The People You’ll Meet

Listening to the news it’s easy to be afraid of the world outside your own small community. There seems to be no end to the violence, misery, and people filled with hatred. Whether it’s religion, culture, or the language we speak, there are many things in life that we let divide us. It’s easy to make assumptions about other people, to fear what we don’t know, and keep ourselves isolated in our own groups, but if my experiences in another culture have shown me anything it’s that when you move beyond the differences, you can find the most amazing people and form enduring bonds.

Travel isn't just about seeing historical sights and eating exotic foods; meeting the people that truly make that place what is can be a far more powerful experience. Visiting other countries has allowed me to see places for what they are beyond their news worthy headlines. Interacting with people who have a different background than I do has helped me appreciate that—while we might have some different views—wherever you go you will find good people and a friend.  

I haven’t always been the best at branching out here in Togo, language barriers and a mild fear of expectations of me have kept me from being as social I might usually be, but despite this I have never had difficulty finding someone to share a laugh or lend a hand. Plenty of strangers have helped me when I was in need; I have had people not only give me directions, but walk with me to my destination. Except for a few high market prices, no one has ever tried to take advantage of me. I have become good friends with my colleagues and neighbors. The people here don’t live up to the hype of protests and violence perpetrated by the few in the larger cities that dominates all the news focusing on Togo.

Having the chance to go abroad has not only allowed me change my preconceived notions about what a country is by meeting the locals, but has also let me meet wonderful people from my own country—some of whom have resided in the same city as I did, but if we hadn't come to Africa we never would have met.

There are so many amazing people in the world it is an injustice to never let yourself see that. It’s true that not everything you see will be beautiful—there are horrors in the world and bad people definitely exist—but without venturing out and seeing beyond the fears spread in the news, you will never get to know that there are good and decent people out there, that—while things aren't perfect and never will be—even in the worst of places you will find reason to hope in the people you meet.