Amanda Lindhout

Because travel has always been such a vital part of myself and so essential to who I am, I have made the decision to continue to put myself back out into the world. And that's not an easy decision to make. ”

It's difficult to put into words what freedom feels like. You only know what freedom feels like if you know what it feels like to not be free. ”

Getting on a plane is hard for me, but I do it, because travel is vital to me. ”

I am so proud to be a Canadian. ”

Contemplating Christmas when you are isolated and far from home brings its own unique pain. ”

My captors were definitely aware that what they were doing was wrong. It came out in small ways - occasionally through a show of guilt or compassion. One of the boys bought me a gift. Another used to sneak me acetaminophen tablets. ”

I'm not afraid of IED's, bullets, mortars. ”

I don't only long for the thrill of being in the middle of a war, I must understand it; I must make other people understand. ”

Being in the dark, there's a real weight to it. It's heavy. ”

Forgiving is not an easy thing to do. ”