By Nancy Dorrans
I have friends on almost every continent, including several from my childhood. We’ve scattered from our roots in Northampton Township, a small rural community in Northeast Ohio, to many corners of the globe.
My friend Kathy Husk and her husband spent over 30 years as missionaries in Papua New Guinea. Duane Thursby was traveling through the Indian subcontinent when he met and married his wife from Pakistan. Tonya Carter first moved to Colorado, where she married Chris Blessing, before they relocated to South Africa to serve rural communities.
Tonya and I were childhood friends and Girl Scouts together, alongside our friend Anne Galehouse. Anne jokingly refers to me as her “travel agent from second grade.” Together, we’ve embarked on many small-group adventures including Southern Africa in 2016. (See the article)
When we were planning this adventure, Anne got in touch with Tonya. We hadn’t seen her since graduation. She and her husband Chris met us in Johannesburg for a few days. We visited a Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve and had a full-day private tour of Soweto, a southwestern township of Johannesburg.
Soweto Uprising of Johannesburg
I had contacted Rudolf of Madikela Tours, who we met earlier in our adventure, to guide us through the Soweto neighborhoods. He spoke about the tense history of the Soweto Uprising that began in the area in 1976.
At the time, 10,000 students were protesting the forced change of the language of instruction from English to Afrikaans (a Dutch-derivative language). Hector Pieterson, a South African schoolboy, was shot and killed along with nearly 200 others when police opened fire on the students. A photo of him became the enduring symbol of the uprising. The museum we visited bears his name.
Just down from the museum is Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Prize winners—former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Our final visit that day took us to a school and an informal settlement without electricity, tucked between the highway and the industrial district. There were lots of kids—smiling, chatty, and excited to show us around.
-All photos courtesy of Nancy Dorrans
I showed a photo I had just taken of a toddler to a group of girls, asking if they knew her. An older girl spoke up, “She is my daughter’s sister—no, she is my sister’s daughter!” I realized English was not her first language.
Next Adventures – Why don’t you join me?
I definitely still have a lot to learn and I believe traveling is the best form of education. I carry my past experiences into my future adventures. While Africa continues to call, I’m always looking ahead to new destinations and opportunities.
This month I’ll spend a week in East Tennessee, Pickin & Grinnin with my father who turns 93 in June. While there, I’ll be able to attend my niece’s RN pinning ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky.
In June, I’m excited to share I’ve been invited to explore Peru. There will be a few days of adventure before the 2-day ATTA Latin America Elevate networking event in Lima. I’ll return with more South American travel industry contacts, friends, and ideas for future adventures. Stay tuned for more stories and upcoming adventures.
Eastern Townships of Quebec
On our summer coach tour to Quebec’s Eastern Townships and Quebec City, July 23rd through 27th, we will discover vibrant blossoms in the area’s gardens, picturesque villages, and local delicacies of handmade cheese, chocolate, honey, and wine. Oui Oui! What’s not to love?
Both regions are filled with picturesque villages and local delicacies like cheese, chocolate, honey, wine, and more. We’ll step into the past, in search of Louise Penny’s fabled village of Three Pines. This tour is almost sold-out. Check my website for more details.
In September, I’ll be attending the Adventure Travel World Summit in Quebec City. Here’s yet another opportunity to connect and reconnect with friends from around the world and learn more about Quebec and how we can travel actively and sustainably down roads less traveled.
Then, save the dates of December 3rd – 6th, 2026 for our annual 3-night escorted coach tour from Portland, Maine to New York City to kick off the holiday season. Registration opening late summer.
What will next year bring?
I’m hoping to witness the monarchs hibernating in the mountains of Mexico, to dance with Bonhomme at the Carnaval de Québec, to hike in Madeira, and lollygag around the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece.
To quote Mark Twain, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” Why don’t you join me?
