Capitalism is indeed a form of religious belief, the narrative of money replacing the narrative of God. Superstores and luxury brands are the new churches and bishops.

You raise some interesting points, capitalism is very new… emerging painfully and out of feudalism…. The emergence of a merchant class to replace the aristocracy and (when at their best) to empower the working class to useful and rewarding ends - when at their worst, to exchange slavery with pretty much the same thing via low wages and zero hours contracts

I would consider myself somewhat widely travelled for my background. I did not go abroad from the U.K. until I was 15. Since then I have mostly travelled within Europe, (eastern and western), I’ve been to the US, and China and Thailand. I am hoping to travel far more now the pandemic has subsided, but a freelancers life is a complicated one to juggle. :o)