You’re Here for a Reason!

BRUCE  LICHT

I have come to find that if you travel to Africa and appreciate all the amazing animals in their natural habitats, climb Table Top Mountain, or stand on the edge of Victoria Falls…

Or if you cross the Drake Passage to Antarctica and observe the penguins, leopard seals, and icebergs as beautiful as any piece of artwork…

Or if you travel across India, the birthplace of major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, the historic Taj Mahal and visit their spice markets…

Or if you discover the ancient civilization of China and walk along the Great Wall, go to the Forbidden City, see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, or sail down the Yangtze River and pass through Three Gorges Dam…

Or if you traverse the rapid transitions between modern cities, mountains and beaches of Vietnam, with its combination of Chinese, Southeast Asian and French influences, and its vibrant culture centered on family and delicious cuisine…

Or if you take a trip to Cambodia and visit the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat at sunrise, the largest religious monument in the world, or the vibrant floating villages in Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia…

Or if you make it to the isolated Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, unique for their high concentration of endemic species found nowhere else, like giant tortoises and marine iguanas…

Or if you explore Croatia and their coastal cities of Split or Dubrovnik, with their blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Slavic influences, known for their remarkably preserved medieval walls that enclose the historic remains of the old towns …

Or if you experience the vast archipelago of islands that comprise Greece, the birthplace of Western civilization, democracy, and the Olympic Games, with its ancient ruins, like the Acropolis, and savor their unmatched Greek salads…

Or if you weave through Italy, with its diverse food and wine, unparalleled cultural wealth, being the birthplace of the Renaissance and opera, its influence on global fashion and luxury goods…

Or if you get to Argentina and experience the mixture of sophistication and tradition with its European-style architecture and cosmopolitan culture in Buenos Aires, called the "Paris of South America," or Iguazú Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world...

Or if you experience the vibrant culture and technological innovations of Israel, understanding its historical and religious significance as the Homeland for Jews with the original Temple Mount, the birthplace of Christianity, and containing major Muslim holy sites, making it a pivotal location for all three Abrahamic faiths…

And don’t get me started about the unmatched beauty of the United States and its people… (1)

Until you finally arrive at a special place where you realize the same God that created this amazing world with its wonders, gifted you with the ability to enjoy them and decided it wouldn’t be complete without you in it. Only a Divine Power could match this marvelous world with humanity’s God-given appreciation for beauty and awe.  You’re here for a reason! (2)