The Vision is Becoming a Reality - May 25, 2010

Back in August, I launched this blog to try to show my students that the world is, for the most part, a friendly place made up of kind people who will help others if given the chance. I'm seeking to demonstrate this idea by attempting to travel around the world relying on the goodness of others, rather than on my own wits and financial means.

I began my quest with no destination in mind and no money. In April, readers voted for me to travel to Turkey, but at the time, I had received only a few dollars in donations. My students said the dream was impossible. I still laugh when I think about my student Juan's comment, ""Mister! Now you really do have enough money to take a trip – to McDonald's."

Later that month, a benefactor stepped in unexpectedly and offered to buy me a plane ticket. Today, I received that ticket. So, on June 13th, I will board a plane to Turkey and return 30 days later on July 12th.

I'm still humbled by all of the generosity and support I've received with this endeavor, but am I surprised things have gotten this far? Maybe a little, but over the years I've encountered too many situations traveling where people went out of their way to help me. I find it hard to attribute it all to chance. I believe such things happen because we live in a benevolent universe.

Despite the fact that I now have a plane ticket, some of my students still remain doubtful about whether I will be able to get by in Turkey for a month, but at least, I hope that one or two of my students are finally beginning to believe that maybe the universe really is a friendly place and maybe that anything really is possible, including their own dreams, such as going to college.

But the journey is just beginning, and now I need your help more than ever.

What will I do during my 30 days in Turkey? That's up to all of you. So far, readers have suggested that I visit Bursa, Ephesus, Istanbul and Izmir. I'm looking forward to trying to get to all those locations, but the trip is about more than just sites.

I want to use this blog as an opportunity to uncover and share a more personal side of Turkey. Through the blog, I hope to tell the world about people and organizations that are doing noteworthy, positive, benevolent things in Turkey. It could be a social welfare program. It could be a cherished local artist. It could be a charity. It could be a local custom that most tourists never see.

I'd like to do more than just write on my blog. If a social agency needs volunteers, I'd love to lend a hand. Last summer, I had an opportunity to volunteer with a children's program in Cusco, Peru, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. Volunteering is a great way to experience a country and give back, all at the same time.

I would welcome any suggestions because this is a journey in benevolence, not just site seeing.

I also need your financial assistance. From the very beginning, I told my students that I believe magical things can happen in a friendly universe, which is why I am relying on the universe to keep me afloat in Turkey for 30 days.

So far, I have received $72.29 in donations. I would be grateful for additional contributions. I promise that I will be as frugal as possible with your money. My dream is that I will have enough money left over after the trip so that I can make a donation to the top three charities that readers voted on - Doctors Without Borders, Catholic Relief Services, and Save the Children.

In addition, I would welcome any help with accommodations. I've never met a couch I didn't like, and I think I'm an easy house guest. Also, I would be willing to do any chores or any other work to help earn my keep.

Already, a couple of readers have given me contact information for people in Turkey who might be willing to assist me with this pursuit. It's the typical "friend of a friend of a friend" scenario. I'm anxious to see how it all unfolds, but I'm confident it will be good because, again, I believe good things happen in a benevolent universe.

Before I close, I wanted to thank all of you who continue to read my blog and to share the site with others. Back in August, I discussed the blog with my class of 15 students and with six friends. I told no one else because I wanted to see how the idea would spread via the internet and via word of mouth like ripples on a lake.

I'm a bit overwhelmed when I say that as of today, I've had more than 1,800 hits on the site from 38 states, 29 countries and two territories. As I continuously tell my students, the world really is a small place.

Often, I like to finish with a quote. In less than three weeks, I will be stepping onto Turkish soil for the first time, so this quote from explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton seems fitting. "One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy."

I hope you all will continue to accompany me on this journey as we discover together whether a teacher can travel around the world relying on nothing but benevolence.

UPDATE:(June 26)

The day after I wrote this entry, I updated my class on the trip. In particular, I wanted to see the reaction of my biggest skeptic. Last month, when I told her someone had offered to buy me a ticket, she said, "I'll believe it when I see the ticket."

Today, I showed her a copy of the ticket. For a few minutes, she looked down and said nothing, as the other students excitedly passed it around and bombarded me with questions.

"You're flying to New York first?"......"Yes, a lot of international flights go through New York."......"Are you scared?"......"No, I like to fly."......"I didn't know your name was Mark. Can I call you that after graduation?"......"Sure."

Many of the kids smiled while reading over the details on the ticket. I'm not sure what they were thinking, but I'd like to believe that holding the ticket made their own dreams seem a little more attainable.

Finally, my disbelieving student looked up and simply said, "Wow!"