JacquieTours

16/01/2025

https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Belmond-introduce-Britannic-Explorer-train

14/01/2025

TRAVEL TIP TUESDAY

The Travelling Toothbrush!!!!

Unlike those expensive travel toothbrush cases, a water bottle can do the same job for NO COST AT ALL. Grab an extra water bottle and store your wet toothbrush upright in there. This way you can pop it into your bag easily without worrying that it will wet any of your other goodies.

Temporary travel container!

11/01/2025

Which U.S. state has the highest average speed limit?

Highest posted speed limit in the United States is 85 mph on Texas Highway 130 (toll road bypasses Austin)

So, if you have the need for speed, move to Texas. The Lone Star State has higher speed limits on average than any other state in the U.S. With an average speed limit of 78.3 miles per hour across all types of roadways (limited-access roads, rural roads, and urban interstates), the state’s fastest speed limit tops out at a swift 85 mph. The second speediest state, Idaho, falls almost 2 mph behind, with an average of 76.7 mph. If you’d prefer to take it slow, try Alaska, with its top AND average speed limit of 55 mph.

10/01/2025

07/01/2025

Travel Tip Tuesday

Freeze Your Liquids to Bring on Planes

Pros: Get your liquid through security and save $$$ on overpriced water at the airport.

What you need: A frozen bottle of water or other drink

It’s no secret to anyone that liquids have been banned on planes and thrown away before entering TSA security. If you really want to bring a drink onto the plane and don’t want to mess around with buying one, then you can always freeze your bottle of water or other favorite drink first.

It "MUST" be totally frozen when it goes through TSA. Even if it is just a little bit melted to a flowing liquid, it won’t pass!!!

I have debated this with my brother numerous times, so it deserves repeating.

I typically put solid blocks of ice in my thermos. and before I hit the TSA line check to see if any has melted. If so, I drink whatever has melted and I am good to go. 9 out of 10 times it has not melted to that degree especially in my thermos. A frozen water bottle, MAYBE a little.

If you have a long ride to the airport, you definitely want to check your bottle!

06/01/2025

Half of all U.S. states, 25 to be exact, carry Native American names. Taking a look at 14 states and the meanings of their names. They will be listed in alphabetical order.

1. Alabama: Named after the Alabama, or Alibamu tribe, a Muskogean-speaking tribe. Sources are split between the meanings 'clearers of the thicket' or 'herb gatherers'.

2. Alaska: Named after the Aleut word "alaxsxaq", which means "the mainland"

3. Arizona: Named after the O'odham word "alĭ ṣonak", meaning "small spring"

4. Connecticut: Named after the Mohican word "quonehtacut", meaning "place of long tidal river"

5. Hawaii: Is an original word in the Hawaiian language meaning "homeland"

6. Illinois: Named after the Illinois word "illiniwek", meaning "men"

7. Iowa: Named after the Ioway tribe, whose name means "gray snow"

8. Kansas: Named after the Kansa tribe, whose name means "south wind people"

9. Kentucky: Origins are unclear, it may have been named after the Iroquoian word "Kentake", meaning "on the meadow"

10. Massachusetts: Named after the Algonquin word "Massadchu-es-et," meaning "great-hill-small-place,”

11. Michigan: From the Chippewa word "Michigama", meaning "large lake"

12. Minnesota: Named after the Dakota Indian word “Minisota” meaning “white water.”

13. Mississippi: Named after the river which was named by the Choctaw, meaning “Great water” or “Father of Waters.”

14. Missouri: Named after the Missouri tribe whose name means "those who have dugout canoes.

03/01/2025

What language would you love to learn?

Speaking even a little native language in a foreign country you are visiting ..... can changed the dynamics of your visit.

01/01/2025

Habari Gani? " Imani "

Today is the Kwanzaa principle “Imani”

It closes out the Kwanzaa holiday, yet it starts the beginning of a New Year.

On the Kinara (candle holder), the green candle on the very far right is lit. Remember the black candle is lit first and every day during Kwanzaa, then alternating the lighting of the red and green candles….. with today being the final candle to be lit in the sequence.

Imani means FAITH. Faith is something everyone should believe in every single day!

Faith plays a major role in my personal journey in life. I truly believe in GOD and trust me, without him I would have been gone a long time ago from this earth and would NOT have made it this far throughout my life’s journey.

In the context of Kwanzaa, Faith is an essential and profound “belief” in and commitment to ALL that is of value to us as a family, community and culture. Believing in yourself, your community and the potential for POSITIVE change…. especially, when placed into action. Actions like supporting others, advocating for what is right, reflecting on your personal values, growth and heritage and even when challenges occur (and they will) ….staying committed to your goals.

Unity was the first principle and Faith is the last principle. The order of these principles was designed intentionally. To remind us without Unity FIRST… we cannot begin to strive communally and without Faith, we can NOT sustain it. Unity brings us together to harness our strength, but Faith in each other and the Good in this world inspires and sustains our coming together. We look within and above to strive for a higher level of spirituality and a better life for ourselves and for those around us.

Imani represents the culmination of the other six principles and signifies a commitment to positive change!

Happy Kwanzaa

30/12/2024

First two weeks of the New Year and you can go anywhere in the world for just those two weeks.... What would your itinerary look like?

29/12/2024

Habari Gani ?

Today is Ujamaa, the 4th day of Kwanzaa! The 3rd red candle of the kinara is lit to celebrate and symbolize the Ujamaa principle.

The 4th principle of Kwanzaa is Ujamaa which stands for Cooperative Economics. Ujamaa encourages us to build businesses, sustaining our own stores and establishments and to make products to help and share with people in our communities. The African tradition is collectively profiting from these created establishments together .... in more ways than just monetarily .... but by uplifting the community. Building the community's economic strength and keeping financial independence.

Ujamaa inspires individuals to trust and support each other's businesses, to contribute to the prosperity of their community, recognizing that the economic well-being is a shared responsibility. In practicing Ujamaa, Kwanzaa imparts the lesson that economic empowerment is not just an individual pursuit, but a communal journey toward shared prosperity for everyone.

Happy Kwanzaa!

28/12/2024

Habari Gani?

Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility!

On the third day of Kwanzaa, the SECOND red candle, (next to the first red candle lit for Kujichagulia), is lit to symbolize the principle of Ujima.

Self-explanatory for the most part, but let’s dig a little deeper. Collectively solving community issues and working together on projects that benefit the community, that is embodying the spirit of Ujima !!! Being accountable as a community member by doing your part! We’re all in this together attitude. Also, sharing mutual aid of issues that might be unattainable individually, such as taking care of the environment as a shared space that benefits all.

Other examples are…..helping a neighbor paint their porch …..Doing a community clean-up project by clearing brush in the park, volunteering for a local non-profit, collecting food for a food drive, etc …… These are all examples of Ujima

Ujima, as a principle, serves as a reminder of the strength that lies in collective effort and shared responsibility. It highlights the importance of working together for the common good, not just in overcoming challenges but also in celebrating successes as a community. In the spirit of Ujima, every member of the community is seen as a "valuable contributor" to the collective well-being, reinforcing the bonds that unite us.

You can also look at collectively working within your own household to improve the flow. How can we as a family unit do things better to succeed as a family. What are our individual responsibilities to add to the collective to achieve the goals as a family. Solving the larger issue together!

Happy Kwanzaa

27/12/2024

Habari Gani

27/12/2024

Habari Gani ? Kujichagulia !!!!!

On the second day (TODAY) of Kwanzaa, the red candle immediately to the left of the black candle is lit, symbolizing Kujichagulia. It is the 2nd principle of the Nguzo Saba (the 7 principles of Kwanzaa)

Kujichagulia is Self-Determination. I LOVE this principle. It truly is my favorite of the 7 principles. It is a Swahili word. It means to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. NOT TO BE DEFINED BY OTHERS! Say what you want about me, but I am Kujichagulia! It also symbolizes our “determination” to take control of our future. Now, the key word in my previous sentence is DETERMINATION. Love, love, love this. Do I always succeed? NO…. but I get up and dust myself off and try again or follow a different path. Consistently recreating myself, if necessary. What I don’t do is GIVE UP. I have a very close friend who is a comedian in the Pacific Northwest and she has a certain nickname for me which I can not say on FB or I might end up in FB jail. She has described me in her comedy acts and we laugh about it, but it is so true…… I don’t give up. I come close to throwing my hands up, but I DON’T. I am Kujichagulia

Families and communities engage in beautiful open conversations about the importance of “self-determination” AND ways to create and maintain our individual and collective identities. We celebrate Kujichagulia thru arts, music (especially the DRUM), poetry, and storytelling, which reflect our cultural expressions.

Kujichaguila lays the foundation for the remaining principles. Without determination, where do you go???? You must have determination! It is a must to being pro-active in your life.

Happy Kwanzaa

26/12/2024

Kwanzaa is a seven-day, year-end celebration which urges the African American community to define and uplift itself. A celebration of community, family and culture, established as a means in assisting African Americans a reconnection of their African roots and heritage. It is a holiday promoting collective action for the collective good.

Dr. Maulana Karenga unveiled Kwanzaa in 1966 to fill the gaps where the U.S. had failed African Americans. ... Dr. Karenga designed seven principles, or the “Nguzo Saba” as we call them…..one to focus on each of the 7 days….. Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.

Each of these principles can be celebrated by anyone (African American or not) at anytime for the works of establishing a more LOVING world.

26/12/2024

Happy Kwanzaa

I observe Kwanzaa! The rich, cultural depths of Kwanzaa honor African heritage, while each of the 7 days ( Dec 26 thru Jan 1 ) of celebration carry its very unique story of significance.... Kwanzaa also highlights the universal themes of love, light, family and community that unites us all during the holiday season.

Families gather to light candles, discuss ancient principles, eat, dance, make music, read poetry, and share "homemade" gifts.

Habari Gani (What's the News)

Today the news is UMOJA (unity)

Stay tuned for the news tomorrow.

25/12/2024

Reindeer and Santa preparing for flight .......