[xendipity]

Well.. the development that can come from traveling is never what you expect. There are many different facets to your experience but I can touch on one.

You're traveling with friends. My idea of traveling is to jump into something different. A different culture, sounds, traditions, animals, priorities. As we travel, we bring our own bubble of culture with us - we bring our perspectives and education and interests, etc. The first part of your trip, days or weeks or months, will slowly feather the edges of this bubble until you notice more differences and similarities between you and wherever your traveling. You will learn and grow when you start to recognize these differences and play with them. You attention to these things will become more refined as you are traveling and as you loosen that bubble.

Traveling with compadres only strengthens this bubble of culture that needs to wear down so that you are able to learn and grow.

I guess it's important not to be overwhelmed by some grand desire to grow or change but to take each moment as it comes. Seriously. Look at the fine details along the edge of an awning? what signage is there? Why was this city built where it was?