Corbin Fletcher

I have returned to the USA from a seven month trip in Belize. While I was in Belize I lived in many villages/cities throughout the entire country. I got to know many people and the country is great; fishing could not be better. Belize in a great location to establish a fishing lodge and the business opportunities are endless...their laws are great and the people are terrific.

My cultural experience in Belize, was a life changing event or a deeply moving experience. It had a profound change in my cultural understanding and my perception of United States culture. Specifically, our culture has a shallow view of other cultures and we tend to discredit the integrity of other cultures world views. And we assume that our culture (e.g., American culture) defines the stander by which all other cultures are judged.

However, as I learned on my recent trip to Belize, it is better that we first begin by appreciating the integrity of other cultures and we must avoid assuming that our cultural perceptions are somehow superior. This would be the foundation to a good travel experience anywhere on the planet.