News & Views
by Kim Davis
The Boy and the Starfish
- Anonymous
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had the habit of walking along the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore; as he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day, so he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead, he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing Starfish into the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked; why are you throwing Starfish into the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and Starfish all along it, you can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely, then bent down, picked up another Starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves." It made a difference for that one."
His response surprised the man, he was upset, he didn't know how to reply, so instead he turned away and walked back to the cottage to begin his writings.
All day long as he wrote, the image of that young man haunted him; he tried to ignore it, but the vision persisted. Finally, late in the afternoon, he realized that he the scientist, he the poet, had missed the essential nature of the young man's actions. Because he realized that what the young man was doing was choosing not to be an observer in the universe and watch it pass by, but was choosing to be an actor in the universe and make a difference. He was embarrassed.
That night he went to bed, troubled. When morning came, he awoke knowing that he had to do something; so he got up, put on his clothes, went to the beach and found the young man; and with him spent the rest of the morning throwing Starfish into the ocean.
You see, what the young man's actions represent is something that is special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can, like the young man, become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our vision the power to shape the future.
I've spent the morning thinking about a special man who passed away last Wednesday. I only learned of his passing yesterday. I hardly knew him, but his loss has touched me very deeply just the same. James Newton was a man who lived to help others improve their experience of life, and he will be sorely missed. I have shared the story about the boy and the starfish with you before, but felt it so appropriate today, that I had to re-run it. This is the story that James shared with everyone who visited his website. And this is the way he lived his life.
The feature article is really a press release this week, about a seriously cool trip that's coming up this October. The organizer, Dave Wharton is a great guy, and has put together a trip that promises to be special.
The press release bears mentioning this week especially with dear James Newton's death, (by drowing in the Ocean off Cyprus), so fresh in my mind. We travelers tend to believe that we are invincible, and that no bad can happen to us. Well, sadly, it can. Please take a few moments and read about this new service being offered by the Air Travelers Association to protect against and aid in the event of emergencies while traveling.
NOTE: If you go to http://www.extraordinary-jobs.com, you'll find yourself on a welcome page. To get to the current issue of the newsletter, follow the link at the top of the page.
Visit me on the web at my other sites:
Live your best life every single moment - our time here is too precious to waste,
- Kim ;-)
 Feature:
"Chasqui Tour" - Run the Inca Trail to the Sacred Valley of Longevity
http://www.runnershi.com
Chasqui runners were the main form of communication for the Inca Kings. The Incas did not discover the wheel and lacked a writing system but they set up a relay system for delivering information along the Capac Yan (Inca Trail). Only the swiftest athletes were chosen, usually running 2 miles at a time often covering 200 miles in under 24 hours.
The Chasqui Tour follows the Capac Yan in Ecuador from the equator to the Sacred Valley of Longevity, Vilcabamba. Runners from around the world will carry a message of goodwill to the people of Ecuador along the Inca Trail , connecting the modern athletes with the legendary Chasqui runners of 500 years ago. (Takes Place October 1 - 17, 2004 - with a shorter stay option of Oct 1-11.)
Go on a running/walking holiday with like minded people to one of the world's most fascinating countries, Ecuador. Running the Inca trail to the Sacred Valley of Longevity, helping Ecuadorian sport along the way and learning about the secrets of longevity and how to extend athletic life.
Join a group of runners/walkers who will be carrying an Olympic torch from the Sydney Olympic Games Torch Relay, locals are invited to run with us along the way as we pass through their communities.
Runners/walkers can go as far as they like with the following bus picking you up. We will run 1 - 2 times each day. Along the Inca trail we will do a lot of sightseeing and visit interesting places. This makes it a great holiday for partners or anyone who is not into exercise. Also we will face some challenges. Certificates of achievement will be issued at various locations.
Equator line: Starting at Rumicucho ruins (a 700-year-old Canari period Solar Observatory and Fortress) we will run to the equator monument along the equator line with one foot in each hemisphere.
Weigh ourselves: The equator has a special energy - you can even see it on the scales. Because of the earth's centrifugal force you weigh less on the equator - one can be up to 10lb lighter than at the poles. This special energy also helps the lymph system and could explain the good health of Ecuadorians. Certificates will be supplied.
Olympic Torch Circuit: Situated in the heart of the capital Quito the magnificent park Carolina is where most joggers and sports people train. From there we run to the Plaza Grande where we're joined by politicians, the media and locals. Before proceeding to Plaza Grande and the Presidents Palace, we stop briefly for photos at the famous monument for Simon Bolivar. From the Plaza Grande we run past 400 year old gold leafed churches to Panecillo Hill with amazing views over the capital city Quito.
How high can you go? Travelling through the Valley of Volcanos we arrive at the base of the world's highest active volcano - Mt Cotopaxi (5897m, 19,344ft). Here we run the trail around Lake Limpiopungo at 12,565 ft. Certificates will be supplied.
We then continue along the Valley of Volcanos past Mt Chimborazo ( 6310m, 20,702ft). Because of the earth's equatorial bulge Mt Chimborazo's peak is the farthest point from the centre of the planet. We visit Banos and revive in the famous thermal springs before embarking on an exciting train ride through the Devil's Nose Switchbacks to El Tambo.
Inca Fortress: Ingapirca is the most famous and best preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador. We carry the Olympic Torch into the Ingapirca ruins, running on paths used centuries ago by the famous chasqui messengers. We stay the night at Posada Ingapirca overlooking the ruins.
World Cultural Heritage Site: From Ingapirca we travel the backroads through Indian farming communities who still milk their cows in the filed by hand and with a bucket. After running through the Valley of Roses we run the cobbled streets of Cuecuna. This amazing historical city was recently classified by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Of course there wil be time for sightseeing.
Electric Loja: Over 500 years old this picturesque University city with a river flowing down the main street was the first city in Ecuador to have electricity. Here we'll have a civic reception by the mayor and accompanied by the media we're joined by the locals running in their magnificent water park. The reception given by Loja was one of the highlights of the inagural 2003 Tour.
Fountain of Youth: Vilcabamba in Ecuador, along with the Hunza in Pakistan and Georgia in Russia are known for the Longevity of their inhabitants. For years Vilcabamba has been known as the sacred Valley of Longevity because of the large number of inhabitants who live an active life past 100 years. On the last section some elders join us on our way into the Sacred Valley of Longevity - Vilcabamba
Vilcabamba became known to the world in a National Geographic article in 1973 when Dr. Alexander Leaf did an article on Vilcabamba---he stated that 1080 people per 100000 live to 100 while in United States it is 3 per 100000---more importantly they are still active, vital, sexually active and still work. Since then many scientists from around the world have studied these
people. We spend 2 days in Vilcabamba with the locals and learn about their "secrets of longevity".
Why Ecuador: Ecuador is nature's greatest achievement. Ecuador is a country of great contrasts within short distances which makes it ideal for a running tour. Ecuador is the most biologically diverse place on the planet. Ecuador is the home of the world's largest flying bird, the Andean Condor, 300 year old turtles in the Galapagos Islands, 1640 species of birds, 358 species of amphibians, 345 species of reptiles, 250 species of mammals, 4500 species of butterflies, an outstanding variety of insects, plants, vegetables and fruit all thriving in 26 different life zones.
Add to this the sweetest people in the world, historical charm, the Amazon, Galapagos Islands, Incas, Equator, Andes, The Sacred Valley of Longevity, Sharmans and ideal weather from being in the middle of the world at 10,000 ft.
"Run the Inca Trail to the Valley of Longevity" is organized by:
Dave Wharton, P.O. Box 35
Hyde Park 4812
Queensland, Australia
Email: dave@runnershi.com
 Press Release:
NEVER BE STRANDED AGAIN! AIR TRAVELERS ASSOCIATION RESCUELINE<tm> NOW PROVIDES EMERGENCY TRAVEL SERVICES
Contact:
Air Travelers Association -
David S. Stempler, President
Direct - 301-299-6515 -
Office - 202-686-2870 -
Cell - 301-980-8888
www.AirTravelersAssociation.com - David.Stempler@AirTravelersAssociation.com
Washington, DC, July 20, 2004 - David Stempler, President of the Air Travelers Association, announced that it will now provide the Air Travelers Association RescueLine<tm> for members, with 24x7, telephone- based, emergency travel and medical assistance services. The Association is also now making the Registered Traveler Program InfoSite<tm> available to non-members. The RescueLine<tm>, InfoSite<tm>, and membership information are all available at:
www.AirTravelersAssociation.com
Air Travelers Association RescueLine<tm>
"You will never be stranded again" declared Stempler in a conference call with a group of members announcing the new benefits. "Wherever you are in the world, at any time of any day, the Air Travelers Association now provides you with the Air Travelers Association RescueLine<tm> emergency telephone service to resolve any travel problem or emergency."
Stempler told the members, "don't wait for your airline to try to solve your travel problem. Call the Air Travelers Association RescueLine<tm> for immediate help. Your days of feeling abandoned on the road are over!"
According to Stempler, "our members told us that in the post 9/11 period, they have more uncertainty and anxiety about air travel and security, and are experiencing more delayed and cancelled flights.
When things go wrong, they often must fend for themselves. They want immediate help from trained, multi-lingual travel professionals, round- the-clock."
Some of the services available through the Air Travelers Association RescueLine<tm> include the following. A complete list of the services available through the Air Travelers Association RescueLine<tm> are at the end of this news release.
* Flight Reservations - Immediate rebooking for cancelled and delayed flights.
* Hotel Bookings - Real-time booking and rebooking of hotels.
* Ground Transportation - Last minute booking and rebooking of car rentals or other ground transportation.
* Lost Baggage Tracing - Help to find lost or delayed baggage; help with replacement.
* Directions - Turn-by-turn directions over the phone for traveling in the U.S.
* Medical Emergency - Doctor and nurse referrals; dispatch of doctor, if necessary. Medical evacuation assistance.
* Home Emergency - Call out of service provider for emergency home repairs.
* Vehicle Emergency - Roadside assistance; rental or personal vehicle return assistance.
Registered Traveler Program InfoSite<tm>
Stempler also stated that, "the Registered Traveler Program
InfoSite<tm> at AirTravelersAssociation.com will now gather and
disseminate information on the Registered Traveler Program ('RTP') for
both Association members and non-members. Surveys of users of the
InfoSite<tm> will provide information on the interests, needs, and
opinions of travelers concerning the RTP. A position statement of the
Association on the RTP is available at AirTravelersAssociation.com."
The Air Travelers Association is a member-supported organization,
headquartered in the Washington, DC area. The Association advocates
for its members on air traveler security, safety, savings, and
service. It provides a number of member benefits including emergency
traveler assistance, medical assistance, travel information, and
travel services. Membership is $49.95 per year, with enrollment only
at: http://www.AirTravelersAssociation.com. David Stempler, President
of the Air Travelers Association, is an internationally known
passenger advocate and authority on airline and air travel issues.
AIR TRAVELERS ASSOCIATION RESCUELINE<tm>
COMPLETE LIST OF SERVICES AND BENEFITS
- 24x7 TRAVEL AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE*
[*See Note at end describing assistance services.]
- Most Frequently Used Emergency Travel Assistance Services*
- Flight Reservations:
Immediate booking and re-booking for cancelled and delayed flights.
- Hotel Bookings: Real-time booking and re-booking of hotels.
- Car Rental and Ground Transportation: Booking and re-booking of car rentals or other ground transportation.
- Lost Baggage Tracing: Lost baggage search and stolen luggage replacement help.
- Directions: Members traveling in the U.S. can call for turn-by-turn driving
directions.
- Other Travel Assistance Services (in alphabetical order)*
- Announced Travel Delays
- Automated Case Notifications
- Bail Arrangement
- Embassy Referrals and Visa / Passport Requirements
- Emergency Cash Assistance
- Emergency Dispatch of House or Vehicle Repairer
- Emergency Hotel Check-in Guarantee
- Exchange Rate Information
- Eyeglasses and Corrective Lens Replacement
- Family Liaison and Message Relay
- Government and Consulate Liaison
- Health and Travel Precautions
- Legal Referrals
- Location of Local Service Providers
- Lost Credit Card Assistance
- Lost Baggage / Document Search and Replacement
- Lost Item Assistance and Shipping
- Lost Passport and Travel Document Assistance
- Rental Vehicle Return
- Repatriation of Vehicle Home
- Return of Member and Traveling Companions Home
- Roadside Assistance
- Security and Intelligence Evacuations
- Telephone Interpretation Services
- Travel Restrictions
- Urgent Message Relay
- Visa/Passport Requirements
- Weather
- Medical Assistance Services (in alphabetical order)*
- Claims Procedure Advice
- Case Coordination and Management
- Dispatch of Doctor / Nurse on Call
- Emergency Family Travel Arrangements
- Inoculation Information
- Inpatient Case Management
- Medical Monitoring
- Medical Referrals
- Outpatient Case Management
- Prescription Replacement Assistance
- Relative or Visitor to Bedside
- Repatriation of Mortal Remains
- Return of Dependent Children
- Road Ambulance to Nearest Home Country Hospital
- Utilization Monitoring and Reporting
*PLEASE NOTE: The ATA RescueLine<tm> provides travel assistance
services, which means that the ATA will assist and help the Member in
making arrangements for services, but the Member is financially
responsible for the costs of the underlying services to be provided to
the Member, such as airline tickets, hotel and car rental costs,
medicines, transportation costs, and the actual costs of other
services. |
