Sex and the City 2--Samantha Didn't Get Her Due!

Of the 4 gals on Sex and the City the one that I identify with least is Samantha.  She is the one I probably laugh at the most, I wonder what she is going to do next, but with my beliefs, upbringing, and personality, I just don’t see myself in her.  One thing I do admire about her is her commitment to her business and ability to rise to the top of her profession, while still “having a life”.  The reason for the ill-fated (and expensive) trip to Abu Dhabi was the Arab businessman who had observed her success as a public relations executive and was eager for her input on his upcoming projects. Eager enough to give in to her request that the “girls” go too and to spare no expense to impress her, he treated her as a business force to be reckoned with. I think the movie did the character of Samantha a real disservice and here’s why.

Ms. Samantha Jones, New York City PR maven, would never travel to a country and culture uninformed.  This was the start of what could be an extremely lucrative deal; and as much as Samantha loved a good looking man, she also enjoyed money, respect, and power in her chosen profession.  No intelligent person traveling to another part of the world for the first time would arrive so blindly unaware of what was required in terms of conduct and behavior.   Even in a menopause induced frenzy (been there, felt that) she knew better than to create the kind of dangerous situation she involved herself and her best friends in.

Didn’t she have a travel professional for her business and personal travel?  She has the best of everything else money and power can buy, who makes her travel plans?  Could I volunteer?  Had I been her travel advisor, I would have made sure she knew the rules of behavior, particularly between men and women in public.  Knowing Samantha, I would have been very firm with her—she does love her men!

No, the movie didn’t give Samantha credit.  For all her free-wheeling ways, she was still super intelligent and uber successful.  And yes, I know it’s just a chick flick, never meant to make a statement or be taken too seriously.  But, the business woman, 50 something, travel advisor in me couldn’t help but notice.  Maybe next time I can play the part of the intelligent, elegant, but fun loving side kick!  Show biz here I come!

Happy travels, Sandy

Sandy, the diva cruiser, is actually Sandy Wheeler, outside travel professional for Connie George Travel Associates.  Follow her adventures on Twitter @thedivacruiser and on her website www.SandyWheelerTravel.com.  Email Sandy for comments, questions, or just to say hello.   

The World is Shrinking, So Why Won't My Waist?

I just finished reading Rhys Bowen's latest book called Royal Flush. The herionine, Georgie, is a relative of the "royals" and is at the castle when the Royal Grouse Hunt is being held. As an aside to the event, a group of the locals volunteer to take a group of haughty American visitors on a "haggis hunt". Since haggis is a Scottish sausage concotion and not an animal to be hunted--well you get the point.

Reading this reminded me of an old Southern tradtion called the "snipe hunt". Good ole boy locals would take visitors out at night hunting for snipes with some interesting results. And if by chance the visitors were haughty; then they were taken to an especially thick part of the woods and left till morning. Strangely enough, no one has ever bagged a snipe in the woods. (They are actually shore birds.) Go figure.

The world is different now. Myths like the snipe hunt are easily debunked by just
Googling the words "snipe hunt". There's even a Wikipedia entry for it. Easy access to information about other cultures, peoples, and places to visit are at our fingertips. New and exciting venues have recently developed into the "it" spots to visit. Costa Rica has become one such place, and the requests for Costa Rican womens' adventures have been coming in.

So, tada! We are offering a ladies only trip for November 2010. A 9 day, 8 night adventure in Costa Rica including the following sites and activities: a visit to the Poás Volcano, a cooking class, yoga on the beach, a painting lesson with the local artists community, a boat ride on Lake Gold, the Museum and National Theater in San José, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Orchid Garden, Tortuga Island Excursion & Snorkeling, and much more. Plenty of exercise, activities, and unique opportunities to see culture, art, peoples, and places that give you a profound experience of development as a woman. All in the company of exceptional women just like yourself! Here's the link to this great trip http://www.sandywheelertravel.com/id14.html.

Yes, our world may be shrinking, but you don't have to shrink with it. Decide instead to grow and join us on this super adventure!

And remember, don't go hunting after dark!

Sandy, the diva cruiser, is actually Sandy Wheeler, Independent Travel Consultant for Connie George Travel Associates. Follow her adventures on Twitter @thedivacruiser.

Email Sandy to ask questions about any of our great trips and check out www.SandyWheelerTravel.com for more information about our escorted tour to Costa Rica!.