence of
human involvement was pushed aside to
make room for the bland facts, figures
and dates of the battles. So all I could
see marching was a personified version
of those facts, figures and dates.
It
wasn't until I personally went to a battle
ground, this one being ANZAC Cove, that
the enormity and severity of the battle
really struck me. There is something
about being able to breathe the same
air, see the same horizons and really
visualise what the battle of the ANZACS
must have been like first hand, to really
allow it to sink in and fully understand
why those Diggers, so many years on,
would cry. The fact that I had
an amazing guide with us, who brought
the war to life, really helped and it
now remains an experience I will hold
dear. A far better experience
than any textbook, chalkboard or dull
drone from a plaid-wearing teacher could
offer. Disclaimer: To all teachers reading
this, the above is not a generalisation.
I was just unlucky! I am sure there are
some fabulous history teachers in our
schools today.
This
has been the case with many of the things
I have stumbled upon in my travels, and
they haven't all been sombre experiences
of remembrance. When you're addicted
to travel you find yourself heading into
places you never even dreamed you'd travel
to, and it becomes second nature when you
are travelling on multi-country overland
tours. Some of the highlights
that have sprung out of my school textbooks
to become amazing first-hand experiences
have been the Pyramids in Giza, Machu Picchu,
The Eiffel Tower, The Amazon River and
the Great Rift Valley.
No
matter what it is you are planning to do,
whether it is visiting
ANZAC cove with Kumuka travelling
somewhere else or just learning about
something in your own hometown, make
the effort to get out there and have a
good look first hand. It makes
all the difference in understanding and
allows you to form your own opinions.
One
thing is for sure; I will not be watching
the Diggers march with nonchalance next
time. Now that I really appreciate the
trauma they live with and the amazing jobs
they have done, I know they are an important
part of our past and present equally.
The
education of travel is priceless.
Visit
Gallipoli for ANZAC Day with Kumuka
Worldwide
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Only
a few hours by ferry or plane from Europe
and all of her western ways, the Kingdom
of Morocco is a cultural slap in the face
that never fails to entice, tantalise and
inspire. 
Kumuka
Worldwide want to keep these children alive
and are partnering with UNICEF Australia.
You can be involved too. 
Help
play your part and book your holiday through
UNICEF Australia's website. You will be helping
UNICEF to stop thousands of children dying
every day from diarrhoea and other water,
sanitation and hygiene-related diseases.
Sarah, 
