Welcome to Inspiring places.ca.

Lets set the record straight. Whatever the media says these days muslims are not wicked people. Having spent some time in Turkey, Iran and Pakistan I can tell you that the people I met were incredibly friendly. Iran for instance is an impossible place to get space. Some friendly person is always wanting to talk to you. They welcome you to their country they want to explain their history, meet their family and show you their country. "You are my brother, welcome to..."

In contrast I think of the welcome people of these nations get when they visit the west.

Hotels often did not charge me, Taxis frequently would not take my money. Strangers in restaurants would buy me my meals. People would skip work, not go to their shops, miss school because I was a foreigner, I was their guest and they wanted to look after me. It was unbelievable.

The only thing I witnessed that may be considered aggressive in Iran was two friends asking me to come to their homes for dinner to meet their families. It wasn't until we realized that I could not stay at both homes, that they became angry with each other. The first man to invite me disappointed the second man also had invited me. The second man disappointed because the first mans home wasn't large enough for myself and both families to visit. It was easily solved. I went to the first mans house where we invited his family to the second mans house. In the end we had a feast with around 40 people there. Only 3 men spoke any english, yet almost all of the women spoke very good english. It was a lively night with lots of great food and lots of questions about what it was like in my country.

We in the west do not have the ability to judge this culture. We do not have the right to put our independent values on a culture where the family and religion take precedence over personal wants. I couldn't imagine a more different society than our own. In all aspects. Every time you think to yourself, what do I want to do, think instead what could I do for my family. What do I want is replaced by what could my family use. In turn your needs are provided by a well intentioned family member. We in the west can not even conceive of such an idea.

Out of all the countries I visited without a doubt Iran was the most civilized. I don't mean modern or technologically advanced. I mean civilized. Why shouldn't it be? It is the oldest culture in the world. Farsi is the oldest language in the world. Your calendar and 60 second minute clock come from that ancient wisdom. More has come from this culture than you would believe. What sign of the zodiac are you? There is a higher developed level of body language. You know the concept that 70-80 percent of communication is body language. North America has had a couple hundred years to develop. Iran has had 8000 years. Parents have passed to their children generations of traditions, expressions and mannerisms. This has developed expression to a level we do not have in the west. Alcohol and drug free society provides for less impaired interpretation of everything. There are fewer layers of confusion to humanity. This is what I found fascinating about this area of the world.

I hate the fact that the west only sends bombs and reporters to brings back lies. Now even the truth is suspicious. Who would want to believe it? Why believe me? I am Canadian. I play hockey and canoe. My ancestry is Irish, Sicilian, English. I don't work for a prestigious news network. I have a Christian upbringing. Why would I defend Islam?

Because somebody needs to tell the truth. We have to start listening to other cultures not telling them how to behave. Not sending bombs to force them. Media sensationalism drives the world. I think this is a crime against humanity.

Politicians and media have let us down. It is up to us, the travelers of the world to spread the truth, as real people, with real experiences who have arrived without a gun in our hand.