We love to travel, and 2020 was supposed to be a big travel year for us. Like the rest of you, that didn't happen. 2021 hasn't been so good either!
We're still dreaming about travel, reading about new destinations, and making (tentative) plans for the future. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
Let's hope we can all be traveling again in 2022!
Having houseguests is always an interesting situation. More often than not, your guests will be relatives or close friends, but let's discuss having houseguests that you've met in your travels.
We think one of the great joys of travel is meeting new people...making new friends.
If we really feel a connection with those new friends...
We invite them to visit us if they ever come to the U.S.
Through the years we have had the pleasure of several visits, so here's what I can share with you.
If you've ever had houseguests, you know that the experience is both great fun and also extra work.
If your guests are from a foreign country, it adds a different dimension.
And depending on where you live, you might be wondering, "What do I do with them?"
For one thing, we tend to take our houseguests to all the local tourist types of places and attractions...
Places that we seldom go to by ourselves.
That's a pretty obvious tip.
The other thing we find our foreign visitors like is just to see our house, how are the rooms arranged, how we live, what our appliances are like.
Take them to the grocery store. They enjoy just seeing how we live.
It's the type of thing we're interested in seeing when we visit different countries. It adds to the learning experience.
We take them to friends and neighbors houses too if we can.
Some recent visitors got a kick out of seeing the construction site next door. They build houses in totally different ways where they live.
We make a little home wine with a group of friends. In different years, we’ve put our houseguests to work picking grapes and helping with the pressing. It’s always work with a big party at the same time.
Then when we take them wine tasting… they have a whole new appreciation for the process… and the wine.
If you have foreign visitors, you need to be sensitive to the fact that they might be eating foods that are unfamiliar to them.
We put out bowls of fruit that would be familiar to everyone so there is something to eat if they get hungry in the middle of the night... bowls of candy and nuts.
Bottles of water.
While we encourage our houseguests to just open the refrigerator and take what they would like, some guests might be uncomfortable with that, so make it easy for them.
Sometimes I'm reluctant to share my kitchen.
I'm fine if guests just want to keep me company, but I've learned that some guests feel better if they can help... make their own sandwiches or help set or clear the table.
If they don't do things exactly my way, that's OK. It's only for a few days.
If you're going to take them sightseeing, you need to discuss how early you need to get up and get going... so everyone is comfortable with the timetable.
Discuss what they would like to see,
And decide who is going to pay if there is an admission fee.
Suggest some things they can do while you're gone.
If they're not driving, is there someplace they can walk?
Can they get around on public transportation?
They might like some time to themselves. Some of our guests have enjoyed just having a day to sit in our yard and relax while they catch up on reading and laundry for the rest of their trip.
The main thing to remember about having houseguests is to make them feel welcome and to communicate with each other so everyone's needs and expectations can be met.... then having houseguests will be a great experience.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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Thanks, Judy and Mark
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The Holidays are Here!
Time to remind you we have tips on
Surviving Holiday Flights
Holiday flight may be more frustrating than usual. Try to stay calm.
Remember, if you DO travel and if you’re carrying gifts, it’s better not to wrap them… airport security might make you open them!
And if you're not traveling far, reminisce about past trips.
European Christmas Markets
German Christmas Markets
Seiffen Germany Makes Christmas Decorations
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The holidays can be hectic, but treat yourself...
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Our 2021 travels were only domestic. COVID kept us close home. Road trips and a cautious flights but still fun.
Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.
Love discovering less touristed regions? The three Guyanas are tucked up in the north east corner of South America that doesn’t get much attention.
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