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Traveling Well While Doing Good: Author Marie-Rose Phan-Lê On The Delicate Balance

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Marie-Rose Phan-Lê, author of Talking Story: One Woman's Quest to Preserve Ancient Spiritual and Healing Traditions, and writer and director of the film by the same name, traveled the world over the course of 11 years to document indigenous healing traditions that are fast dying out. In this interview, she discusses what she learned about herself, about travel, and about how to tread lightly as we move through unfamiliar places across the globe.

What did you learn about yourself on your visits to countries you'd never seen before?

I learned that all my years of moving around and living in different parts of the world, in various regions of the United States and diverse neighborhoods, had made me very adaptable. When adjusting to new environments, unexpected changes of plans, new languages, and cultural etiquette, adaptability is a traveler’s greatest resource. I also learned that meeting every situation or person with an open heart and a beginner’s mind—letting go of any preconceived ideas or agendas—garnered the warmest welcome.

What was the most challenging place for you to visit, and why?

The Humla region of Nepal was tough on multiple fronts. I had been living at sea level in Seattle for over a decade and wasn’t the typical hardcore Pacific Northwest outdoorsy gal, so high-altitude trekking (while directing a film crew!) was physically and mentally challenging. In addition, we also found that the higher we climbed, the thinner the veils became between the earthly world and the spiritual realm. When you visit healers and spiritual teachers living in high or remote places, it seems that the reward for making it to where they are is the stripping away of all that you know yourself to be.

Are there ways in which we can become more responsible travelers?

I try to remind myself that, when I am traveling, I am a visitor, which means I am a guest of the places, the people, the plants, and the animals I encounter. I consider that if someone were visiting me, would I want them photographing me in my pajamas, looking into my windows, walking through my property, speaking loudly while I’m in prayer, or touching my things? This helps to guide my choices of  what I do around consideration and respect. I also try to learn to say “hello” and “thank you” in the language of the people I am visiting.

Should we try to be distant observers of cultures that are new to us, or should we try to find ways to participate?

I believe participation must always be preceded by an invitation from the members of the culture we are visiting. Not everyone wishes to interact with strangers outside their culture, usually because of bad experiences from the past. If an invitation isn’t immediately extended—depending on the reasons for that—I might still make a request, but never a demand or an expectation of entitlement to have access.

Is there anything you would do differently if you were to re-trace the steps of the journeys you took for Talking Story?

Yes, I would make more time to get fit! The opportunities to start photography came so much more quickly than expected, so I never had the chance to train for slogging through the rainforest or trekking at high altitudes. There is something to be said for being physically strong to make a spiritual journey.