There is nothing either good or bad, only thinking makes it so.
-Hamlet
For starters, I was extremely hesitant about posting this video (or even making it for that matter)
But in the end, I decided the main reason behind this blog and hence my travels, is to document what life is really like in different parts of the world, regardless of what my experiences might be.
Coming to this conclusion has really helped me overcome some of my own inhibitions and feeling like I am holding back on certain things in an effort not to offend some people. After all it’s not me who doing these things, I am simply an observer or a reporter showcasing my experiences to the world.
I’ve also come to realization lately, that no matter what one does, they are never going to please everybody all the time…so what difference does it really make.
I am not saying that I condone this sport by any means. But I have to say that after spending many years of my life searching for that “one truth”, this experience helped me understand that there really is no “one truth” and that we all perceive things in a different ways. It all just depends on what the culture we were raised in deems as acceptable.
Seeing this cockfight made me realize that nearly everything I’ve been taught in regards to what is right and wrong and what is acceptable and unacceptable has been nothing more than a set of ideas and beliefs that have been instilled in me by the culture I was raised in.
The thing that really got me thinking while I was sitting there, was to see the kids in the room. And I started t0 wonder what it would have been like if I were raised in the same situation.
For one, I would probably see absolutely nothing wrong with cockfighting, and in fact, I would probably consider it a common pastime on Sunday afternoons like all of those people.
Without question, it would have been very hard to convince anyone in that room that what they were was considered wrong. Nor do I think they would have cared.
Furthermore, I thought the fact alone that I eat chicken would have made me a complete hypocrite for even suggesting the idea.
Although I would probably not actively seek out another cock fight as I travel, I would say that the process is no more in-humane than how the poultry industry operates in the U.S. or any other part of the world for that matter.
To see for yourself how truly cruel the process can be, check out a movie called “Food Inc.” You can visit the site here and see a free trailer.
It will blow your mind and help you see the reality of what it really takes to get that chicken, beef or pork in your sandwich everyday. It really is enough to make you consider vegetarianism. Or at least buy organic meat from specialty farm raised animals. I highly recommend the movie.
Anyhow, attending this event oddly became a profound experience for me. And these types of occurrences are the exact reasons why I love to travel.
It is common knowledge amongst fellow travelers I meet, that it’s simply impossible to explain to people who never leave their own country the feeling of self discovery and understanding of life one gets from world travel. There really is no better substitute for life education and growing ones concept of what this world is really about.
The best explanation I can give is this. People talk about the potential existence of alien planets in our Universe and some even dream of how interesting and amazing it would be to visit these places and experience these cultures.
But the fact is, these types of situations exist right here on earth. And when one travels to these places, one gets a feeling of being in another world.
People look different, they speak languages that often times are not understood and live in ways that are completely foreign to what one is used to.
The more I travel, the bigger the world seems to me and the more I realize just how little I really know. It is truly my desire that more people get the chance to experience global travel and the effects it inevitably has on ones thoughts and life. There is a whole world to discover and I promise it will change you forever.
What was one profound experience that you had that took you by surprise? Looking forward to your comments.
Hi, I’m Nate Bunger and the writer and entrepreneur behind this blog.Over the past several years I've created, managed and sold several different businesses despite never finishing high school, making myself more or less financially free by the age of 25.
I used the realization that we can do anything in life if we are simply willing to set goals, find the answers we seek and never stop until we achieve what we set out for.
I currently teach people how to get clear on their purpose, create habits for massive change and bring their deepest desires into reality.
I operate my business from a Mac laptop while traveling around the world…My dream :)
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Nice blog man. I think you do a good job of trying to explain that elusiveness of the so called “true” or “right” way to live. I had the same feeling after travelling and found it harder and harder to truly define right or wrong. It really comes down to the environment you are in. I guess that’s why 10 year old kids become freedom fighters in Africa and see nothing wrong with killing people … it’s there way of life.
Thanks for the comment Peter. I feel the same way.. The more I travel, the harder I find it to relate to people back in the states. It’s almost like were raised in a bubble like that movie the Truman Show. It’s also the impression many other countries have of North Americans.
you are so right it is not as brutal and inhuman as the corporate chicken farms and slaughter houses in the US. At least these birds had a fighting chance and an honorable ending.
Yeah. Man I love your insight. I understood alot about cultural differences and how people are in certain places in the world and I guess I don’t have one profound experience but a myriad of things that had happened to me throughout my somewhat limited travel (compared to you).
How people can be really nice and helpful in australia, great food in malaysia. Singapore’s first worldness. Thailand’s people. of course bali’s sunsets. Lots of stuff that had given me the opportunity to feel how the world is.
And yes. traveling has given me so much insight into business, life, culture and our differences.
Gotta go and fly somewhere together, nate my man! Let’s see how the year looks like first!
F
For sure bro…Philippines is still number one in my heart. Without question I will be coming that way soon and I plan on hitting lots of places around Asia. I still remember all the cool things you said about Bali..
See you soon bro.
Nate
Wowie Nate, love your writing skills and how you share your heart and thoughts. Can’t wait to read Freedom Architect book. You’ve grown so much in wisdom and has come a long ways since that day we met in Atlanta, Georgia.
While Cock Fighting is band or illegal in Canada and other developed countries, it is very popular past time in the Philippines, I believe more so in my hometown Province – Batangas. Years ago I peeked in one cock fighting match and my heart broke when I saw a very sharp object attached to the legs of those handsome multi-colored feathers roosters. And yet people find joy and exhiliration watching them fight to death.
You’re absolutely right. We grow and understand life more when we travel, meet people and experience other cultures. Travelling and learning new things totally widened our horizons. We also become more accepting of other peoples differences. It all about perspective. Judge not is the key. We all have different cultural beliefs. What sad sometimes are the internal and religious beliefs that get us stuck. But that’s totally different ball game. Depending on how we view life those self-limiting beliefs can propel and fuel us or can hinder our growth and living life to the fullest. Nothing has meaning except the meaning we give it to.
Our physical and emotional needs though are universal – we all need to be loved, cherished, cuddled, understood and accepted – more so we women.
In some parts of the Middle East for instance and other muslim countries, where you will see some of the most beautiful and brilliant women are, they have to cover their faces and they have limited self-expression. Men are accepted to have multiple wives and women are punished by death with infidelity. Yikes!
Could you imagine eating frogs, fried cockroaches, sauteed beetles, snake soups, stew rabbit etc. etc? Or your dog following you as you go to nature’s washroom?
In one part of the Philippines Cotabato there exist Tiboli tribe. I happened to see them being featured on TV the other day. This guy has 10 wives. Yes that’s not a typo. How would you like to be that man?
Women are not allowed to flirt or they will be killed. So when they like someone, they can only express themselves in their music, and with their body movement. This is the only accepted form of flirtation. However, the men can have 5-6 wives, depending on his income. His wives can all stay in one house together. If a wife wants to be independent, she may move to a different house. I say good for the men but am out of here… fast as I possible could.
You may want to include that place to visit when you travel Philippines next – make sure you have lots of dough and you’re all set
Joke lang po sir. Having a grand adventure with friend Francis and daughter Mish. Wish you were here too.
Keep soaring! The world is waiting for you my friend.
Juliet aka Jhet,
Author, The Tale of Juliet
http://www.thetaleofjuliet.com
Wow Juliet, I love your insites.
I have heard about some of these traditions in the Middle East…It’s amazing that a culture could still allow this. But from what I am gathering there is probably more places in this world that operate this way, maybe not as extreme, but certainly put the man above the women. (Gee if anyone has a list let me know
jk,
I would love to visit the Tiboli tribe when I get back to the Philippines…We will have to venture there together to make sure I don’t get accused of flirting with one of his wives:) I would hate to become dinner for the tribe that week. Actually, I am hoping the guy with ten wives can give me some tips