While sitting in a market in South America sipping a FANTA (Orange Soda) I was at a Table between some fly laden pork carcass and a woman selling some blankets she had weaved. right across the street was a booth that sold coffins, Quite a mixed market place, but really not much different than a Costco® except without the health dept. breathing down their necks. Suddenly a small white Datsun Pickup came tearing up the street with dust and rocks flying behind them. Two locals jumped out and together they hoisted a dead guy and threw him on a table in front of the coffin booth. The proprietor and helper came out and put a narrow pine box on the table. The other two gents picked up the deceased and dropped him down into the box. He didn’t fit.

Moments later the two Datsun guys were on top of the table and they commenced to stomp the deceased to get him to fit into his pine eternal resting place. Sitting across the way I was spilling my FANTA watching this occur, people were walking by never noticing what was going on.

After finally making him fit, the proprietors assistant came out with a hammer and nails and sealed the deal. The Datsun guys paid the man, threw the box into the back of the oil burner and as quickly as they had come up the road left. Me, I don’t believe I can ever look at a Funeral home the same again.

Exploring and viewing other cultures from an American standpoint is fascinating. What is acceptable in one culture is not necessarily acceptable in others. I have learned this lesson along the way and find that trying to see others for who they are is a way to make friends all over. I can drink Chang with Sherpas, eat Cue’ with Ecuadorians and climb with Russians.

Traveling itself can be just as adventuresome as the climb. What’s in your Passport?