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Senior Travelers: Help Keep Meals On Wheels Rolling |
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Along with screwed-up flight schedules and unpaid furloughs for airline workers, the sequestration blues have hit charity groups. Both federal and local governments are cutting back or totally withdrawing some subsidies that helped finance such social programs as Meals On Wheels.
For just one example, according to news reports, for the agency in the town of Contra Costa, California, government funding has been cut off. The volunteer agency will now be forced to stop delivering healthful meals to the homes of nearly 50 percent of its current elderly homebound, low-income recipients.
Travel4Seniors asks you to check with your local Meals On Wheels organization and, if necessary, respond to requests for financial support. Think of your contribution of $25 or $50 as just a tiny portion of the money you’d pay for your next cruise or resort vacation. You won’t miss that duty-free bottle of liquor or souvenir tea set, and you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping elderly people in need.
For more information, check with your local Meals On Wheels organization or go to www.mowaa.org/
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Mekong River, Vietnam: Street Seafood Vendors |
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Carnival Cruises: Super Million $$$$ Upgrades |
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According to a recent CNN report, Carnival Cruise Lines will will put out as much as $700 million to improve their services and equipment. The intent is to repair the cruise line’s severely damaged reputation caused by a string of highly-publicized mishaps and loss of customer confidence.
The upgrades will improve the ships’ power, safety procedures and firefighting equipment. Besides the Carnival named ships, the corporate brand includes Princess, Holland America, Cunard and Costa Cruises.
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Luxor, Egypt: Balloon Rides Start Up Again |
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According to CNN, hot air balloon rides are going up again at Egypt's Luxor site. The popular tourist feature was closed down six weeks ago after a horrendous accident that resulted in the loss of 19 lives. The rides feature aerial views of the Great Pyramids and other historic sites.
While some tourist balloon companies are still shut down while investigations continue, others may now resume their flights. The government reports that more effective inspections, safety measures and crew training will greatly reduce the dangers in future flights. Additionally, passengers now must sign liability documents accepting the risk of balloon flights.
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Q&A: Travel May Help After Being Widowed |
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Q: My late husband and I enjoyed our retirement years together with many cruises, beach resort visits and other travels together. A favorite of his was visiting sites where he served during World War II, including England, France, Belgium and Italy.
In the two years since he died, I’ve often thought about travel, but just couldn’t bring myself to go. My children and grandchildren have urged me to get out and get going, but I fear the memories will just make me miss him even more.
What do you suggest? MLR, San Diego CA
A: Your grief is perfectly understandable, but now it’s time to listen to your family members. They believe, and so do we, that travel will ease the pain of your loss.
We suggest you first look into group cruises, specifically ones booked by church and other organizations in your community. If you go, you’ll have familiar companions to share in the activities. Additionally, when you’re ready to get back into the social scene, consider singles cruises for widowed people in your age group.
Another suggestion to consider is volunteer vacations. Helping others could help you to get past your grief. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and others offer national and international working assignments, ranging from a week to an entire summer.
For example, if you’d like to help in Italy, a country where your husband served in World War II, check on spending a summer teaching English in Rome, Venice and other cities. (www.globalvolunteers.org/Italy)
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