Guest blogger-Meredith McCleary-About Africa

West Africa and Beyond: A New Adventure

Africa is the second largest continent in the world. It consists of deserts, lush tropical rainforests, coastal and swampy regions, plenty of natural resources, and of course the routes of the Slave trade. All are intriguing and all in West Africa. Most of you who are Post Haste Travel or Ebony Heritage clients are most familiar with or have visited romantic and exotic places in South and Southern Africa, Grand Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, trekking for gorillas and primates in Uganda, or viewing the Pyramids while swaying in the breeze along the Nile.
At Post Haste we offer the opportunity to those who are looking for a new experience or adventure to visit some of the roads less traveled; to see and visit with new people and faces; to witness and appreciate their unique culture and customs, talents, artistic creations; feel the rhythm and sway to the beat, dance to the music, or just March to a Different Drummer. Belief me it can be an exhilarating experience and a breath of fresh air. The sights, sounds, and smells of the open-air markets exude a level of excitement for the ardent world’s traveler. The colorful costumes and attire leads the way to designer shoes and fashions fit for a King or Queen. Let us take a brief glimpse at West Africa and Beyond!
West Africa consists of approximately 16 countries. We have toured and marveled at a few – Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Some of you world cruisers have visited the shops on the recent addition of ports of call around the Horn or Western coast of Africa or Jet vacations to Morocco or Mali. Yes, these are all fabulous and I hope to return to all of them too! However, if you say, " I’ve been there, done that", then it’s time to try another part of Africa or see these sights through another pair of eyes – mine. The Djembe (Music), Kora (Music), the silk Kente cloth (Dress) of the Akan peoples of Ghana and the distinct Sudano-Sahelian architectural style (artist) seen in the many mosques of the region, are the primary symbolic icons of West African culture.
Ethiopia affords one the opportunity to take a journey and witness the spiritual influences of ancient religions, through an historic tour of the Northern area of the country. See the Architectural delights in rock hewn churches, and magnificent castles, and monuments with the fascinating historical perspectives of the various influences that have shaped this country. Trek, if you wish, in the mountains, and cruise on the Blue Nile, and follow the Nile across Africa. End your trip with a journey south (as I will do in May) to the Omo Valley region to meet the colorful tribes in their villages and experience the everyday life of markets, rituals and ceremonies. (If I am lucky I hope to get a boat ride to see the wildlife in this area). The same can be said for Uganda. Being a bit beyond my trekking years, (for Gorillas’) I did it for primates. A worthwhile visit was to explore the cultural and historical sites around Kampala, Jinja, and Entebbe. The museums and historical sites are amazing preserved and very good. Nothing could do better than my visit to the filming sites of the “Great King of Scotland’. For lovers of history the tour to visit and touch the Source of the Nile was overwhelming as I headed to spend time at Murchison Falls. Beyond the experience of cruising on this portion to the mouth of the Falls, the abundant display of wildlife in and on both sides of the River was spectacular. Being a lover of safari, my driver and I head out in the late afternoon for a short game drive at the Resort. I had just completed two weeks on safari in Kenya and what I saw equaled about the amount of my entire Kenyan trip! While in Kenya I took a three day road trip to Kisumu, and a day trip to nearby Kigelo - the hometown of the Kenya Obama, Sr. Family. The day was spent visiting schools, gravesites and meeting relatives of the original Obama Family – Yes, I did get a private seating with the paternal grandmother Sarah. As my pictures will show, she is a delight. My Aktion Club of Kiwanis sent signature caps for the schoolchildren. The soccer teams had just won a significant competition and we presented the hats to them. What a cheering they gave! That was their special trophy! Mama Sarah wanted her own and of course she got it. Memories are made of this.
No, it is not for everyone. Collector, musicians, music lovers, designers, historians, educators, artists, sportsman, nature lovers, sociologists, medical professional, and herbalist ,this is the trip for you!
We offer the opportunity for you visit another world; Senegal, Ghana, Gambia, Togo, Benin, Mali or Burkina Faso – to name a few. Our local, English speaking drivers, and ground operators will escort you on a journey of a lifetime. There are modest accommodations in all locations we will visit. Travel is usually via air-conditioned vehicles. The road systems are new to fairly good in most of the destinations. Food is good to excellent. Camps in the deserts are camps! Special festivals and celebrations are ongoing in West Africa, from Music in the desert in Mali (Jan) – to the Roots festival every other year in the Gambia.
These are the trips that are not measured by the breathes you take - but – the experiences that will take your breathe away.
You are invited to view pictures on the website: www.ebonyheritagetravel.com

Conversation with Lindsey-Lake Tahoe and Celebrate Africa

Lake Tahoe was great! I went with my son and his friends, so that was a little strange when I realized my son’s girlfriend is 30 years younger than me…His girlfriend, Renae is from Northern California, so we stayed with her parents the first night, then drove to South lake Tahoe the next morning and stayed at a Hyatt Vacation place where my brother has a timeshare. There was soooooo much snow! And I love cold weather. We spent that first day shopping and getting everyting ready for skiing on Monday. I used to ski everywhere every year for 20 years, but haven’t been in about 10 years. My first day on the mountain was a little tiring, but I did alright. Tuesday I had all kinds of problems staying up, and getting up when I fell, and it turned out that my right leg had just given out. I could keep that ski straight for anything! So I just took my skis off, and the ski patrol came and got me…laid me down in one of those toboggans, covered me up and went straight down the mountain….faster than I’d ever been before! I figured everyone thought they were bringing a dead body down the mountain! LOL!!!! I spent the next 2 days peacefully alone in the room , reading, napping, taking long walks…Friday we walked down to the Lake, and it was gorgeous. We had great weather the whole time, some snow, lot’s of sun. The others spent some time winning money at the casino and partying…but I got a good break. When we went back to California, I met some cowboy and went horseback riding Saturday morning. I’ve had horses all my life, but it’s been a while since I’d ridden. Great fun. My flight was a red eye out of Sacremento and I didn’t get back to Ft Laud. Until 10AM Sunday. Then I spent the next 3 weeks sick as a dog. I’m finally feeling better. We went to s LHW event Monday night to see the Last Lions, and I won an 8 day trip to South Africa! My mother is an Africa specialist, she’s been over 30 times, so I am going to extend my stay in South Africa and see some additional properties and do a little extra safaris…I’m thinking of going in June or July…it’s winter there and that will make me happy! We’ve been really busy, selling lots of cruises, Africa and Europe…how ‘bout you? We’re having a “Celebrate Africa” event next Wednesday night, with 12 suppliers, about 60 guests, and it’s being held at a facility that has an Africa themed room. I’ll post the photos so you can see. Glad you like Bora Bora…I’ve never been…yet, but we have quite a few specialists in the office. Let’s keep this conversation going…there’s so much to learn from each other! Talk to you soon.

Promote the Value of Travel Agents!

Promote the Value of Travel Agents! Read Mark Murphy's wonderful article on the purpose and committment of travel advisors. Their wisdom and knowledge is pricless...well not pricless...we do have to charge a fee for our services, but think of all the time and effort you save by using an expert!

Crystal Symphony

The Crystal Symphony was in Miami last week and I had the opportunity to take a ship tour. I have been on this ship previously, but that was 2 years ago, and there have been some minor changes made. The main deck, Grand Entry is beautiful, and the piano player creates a soothing atmosphere when you walk in. There is a coffee bar and cocktail bar around the sitting area and you can just sit and relax and watch the people walk by.

The Crystal Lounge is a large lounge, with dancing and partying fun. There is a smoking area around the bar, for those of us that still like to smoke with our cocktails. It''s bright and airy and a very comfortable area to meet your friends before dinner.

The Casino is quit large, with all the games you could ask for...plus poker tournaments, and bingo tournaments. There is a smoking area available.

Great colors...

The pool deck has recently been refurbished with new comfortable lounge chairs, couchs, umbrellas and new colors. The pool is quite large, with a great hot tub above and attached to the pool. There is a shaded seating area next to a bar and food station for snack food and cocktails. It's absolutely beautiful. With 2 specialty restaurants, the Crytal Dining Room, a private 5 course dinner available with wine pairings for up to 10 couples, a Cigar Lounge, computer learning center, Bridge/card room, nice library, and big theater with Broadway style shows....these are just a few of the great things available on board. The cabins are good size, the bathrooms well designed. Feel free to ask more about the special offers available on Crystal for the upcoming year. Thanks.

More conversation with a NextGen travel Advisor

These blog posts are a little out of order, but still make sense!
I can't believe that – the best part of being in the industry is getting to travel! Your month in Israel and Africa sounds phenomenal – what a dream. I love getting to travel and, luckily, I'm not tied down to much right now (husband or children-wise), so I do it as much as possible. In the past year, I've gone on a fam trip to St. Lucia and hosted a Seabourn cruise along the Med – I actually took my parents on the latter, their my favorite travel partners! I'll be going on an Islands in the Sun fam to French Polynesia in March – that's the farthest I've ever traveled and I'm thrilled to see Tahiti, Bora Bora, La Taha'a, and Moorea. You've definitely got to find the time to do so – I hope you have a blast on your Tahoe trip. How old is your son now, and is he your only child?
I can't believe your mother has been to Africa 30 times – how incredible! An African safari is number one on my bucket list to visit and to sell – I can't wait to have the opportunity to research it more for a client and to go one day myself. Micato's mission is beautiful and I'd like to give back to it as much as possible. I'm with you on India, Cambodia, and Vietnam... there are too many places I'd like to see over those. I'm sending my grandmother on an Ireland and Scotland trip with Trafalgar this May – I'll let you know how she likes it!
Thank you for the offer to extend to my friends – where exactly are you located? Let me know if I can ever be of help to your company. Right after Travel Mart, I had discussed working with one of the Next Gen panelists about a venture into recruiting for agencies. You never know what might happen with that, people my age just need to hear it from someone like them in the business – it's really fun and very exciting to be involved in. I would love to continue this discussion, thanks again for getting in touch and I hope we can both learn from one another!

First conversation with a NextGen travel advisor

I wanted to shoot you an e-mail per your direct message (I'm an English major, so keeping it to 140 characters is hard for me), thanks for getting in touch!

I love being a young travel consultant because I feel like the industry is going through such a dramatic change and it's exciting to be part of that change. With the internet's threat to the industry, it's sink or swim – either fight it or learn to integrate it. I'm happy to be involved in a Virtuoso agency so I learn from fellow agencies that are all swimming. I'm actually an advisor at 21 – I'm the youngest I've met so far, even at Travel Mart, but I definitely don't regard my age as a disadvantage. I think I've really had an incredible opportunity to learn at such a young age from veterans in the industry and the Virtuoso network has been so welcoming to my rookie self.

For a little over a year, I've been selling travel as an independent contractor from my apartment in Athens, GA (my home agency is in Columbus, GA) while finishing up my degree and certificates at the University of Georgia. I graduate in May and it's a little up in the air what will happen after that. I want to pursue a career in travel full time, my complication is that I'm not sure which part of the industry is the best for me. I really enjoy being a consultant, but I would love to try my hand at either travel writing (I currently keep a travel blog and write a travel section for a regional magazine in GA) or, as high-stretching of a dream that this is, I would love to get into travel hosting. I've done a little commercial work in the past and feel that if I could combine that passion with travel (all the while keeping up my writing via a travel blog), I'd definitely be living my dream job. Samantha Brown, watch your back!

Speaking of blogs, I checked yours out when you tweeted about the Oceania Marina. What a beautiful ship! I saw the Entertainment Tonight feature on the ship and fell in love – your post just fueled that love – looks like you had an incredible time. Your writing is great!
So, that's a little background on me and my short but growing time in the travel business. I would love to hear your story – how you got involved, what you do now, where's the number one place you've visited that everyone should have on their bucket list, any advice, etc. :)

Sorry I wrote a short novel – told you those 140 characters just don't cut it! Thanks again for getting in touch, look forward to hearing back from you!

Continuing Conversation with a NextGen travel advisor

I asked Lindsey if she minded that we blog our conversation....
Grace,
I don't mind at all, I'm flattered that you asked!
As far as the 30 year old woman, (a possible new advisor for us at PHT) I guess it depends on the set-up. As an IC, I'm solely commission based and within this first year I've made roughly the equivalent of someone who works full time at minimum wage. When you consider the fact that I was doing it part time while going to school full time, I actually think that's a pretty good amount to have earned on the side. When I think about taking the IC career full time as a single girl in my 20s, it scares me that I'll be relying completely on commission, just because that fluctuates so much. It can also be beneficial at times – if you make yourself, you can far exceed a salaried job. I'm also very fortunate to have the support of my parents – they've been so accommodating with letting me move back in and helping me out during the first couple years of being in the real world!
With all of that being said, it has taken me a solid year to build up a good client base and the way I've done that was mainly through attending bridal shows – it's good to give an IC a niche because it's a good place to start. I started learning about the honeymoon industry and along the way, I picked up leads from professors, family friends, etc. I think my career was definitely jump-started by working the bridal shows, though, so 2 years would be a pretty good estimate to build those clients. As far as the 5-years to make a living good enough to be just and advisor, I would imagine that's about right – since I'm only going on year 2 of my career, it's hard to say.

Hope that helps, and please let me know if there's anything else I can answer for you – I'm excited about this conversation and do hope that it can benefit others.

Best,

Lindsey