e-Marginalia Newsletter

Happy 2006, e-Margonauts. It's going to be a great year for immersion travel if the first two weeks of the new year are any indication! I've just wrapped up two thrilling days at the Adventures in Travel Expo in New York City, and I'm more excited than ever about all of the amazing things happening in the travel world. The Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE) is "the world’s largest series of travel events serving adventure, active travel, eco, nature, cultural and outdoor tourism enthusiasts and professionals. These premier events give attendees the opportunity to see thousands of travel possibilities, from exotic safaris to luxury beach escapes. The best undiscovered experiences that you may not find otherwise." The New York show was number three for 2005-6, preceded by San Francisco in November and Chicago a week ago. If you've missed the first shows, don't worry, you can attend one of the next three: Long Beach, California (January 28-29); Washington, DC (February 10-12); or Dallas, Texas (TBA). Not only will you have the opportunity to discover a veritable mother load of intriguing travel destinations and resources, but you can (read "should") attend some of the seminars. Check out Meandering Margaux to read and hear (audio recordings) my reflections on the half dozen adventure travel seminars I attended. But the Adventures in Travel Expo is only one of the many reasons that 2006 is off to an impressive start. For example, how about an interview with Rita Golden Gelman? That's right, we've just published our first interview of a female inspirational traveler. Not sure why it took us so long, but it was definitely worth waiting for. Nana had the good fortune of interviewing children’s book writer and Tales of a Female Nomad author, Rita Golden Gelman, by telephone. Here's what Nana had to say about it: "On the phone, she spoke with the same candor and intimacy as she does in her book. Her openness forces you to be likewise. We chatted for nearly two hours about travels, fears, politics, her family, and my family, our conversation often broken by laughter or pause for thought. Rita reminds us that with intelligence should also come compassion. When asked how she is able to connect so easily with people, her answer was simple: 'I smile a lot.' At the end of our conversation, I felt so close to her that I uttered, 'Oh, I don’t want to hang up.' And this is exactly the feeling she brings with her to every new place she explores." In addition to Rita Golden Gelman's intimate interview, there are a several additional wandering storytellers who've been sharing their adventures with e-Margonauts. Nayeli (the new addition to the e-Marginalia writing/blogging crew mentioned in last month's newsletter), continues to enchant and entertain with her articles from Senegal. If you haven't yet had the pleasure, check out Nayeli's snappy stories. And an even newer addition, Thailand-based Carson Christiano, is giving Nayeli a run for her money. While living and teaching in Chiang Mai for a year between college and law school, Carson has been sharing her experience via sometimes poignant, often quirky and always engaging stories. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a third installment soon! Another recent addition, a flight of fancy from Christel de Noblet, takes an imaginary trip to the Loire Valley. "Loire Valley Castle and Cuisine" is every Fracophile's fantasy, and it's guaranteed to make your stomach rumble with hunger! And, last but not least, rumor has it that we'll soon be publishing a photo journalist's travelogue from the first two legs of the Crystal Cruise World Cruise with some inviting ports of call: Acapulco and Hualtico, Mexico; Ecuador; Guatemala; Lima, Peru; Easter Island; the Pitcairn Islands and Bora Bora, Tahiti. But it's still just a rumor. Shhh… Continue reading the newest e-Marginalia Newsletter, complete with amazing travel discounts, travel news, and more.