Mark Twain wrote in 1869 in Innocents Abroad: Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.?The Strange Request introduces Alex with a need for nurture and a full life. His parents kept him sequestered for years for unusual reasons. An older sister moved away from home, taking Alex with her, but requests help. As Greg and Gwen listen, strangers they meet and show care for him, Alex begins to lead them to a number of mysterious places in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain near a retreat full of interesting international guests. Greg and Gwen have insight into the mysteries that unfold as they explore. One mystery opens another with ensuing solutions in France, Spain, Myanmar/Burma and Thailand. Old treasure returns to families generations later. Rare rubies emerge glowing from internal light. Caves appear with intact pictographs and ancient burial sites full of artifacts. Characters in the book have different skills, experiences in life, creativity for design and use of light for special decoration. Skills of observation reveal more mysteries. Each character shares philosophies and ideals learned from travel and living life with exuberance. Live life with zest, the mental spice.