"Call it globetrots, this malady that makes me dash to the toilet at the reminisce of the scowling octogenarian who, on a beautiful day in Portofino, Italy, blames me, his travel agent, for failing to tell him to pack sun shorts. Or the cranky woman in the back of the bus who yells to her learned guide in Xian, China, 'How much longer before we get to the Teriyaki [Terra Cotta] soldiers?' Globetrots strikes when Americans whine about how lasagna in Italy is not as good as that at the Olive Garden Restaurant, or when they gripe about the lack of griddle cakes and smoky links on the breakfast menu in Rangoon."
Such is the definition of globetrots in Stephen Kanold's witty memoir recounting his role as a tour operator and group escort to all seven continents. Steve's reflections on what makes travel fulfilling and at other times catastrophic is both thought-provoking and at times hilarious.
Above all, he urges people to pack their bags and experience the fast-changing world while they can. "There are only two times in life," Kanold writes, "now and too late. You'll never have this time again. Carpe Diem-Seize the Day!"
About the Author-Stephen Kanold
CEO and President Adult Customized Tours, Inc.
A third generation Californian and graduate of the University of Redlands, Steve-- with a degree in education--taught high school German and college prep courses at Bloomington High School in the 1970's. His first customized tours were to Europe with his German students ("Why learn the language if you can't use it?"). Steve's reputation for designing interesting, educational itineraries grew in the southland. The Palm Springs Adult School asked that he create a "global classroom," one that would offer senior citizens escorted international trips and would feature informative pre-departure newsletters, documentation meetings, etc. His vacation programs were an instant hit, and Adult Customized Tours was born.
Having been to all seven continents and to well over 100 countries, Steve feels fortunate to have journeyed around the world with thousands of wonderful-and sometimes not so wonderful--travelers in tow. With a wink and smile, Kanold says, "Whoever advised, 'Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey' has never been to Mongolia."
