It’s wonderful that more options are popping up to purchase products that provide needed income in areas of great poverty, as well as fair trade alternatives.  I set out to find gifts that do even more, such as provide education or support to the impoverished artisans, are made of recycled or natural materials to be kind to our earth, etc.  My other criteria was that they ship to Canada and the United States and in many of the following suggestions they also ship to other countries, as well some have retails locations.

1.  The Leakey Collection

Based in Kenya, Africa, over 1,400 Maasai create elegant, handcrafted products including sustainable jewellery made from natural elements, a skin care line, and home interior accessories. They are members of the Fair Trade Federation and Green America.  In addition The Leakey Collection carries out local initiatives, including donating five per cent of all sales to support health benefits, education, and infrastructure.  Website:  www.leakeycollection.com/

2.  Krochet Kids

Three guys, all college friends who knew how to crochet, started Krochet Kids which now employs over 150 people in Uganda and Peru to create these unique pieces.  Not only are people gainfully employed, but they also receive education in English literacy, and mentorship in personal budgeting, savings and loaning practices and business development.  Their motto:  ”Buy a Hat. Change a Life.” What’s really cool is that every product is hand signed by the woman who made it!  Truly, a piece of art.  Website:  www.krochetkids.org 

3.  Canaan Fair Trade

Canaan Fair Trade sells olive oil and other delicacies (olives, sundried tomatoes, cous cous, za’atar, tahini, gift baskets and soaps) produced by over 1,700 small farmers from marginalized Palestinian rural communities. They are organized in village cooperatives and represented by the Palestine Fair Trade Association (PFTA).  Social and economic empowerment programs are implemented, and farmers also receive an education in sustainable practices.

One dollar from each olive oil tin sold goes to the Tree of Life program, which supplies olive trees to farmers.  You can also buy trees as gifts with $20 purchasing 3 trees. In addition, the Canaan Scholarship Fund develops and supports youth programs from pre-college through higher education in Palestine.  And if that wasn’t enough, they also support woman owned cooperatives through a microloan program, which anyone can help support.  Website:  www.canaanusa.com

4.  Sseko Designs

Sseko Designs makes beautiful leather sandals with interchangeable fabric straps that can be styled in hundreds of ways.  They use fashion to provide full-time employment for Ugandan women at above a fair wage, as well as employment during the 9 month gap between high school and university for those wanting to pursue post-secondary education.  For women in this latter group, 50% of their salary is put into savings and at the end of the 9 months, Sseko Designs provides a university scholarship that match 100% of their savings.  They ship worldwide, and have many retailers. Website:  www.ssekodesigns.com

5.  Made by Survivors

Made by Survivors is a nonprofit organization which employs and educates survivors of slavery and other human rights abuses.  They provide fair wages and 100% of the profits go to support rescue and aftercare.  Survivor artisans create beautiful jewellery, bags, gifts and cards, as well as items for kids.  All of their centers are designed so they can be independent, self-sustaining, and survivor-owned within three years of launch.  Website:  www.madebysurvivors.com

 6.  Punjammies

Punjammies is part of the International Princess Project, who advocates for women enslaved in prostitution in India.  Women who leave the brothels are provided occupational training and a job at their sewing centre to create pajamas from beautiful Indian fabrics.  
Proceeds from sales goes to paying the ladies fair trade wages, money towards their living expenses, holistic support and restoration, and funding towards their children’s schooling.  Website:  www.punjammies.com

7.  31 Bits

31 Bits provides needed income to 108 women in Northern Uganda who hand make gorgeous jewellery from 100% recycled paper and other local materials.  Artisans are provided English lessons, finance training, counselling and leadership. AIDS and health education are also provided for the 1/3 who are HIV positive.  The goal is to have the women earn a sustainable living beyond 31 Bits, either by starting a business or joining an existing business, within three to five years from their entrance into the program.  Shop online or at one of their retailers spread throughout Canada and the United States.  Website:   www.31bits.com

8.  FEED

Using environmentally-friendly and artisan-made materials, along with fair-labour production, FEED has been able to donate a whopping $6 million and 60 million meals through the sale of their products.  Their line includes FEED bags, bears, t-shirts, and other accessories.  Shop online or at one of their retailers in Canada, the U.S., and Japan.  Website:  www.feedprojects.com

9.  Heart of Haiti

We all know how Haiti has been hard hit and the people are in desperate need of ways to create an income.  Heart of Haiti is a collection of one-of-a-kind hand crafted art made from recycled materials, such as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier mache and stone.  Their collection has led to employment for 450 Haitian artists and the items are only available at Macy’s, either online or in person.  They do ship to Canada too!  Website:  Heart of Haiti

Please share with others and if you know other gift ideas that are not on this list, feel free to add in the comments below.

50 things is a lot so people usually groan at the number and struggle at first to come up with that many.  It’s supposed to be challenging so we can look at things we often take for granted.  For example, did you eat today (more than 800 million go to bed hungry every day)?  Do you have a roof over your head (U.N. estimated about 100 million homeless in 2005, with another 100 million who are the hidden homeless)?  Do you live in a peaceful country (think Syria right now)?  Do you have freedoms most don’t (think Palestinians)?   Can you walk?  See?  Hear?

These are things that we should be grateful for every day because we don’t know how long they will last.  Maybe our home will get burned down, or be demolished by a tornado. Maybe we’ll be in an accident and lose one of our senses. The list should also include things specific to today – a good cup of coffee, a song you heard on the radio, a smile someone gave you, something inspirational you read, the feel of the sun on your skin, a pleasant phone call, and so on.

When you do a grateful list every day, you will know it’s working when throughout the day you notice things and think “I’ll have to add that to my gratitude list”.  You may also find yourself creating situations that you can add to the list too.  What a fantastic way of creating what you want!

Once I’m in a grateful frame of mind I don’t bother with the list since I’m doing it in my head or out loud throughout the day.  However, when I find myself becoming discouraged or negative, I pull out pen and paper and write out at least 50 things every day for several days in a row and find that really helps turn me around.

What about you?  What are you grateful for?  How do you maintain this frame of mind?  How easy or difficult was it for you to come up with a list of 50?  Please share in your comments below.

I must admit although I loved the personal touch, at times it was annoying such as on Christmas Day when I was in a taxi, trying to find the house I was invited for a barbecue and we were lost.  There was one man on the street so the taxi driver stopped to ask for directions.  Now here in Canada one would say “Excuse me, do you know where such-and-such place is?”  Not there.  No, the taxi driver and the man had to first greet each other, ask how each was, and even ask about their families before asking for directions!  No matter what one is doing, or how much of a hurry they are in, people always come first. That’s the rule. 

In Palestine I found the same thing.  Rarely were people behind television sets or texting on their cell phones.  Instead, they were spending face-to-face time with each other. There was never a shortage of people to have a conversation with because they would always stop what they were doing to take the time out to talk.

In fact it was so important that people felt welcomed that when we had meals together, there was usually an extra place setting or two just in case someone stopped by.  Imagine that – being so welcomed that a place is already set for you!  It’s hard to feel disconnected in a place like that.

At home I get frustrated when I walk into a coffee shop and often the person behind the counter barely looks at me.  Most often no matter how simple the order was, they weren’t present enough to really listen and had to ask again “Was that bold or light you wanted?”  “and regular or large?”  I feel like shouting “HEY – I’m a person.  Look at me.  Listen to me.  Connect with me!”

In Cape Town, South Africa I loved walking down the street and waving to shop owners along the way and shouting out greetings.  We had all had meaningful conversations and remembered each other.  It made it feel like I belonged, even though I was a temporary resident.

So what can we do to put people first in our cultures?  I met a young woman the other day who was doing  just that.  She was sitting on a park bench and I joined her as I was waiting for my friend to arrive.  She looked at me, gave me the biggest smile and said “Hi!  How are you?”  I was surprised.  I thought, “do I know her? Does she think she knows me?”  We immediately got into a lively exchange and I found out that she tries to meet 5 new people a day and get to know something about them.  We chatted about what we were doing and what we wanted to do with our lives (pretty deep stuff fast!), where we had travelled to and where we still want to go in the world. I found out that her and her boyfriend gave away their TV so they could spend more time connecting with people for real.

It’s amazing how often we can go throughout the day encountering and being surrounded by lots of people but never talk to them and thus definitely making no connections.  I so enjoyed my time with this young woman and learned much from her that day.

Let’s all try her challenge.  Even if it’s not 5 people a day (that seems like a lot!), what about 5 a week or even 5 in a month?

Let’s also really listen when people talk.  Drop what you’re doing and take the time out to put people first.  I know this can be difficult as we’re so task-oriented.  I was out working in my front yard when an elderly neighbour was pushing her walker down the street.  It has a seat so when she saw me, she stopped, sat down, and was ready to talk.  I’ll admit all I wanted to do right then was to get my yard work done.  Instead, I stopped to have a real conversation with her and am I ever glad I did.  She admitted how lonely she was and some fears she had.  It was a meaningful exchange that left us both feeling connected and – I don’t know how to describe this – warm inside? More full?  I think you know what I mean.

Put down your cell phone, your TV remote, that gardening tool, and put people first.  Trust me, it will be worth it. There’s nothing much better than feeling a true connection to others.

Please share your thoughts below.  Have you encountered this when traveling or at home? What ideas do you have for putting people first?

You don’t have to be in love?!                 

I was intrigued. You don’t have to be in love?  They explained that the younger generation is moving towards that but it isn’t the top of their list of criteria.  Their marriages aren’t arranged – although parents do have a lot of input as it turns out, and may do some suggesting – ultimately each person decides for themselves who they’ll pick to be their lifelong partner.

This is an especially serious undertaking there, since there are virtually no divorces.  In fact in the two years I’ve spent there, I never met anyone who was divorced!

Left brain vs right brain 

They explained that what is most important to them is the person’s character.  Are they a good person?  What is their reputation?  What is their family like?  What do others think of this person?  Do they see him/her as a good choice?

Wow, at first that felt very “left brain” decision making to me – the logical, rational side.  In fact it seemed almost calculating and cold since in western society we focus on love, love, love.  Do we feel passionate about that person?  Does our heart flutter when they walk into the room?  It’s really all about “right brain” decision making – the side that is more emotional and abstract.

After love then farther down our list are things like their family, their character, etc. but rarely do we ask others what they think of our choice.  In fact I’ve had friends where I don’t think they’re making a good decision in a mate but I keep my mouth shut.  They haven’t asked, and I can imagine a friendship faltering if I were to diss their man.  The first time I was a bridesmaid I felt funny about it because inside, I questioned this guy’s character and didn’t think it would last.  Sadly, after a couple of years of marriage and having one child, their marriage ended.

We obviously don’t have this whole choosing a spouse thing down at all.  Even after being madly in love and pledging commitment forever, about half of marriages end in divorce.  That’s tough, and hurtful, and difficult – especially when there are children involved.

Combining cultures for whole brain decisions

So then I got thinking, how about if we combined both cultures’ ways and made a whole brain decision?  We can still feel love and passion and all those other wonderful emotions, but also be more rational about it all.  Ask people what they think.  Find out your chosen one’s reputation in various circles.  Look at their family of origin.  Now many have tough upbringings and it doesn’t mean that if they do the person is automatically a bad choice.  What it does mean, however, is that you need to find out how that person has dealt with their roots and what they’ve learned.  Also one needs to realize and accept that their family comes with the package so determine if you’re ready to embrace that.

It makes sense that with whole brain decision making – using both the logical left brain and emotional right brain – that our decisions will be better.  By using our entire brains in making such an important choice of who we’ll spend the rest of our lives with, surely our chance for a “happy ever after” are much higher.

I’d love to hear what you think.  How did you choose your mate?  Has anyone ever asked what you think of their perspective spouse?  Have you ever piped up and told someone if you think they should run the other way?  Were they appreciative of your input or were there unintended consequences?

Look for local accommodation

Stay away from the large, internationally owned hotels that are so impersonal anyway. Instead, stay in the smaller, locally owned hotels, inns, and guesthouses to contribute to the local economy. I don’t know if this is true, but I’m hoping that the employees are better off working for local establishments as well. Another bonus: more personal treatment, and more interaction with locals so you can learn more about your temporary new culture, and find the best places to eat, how to get around via local transport, and activities that provide a more authentic experience. One of the biggest gems I found was a room in a house with a rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean in a small village in Portugal – and the cheapest place on the whole trip!

Ask about their social and environmental policies

I love it that more establishments are not laundering the towels everyday, are using more eco-friendly cleaners, serving more organic food, and contributing to local causes in some ways. The more we as consumers ask and stay at those with these kinds of policies, the more places of accommodation will revise their practices.

Eat at local establishments

You can get McDonald’s at home. Now is the time to try out different food – you might be surprised by finding new tastes you love. Patronize restaurants and cafes that are locally owned, again to help with local employment. Usually these places are also tastier, fresher, more authentic, and again have that personal touch. I have some good friends abroad that own cafes that I met by being a customer.

Shop where your purchases help locals

Steer clear of the pricey tourist shops and find shops that are not only owned by locals, but help provide income to disadvantaged groups. This takes some digging and research but well worth it. You not only do good, but find one-of-a-kind handcrafted gems. For example, in Cape Town our Impact Journeys trips take participants to Monkeybiz that established a community of 450 bead artists, creating sustainable employment, and all profits of sales are reinvested back into community services. We also go to Streetwires, an appropriate name since it is street people that were taught to create amazing products made from wire and beads, thus becoming gainfully employed.

Take part in authentic experiences that also generate additional benefits

Again this will take research, but find experiences that teach you about their culture while also contributing to employment of locals. For example, in Cape Town we take part in a Cape Malay cooking class at a local’s home, have dinner at a couple of different township homes, and learn to make paper at an income-generation project. What a fantastic way to learn, have fun, engage personally with locals, and contribute directly to helping locals generate a living wage. While enjoying Cape Town wineries, we are going to the ones that have fantastic social projects, and to the greenest winery on the continent (carbon-neutral!).

Take local transport..or bike or walk

This can be fun, and yes scary at times! It again provides an authentic experience but also keeps your environmental footprint smaller instead of getting around via private car or taxi. If it’s too far to walk, find out what bus, or shared taxi, or whatever way the locals get around. In Mazatlan I was on an old rickety bus that turned out to be such fun when a fellow got on and started serenading the passengers by playing guitar and singing beautiful Spanish songs. I didn’t want the trip to end!  Who hasn’t wanted to ride in a double-decker bus in London? Or bike in Amsterdam? Or hike in Nepal? If you need to take a taxi, find out if there are any eco-friendly options. After some digging, I found Green Cabs in Cape Town, woman-owned, and they use carbon-neutral vehicles.

Donate to local projects

On my first blog, How to Have Meaningful Travels, I mentioned Pack for a Purpose and Stuff Your Rucksack. Both are fantastic in that they can put you in touch with organizations around the world that need certain donations and they encourage you to use some of your luggage space to bring these goods. I whole-heartedly agree to bring it if it cannot be obtained in-country but most of the needs can be bought locally (pencils, notebooks, etc.). Therefore instead of stuffing your suitcase with these goods, please purchase it in-country. This way you are contributing to the local economy (not to mention lighter luggage too!).

Volunteer at a local project

Also on my first blog post, I talked about how I made sandwiches with a local organization in Mazatlan and distributed them to very impoverished areas. This provided for a unique opportunity to experience what a usual tourist would not, but I had some concerns with it too. What bothers me is that this project does not deal with the root of the issue. Instead of the band-aid approach of giving food, I would prefer to help with establishing a community garden so they can grow food, or an income-generating project where they can earn money to buy food. With Impact Journeys each trip includes two days of volunteering and the projects were very carefully selected. It is important that the projects are chosen by the locals and include them in executing it. Also, $125 per participant is donated to the projects to purchase the needed supplies – such as to help patch up and paint a preschool, and to construct a community garden.

Offset your carbon footprint

I know, I know, it’s better not to make a carbon footprint in the first place but that’s pretty well impossible so let’s minimize as much as we can, and make donations to organizations that will plant trees to offset what we do create. Most airlines provide the option to add an amount based on the number of miles you fly, but there’s also your carbon footprint on land to consider too.  At Impact Journeys each person’s land carbon footprint is calculated and a corresponding donation made to purchase trees through Food and Trees for Africa. If you would like to provide carbon offsets to the country you are travelling to, simply google ‘carbon offset’ and the country or region (e.g. Europe) you want.

Share what you learned

There are many misconceptions about various cultures that lead to stereotyping and racism. Help reduce that by sharing what you experienced on your travels. School classrooms, church groups, rotary clubs and travel groups are often looking for speakers – or have a neighbourhood gathering to share.

Put what you’ve learned into practice

Did you learn how to live with less? Then de-clutter your home and donate your items. Did you learn how wonderful a sense of community is?  Help create it where you are. It takes time and effort but is well worth it. Your neighbours are a great place to start. Did you learn how wonderful eating organically and fresh food makes you feel? Start regularly visiting your local farmer’s market. Did you learn that you can get around to most places by walking, biking, and taking local transport? Start doing that at home. Did you learn how good it feels to volunteer? Volunteer in your home community. Did you learn how rewarding it is to have personal dialogues with people in shops and cafes? Next time you buy a cup of coffee or buy groceries, engage personally for a moment with the person serving you.

As you can see, there are lots of ways to do good while you travel as well as when you’re back home. It does take a lot of research but is worth it. You could also travel with a company that specializes in authentic, eco-friendly, humanitarian, cultural experiences that give back. I would love to hear and learn about more, so please add a comment below and also help share these ideas. Thanks!

Of course up first has to come contributing to someone’s travel dreams that make impact. IMPACT Journeys provide income for marginalized locals, give travelers the opportunity to purchase goods directly from artisans, and include volunteering for a couple of days on needy projects.  For more information, please click on Upcoming Trips.

Gifts that provide income for disadvantaged communities:

One of my favourites is a small organization working in the Holy Land. The Palestinian Christian population is declining rapidly (down t o about 1% now), as many find it challenging to live in a Muslim-dominated nation and the lure of opportunities to Western countries. Therefore, it is important to support those left and through The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation you can purchase goods such as Christmas ornaments hand-crafted from olive wood, olive oil, ceramics, jewellery, etc.

Global Goods Partners offer an array of handmade and fair trade gifts from eco-friendly items, to gifts for babies/children or dogs, to home and office décor, jewellery, and more. Through your purchases, you are helping to empower women, alleviate poverty and promote social justice. They partner with community based organizations in marginalized regions of Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East. Unfortunately this site is only for U.S. shoppers.

What I especially love about Cards From Africa is that they are made from simple office waste, and without chemicals since the traditional African method of making paper is used.  They are beautifully crafted cards, all made by hand in Rwanda, and help families affected by AIDS and genocide to rebuild their lives. They are also committed to fair trade principles and their employees bring home an income that is 4 to 6 times higher than the average Rwandan’s $1 per day.

Gifts of Life sell beautiful handcrafted gifts from around the world, many which are made with recycled materials because that is what the artisans have to use. Purchasing these products give the dignity of work and promotes self-sufficiency for the many struggling artisans.

One of my favourite shops is Ten Thousand Villages. Their gifts are so unique, made from around the world, and are fairly traded. Ten Thousand Villages is run primarily by volunteers and you can purchase online or at one of their many stores.

At Somaly Mam Foundation they help survivors of modern day slavery. You can help too by purchasing a survivor-made product which helps the survivor become financially self-sufficient.

SERRV works to eradicate poverty through their direct connections with low-income artisans and farmers. They sell handmade, fair-trade items from around the world. They pay a fair wage and guide sustainable development.

Justine, in her Culture Every Day blog, wrote about “5 Globally-inspired Gift Ideas” that help marginalized people. They are great ideas so please check them out too.

Gifts that make a donation with purchase:

What’s especially great about LUSH, is that their products are not tested on animals, and they use little or no preservatives or packaging. Their ‘Charity Pot’ hand and body lotion is made with fair-trade cocoa-butter, and proceeds—100 percent after taxes—go to the organization featured on the lid of each pot., such as WaterCan, TreePeople, Amazon Conservation Team and International Fund for Animal Welfare. Check out LUSH Canada, LUSH USA, or LUSH UK.

Over at 365 Give, Jacqueline wrote “8 Ways to Shop and Give This Holiday Season”. You’ll want to bookmark this great reference.

Buy One, Give One gifts:

There has been a lot of criticism about companies that offer “buy one, give one”, such as encouraging consumerism, killing entrepreneurship in places like Africa, and damaging local businesses. I completely agree that, for a multitude of reasons, it is much better to help people generate their own income to make their own purchases. The reality, however, is that until that happens millions of people are going without things they need or things that could really enhance their lives. I believe there is a place for the “buy one, give one” model that is too in-depth to explore here, but since it can be a good thing I wanted to include some options.

With BoGo Light you can purchase a solar flashlight and they will give another one to a community in need. These are rugged solar lights that are distributed all over the world, giving a clean, safe, renewable light source to families that would ordinarily rely on kerosene and candles.

At Smiled Squared, buy a sustainable toothbrush online and another toothbrush will be given to a child or adult (your choice) to give them the opportunity for clean, healthy teeth. These toothbrushes are crafted from biodegradable bamboo and boxed in biodegradable packaging.

One World Futbol is the same size and weight as a traditional soccer ball, but it never runs out of air so maintains its play quality no matter how much it’s used. When you purchase one of these balls, another ball will be donated to areas such as Somalia and Haiti. Play is such an important part of life and kids in underprivileged areas will often have to create their own balls from trash and twine. 

Charitable gifts:

Instead of buying more things for others, how about making a donation in their name? You can make it more interesting, by picking out something that represents the recipient’s values, interests or occupation. Gifts include animals, school supplies, helping an entrepreneur, and much more.

Some of the major international aid organizations that have this gift giving option include:

World Vision (Canada)

World Vision (USA)

World Vision (UK)

Oxfam Unwrapped (Canada)

Oxfam Unwrapped (USA)

Oxfam Unwrapped (UK)

Heifers International

Free the Children

Search for gift packages at Universal Giving, who coordinates donations to more than 200 aid organizations. Your recipient will receive a customized e-card from UniversalGiving, telling them about your gift to a deserving cause in their honour.  If you’ve had enough sweaters and socks, create a gift registry and invited loved ones to give meaningful on your behalf.

For the animal lovers in you life, how about “adopting” their favourite animal through Defenders of the Wildlife? All adoptions include a plush animal toy and a certificate of adoption. Available in the U.S. only.

You can also “adopt” an animal through the National Wildlife Federation and receive a free 2012 calendar and free shipping on adoption kit.

By adopting through the World Wildlife Fund, your gift recipient will receive a fun and educational adoption kit, including a personalized adoption certificate, a high-quality wildlife plush and collector card, a recycled gift bag, and details on the work this gift will support. This symbolic adoption is also available in French.

Only Positive News has a wonderful list of “Holiday Gifts that Give Back” that is definitely worth checking out.

One of the choices Only Positive News wrote about is Kiva. This is one of my favourites because it’s about lending money to disadvantaged individuals to start or expand a business. The focus, therefore, is on sustainability and helping people have the dignity of earning their own income. It’s also great because all it takes is a $25 loan and your gift recipient can go to Kiva’s website, read through the stories and see photos of entrepreneurs looking for loans, and decide which person they would like to lend to. It provides so much more involvement from your recipient than simply making a donation, which can not only be fun but also educational and inspiring. When the loan is paid back, the recipient can choose to loan it to another entrepreneur (or even withdraw the money). It’s a gift than can keep giving and giving and giving…

Green Gifts by the Natural Resources Defense Council feature over 40 gifts that help protect the environment and wildlife.

If you’re not sure who what cause your recipient would like to support, or you want to give them more choice, give a charity card of any amount and let them choose who the donation goes to. You can choose card design, or upload your own. You choose between (1) printing the gift card on your printer, (2) sending an instant gift card by email or (3) sending a plastic (100% recycled) gift card by regular mail. Charities are US-based but many are helping internationally and Tisbest accepts international orders (although the plastic cards are only available within the US; otherwise can send an e-mail card).

For many more ideas on gifts that generate income, give their product or donations to those in need, or are environmentally friendly, please visit Giving Brands. They have an amazing collection of ideas and it is encouraging to see how many companies are including social good in their practices. Imagine if we all purchased from these types of companies only. Change within other companies would happen quickly!

Please add your thoughts below in comments, and spread these ideas to others too.

Carry-On

Your carry-on is of course super important. Keep it as light and small as possible, so you can fit everything you need within reach under the seat in front of you and still have room to stretch your legs beside it. I always pack a small empty water bottle (thanks to security and not being allowed liquids), then once past security I fill it up at the water fountain. No bottled water for this eco-conscious gal! Staying hydrated is absolutely key and I find the flight attendants don’t come around often enough with the liquids.

To entertain me I carry a book for in-depth reading and a magazine when I just want to do some flipping or read short articles.  I’ll admit it. I buy “Woman’s World” for this purpose. It’s super thin thanks to no advertising, and has a crossword at the back with just enough to get me thinking but not frustrate me into giving up. For really long flights I usually throw in another little book of crosswords.

I’m too cheap to have bought an iPod (yet!) but I’m getting to the point where I think I’ll have to break down and get one. I listen to the airline’s music tracks but the pickings are often slim and then when I get to the 2^nd or 3^rd time of hearing the same songs, it’s time to get with the times and purchase something to listen to where I can load it up with my favourites.

Snacks are great if you get the munchies, or if you’re hungry from a meal you didn’t like. Easy carry-ons are granola bars, nuts (unsalted is best when flying), and dried fruit.

Comfort and Sleep

For comfort, always wear pants that either have a drawstring or are elasticized at the top. Nothing’s worse than trying to get comfortable with pants that don’t ‘give’. Also, wear layers because airplanes are notoriously too hot or too cold.

Airplanes are so incredibly dry that having a tiny bottle of moisturizer is a necessity. For some, lip balm as well. If you really hate the dryness, even carry a little spritzer that feels so good sprayed on the face.

Now to sleep but I’ll warn you – do this only if you’re okay looking like a total geek.  For me, I gave up on vanity some time ago when flying and go for comfort now.  First, I blow up my neck pillow which has immensely helped with comfort and reduced the neck cramps I’ve endured. Instead of around my neck, sometimes I just lean on it, like a pillow.

Then I blow up a foot pillow. You may not have heard of this one because they’re rare indeed and I have yet to see another traveler use one but I tell you, it is absolutely amazing how much they help with comfort. I have long legs and yet I didn’t realize until I got one how much more comfortable it is when I prop my legs up to sleep. My foot pillow is a cylinder so I can also use it to roll back and forth to do a bit of foot and leg exercises. I’ve only ever seen it for sale in one airport travel shop – I think it was in London. There are, however, some rectangular ones for sale at Magellans and Amazon.

Take off your shoes since feet tend to swell when flying. Some flights I’ve been on have a pair of socks in their goodie bag (and yes, this is in economy class!).  Just in case they don’t, carry a pair of thick socks or little slippers.

Next come out the ear plugs, which are the soft kind that form to the inside of the ears. They should be comfortable enough that within a few minutes you don’t feel them. If I have a headset then I can put that over top to listen to some soft music coming through, which also masks more of the airplane noise. Unfortunately it’s tough to use ear buds with ear plugs!

Next comes the blanket to cozy up in. They’re quite thin so don’t give a lot of warmth but there’s something about having a blanket that makes my body and mind realize it’s time to relax and hopefully sleep.

Finally the eye shades come out. It not only blocks out light but also gives a signal to those around that you want to sleep. Hopefully this motivates them to keep noise down.

Of course all the recommendations are no coffee or alcohol when flying but I will admit, I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.  Wine makes me incredibly sleepy so I find it helps me drift off. The key is moderation.

Surviving

When you are awake, it’s best to walk around as much as possible. This not only keeps the stiffness and cramps to a minimum, but helps against deep vein thrombosis (DVT) too.  For those prone to DVT, compression stockings are also a good idea.

Now I have to give mention to dealing with seatmates. I usually travel solo so have frequently ended up in conversations with strangers. A couple of times I’ve made the mistake of starting to talk as soon as we sat down in the plane. It’s ended up in 8-hour conversations (I’m not kidding – the whole 8 hours!) while I heard about their entire lives. One time it was especially bad and I got so tired of listening – not to mention my neck hurting from looking to the side – so I tried pulling out a book (he kept talking). Then I said I’d try to sleep and put on all my gear, only to have them serve a meal as soon as I got comfortable.  I gave up!  Now I use prevention: say hello, then immediately turn to a book or magazine. Normally I don’t engage in conversations now until at least a couple of hours have passed. This way if I end up with a talker, it won’t be for the whole 8 or more hours!

Walking around the plane has so many plusses. First, it’s exercise. Second, it’s a way to pass the time. Third, long hauls always have a tray of water and juices out somewhere so I can go get re-hydrated. Fourth, I’ve had some great short conversations with other travelers doing the same thing and often flight attendants join in too.

If you are prone to motion sickness, I’ve got the perfect solution!  I don’t travel without wristbands with pressure points to stop feeling nauseous. They work instantly and no side effects associated with medications. You can get them at pretty much any travel shop, or at Amazon’s – http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Wristbands-Motion-Sickness-Pair/dp/B000RH1RV2 In a pinch, I’ve pressed on the wrist location with my fingers but it’s hard to do on both wrists on one’s own.  Here’s a photo of them and instructions of where to press:  http://travelband.com/about-travelband.htm

Another natural solution is a small vial of peppermint oil that I sniff when I’m starting to feel nauseous.  An added bonus is that you can sniff it if some smells are making you sick.

I think one of the big questions is where is the best place to sit in the plane?  Should I take a window seat or aisle seat?  As to location in the plane, over the wing is always best for stability since you’ll feel turbulence the least here. As to window or aisle, I used to always take window but now I always take aisle.  Window is really great for not being disturbed and being able to lean to get comfortable napping, as well as looking outside. However, on long haul flights I start feeling claustrophobic, especially if I want to walk around or go to the bathroom, and my seatmate(s) is sleeping. Knowing how hard it is to sleep on a plane I don’t want to wake them, but then I feel cornered in.

The aisle makes it so much easier to move around, which is increasingly important to me. The downside is of course not having something to lean against (unless you have someone you know next to you, or want to know that someone next to you!). Also, I find people often bump me walking by so please people, walk carefully down plane aisles and go sideways if you need to.

Exit rows are of course in demand due to the extra leg room. The worst seats are right by the bathroom and in some planes, the back row doesn’t have reclining seats. To find out the best seats for the airplane you’ll be on, check out Seat Guru.

Probably one of the most important suggestions I can make, is to pick a night flight if you have a long trip to make. I find it impossible to sleep in the daytime so by flying at night, I have a chance of sleeping.  Also, the airline turns the lights low, people are quieter, and interruptions fewer to help passengers get that much needed nap.

I hope these suggestions help you to have a more comfortable and enjoyable long flight. I’d love to hear more tips so please add yours in the comments.

There’s no way any of us could get to the age we are without experiencing lots of change.  We’ve seen (and maybe been involved with) protests and sit-ins.  We’ve been hippies and flower children.  We felt free and talked about love and peace around the world.  We believed we could change the world.

Then something happened.  We grew older. The guys shaved their beards and cut their long hair. The girls took the flowers out of their hair.  We started wearing shoes, and exchanged the love beads for gold jewellery.  We traded in the tie-dye shirts for business suits.  Instead of talking about love and peace, we talked about money and how to get more of it.  We moved out of communes and into suburban houses.  Instead of psychedelic colours, we painted the walls in muted tones.

Our lives became muted.  And stressed.  And we became disconnected from others.  Neighbours became strangers, and doors suddenly needed to be locked.  How on earth did the generation that had such fire and boldness, and wild dreams of a world living with love and peace, get so jaded?  How did we stray so far from where we once were?

I believe we’re still in there.  I believe in our hearts we are still the ones that know we can change the world and many have been doing just that.  We long to be reconnected, to experience community, and live in a world where the focus above all is on love and peace.

We’re now coming full circle.  We’ve experienced enough stress, and busyness, and emptiness.  We’re asking the right questions, such as “Is this all there is to life?” and not believing it is.  We’re at that stage that with all the wisdom and life experiences we’ve accumulated, we’re ready to take on the world again.  We’re ready to reach out to neighbours, no matter where they live because we know a neighbour could just as easily be across the ocean as they are across the street.

We’re ready to see what changes we can make, what mark we can leave, with the years we have left.  It’s time to go back to peace and love, and to create connections both close to home and far away.  It’s time to spread our wings, to travel, to learn, to experience, to share, and to create change.

We’ve learned that life is unpredictable and that we have to jump at opportunities and take chances.  We don’t know what will happen, or how many years are ahead.  It’s now that we can reach across the world and make a difference.  We’re ready to create change for the better, both in others, as well as ourselves.  Yes, there is more to life and while we have life, let’s do it.  Let’s do it now.

Join me on a journey where we can be inspired, do good, and create change.  Join me in South Africa and we’ll start there.

1.  Stunning natural beauty

From beautiful sandy beaches, to mountaintops, to vast plains and fields, South Africa has it all.  Everywhere you look, you’ll want to soak in the natural wonder of it all.

2.  Warm weather

While in the northern hemisphere you’ll be shovelling snow, scraping ice off your windshield, and shivering from the cold, in South Africa it is summertime.  With Mediterranean-like climate, South Africa is a year-round destination but what better time to go than to miss some of the cold icy winter.

3.  Mouth-watering food & wine

With such cultural diversity, the cities especially are a foodie’s heaven.  The food is fresh and delicious.  The hardest decision is what kind to eat: South African, Thai, Cuban, Indian, Mexican, Portugese, Italian…   South Africa is known for its wine and near Cape Town there are dozens and dozens of wineries to visit. Many also have restaurants to enjoy, as well as overnight accommodation.

4.  Health and medical facilities

Many worry about the health risks of travelling to Africa and vaccinations required.  South Africa is so safe in that regard that NO innoculations are required (exception is yellow fever IF you have travelled from a country with this risk).  In addition, most of the country is malaria-free and the tap water potable.  As far as medical facilities, South African doctors are so well trained that they are constantly recruited to other countries.  The first successful heart transplant took place in Cape Town (in 1967).

5.  Stability

Apartheid in South Africa ended in 1994, followed by a peaceful transition to a new democratic government. Despite the ‘Arab Spring’ uprisings in various countries, South Africa right now continues to be a stable destination.  As far as crime, South Africa’s overall situation has improved substantially compared to the past few years, especially in relation to interpersonal and property related violent crimes.

6.  Plethora of activities

From enjoying a spa treatment to taking one of the highest bungee-jumps in the world, South Africa has the extremes and everything inbetween.  A sample of activities includes biking, hiking, kayaking, snorkelling, horseback riding, wildlife safari, bird-watching, abseiling, hot air ballooning, concert going, and market browsing.

7.  Wildlife

It is truly thrilling to view such an array of wildlife in their natural habitat and nothing compares to taking a safari.  In addition to South Africa’s “Big 5″:  elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos, they also have giraffes, zebras, baboons, ostriches, wildebeests, cheetahs, kudus, meerkats, dassies, bushbabies, and so many more — over 200 mammal species.

…and the most important reasons to visit South Africa now…

8.  Cultural diversity

Desmond Tutu aptly coined the term “Rainbow Nation” to describe South Africa’s people from white to black and every shade inbetween.  All are a part of making up this amazing nation.  Visiting South Africa is like delving into an array of cultures, with varying traditions, norms, and languages.  Although there are 11 official languages, English is the most common language for communicating amongst cultures and you’ll find restaurant menus all in English, thus making it an easy country for communication.

9.  the People

In South Africa you will find friendly people welcoming you, and wanting to interact and get to know you as you get to know them.  They are down-to-earth and and enjoy celebrating, singing, dancing, and drumming.

10.  Impact

With so many issues facing the people, especially poverty and AIDS orphans in many areas, there are plenty of opportunities for you to make a difference.  You can share your skills, your talents, your time, and your energy.  Also make an impact with sustainable tourism by contributing to social projects, buying local goods, and being environmentally responsible.  In turn, you will also be impacted by learning important life altering lessons, such as the power of community, how to live simply and appreciate what you have, and to celebrate, celebrate, and celebrate life!

Let Africa touch your soul…..check out our upcoming trips starting in February 2012 to this beautiful, amazing nation.

What reasons to you have to visit South Africa now?  Please add yours below!

One way to have more meaningful travel is by skipping the resort, and going for locally-owned accommodation.  I can hear you now saying “but you can get cheap deals on resorts”.  True, but you can also get them on your own, too.  A friend and I went to Mexico and after some online research, found a lovely older locally-owned hotel right on the water.  Here is a photo from our window:  

 It was surprisingly inexpensive and watching the sunset on our balcony was second to none.  We also spent time at a beautiful little beach across the street that had few people and NO peddlers.  At the resorts one was constantly harassed by a slew of things being sold.

Instead of the same buffets, we wandered down the streets and found authentic cafes and restaurants.  Each meal was so different and an experience on its own.  Yes, we struggled some times with the language barrier but had good laughs as we tried to come up with actions to explain what we wanted.  Without tourists around this area, we were often surrounded by only Spanish speakers.

Another way to help the local people generate income, is to purchase crafts directly from the artisans or if that’s not possible, from local markets.  Forget the pricey hotel gift shops and pricey tourist shops.

Before leaving home, I researched organizations and found one where they made and distributed sandwiches to people at garbage dumps, who were there trying to find scraps they could sell.  I contacted them and made arrangements to join them for a day.  There was a family on vacation there as well, and we formed an assembly line to make hundreds of sandwiches.  We then boarded a rickety bus and set out to not only the dump, but also various stops in impoverished areas.

I saw a side of life that one would certainly miss staying on a resort.  I do, however, have issue with this kind of aid….enough so that I’ll save it for another post.  I want to add another way to make your travel more meaningful, which you can find out about by going to Pack for a Purpose and Stuff Your Rucksack.  This can be good, but also needs addressing in that next post about aid so stay tuned! 

Meanwhile, please add your tips for having more meaningful travels by leaving a reply below.  Also, check out our meaningful trips starting in February 2012 here.