Library Series For Armchair Travelers

By Jan Howard

Frequent travelers and those who dream of traveling “someday” will enjoy a new series on four Tuesdays in February and March, beginning February 1 at 7:30 pm in the meeting room of the C.H. Booth Library.

“Armchair Travel Series,” designed for both globetrotters and “armchair travelers,” will feature travel to Japan, Kenya, Peru, and Ireland.

On February 1, Wally Wood, a professional tour guide, will share his deep and abiding fascination with Japan and its people.

“I was stationed there in the 1950s in the Army,” Mr Wood said.

Mr Wood has traveled twice to Japan as a tour guide, but he has been there at least a dozen times as a traveler, he said.

His favorite place in Japan is on its western coast.

“Kanazawa wasn’t bombed in World War II. It has a lot of old Japan. It has its own culture,” Mr Wood said. “It had a castle, and was the wealthiest fief during the middle ages. It has unusual crafts, such as goldware, and its own cuisine. Plus it’s small and manageable.”

Mr Wood speaks Japanese. “To be a guide, I have to. We go to places where there is little English spoken. If you’re dealing with transportation problems, you need the language.”

His talk will feature information about Japanese gardens, history, and the culture that makes Japan so interesting.

Mr Wood will also offer advice about traveling in Japan.

“Don’t tip,” he said. “Even at the Hilton, you don’t. The service is incredible.”

Another tip is not to worry. “One can go to Japan without speaking Japanese and get along well, though there are advantages to speaking it if you get lost,” he said. “But if you don’t speak Japanese, flag down a cab, tell the driver your hotel, and he’ll take you there. It’s not like getting lost in Russia.”

The presentation will include slides Mr Wood has taken during his trips to Japan.

Kenya And Tanzania

Lester Burroughs will take program participants on safari to Kenya’s and Tanzania’s noted wildlife reserves on February 8, through overhead transparencies of photographs he took there in September and October of 1998.

Mr Burroughs has traveled to various countries in the world, among them Greece, France, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Scotland, and England, as well as all over the United States. He just came back from a two-week Elder Hostel cruise along the Inter-Coastal Waterway. The next trip will be across Canada by train with Elder Hostel.

But he enjoyed Kenya and Tanzania the most, and particularly the camp at Serengeti in Tanzania.

“Kenya and Tanzania are probably the greatest vacation I ever had. We were truly treated wonderfully,” he said. “It was great being in touch with nature and wildlife. They’re poor countries, but they have done a marvelous job protecting their wildlife.”

Mr Burroughs said they visited about five wildlife preserves in each country. “The Serengeti is the most fun,” he added.

The tours will take place with as few as two people, he said. His consisted of two couples and the driver, he said. “It was practically a private tour. From a tourist point of view, we could do pretty much what we wanted.”

“I couldn’t believe the number of wild animals left in the world,” Mr Burroughs said. “I fell in love with giraffes. I can’t believe how tall they are. I was also fascinated by elephants.”

“It was just thrilling,” he said. “The people were wonderful. We had a great experience there.”

Some tips to going on safari: “Travel light,” he advised. “Don’t take too many clothes.” Also, make a copy of your passport, and put it somewhere separate from the original.

“It was a great, great trip,” Mr Burroughs said. “I would love to go back again.”

Coming Up In March

On March 1, Wendy Leon-Gambetta will take the travel series to Peru, where she lived for several years. She will offer many reasons to visit the land of the Incas, including the ancient city of Machu Picchu, the icy peaks of the Andes, and the exciting nightlife of Lima.

On March 8, Ian McMahon will take the program to Ireland. He will offer practical information on how to find the best bed and breakfasts and car rentals via the Internet, and other information on what to see and do in Ireland.

All programs begin at 7:30 pm.

Refreshments with an international flavor will be served. Please sign up at the circulation desk of the library, 25 Main Street, or call 426-4533.