“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” Mary Anne Radmacher

My grandmother first introduced me to travel. When I visited Granny on her North Carolina farm, we’d look at the nighttime sky and talk about faraway places. Later, during my summer school break visits, we’d go to the airport and watch the airplanes take off, and wonder where they were going.

I don’t think Granny ever physically traveled internationally. She only visited these places in her mind and dreams—and our shared wondering.

Frequently, when I think about travel and go on my journeys to faraway lands, I think of Granny. She planted the seeds of adventure and curiosity in me long ago. And, my mother nurtured those seeds and supported my dreams of seeing the world and living abroad. It deepens my pleasure in travel to send pictures and share stories with my mother. Finally, my travel blossoms with my wife/partner, the ultimate travel companion, with whom to share memories and experiences. We even put travel in our wedding vows.

I think Granny would be proud of me. She would be pleased that I’m fulfilling my dream (our dream): Experiencing other cultures; sampling exotic foods; and meeting people who look and talk differently, yet, with whom we are more alike than different. As I reflect on this Semester at Sea journey, on a ship that circled the globe, I am aware that Granny was with me. My journey was her journey. Her dream of travel was fulfilled in me. We share the moon.