CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
Travel changes people. It broadens perspectives and teaches new ways to measure quality of Life. Many travelers toss aside their hometown blinders. Their prized souvenirs are the strands of different cultures they decide to knit into their own character. — Rick Steves, Europe Through the Back Door
This wandering life of ours certainly allows for an awful lot of knitting. I remember in my first months as a military spouse going to the home of one of my husbands co-workers and seeing in the entryway a wood sign that said “Home is where the heart is: The Smiths.” Attached beneath this sign were smaller wooden pieces, each with the name of a city & country where the Smiths’ hearts had lived for a time. There were many, many, many pieces. I was a bit overwhelmed and yet have come to see the richness this sort of travelling-life can bring.
And if anyone knows where I can get one of those signs??
On a less happy note, if you have not already discovered, H.I.T. travel seems to be in the process of bankruptcy. I have one friend who lost every cent of the $1800 cash she’d paid them for tickets to fly to the States next week. When she called the airline, there was indeed a reservation for her, but no payment for the tickets. She has had to pay twice. Made me want to cry just hearing her talk about it. Unfortunately, I’m sure this has effected more than one of you and if it doesn’t make you throw up to talk about it, I’d appreciate you sharing how you are handling the situation in hopes that others might benefit from your experience.
On the more positive side, I’d like to ask what travel agents you have used SUCCESSFULLY and would suggest to the rest of us. Personally, I’m interested in having someone book some outer island travel for us (hotels, ferrys, etc). Any suggestions will be appreciated!