Tour Through More Mature Eyes

I have been on five tours with Kantorei and up until Brazil, my most common phrase after returning home was, "tour was fun". This time, however, I feel that tour was more enlightening than anything else. I left Brazil with a better understanding of the gifts and conveniences that we too often take for granted in America. I developed a new passion for a culture and people who, though they are different than me in many ways, are just as important and precious. Although complaing about the lack of commodities in Brazil that you typically find in America was inevitable, I feel that an eye-opening and life-lasting lesson from tour was also inevitable. I know that I will never forget this tour and the experiences and sites I saw will forever stay with me; because for me, this tour was also humbling. When I saw a family of about six, dirty and hungry, and huddled together on the side of the road in Paraty, my heart was torn and I realized that we so often overlook the little things in life.

This is my challenge to all those who have future tours to go on: take all your energy and focus off of the less desirable things that may occur during tour. Instead, step outside of every situation you are in, every person you see, every emotion you feel, and take the time to not just experience it, but to absorb it and hold on to it. You will never regret it.

Thank you to all who made this tour what it was. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hate to leave Kantorei, I am leaving a family. There will always be a place in my heart that can only be filled by Kantorei. Ciao.

Most Sincerely,
Drew Lenox