From ejido to Paris? Vagabundo is going places!
By Robin Loving Rowland January 9, 2009 San Miguel de Allende

Vagabundos Journey to Yucatan!  February 11–17. Visit Chichén Itza (one of the new wonders of the world) and the flamingos at Celestun as well as Mérida. Double occupancy US$595, single occupancy US$695.

Vagabundos Journey to Chiapas! 

See the magical Palenque ruins, visit the thundering cascades of Agua Azul, enjoy the magnificent views around San Cristóbal de las Casas, and boat up the Sumidero Canyon.

 Shop for incredible crafts made by indigenous artisans from various villages, and learn about the age-old customs of the people from this wonderful region. March 17–25. Double occupancy, US$675 USD; single, US$795. 

Contact vagabundosmex@yahoo.com  or David at 152-3013.

David Rico grew up in Rancho Dona Juana off the road to Querétaro, the seventh child of seven in his family who worked on this ejido with no water, gas or electricity. Between there and his dream to go to Paris are 32 years of hard work and amazing grace.

His dad died when David was four, and his mother sold bread and candy to support her children in a home that was little more than a dirt floor surrounded by walls and a roof. Décor consisted of the harvested corn stored in the two-room house, and the rats that came for the corn surrounding the mats on which he and his siblings slept. It was a big day when a kitchen was added. It was a sad day when the candle that provided light caught the second room on fire.

Knowing that there would be more opportunity in town, his mother moved the kids to San Rafael, the farthest out and therefore most affordable colonia in those days. Their new home was five by four meters. They had no water, gas or electricity there or in their subsequent home in Colonia San Luis Rey, so David’s fifth-grade chores included walking to town for groceries and to Colonia Mexiquito to fetch water. Chores got easier when he got a donkey.

When David’s mother’s salary as a domestic worker enabled them to move to Colonia Providencia, their home had two-rooms, a dirt floor, and no gas, water or electricity. Door and window openings were covered with cloth to keep the wind, cold, dirt and heat at bay. Because David sold tortas, he was able to afford to go to secundaria. 

By that time, a sister had a boyfriend and a couple of children—all in the same house with David, his mother and other siblings—and his mother was the only breadwinner, so she declared to David that he’d have to figure out how to afford prepa. He discovered CONAFE, a government agency that sends older students to teach in ranchos in exchange for tuition assistance.

Thus, David became a teacher in Rancho Santa Rita before he went to high school. His classroom was two meters square, and he had 11 students in three elementary levels. He was allowed to live at Santa Rita in shared beds with various families, and to eat there.

After his service, he applied for and got a SEP scholarship and went to the Biblioteca Pública to apply for an additional scholarship to assist him with the costs of schooling. Biblioteca scholarships were only loans in those days. “I needed shoes more than I needed debt,” remembers David, who tearfully turned down the offer.

He also tutored in order to be the first in his family to go past secundaria. When he graduated—as valedictorian of his class and the most outstanding student in San Miguel—Universidad del Valle de Mexico offered him a four-year scholarship.

When the scholarship again was not sufficient, he met Helen Morris, “Grandma,” who found funding.

During the summers, David babysat Grandma’s grandkids in Colorado, picking up English along the way. And when Grandma got too frustrated trying to organize a trip for her friends, David stepped in to handle it. Thus, his business, Los Vagabundos, was born. Because of Grandma’s frustrations, the business’s mantra was born: You’re responsible for your own happiness!

When David graduated from college, Grandma, who had been an educator in Texas, suggested he apply for a Fulbright Scholarship. He got it, and he went on to receive an MBA from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth as its first Fulbright Scholar. Part of that process included declaring what job he would have when he returned to Mexico. “Los Vagabundos,” he said proudly.

And today, David is Los Vagabundos, a successful tour business that takes people all over Mexico. His next three destinations are Mérida and the beach. “What differentiates your service from others,” I asked.

 “Well, I’ve never taken a trip with any other company,” said David, “But my clients say that I offer personal service, attention to detail and quality care.” As one of his clients, I heartily agree.

David’s short-term goals are to broaden his business to include Central and South America. Long term? The world. And where would David most like to go? “Paris. I want to see the Eiffel Tower.”

For more information about this article, contact Robin Loving Rowland at 152-3709 in SMA, 925-418-8003 from the US, or robin@robinloving.com.  For more information about David Rico Olalde or Los Vagabundos, contact vagabundosmex@yahoo.com.
 

Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell

Mexico Travel News Sandy shores soon Three federal agencies plan to deliver seven million metric tons of sand to beaches along Cancún as well as others on the island of Cancún and the 75-mile-long Maya Riviera south of Cancún.

The beaches have been damaged by hurricanes, storms and erosion. Some observers claim developers are to blame for many of these problems. Having invested large amounts in previous beach recovery programs, the federal government had refused to do any more if local authorities and hoteliers didn’t join in the effort. Now, however, faced with the possibility that vacationers might go elsewhere, federal authorities have relented.

Curious case of Hiroshi Nohara  Perhaps the most famous of all tourists currently visiting Mexico is Hiroshi Nohara, who has chosen to live at the Mexico City airport. Unlike in the movie, Nohara is free to go where he likes, but he’s only left once when he visited the Aztec Stadium—a huge facility that seats about 100,000, usually for soccer games.

Having been featured in newspapers and television reports, Hiroshi Nohara has become a tourist attraction himself, sought out by travelers passing through the airport. 

Peace on earth in Los Cabos? 

Federal, state and municipal authorities have signed an agreement designed to end the conflict between taxi drivers and tour bus operators in Los Cabos.

Taxi drivers have insisted that they have the exclusive right to provide transportation for hire in Los Cabos. Local and state authorities, who license cabs, have tended to agree.

Tour buses operate under federal law, but frequently they have been stopped by protesting cabbies and their passengers obliged to board taxis for trips to the airport or excursions. The situation has led many tour operators to warn clients away from Los Cabos, which even before the current recession saw visitor numbers decline.

Whether the current agreement will solve the problem is questionable—neither taxi drivers nor bus companies were included in the talks.



International News

A look at the trends to expect in the coming year

In these tumultuous times, we return to the essential pleasures of travel: rediscovering classic destinations and old-fashioned manners, seeking out comfort and serenity and quiet. What’s old is new again this year.

The shaky economy has lead to some drastic changes in the ways people travel, creating new breeds of travelers, like flashpackers. The flashier version of the backpacker values the same low-cost methods of traveling as the traditional backpacker but would rather steer clear of hostel accommodations in lieu of an affordable hotel.

Cruise lines are reinventing themselves. Take the launch of Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice, the first of five in a new class of ships. They’re intended to change the way people feel about cruising by putting a modern spin on the glamour of ocean liners past. The Soltice exceeds the current shipboard level of sophistication and even adds a touch of eco-friendliness—like its heat-absorbing half-acre lawn, where can guests picnic and play croquet.

Even airlines—which have been under a tremendous amount of heat with a rise in fees and delays—are taking steps to finally accommodate disgruntled passengers. In a pre-emptive move, Virgin America is requiring empathy and stress management training for all of its employees, who attend classes on such topics as politeness and conflict resolution.

Vilnius, Lithuania: 2009 Capital of European Culture

Lithuania’s capital has been growing rapidly in recent years, and next year will step into the spotlight as one of two European cities tapped to hold the title 2009 Capital of European Culture. Though much of the historic Old Town area has been renovated and rebuilt since making the UNESCO World Heritage List, the city’s medieval past is still visible in the narrow streets, plentiful churches and architecture. The city is also home to the world’s first (and possibly only) commemorative statue of Frank Zappa.

Scotland’s big bard year  To celebrate the 250th birthday of national poet Robert Burns, the country has organized a year of festivities—think whisky tastings, Highland Games, and events for ancestry aficionados.

Robert Burns' romantic classics, such as “My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose,” are so beloved that his birthday (January 25) inspires feasts called Burns Suppers, featuring plenty of haggis and recitations of his poetry. This year marks 250 years since his birth. Two exhibits dedicated to the poet will be on view at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh and the Mitchell Library in Glasgow.

It’s estimated that as many as 40 million people worldwide have ancestors who hailed from Scotland. This vast diaspora is the focus of the International Genealogy Festival in Glasgow (July 21–24), including seminars by experts from the National Archives of Scotland. Avid ancestry seekers will also want to check out the new Scotlands People Centre, which is offering visitors a free, two-hour session to research their family tree.

Burns loved whisky almost as much as the written word, so the Isle of Barra is throwing a Whisky Galore Festival (September 18–20), with a golf tournament, live concerts, and tastings of single malts. The famed Malt Whisky Trail also figures into the celebrations: During Whisky Week, distilleries will sponsor a series of gala dinners, pairing their signature drinks with local dishes (November 1–7).

You can reunite with some of your own kilt-clad brethren at The Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh (July 25–26), the largest get-together of clan members in the country’s history. The Scottish shindig wouldn’t be complete without the Highland Games, where contestants compete in such classic events as launching logs long distances and hurling hammers.

Mumbai hotels reopen after attacks

The first guests checked back into the Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi-Trident hotels December 21, marking the reopening of the two luxury venues damaged by terrorist attacks in Mumbai the previous month. The Oberoi-Trident marked the reopening with a multi-religion prayer meeting. There are still portions of both hotels that could not reopened because of damage, including the Heritage wing of the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi wing of the Oberoi-Trident. Don’t try to wander in for a peek—security is tight.


Airline News

The rising expense of pet travel

Just can’t part with Woofie on your travels? Flying a pet may become not just more difficult, but also as expensive as flying an additional person.

Frontier Airlines banned pets from the cabin on June 9, 2008, and now charges up to $400 to fly pets in the cargo hold. Delta and American Airlines have recently raised their in-cabin pet fee to $300—up from $200. United has raised its in-cabin fee to an industry-leading $350, and $500 for cargo. For years, Southwest Airlines, one of the nation's largest, has banned pets entirely except for fully trained assistance animals accompanying a person with a disability or being delivered to one.

At $350 a trip, you might be better off tying some helium balloons to the kennel, tossing in a tracking device and hoping for the best. Woofie’s chances of an on-time arrival couldn't be any worse than on some airlines.

Sources: Mexico Tourism News, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, Travel Pulse Daily

Judy Newell heads the travel company Perfect Journeys, which specializes in discounted rates for airfare, hotels, tours and cruises worldwide, as well as luxury and adventure travel. Contact her with comments or suggestions at JudyNewell_03@msn.com  or go to her website www.PerfectJourneys.net.