I once had the pleasure of visiting Sólheimajökull, pictured here. This unique glacier lies in the shadow of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, and was shrouded in volcanic ash after the last eruption.

Glaciers exemplify the change we see in the modern world. This one retreats 200 feet each year, and may disappear within our lifetimes. Other changes impact us on a more personal level—isolationist sentiments and diminishment of global institutions lesson our connections with cultures beyond our own. Adventure is the counterculture.

Like the fire raining upon ice at Sólheimajökull, the opposing forces when traveling can yield stunning results. We bring our preconceptions into cities with unfamiliar norms. We venture into the unknown, trusting that we can learn from adversity. We meet people on the opposite corner of the world, and come face to face with ourselves. 

It’s more important than ever to learn from those with experiences that contradict our own and to share those lessons back home. Let’s bring the world together, one trip at a time.

This was originally published in the May 2025 edition of the monthly Near and Far Newsletter.