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Why Travel with Auggies?

Thailand-WebDan Cherryhomes, class of ’73, and his wife, Pat, saw promotional material for the Augsburg trip to Thailand and Cambodia in January 2017 and decided to go to the on-campus information session.

Both Dan and Pat had thought about different ways to travel and tour in retirement, had looked at tours, but had never given serious thought to any group package.

“We had  the opportunity to try out the idea in an orientation meeting with some of the people with whom we would likely travel. It was not so surprising to us that as part of the extended Augsburg family, we share the same values and hopes for the trip as a number of the participants. When we met the hosts, English professor Kathy Swanson, and her husband, Jack, we also learned they had spent time as Peace Corps volunteers in Thailand.”

Dan’s parents were missionaries, and he spent his first four years in Thailand. Jack talked with Dan about where he had lived and offered that they could make a brief side-trip one day in Bangkok to the place where Dan had lived.

Dan Cherryhomes '73 in Prague, 2014.
Dan Cherryhomes ’73 in Prague, 2014.

“This was something we didn’t expect  in a group tour—the willingness of our host to help make the experience more personally meaningful to us. We left the orientation and decided that the trip was not only something worthwhile, but that this was the best opportunity we would ever have to travel with people willing to share a similar experience.”

Tour host Kathy Swanson promises a trip that will be Uniquely Augsburg. Travelers will visit sites that appear on most trips to Thailand and Cambodia: the temples, the Grand Palace, the night markets, the floating market, Angkor Wat. The tour will, however, also include items that are uniquely Augsburg such as a visit to an orphanage for Hill Tribe children, Augsburg guides who know the country well and speak some Thai, and a group of travelers who share a common background and interest in being citizens of the world.
Swanson and her husband are already looking forward to the trip. “With all of our trips to Thailand, we most enjoy sharing our love and knowledge of the place with others who are interested in various cultures and new experiences. Each time, we see the familiar through the new eyes of our travelers,” she said.
Who should take this trip? “Anyone who values expanding a world view, learning about a new culture, experiencing beauty (and fun!),” said Kathy Swanson. As Mark Twain wrote:
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things can not be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” — from Innocents Abroad

The tour is open to all and now accepting reservations—just a dozen spots remain. Find a full itinerary and more details about the Thailand/Cambodia trip here. If you have questions or wish to register, contact Katie Koch at kochk@augsburg.edu.

 

Inspiring Media for Thailand Travelers

Considering a uniquely Augsburg trip to Thailand and Cambodia in January 2017? Get in the mood to travel with fellow Auggies with these books, movies, and resources recommended by your Thailand/Cambodia tour guide Kathy Swanson. Learn more about this tour especially planned for Augsburg alumni, parents, and friends with this complete itinerary.

Books

A History of Thailand, by Chris Baker, Pasuk Phongpaichit

King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Life’s Work, by Nicholas Grossman

The Thai Amulet, by Lyn Hamilton

Lonely Planet writer Isabel Albiston recommends the following “nine of the best books worth cramming into your carry-on”:

Bangkok Days, by Lawrence Osborne (2009)

Fieldwork, by Mischa Berlinski (2008)

Sightseeing, by Rattawut Lapcharoensap (2005)

Thailand Confidential, by Jerry Hopkins (2005)

Bangkok 8, by John Burdett (2004)

The Beach, by Alex Garland (1998)

Jasmine Nights, by SP Somtow (1995)

Touch the Dragon, by Karen Connelly (1992)

Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind, by Carol Hollinger (1965)

Lonely Planet Thailand — travel guide

Movies

James Bond – The Man with the Golden Gun

The Beach (starring Leonardo DiCaprio)

Television

Google: Amazing Race Thailand

Journey to the Holy Land with Auggies

The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem.

Join Auggie guides Dr. Phil Quanbeck and Dr. Ruth Johnson ’74 on a tour of the Holy Land to explore its past, present, and people. January 4-17, 2016, your hosts will guide you through a customized and comprehensive tour of the biblical places of the Older and New Testament in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. Stay two nights in Bethlehem where, along with the biblical sites, you’ll meet and dialogue with local community leaders and learn about the ministry of the International Center of Bethlehem.

Riding a camel on the Mount of Olives in 2012.
Riding a camel on the Mount of Olives in 2012.

Visit Jordan with two nights at Petra, featuring explorations of Madaba, Mt. Nebo, the ancient city of Petra and the recently opened baptismal site on the Jordan River. Fly into Tel Aviv on Delta Airlines and stay 12 nights, enjoying the hospitality and services of a professional, licensed Christian Palestinian guide throughout Israel and Palestine and a professional, licensed Jordanian tour guide in Jordan. Continue reading “Journey to the Holy Land with Auggies”

Join the Augsburg Centennial Singers in Arizona

The Auggie Spirit is headed south this winter, following the Centennial Singers Arizona Tour. Join President Paul C. Pribbenow and Augsburg Alumni and friends in Arizona for the following events:
Reception at La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church
Tuesday, February 175 p.m. Reception

7 p.m. Centennial Singers Performance

6300 East Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Hosted by Arne ’49 and Jean ’52 Markland,

Pastor Joel ’68 and Sue Bjerkestrand

 

Reception at American Lutheran Church

Wednesday, February 18

4:30 p.m. Centennial Singers Performance

5:15 p.m. – Congregational Dinner

6 p.m. – Ash Wednesday Service

17200 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85373

Hosted by Don ’60 and Violet Anderson and Stella Rosenquist ’64

 

Luncheon at King of Glory Lutheran Church

Sunday, February 22

10:45 a.m. Service

2 p.m. Centennial Singers Performance

12 p.m. Augsburg Alumni and Friends Luncheon

2085 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85282

Register at augsburg.edu/alumni or by calling 612-330-1085.

 

Continue reading “Join the Augsburg Centennial Singers in Arizona”