customer Number 842690
Traveler Since: Dec 01, 2005
Trips Taken: GCT:3,OAT:4
My wife recently spoke to one of your representatives who told her
that your company would not do anything to accommodate her after the
horrendous experience she had with Rasha in Egypt. She was advised
that she (my wife) was the cause of the problem, not Rasha. Your
representative stated that my wife was making inappropriate comments
about the management of the company and that 5 of 8 fellow travelers
had high praise for Rasha.
It is interesting to note that your company has emphasized and put a
positive spin on those 5 critiques. One must therefor assume that 3 of
the 8 were not positive. ....37% of the people who responded.
Additionally, 8 of the 16 people on the trip didn’t respond at all.
Hmmm....was there a problem ???? Is it possible that those 8 were too
embarrassed to express their displeasure ???
I have reviewed all of the complaints about Rasha and the Egypt trip
provided to you by my wife. It seemed quite clear to me that
virtually all of my wife’s complaints were reasonable and in no way
inappropriate. It is my understanding that of all the people in the
group, my wife had taken the most trips with your company. She
therefor had more experience with how you operate your trips and what
a traveler could and should expect. Obviously, if she hadn’t taken
those trips she would have little to compare this Egypt trip to. My
wife’s complaints made it quite clear that this trip was not up to
even your standards. Her previous trips with your company would lead
a reasonable person to conclude that she had no problems with the
trips she took with you. That is, until this trip. If you were to
review her previous survey responses you would clearly see that.
So....why was this Egypt portion of this trip different ???
Obviously, my wife created no problems for Mohammed, the Jordan guide
or you would have heard about them. There were no complaints from my
wife at all.....she thoroughly enjoyed Jordan and the guide there. She
obviously had no complaints about her previous trips with your company
or she would not have signed up for this one. Just maybe Rasha had
something to do with my wife’s problems in Egypt. That is, unless my
wife is schizo or bipolar or Mrs. Jekyll or Hyde.....which, I assure
you, she is not.
Most guides make every effort to make the trip comfortable and
meaningful for their group. They are not simply there to guide them
around like cattle without any consideration for the group and their
needs or desires. If you re-read the issues and complaints raised by
my wife, you will see a pattern of callous disregard for the people by
Rasha. No time for breaakfast, no stopping to change shoes or grab a
camera, no time to stop, keep moving or we’ll be late, hurry up and
wait etc etc.. Something as simple as lecturing the group while
pointing and facing away from the group so no one could hear is
another example of her ineptness . Once again....my wife clearly
spells it all out.
If you had advised your customers in advance of the trip that due to
Ramadan certain "shave chosen a time frame that would allow for a more normal
experience. Maybe instead of racing around the pyramids to meet some
"time frame", your customers would have had sufficient time to enjoy
the experience and take some pictures for future memories. Rasha's
marathon to the end where the group had time to wait around for 45
minutes was totally inappropriate. Who wouldn't complain about that ???
It appears you define raising complaints as making inappropriate
comments about the company. That is fallacious thinking. Rasha IS your
company in Egypt and anyone on the trip has a right, if not a duty, to
speak up and complain if things are not going as they should. If
planning is poor, or your guide is not accommodating, or makes
inconsiderate and selfish decisions it is totally appropriate for a
group member to point out any problem they may have. To the best of my
knowledge, your brochures do not require blind obedience or acceptance
of all directives and decisions of your guides without comment.
Your unwillingness to advise my wife as to the nature of the
complaints against her is incomprehensible. She did not ask for
names....just examples of so called alleged inappropriate remarks.
Were there really any or were you simply making a general statement
in support of your decision ??
Your attitude seems to indicate that you believe your company is above
reproach. Any problems, such as the ones my wife had with Rasha’s
leadership, must be the fault of the customer. Obviously, you are
clearly deluding yourselves. All one need do is Google “complaints
against OAT” and it is obvious that there are a great many unhappy
customers of your company. Interestingly, most of the complaints are
similar in nature falling under the general heading of poor customer
service. You appear to have a “poor” rating with BBB and lawsuits
filed against you. I would agree that there are fewer complaints than
kudos, but otherwise you wouldn’t be in business at all would you ??
If we had bothered to look up the complaints against you (mea culpa)
before we booked our first trip, we likely would NOT have booked. Who
needs the kind of trouble your company creates all too often ??? My
wife, and I less frequently, has made several trips with you and your
sister company. We found that, generally, your trips were reasonably
priced, and were, generally, well run. Why continue to book
otherwise ??
However, things have changed with your company. Your trips are no
longer bargains; your included tours and meals are fewer, non
included tours, when they aren’t cancelled or changed, are more
expensive. Changes are covered in your tour guides like the small
print in contracts. I believe it might be necessary for you because it
seems you are constantly looking to save every dollar you can squeeze
out of the trip. Excuses such as “it wasn’t available so we had to
substitute” are commonplace and clear evidence of a way to save your
company money at the expense of the traveler who, obviously, can’t do
much about it.
I have one other complaint to add based on my own experiences with
your company on several occasions. Your sales people have been well
chosen by your company. They are enthusiastic and sufficiently
knowledgeable in sales techniques to “seal the deal” more often than
not. Good for you. However, God forbid there’s a customer issue. All
of a sudden you are deaf, dumb and blind......and most adept at
passing the buck and washing your hands of the problem. Not good for
you.
Somewhere along the line your business plan is messed up. Don’t you
know that it’s customer service that brings you return
customers....not wasting money and destroying the environment by your
mailing of so many brochures ??? Oh yes, they’re glossy, look good,
contain pretty pictures and incite a desire to travel. It’s obvious
that your business philosophy is to spsale and cut costs afterwards. I realize, of course, that nothing is
going to change on your part. I’m sure “screw the customer” works for
you. Happily, it no longer works on us and anyone else who is willing
to listen to us. So go forth and solicit the suckers and do your part
in ruining the environment. "Green" is a philosophy not just the color
of money. If you simply used recycled paper instead of killing so
many trees at least something positive could be attained. Look up
"green" and ecology on Google and while you’re there take a gander at
the increasing complaints piling up against your company.
Dick Schwartz
Read below...see if you agree that I was the problem. My money spent and I'm to blame. I have NeVeR had this experience in my trips to 7 continents, over 70 countries and 48 states!!!!!
You should further know that I have been on over half a dozen trips with them in the last 4 years and referred friends to the tune of over $100,000. And this is how they treat a valued guest!
They offer great prices and great itineraries but I won't be spending any more money with them. I prefer to be treated better!
OAT
Alan and Harriet Lewis,
Chairman & Vice Chairman
Grand Circle Corporation
347 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
re: Reservation Number: 2205353-01 Ancient Egypt & The Nile River with pre-rip to Jordan
8/23/09 - 9/1109
Dear Alan & Harriet,
I am sending this very long letter to you because I think you you may not know about what I experienced on this trip: Ancient Egypt & The Nile River with pre-rip to Jordan. This rather long letter has many details and I sincerely hope you consider the impact on me, your valued guest. I am not looking for a response or compensation or reasons or excuses. Just thought you should have the information for you do with as you see fit.
The pre-trip to Jordan was absolutely wonderful! Our guide was people friendly, enthusiastic to share his culture and personal experiences. He had wonderful people skills, was intuitive to the groups needs and all 6 of us had a fantastic adventure with him. He concerned himself with our needs, and safety and welfare and provided personal attention as needed. This has normally been my experience with your tour guides and the reason why I had my trust in your company and your selection of guides.
Please note that I said ‘had’ in the previous sentence. This is because you no longer have my confidence or trust. Unfortunately my attitude was drastically changed by your guide selection in Egypt of Rasha Madi and once that trust and confidence is gone it’s very difficult to regain. Let me relate the instances in chronological order that have caused me to have this change of attitude.
It all started with an email Rasha Madi sent while we were in Jordan on the pre-trip. It’s on Attachment 1. I replied, she answered and made things even worse by showing a total lack of insight, awareness and consideration.
I may have 7 trips with your company but that’s just a drop in the bucket. I travel extensively and have been to all 7 continents, over 70 countries and 48 of the 50 United States. I have more travel experience then Rasha and have been traveling since before she was born. I have been without guides and with guides and have NEVER been treated like this!
When I travel I send out a daily journal called Ramblings on the Yellow Brick Road and therefore have all of the circumstances written from the day of occurrence and not hindsight from memory days or weeks gone by. Here are excerpts in blue from the actual journals I sent: (I have cleaned up some of the language for your benefit but left enough to give you the tone of parts of my daily Ramblings. My comments for you are in ==>red and numbered for your referencer
Sunday Aug 30 - Sept 4th Ramblings on the Yellow Brick Road Rant & Rave & Vent
From the minute we were dumped at the airport in Amman the trip went from being a pleasant memory to an ordeal. If something could go wrong or piss me off it did, I’m beginning to wonder why I wander.
Let me recount the ways:
I know the Overseas Adventure Travel Company runs lots of these trips and they also know, or should know, about RAMADAN AND WHEN IT IS. The brochure describes fantastic sights, seeing the people in their naïve dress, busy on the streets, playing backgammon, shopping, riding donkeys, marvelous shops filled with colorful galabeyas. NOT. During Ramadan the shops are closed and people are resting because they are fasting. It’s a misrepresentation! Plain and simple! If the brochure describes in detail and the company KNOWS it’s not during the time the trip is scheduled they should inform the guests so that I, as their guest, can make an intelligent decision about how my money is going to be spent.
The van in Jordan could have been used as a conveyance between the airport and hotel. Not 3-4 hours on miserable roads to Petra.
There were no cup holders so taking sips of water was a bath. There were obviously no shocks because since the seats had no cushioning every bump jarred your teeth. There were no head rests, no foot rests, the seats did not recline. Trying to sleep, even lying across the seats in the
back, was impossible because the seats were so narrow. And we had to do this twice!
We were looking forward to Wadi Rum in a 4 wheel vehicle . Well it IS in fact a 4 wheel vehicle, aren't all vehicles 4 wheeled? Well maybe not. anyway... however this was a pickup truck and we would be sitting on benches in the back in 110 degree heat, and there was no cover or canopy for 4 hours. I DON"T THINLK SO!
Aug 30th
So now we’re on our way for the main part of the trip - Egypt, flight in Amman was delayed. One would think the tour guide and/or the trip assistant at the airport would have known this, and the guests informed, so instead of sitting at the airport for several hours we could have gone some place more comfortable. When we asked the assistant about the delayed flight we were basically ignored and left to fend for ourselves. Kind of reminded of the Amazing Race when all the participants race to get to the airport only to end up waiting for their flight.
The itinerary we brought with us is nothing like the schedule we’re following. It has been totally reorganized to the point of being useless. Why is that you ask? Well…let me count the ways.
The schedule on Attachment 2 I brought with me as provided by OAT.
After a smooth flight to Cairo we landed around 11 PM, which is really midnight Jordan time, are met by a greeter and our trip guide Rasha Madi. She tells us since the other 10, yes that’s right TEN, people have already arrived we won’t have a welcome dinner tonight but instead will postpone it to anther night since we’re probably all tired. The bus is delayed almost 20 minutes outside in the hotel driveway due to a wedding party. Instead of letting us off the bus she made us wait in it until we got to the absolute front.
=1=>A truly professional guide would have led the guests off the bus, into the lobby, provided the room keys and let them retire to their rooms.
After we were let off the bus and led into the hotel’s lobby We arrive in the lobby and she starts telling us about the lovely hotel. WHY? We’re only here for a few hours!!!! Rasha went on and on describing the hotel, the dining rooms and restaurants, facilities and shops...and by the way there is a mandatory meeting at 8 and luggage out by 7:45 and we leave for the Cairo Museum tour at 9 and then get back to the airport by 4:30 for the flight to Luxor….and....WHOA!!!!!! Notice there was no breath?
We just want to go to our room. We were tired and exhausted and not ready to hear the next 10 days of schedule which she went on to describe.
=2=> A professional, who is in touch with her guests, as you say in your literature in tune with group dynamics, would have said, “I realize your flight was delayed and you’re all probably tired so here are your keys and I’ll join you for breakfast at 8 where we can discuss some important items.
Guest: When did the group size change from 12 to 16?
Rasha: Well you see there the other group didn’t have enough people so they combined the two
groups. That’s the good news because now we have the whole boat to ourselves.
Guest: What happened to the 3 days in Cairo first?
Rasha: I don’t understand why you ask that question. We are going on to Luxor and then your 3 day
Nile River Cruise.
Guest: WHOA!!!! I SIGNED UP FOR A 4 NIGHT Nile cruise with 3 days in Cairo now.
Rasha: I don’t know about a 4 night cruise this is the schedule I have.
Guest: Who can we check this with?
Rasha: No answer
Rasha: The good news is that nobody was hurt but ...the bad news is the balloon ride has been
cancelled.
Guest: WHAT??!!
Rasha: Last week a balloon hit a communications tower and therefore no balloons.
Guest: Is there an alternate activity?
Rasha: NO. If anyone has not signed up for the Abu-Simbul trip and would like to go there is room for 1 more, and not to worry, for those of you who signed up like you were supposed to months ago the price difference between the bus ride and the air fare will be refunded.
Guest: WAIT JUST A MINUTE! BUS RIDE? I didn’t sign up for a bus ride! 3½ hours there and 3½ back
and getting up at 4 in the morning UH UUUUH!!! I would NEVER have signed up for that!
Rasha: Well that’s the way it is and you should have known that.
Guest: When is breakfast?
Rasha: It opens at 5.
Guest: Can’t we start a little later?
Rasha: NO. We are accompanied by the tourist police (Oh and he was packing let me tell you! Under his suit jacket were bulges on each side. Almost looked like mini Uzis.) and it would be too much trouble to inform the office, who then has to inform the police, who then have to make a decision,
We got to bed around 1ish, had our bit of sleep, a couple hours, put the bags out and go downstairs for the mandatory meeting at 8.
ME: I’m hungry and asked Rasha if there is anything I absolutely must hear or can I go grab a bit of breakfast before our busy day since we didn’t have dinner and lunch wouldn’t be until 2 in the afternoon.
Rasha: (and I quote) “Well that’s your choice. If you don’t understand something later it’s not my fault”
ME: (and I quote) EXCUSE ME…WHAT DID YOU SAY?
Rasha said as she put her face in mine: “You do what you want. I’m having a meeting and it’s your choice to attend or not.”
DO I NEED TO TELL YOU THAT I HAD A MELT DOWN?
ME: Hold on just a minute here. Who has paid for this trip? Who should be taking care of guests needs?
I’m hungry, running on 3 hours of sleep and you are being very rude and disrespectful. What kind of guide are you to have the nerve to tell me if I have any questions that’s too bad?!
=3=> No matter what a guest says or does a professional guide should never be so disrespectful and argumentative and defensive. tactless, undiplomatic.
At the Cairo Museum there were a lot of guides all competing for the same space in different languages.
Guest: Why don’t they use transmitters and earbuds?
Rasha: because we are a small group. If I got them the other guides would be jealous.
Later she said: They are too expensive.
=4=> Two different reasons. She just shoots from the hip with her answers.
But Oh I digress,( back on the bus.) she again asks all 16 of us about if anyone wanted to go to Abu-Simbul. Jan said she would like to go since her husband had previously paid and was going. I offered her my spot.
Rasha: said she would just count heads and if we made arrangements among ourselves she didn’t care.
Weelllll that’s not quite true. She pulls me aside the next day and tells me she cannot allow us to exchange places. It is against insurance rules and the company will decide if I will get a full refund or not. I asked her what the difference was if I went or someone went in my place or not what’s that got to do with insurance we both have trip insurance and they don’t know one body from the other.
Rasha: said: But I know who you are now.
=5=> A guest should be able to trust the guide and believe the answers to questions. Rasha changes her answers minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. If she’s going to make up answers and blame HQ for everything that the guest has a complaint about he should have a better memory so she remembers what story she told who.
AAARRRUUUGGGHHH!!! Meltdown number 2. Oh and by the way she hasn’t told Jan she can’t go yet either. Oh and BTW, just now 2 days later she was calling me Pauline. But Rasha knows who I am. Yup sure she does.
I have mummy tummy and the Swine Flu now... but wait it can’t be the Swine flu there are no SWINE here!!! Maybe it’s camel flu? Anyway
ME: I asked Rasha, since we have the boat to ourselves, if I could have a separate room so as not to infect Pauline.
Rasha: She said she would check. Well I can have a room to myself however I would have to pay $300. ME: Why? There is a free single supplement.
Rasha: That’s only as a promotion if you book through Boston.
ME: But the ship is half empty.
Rasha: I’ll check.
Later Rasha: Nope they’ll give you a special price of $275.
ME: I don think so! Essua (Jesus in Arabic) you’d think with the boat half empty they would be gracious and upgrade everyone to a better room. Forget the fact the I am the most traveled OAT Circle member here. (not in the journal - Pauline did get sick!)
=6=> I have traveled 6 previous times with your company and continued to travel with you because I trusted your selection of guides to have my best interests at heart.
Minor things like changing the time for the museum for lunch because we’re all hungry. NOT happening.
=7=> Unfortunately a rotten trip like this one has caused me to loose trust in your judgement and I no longer feel confident that you have my best interests and health and safety of myself and other guests as a priority.
Rasha: It’s a long walk to the temple of Queens are you up for it? Too bad there’s too long a wait for the shuttles we’re walking.
t=8=> Not only did Rasha not wait for a response she turned and left expecting all of us to follow. Some guests did not and didn’t catch up with the group until we were leaving.
Friday 4th
I was still not feeling good and actually felt worse and decided not to go to Kom Ombo. I stayed back, not up to going. Head full, coughing so much ribs hurt, sinuses full, I need some meds and I don’t have them.
Oh by the way Rasha told me last night the company finally answered her and will refund the money for the Abul-Simbel trip. They say they cannot find any documentation that it was a flight, but they believe I am telling the truth. Of course since Pauline paid for that part they will have to refund it to her card. They told Rasha, or Rasha said they told her, the trip was by bus and Pauline must have gotten confused. BULLxxxx! Oh and they would be willing to give me a complimentary room for the last night. Too little too late. Pauline was coughing most of the night.
=9=> Whether or not this was all true I have no idea because my faith in her giving accurate information was gone. The truth is Pauline and I were on a conference call when the arrangement was made for the Abu Simbul trip and the change from plane to bus was NOT discussed ever! A copy of what Pauline and I signed up for is on Attachment 3.
Saturday - Sept 5th Ramblings on the Yellow Brick Road
Got to the hotel and Rasha said the doctor would be coming soon. We fell asleep and 4 hours later he showed up. Apparently my sugar levels are up, he did a c1 blood test, my BP is raised and I have an upper respiratory infection. Bronchitis. He prescribed antibiotics, Xithromax, cough syrup, Toplexil and an antihistamine Telfast. I can't remember the last time I was sick. He advised me not to keep going from hot to cold, and to get lots of rest, like that's possible. So I canceled the Sound and Light show at the Luxor Temple that evening and the Abu-Simbul trip the next day.
Sunday 9/6 Ramblings on the Yellow Brick Road Aswan
I slept through Pauline's 3:30 AM wake up call to go to Abu-Simbul. I stayed in like a good patient, slept late, until 8, took 2 naps, ...
Monday 9/7 Ramblings on the Yellow Brick Road Aswan
We had another 6 A.M. wake up call and now that the day is over for the life of me I can't understand why. We left the hotel at 7:30, took the bus to the Nile and got on a small boat. There was absolutely no need for that except that Rasha wanted HER time off when the tour was over.
Tuesday Sep 8th
Wake up call at 6 for leaving to airport at 7:30 for 10 A.M. flight. We were not told there would be a stop in Luxor, not that it matters, it's just it would be nice not to constantly be surprised with new information.
Rasha keeps giving me stuff for Pauline and keeps giving Pauline stuff for me. We are not joined at the hip. Like for instance Rasha said to me when I said I wasn't going for dinner, “Pauline can bring you back a box with dinner.” Like what about HER bringing it back? Why is Pauline my server?
At the airport Rasha handed Pauline our boarding tickets and Pauline said, "I'll just need mine." Rasha made a face and turned to give me my ticket.
=10=> Is it the guide’s job to assign other passengers her duties? I NEVER had that happen on any of the 6 previous trips with you or any other company.
Rasha is still bringing up the Abu-Simbul refund and how it will be made to Pauline's credit card when we get back since that's how it was paid for. Well, yes that's what the plan WAS until I saw the doctor and now the insurance will pay for it and why the hell is she still bringing it up?!?!?
=11=> Rasha treats a guest like a child and a subject to rule and then becomes all smiles and hugs. She has no sense of what the other person is feeling.
=12=> Rasha just shoots from the hip when she answers a question and minutes or hours or days later changes the answer repeatedly. Can't believe a thing she says.
=13=> Rasha is defensive and argumentative and doesn't listen... just talks. She repeats the same thing over and over and is totally unaware of the group dynamics. She is not in touch with the sensitivities, the wants and wishes of the group or individuals.
Wed Sep 9 Ramblings on the Yellow Brick Road Cairo
One of the ladies had asked if we could take 10 minutes to freshen up at the hotel while the guests who didn't sign up for the optional tour were dropped off.
NO! said Rasha. We don't have the time. Everything closes at 3 because of RAMADAMN. But it's only 11:45 and she wanted to change her shoes. Someone else wanted to get his other camera.
NO said Rasha.
So off we went.
=14=> To HELL with what the guests want or need - it's all about the schedule and what Rasha wants!
At the pyramids I and some others were taking our time trying to enjoy walking around the pyramid, the woman with the sandals and bare feet was trying to get sand out of her feet when Rasha wouldn't slow down and insisted we had to hurry up and then she would give us free time after she was done.
Well, when we didn't move fast enough for her she yelled back to the 6 of us,
Rasha: from many yards away yelled, “Hurry up you're wasting our time!”
ME: “Go on without us.”
=15=> OMG what a nerve. We were 6 of the 16 and she says we are wasting her time? Who paid for this trip anyway? You can't hear what she’s rattling on about anyway with all statistics and insignificant facts and I and the others with me wanted to soak up as much atmosphere as we could. When you try to listen to her she turns her head to where she's pointing and you can't hear her anyway so why bother.
So when she is finally done with her boring statistics she says to the group
Rasha: You now have 45 minutes of free time.
Like I'm going to walk all the way back around the pyramid again
=16=> at 6 A.M. leave for touring the pyramids, eat lunch at 3!!! I am NOT on a marathon, nor did I sign up for the Amazing Race. And I am not a Muslim fasting during the day.
Rasha blames everything on the people in Boston. She says they don't respond to the guide because they're independent contractors. She says the Egypt guides were brought to Boston where they told HQ the brochure was overly descriptive and that is not what is done on the trip and Boston hasn't changed it. She went on to say the call center was full of young inexperienced, uneducated people who know nothing of travel.
Rasha needs a lot more training in people skills. She doesn't check ahead the day before and waits until the last minute. Tonight was the home hosted dinner. Someone asked her if 16 people were going to all be comfortable in one apartment. She answered right away and said oh yes there is plenty of room. Next thing she is on her cell getting information that in fact the group would be split in two and she had no information about the other family.
Rasha tells everyone to hurry and take their seats so the driver can get going. WHAT'S the friggin rush all of a sudden! Oh...wait...I think I know - she wants to get on her cell and talk with her mother or boyfriend!
After the free time she allows us is over she’s there, waiting in the ACd bus, texting or talking on her phone. Sometimes she asks us to meet after free time at a corner, in the sun.
Today started at 6 A.M. and we were in the hot sun most of the time when not in the bus. Other tour groups were huddled in shade with a guide making sketches in the sand. She brought no snacks or anything for the guests. It's a good thing some of us had some stuff and willing to share. HEY RASHA bulletin...WE'RE NOT MUSLIM and WE'RE NOT FASTING!!!
Rasha said if we wanted to go inside one of the Pyramids it would cost 100LE. So Pauline and I got our money for the ticket. Then on the bus she said it was really hot and humid and claustrophobic in there and if you were handicapped you shouldn't go because you have to walk the whole way bent over and it would be with your 200 closest friends trying to get out while you are trying to squeeze in and ramodamn it ...we listened to her and didn't go. NOT!!! The 4 who did go said it was great and I would not have had any problems. They thought she just didn’t want to wait for anyone to go in.
She also told us on of the structures was under construction and we couldn’t go around it. Well, by this time I should have just not listed as some others didn’t listen and had a wonderful tour around the structure buy a tourist policeman.
At the three tombs of nobles ... it was a 40 minute guided tour with none other than ...drum roll - RASHA! I stayed on the bus as did 4 others. Oh and we were all the original Jordan group. I guess we are all disgusted with her service especially compared to Muhammad in Jordan. There's just no enthusiasm in her presentations. Just prattle and statistics and many people are saying they just tune her out.
...back to the hotel around 5. When I got off the bus I told her
ME: I don’'t feel well enough after such a long day today to go to the Spiritual Cairo tour tomorrow.
No, I hope you feel well, just,
Rasha: “I cannot refund your money.”
ME: “I don't care.” And walked away.
....she tore after me screaming at the top of her lungs in the middle of this huge 5 star lobby saying how I have treated her like a slave and stepped on her and been rude to her and she said the company wanted to send me home can you imagine?
Can you imagine this !@#$%^* (piece of dung hanging on a hair of a camel’s rump) trying to intimidate me in her meager attempt at the execution of her petty vendetta?
Can you imagine her telling me that in her 10 years of professional guiding, this self-serving, smarmy, meaningless, twit, said I am the worst guest she's had? I’ve been traveling since before she was born!
Can you imagine me staying calm and saying to her,
ME: Your 10 years have taught you nothing, you have no people skills and are the worst travel guide I have ever had?
Well, I did, and really...I did! And I tried to walk away again. Pauline tried in vain to get in between Rasha and me. She just kept at it saying thank you for your kindness, the sarcastic mud wasp. Finally I just did the talk to the hand thing and she stomped away as hundreds of eyes watched and people listening to her harsh caterwauling echoing off the high ceilings and marbled walls.
Melt down number ? Who's counting any more.
=17=> I didn’t sign up for getting screamed at by the tour guide in the lobby so loud everyone turned around to see what was going on! Rasha had a screaming outburst in the main lobby. She chased me into the lobby calling me names and that I was treating her like a slave and stepping on her. I tried to stay calm and walk away and three times she walked in front of me and got right in my face. I was NEVER so embarrassed. Once again this just showed her lack of professionalism and how immature she is.
I am not the only one who experienced such negativity. All but one guest got sick and yet I was the only one who spoke up. I can’t answer why that is because at least half a dozen others expressed to me their dissatisfaction. I have identified over a dozens reasons for my disappointment, loss of trust and confidence.
“And throughout your trip, you might also receive a higher level of service...” - Might is the key word here as this was certainly not the case!
And most importantly, it’s about experiencing those things in a personal and authentic way—all while feeling comfortable, welcome, safe, and well cared for.
This was certainly not the case!
No one can make the history, culture, and wildlife of a place come alive for you like a local resident can. Not the case with Rasha That's why we've always handpicked our Program Directors, Rasha needs to do a better job And their skill in group dynamics Rasha’s were nonexistent ensure you'll always feel safe and welcome, wherever you go. I did not feel welcome They help every traveler—solo or otherwise—to always feel fully involved in every activity, and never left behind. Actually, I was left behind several times
I am currently under the care of my personal physician and mental health counselor. They have both advised me, that due to my current illness, the stress traveling causes to the body and the current antibiotics and steroids I am on, to cancel the trip to India scheduled for just a few weeks away, October 12, 2009, as it is too soon to travel and engage in stressful activities like long flights and rough travel circumstances and strange food. I have therefore submitted the trip cancelation insurance refund for the trip to India.
Sincerely yours,
Dorothy Schwartz Inner Circle Club & Sir Edmund Hillary Team
customer Number 842690
Traveler Since: Dec 01, 2005
Trips Taken: GCT:3,OAT:4
PS I would like you to remove my name from your emails and brochure mailings.
PPS From Richard Schwartz - I am adding my thoughts to my wife’s letter.
Attachment 1
Page 1 of 3
Dear OAC member / Mrs Schwartz,
Thank you for traveling with OAT and for choosing Egypt as a destination to travel to. I am looking forward to meeting you in your second home Egypt. And to hear from you about your travel experience & ideas.
My name is Rasha Madi. I’ll be your trip leader and guide for your Egypt trip.
I am a female trip leader. I’ve been working as a freelance trip leader and guide since 92. I’ve been with OAT for the past four years. I Have a Bachelor degree in Guiding which is a guiding, Egyptology, history and art major. I have a diploma in ancient Egyptian archeology and a pre-master degree in Egyptology.
Please if you have any pre-trip questions please e-mail them to me. Also if you have any special interests or anything particular you would like to see or do. So that i can try to direct you to it if possible.
These are few tips about traveling in Egypt :
Location: Egypt is located in North Africa over -looking the Mediterranean Sea, with part of it in Asia; which is the Sinai Peninsula; it is bordered by Libya from the west, the Mediterranean to the north, the Sudan to the south, and the red sea to the east.
Weather: It's summer now in Egypt. It gets up to 90-110 degrees more or less in the morning with dry heat and strong sun. It's still hot at night. Sometimes we get a nice breeze.
Dress code: There is no real dress code in Egypt, except that women are not expected to wear above the knee length shorts and tan tops when walking on the street in the city. Get comfortable outfits. Please get your bathing suits as we do have pools at various hotels. Hats, umbrellas- for sun protection- and shades will be needed. You might need a smart outfit for the home hosted dinner as we will be visiting an upper middle class family and for the farewell dinner. If you have the Cane which has a small seat on top that would be handy at the museum. Please bring with you a flash light.
Currency: Our currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound. It is abbreviated as L.E. – a French word meaning livre Egyptinne. One USD is almost 5.5 of the Egyptian pound. It is subject to changes each day according to the bank exchange rate. We don’t have a black market in Egypt all the rates are fixed by the government. But at shops, they tend to round up the numbers.
Please call your bank prior to departure to inform them that you’ll be traveling. Sometimes they don’t allow transactions when they see the charges showing up from the Middle East. Water: In Egypt drinking tap water is not recommend. You will always drink bottled water. The water supplied by the company is only included during the included meals. Some hotels offer it complimentary on day one of check in, others don’t. So, on the OAT buss at various destinations the buss drivers will be offering water for sale at a cost of one USD/ 5 pounds for 2 small water bottles.
Meals and drinks: With OAT, we stress on experiencing the local food and taking you to places which are popular to the Egyptians. So you will be dinning in various local restaurants. Some meals will be buffet other set menu. Any beverages other than water will be extra. Being an Islamic country, some restaurants offer alcoholic beverages others don’t.
Attachment 1
Page 2 of 3
As for on board the MS / Nile river Hathor; you will be offered a bottle of water daily to brush your teeth with. For being an OAC club member you will be given 10% discount on your total bill on board the cruise ship.
Medication needed: Just in case, for Travelers’ diarrhea bring with you a doctors’ prescription for an intestinal antiseptic.
Air line bookings: Please make sure to contact Egypt Air to get your seat assignments flying back from Cairo to JFK.
Hotels: All the hotels we are staying at have safety deposit boxes either in the room or at the reception, they have a mini-bar, and wireless Internet free in the lobby. Using the net in the room costs extra fee. They also have business centers. But at the hotels in Cairo and the one in Luxor the net is a bit expensive. In Cairo we don't have access to a close by Internet cafe. but in luxor we do.
Voltage: In Egypt we use 220 V. So please get converters for your electrical devices.
Itinerary and pacing: You will be having a busy itinerary based on the fact that our OAT travelers are interested people so we would like to show you as much of the country as possible.
WE are now during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. People fast from dawn to dusk, So all sites close early to give time for the workers to go home to eat. The itinerary will be adjusted to suit the Ramadan site opening & closure times. So we will be having early departures to make up for the time.
Also To avoid the heat as much as possible you will be having several early wake- up calls /sometimes 4 or 6 A.M. wake ups.
Foundation sites: we will be visiting one foundation site which is the valley of the kings, as the school is still in its Summer vacation (off ).
==>Tipping: The tipping scale is enclosed in your OAT Hand Out. But it doesn't tell you how many drivers or "x" persons you will meet. Still tipping in not something to be enforced on you it is if you wanted to:
There will be drivers at various destinations. 1 day in Cairo first stay/ 3 days in CAI at the end. 3 days
in ASW. 3 days in LXR. & Half day in Edfu.
On the day of the camel ride to the care takers one dollar or 5 pounds. <==
You’ll need lots of small change for bathroom tipping: one EGP each time. If anyone posed to you for a
picture they will be expecting a small tip. <==
There will be the tipping for the boat crew. <==
- Tipping for the horse and carriage ride of optional if taken; around five to ten pounds per person.
- Tipping crew of balloon if optional purchased.
- Sometimes you will be helped by GRP coordinator tipping him is up to you.
- As for the tips of your Trip leader it is enclosed in the OAT Hand Out. <==
In Egypt they add on your bill twelve percent service charge on the bills at restaurants this is not tipping it’s a tax. You will need to tip on top of that. <==
Attachment 1
Page 3 of 3
Optionals: Optional tours will be offered on site. They are Luxor by night, Sound and light show at Philae in ASW, Spiritual Cairo, Saqqara , & the balloon ride.
N.B: For those who are interested in the pre-sold optional of Abu-Simble; please inform me upon arrival so that I'd try to find you a place if there is availability.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to e-mail me.
I am looking forward to greeting you at the airport upon your arrival, wishing you a safe trip.
Best regards,
Your Egypt trip leader,
Rasha Madi
<== & ==> Tipping -not something to be enforced on you it is if you wanted to: So therefore, as a repeat customer, I don’t need a third of an email to remind me of tipping! I thought it was optional!! Though my name is on this email it is not personalized for me. Once again proof of lack of caring.
Attachment 2
Schedule provided by OAT prior to trip
Day 1 Depart U.S. scheduled for August 23, 2009
Day 2 arrive Cairo afternoon Fly to Amman, Jordan scheduled for August 24, 2009
Day 3 Amman city tour/Swim in the Dead Sea scheduled for August 25, 2009
Day 4 Jerash and Ajlun scheduled for August 26, 2009
Day 5 Petra via King’s Highway - Madaba & Mt. Nebo scheduled for August 27, 2009
Day 6 horseback Petra & Wadi Rum scheduled for August 28, 2009
Day 7 Return to Cairo scheduled for August 29, 2009
Day 8 Cairo Central Tour/Museum of Egyptian Antiquities scheduled for August 30, 2009
Day 9 Cairo Karnak Temple/local school scheduled for August 31, 2009
Day 10 Tuesday, September 1 Cairo Sunrise farm breakfast/West Bank of the Nile/Valley of
the Kings/Temple of Queen Hatshepsut/ scheduled for September 1, 2009
Day 11 Cairo Hot-Air Balloon/Luxor Temple/Begin Nile cruise scheduled for September 2,
2009
Day 12 Cruise Edfu/Temple of Hours/Kom Ombo scheduled for September 3, 2009
Day 13 Friday, Cruise Aswan/ felucca to Botanical Gardens scheduled for September 4, 2009
Day 14 Aswan Philae Temple - High Dam/Papyrus Institute scheduled for September 5, 2009
Day 15 Aswan - Abu Simbel scheduled for September 6, 2009
Day 16 Aswan Camel ride to St. Simeon’s Monastery/Nubian Museum scheduled for
September 7, 2009
Day 17 Fly to Cairo/Home-hosted dinner scheduled for September 8, 2009
Day 18 Cairo Saqqara/Pyramids of Giza/Sphinx scheduled for September 9, 2009
Day 19 Cairo Spiritual tour & Khan el-Khalili bazaar scheduled for September 10, 2009
Day 20 Fly to NYC scheduled for September 11, 2009
Attachment 3
On DAY 7 there is an optional trip to Abu Simbel for $185 per person.
In the trip brochure we got there is a page about it that says:
"To travel as far as Egypt and miss Abu Simbel - the most colossal and best preserved temple in Egypt - would be a shame. Not only are the two temples at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself. The temple was built by Rameses II around 3000 years ago and perhaps after the Giza pyramids, or coincident with them, the great temple of Abu Simbel presents the most familiar image of ancient Egypt to the modern traveler and reader.
For this optional tour, we have a very early wake-up call for an early flight to Abu Simbel. Here, in the first part of the day, we explore the massive temples honoring Pharaoh Ramses II and Nefertari, his queen.”
;-D
- Mood:
angry
I WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT THE COUNTRY MARKET. ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID 'FROM CHINA'.
FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN FROM CHINA. I WAS SHOCKED!! SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE IS FROM CAL.
Another example was in canned mushrooms. No-Name brand came from Indonesia. Next to them were President Choice brand. Produce of Canada!! The P. C. went into my grocery bag.
TAKES FOREVER JUST TO BUY FOOD AND DO LABEL READING ! ! Are we Americans and Canadians as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think?
While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in North American markets, the media wrings its hands and criticizes the Bush Administration (now Obama Administration) (and the Harper Government!) for perceived errors.
Yet 70% of North Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended.
Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges?
SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA/CANADA !!
Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong), simply choose another product, or none at all. (I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR MONTHS NOW. AND IT'S NOT JUST FOOD! It's paper goods, kitchenware, patio stuff, cosmetics, well...everything! I was really amazed at how dependent we are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without. Or I look of another brand.
Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some North American farmer. Easter is just an example, the point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own.
THINK ABOUT THIS, If 200 million North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!!
The downside? Some Canadian/American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. Wahhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!
The solution? Let's give them fair warning and send our own message. Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on June 4, and continue it until July 4. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their North American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.
! Remember, June 4 to July 4 !
EVEN BETTER. . . START NOW ! Well because the time on this note's about done so but a AMERICAN made fireworks for the 4th and American made flags and continue looking for products made here in North America!
Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are intelligent Americans and Canadians, and NOBODY can take us for granted.
If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!
- Mood: angry
The response was "The warning is simply there because our lawyers told us to put it there."
There has been no response even though I have written several times. I have stated I QUESTIONED THE WARNING THE FIRST TIME I SAW IT AT THE START OF THE FIRST VIDEO I WATCHED. MY THERAPIST AGREES WITH THE WARNING and said I should discontinue it's use. AND I WANT TO RETURN THE MATERIAL AND GET MY MONEY BACK.
There has been no response. Let the buyer beware.
There has been no response. Let the buyer beware.
There has been no response. Let the buyer beware.
I am going to sell it (or give it away-I paid for it it's mine now!) on eBay or Craig's list for someone to try and then pass it forward so Gupta doesn't get anyone else's money.
If you want the programme make a comment and I'll get back to you! <<===Gone
After much ado, including the wrong information for sending back the programme, and costing almost $30, I did send the programme back. It took another much ado and finally my money was credited to Paypal even though that's not how I paid for it.
It didn't work for me and the consensus of my medical team is that I should not rely on this mental technique for healing or control pain. As it didn't work for me and as is the case with anything that is mind over matter, the claim is it's you own fault for not trying of believing enough.
WHATEVER.
The anthropologist has become so familiar with the diversity of ways in which different peoples behave in similar situations that he is not apt to be surprised by even the most exotic customs. In fact, if all of the logically possible combinations of behavior have not been found somewhere in the world, he is apt to suspect that they must be present in some yet undescribed tribe. This point has, in fact, been expressed with respect to clan organization by Murdock. In this light, the magical beliefs and practices of the Nacirema present such unusual aspects that it seems desirable to describe them as an example of the extremes to which human behavior can go.
Professor Linton first brought the ritual of the Nacirema to the attention of anthropologists twenty years ago, but the culture of this people is still very poorly understood. They are a North American group living in the territory between the Canadian Creel the Yaqui and Tarahumare of Mexico, and the Carib and Arawak of the Antilles. Little is known of their origin, although tradition states that they came from the east....
Nacirema culture is characterized by a highly developed market economy which as evolved in a rich natural habitat. While much of the people's time is devoted to economic pursuits, a large part of the fruits of these labors and a considerable portion of the day are spent in ritual activity. The focus of this activity is the human body, the appearance and health of which loom as a dominant concern in the ethos of the people. While such a concern is certainly not unusual, its ceremonial aspects and associated philosophy are unique.
The fundamental belief underlying the whole system appears to be that the human body is ugly and that its natural tendency is to debility and disease. Incarcerated in such a body, man's only hope is to avert these characteristics through the use of the powerful influences of ritual and ceremony. Every household has one or more shrines devoted to this purpose. The more
powerful individuals in the society have several shrines in their houses and, in fact, the opulence of a house is often referred to in terms of the number of such ritual centers it possesses. Most houses are of wattle and daub construction, but the shrine rooms of the more wealthy are walled with stone. Poorer families imitate the rich by applying pottery plaques to their shrine walls. While each family has at least one such shrine, the rituals associated with it are not family ceremonies but are private and secret. The rites are normally only discussed with children, and then only during the period when they are being initiated into these mysteries. I was able, however, to establish sufficient rapport with the natives to examine these shrines and to have the rituals described to me.
The focal point of the shrine is a box or chest which is built into the wall. In this chest are kept the many charms and magical potions without which no native believes he could live. These preparations are secured from a variety of specialized practitioners. The most powerful of these are the medicine men, whose assistance must be rewarded with substantial gifts. However, the medicine men do not provide the curative potions for their clients, but decide what the ingredients should be and then write them down in an ancient and secret language. This writing is understood only by the medicine men and by the herbalists who, for another gift, provide the required charm.
The charm is not disposed of after it has served its purpose, but is placed in the charmbox of the household shrine. As these magical materials are specific for certain ills, and the real or imagined maladies of the people are many, the charm-box is usually full to overflowing. The magical packets are so numerous that people forget what their purposes were and fear to use them again. While the natives are very vague on this point, we can only assume that the idea in retaining all the old magical materials is that their presence in the charm-box, before which the body rituals are conducted, will in some way protect the worshipper.
Beneath the charm-box is a small font. Each day every member of the family, in succession, enters the shrine room, bows his head before the charm-box, mingles different sorts of holy water in the font, and proceeds with a brief rite of ablution. The holy waters are secured from the Water Temple of the community, where the priests conduct elaborate ceremonies to
make the liquid ritually pure.
- Mood:
amused
- Location:Mahu Picchu & Galapagos
- Mood: chipper
Strange doings down on the farm
posted in his column from the Miami Herald Saturday, 03.14.09
By CARL HIAASEN
Sometimes it's not easy to admit that you live in Florida.
Last week, our state Senate boldly took the first step toward making it illegal for a person to have intimate relations with an animal.
Although such a law might thin the dating pool in certain counties, it should ultimately serve to protect household pets and domestic livestock, which evidently are at far greater risk than most of us had imagined.
The cry for justice first arose from the small Panhandle community of Mossy Head, where in 2006 a 48-year-old man was suspected of abducting a neighbor family's pet goat and accidentally strangling it with its collar during a sex act.
I wish I were making this up, but the story is true. The poor goat's name was Meg.
After outraged citizens demanded that the suspect be arrested and locked up, local authorities were alarmed to discover that Florida was one of only 16 states that had no laws against bestiality.
While our moldy statute books still prohibit ''unnatural and lascivious acts'' between consenting adults, there's apparently nothing you cannot do with a four-legged partner.
More unwanted publicity came to Mossy Head when a local entrepreneur began selling T-shirts that said, ''Baaa Means No!'' Residents demanded that the suspected goat rapist be charged at least with animal cruelty, but DNA samples collected from the crime scene proved inconclusive.
Shortly after the fatal encounter with Meg, the same man was arrested while trying to sneak off with another goat. This time he was sentenced to 364 days for theft.
Enter Sen. Nan Rich, a Sunrise Democrat and longtime advocate for animal rights. Soon after the bizarre abductions in Mossy Head, she set out to write a law imposing tough criminal penalties on those who seek out animal companionship with carnal intent.
Although the bill died in the 2008 legislative session, this year it has a better chance of passing. A Senate agricultural committee has approved a version that would make bestiality a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
However, the discussion among lawmakers of this rather delicate topic already has provided a few uncomfortable moments.
As Rich's bill was being amended to make sure that some common animal-husbandry practices were exempt, Sen. Larcenia Bullard of Miami spoke up in puzzlement.
''People are taking these animals as their husbands? What's husbandry?'' she inquired.
The committee chairman, Sen. Charlie Dean of Citrus County, patiently explained that animal husbandry was a term used for the rearing and care of domestic animals.
Still, Bullard appeared confused.
''So that maybe was the reason the lady was so upset about that monkey?'' she asked, an apparent reference to the recent incident in which a pet chimpanzee was shot by Connecticut police after it went berserk and mauled a visitor.
Bullard has taken some ribbing about her loopy comments, but in fairness she represents a big-city district in which neither goats nor chimps often make an appearance. (Miami does have a scattered population of chickens, which the proposed law would presumably protect from human sexual advances.)
Given the many urgent matters confronting the Legislature, it's easy to make light of the bestiality deliberations; lots of Internet correspondents have been chiding lawmakers for wasting time on such a silly subject.
Yet Rich asserts it's anything but silly, citing ``a tremendous correlation between sexually deviant behavior and crimes against children and crimes against animals.''
I'm not familiar with those statistics, but it's safe to assume that anyone with a burning sexual passion for farm critters has insurmountable psychological problems, and would not be a welcomed presence in most neighborhoods.
As fervently as we might hope otherwise, the goat-sex attack in Mossy Head wasn't an isolated incident. Rich says other disturbing acts against animals have been reported throughout the state, including the molestation of a horse in the Keys and of a seeing-eye dog in Tallahassee.
The latter case involved a 29-year-old blind man who four years ago was charged with ''breach of the peace'' after admitting to police that he had sex on numerous occasions with a yellow Labrador named Lucky, his guide dog.
You needn't be an animal lover to be left aghast by such accounts. Sure, we all knew Florida was crawling with sickos -- but boinking a seeing-eye dog?
OK, Sen. Rich, you win. We definitely need a law.
And a drink.
If you appreciate his sense of humor go to his site http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnis
Follow in the footsteps of the ancients as you explore the magnificent ruins of the “Lost City of the Incas” … swim in an unspoiled cove, a rollicking sea lion your playmate … peer into the limpid eyes of a giant sea turtle. Two of Latin America's most important cultural and natural marvels await your discovery on this singular adventure: the legendary ruins of Machu Picchu and Ecuador's Galápagos Islands—a living laboratory of Darwin's landmark theory of evolution. From the city to the country, we discover the vibrant cultural legacies of Peru and Ecuador—and enjoy an overnight stay and plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu. And on our six-night adventure in the Galápagos, we’ll spend four nights aboard our exclusive charter and two nights at a secluded hideaway on Santa Cruz Island. Embark on one of the most comprehensive Galápagos exploration cruises there is and experience a journey as diverse as it is magnificent.
February 26 Day 1 Depart U.S. : Casa Andina Lima Hotel
2 Lima, Peru : Casa Andina Lima Hotel
3-4 Lima : Casa Andina Lima Hotel
5-6 Fly to Cuzco/Explore Cuzco : Casa Andina Cusco Koricancha
5-6 Fly to Cuzco/Explore Cuzco : Casa Andina Cusco Koricancha
7 Train Ride to Machu Picchu : Inti Inn Hotel
8 Visit Machu Picchu/Train ride to Cuzco : Casa Andina Cusco Koricancha
9 Explore Pisac : Casa Andina Cusco Koricancha
10 Fly to Quito/Explore Quito : Sebastian Hotel
11 Explore Quito Cruise the Galapagos 12 Quito/Galápagos : Tip Top III Galápagos small ship
13-15 Fly to the Galápagos/Cruise Galápagos : Galápagos small ship
16-17 Discover Galápagos : Galápagos Hotel
18 Fly to Quito : Barnard Hotel
Maarch 16 Fly home
8 Visit Machu Picchu/Train ride to Cuzco : Casa Andina Cusco Koricancha
9 Explore Pisac : Casa Andina Cusco Koricancha
10 Fly to Quito/Explore Quito : Sebastian Hotel
11 Explore Quito Cruise the Galapagos 12 Quito/Galápagos : Tip Top III Galápagos small ship
13-15 Fly to the Galápagos/Cruise Galápagos : Galápagos small ship
16-17 Discover Galápagos : Galápagos Hotel
18 Fly to Quito : Barnard Hotel
Maarch 16 Fly home
permission to leave our compound 1 time per week for social reasons. With a
significant, but unnecessary, security detail. (Erbil is very safe if you
are American) We planned a trip to a German Kurdish restaurant for tonight 2
weeks ago, without considering the inauguration when we did so. This morning, I
called the restaurant to see if there was a TV there, as we all wanted to see the
event. (note that many there are political appointees here of the prior
administration) the restaurant staff said they didn't have one, but would
"see what they could do" being the middle east, we didn't have
high expectations... when we arrived, there was a huge American flag
flying outside the restaurant. Inside was another large flag (our reservation was
for 10 people) and a 20' x 30' projection TV with CNN on a wall!
The most amazing thing happened when the swearing in took place. When the
President (elect) took his place at the podium, every employee came out of
the kitchen, every Kurdish and Iraqi patron stood up...we followed their lead,
and many cried while he was sworn in...I cannot even attempt to understand the
emotions which took place here, in a non-descript restaurant, in Erbil
Kurdistan...and we had to argue with the owner to be able to pay our full
bill...they wanted to cover it...in a place where people earn an average
of $3k per year. I thought that you might be interested in this observation of
what just happened, in this remote part of the world, as American democracy
shows its face yet again.
- Location:Erbil, Kurdistan
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Author Unknown
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Author Unknown
- Mood: grateful
A Whale's Spirit
If you read the front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle Thanksgiving week, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line-rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the
When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushing each gently around-she thanked them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives!
The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.
May you and all those you love be so blessed and fortunate
On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States .
The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.
If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.
Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.
'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.
The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, 'God has favored our undertaking.' The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 'a new order has begun.' At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery , and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States , and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning,'one from many.'
Above the Eagle, you have the thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.
Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number.
This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this:
13 original colonies,
13 signers of the Declaration of Independence,
13 stripes on our flag,
13 steps on the Pyramid,
13 letters in, 'Annuit Coeptis,'
13 letters in 'E Pluribus Unum,'
13 stars above the Eagle,
13 bars on that shield,
13 leaves on the olive branch,
13 fruits, and if you look closely,
13 arrows.
And finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle you will see that they are arranged as a Star of David. This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions b ut died a pauper.
I always ask people, 'Why don't you know this?' Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.
I for one, plan to share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for!
from www.uselessgraphics.com
constitutional right to have enough space within which to turn around. Now, that may be a perfectly fine and humane animal husbandry policy. But, pigs do not belong in human constitutions. 
Florida Laws on the books!!!
It is considered an offense to shower naked
If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle
You may not fart in a public place after 6 P.M. on Thursdays
Having sexual relations with a porcupine is illegal
All houses much have white picket fences and full-width, two-story porches.
Women may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer, as can the salon owner.
A special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or she shall risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing.
It is illegal to sing in a public place while attired in a swimsuit.
Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.
It is illegal to skateboard without a license.
When having sex, only the missionary position is legal.
You are not allowed to break more than three dishes per day, or chip the edges of more than four cups and/or saucers.
Oral sex is illegal.
You may not kiss your wife's breasts.
In Tampabay it is illegal to eat cottage cheese on Sunday after 6:00 P.M.
One may not commit any "unnatural acts" with another person.
Unmarried couples may not commit "lewd acts" and live together in the same residence.
It is against the city ordinance to hang your clothes outside on a clothesline. (If you don't own a house.)(Cape Coral)
It it illegal to park a pick-up truck in your driveway or in front of your house on the street. This law is limited to only those who do not own the house. (Cape Coral)
A $50 fine will be levied on anyone who allows a couch to sit in their carport. (Cape Coral City)
Owning a flower pot with water in it that isn't capable of draining is considered a public nuisance. (Daytona Beach)
Ambling and strolling is a misdemeanor. (Hialeah)
Chickens are considered a 'protected species'.(Key West)
It is illegal to roll a barrel on any street, fines go up according to the contents of the barrel. (Pensacola)
A women can be fined (only after death), for being electrocuted in a bath-tub because of using self-beautification utensils. (Pensacola)
Fences can be painted any color and long as it is white.
Okay so I couldn't sleep. But these are outdated, unthinkable, and downright ridiculous, we should thank our lucky stars that enforcing them is another matter.
- Location:FLORIDA
- Mood:
bored
With a combined long-term-stay discount & senior discount, it's $49.23 per night. That leaves $138.77 a day for: Breakfast, lunch & dinner in any restaurant I want, or room service. Laundry, gratuities & special TV movies.
Plus Holiday Inn provides a swimming pool, workout room, a lounge, washer, dryer, the one I checked out even has free toothpaste & razor & all have free shampoo & soap.
They treat you like a customer, not a patient. Five bucks worth of tips a day will have the entire staff scrambling to help you.
There's a city bus stops out front & seniors ride free.
For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus & eat at one of the nice restaurants there. While you are at the airport, fly somewhere. Otherwise the cash keeps building up and you'll have to pay taxes on it.
It takes months to get into a decent nursing home. Holiday Inn will take your reservation today. Plus - you're not stuck in one place forever - you can move from Inn to Inn, city to city and country to country. Want to see Hawaii? It has Holiday Inns, too.
TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need to have the mattress replaced? No problem! They fix everything & apologize for the inconvenience.
The Inn has a night security person & daily room service. The maid checks to see if you're OK. If not, they'll call the undertaker or the ambulance! If you fall & break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip & Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.
And no worries about visits from family. They'll always be glad to find me & probably check in for a few days mini-vacation. The grandgirls can use the pool there and I don't need to clean it or put chemicals in.
What more can you ask for?
So when I reach the golden age I'll face it with a grin. And when that day comes I'll just forward all my e-mail Dorothy@The Holiday Inn.
WAIT A MINUTE ... I just got an email and there are cruises for less than $5,600 a month. DUH Holiday Inn or CRUISING THE WORLD?
Women who voted for the McPain ticket, and their girl children, should pray to GOD that they never experience being raped by their fathers, uncles, boyfriends or date raped, and then be forced to bear the child of the glorious being with or without AIDS or some other disability. Oh did that sound religious? Well that could be the ONLY reason anyone - male of female could vote for the MacPALIN ticket.
And who are these people who think that because they have a BELIEF, and that's all it is - A BELIEF - that everyone should be governed by that belief? Isn't America about religious freedom?
Thank GOD this election is over and that she liked me better than you!!!
- Mood: cheerful
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