Meet Europeans in their homes --FREE--through SERVAS

by Angela Sarich

"BONJORNO! You must be Angela and Jenny. Ahhh, you look tired. Let me take your bags."

As the lilt of Gino's voice penetrated my jet lagged brain, my shoulder muscles started to relax as my bag slid off my back. In a feeble attempt at independence I muttered "No.....I can do it," --but Jenny and I sluggishly followed Gino and our freshly packed bags into his home. We had made it half way around the world in 21 hours and were safely at our first destination! Or were we? I could smell cooking fish! A new wave of unease swooped over me as I heard our beaming host announce "I made clams and salmon for dinner, would you like to eat?"

Gingerly I explained that Jenny was a vegetarian----"but I can eat fish"  With out hesitation he replied, "We will find something else for Jenny to eat." Then added, "I'm going to a play with my friends tonight and have a meeting at eight. Would you like to come? But,... maybe you are too tired."

Having crossed our first cultural hurdle, energy welled up from some where. We jointly exclaimed, "Yes!"

"REALLY!!!!" Gino replied. "YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME?!!?? I am so happy!"

Thus began our two and a half month --off the tourist map adventure of living with different European families in six countries. We were able to do this because we connected with an international organization called SERVAS. Their mission is promoting world peace through cultural awareness and understanding. "Host Members" all over the world allow total strangers into their homes for two nights at a time. For forty eight hours, these hosts open their front doors to travelers such as us, inviting them to sleep in their beds, eat their food, hear their language, learn their values, traditions, and experience their life style and culture--free. Wow! What a magnificent way to travel.

We visited Europe during some bad weather months (March, April, and early May) but didn't notice it because we became temporary Europeans with the aide of our SERVAS families. We traveled through drizzly Italy, snow bound Austria and Switzerland, and cold and rainy Germany, France and Ireland. Many times our host met us at the train station. Most had a meal waiting for us when we arrived. We were usually included into their daily routine.

Several hosts had full 2 day agendas planned for us. (Mele, we didn't need much of our detailed itinerary we worked so hard on! You need to be open to serendipity for this kind of travel.) Often we were included in their special events. Several that stand out include an Italian birthday party, a sing along with the ex-director of the Vienna Boy's Choir, debuting at an Austrian Ball wearing traditional costumes, horse back riding lessons in Austrian mountains, celebrating Easter Austrian style, sitting in on a live radio show, a family bike ride in the French Alps, teaching English to French adults, walking through the Enchanted Forest with a local guide, and attending a French Festnos--a celebration with traditional Brittany folk dancing. We were always the welcome guest--no other tourists in sight.

The best part of our SERVAS experience were the friends we made. Many of us stay in contact. I returned some of the hospitality extended to us when our Italy host & friend stayed with my family 3 months last summer.

I believe SERVAS is the ultimate way to travel if learning about a county's culture and making international friends is what you seek. As a host and/or traveler you can learn about another's culture while simultaneously teaching about your own.

Angela Sarich & Jennifer Mayers

How do you hook up with SERVAS? Call Hawaii's Representative, or write to SERVAS for an application. Membership fees are approximately $65. a year. Allow 2 months or more before your trip to process applications, connect with SERVAS hosts, etc. Please note. SERVAS is not for tourists or week end travelers. It is for peace-minded individuals who want more than a free bed.

For more detailed information write to:

   US SERVAS Com., Inc. 212-267-0252

      11 John St. Rm 706 New York, NY 10038

   WEB SITE :  SERVAS

   or Contact Hawaii SERVAS Representative. ---- Lynne Halevi: (808) 944-4079