| Robert and Bette were among the people I had a | | | | Malta, and Singapore. A visit to Thailand is upcoming. |
| chance to get to know at the Canada-US Servas | | | | Our listing says that families are especially welcomed. |
| conference which was held in Vancouver from | | | | We've hosted many Europeans, North and South |
| August 5 to 8, 2005. At 53 years of age, both | | | | Americans, Indians and Japanese. Our cultural most |
| retired recently since they view time as one of their | | | | distant visitor was a student from Bhutan. Servas |
| most precious assets. | | | | allows people to see the places they are visiting from |
| Through Servas, Robert and Bette have travelled | | | | the inside. We come to understand what makes a |
| extensively throughout the world and they have | | | | society what it is: daily routines, wedding albums, |
| been members of the US organization since the | | | | leisure activities, meals, and raising of children. |
| 1970s. Throughout their membership they have had | | | | 5. Please tell us about your 3 favourite or most |
| an opportunity to create personal connections in a | | | | memorable travel stories. |
| great variety of places. They have also hosted many | | | | I played ancient Japanese drums in a marching band |
| Servas travellers from many different countries in | | | | during a Nepeta festival in Japan while my family |
| their home and have passed on this generous spirit | | | | helped pull a deity through the streets. We sailed and |
| of hospitality to their own children as well as to other | | | | got stuck in the doldrums while exploring the |
| young people. Here are some of Robert and Bette's | | | | medieval ports of Malta. We admired in the junk art |
| experiences: | | | | of an unknown, anonymous dump operator in India. |
| 1. Please tell us a little bit about yourselves. Where | | | | We toured Mesa Verde's ruins with a host/ park |
| are you from, what are your professions, where do | | | | ranger during twilight when we were the only ones |
| you live now? | | | | there. |
| We are both born and raised in Philadelphia. We | | | | 6. Please tell us about your 3 favourite or most |
| enjoyed small town living in Moorestown, NJ for the | | | | memorable hosting experiences. |
| last ten years. Our girls are pretty grown and so the | | | | The Bhutanese student told us of how his parents |
| big house was unnecessary. So now we are retired | | | | grew up in a world without money, bartering only. |
| middle school teachers living in the resort of | | | | We've visited and hosted some families who have |
| Brigantine, NJ (just north of Atlantic City). | | | | become friends over the years. We see one |
| 2. Both of you just recently retired at the young age | | | | another's children grow from a great distance, but |
| of 53. I am sure that involved some conscious | | | | we feel like relatives. Servas guests have taken me |
| choices. Why was that decision so important to you | | | | to museums and architectural sites in my own city |
| and how did you manage to carry it out so early? | | | | which I never knew existed. ( Frank Furness buildings, |
| We firmly believe that rich people have money while | | | | Barnes Foundation). It's been a wonderful |
| wealthy people have time. We wanted to be | | | | gastronomical experience as well. Some hosts have |
| wealthy. Bette's bout with leukemia three years ago | | | | prepared memorable meals or suggested great |
| reminded us how short life can be, making time even | | | | restaurants, and occasionally we cook for our busy |
| more precious. Also, the provisions of No Children | | | | hosts. We enjoy living in homes, chatting, trading |
| Left Behind have made creative teaching obsolete. | | | | customs and participating in the day to day lifestyles |
| The only thing worse than bored students is a bored | | | | of caring people. |
| teacher. | | | | 7. You also work as volunteer interviewers for |
| 3. You found out about Servas in the 1970s. How did | | | | Servas. Please comment on that role and why you |
| you hear about this organization and what was your | | | | chose to get involved in that capacity. |
| first travel experience like? | | | | We interview potential members because we want |
| A friend, Mimi Rosen, took a three-year vacation | | | | to spread the word about Servas and make sure |
| from teaching in the 1970's and learned about Servas | | | | members understand how it works. Our mission is to |
| in Australia. We thought it sounded too good to be | | | | spread peace and justice as we provide memorable |
| true, but the organization has gone beyond our high | | | | experiences through hosting and traveling. People like |
| expectations. We first traveled through Scandinavia, | | | | to talk about their trips; interviews give us a chance |
| hitchhiking while meeting interesting local people from | | | | to listen and possibly give ideas to potential members. |
| all walks of life. | | | | We have enjoyed sharing our experiences at union |
| 4. What other countries have you travelled to | | | | workshop conferences, parent groups and students |
| through Servas? What kinds of people from what | | | | who always wonder how we can afford such |
| places have you hosted in your home? What makes | | | | extensive trips on teachers' modest salaries. It's also |
| Servas travel so special to you? | | | | been wonderful building friendships around the world |
| We have made Servas visits in New Zealand, Hong | | | | and watching families grow as we continue to keep |
| Kong, Australia, Canada, U.S., India, Western Europe, | | | | in touch, sometimes even revisiting. |
