Inspired by Travel

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

When I visited Thailand 11 years ago, I was completely moved at how friendly and hospitable the people were, although we could not communicate much. I was also surprised at the conditions the people in the countryside were living in , no running water, not even a toilet in the house. Immediately upon my return, I looked into aid programs, and soon signed up to sponsor a child in that country. I sponsored a girl, who and we exchanged many letters until she grew up and started working, and I am presently sponsoring her brother. The system is good in that it helps the whole village community as well- offers assistance on farming, education & the building of new schools, and most importantly now in Southeast Asia, AIDS awareness. The program I joined is called "Foster Plan" and I have been a sponsor parent for 11 years. I hope more people will be inspired by their travels- inspired enough to even act locally!

squirrel · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 74 Location: Bucharest, Romania

You should come to Romania first and then talk about friendly people... :)

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

I had a somewhat related experience...we were visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia and started hearing about how programs to distribute special mosquito netting had made a huge impact in reducing the number of malaria cases in the region. We researched it when we got home, and donated some money to a group that buys the nets at cost and then gives them out free to people in villages in the area. There are so many good opportunities like this and the child sponsorship programs to help people in the areas you visit.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

squirrel wrote: You should come to Romania first and then talk about friendly people... :)

I would LOVE to!

squirrel · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 74 Location: Bucharest, Romania

why don't you then?! :lol: :lol:

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

squirrel wrote: why don't you then?! :lol: :lol:

Would you be willing to take time off dancing to show me around your beautiful land? I'd be there in a flash!!!!!! I've gotta see what's on for the rest of this year- I'm planning an excursion to Vietnam in a couple months and then plan to hang out in El Salvador or somewhere around there, later on. Just got back from 2 weeks in London but would LOVE to go to Europe again this year!

squirrel · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 74 Location: Bucharest, Romania

It's not the dancing that's a problem... it's the job... :(. But if you come we can arrange something, as I have lots of friends who don't have my hectic schedule... :) or I might take a couple of days off...

tj · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Parsippany, NJ

And I think Pacion posted a topic on an airfare sale, too...(although I think it's just US to Europe.)

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

tj wrote: And I think Pacion posted a topic on an airfare sale, too...(although I think it's just US to Europe.)

Not many of us use on-line ticket agencies to book flights from Japan as the ticket brokers usually offer better fares. An average, low-season non-stop fare to Europe runs a little under $900. If you fly to the more frequented places(hubs like London) and chuck in a stopover somewhere along the line, you can find fares for as little as $500! I'm in Asia, so we get discounts galore on short flights to Korea, China, Hong Kong and many SE Asain destinations! Things are competitive which keeps the prices down!