Mark Twain had a number of observations to make on Travel - and the pithier ones are listed here - http://www.twainquotes.com/Travel.html. Travel certainly widens horizons, provides fresh perspectives, liberates the mind of prevailing prejudices. As one goes back in medieval times, we hear of travelers "inbound" to South Asia (routine examples - Hiuen Tsang, Fa-Hien, Marco Polo) - and not the other way around.
Of course, there were the Buddhist missionaries spreading - circa Ashoka - the religion in SL and the East, but that BC era - & much pre-medieval. But, one never heard of memoirs or autobiographies, a la "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" - that provided insights into the prevailing culture and living.
Could it be that the fabled & supposed prosperity that dulled the medieval natives into staying put and not bothering to seek outbound adventure? Was it a symptom of a stagnating society, a self-conceited society?
Or maybe a manifestation of the inward focus - the inherent belief that the greatest enemy to conquer lies within?
One can only guess.
Of course, there were the Buddhist missionaries spreading - circa Ashoka - the religion in SL and the East, but that BC era - & much pre-medieval. But, one never heard of memoirs or autobiographies, a la "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" - that provided insights into the prevailing culture and living.
Could it be that the fabled & supposed prosperity that dulled the medieval natives into staying put and not bothering to seek outbound adventure? Was it a symptom of a stagnating society, a self-conceited society?
Or maybe a manifestation of the inward focus - the inherent belief that the greatest enemy to conquer lies within?
One can only guess.
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