In the early 70’s, my parents
went to Israel on their anniversary. I
remember that it was such a big deal to make such a venture that all of their
friends came over for a bon voyage party.
Similarly, my grandparents went on the QE2 around the same time period
and the entire family was able to go onboard for a small party and then watch
as the boat pulled out (yes, just like those OLD movies). Times have changed significantly in the past
40 years! Today, going on a cruise is a
regular vacation option, instead of a special event with a super high price
tag. Same with plane travel. While people my age did backpack, it was not
common to know many people who traveled abroad.
That brings me to Bec, who has
her degree in Travel-Tourism and Hospitality and an MBA with a concentration in
Hospitality Management. It would be natural for her to want to travel. Which is exactly what she is doing! This is professional research and development
at its finest example.
I am not exactly sure when Bec
caught the travel bug. Yes, she does
have a global map which shows where she has traveled. To put this in terms that are easy to wrap
our hands around…she has been to more counties than the number of states that I
had been to when I reached her age! This
current adventure started taking shape more than a year ago, always based on
starting with a Birthright trip.
Birthright, a non-for-profit organization, which began 20 years ago to
provide young adults an opportunity for a free 10-day trip educational trip to
discover Israel. Gab had taken her trip
a few years. Since that time, Bec began
planning when she would go. The cool
thing is that after the trip inside Israel, you can travel anywhere, but need
to return to Tel Aviv for the free flight home.
The planning began. After four years being educated in her field,
and having previously planned her and Gab’s trip to Europe two summers ago, the
research began. The key was to do the
trip on a very tight budget. There are
free tours available – check. There are
inexpensive places to stay – check.
There are inexpensive means of transportation – check. Into travel agent mode Bec went, planning the
trip for herself and her friend Jenn.
When the planning was completed, a four-week itinerary appeared. As a parent, it was great to see that the
cost of education was being put to personal use. As a traveler, Bec is also open-minded enough
to know that each potential adventure can lead to new experiences, new places
and just as importantly, new cuisines.
There is the old saying, “measure twice, cut once.” Because she took her time and did the proper
research, the first half of the trip is going well so far!
When Debbie and I got married,
we went to Israel. I let my father know
that we arrived safely by sending a one-page fax for $10. Times have changed drastically in the past
27.5 years. Using her cell phone (we
could not afford them in 1991), she sent us a message (for free) letting us
know that she had arrived safely. We
hear from her regularly and she keeps a travel journal on Instagram
(rebeccasroadtrip). The world has truly
become smaller and the ability to keep in touch simpler. As the R&D continues and based on Bec’s
feedback, we now have some ideas of where we would like to go travel in the
future. I hope that whatever path Bec
takes, she is able to pursue this passion.
It’s a big world with many exciting places to visit and her journey has
just begun!
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