I love not knowing who I’m going to meet when I venture out – even in my own city. If you live in Victoria, you may have wandered around the annual TD Art Gallery Paint-In (formerly the Moss Street Paint-In) in July as I did. Here, over 190 artists take their studios to the streets and delight in sharing their work with visitors.
I always make sure I am in Victoria – and take the time to attend – during the biggest art event of the year. I find it delightful to banter with the artists, appreciate their work and say thank you to as many as I can. This year, I had the joy of meeting someone new; a woman who, we decided later, was a kindred spirit.
Gail Wainman is the current president of Friendship Force of Victoria and Vancouver Island. Gail and I spent a fun time discussing travel and all of her and her husband Glen’s adventures. I am so envious.
It’s no secret I love to travel and discover new places, people and things. Friendship Force is an international cultural exchange organization focused on promoting peace and understanding through homestay travel and personal friendships. There are 350 clubs in more than 60 countries with 15,000 members; both travellers and hosts who participate every year.
Travelling to a wonderful new place and being met by a friendly host willing to share their home and their city with you sounds like a great way to travel. Stay with locals and learn about their culture from people who live it. Experience ideas and places that are not available to the beaten-path tourists.
If you don’t wish to leave home, you can still participate by showing people from other parts of the world what it is like to live in this paradise we call home. Think of it as an opportunity to turn strangers into friends from around the world, while staying comfortably at home. The website is friendshipforce.org.
I am going to join Friendship Force, so I can share what I learn with you in the future.
Speaking of the future, travel lovers should mark their calendars on September 12 for an information evening at the Comfort Inn on Blanshard Street in Victoria. We will be talking about the upcoming trip I will host to Croatia, May 2 to 12, 2019. I hope to see you there to share ideas.
Find out more about Pat’s upcoming trip to Croatia here!
To learn more about Friendship Force International, visit their website here!
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Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Connect with her at mpatnichol@gmail.com.