October 7, 2018 – Don’t Hate

WHERE TO?                  THE SENSES.

 I Just Hate That Place.

There was a time when I did say, “I hate Greece”. Time moves on.

Over the last 22 years, I have been working, playing, laughing and even crying in Greece. It has become a second home. So why did I say I hate Greece?

At the time I was “hating” Greece, I had never been to Greece. I was bobbing around the Caribbean on a ship that had Greek officers. I didn’t even know what a moose saka was.

Hindsight, I think these officers were pretty unhappy with their lives. This company was not a luxury cruise line, and there was a rumor it was going on the sales block. The atmosphere was the Greeks against everyone else.

So I left that contract knowing I didn’t like Greece or anything about it. I was NEVER going to Greece, and I was NEVER going to like a Greek person. My God has a wicked (wonderful) sense of humor.

Karma board, We’re Expecting You.

A few years later, a cruise line was courting me to help build their tour department. They were looking for someone with “big” ship experience. Their fleet of yachts could carry 102 guests. They were going to build bigger ships. After signing the contract they mention, “Oh, by the way, you will be spending the summer in Greece.”

Not knowing where this country I was “hating” is, my first stop is at a bookstore and their travel section. Within the first few pages of the book, I’m already having an attitude adjustment. People are stopping and saying, you must enjoy that book, you’re smiling.

Three weeks later, I am walking down the steps from the plane at the airport in Piraeus. I say, “I think I’m going to like it here.” And I do. The country, the sites, the food, and most of all the people. What a shame if I had never seen Greece because of some dumb thinking.

Besides a family and country that takes me in, I take something else away that summer. Never “hate” somewhere you know nothing about. Now, I want to visit everywhere once and see/experience it for myself.

Travel People Should Know Better.

One of my hot buttons is travel agents, travel bloggers, and other travel “experts” who say they “hate” a place. Of all people, they should be presenting the facts and letting the traveler decide. (Like the media used to do). Not forcing their “feelings” on someone whose “dream” was to visit that location.

This example is a great reason why you should have an idea of where you want to go. Also, you should only use a travel agent that listens to you and achieves your dreams. Is their goal is to send you where they want you to go? Or to sell you travel insurance? If so, then run!

Far Away Places, with Strange Sounding Names.

Growing up, I would watch news people standing in front of an exotic building. They said they were reporting from the Kremlin and standing in Red Square. I had to take their word for it, as the screen was black and white. To this day, I hear guests upon first seeing Saint Basil’s Cathedral say “Ohh, the Kremlin.” Unfortunately, the church, now a museum, is not, never was, part of the Kremlin.

On the subject of Russia, I do not agree with all of their policies.

For that matter, I don’t agree with a lot in my own country.

But that’s not a reason to ignore a whole country. I disagree with something the Congress passes this week. Should I cancel my trip to the Grand Canyon next week because of this?

Don’t hate the country, hate the politicians.

If you boycott Russia because of one man, he does not win, but you are the loser.

They All Wear Funny Hats and Ride Camels.

We can all thank 1940s Hollywood for what we “think” Turkey, Morocco or the Road to Zanzibar is. Istanbul is the gateway between Asia and Europe. High tech, a major commerce center, and not a camel in sight.

You can sleep in the Moroccan desert under the stars in their version of Glam camping. I recommend at least one evening in the desert. But you can also lay your head on a feather pillow at the Anan, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental or Sir Richard Branson’s hotel.

And Zanzibar, it’s not even on the road. It’s an island off the east coast of Tanzania in Africa. Although not a leading political or economic capital, (the average income is $250 a year), it’s still worth seeing. Smell the spice markets, one of their largest industries. Explore remnants of its days as a slave-trading port. Seek out the red colobus. A primate that has the official title of a “distinct species” due to its seclusion from other animals.

What if They Hate Us?

Who are they? Iran? I have many friends from Iran. The country as a whole does not hate you or the United States. They would love to show you their country. You might find that you have some of the same thoughts and beliefs.

Turkey? I have numerous friends there and can count more than 30 trips to the country.

My birthday in 2016 was in Istanbul. Did they want to blow me up? Hardly. They took me for a lovely dinner overlooking the city.

My friends there love Americans and “hate” what the radicals are doing to their countries reputation.

Don’t Hate the Unknown.

Question it. Study it. Make it the known, but don’t hate it. Don’t judge a country until you walk a mile in its boundaries.

Even after you visit it, don’t hate it.

There are many places I do not ever need to go back to. I got to see them, experience them, and I took away a new understanding of them.

Am I glad I saw them? Absolutely. And I always try to walk away with one nugget of positive thinking. Often it’s how fortunate I am. Despite the traffic, fighting, and phones smarter than me, I am so lucky I live where I do.

If a village or town, island, or country can make you say that, don’t hate it. Say thank you!

“See Bordeau” Continued on Page T8                              “Greek Wine ” Continued on T14