Thank you for arriving here, and also for your interest in this idea of travelers consciously transforming our world.

Some aspect of your own life has probably led you through a progression similar to the progression I experienced during my first foreign travels:

Early on: "These sceneries... these people... these cultures... this entire experience I'm having... it's all fantastic!"

Later: "The accident of my birth has allowed me -- an absolutely ordinary person like me! -- to take for granted opportunities that half the world's people can barely imagine."

And finally: "The continued existence of the human race probably depends upon people like me sharing our good fortunes with those less-advantaged. Where shall I start?"

The twelve authors of these final Phase Three stories (below) each, clearly, understand these sentiments. And now they and I invite you to, indeed request that you, please read these stories (it should take about an hour), ponder them, and vote for up to four of your favorites. On June 1, 2005, the votes will be tallied and a check for $1,000 will be mailed to the authors of each of the four top vote-getting stories. And the idea of "a world that works for everyone" will be nudged forward in at least four specific situations.

-- Print out the large text-only file containing all twelve stories. They simply read better on paper than they do online.

-- Don't forget to view the photo located at the end of each story (online only -- not in the text-only file). These add an extra dimension.

-- Read two or three stories at a time and take a break -- it helps the mind keep them separate.

-- Jot notes on your reactions and refer to them when making your choices.

Send an email listing up to four choices to vote@backpacknation.org. If you don't receive an acknowledgement within 72 hours, please send an email to brad@backpacknation.org.

VOTING DEADLINE: May 31, 2005, 11:59:59 p.m.

Thank you, as always, for your interest and participation.

I do hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Brad

IMPORTANT NOTE: By clicking on any of the twelve stories listed below (listed reverse-alphabetically by author's first name) you will open a file containing one story (photos included.) If you want to print out all or part of a long, text-only file containing all twelve stories (but no photos) please click here.

The votes have all been counted.

My deepest thanks to ALL of the authors who submitted stories, and to all 525 of you who cast votes. I like to think that each little action we take nudges our world in the direction we'd like to see it go. And now hope and expanded opportunity are on the way to individuals who could use a break and a little love in Burma, India, Cambodia, and Kenya. On Monday, checks for $1,000 will be on the way to each of these situations. Follow-up stories will be posted in three months.

The four top vote-getters were:

Burma Revisited: Giving to One Who Gives By Gregg Butensky A Boy's Dream By Marc Gold

Afternoon Medical Clinic at the Starfish Café By Mary O'Shea Out of Isolation By Lani Parker

Bali By Tim Watterman Tsunami Junction, Sri Lanka By Laurie Weed Beggars Abound By Ellen Schafhauser

A House for Hien by Christine Meyer Monica's Shop By CJ Hendrix My Principal Looks Like Bin Laden By Cara Anna

Like Mother, Like Daughter By April Thompson Tsunami Is Big Business By Adam M. Roberts