Combed and dressed in brown capes pinned under their chins, they looked so biblical, so solemnly expectant, I wanted to give them more than a candy bar or a song. But the gesture was too bizarre to charm them. They didn't giggle or respond in kind. They seemed puzzled when I held out my hands to play a circle game. Finally, unable to bear the blankness between us, I retreated to my tent.
Women travel differently than men.
Co-editors Coskran and Truesdale preface the book with this point. She who travels and works abroad often travels more slowly than her male counterparts. She pauses often to contemplate other people and places, to gain understanding and appreciation for the intricacies of different cultures. In the case of Joan Peters, as well as numerous contributors to the anthology, feelings of frustration, tension, and hopelessness ultimately dissolve. Relentless efforts foster human connections.