Linda Rivero, Publisher
lrivero@peacethroughtravel.net

May, 2008
Vol. 2, No. 5

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Hello,

Welcome back to Responsible W.O.R.L.D. Traveler!

It’s been quite a month! …A life-changing trip to Senegal, and a joyful time working together with my colleagues in Ziguinchor, Casamance to create a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience for you!

I tell you, Africa is in a class by itself. It’s another world…and it packs one helluva beautiful wallop. It took me a couple of days to get into the rhythm of life there…and three weeks to get out of it back here. It’s one of those destinations that, if you find the lure of our Mother Earth irresistible, you simply must experience. Africa will change you.

In an effort to share my joy, I’ve created a musical slideshow for you. This is how I see Senegal’s Casamance; come take a look!

And this month’s  feature article will give you a taste of the emotional side of travel to this captivating part of the world.

So with these gifts for you, I send you a warm invitation to take a few minutes for a little R&R.

Read on about Visuals and Events, pack your (mental) bags with our feature article; then kick off your shoes, sit back, and enjoy some pictures and music from a faraway land—that is so very close! 

Love and Peace,

Peace Through Travel

Senegal Slideshow  

Once I got over my initial self-consciousness about photographing people, I couldn’t stop. I came back with over a thousand shots, in fact. And of those, I’ve gathered some into a musical collection I invite you to enjoy. Just take a look here — and turn up your speakers. The music by a local group is wonderfully evocative.

Senegal Peace Travels

I had the delicious experience of spending time with the Casamance women with whom I and my fortunate companions in November will talk, laugh, work, and play. Boy, was that exciting! They are strong, cheerful, clear-headed, warm, and a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see them again and share the joy of their company with the women who will accompany me in November on Women’s Travels for Peace: Senegal.

Together we will make a concrete and sorely needed contribution to the lives of these women who work tirelessly to improve the economic condition of their families.

At the completion of our project, I don’t know who will be happier…they or we?

Are you a woman who’s ready to really bring change to the world?

Are you ready to live—and travel—with a depth and purpose you’ve never experienced before?

Then join me from November 7-15. You will change the lives of women and children, and their lives will change yours.

And your heart will be enriched, forever.
 

Packing Your (Mental) Travel Bags:

The Traveler's Most Inexpensive, Influential, and Under-Utilized Commodity

By Linda Rivero

Tall and slim in flowing indigo robes, with a brilliant smile and dancing eyes, an imposing man grabbed me by the arm and placed me firmly in the middle of a line of chanting, singing, stomping women, none of whom I'd ever seen in my life. “Moi? Moi?” I squealed feebly, realizing immediately I had to live up to the challenge. “Oui, oui, vous!” He chuckled and looked on approvingly.

I'd been in my destination in Senegal’s Casamance for about an hour after a long journey, and here I was. Exactly where I wanted to be, and where I'd never been before.

As I struggled to get my feet to more-or-less follow the flying bare feet around me and my syncopated claps to blend in, I was suddenly sucked into undulating, rhythmic warmth. I felt awkward, and wonderful. Catching the eyes of the woman swaying next to me, I smiled, and she smiled. I laughed, she laughed. I threw my arms around her, and she threw hers around me.

And that was my introduction to Senegal.

You travel to a place you've never been to and see people who live so differently from you, and yes, you have moments when you feel awkward. Not sure what to say, how to respond, how to interpret a word, look, gesture. It happens all the time when everything is new. You feel odd, uncomfortable, out of place. And you are, so why wouldn't you feel that way?

Think about how people typically react to this awkwardness. What do they do? If you've traveled abroad, you've seen it: some shut down, some laugh, some get nervous, some get loud; some scan the room for the nearest exit, and some seek the security of their hotel.

In a disarming moment in a foreign environment, we tend to be so utterly aware of ourselves. We're so conscious of how unpleasantly gawky we feel, how strange things seem or a person appears, and — here’s where we make our mistake — we let ourselves react from our everyday perspective. We don't shift gears. We don't change our lens.

We need to think like photographers. As a photographer, you learn to see: you see your shot; you pick it out from all the visual information around you. You frame your image, plan your depth of field, and isolate the light you want to capture. With that information you make your choices: lens, filter, f-stop, film speed. You see selectively, only that subset of visual input that you want to capture. You tune in to what you see in that precise second—that you know won't be there a second from now. That is your shot, and it takes your full consciousness at that moment.

This is exactly how we need to react when we travel. What’s in front of you?  What are  you seeing? What are you perceiving? Don't interpret, don't judge. Just see, and absorb. Remind yourself: “This isn't about me.” Believe me, it isn't. It's about being, so just let yourself be.

The key to deep, transformative travel is learning to relax enough to transcend yourself. Forget about you. Forget you're the person standing there, and just be present, alert, in touch with the scene around you. That's where the peace lies: in letting go, leaving yourself open, allowing the waves of what surrounds you to enter your eyes, your ears, and your heart.

And then…take it one step further.

In Senegal's Casamance, I was swept away by an openness, warmth and hospitality I've never felt before, anywhere. Yes, I've traveled to many places and met wonderful people. Wonderfully warm and hospitable people. But the style of hospitality here is different. What I felt from those I met was, well…simple, undisguised love.

Love of what? Love of life, I believe. Love of being. Love of our blessings. Love of people, love of the earth, love of the trees, the rivers, the sea.

When you’re washed in this aura, you begin to think: why don't I do that more? Why don't I reach out more? Why don't I forget myself and instead, tune in to the life around me?

The traveler's most inexpensive, influential and under-utilized commodity is, simply, love: open heart, open mind, open soul. Not ephemeral romantic love, but just plain love of life.

The Senegalese I had the honor to spend time with clearly grasp this. They grow up with it. One day, when you have the good fortune to visit a village in the Casamance, you will see: little, tiny people barely reaching your knee will approach you, right hand outstretched…and looking into your eyes, they will ask softly, “Ça va?”  You will smile, and your heart will glow. 

Why not do as they do? Why not tap into the love we all have within us? In the Casamance, they give their warmth away. We need to learn from their example.

When you travel, give your love away. In fact, when you're simply living, give your love away. What’s the worst that can happen? Someone may not respond in kind. So what? The next person will. And either way, you’ll feel strong, centered, and alive.

I know in my heart you will be richly rewarded for taking the chance and stepping off the edge. The love you give will come back to you in waves, over and over and over.

I can just about guarantee  it.

© 2008 Linda Rivero, Peace Through Travel LLC

Michel Thomas Language CDs

As you know, having some language ability when you travel makes all the difference. Without it, you’re pretty much stuck on the outside looking in. With it, you can at least walk through the exciting cultural portal.

You don’t need to be fluent. A few phrases, continuous effort to communicate, and a genuine attempt at reasonable pronunciation will carry you a long way into people’s hearts—and often, homes, as well.

Having taught languages for many years, I’m fussy about language-learning strategies; and I’m happy when I find one I think is valid and truly effective.

One such program is Michel Thomas’s approach. Based wholly on aural learning (no need to relate sound to the written word or worry about spelling), you find yourself quickly thinking in concepts. Drills focus on conveying complete thoughts in grammatically correct form, with no conjugating, per se.

In an effort to make an objective judgment, I completed his 8-CD course in a language I know nothing about. I wanted to see if I really felt this method worked as well as I thought.

To my delight, it did. So I fully endorse his approach, available in French, Spanish, Italian and German. You can find more information at michelthomas.com.

I must admit my ignorance. Before I went to Senegal, I was totally unaware of the Wolof language. I’d barely heard of it, and I certainly had no idea that Wolof is the dominant language of Senegal and is spoken by roughly seven million people worldwide.

But now that I do know, I’m fascinated. In fact, I’m searching for someone here in Washington DC to help me learn some Wolof survival skills.

In the meantime, I have a lingo tidbit for you that I’m pretty sure you never expected: a tongue-twister in Wolof! How’s that for a surprise?

Tuki fuki buki gudi

Tuki fuki buki becheck

As I understand from the bit of research I’ve done, the pronunciation is as follows: u = oo as in cook, i = short i as in pit, and the letter “e” between consonants = short e as in get.

And the rough translation, as I understand, is this:

“Traveling hyenas during the night, traveling hyenas during the day.”

So let Tuki fuki buki gudi, tuki fuki buki becheck carry you away:  three times fast, close your eyes, click your heels, and you’re in…Africa.

Enjoy!