User User ID Nod Area Name ---- ------------- --- -------- ------------------- 9w 71613,3064 NUV Rm 1 Mike 4 71534,2135 NNC Rm 1 Mona/NYC 11 73251,2720 NUV Rm 1 donna 7H 75477,1420 NNC Rm 1 Linda 12H 72702,2774 HZF Rm 1 Joanne 10H 75260,1255 GFZ Rm 1 RICHARD W. LAWSON 15H 75521,3206 PEE Rm 1 JEROME 15 75202,441 AYJ Rm 1 ESTELLE YOUNG 14H 74403,1674 WSP Rm 1 RaVonda 20 76512,1705 KCM Rm 1 kaye 18H 76762,441 SVK Rm 1 Antonio Phillips 23H 70761,1026 GFW Rm 1 Harold Morrison 13 74457,760 SFI Rm 1 Nina R. Saltman (1-7,Linda) Okay, everything's a-ok, Mike. Hi Donna, Mona et al.! (1-9,Mike ) Linda I welcome you as our Guest Today. All Linda is a our (1-9,Mike ) Travel Guest to share with us her Travel expertise. (1-9,Mike ) Do share yours as well! (1-9,Mike ) Linda please give us a intro of what you do (1-9,Mike ) and how you got started. (1-7,Linda) Hello everyone. It's great being with you today. I'm a (1-7,Linda) travel journalist/publisher focusing on cultural travel to the (1-7,Linda) Caribbean. My new travel guide, dedicated to AA and (1-7,Linda) cultural travelers is entitled Caribbean Bound! - Culture (1-7,Linda) Roots, Places, and People. Have been a travel journalist (1-7,Linda) since l987. (1-9,Mike )Linda how has the Travel Business field changed (1-9,Mike )since you began in 1987? (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda how do you feel about what the airlines are (1-4,Mona/NYC) doing in regards to (1-4,Mona/NYC) what they pay the (1-4,Mona/NYC) travel agents? (1-7,Linda) When I first got involved in travel journalism, there seem (1-7,Linda) to be promotion of travel geared principally to whites and (1-7,Linda) very little to our people or in terms of promoting the (1-12,Joanne ) How long ago was this? (1-7,Linda) indigenous cultures. Slowly but surely we are seeing more (1-7,Linda) Black faces in the ads and more focus on the island (1-7,Linda) cultural offerings. (1-9,Mike ) Welcome Joanne (1-9,Mike ) (Joanne is part of AV the great Sponsor of this Forum)! (1-11,donna) are u frm are u frm the caribbean ? (1-12,Joanne ) (Hi, Mike!) (1-7,Linda) Mona, I feel that the travel agents shd receive as large a (1-7,Linda) commission as possible rather than having a cut in the (1-7,Linda) already less than adequate funds they receive. Selling (1-7,Linda) travel is not an easy task in times when the country is (1-7,Linda) facing massive budget cuts and layoffs. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda where are you-where is your agency? (1-7,Linda) No, Donna, I'm originally from Tennessee, but have lived (1-7,Linda) in New York since the early 70's. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda why emphasize the Caribbean? (1-9,Mike ) Joanne, you asked about "how long ago? (1-4,Mona/NYC) Have you been to all the islands? (1-12,Joanne ) Linda referred to when she first got involved in travel (1-12,Joanne ) journalism. (1-12,Joanne ) I was wondering how long ago that was. (1-7,Linda) Got interested in the Caribbean after my first visit to the U. (1-7,Linda) S. Virgin Islands in '87. Wanted to share the information I (1-7,Linda) had gained with other AA travelers and to help in linking (1-7,Linda) African diaspora cultures worldwide. (1-11,donna) what do u think awhat do u think about Grenada ? (1-7,Linda) Hi Joanne. I got involved in travel journalism in l987 after (1-7,Linda) I had sold a play to tv and began to travel throughout the (1-7,Linda) Caribbean. (1-7,Linda) Have been to Grenada about three times, Donna. Loved (1-7,Linda) the island. It is very lush and beautiful and the people (1-7,Linda) exceptionally friendly and hospitable. We have a lot of (1-7,Linda) Black historical sites there like Fedon's Plantation and (1-7,Linda) Caribs' Leap as well as a lot of nice Black businesses. (1-4,Mona/NYC) ?sen 13 No I am the one in NY that you talked to on the phone (1-7,Linda) Was attracted to Grenada when I saw the progressive (1-7,Linda) atmosphere created by the late PM Maurice and the New (1-7,Linda) Jewel Mvmt. Was sorry when that ended tragically for (1-7,Linda) the people there. Nice Black-owned hotels in Grenada are (1-7,Linda) Spice Island Inn right on Grand Anse Beach and the (1-7,Linda) Flamboyant Hotel which also has a fantastic beach view. (1-9,Mike ) Linda which play did you sell to tv? (1-7,Linda) Wrote a comedy called "The 85-Year-Old Swinger" in the (1-7,Linda) mid-80's, and Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee purchased and (1-7,Linda) produced it for PBS. (1-9,Mike ) Excellent! (1-9,Mike ) What was the theme? (1-7,Linda) It was about a feisty sr citizen who created an uproar (1-7,Linda) when she was found to be pregnant and to her family's (1-7,Linda) chagrin refused to have an abortion. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda have you travelled down Under to Australia? (1-10,RICHARD W. LAWSON) How is everyone? (1-9,Mike ) reat. Linda is our Guest a Travel Journalist (1-7,Linda) The pr company who sponsored several of my visits to the (1-7,Linda) USVI's also handled Australia and offered me a visit there, (1-7,Linda) but never took them up on it, Mona. Have just explored (1-7,Linda) the Caribbean and hopefully in the coming months and (1-7,Linda) years, Africa. (1-12,Joanne ) What about Bermuda, Linda? (1-12,Joanne ) I've been to Bermuda, once. (1-11,donna) hi richard (1-10,RICHARD W. LAWSON) Hi donna.. (1-12,Joanne ) I'm interested in two aspects--the black culture on the (1-12,Joanne ) island and its development of a black art movement. (1-10,RICHARD W. LAWSON) Hello Linda (1-7,Linda) Took my daughter to Bermuda for her l6th birthday, (1-7,Linda) Joanne. We liked it but found it a bit chilly then (1-7,Linda) (November). Particularly enjoyed meeting Mr. Cyril (1-7,Linda) Packwood, author of Chained on the Rock--Slavery in (1-7,Linda) Bermuda and former Head of the Bermuda Public Library. (1-10,RICHARD W. LAWSON) Linda, I was in South Africa for 7 months in (1-10,RICHARD W. LAWSON) '93 and can tell you that you will trully (1-10,RICHARD W. LAWSON) enjoy it should you decide to go there. (1-7,Linda) Must get there someday, Richard. Was invited to take a (1-7,Linda) press trip there, but would rather visit West Africa first, (1-7,Linda) particularly Ghana and Togo. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda I prefer East AFrica-Sudan and Ethiopia I have been to most of Africa (1-7,Linda) Joanne, Bermuda is a lovely island, particula (1-7,Linda) particularly, the Crystal Caves there which were (1-7,Linda) discovered by Black Bermudian youth. Mona, other (1-7,Linda) friends have also told me that East Africa is quite beautiful (1-7,Linda) hope to cover the entire continent over the years. (1-4,Mona/NYC) What are the caves like? Similiar to the caves we have eg. Howe? (1-12,Joanne ) Have you explored the black culture of Bermuda, Linda? (1-12,Joanne ) Art galleries, clubs, restaurants, etc.? (1-7,Linda) Mona, the caves are filled with stalactite and stalagmite (1-7,Linda) deposits and are (1-7,Linda) fascinating to view as the trolley makes its rounds through (1-7,Linda) the depths of the caves. (1-9,Mike ) (I feel like I'm traveling in mind here,I like this!) (1-7,Linda) Joanne, in terms of Black culture in Bermuda, have found (1-7,Linda) that the slaves were active in building a number of (1-7,Linda) churches there which are still standing. There is (1-7,Linda) also the plantation home where William Rainey one of the (1-7,Linda) early Black AA legislators (from SC) lived during the (1-7,Linda) slavery era and from which he ran a business. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda out of all the islands in terms of culture (1-4,Mona/NYC) which is the best in your opinion to visit? (1-7,Linda) This summer I visited Tobago for the Tobago Heritage (1-7,Linda) Festival. It was a fantastic event which is very rich (1-7,Linda) African traditions and retentions. Dr. Hollis Lynch owns (1-15,ESTELLE YOUNG) Thank You Mike (1-15,ESTELLE YOUNG) Hi everybody (1-7,Linda) a former plantation there called Richmond Great House (1-7,Linda) which has the largest collection of African artifacts in the (1-7,Linda) Caribbean. (1-11,donna) hi estelle (1-7,Linda) Hi there Estelle! (1-9,Mike ) How is Tobago, my godson's parents are from there. (1-7,Linda) Tobago is one of the most beautiful islands I've visited. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda how are the French speaking islands? (1-7,Linda) If you go to Trini for Carnival, you can always take a quick (1-7,Linda) plane ride over to Tobago to enjoy a mor (1-7,Linda) more leisurely vacation. (1-11,donna) apart frm tourism,how do u view the future of the caribbean? (1-7,Linda) Mona, the French islands are also very culture-rich. In (1-7,Linda) fact, in August Guadeloupe has a Cooks' Festival which (1-7,Linda) features the fabulous Creole cuisine of the many sisters (1-7,Linda) who are the leaders in the restaurant industry there. (1-15,ESTELLE YOUNG) I'm interested in living and working somewhere in the islands sometime. Anybody have dy y Anybody have such expereince? (1-7,Linda) Donna, the Caribbean and our people there are facing (1-7,Linda) most of the same problems we are experiencing here in the (1-7,Linda) states--i.e., crime, drugs, unemployment; that is why I (1-4,Mona/NYC) Estelle I lived almost 10 years out of the US basically in Africa and Europe notthe Caribbean though (1-7,Linda) emphasize the support of the indigenous businesses and (1-7,Linda) culture which keep the monies earned on the island. (1-9,Mike ) Linda it's seems that one cannot truly (1-9,Mike ) cover the Journalism with (1-9,Mike ) without actually having been there, true? (1-12,Joanne ) I think it depends on what you mean by ''truly," Mike. (1-12,Joanne ) Some travel guides are written from the authors' desks! (1-15,ESTELLE YOUNG) No. Have spent time in East Africa as well. Want to see more of the continent and elsewhere. (1-9,Mike ) I guess, covering all the aspects. I've seen excellent (1-9,Mike ) writings and wondered if you must have been there in (1-9,Mike ) order to cover it well. (1-7,Linda) That's right, Mike. Must admit that before I actually (1-7,Linda) visited some of the countries, I did the research and wrote (1-7,Linda) about the historical and cultural sites there. (1-7,Linda) This was the preparation for determining what I would see (1-7,Linda) as soon as I reached there as well as what other AA (1-7,Linda) travelers would be able to link with in terms of our history (1-7,Linda) and culture in the Caribbean. (1-9,Mike ) Linda have to you find,linking up with other AA Travelers. (1-9,Mike ) have the online services helped? if so how? (1-7,Linda) However, to get the real Spirit of the place, you must set (1-7,Linda) foot on its soil and relate to its people one on one--not just (1-7,Linda) spend days roasting on a beach! (1-15,ESTELLE YOUNG) ATE0 S7=60 S11=55 V1 X1 S0=0 (1-7,Linda) Yes, Mike, the online services have been very helpful to (1-7,Linda) me in meeting other AA travel lovers and also with linking (1-7,Linda) with other people of African descent in the travel and (1-7,Linda) journalism business. My work on the online systems is (1-7,Linda) mentioned in this month's issue of Black Enterprise. (1-9,Mike ) Excellent! I must look for it as I subscribe. (1-12,Joanne ) That's where I've been reading about you! (1-12,Joanne ) I've been sitting here trying to figure that out, and that's (1-12,Joanne ) the answer. Thanks. (1-7,Linda) I used to write a lot of Black travel articles for the Black (1-7,Linda) press, also, Joanne. Maybe you've read my work in one of (1-7,Linda) them. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda out of all the islands that you hve been to which is your favorite? (1-12,Joanne ) Probably so, but I did see the BE piece. (1-7,Linda) Well Mona, like a first love, the first island I visited was (1-7,Linda) St. Thomas, and it's remained my favorite. Have been (1-7,Linda) there several times and have a lot of cultural contacts (1-7,Linda) there. (1-9,Mike ) Linda I understand you have a wealth of Travel Info, (1-9,Mike ) will you be contributing to our Travel library here as (1-9,Mike ) well as our (1-11,donna) st.thomas IS beautiful... mountain top .. magans bay(sp) (1-9,Mike ) Message sections? (1-4,Mona/NYC) What about for Art purchasing other than Haiti? (1-7,Linda) In fact, my first book party for Caribbean Bound! was in St. (1-7,Linda) T and we all had a great time talking about travel (1-7,Linda) throughout the dias (1-7,Linda) Yes, Mike, would love to share some of my cultural travel (1-7,Linda) articles with the sisters & brothers online. Mona, there are (1-7,Linda) a number of art fairs throughout the region, as well as (1-7,Linda) nice art galleries in each island. I cover loads of them in (1-7,Linda) my guide, but also you can get information on local art (1-7,Linda) galleries/fairs from the tourist boards. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Thanks Linda (1-9,Mike ) Linda what are your predictions on where Travel (1-9,Mike ) Journalism is going as we approach the turn of the century? (1-7,Linda) Want to mention that there is a little island outside (1-7,Linda) Grenada called Carriacou where the African descendants (1-7,Linda) actually know the nation they are descended from and (1-7,Linda) perform a dance to that nation called the Big Drum or (1-7,Linda) African Nations Dance. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda can you name what countries they are from? (1-14,RaVonda ) Hi All!!! (1-7,Linda) Mike, we need more Black travel journalists who will (1-7,Linda) promote the businesses, culture, and history of our people (1-7,Linda) across the globe and help us to network and establish (1-7,Linda) cultural linkages throughout the diaspora. The AA traveler (1-7,Linda) has been ignored and/or taken for granted too long by the (1-7,Linda) travel industry even though we are the fastest growing (1-7,Linda) segment of that business. (1-14,RaVonda ) Just dropping for a sec.... (1-7,Linda) Mona, the first Nation that they honor in dance is the Akan (1-7,Linda) nation of Ghana; then the Ibos, Fantis, etc. Met a (1-7,Linda) sister/historian, Christine David, who details this in her (1-7,Linda) book The Folklore of Carriacou. (1-14,RaVonda ) What's the topic, Mike? (1-7,Linda) Hi Ravonda. Hope you can stay more than a quick (1-7,Linda) second! (1-9,Mike ) V, Linda is our Travel Journalist Guest, (1-9,Mike ) the Islands and abroad! (1-14,RaVonda ) thanks.. (1-18,Antonio Phillips) Hello All (1-7,Linda) In the next few days, folks, hope to upload my newsletter, (1-7,Linda) The Cultural Traveler, which will give you info on some (1-7,Linda) Black cultural and historical sites in the Caribbean and (1-7,Linda) also here in NY City. (1-9,Mike ) Great (1-7,Linda) Hi Antonio (1-9,Mike ) Linda! (1-14,RaVonda ) sounds.... (1-4,Mona/NYC) Hi Antonio (1-14,RaVonda ) great!!!!! (1-18,Antonio Phillips) So what's going on! (1-14,RaVonda ) sorry for the delay...had to answer within another conversation. (1-12,Joanne ) How often does the newsletter come out? (1-9,Mike ) Linda, as we are almost closing, if someone wants (1-9,Mike ) to get started in Travel Journalism, where do they start? (1-14,RaVonda ) can we see the newsletter in the forum? (1-7,Linda) Am trying to put it out on a bimonthly basis. (1-7,Linda) Can't see it in the Forum, Ravonda, but will put it in the (1-7,Linda) Library soon. (1-18,Antonio Phillips) I have a question where is the hot place to travel this (1-18,Antonio Phillips) sumeer? (1-14,RaVonda ) ok...I will look for it. (1-18,Antonio Phillips) summer OOPS! (1-7,Linda) Well, first of all, the potential travel writer shd begin with (1-7,Linda) the region of the world that she/he loves, do preliminary (1-7,Linda) research on that area, keeping travel journals of visits (1-7,Linda) there, and perhaps starting to contribute articles to local (1-7,Linda) publications to build up a literary resume. (1-7,Linda) It would also be helpful to read books and articles on (1-7,Linda) travel journalism and get the writer guideline sheets for the (1-7,Linda) periodicals that cover the areas of interest, (1-7,Linda) I will be happy to be helpful in whatever way I can to (1-7,Linda) persons interested in travel journalism because as I (1-7,Linda) mentioned previously we need more of our people in the (1-7,Linda) field covering the world from an African-centric (1-7,Linda) perspective and promoting the businesses, history, and (1-7,Linda) culture of our people throughout the diaspora. (1-4,Mona/NYC) Linda is this CIS # yours or "borrowed"? (1-4,Mona/NYC) ust (1-7,Linda) It's mine, Monica. Feel free to keep in contact! (1-11,donna) any thing ohave u done anythiAny thing on Martha's Vineyard ?? (1-4,Mona/NYC) Thanks Linda (1-7,Linda) No Donna, but it seems that I ran across an article on that (1-7,Linda) in Essence. (1-11,donna) Thanks (1-9,Mike ) Linda I thank you so much for being our Guest today! (1-12,Joanne ) Thank you, Linda. Enjoyed it. (1-7,Linda) Thanks for inviting me, Mike. I enjoyed "speaking" with (1-7,Linda) everyone. (1-9,Mike ) looking forward to the contiunation of this dialog (1-9,Mike ) and your work in our Travel Message and File Sections! (1-11,donna) Thanks lThanks. looking forward to your newsletter (1-11,donna) thanks will look for the newsletter (1-7,Linda) Thanks everyone. Hope you have some wonderfully (1-7,Linda) blessed and fantastic future cultural travels! (1-9,Mike ) Hope all enjoyed this conference!