Blog Archives - Peterson Travel Pros, LLC

The Top 5 Frequent Fyer Programs

2/27/2019

Airline loyalty is hard to come by.
Most travelers choose credit cards based upon the number of free miles they get when they apply for the card. Keep in mind that there are several crucial things you need to consider. Some of them include the number of miles you earn per dollar spent, interest rates, and what airlines you use the most. You may also get other perks with your card including free memberships to AARP, discounted Global Entry, and free entrance into the airline lounge. Also some credit cards offer travel insurance or insurance on products you purchase. If those things are important to you, make sure you read all the details.

Roughly 7% of flights are paid for with points or miles, according to PWC. So there’s obviously value in committing to a carrier. You just have to find the right one.
To help you earn more free flights and other assorted perks, WalletHub compared the 10 largest domestic airlines’ loyalty rewards programs across 23 key metrics, ranging from the value of a rewards point or mile to blackout-date policies.
Here are the best frequent flyer programs:

Delta SkyMiles
United Airlines - Mileage Plan
JetBlue Airways - TrueBlue
Southwest Airlines - Rapid Rewards
Hawaiian Airlines - HawaiianMiles

Key Points to Remember When Selecting a Program
Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways are the only two major airlines whose miles do not expire because of inactivity.

8 of the 10 largest airlines do not have blackout dates for tickets purchased with miles.

5 of 10 major U.S. airlines will retroactively credit loyalty program members with miles for a flight up to 12 months after the fact.

7 of the 10 largest U.S. airlines allow rewards program members to earn and redeem miles with partner carriers.
Delta Air

*The following airlines do not have frequent flyer partnerships with other airlines: Southwest, Spirit and Sun Country.

Airline miles cost an average of 61% more than they’re worth when purchased rather than earned.

*Sun Country Airlines does not sell miles.Back to Top
Detailed Scoring for 2019’s Best Frequent Flyer Programs

Other Options
Keep in mind that if you are not loyal to one airline, you might want to use a non airline affiliated credit card. Cards such as Capital One let you accumulate miles that you can use on many different airlines. The other nice thing about these cards is that you don't have to have the total miles to cover a trip. You can book the trip and then use the credits you have to pay off what ever portion of the trip you like. They are good for any type of travel including tours and cruises.

To help you figure out the best frequent flyer program for you, visit
1FREQUENT FLYER MILES CALCULATOR 2MAIN FINDINGS 3DETAILED SCORING
4ASK THE EXPERTS 5METHODOLOGY Frequent Flyer Miles Calculator

From: Custom Calculator Feb 27, 2019 | Alina Comoreanu,

Why the Best Camera for Your Vacation Might Not Be A Camera

2/25/2019

ost people want to take at least a few photos on their vacation, but not everyone wants the fuss of packing and keeping track of an extra piece of electronic equipment.

Have you considered leaving your digital camera at home and simply using the built-in camera on your smart phone? I took this picture with a Galaxy Note 8 from the top of a mountain.
Here are a few reasons why using your phone might be the best thing that ever happened to your vacation photos.

It’s always with you. Always. When you travel, your smart phone is likely already serving several purposes beyond just being a calling device. It’s a watch. A GPS. A weather-checker. An email and social media connector. A music library. It’s unlikely you go many places without it, and it’s second nature to just have it on hand. (If you’re like many people, the challenge of owning one of these devices is actually limiting how much time you spend on it.) How many times have you gone somewhere and accidentally left the camera in the hotel room or in the car? Using your phone can help ensure that you’ll have a great camera handy when those moments-to-remember come up.

It takes surprisingly high-quality photos. Lots of people are shocked by this. Most phones now have an 8 megapixel (or higher) camera. That’s high-resolution enough to get a clear 20” x 24” print!

No messing around with memory cards or uploads to your computer. You always have the option, of course, to upload your photos at any time to your computer. But with your smart phone, you can also instantly upload images to Facebook, send them in an instant message, email them to yourself or others, or back them up on the Cloud. No cords or plugins required.

Interesting apps galore can make your images look pro in no time. Free apps like Instagram and cheap apps like Hipstamatic ($1.99) are used by millions of hobby and professional photographers every day. You can crop, add frames, apply filters, and share your photos right from the app itself, plus edited photos are automatically added to your phone’s photo library. There are hundreds of photo editing applications available. You never know: you might be inspired to get more into photography through your mobile device than through an actual camera!

A cool photo finish. In addition to being able to send any photo in your phone’s photo library to any camera shop or retailer (like Target or Walgreens) to be developed in regular 4x6 prints, Instagram’s unique square format makes for beautiful, artistic prints, too. Check out MixTiles— a free app that allows you to select and order three professionally-printed images from your Instagram library that are mounted on lightweight 8” x 8” backer board for easy hanging — all for just $49. Each additional tile after that is just $9.

Lenses are available for your Smartphone. They are making more accessories for smart phones. Check out a moment lens on Amazon for my Galaxy Note 8.

A 21st-Century take on the “wish you were here” postcard. You can send personalized postcards to friends and family in less than 30 seconds – without stamps or trying to find a post office. Postagram is a free app that lets you upload vacation images from Instagram, Facebook, or your phone’s photo library and then add a short personal note. You enter the recipient’s address, and voila! — Postagram prints your photo and message on high-quality glossy paper and mails it directly for you. It is a fast, convenient, and personal way to keep in touch with those you love while you’re away.

Gone are the days of grainy, tiny images on small screens. Today, even those who consider themselves photo enthusiasts love the convenience and creative challenge of using their phones to capture their most treasured photographic moments. With all that your smart phone can do, maybe this is the year to take your vacation photography to new heights!

If you have your phone ready, I’m ready to help you find the perfect place to start taking pictures! You can contact me today to help you start planning your summer getaway – just click here https://www.petersontravelpros.com/

Find The Best Time to Book a #RiverCruise

2/20/2019

A lot of people ask me, "When is the best time of the year to book a river cruise?"

Planning a river cruise vacation is not just about when you choose to travel, but it is also about when you choose to book your travel and there are some things to take into consideration. First, you should determine what is most important to you when choosing to book your river cruise. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

How important is the price of the river cruise? How important is the destination of the river cruise? How important is the date of your river cruise?

If price is driving your decision on when to book your river cruise, then last minute bookings may be your best bet. However, it is never a sure thing. Keep in mind that last minute deals are typically bottom of the barrel and may not get you where you want to go. If you have a particular city in mind to kick off your river cruise, or perhaps a particular itinerary with ports of call that you absolutely must visit, you risk losing out by waiting for big sales and last minute discounts. And you may as well forget about that suite or stateroom that you set your sights on because it is most likely sold out. Never forget that you are competing with capacity when you book last minute. Riverboat cruises are not like ocean ship cruises. Riverboats are smaller and carry fewer guests than big ocean ships, meaning they fill up faster.

Additionally, if you obsess over discounts and wait until the last minute, there is a good chance that you will miss the boat all-together because that golden opportunity that you have been waiting for may never materialize. Ultimately, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint an exact time of the year that would be best to book your river cruise and ensure that you landed the best possible fare. But one thing is for sure, booking your river cruise early (at least 9-12 months in advance) is the best time to get the vacation you want.

The saying is true, the early bird really does get the worm. Do not be fooled into thinking that booking early means that you won’t get the best deal. Even finicky river cruisers who want a specific cabin and aren’t flexible on their cruise date book the vacation of their dreams at a great rate.

Essentially, it all comes down to timing. Yes, timing is everything! Timing is crucial when choosing to book river cruises – for savvy shoppers who want river cruises for a bargain, it can mean the difference between big savings or no savings; for discerning shoppers who know what they want and are not willing to sacrifice any of their river cruise preferences, it can mean the difference between snagging their choice stateroom or dream itinerary. So if you are wanting to escape the winter chill with a lower Mississippi cruise, organize a multi-generational family reunion with a Columbia and Snake River cruise through the great Pacific Northwest or wish to celebrate a milestone anniversary, you will definitely want to ensure that you get your timing right.

Once you find the itinerary, cruise date and accommodations that you desire – book it and be confident that you made the right decision.

9/5/2017 by American Queen

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6 Reasons to Try #RiverCruising

2/20/2019

If you are a seasoned ocean cruiser and enjoy sailing the open seas, perhaps you are now ready for something a bit different. Perhaps something more intimate with less crowds and more intrigue. Well, river cruising offers you exactly that and then some. A river cruise offers the opportunity to experience the historic and cultural significance of old destinations from an entirely new perspective…the indescribable perspective of the river. What might you expect from making the switch to river cruising vs ocean cruising?

1. A leisurely pace
River cruises are ideal for travelers who prefer the leisurely pace of traveling by water minus the often chaotic pace of hotel changes, railway changes, and bus travel. Riverboats typically dock in the heart of the port of call city and with less than 400 passengers in tow, there are no endless lines waiting to get off the boat. Riverboats themselves are not necessarily the focus of a river cruise. In fact, the cruise is geared toward showcasing the historical sites and natural marvels along some of the country’s grandest rivers. You see, the focal point is not always onboard the ship, but rather what happens off the ship.

2. Intimate accommodations
When it comes to river cruising, size does matter. But not to worry, bigger doesn’t always mean better. In order to sail the inland waterways, riverboats must be smaller in size than ocean cruise ships. Riverboats are more aligned to a small ship luxury cruise than to a mainstream cruise, as they are designed with the convenience and comforts of a fine hotel. Additionally, the ambiance is intimate and promotes more social interaction. Fewer passengers and fewer distractions ultimately equates to more opportunity for discussion and camaraderie. River cruises also afford you the opportunity to get acquainted with the crew and learn of their passion for the regions. This is a difficult feat for large ocean ships boasting upwards of 3,000 passengers.

3. Ever-changing landscapes and smooth sailing
The views will be all-together different on a river cruise. Instead of expansive, everlasting sea views you will enjoy the sights of beautifully evolving landscapes. Rivers also offer calm waters for smooth sailing which means no motion sickness.

4. Relaxing dining experiences
Dining on a river cruise is quite often exceptional, as you will enjoy genuine, friendly service and fresh, local cuisine thoughtfully prepared by the vessel’s chef(s). Dining rooms on ocean-going cruises are often overwhelmingly packed with passengers waiting in line to be seating or for lunch at the buffet. With a smaller vessel and fewer guests onboard, river cruises offer a more relaxing dining experience, as lines for dining are often non-existent.

5. Unique and engaging entertainment
While you aren’t likely to encounter over-the-top production song-and-dance revues or late night discotheques that you may be accustomed to on larger ships, you will often discover a blend of unique entertainment to engage your mind. Often featured are performances by local musicians, engaging lectures on the culture and history of the region(s), and special events such as wine tasting and cooking demonstrations
.
6. All-inclusive experience
Overall, river cruises are one of the most all-inclusive cruise experiences that one can enjoy. Generally, river cruises include all onboard meals including wine and beer with dinner; complimentary soft drinks, water, coffee and tea throughout your voyage; guided shore excursions in each port and even bicycles for the freedom of exploring on your own. The focus and feeling on a riverboat cruise is different and unique, leaving guests with new travel experiences, and often, new friendships that one is sure to never forget.

9/20/2016 by American Queen

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5 Money-Saving Smart Phone #Apps for Your Summer Travel

2/16/2019

As you get ready to embark on your own summer vacation, here’s a quick list of smartphone apps that can help you get organized, find great deals, and save you money along the way.

Waze – Whether your trip involves a lot of road travel, or you just want to find a faster way to get to places in your own city, consider Waze. Recently purchased by Google, it uses social media input to give real-time updates on traffic situations. So, for example, if there’s a game downtown in the city you’re visiting, as you’re trying to navigate that same area to get to a restaurant, Waze will let you know where the jams are so you can avoid the tangle and the time (and fuel) wasted waiting for game-goers.
GasBuddy – GasBuddy is another app that takes advantage of the constant updates and interaction of crowdsourcing. People input gas prices and keep an eye out for low prices, so users can quickly and easily search for gas stations nearby and compare prices to ensure the best deal in their area.
TripIt Travel planner - This is a great tool to use in partnership with your travel agent! Reservations, tickets, events, meetings, personal gathering with friends or family — you can basically have all the important details of your trip at your fingertips, all in one convenient place. You know all those confirmation emails that you get from hotels, airlines, car rental services and the like — the ones you frantically search for in your Inbox the night before you leave on a vacation? Your travel agent can simply send all these emails along to [email protected], which will then magically generate a digital itinerary that you can refer to on your mobile device. It also provides weather info and maps of your destinations. You can add multiple trips to TripIt if you're a frequent traveler, or just use it for a single vacation. TripIt was awarded Best Travel Mobile App for 2011 at the Webby Awards. All the services described above are free, or you can upgrade to a paid version for even more cushy service and alerts.
Around Me — Ever find yourself in an unfamiliar city, and you just want a decent cup of coffee or a place to buy an extra toothbrush? This application tells you all the points of interest that are located near you. It detects your current location, and lets you select from categories like bars, cafés, hospitals, pharmacies, and hotels to filter though the results.
Road Trippers — This is a fun travel tool made for the iPhone as an app, but that is also available via mobile web so you can use it with Android, Blackberry, and other smartphone platforms. Here’s how it works: you type in your starting and destination points and it tells you distance, time and estimated gas costs. This is great for day trips — think of a great tour of Napa while staying in San Francisco (or vice versa!). While the distance-finding feature in itself isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, RoadTrippers goes one better and tells you about all of the attractions worth seeing along the way, from the obvious to the wonderfully ridiculous.

There are tons of apps to explore, of course, and this is just a glimpse — but these should add some fun and help you plan and save a few dollars. Once we’ve worked together to plan your awesome summer vacation, give these apps a try and let me know how it goes!

For More Money Saving Tips

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The Most Common Senior #Travel #Scams- and How to Outsmart the Scammers

2/16/2019

We all want to get the most bang for our buck when planning our vacations, and we all want to find great deals while we’re traveling. It’s wise to keep an eye out for potential savings or good deals on unique items when we’re exploring other states, cultures, and countries.

The problem, of course, is that scammers know we’re looking, and they’re looking for us, hoping that we’ll fall for whatever they’ve cooked up. For a variety of reasons, senior citizens are often the target of these attempted scams, in large part because seniors who are traveling often have the financial resources that criminals are looking to tap into. In addition, seniors are often motivated by a desire to treat family members — especially grandkids! — to fun trips and experiences, which can make them an easier emotional target for scammers offering family vacations to warm locales or family-friendly destinations like Disney World.

Here are five of the most common scams aimed at seniors — and some easy tips to help you or someone you love avoid becoming the next victim.

IN THE MAIL
You come home from running errands and grab the mail. In the stack, you see a postcard or “official” looking envelope declaring that you’ve won a luxurious trip to a fun and exotic location.

Why it’s a scam: Often these scams use vague language by offering free airfare, but give no real, concrete information about the trip — and here’s the catch — or the many, many fees you will be required to pay that can often add up to thousands of dollars. In addition, these “free trip” solicitations are often lead-ins to lengthy sales pushes on time-share investments, which the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) also recommends steering clear of.

How to avoid becoming a victim: If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Jennifer Karchmer, a staff writer for CNNMoney, says, “Before you pay for any travel package, get all the details in writing, including the total cost and refund policy.” If a company isn’t willing to do this, head for the hills and don’t look back.

OnLine
In this scenario, you receive an intriguing email that invites you to visit a website. On the site page, you’ll be invited to fill out a form in order to be entered for a chance to win a free vacation to a popular destination like Florida, the Caribbean, or Mexico.

Why it’s a scam. Magically, when you fill out the form, you will then receive an email congratulating you on being a winner — and prompting you to call an 800 number, at which point you will be asked to give your credit card number to “hold your spot” and claim your prize. You will likely never hear from this company again after that phone call.

How to avoid becoming a victim: Never, never, never give your credit card information over the phone unless you know the company you are dealing with (like your bank, or a company that you make purchases from often and know their track record).

Over The Phone/Tele Scammers
Your phone rings (usually during dinner) and you are enthusiastically informed that you’ve won a free cruise or trip. Like the promotional postcard or mailer, the language they use will be intriguing but extremely vague — words like luxury, exotic, five-star, once-in-a-lifetime — and the pressure will be strong to make a decision immediately.

Why it’s a scam: Reputable travel agents do not need to use such heavy-handed tactics. They will gladly outline any details you ask for — timing of the trip, any associated fees, allowances, total costs, restrictions, and refund policies. They’ll take the time to walk you through everything. They will not ask for credit card info over the phone on a first call, if ever.

How to avoid becoming a victim: Above all, listen to your gut. If something seems fishy, pay attention to that and confidently say, “No.” Karchmer’s advice: “Request that your phone number be added to their ‘do not call’ list and get off the phone as quickly as possible.”

The Better Business Bureau (which allows you to check the reputation of any real business) offers these five simple Scam Red Flags:

Salespersons who use high-pressure tactics, like demanding your credit card number before explaining all the conditions of an offer.
Postcard or fax promotional mailings that require you to pay a fee or to purchase membership in a travel club, in order to claim a vacation or travel prize.
Low rates on air travel requiring you to purchase an additional ticket for a companion.
Offers by companies attempting to subvert U.S. postal authorities by requiring a messenger or courier to deliver the travel package to you in exchange for your payment.
Companies that require you to wait at least 60 days before taking your trip.

In any of these situations, it is perfectly acceptable for you to flatly refuse and exit the conversation immediately. It’s your money, and your time: you get to choose to spend them wisely. Stick with agents and companies whose reputations you trust, and make the most out of every trip you take!

Set up a travel planning appointment today. calendly.com/judypeterson1travelpros

2018 John Beargrease Dog Sled Race Was Exhilarating

2/4/2019

Gliding amongst the pine like a gentle whisper, emerges a force beyond compare. A team of dogs and their musher, gently sailing over the glistening snow. Peace, solitude, invigorating energy as they move in unison towards their goal, the finish line.

It was a balmy ten degrees, early on the morning of January 28th, as the dogs and their mushers began to show up eight miles west of Two Harbors, Minnesota, the starting point of the 2018 John Beargrease sled dog race. Shortly after the teams began to arrive, the spectators began their arrival in mass, in order to meet the mushers and the furry athletes.

A list if this year’s mushers can be found by visiting: https://beargrease.com/meet-the-mushers/

Highway 2 was lined up with cars for at least a mile in either direction. People were walking or taking the shuttle bus down to the starting point. It is very cool to see all the people who show up in order to support the racers. They definitely deserve the attention. I am not sure people understand how much work goes into a sled dog team. Besides countless hours of training and feedings,
there is also the financial burden of veterinary bills, food, equipment, travel expenses and housing, and most importantly the emotional investment that goes into each and every lovable dog.

One might wonder why they do it with such a large investment.
While, I have never formally interviewed any of the mushers on this subject, I have gleaned bits of information from them here and there and have formed a speculation on why. They love it, and so do the dogs. And if you don’t believe me, just show up at the beginning of a run and watch the dogs. They are so excited to get going they use heavy off-road vehicles at the start of the race to help control the dogs so they just don’t take off down the trail.

I have been dog sledding twice and I loved it both times.
It is so exhilarating, balancing on the skis of the sled, silently flying over the snow, your body ebbing and flowing with the twists and turns of the trail, feeling the energy of the dogs. It just seems so amazing that they can pull you and a sled across the miles so effortlessly and with such enthusiasm. Believe it or not you can reach speeds of 12 to 18 mph. Quite the rush! I would highly recommend a trip with a qualified musher. There are several top-rated kennels in Minnesota that can accommodate you.

The John Beargrease sled dog race was established in 1980 and is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states.
The course is close to 400 miles long. The course takes the marathoners from Two Harbors, MN, up to Grand Portage, MN and back to Billy’s, just north of Duluth, MN. Along with the marathon mushers there are also mid-distancers and junior racers. You can get a better vision of the scope of the race by checking out the map below. Race officials always put out a complete list of the checkpoints and driving directions to help spectators follow the teams.

Picture From JohnBeargrease.com

Checkpoint driving directions

The race is in honor of John Beargrease, who initially delivered mail by sled dog up the North Shore, helping to establish many of the towns that exist today. You can read a detailed history of his life at: https://beargrease.com/about-john-beargrease/ and or view the education resources at: https://beargrease.com/education-resources/.

An interesting side note, to honor the sled dog’s rich history of carrying the mail, the mushers carry trail mail during the race. You can purchase a commemorative envelope, write a letter, and have it receive a stamped cancellation which reads, “carried by dog sled.” Kind of a neat gift to give that special someone. For further information on purchasing trail mail visit: https://beargrease.com/trail-mail/ .

I would also like to take a moment and thank the over 500 volunteers that help make the race a reality. There are veterinarians, road crossing guards, check point controllers, race assistants and countless others who contribute to the racers success. It is so wonderful that there are such a great group of people willing to sacrifice several days to support the teams.

Developing Great Relationships
I seem to be rambling on about the nuts and bolts of the race, but it’s important I think to know why the race started and who participates. After several years of going up to photograph the race, I have developed some great relationships with other photographers, racers and support staff. Truly each and every person up there is remarkable. I look forward to connecting with people up there that I only see at the race and best of all, it’s like we’ve seen each every day. No lack of things to talk about or awkward silences. It’s my once a year family and I am already looking forward to next year.

Open House
If you have the time, there will be an open house on March 11th from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Duluth aquarium. This is similar to the one held in January. You can see some of the photographs from last years race as well as meet some of the other photographers and a few of the mushers. I’ve even heard a rumor there will be cake.

Final race results from this year’s race can be found at: https://beargrease.com/2018-race-results/

This poor guy got injured on the trail. He doesn't let it slow him down however, he just keeps going.

Thank you for reading this far & Adventure on! More images can be found at: 2018 Beargrease

Author:
Kristy Johnson is a Photographer, Author and Tour Guide.
Since 2012, Kristy has owned and operated Fotonic Images, LLC, which is a full service portrait and real estate studio. She also operates Inspire Photo Tours. Follow her at FotonicImages

Lessons Learned From The Unexpected or Mission Madness

2/3/2019

I've learned a lot of things from my travels. One of them is that things don't always go as planned. The second is that when those unplanned things happen, I learn a lot. On my trip to Tanzania, I had some big surprises. Enjoy what I've learned.

Be Spontaneous
One of the most unusual and very special trips that I’ve experienced, was marrying my husband. No, he’s not the unusual part. It was that our wedding was anything but traditional. We celebrated on the top of a mountain in Tanzania. Originally, we were simply going to elope, but then we had a wacky idea to get married while we were over in Africa.

The Trip Was Enlightening in Many Ways.
There was a vast array of lifestyles and living conditions, from the metropolis of Dar Salam, to the city of Iringa, to the tiny village of Idunda, and even the wide-open wildlife reserve of Ruaha River Camp.
Each place told of heart-wrenching times, dealing with corruption, such as gifts being held back for unaffordable fees, and the accounts of beautiful, kind and giving people, such as hospitals, and organizations providing aid to the sick, well drillers bringing water to the thirsty, educators giving knowledge to the next generation, and more.

Risking Our Lives
The highlight of this trip began, for me, when our group of eighteen packed into three Land Rovers and headed out to this tiny village called Idunda. High-up in the mountains, God, my best friend and I would become a team for life. The roads were treacherous as pointed out by our guide who stated, “Our people in the village are very appreciative, that you traveled so far and are risking your lives to visit them.” At which point, a fellow traveler replied, “Aren’t people in the other vehicles risking their lives as well?”
It amazed me to see the immense amount of goods they transported. Bicycles were loaded down with three to five crates. Carts and trailers, usually pulled by vehicles in my home town, were being pushed up steep hills, by one, two, or sometimes three strong men, of rather small stature. Along our journey, people young and old stood along the roadside. It appeared they had been waiting to greet us. Others set down their baskets, in order to wave.

People Were At Peace in Their Way of Living
As we drove into the village of Idunda a group of petite women appeared over the crest of the hill, balancing five-gallon buckets of water on their heads. Water was scarce on the top of the mountain and had to be carried in daily. There were no toilets, running water, or modern conveniences. However, the villagers seemed at peace in their way of living, cut off from news of the nuclear rights in Iran, and other controversies at that time. They were strong, hardworking, generous people with a great deal of love.

Over 3000 Guests Stood on the Mountain Top
News of “wazungu’s” (white people) spread throughout the area, and our small ceremony grew…and it grew. And on the day of the wedding, we were shocked and amazed to learn that there were over three thousand guests standing on the crest of that mountain top. Not until that very moment, did I realize, the importance of all those goats and chicken that had been gifted. We were overjoyed to find out, a lorry full of rice and beans had been sent to this tiny village, and that everyone had received a meal that day. A man crippled shuffled on his hands to the alter and presented us with his gift. He told us, through an interpreter, “I cannot work the fields. I cannot tend the livestock. I weave to earn my living. I am so honored that you shared your special day with our village, that I made this grass mat for you.” It was very humbling, to get gifts from someone with a greater need than I had for their essential item.

The Night Was Magical
We danced to the beat of the drums and jingling bells. Few words were able to penetrate through the language barriers. However, the smiles, laughter, and gleam in their eyes let me know, this was a special day for everyone!
The trinkets I took from this experience, that I may find useful when writing children’s stories: “It’s not the size of the gift, but the quality of the giving" Also, "Seldom can we prepare for what’s ahead. However, there’s a better chance you’ll learn when things don’t go the way you planned".

Travel is a Great Teacher
There was nothing that would have prepared me, for what I experienced in Africa. It wasn’t an easy, relaxing trip, on the other hand, it was very rewarding. The wonderful people we met along the way, taught me some of life’s most valuable lessons. Travel is one of the greatest teachers!

If you'd like to read more, join me at http://www.leannembenson.com/
Leanne Benson, writer, illustrator, and sculptor. Author of The Lion of Tupungato.

If you need help planning a trip, please contact Judy at https://www.petersontravelpros.com/

Learn to Cruise The World For Free With Your Own Special Events At Sea