Hey, everyone!  I would like to introduce you to an exciting new format in my blog!  From time to time, I’ll be doing written interviews, asking various people questions on all kinds of fun topics! I am fortunate to know a lot of kind, interesting, and compelling people.  I realized I can’t keep them all to myself…I would like to share them and their stories with all of you, my readers.  So, look out, you may be next on my list! 

I’m very excited to announce that my very first written interview is with my Aunt Mandy, a sister-in-law of my Dad.  Aunt Mandy is a very interesting and fascinating person!  She is very upbeat and enjoys life to the fullest.  She enjoys travel as much as I do, and has traveled all over the world.  I thought hearing about her adventures would be the perfect way to kick off my interviews!  She has been very encouraging and supportive of my blog! In fact, she wrote me a very lovely letter telling me that I should get my story out there, before she even knew I was planning to do this blog!  Through my blog we’ve gotten closer than ever, which overjoys and thrills me! 

Let’s get started, shall we!

I know you have been fortunate to travel quite a bit in your lifetime, can you tell us about a memorable experience?

Yes, my husband- your Uncle Art- and I have traveled to many different world countries. I am honored that you asked me to write a blog about our travels. I admire that you like to travel. Art and I traveled Brazil through his business ventures.  When I was along, the secretaries planned the following trips: 

Bird watching in the Pantanal. We had a guide who was very social and lost track of time, to the point that we saw our plane take off without us. We spent the night in a hotel bedroom the size of a broom closet without windows. The city where we spent the night was an enormous Brazilian city with many universities and lots to see – a gift. We forgave her as she had navigated the roads that were beginning to be covered with water as it was the beginning of the rainy season. She was an unemployed veterinarian as people in her area were too poor to bring their animals and birds to her. She knew her birds and was a good guide. She could make more money in tourism. We kept in touch.

We went on an ecotourism tour in Brazil in the area of the Anaconda River named after the snake (because they lived in the river, so we were told.) We snorkeled for miles down the curvy river and saw many beautiful tropical fish. Farmers’ fields met this river, and they were advised that their fertilizers were harming this pristine river.

Art’s business colleague grew up on his family’s ranch overlooking Rio. It was taken by the government for no reason. We are lucky this does not happen in America.

Our son, Art, joined the Peace Corps after graduating from college. We visited him in his village, Dwama Awali, in the sub Saharan desert in Senegal, Africa. We stayed in his mud brick dwelling – 2 rooms. When Art and I arrived by jeep we were met by the female villagers of all ages. The men were working in the fields. The ladies sang and a grandmother did a full circle jump in the air and landed on her feet. They grabbed Art’s duffel bag and left me to follow carrying my duffel bag. I would spend time with the ladies who sat pounding the millet. This became one of the rhythms of the village. They tried to braid my thin Anglo Saxon hair in a million braids. It was too fine and we laughed. They loved to laugh. All the village kids would dance to the rhythms I made by cupping my hands together and making a pop noise. The villagers prayed many times a day drawing a mosque in the sand and then prostrating themselves in prayer facing Mecca. They were Muslims, and very kind, aristocratic tall black people. Many of the young men would go to Paris to box and send the money home, as the village was poor.

We went to Germany on business and were in the little town of Hamlin, after the Pied Piper of Hamlin. The Berlin Wall went through this town. Soldiers with guns were at the ready manning the gun towers, can you imagine that in America? 

We went to Ukraine on our way back from a business trip.  In Kiev, there was a famous Cathedral built to spread early Christianity. Here it was Eastern Orthodoxy. The country was very poor. We saw the national baklava musician play his instrument on the streets where people would toss coins into his instrument case.

I could go on and on, but there you have it – a sample of our memorable travels. You said to write about only one favorite memory, but that’s like asking me the name of my favorite child.

Do you have a least favorite trip?

I liked all our trips and have no least favorite as I was lucky to go.

Do you have any advice for wanna-be world travelers?

My words of advice are, travelling is hard work, no complaining allowed, and the rewards are many as Cate has mentioned.

Is it true, in your opinion, that there’s no place like home?

Yes Cate, there is no place like home, always good to get home to relax on familiar ground with family. I agree with you.

What is the total count of countries you have visited?

I don’t count the countries I have been to, but I can remember them all.

Thank you so much for sharing with us and inspiring us to keep traveling and experiencing new things!