Until relatively late in life, I did little traveling, but always was familiar with cultures other than my own through reading and study. My academic studies focused on religion and a variety of religious traditions including Hinduism,Buddhism, and so-called "primitive" religions, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and a smattering of Islam. I have also studied mythology, and see that as the underpinning of spirituality throughout the world and throughout time. For many years, my reading has been principally fiction, both native and world-wide. I think fiction reveals in the most insightful ways, the mythologies and spiritualities throughout the world, and therefore, superior to non-fiction (with note worthy exceptions, of course!) when describing other cultures and ideas.