This is an introduction to the FilmTrips Self-Guided-Tours Program - Assisting YOU on the trip of a lifetime!

This is an introduction to the FilmTrips Self-Guided-Tours Program - Assisting YOU on the trip of a lifetime! - By Mark McMahon

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This is an introduction to the FilmTrips Self-Guided-Tours Program
Assisting YOU on the trip of a lifetime! ~ By Mark McMahon

Do you want to go to CUBA?

I'm going in January. I have a birthday party to go to! My Cuban Goddaughter turns seven on the 18th! (see this entry) If you need an excuse I will see if I can get you an invitation. Not that you need an excuse; Cuba is one of the most fascinating places in the world.

Or how about ECUADOR?

I will be there in November. Would you care to join me? One of the things I will be doing is visiting the Galapagos Islands, a trip of a lifetime! November is a great time to go. It's slow season but still great weather. And the tour outfits are competing for your business. Whether you want to fly or take a boat the space is available at rock bottom prices. It is MUCH cheaper to negotiate and book from Quito.

But let's talk about Cuba for now and get back to Ecuador in a moment. (There are some parallels between Cuba and The Galapagos. Isolation has created great mystique for both. Culturally for one and genetically for the other.)

My Goddaughter, the guest of honor on January 18th.

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The other part of Cuba's allure for Americans is the 'forbidden'. When in fact it is not. It is not illegal to travel there. The embargo is a financial one. It is only illegal to spend money. There are ways around the embargo. Embargo dodging can be fun.

It is actually very simple for Americans to travel to Cuba. That is why the Bush Administration lately has used scare tactics and misinformation to stem the tide of Americans enjoying and exploring Cuba. You simply enter from a foreign gateway such as Toronto or Cancun. The Cubans welcome you with open arms. Both the government and the local folks! The government wants and needs tourist dollars and happily cooperates by not stamping your passport.

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It is actually very simple for Americans to travel to Cuba. That is why the Bush Administration lately has used scare tactics and misinformation to stem the tide of Americans enjoying and exploring Cuba. You simply enter from a foreign gateway such as Toronto or Cancun. The Cubans welcome you with open arms. Both the government and the local folks! The government wants and needs tourist dollars and happily cooperates by not stamping your passport.
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If you are still leery about going due to the embargo, please contact me directly. I have lots more detailed info and statistics to comfort you. The ban on spending money in Cuba is unconstitutional and for very practical reasons it is unenforceable. The Center for Constitutional Rights and the National Lawyers Guild have a joint program that is a "wall of lawyers" to back you up. Don't let the government's unconstitutional campaign stop you from experiencing Cuba yourself. Take the plunge and have a great trip.

When it comes to different budgets Cuba has everything from shoestring to five-star. Stay and eat at a 'casa particular' and you will get your share of Cuban culture and hospitality. Or choose a luxury seaside resort where you will share the beach and blue water with European travelers.

Getting back to Ecuador- I have toured the country extensively. The geography makes for and intensely diverse little country, from the Pacific Coast up the snowcapped peaks of the Andes and down again into the Amazon Basin. There is human diversity as well, with more than 24 different indigenous groups making up the rich national tapestry of humanity.

I have visited a number of the different groups with a volunteer eco-tourism outfit called EcoTrackers. The conditions were often primitive but the experiences were priceless. Something between a Peace Corps assignment and a National Geographic expedition. As a volunteer you pay nominal fee for food and lodging. A flexible portion of your time is devoted to your host village. You live their lifestyle and can participate in their routines and rituals. The native healing ceremonies with traditional shamans or brujos are available in some villages. With no ills to speak of I participated for the cultural experience and the pleasure of rejuvenation.

Some stunning scenery beachside

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But let's not forget the luxuries available in Ecuador at below-basement prices. Perhaps the most luxurious spa in all of South America, La Mirage, is just and hour and half from Quito. The price for a week is what you would pay for a single night equivalent in the States. The list of services available for relaxation and rejuvenation is beyond impressive.
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That's me, partaking in a shamanic ceremony

So you have the full spectrum of experiences available to you in Ecuador. But why limit yourself to one end or the other? Do both! Reward yourself at La Mirage after trekking into the hills.

What I would like to offer is a seminar that will be an orientation of sorts, prior to your visit to a foreign country. The seminar will have valuable first-hand information to give you the skills and the confidence to travel on your own.

With my experience in over 30 countries and two and a half years on the road I have gained and distilled valuable knowledge into the course material. However, what I really look forward to sharing is my enthusiasm. To this day I relish visiting people and places that many people only dream about. If you have dreams in this area, I want to help you make them a reality!

I am planning a two day seminar including some practical exercises and time for plotting your own personal adventure. The first seminar will be in Quito for traveling in Ecuador and will be November 10th and 11th of this year. The next will be in Cancun for traveling in Cuba on January 19th and 20th, 2004.

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Health and safety are the two biggest topics covered in the seminar. There are risks involved in any kind of travel. Taking in a Broadway show in New York has its' risks that most people can deal with. The risks in a foreign country are manageable as well. Get yourself educated and prepare yourself for the risks you are willing to take. That is precisely what the seminar is designed to help you do. There is no harm or shame in choosing a video version of the Broadway show to watch in the comfort of your living room. It is, of course, a very different experience.

Just getting off of the plane in a country with a foreign language and foreign currency can be a daunting experience. It's the reason many people go on tours. Tours can be great if you happen to get a knowledgeable and personable guide. You will get the highlights of a place on a schedule with all of the research and details handled for you. But it will most certainly be divorced from any authentic experience of the local culture. Just as you begin to get of know someone you will be called back to the van or bus. The same bus or van from which you will glimpse photo opportunities as they pass by out the window.

A cab ride can be transformed from a potential problem to asset. The vast majority of cabbies worldwide are happy to receive a fair price and many love to make friends with foreigners. With simple tricks and techniques you can stack the odds in your favor, even without command of the native language!

TOPICS COVERED

a self evaluation to determine of your comfort level for risk and adventure.

tips for enhancing travel through technology.

a special section on travel photography, gaining rapport for portraits.

finances on the road, travelers check ain't what they used to be.

reading people and going with your gut.

an underutilized 'secret' for cultural immersion on the cheap.

The six most common tourist scams and how to defend yourself against each one.

The cost for the seminar is $395 or $650 for two persons.

I am creating this program because I feel like there is a need for it. Between those who would never venture out unescorted and those already doing it on there own, it seems there is a substantial group who, with some coaxing and education could have the thrill of their lives traveling on their own. A whole new door of experience could be opened for them that will serve them the rest of their traveling lives.
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Are you interested?

Quito - November 10,11 2003

Cancun for Cuba - January 19,20 2004

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If you are, please click here for more details to be forwarded to you soon...
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