The North America Project: Museum of World Treasures

When I was in Wichita, KS I visited, perhaps, the coolest museum I have yet to step foot in - yes, I did just use the words museum and cool in the same sentence. The Museum of World Treasures. While the definition of treasure is subjective, this museum encapsulates this understanding perfectly. As you explore the museums three floors you experience all sorts of amazing treaures. There is piece of The Berlin Wall - and a brief history of it's significance, there are dinosaur skeletons, there are mummies, there are beautifully stunning artifacts from around the globe, and the list continues - and this is only what the first floor has in store. Floor two is dedicated to the history of war in the US and has uniforms, photos, and other artifacts from WWI, WWII, The Vietnam War, The Civil War and then it's all rounded out with a hall of history dedicated to every past President of The United States - each accompanied by an authentic autograph. As you travel to the last floor you're brought full circle into the more contemporary, popular culture influenced treasures - sports memorabilia from the greats like Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali and these are accompanied by great works of literature, and even movie props which include items like (appropriately) the Pitchfork from The Wizard of Oz, and various items that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe. Whatever your definition of treasure may be - whether monetary, historical, or popular influences - this museum was an excellent way to spend the afternoon.

Exciting, right? Well the subjective nature of the word treasure got me thinking. And I realized that, really, for the last four and a half months I have begun my own collection of world treasures and, simply put, that's the people like you. Have you ever noticed that the people with the least to spare are usually the ones most willing to give? University/College Students, single-parent families, actors working to bust into the industry, lower-income families - the most selfless ones of all.

You've all read of my incredible time in Florida and the selflessness a single family showed to me. But the acts have never seized to amaze me throughout my entire trip around North America, thus far.

The treasures are the girls that work two jobs while going to countless acting auditions yet still have time to take in a stranger from Winnipeg (where?), Manitoba (where?), Canada (oh!) - and make time to talk, get to know one another, and show her around. The treasures are your fellow travellers, or a new friend from Scotland that, because you're both going the same direction, hops in and makes your lonely journey from Nashville to Austin a fun trip for two, the treasures are a new friend. The treasures are the couple that take you in on one day's notice and without hesitation invite you to join in on their Thanksgiving Dinner and then even give up their bed so that you can get a good nights sleep - while they sleep on the couch. The treasures are a best friend that finishes nursing school and the very next day flies to Oklahoma City to spend her only week off with her friend that she hasn't seen in four months. The treasures are the ones that before even meeting invite you to $3 Martini and Karaoke night at their favourite bar and then give you a key to their house after only knowing you a day. The treasures are the couple that let you sleep on their air mattress, make you feel at home, and invite you back anytime you want. The treasures are the ones that are engaged and planning a wedding yet still make you a member of the family, make you dinner, offer you a drink - without wanting or expecting anything in return.

Have you ever noticed that the ones with the least to spare are the ones with the most to give. Because they understand that it doesn't have to be money. It's about making someone feel welcome, sitting down and having a meaningful conversation with a stranger, or belting out a duet at karaoke only hours after meeting. At the end of this all I won't be rich in money but the memories, the friendships, the people that I have met and the things that I have learnt - I'll be rich.

*On a side note, my next post will be asking you all for monetary donations...just kidding.*

'Tis the season, folks.