ZECO TRAVEL TALK

When we scouted Algeria more than 18 months ago, we knew we would be visiting a land only recently opened to outside travelers. As shore excursions were established, we sought to make the experience as personal as possible for our travelers. We wanted to share with you what amazing things can happen when simple face to face interactions occur between people who often see the world through different eyes. This is the letter we received from our local tour operator in Algeria:

“Thanks to your insistence that your travelers visit both the Koranic School and Great Mosque, along with the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, we managed to draw together the leaders of the two largest religious institutions in Algeria. Father Raphael and the Imam, Cheikh Sid Ahmed Kaila, knew of each other but had never had the occasion to meet, so inevitably there were some misconceptions. We invited them both for dinner (it was quite a job to find a good restaurant that does not serve alcohol—which would have offended the Imam), and they got along remarkably well. The Imam mentioned that he buys delicious Hobz tal-Malti (Maltese Bread) from a local bakery, something Father Raphael loves but was not aware it even existed in Algeria. Well, since then, the Imam has sent Father Raphael several loaves at the Basilica.

So, in the moment when there has been growing religious tension in the country, the Muslim community thought the Rector of the Basilica was causing problems… once these two holy men sat down together and, while breaking bread, discovered the source of their misunderstanding, they began to enjoy each other’s company so much that close to midnight we had to remind them that other groups of travelers were arriving early in the morning. You can imagine how relieved we were to have this encounter turn out so well… we were terribly worried that their meeting could have been a PR disaster, but in fact it was a great success. If there was wine on the table, you can be sure we would have toasted you. Thank you for bringing our two worlds together and allowing us to give cruise passengers an insight to Islam—a religion that is often misunderstood and misreported by the media. Enjoy the photo of that special evening.”

Last fall, one of our wonderful and generous long-time travelers, who wishes to remain anonymous, came to us with the opportunity to jointly offer a Zegrahm Travel Scholarship. Its purpose was to fund a trip for a worthy teacher or educator who could apply what they learned to helping young people better understand our world. To find this recipient, we sent out an e-mail announcement to our past-traveled clients seeking nominations for the scholarship award.

Needless to say, we received many terrific nominations and thoughtful letters which we turned over to the donor for the final selection. It was clear to this person right away who would receive the scholarship: Patti Richter, from Conway, Washington, a 4th grade teacher at Conway Elementary School. Her nomination came from a Zegrahm traveler—the parent of two students at Patti’s school.

The detailed and heartfelt letters from Patti’s students demonstrated the love and respect they feel for her—as a teacher and as a person. They wrote: “She is the nicest teacher in the world…” And, “She is welcoming new people to another world of excitement…” And “She is very very very smart…” And, “She will be the happiest person that she will ever be…” And, “She deserves to have the time of her life…” And, “When she walks in she always puts a Big Smile on your face…” And, “You should pick her!” Read more

You may have seen J. Henderson knitting sweaters during Zegrahm Expedition trips. She introduced me to the Knit for Kids project on a voyage in 1998/99. Many of you have asked about the project and for information on to how to become involved.

If you go to the website www.knitforkids.org you will find the directions for the sweater. There is one standard sweater that the groups request and they ask that you only use their patterns so the sweaters are all the same when they arrive in a village.

On the map and in the photo album you can see where sweaters have been sent around the world and in the United States. Sweaters are sent in large boxes with a variety of sizes so there is something for everyone. Kids like bright colors. White is not recommended because in some countries white is a funeral color; in certain countries the sweaters will be washed on rocks in a stream.

Sweaters can also be crocheted. In the most recent Knit for Kids newsletter update, Ohio prisoners have learned to crochet and are shown with the sweaters they have made.

As of this date, Ms. Henderson is finishing up sweater #88!

D. Traver

A world-renowned colorectal surgeon and an Aleut living across the Bering Sea in the Commander Islands – these men have never met and yet they share a common interest. Any guesses?

When Russia first opened the Kamchatka area to visitors in the last decade of the 20th century, Zegrahm Expeditions was among the very first to explore the Russian Far East. Imagine what the natural wonders of Alaska were like before the U.S purchase of the territory and you can imagine what lies in store for the visitor to Kamchatka: terrific numbers of Steller’s sea eagles, brown bear, walrus, Steller’s sea lions, otters, northern fur seals, and a plethora of avian and botanical species. The geology is equally amazing. The Kuril-Kamchatka island-arc includes some 68 active volcanoes in its 2,000-km length, of which 29 are on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Read more