Space Goddess

I wanted to write something about hunger, AIDS and the innocent children of the world—easy for me to do! After all, I just finished eating a selection of lightly-steamed veggies with salsa. Sure, I can pontificate about hunger! I don’t want to talk about hunger, I want to do something to change it. I don’t want to talk about ending AIDS, Malaria, or a disease yet to be named, I want to do something. So, the purpose of blogging about this today? Maybe, just maybe, you’ll join me on the journey to look at the world’s population as brothers and sisters. Perhaps we can leave the safety of our little corner of the world and venture out to see how the majority of people live.

I am not advocating vacationing only in third world countries (although some of my best experiences came from those so-labeled destinations). I am encouraging you to set aside your usual views and adopt the eyes of a child–full of wonder, full of awe, full of curiosity, with an absence of bias.

 When I was 10 years old my parents took me on a cruise (definitely not in the “hunger and impoverished category”). We went to Guadaloupe for a day and I was fascinated. For starters, I could practice my French (How about “J’ai un chien–I have a dog”–talk about being a multi-lingual diva!). I looked forward to spending a day on the beach, swimming, sunning, and attempting to reach China one shovelful of sand at a time. As we left the port area, I saw some cardboard boxes– well not exactly boxes–more like pieces of cardboard laced together covering walls made of corrugated tin. Was this someone’s playhouse? Maybe it was meant to be a kind of tree house but the creator didn’t have a tree so he just put it by the road? Wouldn’t it be fun to have a little toy house like this one? Daddy, can I? This was not a toy, I was told; this was a home for a family–a place where a mom and dad and lots and lots of kids and grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles lived—day in and day out. This was not a toy. It was “Home Sweet Home”.

I share this with you because almost 50 years ago I saw this home and, not knowing it at the time, that vision planted a seed that grew into my passion to experience the world and to meet my many brothers and sisters wherever I go. I wish I could say that experience caused me to abandon my “I want this…mommy, buy me…” syndrome—it did not. I was not about to give up my toy electric stove and my Betsy Wetsy—no way! However, my world grew bigger, my perspective shifted.

It’s been years since my first memory of how the rest of the world lives and I have seen a myriad of housing types that stretch the gamut from the flush (try the palaces in St. Petersburg, Russia) to abject poverty (slums of South Africa and Kenya). Children near Borabudur in Indonesia (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur) were begging for me to buy something or to just give them some coins. Our tour guide warned us against encouraging this “annoying” behavior, that we needed to look down and keep our hands and our money in our pockets. I’m ashamed to admit I followed the “rules”–that is, until I finally gave in and bought a huge paper fan, maybe three feet long. I thought I drove a hard bargain and paid only $10 USD for this treasure. Later, I learned I had overpaid by about $9 USD, but had I really overpaid? Yes, I did cause a small swarm of children to plaster themselves against our bus hoping for another “sucker” (our viewpoint, not theirs!). Was I a sucker or was I just doing something to help the hungry, the poor? Wouldn’t I do that for my brother or sister at home? Then why wouldn’t I do it in Indonesia?

I carried that unwieldy fan all the way home (would I make it through security today with that fan?). I proudly displayed the fan above my credenza at our office. I told many people the story of the fan. Maybe someday I can just do something kind without the chest-thumping? I hope so.

So, what am I DOING today to help the world’s children who are prey to poverty and disease? Right now, I’m writing in the hopes that you will be touched to stop along your journey, reach out, give a smile, even a hug. Twice, on visits to Kenya, I’ve made time to go to Makuru, a sprawling slum outside of Nairobi. I played, I sang, I laughed, I hugged and I left with my heart tugging me to stay. (www.americashare.org) I’ve visited an orphanage for children whose parents have died of AIDS and who were also infected with HIV. Once again, I played, I sang, I laughed, I hugged and I left with my heart tugging me to stay.  And want to know something? As heart-breaking as that type of experience can be, I’ve noticed I felt uplifted, full of hope. These children imbued me with their joy, their faith and their innocence.

I don’t have the wealth of some very prominent people who’ve made the headlines with their generosity and help for the suffering children. All I have is the opportunity to travel and the time to stop, to smile and to hug. I can’t change the world—I can change how I relate to it. Won’t you join me?

Those of you who live in Upstate New York have kept a secret from the rest of us, but the word is getting out! Wegmans, a mixture of Whole Foods meets Dean & Deluca on steroids, is definitely neater than sliced bread! It boasts an amazing assortment of food, not as fussy as Harrod’s Food Hall, but equally impressive in its own way! As Wegmans has opened stores in the Northeast, people have the wonderful option to experience fine food presented in a breath-taking array.

 Last year we came to Baltimore for our son’s high school basketball tournament. Baltimore has several good places to dine (check out Blue Sea Grill) and I truly didn’t imagine I’d be recommending a grocery store for fine dining, BUT–we stumbled upon this treasure when, after a disappointing loss, we needed to soothe our pain with some Ben & Jerry’s. I am not a domestic diva nor do I routinely rave on and on about grocery stores, so believe me when I tell you that going to Wegmans is an unbelievable sensory experience! A few days ago we returned to Baltimore for this year’s tournament. We chose to stay in a Marriott that is across the street from Wegmans! I was a little nervous walking into the store—what if my memories were larger than the reality? What if Wegmans was just a “legend in my mind?” Not to fear! The past few days in Baltimore, which included daily stops at Wegmans, confirmed that this is truly an extraordinary experience!

This week I’ve tried Maryland soft-shelled crab sushi, Cracked Pepper coated ahi sashimi, Caesar salad (with just a hint of anchovy in the dressing), orange cranberry scones, an onion bialy, “doughnut shop” blend coffee, and Wegmans house brand Creme Brulee ice cream (yes, the boys suffered another ugly loss!).

 When I was a child and watched “Peter Pan” on TV, we were told that if we clapped real hard, Tinkerbell would live. Maybe, if I clap real hard, Wegmans will open in Kansas City??? Ya think?

Okay, I think I’m safe! It’s 10:18 PM and I had a wonderful dinner thanks to Michael’s wonderful cooking. I’m pleasantly full and feel almost sure I can venture into the realm of great restaurants without the urge to raid the refrigerator or binge on cookies!

At Great Getaways we’ve been collecting names of restaurants we’ve enjoyed when we we’re globe-trotting ( or just neighborhood skipping, for that matter!). I would love to create a list of all of our favorite finds—known or off-the-beaten path; however, I need your help! Please email me (barbara@greatgetaways.travel) or post a reply on the blog of what restaurants are your top faves.

I’ll start:

Trattoria 4 Leoni, Piafzza della Passera – Via dei Vellutini, Florence, Italy www.4leoni.com. A great casual dining experience a few blocks from Palazzo Magnani Feroni, a few minutes walk from the famous Ponte Vecchio. Great food and off the tourist route. Frequented by locals (so I’m told and so it seemed). Our dessert was most impressive—a flaky pastry that was decorated with our names written in script in delicious, edible chocolate! Be forewarned–this was not a regular menu item. Our host had called ahead to set up this surprise. What a pleasure it was to eat my words!

Last night our son, Josh, played his final Home game of his high school basketball career. Next year, he’ll attend U. of Arizona and will root for the Wildcats. Speaking of wildcats, last night I reflected on how time has flown (do I sound old or what?)! 8 years ago we took Josh to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana (January, 1999). As Josh jumped down from the Land Rover upon returning from our first day’s game viewing at Mala Mala, he announced he might become a gametracker or a ranger—maybe a safari guide. I loved the idea and, with my great powers of projection, in seconds I envisioned our son, aka Indiana Jones, fearlessly thrashing through the bush! He was escorting a group of intrepid travelers whose trip was planned (you guessed it) by me! After basking in the glow of my new-found international success, I returned to planet Earth, to the beautiful setting of Mala Mala, hugged my son, and silently prayed, “Some day, Josh, some day—may you follow your passion; may every day be a time of exploration and discovery. May your life be blessed with many moments of awe!” And, Josh, as Dad and I drove home from the Senior Night basketball game, I repeated that prayer…May this journey we call life be filled with awe!

 It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s me on a “Moon Walk” at the Astronaut Hall of Fame! I don’t do roller coasters! To me, the Teacup Ride at Disneyland (last taken decades ago!) was scary! Yet, there I was in line, eagerly awaiting a chance to “Walk on the Moon!” I even was a meanie and wouldn’t let an adorable kid with the biggest, saddest eyes cut in front of me! No way! I am gearing up for space and I have enough  faith in the safety of all of Richard Branson’s airlines, trains, etc. that I hope someday to become an astronaut myself! Michael, my husband, was stunned. “You did what? You aren’t into “extreme sports” or hard adventure! You, Barbara, the person who defines adventure travel as staying at a Holiday Inn with a black and white TV (yes, youngsters we actually had to imagine color!) and no pool?” He realized at that moment that I was “hooked” on space, specifically on Virgin Galactic!

 I’ll save my TRUE PASSION FOR SOFT ADVENTURES (”soft” being defined as having a hot shower, good meal and a bed above ground level!) for another post.

This morning I was reviewing some information about Virgin Galactic and space tourism in general to prepare for a TV interview. Wow! Am I really doing this? Sitting here boning up on traveling in Space? My father was a “firster”—first to have a TV, a Thunderbird, a picture window that would virtually disappear to allow fresh air to flow through our home—what would he say today? I’m not sure what his words would be, but I know what action he would take—he would have already purchased a seat on Virgin Galactic’s Spaceship 2! We’d be sitting around the dining room table and he would tell us, in very specific detail, all about the upcoming voyage. He might even pass around his Ipod loaded with the latest animation of a flight with Virgin Galactic. Yep–that’s what my dad would do…amazing! And now, I, his youngest, have the chance to help other firsters—cool!

Okay, I really wanted a blog and now I’m terrified because I have one! This is virgin territory for me—which leads me to explain the name of my blog, Space Goddess and Other Worldly Pursuits: Recently, I’ve been selected by Virgin Galactic, one of Sir Richard Branson’s companies, to become an ASA, Accredited Space Agent. After completing my training at the Kennedy Space Center last week, I can now officially help you experience a journey into space! Members of Virgin Galactic’s team sported shirts that read, “Space is Virgin territory!” Well, blogging is new to me and, to be perfectly honest, I’m more comfortable reserving you a seat on Virgin Galactic’s Space Ship 2! So, please be patient and bear with me while I learn and grow!

Some of the things I hope to include on my blog: restuarants you’ve discovered in your travels; great shopping opportunities; off-the-beaten track “I need to visit…”; tips and tricks; travel journals; travel photos (which will also be featured on our website www.greatgetaways.travel ( FYI–soon to debut a whole new look and new features!); quotations about travel; and any other category yet to be named!

I’ll start the “Travel Quotations” category with 3 of my fave’s:

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” –St. Augustine

“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” –unknown

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” — Maya Angelou

TTFN–tag, you’re It!