xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Elderhostel Notebook October 1966
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Elderhostel Notebook is the bimonthly e-mail publication of the
Silver Threads, an informal collection of net seniors. It is the
product of elderhostlers, and is independent of the Elderhostel
organization and not associated with it.
It is published in alternate months with the Silver Threads
Newsletter, but has a separate mailing list. Submissions are
welcome and voluntary as are comments and suggestions.
Editor is Jim Olson olsonjam@uwec.edu
There is no charge for either publication. Just contact the
editor to subscribe.
**********************************************
Contents
From the Editors Notebook
News and Comments
Elderhostel Reviews
Personals
########################################
Editor's Notebook
########################################
With this issue we start our schedule of monthly publication.
This should make it possible to have the material more timely
and relate to upcoming elderhostel events.
This issue is shorter than usual, and it is possible to send it
in one e-mail to our list of short mail-box subscribers.
There are now two internet discussion groups involving
elderhostel. One is located in the Seniornet section of America
On Line in the Arts and Leisure section of the Forums. To get to
the forums from AOL use the keyword "Seniornet" and then click on
forums when the seniornet area comes on. Choose list topics, then
Arts and leisure, and list topics again, then Elderhostel. You
must be a subscriber to AOL (but not necessarily a SeniorNet
member) to use this site.
The other site is at the Seniornet RoundTables which can be
accessed by going to the web site http://www.seniornet.org,
clicking on Roundtables, then registering at the Roundtable site
(you need not be a SeniorNet memebr), then scrolling to Travel,
then to Elderhostel within the travel folder.
Hope to see some of you there.
#########################################
News and Comments
#########################################
Elderhostel Spinoffs Appear
With the success of the Elderhostel program spurring them on
elderhostel-like programs are growing both in the non-profit and
commercial field.
The Saga travel agency that provided the administration for many
international programs for Elderhostel has added educational
programs similar to Elderhostel in its selection of tours and
programs.
Several educational institutions have extension programs that
function very much like elderhostel and cater to seniors looking
for (usually summer) programs that offer a less formally
structured classroom experience than the regular college
curriculum provides.
One of the latest of the non-profit spinoffs is "Edadventure" a
program sponsored by a consortium of educational institutions in
Arizona, California, and Utah Edadventure sponsors Educational
Programs for the Mature Traveler."
They are very much like Elderhostel and are an outgrowth of the
Elderhostel programs sponsored by the institutions in the
consortium (which will continue to offer regular Elderhostel
programs as well.)
The differences between Edadventure programs and elderhostel
program are not clear at this time, but probably involve less
Elderhostel organizational red tape (there does not appear to be
an age limit) and seem to be comparable in price to Elderhostel
with most of the same features including hotel/motel
accommodations and meals included for the 5-7 day programs.
For information and a catalog contact
Yavapai College
Edadventures Y.C Box 6012
1100 East Sheldon Street
Prescott, Arizona 86301
#########################################
Elderhostel Reviews
#########################################
From: TERRY BEE @aol.com
New Orleans Elderhostel
Returned yesterday (Sept 27, 1966) -- this was my sixth -- and
represents the creme de la creme - As one of the instructors
said - they have never "fit in" - they do not even "fit" in
Louisiana.
Many Californians as well as a number of East Coast people - for
many a first time visit to NO. We had wonderful instructors,
somything different every day - History, Literature,
Architecture, Mardi Gras, Politics, and an excellent course on
Jazz at a French Quarter location--- - every meal but breakfast
was at a different location. Breakfast included bacon, or
sausage, eggs, potatoes, waffles one morning, pancakes another!
Each group had its own group leader and its own bus - it was
beautifully and efficiently organized - it is incredible all of
the things we did and places we went.
There was an optional (extra cost) visit to Pete Fountain's
performance at the Hilton, including a visit to the Top of the
World Trade Center. We stayed an extra day to visit the fabulous
plantation near Baton Rouge, called Nottoway, 59,000 square feet
(64 rooms) -- this is what your dream of a storybook plantation
is. Our end of session party was delightful - they had a jazz
trio for the music - dancing, -- picked a "king" and "queen" -
lots of fun.
There is now a Program Two underway - new subjects, new places to
eat, etc. - so watch your catalogue or E-mail me for additional
info.
Unbelievable what all they offer - don't know how they do it
at Elderhostel price!
______________
Subject: Elderhostel Review
From: Don and Barbara McCrary, Dallas, Texas
Title: San Antonio's Colorful Hispanic History, Traditions and
Architecture
Date: February, 1996
This was our first Elderhostel experience so we decided to try
one of the many offered in Texas. We were surprised to find we
were the only ones from Texas in the group, except for the host
couple from Houston. Most were from the New England states, and
many had scheduled two weeks of EH, having been in Corpus
Christi, Austin or Galveston the preceding week. There were 13
singles and 15 couples in the group. The program was sponsored
by the University of Texas at Austin and was well organized and
enjoyable. We stayed at an older Rodeway Inn next to the
Interstate and most meals were provided at a Luby's Cafeteria
across the street. Luby's also provided a classroom for the
seminars.
We had a different topic each day - the missions, folk medicine
of the Hispanic and Indian cultures, architecture of the city,
and history and traditions of the Texas cowboy. We spent one
afternoon at the San Antonio Zoo, enjoyed a lunch at Fort Sam
Houston, and a taco buffet at a restaurant followed by a special
evening's entertainment presented by young Hispanic dancers.
In October we're going to Big Bend National Park for our second
program (also sponsored by UT Austin), and are looking forward to
another great week. This one promises to be more strenuous with
field trips lasting up to 8-10 hours!
________________
From: Biobarb3@aol.com
I've just returned from a most successful EH trip to Indonesia.
We visited three islands - each very different from the others:
Jogjakarta,Java (Moslem and urban); Ujang Pandang and Rantepao on
Sulawesi (the latter is Christian-Animist, a small mountainous
city), and Ubud, Bali (Hindu - a small artistic city). The group
was interesting, energetic, and enthusiastic for all activities.
We saw natural beauty, cultural landmarks, markets, heard
interesting lectures, hiked, snorkled, saw dance productions,
played the gamelon and tried our hands at batik. We tried a
variety of foods and stayed in comfortable accommodations. E-mail
me if you've further questions. Barbara
___________
Subj: Re:Costa Rica
Date: 95-11-30 21:06:48 EST
From: GreenBeem@aol.com
The EH to Costa Rica was very interesting. Also more rugged than
we expected. Especially since my husband was just two weeks out
of the hospital when we left. I tried to persuade him to let me
call and postpone the trip, but his drs. said he could go. He
admitted on the next to last day that if he had known beforehand
how physical it was going to be, he'd have postponed it. Our
guide was superb--he really made the trip! The sites we visited
were very interesting---from cloud forest to dry forest to beach
to volcanoes.
Transportation was in a small and not very comfortable bus, but
it could get into places a bigger bus would never have made. We
forded several rivers in it! deep enough that water came in the
door of the bus! The EH group was from all over the country and
Canada. Most were congenial, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Of
course, there's always one or two real pains, but thats par for
the course.. Saw lots of birds, --parrots, toucans, jacarandas,
and some of the migrants from up north. Also monkeys, caimans,
exploding volcanoes---neat. If you really enjoy birding and
nature study, this is for you.
GreenBeem
____________
Subj: Re:re:Montecatini
Date: 96-07-13 22:00:00 edt
From: MAX 4 3 40 @aol.com
Montecatini: Many people back this program up with programs in
Assisi, Rome, Lake Garda or Venice. The Montecatini/Florence
program is very vigorous and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone
who has problems with mobility. There is a lot of walking...in
Florence, Lucca, Siena, Pisa and San Gimignano. The private bus
transportation is excellent but all those cities must, by law,
drop passengers away from the city centers. The coordinator is
one of the best. ..efficient, well organized and an incredible
art historian. All the guest lecturers are excellent.
The tour guides have a great sense of humor and are extremely
knowledgeable. Both the Hotel Manzoni and Hotel Augustus are very
nice. Accommodations at the Manzoni are a bit better (they have a
swimming pool) but the food isn't as good as the Augustus.
Montecatini itself is a wonderful little town. Waking around
there is easy. There are a few excellent caffe's very near the
hotels for cappuccino or gelato. There is ample free time to
relax and enjoy the baths or take the train or bus back in to
Florence or out to the coast on your own.
If you are interested in Renaissance Art and architecture then
this is the program. The segment on Puccini is a wonderful bonus.
I believe that Elderhostel has received all A's on this program
in the last three or four years and that it is difficult to get
into because of its tremendous popularity. It would be worth it
to get on the waiting list though particularly for the late
spring or early
fall when the weather is the best.
Ciao e buon viaggio
Maxine
____________
Subj: A viking Adventure/Shipboard
From: Joancneuw@aol.com
In June of '95 we flew to Reykavik Island,there we met our
shipmates and crew. We were to visit sites that the ancient
Vikings used to cross the Atlantic. We lucked out with one oof
the few cabins that had a private bath,down the hall from the
Captain and with the ship Dr. on the other side. Most of the
cabins shared a bath between two. Singles on board were given
priuvate cabins but their baths were in the hall. The entire
ship was rented to the EH provider,it was the Akademik Joffe a
Russian vessel involved in Communication research.
The crew was Russian and the staff was Canadian. I believe our
group consited of 71 as citizens and 1 Canadian. If you saw the
EH report on how a person with a disability was able to travel
with an active group (she required a---- machine to change her
blood) that was our trip. At any rate we toured Reyk. and then
another port on the Island. We saw the remarkable newly formed
volcanic islands and stood at the edge of the volcano.
Much of the landscape reminde me of the bubbling globs at
Yellowstone. The highlight of Iceland for me was the soak in
Blue Lagoon,a body of water created as they harnassed the energy
of the geothermal waters. The temperature was about 60 but the
water was in the 90;s and the dash to the dressing room was
exhilerating.To get to many places we had to use a Zodiac,that is
a rubber raft with a motor,it waS Always exciting! Our next stop
was a Danish island,then on to the Shetlands and the Faroes.
We visited sites of early settlements,older communities and then
on to the Ortkney islands where we were invited to tea at the
Castle. We continued on to the city of Aberdeen and visited more
Castles,all beautiful and remarkable when you realize when they
were completed and lived in.We disembacked at Tillbury and on to
LOndon for some Pub visits and time on our own to explore.
I ommitted that while on board we were also engaged in observing
birds and whales,under the tuteledge of our very knowledgeable
staff. These same folks do some of the Antartic exploring,but we
have enjoyed this adventure and are not interested in testing
ourselves further!
_______________
>From bsheffie@RVCC.RARITANVAL.EDU
Opera and Theatre at my 17th Elderhostel
It was titled "Othello (by Shakespeare) and Otello (by Verdi)- an
intensive course". We were exposed to saturation daily for about
five hours plus evenings of films and VCRs on the same subjects.
The course was conducted by Sister Josepha Kennedy, a talented
voice professor, and voice performer at Nazareth College in
Rochester, in New York State. She was assisted by a well-informed
former school teacher, Ruth Yule who contributed several lectures
on Shakespeare.
Introductions began with Registration on a lovely June Sunday
evening. The class of 42 Seniors included 9 couples, 18 solo
ladies and 6 solo men. When the course ended we had all become
friends and hated to part.
Sister Josepha excerpted several arias to demonstrate her
delightful lectures. For the last day of class she asked the
participants to volunteer a short presentation on any subject
related to the course matter. My friend Muriel Freeman, a
journalist, mesmerized the group with "My friends at the
Metropolitan Opera". She has interviewed many opera stars
including basso Jerome Hines, mezzo-soprano Fredericka Van Stade,
and others. It was Muriel's 13th Elderhostel with me.
After class we saw many screenings such as the famous
"Metropolitan opera broadcast with Placido Domingo", and "The
Making of Zeffirelli's Otello", the Orson Wells film of the play,
the unabridged William Marshall film, and others.
For the last class session we were encouraged to present the
results of any research which could be performed at the extensive
music library. I did some studying on the origin of glass because
in the filmed play, with Sir Anthony Hopkins, I had noted that
ceiling-to-floor windows were shown with highly polished, clear
glass. I was intrigued to find that neither this clear glass, nor
the height of the frames were available at the time of the play.
It was a memorable week. Will we do it again? Of course. Soon.
_______________
From: Barbar624 @aol.com
I've returned from this fabulous S. Pacific trip. I couldn't
recommend it too highly. It is run by the Pacific Institute and
originates in Hawaii. We had orientation there in the lovely
home of the director. It was a chance to meet fellow travelers
also. Flew to Nadi, Fiji and then a short flight to Savusavu.
Stayed at the Daku Resort.
Fijians are very warm and friendly. Got to go to villages and
schools and really meet people. The people at the resort were
like guardian angels, always looking out for us. Snorkeling was
possible every morning as we were right on the Pacific. Went on
to Tonga to a hotel run by a very marvelous Tongan woman.
Tonga is much smaller and we managed to see most of it. Even saw
the king. Next was W. Samoa where we stayed at the famous Aggie
Grey Hotel. This was really posh and we couldn't believe the
menu. We could pick out lobster if we wanted. We visited many
places there and really got to talk to people.
The second to last night was spent on Manono Island where pairs
of us stayed with families. There are no cars here, only paths
around the island. The living is much more primitive although
they have tried to provide flush toilets for Elderhostelers. (A
water shortage when I was there meant that the tanks had to be
filled by buckets.) We got to talk with our families and find
out about a completely different way of life. It was wonderful.
I know the trip seems a little expensive but the return is
terrific. Also six airplane flights are involved. Some of the
planes between islands were only big enough for the sixteen of us
and the pilot and co-pilot! I learned so much and the people
there are so welcoming. If you must, save, save, save and go.
Also shopping for souveniers is fairly inexpensive because these
are not big tourist spots. In Fiji most of the women in our
group picked out material and had mumus tailor made for a
pittance.
I am eventually going to write about the trip in more detail for
friends and if you are interested in a copy , send me your snail
mail address. Barbara Palmer
_____________
>From mvrdeloh@midohio.net
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 09:22:25 -0400
Just got on www and found the Elderhostel Notebook. What a
terrific exchange of information - always good to hear of other
good places to visit.
I just returned from my eighth Elderhostel, which goes to the top
of list of recommendations: Wisconsin, Geneva Bay Center
sponsored by North Park College. Great location, rooms, meals
and classes all in one air conditioned building overlooking Lake
Geneva. Program included WWII Correspondents; the 40's after the
war; Franz Schubert romantic art songs.
Suggested to me as place to go regardless of the program - I
attended and particularly enjoyed the location of Mount Carmel
Spiritual Center at Niagara Falls, Ontario. This is within
walking distance of the Horseshoe Falls. Afternoons are free for
sightseeing.
Two outstanding instructors: Joe Costantino who does music
programs from the 1930's to 1960's popular music. He seems to be
instructor at various locations. I attend his Blues Singers at
Jekyll Island. Marvelous. Marsha Daigle-Williamson of Spring
Arbor College MI who discussed C.S. Lewis "Narnia Chronicles" at
Hillsdale's Michindoh. She was spell-binding whether you had
read the books or knew nothing about Lewis. She also does a
program on Dante.
Would like to hear from others about "favorite" places.
Mary R. mvrdeloh@midohio.net
#########################################
Personals
#########################################
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 1996 20:40:37 -0400
From: FranknBene@aol.com
Last month we wrote the review "From The Heart of Burgundy" -
barge study cruise. We neglected to note our name and e-mail
address. It was not our intention to remain anonomous. On the
contrary, we enjoyed the program so much that we would invite
comments and questions.
Frank and Bene' (FranknBene@aol.com)
__________