[Caipirabob]

I never truly appreciate what we have here until I traveled abroad. My first experiences were in Mexico. Then France of all places taught me to appreciate American hygiene. Later, I went to South America and have actually walked through favelas/shanty towns in Brasil. We stopped in a bar in one place for a beer. The fridge was powered by pirated electricity via open lines that they simply linked up to and plugged in. Anyway, I doubt it comes close to what you described, but it's enough for me to relate to my kids and tell them "You just don't know how good you've got it!"

Cheers!

[oh8eleven]

I never truly appreciate what we have here until I traveled abroad.
My first overseas stop - at 19 years old - was Vietnam. I have never taken anything for granted since.
It's also why I advocate for a renewal of the "draft." Two years service, military or civilian, and has to include six months in a third world country.
I usually get flamed for that (that's slavery! communist! etc.), but there are just waaaaaay too many in this country who don't have a clue.

[PowderMonkey]

My first experiences were in Central America. Seeing victims of polio was an everyday occurrence. The poor spent their days on a sheet of cardboard, begging for coins and dragging themselves through the streets. The more affluent could afford leg braces and wheel chairs. I can still recall the sight of many of my classmates in steel leg braces. One friend in particular lived in an Iron Lung. That memory still gives me nightmares.