I had to live in the desert before I could understand the full value of grass in a green ditch.

I wanted to learn a few foreign languages, and therefore I had to go abroad.

Those who appreciate the ways of simple tribes, where every activity is direct and immediately understandable, are able to live among them.

You can feel as brave as Columbus starting for the unknown the first time you enter a Chinese lane full of boys laughing at you, or when you risk climbing down in a Tibetan pub for a meal of rotten meat.

Others are keen to see if natives other than us live better than we do, without heat in pipes, ice in boxes, sunshine in bulbs, music on disks, or images gliding over a pale screen.

May you live to see the green grass growing over your grave.