You may already know this about me, but I absolutely love quotations. Alan and I both turn to our collection of inspirational quotations (or “readings,” as we like to call them) whenever our world seems to spin out of control. That’s why I especially appreciate this note from Pat V., who wrote in to share her own collection of quotations about one of my favorite places on earth—Africa. Pat told me to “use as I wish,” and I wish to share them with you.
Dear Harriet,
I just got your 101 Tips book and read it cover to cover, highlighting and tabbing pages. Thanks so much for putting that together.
My favorite trips have all been safaris in Africa and I scrapbook them when I return. These are some of the quotes I have collected along the way. Feel free to use as you wish.
— Pat V.
3-time traveler & Vacation Ambassador
Raleigh, NC
“To see once is worth more than hearing a hundred times.”
— African Proverb
“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.”
— Brian Jackman
“The darkest thing about Africa has always been our ignorance of it.”
— George Kimble
“All I know is that every time I go to Africa, I am shaken to my core.”
— Stephen Lewi
“Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle … when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
— Unknown
“There is always something new out of Africa.”
— Pliny the Elder
“All I wanted to do now was get back to Africa. We had not left it, yet, but when I would wake in the night I would lie, listening homesick for it already.”
— Ernest Hemingway (Green Hills of Africa)
“It pleased her to see these visitors, who came to her country and seemed to fall head over heels in love with it. And why should they not do this? The world was a sad enough place and it needed a few points of light, a few places in which people could find comfort … If only more people knew, thought Mma Ramotswe. If only more people knew that there was more to Africa than all the problems they saw. They could love us too, as we love them.”
— Alexander McCall Smith (Blue Shoes and Happiness)
If quotations don’t inspire you travel to Africa, perhaps some footage of animals in action set to traditional music will. That’s exactly what Pat F. delivers in her “Morning in Africa” YouTube video, which she recorded during her Safari Serengeti adventure. I was also incredibly impressed by the photography featured in her Costa Rica video. Pat, keep up the good work!
Hi Harriet,
I just wanted to share my first two YouTube movies with you. I LOVE OAT! I’ve been twice to Africa with OAT, once to China with Grand Circle, and just this past summer, my friend and I went to Costa Rica. Celiece Reid was an incredible Trip Leader, and we had the most amazing time. Thanks for making OAT such an affordable, educational, and exhilarating trip.
— Pat F.
4-time traveler & Overseas Adventurers’ Club member
San Diego, CA
Speaking of videos, I want to take this opportunity to share some of the feedback we received regarding A Woman’s World: Our Journeys and Dreams. I was happy to learn that the majority of travelers who viewed this new video were able to relate to it in a positive way—including Harriet P., who admitted that she was “expecting a sales pitch” but was pleasantly surprised to find something more. (Harriet, perhaps our love of adventure is really all in the name!)
Hi!
Excellent video. I don’t know what even prompted me to watch it as I was certainly expecting a sales pitch, but I know you hit a chord in me and probably with many other women as well. I have traveled extensively with both my husband as well as with girlfriends and it is a totally different experience. I am one of those who will “go anywhere, any time” type of traveler.
By the way, I’m also a “Harriet” and thanks for being a “Harriet” who is a modern, inquisitive, enthusiastic, and adventurous woman like me!
— Harriet P.
3-time traveler & Vacation Ambassador
Hopkins, MN
But not everyone was as enthused about our video as Harriet was—and I definitely want to take a moment to address those concerns.
Dear Harriet,
You asked for my thoughts on your new video and I would like for you to know my feelings about A Woman’s World.
My husband, Alan, and I have taken many OAT and Grand Circle trips. Although we know that not everything can be perfect, we have loved every trip we have taken and have encouraged many friends to travel with OAT or Grand Circle. As a group leader, I have put together groups for traveling and have taken pleasure in sharing the “free trip” checks I have received with my fellow travelers.
We have a trip planned for January 2010, but after watching your video this may be the last one that we plan with your company. Your video seems to be encouraging women to travel with their female friends rather than with husbands. I do not have any objection to single women in our group (we have put together many groups with many singles) but your video is encouraging more women to travel with women friends and discouraging travel with one’s spouse. My husband and I love to share our travel experiences with one another, and when we watch something on television, or a friend mentions something about a country, my husband and I have that added connection of sharing the same experience. This is how we have always traveled and this is how we plan to continue traveling.
We started traveling with Grand Circle and then expanded to OAT. Although I never thought I would be saying this, in the light of your new direction, maybe it is time for us to change.
— Bobbie Rottenberg
16-time traveler & Vacation Ambassador
Boynton Beach, FL
First of all, my sincere apologies to any traveler—male or female—who has ever felt excluded due to our efforts to reach out to women who travel solo. I’ll admit that this isn’t the first time it’s come up; I addressed a similar issue when I first launched Harriet’s Corner earlier this year. Back then, I talked a lot about creating a space for women … without realizing that I was excluding men who were interested in Harriet’s Corner, too. Now, I think we’ve succeeded in making Harriet’s Corner feel like a space for everyone—and that’s just how every OAT adventure should feel, too.
So why all the attention toward solo women travelers? Because so many of them have told us that they’ve wanted to travel, but were daunted by the idea of setting out alone. Granted, many women aren’t bothered by the prospect in the slightest, and many solo men may be daunted, too—but by and large, it’s the solo women who have expressed anxiety about feeling uncomfortable or lonely in a group setting (particularly when many of their fellow travelers are married couples). And I want to do everything in my power to encourage them to join OAT and have the time of their lives.
Bobbie, you are so lucky to have a life partner who shares your travel dreams. By no means do I discourage couples traveling together—I love traveling with my husband, too—but I don’t need to encourage it, either, because couples like you and Alan tend to hit the road without a second thought. I hope you’ll continue to do so for many happy years together … and that you’ll do so with OAT.
I apologize to you once again, Bobbie. I’ll encourage my team to think carefully about all of our travelers in our future marketing endeavors.