Following five highly successful seasons of travelogue presentations, Grannies à Gogo is about to present their inspiring 2016 season of four all-new destinations.
Travelogue #29 focuses on Tasmania this Friday. Travelogue #30 looks at Kenya and the Masaai people Jan. 29. Travelogue #31 explores Egypt Feb. 5, and Travelogue #32 travels to southern India Feb. 12. All the PowerPoint presentations are scheduled for 10 a.m. at the People Place, downstairs in room 006.
Tom Skinner launches this series with “The ABC’s of Tasmania.” The “A” looks at Art and Animals; “B” is for Beer, Boatbuilding, and Bruny Island; “C” examines the role of Convict history. Tom refers to the island state of Tasmania as the “Newfoundland of Australia” with its unique island mentality and fierce independence.
In the second travelogue, Mary Stebbins presents “Kenya: My Maasai Sojourn,” a look at the remote highlands of Kenya where she was welcomed into a community of Maasai.
Treated with unwavering hospitality, she spent several weeks immersed in the life of a Maasai family. Mary will share some of her experiences of everyday eating, cooking, and washing without running water or electricity in their earth-floored home, attending a traditional wedding, and the building of a classroom. She will discuss the hopes and challenges of these once-nomadic people, as they navigated their way between the ancient ways and the new. In the process Mary was forced to take a closer look at our Western concept of what it means to offer help.
The season’s third travelogue takes us to “Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids” presented by Fran and Bill Wagner. They explore Cairo then hop to Luxor, site of ancient temples and the Valley of the Kings. They also will include the highlights of a three-day sail up the Nile to the idyllic city of Aswan, a foray to the amazing Black and White Deserts, and a trek to the almost unknown desert town of Siwa, a jewel-like oasis near the border of Libya.
Rounding out the winter morning Travelogue series is “Tuk-tuks, Temples and Overnight Trains — a Journey through Southern India” seen through the perceptive photos and comments of Wayne Emde.
From the crush and noise of Chennai to the temples of Madurai, the beaches of Varkala, and the backwaters of Kerala, Wayne traversed the southern tip of India by tuk-tuk, overnight trains, bicycles, vans and boats. He encountered ancient temples and palaces, the beaches of Goa and the ruins of Hampi. And along the way he ate exotic foods, bartered, struggled, laughed and gained a greater understanding of a distant part of the world.
Join us as we travel to these four captivating destinations! All presentations will be held at the People Place, 3402-27th Ave., lower level, at 10 a.m. Admission is $5 at the door. All proceeds directly support bereaved African grandmothers raising their orphaned grandchildren. For more information about Grannies à Gogo: the Vernon - South Africa Connection, go to www.granniesagogo.com or e-mail granniesagogo@gmail.com
Susan Fenner is publicity rep for Grannies a Gogo.