Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective! You said ” I learned to a much deeper extent the value of an open heart, and once again, I was reminded of how our cultures, both societal and familial, shape us. ” It’s a very good thing to remember when we venture out of our homes whether it be locally or when travelling to other countries. And I think the “shaping” is layers deep – our age, gender, knowledge etc. all play a part and it is good to remember when we venture out into the world. An open heart can do a lot of good. 