Purpose of Travel

I heard a good story that made me think a bit about travel and its purpose.  While hitching a ride from Lalomanu to Apia on the island of Upolu, a Samoan local told us a good story about an Argentine who came to Samoa with no money.  At first the locals wanted him to leave (why else are tourists there other than to spend money?), but after they discovered that he was willing to work odd jobs they decided to allow him to stay until he saved enough money until he could move on.  He stayed at the typical beach fale huts used by tourists, but after dinner he would wash dishes and clean up each night.  After this went on for a long time some Samoans started to dislike him, because it was obvious that he had no intentions of leaving.  They planned to turn him in to the government to make him move on.

Then the big tsunami of 2009 hit the southern shore of Upolu and brought with it massive devastation.  Many people lost their lives and many more lost everything they had.  Women and small children were particularly hard hit.  When the tsunami came there was no warning and many of the children were unable to beat the water and waves off of the beach and up the hill to safety.  The family that the Argentine was staying with and working for lost most of their children this way.  But one of them made it because the Argentine ran back into the waves and saved the child from the water, and then carried him on his shoulders to safety.  The Samoans are a very religious people and they believe that this tourist was sent by god to save that child.  And it made me think that there may be some deeper purpose than personal experiences when it comes to travel.  That maybe we are compelled to come to these distant lands, and suffer bus rides and loud nights, for some reason.  Perhaps we do contribute something more than money to the locals.  Not sure what they will be for us, but I will certainly be ready and willing if the opportunity arises.