Normandy was most profound for me. Especially the German and American graveyards. I’ve never taken my freedoms for granted since.

This is hands down the most important video you’ve ever done. Thinking of all the times we traveled with my grandparents when we were children: every time we went somewhere, my grandparents took us to every part of the destination, not just the sights tourists visit. The sides of town or locations where the impoverished people lived, particularly. From a Sicilian immigrant grandfather to his grandchildren his message was always how privileged we are and to never forget how MOST people around the world live. The reality of what most people endure - particularly children- on a daily basis should remind those of us privileged enough to travel to work for the betterment of the world. Thank you for that reminder today, Professor Wolter. God bless you and your family. 💖

This is one of the most important reasons to travel. My Dad was military and we lived in Panama from the time I was 10 up to age 14. There was a lot of poverty there. Living in a less-developed country as a child changed the rest of my life. It gave me an awareness of the world I would not have had otherwise, and I am sure it changed the trajectory of my choices as an adult. I am grateful for the experience.

This video is proof of how valuable traveling is in personal development. One of my most powerful moments was in my own state a couple of hundred of hundred miles from where I live. Thanks for sharing.

Cuba reminded me to be grateful for the access to food that I have. Mexico showed me that your contentment doesn't have to be correlated to your net worth, and taught me how to be resourceful

You are definitely an enlightened soul, my friend! ❤ Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -Mark Twain

I think all young adults should be sent into the world, to experience what life is like for other people and other places. We take home with us a new appreciation for what we have and (hopefully) an understanding and respect of what makes us different.

I guess you can also be affectd in a positive way. I was amazed on how much the elderly is various contries in Europe enjoy their lives at restaurants, cafes, walking in the city, etc... They comtinue to be part of a vibrant community.

Louisville, KY - the plaques regarding one slave couple and how on one occasion, they were “rescued from riots in Detroit and brought back to their respective plantations.” Rescued. Riiiiiiiiight. Note - they eventually escaped and made it to Toronto, where they established a successful business - also on the plaques.

I was blown away when I went Ypres in Belgium, and I saw the Canadian graves from World War I, I could not believe how manicured they were, and how perfect the Belgians looked after it. I choked up, I am very lucky to not go through what they did, and have the freedom that I have and where I live.

This is one of the coolest videos you've ever made. I'd like to request a follow up about more impactful travel experiences!

I'm so glad you're able to show your kids all sides of life

Thanks a lot Mark for sharing those moments with us. I think that travelling is the best and most valuable school available. It opens up horizons, and shows us how lucky we are with our first world problems. My 3 most powerful memories: In Laos, I was in a bus, and there was a woman with a cute young baby standing next to me. I made her a compliment and smiled at her and the baby, and she wanted to give the baby to me, and said "50 dollars". I think she wanted to sell the baby to me, not because of the money, but because she wanted her baby to have a better future and a much greater chance at surviving. She saw that I am from a "rich" country, and she thought that I could give her baby a better life. How desperate must a mother be, to do this ? S21 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The pictures of the woman, men and kids who were killed and tortured there, most often for no reason. The pure horror on their faces. The most horrible place on earth I have yet visited. I guess in a way comparable to your experience in Kigali. Pakistan - on a bus trip from Islamabad to Peshawar, I met a family of refugees from Aghanistan. They invited me for lunch the next day. A family of 4 living in a very small room, with a shared toilet and shower, and with cooking on a wok in the hall way of the building (and with no money at all). But still, they created a feast for me, just out of hospitality.

Mark, I was crying when you mentioned a girl playing with burnt matches, and you talking about Rwanda.

Working in engineering what really impacts me is the lack of sewage treatment, waste disposal and clean water supplies. In idyllic places hotels are built near the sea with no sewage system, no waste collection/disposal, and a difficult water supply. If it is like that for tourists - just imagine the horrors facing residents every day.

This is why I will always appreciate and respect Mark and his family and what they do. It takes a lot to really recognize this stuff in the world and acknowledge it and act accordingly as well. Thank you

Took our kids on a medical mission to the Philippines with our kids. While we tended to people in need they were charged with passing candy out to kids. They saw kids their age that looked like them (I'm first gen Filipino American) that had nothing and how appreciative that we were bringing help and resources they and their families needed. Without perspective we foster a very one sided opinion and sheltered opinion of how we view our lives and the world. Something I think a lot of folks, especially the young need to gain. Not just traveling to destinations but smaller towns and less traveled destinations. Great video.

No wonder I was such an avid watcher of yours when I was early 20’s (almost 32 now) and the same things you say I feel about my places. One we have in common, the province of Quebec (where I started learning French) and Texas (my home state) both of which you speak so accurately on. You miss no small details nor a bucees brisket sammich 🤤 I guess we all have a place that is special to us in our heart whether it’s home or half a planet away. God bless you and your beautiful family mark. You don’t know me in person but I’ve enjoyed you all for about a decade or longer now and it means the world to me.

Dachau! Can't describe the stab in my heart as I walked through the museum and looked at the pictures of what was done to those poor people. Just quit crying when we came upon the "shower" and oven building then faucets on aqgain. I'm sure all the other camps will give you the same feelings and I at one time I wanted to visit them but I don't want to ever have that punch in the face again. Thanks for your Video's Mark they are always informative and useful.

by far the most touching video of your travels Wolters, congratulations and keep going strong!

I do appreciate your deep gaze to social gap in Brazil, Wolters. You´re very welcome here, anytime.

When my daughter was young we lived just a couple of miles from the Mexican border. Every weekend we'd go grocery shopping in Tijuana, and my daughter would play with the chiclet kids. At Christmas time a social group that I was a part of would donate refurbished bicycles to the kids. FFWD to my daughter's high school years. She was fortunate enough to be chosen as part of a student group that went to Europe where she worked on different programs for things like homelessness and food programs. She also participated in a water conservation program at The Hague. It was those experiences in her youth that shaped how she viewed the world. She now works for a npo that focuses on mental health and addiction. International travel at that young age definitely changed her.

We traveled to Recife last spring. Unfortunately, conditions have only continued to be the most disparate that we've ever experienced. The poverty still haunts us. Thank you for shining a light on this beautiful place that could do so much better for their poor.

The people who run the planet don’t want us to get along despite our ‘differences’ , I’ve travelled a fair bit and people I’ve met just want to raise their families and live their lives , but there’s a lot of money in conflict and division , cool channel though

(Melanie here) Thanks for this video. Such a good message.

Of course, walking on Wolter's footsteps in Prague was the most impressive. If we could live forever like vampires, we would see a change between the centuries.

Living in Budpest for 3 months. Susan and I had been seeing each other for about 2 years. She wanted to travel and I had never been to Europ. She selected Budapest for the "castles and Cathedrals" and I was happy to go for the history and culture as the country was recovering from decades of brutal occupation from the Nazis and then the Soviets. We agreed on two months as that was as long as we could be away from my non profit projects. I learned how people handle wastre management, public transportation, vehicular traffic and foot traffic. I learned about how they dealt with healthcare, mental and physical. I learned how they could embrace the new but still honor their cultural heritage. I have tried to bring some of that perspective home to Newark, NJ. After 2 plus months in a country where we were the only native english speakers we decided that, as we both survived and left (almost) no blood on the floor, we shouls marry and stop wasting money on multiple rents. 7 years in June of 2024 and in our mid 70's. Working hard, appreceating art, music and American culture, we are revisiting the City from the end of March to the end of February with a Danube cruise from Passau to Budapest

A tour of Arizona and New Mexico. The only time when I never wanted to go home. Two places that brought home the plight of the Jewish people: Budapest and Shoes on the Danube. And Berlin and the Holocaust memorial. You don’t realise how disorienting blocks of concrete can be until you walk through them.

Making me teary eyed, in many ways.

Amen, until people love others more than power videos like this will be necessary. Thank you for the reminder about how important grace and kindness is.

Wow, if the Hutuss & Tutsis have learned to move beyotthat horrible time then I must say ai am truly humbled. I remember the atrocities of irish troubles, bosnia campaigns, then Rwanda right after. Very sad times in the world then.

When I went to Ukraine in 1979; we crossed the border between Poland and Ukraine I wept because I felt as though I had come home. My ancestors came from there and I was so overwhelmed by my feelings

I've only ever been to two other countries. Sri Lanka several times to see my wife's family. But the very first time I went abroad was to Egypt. One of the things that I'm impacted me was when getting a tour bus to the pyramids we went past a graveyard. Could clearly see that many people were actually living in the monuments. And when we went past a residential tower block, one face had come away and you could clearly see people were still living there. That shocked me, and gave meal a valuable perspective.

Very powerful, Mark. I believe it was Twain who said travel can only make one a better person. You and your channel are a testament to that.

Hello from Aruba. I love these types of videos and interesting to hear of things that have impacted you during your many travel experiences. Keep it up!

That’s what I love the most about traveling. Learning, sharing experiences and seeing things that are not in text books. Rwanda on my traveling bucket list thanks to you Walter.

I've had some similar experiences. A few things in Budapest got me . . . wow :-( But sometimes I travel just because I know I'll appreciate home more when I return. Even if it's just my own bed and shower that I know how to turn on to the right temperature. Silly little things, but you don't notice how nice they are until you don't have them. Much love and hugs!

You are a big man with a BIG heart! Love your channel!!

I’m from Recife and lived in Canada and now in US… i really love your videos in general, but this one just ticked me and reminded how I’m fortunate! Thank you! ❤

Your perspectives are admirable! Thank you! I have gone to countries where I couldn't speak the languages beyond a few basics and intentionally put myself in situations that showed me how people coming into USA must feel on a daily basis.

Love it! Thank you for sharing! Awesome experiences and lessons.

Mr Wolters really loves York, cant blame him

Well said Mark. Thanks. Its really impressive that the people in Rwanda have found a way to reconcile and rebuild their country. And well done for just observing and remembering the little girl with the matches.All kids should have the basic necessities which includes toys. I guess it feels difficult to know what to do to help from far away though. But 100% hats off to you for emphasising that we can have compassion and cooperste, work together.

What a great question, and what a powerful answer. Thanks, WW.

I still haven’t traveled half as much as you but I experienced something that touched me too. It was actually in Colombia - the scale of poverty that I didn’t expect to see in this country….but too many women and kids in the steets asking for food, money, some of them from Venezuela and other just locals. And prostitution going along with it, especially Medellin and Cartagena. Really sad thing

thank you for making this video and the powerful message at the end

My travels during my time in the Navy really affected me. I paid a kid to give me a tour in the city of Cochi (colonial name) India and I saw an old man begging on the street. He seemed to be missing parts jf his body. I gave him some money and I asked the kid what was wrong with the old man. The kid said “oh don’t do that - don’t give him money. He has leprosy because he’s been bad in the eyes of god” I was glad to be able to give him money. My meager E-3 navy paycheck was enough to make me rich compared to them.

For me, that was my trip to Jodhpur, India. I saw some street people who clearly didn't have anything to their name, and yet they were smiling and clapping to some nearby music. One couldn't even walk upright, he was "walking" on all fours. And yet... he was smiling. (And not AT ME, to get money from me, as I was obscured from direct view at the time.) It was a reminder that happiness and joy comes from within.

You should visit Georgia (the country), nestled in the giant caucasus mountains, it is slowly getting more touristy!

Hey Mark, I just discovered your channel last night. I’m looking forward to getting ideas of places to travel in the good ole USA now that my husband is semi-retired. This particular video (and question) is a great lesson for students to learn from international travelers. OMG, I’ll bet you could write a book, hint-hint. During the summer after my sophomore yr in high school (1970) I took a 6-wk group trip to study in Mexico. “Speaking against the president of Mexico” was an offense that could get you thrown in jail and was one of several eye opening experiences I learned while there. Anyway, your 2nd answer is what pulled at my hear-strings. “Focus on getting along” isn’t just a world-wide dream; it’s something I pray for every night here in America! PS- I got my BBA-Marketing Univ of TX 1976 so I’m also watching your vids to see what’s changed in 50 yrs! 😂

For me it's also two places: 1) the WW1 memorials (places like Verdun, Ypres, Tyne Cot, Langemark). For instance the ossuary in Verdun, where you can see inside to see just piles of bones of unidentified soldiers. Or the names written on the back walls at Tyne Cot of people they never found back. 2) Robbeneiland prison near Cape Town, South Africa (the place where Mandela was a prisoner for years). They had this colour set they compared the prisoners with and the more white you were, the better you were treated. Prisoners were also put to work in a limestone quarry where a lot got severe eye sight degradation because of the sun on the white limestone simply blinded them.

DO you EVER just go home and are glad to be home??? Nice to see you!

I suppose you've already changed a lot by educating people here on yt and also in your "day job" ;) For me it was probably either Egypt or Morocco. I probably spend more time learning people's stories and helping a little to improve their english or french rather than seeing "the sights" ... Worth it though. People are fascinating. Love to learn about what makes people tick and what motivates their actions.

Beautiful video, mark. How about doing a video for travelers that want to participate in volunteer projects abroad? Think you’d be doing a great service not only for your viewers but for society at large.

Great question, great answer. Thank you for posting this Mark

It has become fashionable in recent years to complain about how America is a terrible country. A lot of people take for granted the privilege of living here, but we are not as divided as the people who want to divide us all into boxes want us to be.

Oh wow I am watching this video in York right now. That is so cool, I hope you have a great time. (Or had)

For me it was the gehtoos of France 🇫🇷 that made me realize how good we have it here in the USA

Cheers Walter! Uplifting.

I remember the reports of the Rowanda genocide and the methods used to kill the victims. Horrifying and barbaric. I am so glad to know there is lasting peace in the region. When I was a child, we used sticks, stones and holes dug into the earth to create entire magical towns for our world of make-believe. I always played best with my imagination than with a store-bought toy. Ah, the good ol' days.

The two places that impacted me the most as a person where the holocaust museum in Washington D.C. and the Berlin Wall in Germany. I think the holocaust museum is pretty self explanatory in terms of the effects and eye opening things you read and see there. It is such a sad and dark time in our history and I’m glad it has been preserved in museums around the world so we will never forget what those people went through. Visiting the Berlin Wall in Germany was special for me as well. Underneath the wall and back a little bit from it there is a sort of outdoor museum that starts with WW1 and goes until the end of the Cold War. I loved reading the history but it was sad to read about so many lives being ruined and so much destruction.

Thank you for sharing your stories!

One place that really affected me was Belize. Most of the people there only have the basics of life but are so warm and friendly. I remember walking around on Cay Caulker and stopping to talk with a man who operated a reef diving business. It was as if we had known each other for years.

This was so awesome to watch Mark. Yes, we can all get along and my wish that everyone would realize that. You sir, are a great man. :).

I love, love, love how you expressed the importance of positive thinking 💚 Thank you so much for sharing!

A great question! And answer:)

Thank you I enjoyed this

that’s heartbreaking about the little girl with burnt matches. on a positive side, these types of situations enhance one’s creativity…i used to love to have nothing to do and use my imagination to create something…out of just common household things

Thanks, Mark, for sayin and for using your channel to make the world a better- and more enjoyable!- place. One of my favorite memories is from my first trip to New York crowded onto Broadway with hundreds of people to watch Paul McCartney play from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater. It made me think if we all just do the best being who we are, and doing the best we can, the world will be a better place- like you said. Thanks much, happy travels! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Hi Mark, just come back to NZ from Cambodia, what you say about the genocide museums, is so correct, it is so moving. But these places that people must travel to the people are fantastic, and yes your visit helps them.

Thank you for sharing this.... Along with fun and adventure, travel can expand your consciousness....

Travel is truly mind and soul expanding. These are beautiful examples.

Fantastic video - we can all learn from your memories! Thank you!

Mark, you’re the best!

Thank you for sharing your heart in this video. It touched me deeply about brought me to tears. Seeing the human need and doing my small part is what motivates me to travel the most. No matter who we are, we can each take some small steps to make this world a better place. I work at a recovery ministry, and have been so blessed and privileged to travel to SE Asia and help people find healing through Jesus. Whether someone is a person of faith, or a person with compassion, we can all help make this world a better place.

Rwanda had an incredible impact on me too. Have been back a second time, and will go there again. Also got involved to raise money for a wonderful charity, Handspun Hope in Musanze. I can recommend anyone visiting Rwanda to do a tour of their facilities. The work they do is so needed and so hard. They empower genocide widows, teaching skills such as spinning and dyeing wool with natural dyes. Absolutely worth a half day visit.

Great video Mark. For me it was my last trip to Morocco. I'm not shocked at seeing people on the streets, but in Essaouira I saw the same guy two nights in a row hiding in the shadows and rummaging through bins for food with his tattered worn clothes just falling off his body, he was skin and bones. Really affected me and how privileged we are.

The more I travel the more I realize how basically similar human beings are. We all want peace, freedom, friendship and the best for our children. For me being in Cairo months prior to the Uprising in January 2011 was my eye opening event. You could feel the tension and see in the faces of the local population the effects of an oppressive regime that was Mubarak's.

This video is more important today more than ever❤️❤️

Beautiful and touching video. Thank you.

Positivity ❤

Thank you for this wonderful and thoughtful video 🫶

Hey Mark, awesome and insightful video

Peace ☮️ that is what we need in this world 🌎 peace ☮️

Everyone who travels is affected in a different way by that travel. With me travel increases my desire to learn, particularly science and history and it makes me more spiritual. All are impacted differently though and there is no right or wrong.

We can overcome.... we just have to want to, thx for the video

This is the most impactful video I’ve ever seen.❤

Very touching, thanks sir.

You are So Cool and Logical. Keep Up the Good Works.

I really enjoy your videos!!!! Living in Pisa during my college junior year changed me in many ways. It made me braver and more open to opportunities AND to scams. I'm vision impaired and so my senses became uber-heightened for both Good and Crappy events. Questions: Any suggestion for senior single women travelers? Places to go that aren't huge cities, like Paris or London or Rome. (Been there, done that.)

Love your videos!

What are the occupational hazzard a of being a professional travel vlogger? Does your own private travel ever feel like work? Do you ever find it hard to totally switch off?

Gosh I had to hunt you down! I haven’t got your videos in my feed in like FOREVER. I didn’t have notifications on and I couldn’t remember your last name. Glad you’re still around and traveling!

Amen Walter!

Very surprised that you actually visited my city once! Hahah Greetings from Recife! We are indeed the Brazilian capital with the most social inequality, it is really sad. Although we are a warm people and there are nice things to see and do, the history, museums and arts are also nice. But I completely get what you meant. Me living and facing a lot of inequalities here, I also feel very priviledged just that I had the chance to get to see a bit of the world already, and also that I could go to uni and so on...

Beautiful! Thank you!!!

Great video as always! For me, even though I read many books about it and watch documentaries about it, like everyone do I suppose, or a majority of people, visiting Auschwitz-Bikernau was deeply affecting to me. Places of genocide are never to be forgotten. It could happen anytime, we are fragile. In our modern world more than ever.

Thank you so much.

Great insights and video!

When my husband and I travel frequently, I get a bit lonely. We don’t know anybody in the country we are visiting. We do not speak the language. We observe people going about their daily lives and here we are, just the two of us, our family and friends thousands of kilometres away. Do you and Jocelyn get lonely sometimes when you are travelling?