Originally Posted on Feb. 7, 2022

One day, I’m going to miss driving this forklift, wearing cargo pants, and working with the Qatari soldiers.

I’ll tell my future children about the 5 a.m. drives along the six-lane highway with skyscrapers lighted pink and blue out the window. I’ll them about how the city turned into the desert within 45 minutes, then I headed down a two-lane road where I saw a dozen camels shortly before arriving at work. I’ll tell them how much I missed home and all its comfort—family, friends, and freedom.

I’ll tell them about how travel changes you.

Every day, you learn. You ask questions. You listen.

You gain confidence when you thrive as an outcast—when you’re the only one carrying your set of beliefs everywhere you go.

You are humbled when you listen to the hardships of strangers from other countries.

You can’t believe how many seemingly insignificant things you took for granted (affordable postage, Taco Bell burritos, drivers that signal, snowflakes, and shorts).

~ the photo background is blurred for workplace privacy ~