Last week at the monthly meeting of us Wayward Women (I swear that’s what our little group of traveling women is called), Rita Golden Gelman, author of Tales of a Female Nomad, spoke.
Rita hasn’t had what most of us would call a “home” in 20 years. Instead, she’s been traveling the world, setting down a few roots here and there for extended periods of time and getting to know the locals (including us Seattleites). She avoids staying in hotels and instead prefers homestays where she meets individuals and families and has an opportunity to break bread, literally, as she spends time in kitchens with her hosts.
Rita at the Wayward Women Meeting
While I’m couchsurfing and globalfreeloading to meet locals, Rita prefers Servas, an organization that came to my attention earlier this year. According to the Servas website: “Servas means “serve” in the international language of Esperanto. Servas is a peace movement that serves thousands of people around the world by opening doors to peace and understanding. Our hosts welcome, share and shelter travellers from around the world.”
What a beautiful way to connect the world!
Servas is more structured than online sites that connect travelers. There is a membership fee and you must go through an interview process. Also, because the idea is to share (and serve) others, as a host, you must make yourself available to your guests. Stays are limited to two nights.
Rita has stayed with numerous host families around the world using Servas. It’s clear that her joy in travel is meeting other people and she has managed to connect with many, learning and sharing with them all.
Her most recent project is a cookbook that will include recipes that she’s gathered from friends around the world. Each recipe will be accompanied by a story written by the recipe’s contributor. All proceeds from this cookbook will go to children living in the slums of Delhi. Hey, Rita, are you taking pre-orders? I want a copy!
Happy Travels!
Myscha - World Eats and Readers' Treats says
I love Rita’s work. So glad to hear she’s coming out with a new cookbook!