What is “People to People”?

People to People International dates back more than half a century to its founding by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Eisenhower was acting on his firm belief that direct interaction between ordinary citizens around the world can promote cultural understanding and world peace. That proud legacy of hope lives on in People to People Ambassador Programs on seven continents.

“I have long believed, as have many before me, that peaceful relations between nations require mutual respect between individuals,” said President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He put the ideal behind these words into practice when he founded People to People in 1956. Since that time, People to People has benefited from an extraordinary legacy of White House support. Eight U.S. Presidents have served as the honorary chairman of People to People International.

As President John F. Kennedy so eloquently said, “The nature of People to People activities is as varied as the individuals involved. The housewife whose recipe contains the yeast of kindness, the soldier whose arms embrace homeless waifs, the doctor who heals with humility, all assert a single theme—the power of people, acting as individuals, to respond imaginatively to the world’s need for peace.”

People to People continues its mission to provide imaginative responses to the world’s need for peace. And it continues to enjoy presidential support as it does so.

We love being a part of the People to People family, with my daughter being an alumni.  They are so professional that I don’t have to worry about her when she travels with them, everything is taken care of.

South Africa 2010

I would like to take my daughter to South Africa in 2010, not only to attend a couple of the matches but more importantly to see South Africa.  I contacted my travel agent and she sent me some sample itineraries, wow, they were expensive. But what was I expecting.  So the package that I would probably go with includes:

• Airfare (LAX to JHB)
• 3 nights of hotel accomodation
• Tickets to 2 World Cup Matches
• Full Breakfast everyday
• Access to FIFA Match Day Transportation System
• Travel & Concierge Serives
• All taxes and service charges

For 2 people the total is $6,860.00.  Then I would add on a 2 day excursion to Victoria Falls on the Zambia side for another $ 5,930.00.  The only thing is that I would extend my stay but another 7 days and stay with friends and family.  So the total of those two packages is $12,790.00.  Hopefully I can find something cheaper.

Itinerary ~ Peru & Chile

Lima, Peru

• Explore Lima Cathedral, whose priceless relics include the remains of explorer Francisco Pizarro.
• Talk with the curator about the 3,000 years of pre-Spanish history preserved at the Larco Herrera Museum.
• Experience the grand Saint Francis Monastery, including the colorful interpretation of the Last Supper painted in 1697.

Machu Picchu, Peru

• Enjoy the first glimpses of Machu Picchu from your Vistadome train car.
• Wander the ruins of Machu Picchu and wonder about its still-mysterious history.

Urubamba Sacred Valley and Cusco, Peru

• Explore this oldest remaining city in the Americas.
• Examine the past in the high ghost town of Maras, where pre-Incan relics are still being uncovered.
• Discover the capabilities of the Incas at Moray, where precise terraces still display their careful agricultural research.
• Ponder the construction of the Sacsayhuaman fortress, where some of the stones weigh 100 tons.
• Experience the village of Chinchero, where life continues much as it did in the days of the Incas.

Puno and Lake Titicaca, Peru

• Visit the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” in the nearby town of Andahuaylillas.
• Size up the impressive construction of Raqchi, a temple complex for an Andean god.
• Discover the manmade Uros Islands, where the Uros tribe sought refuge from the Incas—and still live today.
• Sail this enormous lake at the top of the world, then eat dinner aboard a steamship imported from Scotland in the 1890s.
• Learn about ancient burial customs at the Sillustani Tombs, where people were laid to rest back in the “womb” of Mother Earth.
• Observe traditional ways of life—watching residents grow their own food and weave their own cloth—at a working mountain farm.
• Explore the colorful culture maintained on Taquile Island.

Santiago, Chile

• Spend time getting to know Chilean students at the America School.
• Hike the lovely La Campana National Park for insight into the local wildlife and the environmental studies conducted within this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
• Shop for some of Chile’s finest pottery in the village of Pomaire.
• Meet with instructors and students in the children’s dance academy of the Folkloric Ballet of Chile (Bafochi).
• Choose your own adventure, exploring the rainforest by horseback, hiking, or four-wheel drive.
• Experience some of Chile’s most stunning scenery in Maipo Canyon—and keep your eyes peeled for an Andean condor.

Valparaiso, Chile

• Enjoy the sights and sounds of this historic seaport city.
• Serve alongside volunteers at Belen Educa Foundation, which works to ensure that even the poorest children receive an education.
• Stroll the grounds of the Botanical Garden at Viña del Mar.

Peru & Chile

My daughter has been invited as an alumni of People to People, to travel to Peru & Chile this summer.  She traveled in 2007 to 6 different countries in Europe with People to People and therefore she is considered an alumni and is eligible to travel on the alumni trips.  She was also invited to travel to France, Italy & Greece this summer, also with People to People.  I would love to send her on both but financially swinging just one of these trips is going to be a major challenge.  The trips are $7,000.00 and I really want to send her, so we are going to have to get creative.  I am encouraging her to go on the Peru & Chile trip because she has already been to Europe and I think that adding another continent would be great.  Anyway, I have decided to dedicate this blog to getting her to South America and secondly to getting the two of us to South Africa in 2010 for The World Cup (more on that later).

Let it Rain, Let it Rain…

So it has been raining in SoCal for many days straight.  Although we need the rain, I doubt we need it all in a couple of days.  But that is the way it works.  The snow level is very low and therefore good for the mountain resort communities.  Thinking of visiting SoCal soon? Well check out these great ski locations:

Mt. Baldy ~ great skiing at a convienent location.  They have 26 runs, spanning 3 mountains and over 500 acres.  Check out their snow report here.

Bear Mountain ~ Big Bear.  A little further away but worth the drive. 12 lifts everything from beginner to advanced.  Check out their snow report here.

Snow Summit ~ Big Bear.  14 lifts for an awesome full or half-day experience.  Check out their snow report here.

Snow Valley ~ Running Springs. 12 Lifts just a little closer than Big Bear, but all the fun.  Check out their snow report here.

These are just a couple of the great skiing resorts in SoCal, check them out, you won’t be disappointed.

2 for 1 anyone?

South African Airways is running a 2 for 1 special from New York or Washington D.C. to Johannesburg or Cape Town South Africa, Dakar, Senegal or Winhoek, Namibia.  What a deal! With favorable exchange rates for Americans, this makes for a fabulous vacation.  Things to do and see:

Johannesburg (Joburg to the locals) is currently working hard to prepare for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as they are the host city

“It is the center of economic and cultural life in South Africa, where people work hard and play hard.” (www.joburg.org) The top attractions: Constitution Hill, Soweto, The Aparthied Museum and so many more.

Cape Town (located on the West Coast of Africa) is a favorite vacation destinations for locals and world travelers.  Boasting the best views of the city from Table Mountain.

There are so many things to do and see or if you are looking to relax, the beaches are beautiful.  Here is a list of 101 things not to miss while in Cape Town.

Namibia, located in Southwest Africa, borders Angola, Botswana, and South Africa.  There is everything from dune and sandboarding to  quadbiking, game tracking and skydiving.  They have it all.

Daydreaming….

Although I have been back to Africa several times since moving away, I still dream of going back.  There is something about Africa that once you have had a taste, it is not enough.  I dream of going back and doing many things, but none more than going on safari!  So I often look online at the options available to me as far as safari’s go and I think that I would go with this company! So, I think it is time to stop dreaming and start booking!!!

Floating in Paradise!

Or should I say living on the edge.  This photo is from here, along with an article about swimming in a rock pool, called Devil’s Pool, located at the top of Victoria Falls in Africa.  The falls are situated between Zambia and Zimbabwe.  Although I have visited the falls many times (from the Zimbabwe side) and even whitewater rafted down the Zambezi, I have never taken a dip in Devil’s Pool.  I actually feel quite cheated now.  I will have to go back and do that. At the time of my visits I did not know the pool existed.  It is easy for me to say I would have taken a dip in it as I sit here safe and sound in front of my computer, but I would love the chance.  I have stood at the edge of those falls and I have marvelled at the pure granduer.  I am sure it would be even more awesome from the edge of Devil’s Pool!

What is that saying, “If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much room!” Well these people are definitely not taking up too much room!

Here is where I would rather be!

I love where I live, in beautiful sunny Southern California, but I must say that I would actually love to be one of those people with no permanent address that travels around the world.  Just like The Professional Hobo. Oh, my dream. I should not complain, as I have been fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling, far more than many people I know.  And, I am not done yet.  There is still more travel left in me.  Here are some of the places that I have been lucky enough to have visited or lived:

In the U.S.

• Obviously all over California
• Las Vegas, NV
• San Antonio, TX (love it there!)
• Orlando, FL (although never been to Disneyworld!)
• Savannah, Georgia (want to go back)
• Charleston, SC (shout out to my Aunt & Uncle there)
• Norfolk, VA
• Washington D.C.
• New York, NY
• St. Joseph, MI (shout out to my sister who is freezing)

Outside of the U.S.

• Harare, Zimbabwe
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Paris, France
• London, England
• Mexico City, Mexico

There are so many places still to go and see! That list is long!

Wishing I was a vagabond,