Transformation

Confronted with such beauty, I am not sure how the presence of God can be denied. 
Such a vast expanse of mountains skillfully created with a dark brown river running gracefully through it, quenching the thirst of this land's population.
The peaks denoted with one side dark, shielded from the sun, and the other, light reflecting its grandness among the few scattered houses across the terrain.
For a moment my mind wanders to consider the lives of those who occupy the secluded homes and valleys of this land.
How peaceful and separated from the bustle of NYC...
How connected with nature and its sublime beauty...
Soaring above this landscape, there are no tall buildings and no traffic jams to concern or stress oneself with,
I am drawn into a life that seems so foreign yet so becoming.
My mind wanders back to the dichotomous peace of the Middle East...
Another land that while its reputation would suggest a life of intolerance, violence, and anger,
I am drawn to their openness and dependence on others.
I recently read a fantastic quote - while NYC is tied to its independence and solidarity, the Middle East culture is one of interdependence.
Of relying on a neighbor for basic necessities, or shelter, or to simply pass the time.
Islam stresses the importance of spiritual detachment from material objects, and thus the lavish NYC lifestyle is tossed away and even considered maliciously deviant to the Muslim culture and lifestyle.
Many westerners fail to understand and appreciate the art of difference; a break in our upbringing that unfortunately can cause demise in some.
I have found myself in my twenties openly welcoming difference and submerging myself in sometimes culturally or emotionally uncomfortable situations.
Those same situations have grown my maturity and worldly acceptance.
I have learned to not only accept the differences, but appreciate and admire those who live substantially "radical" lives as compared to westerners.
I have found myself recently contemplating a life abroad...
Navigating the souks of Tehran with a galibayya and head scarf attempting to shield my naiveté.
Walking the blistering hot alleys of Agra bargaining with street vendors.
Praying with my head touching the sacred ground of the Hagia Sofia, barefoot, enthralled by its royalty and majesty curious as to how many other devout worshippers had whispered prayers to Allah.
Unearthing the grandeur of mystic Cairo learning to live with sand as a form of precipitation.
Hiking the insurmountable mountains in Kathmandu and reaching its cloudy and chilled peaks fully exhausted but thrilled at an accomplishment as I take in the view from 6000+ miles above sea level,
Celebrating Kwanzaa gorgeously wrapped in African garb and dancing to the beat of tribal drums and chants,
And immersing myself fully in a Buddhist temple in Bangkok living a life filled with love, peace, and family, but simple pleasures only.
There are so many culturally rich cities and towns in this world that NYC seems like a hodgepodge.
A city so racially, religiously, and ethnically confused that while everyone is represented and living harmoniously (for the most part) there is no overarching culture. 
It is a soup made of a bit of everything but the flavor when tasted is unfortunately sour and bitter.
This world has too many secret alleyways, too many sacred calls to prayer, and too many authentic meals to prepare, to limit myself to the second hand experiences NYC offers.
I have contemplated setting sail to a new country... Iran perhaps?
There are so many treasured archipelagos, villages, islands, and republics left to undercover and immerse myself in.
I am yearning more life defining moments...
Moments such as those I encountered standing in the holy Sheik Zayed Mosque, horseback riding up the Bosque Nuboso near Arenal Volanco, praying in an underground church constructed in a salt mine in Zipaquira, and gallivanting in the stunningly brilliant Simon Bolivar Parque. 
I am ready, world.  I'm coming to take in your exquisiteness with openness and struggle through the walls that will surely cause me frustration and angst at times.
But, I am arriving with an open mind ready to take in the transformative experiences to be scripted into my heart and eternal memory.