“Travel
makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world” ~Gustave Flaubert
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| (Image Credit: Michael Becerra) |
There’s
something about tourists that sets them apart from other people, and that is the
ability to see beauty and enjoy the variety of the world—the spice of life.
One
person that has really enjoyed this spice is Mr. Michael Becerra; a mass
communication graduate of the University of South Florida. With his pen,
camera, and social media accounts, Mike shares his passion for meeting new
people in new places and building relationships around the world. He has traveled the entire United States, Central America, and South America, and he’s
still on the road.
We
discussed his love for travelling, his favorite tourist destinations, and how
we can protect different UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here’s my stroll with Mr.
Michael, you can pack your bags and join us;
Ebenezar: Hello Michael thanks a lot for having this stroll with me.
Michael:
It is my pleasure. Thank you for having me.
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| Snapshot of Puerto Rico (Image Credit: Michael Becerra) |
Ebenezar: How old where you when
developed the interest for travelling? And why do you travel?
Michael:
My passion for traveling started around the age of 16 when I went on a family
trip to Denver Colorado. It was a magical vacation and I blame Colorado for my
travel addiction. I travel to see the world and people in it.
Ebenezar: The global recession and Euro
zone crisis have squeezed the life out of the pockets of many people around the
world, so my question is how do you still manage to raise funds for
transportation?
Michael: I put a percentage of every
pay check into a travel account. I don’t touch that money until I’m ready to
travel.
Ebenezar: Whao! That’s an awesome technique; I’m sure many people around the
world will like to try that. I know you've visited many places around the
world, but can you list the top three places you've visited?
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| Snap shot of Costa Rica (Image Credit: Michael Becerra) |
Michael:
Hawaii- Absolutely as beautiful as advertised. I consider that paradise.
Costa
Rica – I recently visited Costa Rica and there is something in the air there
that takes you to a place of pure relaxation. People are extremely nice and
country is stunning. There is so much to do but white water rafting took the
cake-biggest natural high of my life.
Puerto
Rico- Puerto Rico is a small Island but has loads of life and energy. The
island is a metropolis mixed with rounding country roads. It has great food,
music, beaches and fun people.
Ebenezar:
Whao, okay that’s awesome. I'm sure you know about the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Personally I've been privileged to visit one of them; the Ikogosi Warm Spring reserve in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Have you visited any of these world heritage
sites?
Michael:
I have not had the privilege to visit any yet but it’s on my to-do-list.
Ebenezar:
The crisis in Syria and Mali recently have shown us how vulnerable these world
heritage sites are, so how can we protect these sites in times of crisis and
natural disasters?
Michael:
I think the best way to protect these sites is by bringing attention to them.
Let the world know that they are there, and that they have a positive influence
on the people.
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| Group Photo taken at Costa Rica (Image credit: Michael Becerra) |
Ebenezar:
What have you learnt about the world in your years of travelling?
Michael: I've learned to disagree with the saying, “It’s a small world.” The world is
big place and I am small compared to the totality of things. The world is huge.
There are millions and millions of people in this world and no matter how
different we may seem to be at the end of the day we are all the same. We are
all humans that live, laugh, and search for love.
Ebenezar:
Yeah I agree with you I must say, it’s a really big world. So how do you intend
affecting the world with your travelling? And do you have other dreams that are
not travel related?
Michael:
I intend sharing my experiences with all the people that are interested. There
may be people that never have the opportunity to leave their neighborhood and
with the pictures and things I write I can possibly open their minds to
something they otherwise would never had imagined. At the end of the day I want
to share the human experience.
Ebenezar: Thank you so much for
making out time to talk with me, Mike. I wish you safe journey in all your travels
Michael: Thank you too Ebenezar.
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Travelling is always a refreshing experience
for me, and I wish I could do it more often. You might not have enough money to
travel around the world to see most of the exquisite places, but you can take
that 30 minute bus ride or the 1 hour train to see that member of your family
or that old friend you've not seen in a while. That is still travelling you
know?
UNESCO is doing a great job in
marking World heritage sites around the world, but all that good work will be
brought to nothing if we keep allowing our conflicts to destroy these sites.
The fighting in Syria and Mali
recently destroyed a couple of these Heritage sites in these countries, and it
just goes to show how destructive wars are. Let us learn to settle our
conflicts peacefully because, if we destroy our heritage, what will we show to
posterity?
Till my next stroll; I wish you
journey mercies in all your travels, Jesus loves you.
Ebenezar Wikina (@EbenezarWikina)
THE STROLL
WORLD TOURISM DAY
SEPTEMBER 2013
All Rights Reserved
EXCLUSIVE MEDIA PARTNER
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