[ Bell ringing ] -It's said a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

-♪ Steppin' out ♪ -Welcome to "Joseph Rosendo's Steppin' Out."

In celebration of my 20th anniversary on PBS and Create TV, we're steppin' out into a world of spiritual experiences.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ] -¡Cristo vive!

¡Cristo vive!

-♪ Steppin' out ♪ -"Joseph Rosendo's Steppin' Out" is made possible by... -Since 1975, we've inspired adults to learn and travel in the United States and in more than 100 countries.

From exploring our national parks to learning about art and culture in Italy, we've introduced adults to places, ideas, and friends.

We are Road Scholar.

We make the world our classroom.

♪♪ -You know, in creating my "Travelscope" and "Steppin' Out" PBS series, I discovered that if you're gonna do a travel show about people, their cultures, and the world they live in, I must include their spiritual beliefs.

I've found it's human to envision a power in a world beyond our own.

Spiritual beliefs offer people direction.

It gives their existence meaning.

It sustains them through trials and tribulations.

And it provides an explanation for the circumstances of their lives.

Spiritual beliefs are a touchstone that can bring folks together.

And humans need those familial connections.

Family and community were both evident during my time in Guatemala for Semana Santa, Easter Week observances.

♪♪ Usually blessed with a laid-back and easygoing spirit, the pace of life in Antigua quickens and the crowds increase during Easter week, or Semana Santa.

While observed throughout Guatemala, in Antigua, the Easter celebration is more colorful and passionate.

The 10-block-square downtown area is filled to overflowing with visitors and Guatemalans alike.

To kick off my Semana Santa visit, I meet up with Manny, my Guatemalan guide.

-We are inside the church of San Felipe de Jesús, and as you can see, we are in the presence of an alfombra that was made to commemorate the beginning of Easter in this village.

-Now tell me about these fruits and vegetables and everything that's here.

What does that represent?

-Well, that represents a key element because it was kind of the last moment of Jesus prior to his being captured.

-So this is like going to the garden.

-Exactly.

-So they've recreated the garden where he goes and has delivered the message that what he has to -- the final passion.

-Yes.

-Also on Palm Sunday, from the Church of La Merced, figures of Jesus the Nazarene and the Virgin Mary are placed on heavy platforms, or andas, and are borne through the cobblestone streets of Antigua in commemoration of Jesus's entrance to Jerusalem.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ] This is an amazing spectacle -- 80 men lifting the platform that weighs tons.

And they're going to be each carrying it for one block.

Then they'll switch over, very seamlessly switch over, to another 80 men that will take it further down the street.

This is generations and generations of families that have had this honor.

And there are thousands of families waiting to step in if someone was to step out.

This is really the height of devotion, and you can see it in the people's faces.

You can see it in the honor that they gain from being one of the people that are able to carry the platform with the image of Jesus Christ on it.

This is probably the most touching religious experience in the Christian world, at least that I've ever witnessed.

♪♪ We travel to Guatemala City to witness the largest Holy Thursday procession of Semana Santa at the church of Nuestra Señora De Candelaria.

Preparations begin the night before, when residents of 13th Avenue, adjacent to the church, hold vigil.

A festive atmosphere prevails, and all celebrate either by working on an alfombra or breaking a few moves on the pavement.

It's a family affair.

[ Up-tempo music playing ] The alfombras are essential to Semana Santa as the andas themselves.

The sawdust is gathered throughout the year and dyed brilliant colors.

The choice of design is personal, and the symbols, whether Mayan, Catholic, or a fusion of both, are universally recognized and revered.

It's a labor of love that takes hours to create and is quickly destroyed by the passing procession, representative of life's transitory nature.

[ Down-tempo music playing ] ♪♪ Besides being an exercise of penance, carrying the anda is a matter of pride and prestige, with the most important members of the brotherhood located near the front of the platform.

♪♪ ♪♪ During our Semana Santa visit here in Antigua and in Guatemala, we follow the story of the last days of Jesus, from Palm Sunday to today, Good Friday.

Every day, the clothing has changed, the mood has changed, and today is probably the most somber 'cause the image of Jesus has been removed from the cross.

The crucified Jesus had been laid in the sepulcher.

The mood is festive in a way because Good Friday is good because of what happens out of Good Friday, the resurrection.

[ Up-tempo music plays ] [ Applause ] [ Shouting in Spanish ] This is truly the climax of Semana Santa.

This is really the day to celebrate, and fireworks, the flags flying, people singing songs that say Christ is living.

This is the joyous time where it becomes a people's celebration.

-[ Speaking Spanish ] [ All shouting in Spanish ] -This is, like, the reason you come here.

Who would have thought?

On this day, everybody can participate in carrying the anda, and they just signed me up.

But everybody's doing it.

There are children, and they're able to carry it, as well.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ] ♪♪ I've already made friends with people in the crowd, you know, by walking with them and cheering with them and participating in their celebration.

And so now I get to... feel like home here.

One of the joys of travel is to transcend your everyday life and step into another person's cultural shoes.

And nowhere is that more possible than in India, where, in three blocks, you will see, hear, smell, and feel 33 things you've never, ever experienced before.

Paying homage to and worshiping the unseen and higher nature of oneself allows Indians to rise above their struggles and find joy and contentment in their lives, no matter their circumstances.

[ Man singing in a global language ] [ Down-tempo music plays ] Namaste.

♪♪ I join the bathers and worshipers along the Betwa River.

As is often the case in India, what starts out as an observation of Indian life becomes an invitation to living.

[ Birds chirping ] [ Bell rings ] [ Singing in a global language ] [ Bell ringing ] [ Rhythmic clapping ] [ Singing continues ] [ Singing stops ] -[ Speaks a global language ] [ Bell rings ] [ Singing in a global language ] -Namaste.

That was quite a wonderful experience.

Um, and an unexpected experience.

And that's kind of India -- a wonderful experience, an unexpected experience.

This is just a small temple that's alongside the river.

There's a large one in town that they have all sorts of restrictions about whether you can film people or whether you can record people or whether you probably can even participate, but not here.

So, if you're looking for it in India, it's always there, available for you.

Taking it easy on the temple steps with a local holy man and his family.

How do you beat that, eh?

Pretty nice.

-Thank you.

-[ Speaks a global language ] ♪♪ -I first came to India 20 years ago, and I remember it as a very spiritual, life-changing experience.

During this visit, sometimes the journey has gotten in the way of the experience.

Coming down today to the ghats here and just watching the people simply washing in the river and offering their blessings to the river reminded me of why I came and... ...what I was supposed to take away from this place.

♪♪ In the Hindu faith, all of the gods that are part of their pantheon of gods are all manifestations of one God -- Brahma.

This morning here along the ghats reminds me that all of these people and all of us are a manifestation of one God.

It's what really centers you and makes you feel connected to not just everybody, but to everything around you.

Namaste.

♪♪ In India, the life of the gods is not just a subject of contemplation, but of celebration.

Such is the spirit behind the annual Diwali festival, which, like Christmas, is a festival of light.

[ Up-tempo music playing ] I'm in Indore for the Diwali festival.

What's the Diwali festival?

From what I can tell, it's Christmas and New Year's and every holiday that you ever thought of.

The Diwali Festival is based in Rama going and recapturing his kidnapped wife and bringing her back to India.

But it's also a festival that celebrates Lakshmi.

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth.

♪♪ Here's another very important part of the festival, and you'll see carts with all sorts of different colored sands.

And they use it to make a design in front of their house called rangoli.

It welcomes the goddess Lakshmi.

Oh, here's one of the sweets.

It's churned milk.

Oh, looks like -- It's like pudding.

It's one of those special foods for the holidays.

Ahh.

Thank you.

A little flour ball.

Tastes like a pancake.

A very sweet pancake.

Here's another one of the special foods for the holidays.

This is kachori.

Here we are.

Wow!

That is hot!

I didn't even have to pay anything.

He says I'm his elder brother.

[ Chuckles ] I think that's a compliment.

We're really not that much different.

We have special foods that we eat at Christmastime in my family, my background being Cuba.

Nochebuena is Christmas Eve.

We have pork.

We have black beans.

We have rice.

We have all sorts of things.

Here we are in India -- same ideas.

♪♪ Looking for something quiet, serene, and peaceful?

Wrong party.

♪♪ ♪♪ I'm wearing my Bhutan welcome scarf today because, while separation of church and state is the hallmark of religious freedom in our country, elsewhere, not only do religious beliefs dictate a people's spiritual life.

It affects their government's policies, as well.

While Bhutan is a democratic constitutional monarchy, Mahayana Buddhism inspires every aspect of Bhutanese life, including the government policy of Gross National Happiness.

Preservation of culture, conservation of the environment, equitable and sustainable development, and good governance are the four pillars of Gross National Happiness.

During my time in Bhutan, it became quite clear that this was a place like no other.

♪♪ ♪♪ Druk Yul is Bhutan's name in Dzongkha, the national language.

It means "Land of the Thunder Dragon."

I haven't seen any dragons in Bhutan, but I have seen thousands and thousands of prayers carried on the wind by prayer flags of all sizes, shapes, and colors, blue, green, red, yellow, and white, symbolizing water, wood, fire, earth, and iron.

Or maybe they represent the five meditation Buddhas, the five wisdoms, the five directions, or the five emotions.

The white goendhar flies from homes, evoking the blessings of Mahakala, Bhutan's primary protective deity.

Lungdhars flutter from every windswept location and display the wind horse, who carries a wish-fulfilling jewel on his back.

108 manidhars fly from hillsides above rivers and enlist the water's power in carrying its prayers for the dead.

Lhadar, the god flag, is flown from dzongs and other official places.

It signifies victory over evil and alerts locals and chilips -- foreigners -- that traditional or otherwise appropriate attire is required to enter.

Yet above all, the prayer flags make us aware that there is a power and a source that we can turn to in all situations, and that is a comforting and empowering thought.

Mani walls consist of a varying number of stones carved with a simple prayer.

This one repeats the mantra, "Om mani padme hum," "Om mani padme hum," the mantra of the compassionate Buddha.

I was raised Roman Catholic, so they remind me of a rosary.

Perhaps Muslims will think of prayer beads.

Each stone is a prayer.

Stuck within the wall, you'll often see tsa-tsas.

They are made of clay and pressed from a metal mold.

They help the dead reach heaven, alleviate an obstacle, purify a negative situation, and bless and protect you and your family.

And as with all things Buddhist, making them or simply placing them gains merit for not just yourself, but for all living beings.

The climax of my Bhutan adventure lies along the route of the Bumthang Cultural Trek in the village of Chokhortse at the Ngang Lhakhang -- or "Swan" -- Monastery on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, when the constellation Pleiades aligns with the moon.

The road to the monastery is peopled with pilgrims on their way to the tshechu, a religious festival they attend in order to gain merit for everyone.

[ Man speaking a global language ] Preservation of culture is a pillar of Gross National Happiness, and at the tshechu, I experience how the Bhutanese embrace their heritage.

The festival begins with prayer.

[ Man speaking a global language ] And the dungsam, a noblewoman from a sister village, serves esteemed guests and the heads of the monastery's noble family sing chang, a local, unfiltered brew.

Although the tshechu is a religious event, it is also a social happening where friends, families, and visitors meet to pray, talk, laugh, and share in communal celebrations.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ] The ceremonial procession circles the monastery, and all are blessed who are touched by the holy relics of lama Namkha Samdrup, who founded the monastery in the 15th century.

♪♪ ♪♪ These tshechus are religious dances, and by dancing, the dancers have created a sacred ground here.

And all the spectators are being blessed.

Most of the dances have to do with either historical figures or mythical historical figures.

You know, in Bhutan, myths, legends, stories -- they're all history here.

-They are the manifestation of Guru Rinpoche.

He is now dancing in front of us.

-So, they're basically reincarnating the deity, in this case, Guru Rinpoche.

And I love when they have the war together.

They really aren't destroying evil.

They're really converting evil.

-Bad person to good person.

-Yes, exactly.

I like that.

♪♪ The Black Hat dance is performed to clear the minds of all people of negative emotions such as hatred, greed, and ignorance.

The dancers are spiritual warriors, motivated not by anger, but by love and compassion.

♪♪ "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness," said Mark Twain.

And I've closed more than 1,000 radio shows and a 150 television shows with that quote.

It bears repeating.

In our divided world, our mission is to build bridges between cultures, and partaking and celebrating the religious ceremonies, customs, and traditions of a people is one way to do it.

And I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to do so when I was steppin' out in Malaysia.

[ Birds chirping ] ♪♪ -Yeah.

-Terrific.

This is wonderful.

I love this.

-Yeah.

Thank you.

-You have to be careful when you're a tourist or a traveler in a country and you do things like this.

You don't want to do them like they're a joke... -You're right.

-...and that you're making fun of the culture.

-You cannot, you cannot.

-So, tell me -- how do people use this hat?

-They're using a praying mat when they're traveling.

-Right.

-So they will take it away, make it like this, and they can also use as a praying mat.

-So you have your prayer mat and your hat.

-Yes, easy.

-Well, that's pretty significant 'cause now God's always on your mind.

-Yeah.

God is always in the mind.

-I like that.

-Yeah.

-I love Malaysia.

You know, people are so friendly and they're so happy.

When you come up, people greet you.

In many places, they put their hand on their heart.

It's good to remind us that that's the way we're connected to each other.

Do you clink glasses in Malaysia?

-No.

-No?

You don't?

-No.

-Well, what do you do?

How do you -- -"Silahkan minum."

-Silahkan... -Minum.

Silahkan minum.

I like that better.

I like that better than "cheers."

Silahkan minum.

[ Laughter ] -While Malaysia's constitution states every person has the right to profess and practice his religion, Islam is the official faith of the Malay people.

There are more than 6,800 mosques.

The Floating and the Crystal Mosque are two notable ones in the coastal state of Terengganu.

[ Man singing in a global language ] [ Singing continues ] -Welcome to Terengganu.

-Terima kasih.

Thank you so much.

So lovely to be here.

Believing in Islam -- what does that give you as a person?

-Islam is the one religion from God.

We believe that we need some power from God for peace here and after.

-So, Islam gives you the strength to be in this world.

I understand.

-Yeah.

-There seems to be in the world these days a lot of separation from each other.

What do you think is the main reason for that?

-I think we need to search the sames, not the difference.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-We need to emphasize the way we're alike rather than our differences.

I bring my viewers with me... -Okay.

-...to learn and to take away from the experience something to make us better.

The more we get to know each other and to take each other's hand, the better we love each other.

-Thank you also.

-Terima kasih.

-Sama-sama.

♪♪ -Thank you for helping me celebrate my 20 years on PBS and Create TV and steppin' out with me into a world of spiritual adventures.

Until we meet again, remember the words of Mark Twain -- "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness."

May your next adventure always be your best.

-"Joseph Rosendo's Steppin' Out" is made possible by... -Since 1975, we've inspired adults to learn and travel in the United States and in more than 100 countries.

From exploring our national parks to learning about art and culture in Italy, we've introduced adults to places, ideas, and friends.

We are Road Scholar.

We make the world our classroom.

-For a DVD of the "Travelscope" and "Steppin' Out" episodes featured in my anniversary show and to get my memoir and travel book, "Musings," call 888-876-3399.

Or to order online, go to travelscope.net, josephrosendo.com, or e-mail me at TV@josephrosendo.com.

-♪ Mm, mm, mm ♪ -Now that we've stepped out and celebrated a world of spiritual experiences together, learn more at josephrosendo.com, where you can follow my worldwide adventure through my magazine, blog, podcast, and social media.

Stay in touch -- 888-876-3399, or e-mail me at TV@josephrosendo.com.

♪♪ -♪ Steppin' out ♪ -♪ Steppin' out ♪ [ Bell ringing ] -So, here is a temple of Shiva.

So, all Hindu temple priests are normally Brahmin.

-I see.

Now, why did he ring the bell?

-So, whenever you are going to perform a prayer, you are going to give a bell.

That is kind of attendance.

And you are saying that, "I'm in your court.

I'm in your prayer.

So please bless me."

This is to the god.

-Kind of getting the god's attention.

-Yes, sir.

-Tell him thank you very much for me.

-[ Speaks a global language ] Now he's giving you the palm, full palm.

-Oh, wow.

-Full blessings to you.

-Thank you.

-For your happiness.

-♪ Steppin' out ♪ -♪ Steppin' out ♪