In October of 2018, Dr. Nada Stotland, an accomplished and world renowned psychiatrist, led a journey of fellow mental health professionals to Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan.
Dr. Stotland had previously enjoyed traveling to Japan with her family and was eager to return, in a professional capacity, to explore Japan’s attitudes and policy toward mental health care. She also remembered how kind and gracious her hosts were and was excited for her fellow mental health professionals to experience the warm hospitality of the Japanese people and the supreme beauty of Japan.
During their time in Japan, Dr. Stotland and colleagues visited with academics, clinicians, government officials and business owners all involved in the advancement of mental health policy and practice in Japan. The professional exchange allowed for roundtable discussions on current trends, challenges and new approaches to mental health in Japan.
Speaking with us ahead of the journey, Dr. Stotland said:
“The world is a big place. Learning first-hand about mental health care in widely differing countries helps us to think outside our local boxes and to appreciate what can be done with different sets of resources, policies, and attitudes.”
Upon her return, Dr. Stotland wrote:
“Having led more than ten mental health journeys, to countries on six continents, and enjoyed excellent professional experiences, cultural enrichment, and travel logistics on each, I found that Japan offers a unique combination of exotic culture and modern development.
The Japanese insistence on the freshest seasonal produce and fish means that every snack and meal is interesting and everything is perfectly safe to eat and drink. Cultural norms are different from those in the West—but conveniently include order, punctuality, and safety. The neon and bustle of the Ginza contrasts with the beauty and serenity of mountains, rivers, forests, and the ocean. We especially loved being dressed in kimono (no plural) for a traditional tea ceremony. Don’t miss Japan!”
Each time we create a Nanda Journey, we do so with the utmost care given to ensuring our professional participants are afforded the opportunity to connect with fellow professionals in varied yet relevant professional settings. It is also important to us that we showcase the very best there is to see when in a new country. The goal is not to merely rush through the iconic locations, but rather to take a moment to immerse in the culture and engage with community members in meaningful ways.
It is always a proud moment for us when we receive kind words from our leaders and guests. It affirms our love of travel and why we do what we do! Our own little piece of Nanda (Joy in Sanskrit).
Thank you, Dr. Stotland, for over a decade of faith in our team. It is an honor and a privilege to be continually selected as your global professional travel partner.
How do you spell “first rate?” I have travelled with Nanda Journeys to Peru, Cuba, and South Africa. The trips were worry-free, so we could concentrate on the cultural global experience.
I have included some photos from my travels. The accommodations are always first rate. The meals and cultural experiences are also top shelf. With qualified guides, we had ample opportunity to learn not only about the people, but also about the place. From safaris, to jungle river exploration, to arts and architecture—the trips helped enrich my personal and professional life.
The cultural experiences in hospitals and schools for us were varying and enlightening. I visited schools in the Andes mountains where the children spoke three languages; schools for the deaf in Johannesburg where all children had cochlear implants; and schools for the deaf in Havana where sign language was used. I visited a school in a township of Cape Town where the children’s hearing and vision was being tested using blue tooth technology since there was no electricity in the school. I visited the sparse polyclinics in Cuba, a rehabilitation center in the Andes mountains of Peru, and a state-of-the-art hospital in Johannesburg. All the visits were varied and all showed that people everywhere are doing what they can to deliver services given their circumstances.
But the best feature of the travels is the opportunity to develop professional relationships with like-minded people. The friendships and relationships have extended beyond the time of the trips themselves. The travels have also enriched my professional life. Since returning from South Africa, I have made conference presentations at national conferences with my colleagues that I met in Johannesburg. I have consulted on a publication about speech language services in South Africa and published an article on health care in Cuba.
I am looking forward to the next planned journey to Vietnam and Cambodia in the spring of 2019. Because of the interest in interprofessional service delivery here, and because of the mode of delivery of services in southeast Asia, the spring trip is intended to be interprofessional with rehabilitation specialists.
About Dr. Dolores Battle
Dr. Battle is Professor Emeritus of Speech Language Pathology at SUNY Buffalo State. She is the former president of both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP). She has received numerous awards for her work in multicultural and global issues in the profession including Honors of ASHA, Honored member of the IALP, The Diversity Incentive award from the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Science and Disorders. She is widely published in communication disorders in culturally and linguistically diverse populations and has traveled professionally to 37 countries on five continents including in Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, Greece, Switzerland, Denmark, Canada, and Australia.
We were thrilled to hear from Anjan Mitra who shared just how inspired he and his Executive Chef, Arun Gupta were by their recent journey with us to Kerala, India. So inspired were they, that they have adapted their spring menu at their two San Francisco restaurants DOSA SF, to reflect the home-cooked tastes they experienced in India. Here they reflect on their journey and share some insights in to their Nanda Journeys, Kerala inspired menu! Thank you Anjan and Arun, we look forward to our next journey together and of course your new menu!
The best dishes you can eat are definitely the home-cooked meals prepared in India that reflect the cuisine of the respective regions, the influences of their community, while using fresh, local ingredients in family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Many of these dishes never make their way to the restaurants in India, let alone the U.S. or London (which is certainly a hot spot for great Indian food).
Consider the rich diversity of delicious recipes prepared everyday by countless families in a country of 1.3 billion people and you realize that we have barely scratched the surface! 🙂
For this reason, Executive Chef Arun Gupta took a two-week culinary trip to India tocook with several families and local chefs in Kerala, along the West coast of Southern India. This picturesque region has forty-four rivers that flow from the Western Ghats, and gently meander into the Arabian Sea to create a dense network of waterways known as the Backwaters; a picturesque ecosystem that defines not just the flora and fauna, but the lifestyle of the local people. You will see miles of rice paddy fields, millions of coconut palms and thousands of fishing nets all across this thriving landscape. The climate, topography and soil also makes it the spice capital in a land of many spices!
In addition to eating a various spots every day, Chef Arun Gupta explored the Spice plantations of Periyar and Kumarakom, enjoyed delicious family meals at the Home Stays of the Philipkutty’s Spice Plantation and the Kalaketty Rubber Plantation Estate. This region has a relatively significant presence of Christians and Muslims who define their own non-vegetarian culinary styles with dishes such as Fish cooked in banana leaves, Mutton Biryani and Beef Chile Fry.
Many of these local dishes are currently on our Spring Tasting Menu at DOSA on Fillmore which includes different dishes that are prepared to be shared family-style, and start with light bites and a delicious spice-driven salads. We promise it will transport you to this wonderful region of Southern India without being over indulgent. Or you can opt for our a la carte dishes like the Phillipkutty ChickenCurry (the best one we’ve done to date), Lake Kochi Grilled Prawns, Asparagus Avial, Kerala Fish Fry or even the PeriyarCurried Pork, which is only served at the DOSA on Valencia menu. Of course, some ingredients change daily depending on what’s available at our local farmer’s markets in San Francisco.
We are exploring hyper-regional and obscure dishesfrom India that we love, but are unfamiliar to most people in the West! We might not serve what people are commonly familiar with in the U.S., however, we deeply respect traditional Indian recipes, techniques and spices, to create dishes that use seasonal and local ingredients. We are excited to help you explore this richly diverse cuisine that varies from region-to-region, city-to-city, and often household-to-household.
What could a speech-language pathologist learn about clinical service by travelling to South Africa?
Imagine visiting a small Anglican school in a township outside of Cape Town South Africa, called Khayelitsha, which is home to 2.4 million black and colored persons who were displaced during the apartheid era. Imagine learning how the 3E Learning Project aims to screen the hearing and vision of 10,000 5-6-year-old children in underserved communities. Imagine a community where 40% of the residents are under the age of 19 years and where the annual income for a family of four is the equivalent of $1872 USD. Imagine a school with no electricity and no running water and no indoor toilet facilities. Imagine a school where the official language of instruction is English, but the language of the community is Xhosa, or Sotho, or any one of 11 other official languages in the country. Imagine a school where books are not in evidence and where there is no computer or television. Imagine hearing screening being done using bluetooth to deliver the sounds and an app on a mobile phone being used to test vision. Despite all that there is, and all that there is not, imagine a mural painted on the wall of the school that says, “Rise and Shine Globally”.
Imagine visiting the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, home of Bishop Tutu, and the city of Johannesburg, home of Nelson Mandela. Imagine visiting the island where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years and who later forgave those who retained him and later became the president of the country to lead its transformation to a country where equality is the goal of everyday life. Imagine visiting the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and the District 6 Museum in Cape Town, and talking with those who lived through apartheid and are now involved in transforming the diverse nation to its place in modern society driven by a recognition of the value of diversity but the importance of equality.
Imagine standing on at the Cape of Good Hope and reflecting on a vast country with diverse people, diverse geography, diverse vegetation and amazingly diverse animal life. Imagine being among the elephants, lions, rhinoceros and hippos within days of being among African penguins, seals and baboons.
Imagine what we can learn about the glories of the world around us, the wonder of what our fellow man has accomplished against all odds, and the challenges that remain and optimism of what the future holds. Imagine what the world could be if we all took the advice from that school in Khayelitsha to “Rise and Shine Globally”. What a wonderful world it would be.
When you work in the travel industry, it is easy to acquire the travel bug. I am often asked about my favorite travel memory by family and friends. I am thankful to have so many precious memories of the places I have been blessed to visit over the last 20 years, so honestly it is hard to choose.
What always comes to mind first when asked is Cambodia. I loved visiting Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and fell in love with the people and their laid-back lifestyle. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to cross a visit to the Angkor Wat Temple complex off their bucket list, made even more memorable accompanied by an insightful local guide? I think my favorite was Bayan Temple, but each site was unique and incredibly captivating. There is so much more to Cambodia than just the temples however! I would encourage everyone to pay homage to the millions of victims of the brutal Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge regime. A reflective visit to S-21/Tuol Svay Pray High School (turned processing center and prison for the victims) and the Killing Fields allows a chance to pay homage to the innocents who lost their lives.
Then I recall hiking up the Great Wall of China! Touristy? Sure, but you need to step outside the huge cities to truly see what the rest of the country has to offer. Some of my favorite memories of China include visiting rural towns like Guiyang. It was incredible to talk to local people who had never, at that time at least, seen a Western person in their life. Every region visited has something unique to offer, from the amazing Terra Cotta Warriors of Xi’an, to the dramatic landscapes along the Li River near Guilin, to the amazing restaurants, nightlife, culture and fascinating history of Beijing and Shanghai. I have been many times, but there is still so much left to explore.
How could I not mention exploring the Pyramid complex in Cairo, Egypt. What child of the 70’s didn’t grow up learning about King Tut with dreams of becoming an archaeologist? Perhaps that was just me, but one of my fondest memories of Egypt aside from seeing the pyramids and sphinx in person was meandering through the Egyptian Antiquities Museum off Tahrir Square. We were lucky to have a private viewing of their exhibits accompanied by our incredible Egyptologists. If you go don’t miss Tutankhamun’s Gallery on the upper floor and make a stop at both royal mummy rooms to see who is on display. You may see Tuthmosis III, Amenhotep III, or the last warrior pharaoh Ramses II.
Deciding on my favorite travel memory with so many to choose from is a bit more challenging than I expected. Over the last 20 years, I have to say that spending time with and getting to know the local people has been what I remember and value the most. It is hard not to fall in love with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, culture and history of each city, town and country; but no visit would have been complete without the fabulous people I met along the way! So, I would recommend you get off the beaten path and talk to the locals. Visit a local pub or restaurant and eat the regional foods. Hire a local guide or driver to show you around. You will be glad you made the extra effort to experience the most each country has to offer rather than just crowded tourist attractions and Western restaurants catering to the tourist palate. Make your own travel memories!
Excellent global partnerships are integral at Nanda Journeys and enable us to create our unique and immersive journeys. To be successful in the travel industry, you must surround yourself with a team who strives for excellence and has an eye for detail. We truly believe our global partners are just the right addition to our team. Through these collaborations, we develop our customized journeys that ensure a unique and rewarding educational program. As you may know, Nanda Journeys sells more than just cookie cutter sightseeing tours. We prefer to focus our trips to include an immersive, career enriching experience, allowing professionals the opportunity to engage in site visits and roundtable discussions with their overseas counterparts.
For the last 20 years, we have been collaborating with our South African global partner headquartered in Cape Town. They are a passionate South African team with a deep love for their country and, through programs like ours, they have the chance to showcase all Southern Africa has to offer. Nanda Journeys counts on industry experts in their team and values the friendships that are built by working closely with them. Our mutual passion for international travel, along with the ultimate goal of providing a unique journey, cements those bonds. The opportunity to visit their country and spend time training with their team is one I will never forget. I have fond memories of driving from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park with their managing director. She shared her passion for her home country with me, leaving an impression of not only the diversity of the flora and fauna but an appreciation for the rich culture, history and people themselves.
Our global partner in Tanzania focuses specifically on inbound travel to Tanzania. Their knowledge and passion for their country really shines through and their dedicated staff are truly unique. The teachers and music enthusiasts enrolled on our Music Education Journey to Tanzania will be spending time at the School of St. Jude this coming July. They are a non-governmental organization (NGO) I had the pleasure of visiting a few years back and one that we continue to support with each new journey that visits their lovely country. The school is dedicated to providing innovative educational services to the most disadvantaged children of Arusha and you can really see the love for the children and country the staff have. Our upcoming group will explore the education system in Tanzania and take part in various school activities like joining in a music and art class with the children. We are passionate at Nanda Journeys about giving back and proud to support organizations like this one, who is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the children living in poverty. I would encourage you to take a look at their website and learn more about their fantastic school.
Gemma Sisia, founder of the School of St. Jude, speaking with a past delegation
Lunch with the children of St. Jude
I will forever have memories of exploring Egypt guided by an incredible team of Egyptologists. They are truly experts in what they do! From bringing the history of ancient Egypt to life, to making sure every experience is not only educational but magical and fun too, they make sure each journey is an incredible experience. One of my favorite memories is visiting the Step pyramid of Djoser in the Saqqara necropolis. It is the oldest complete stone building complex known to history and was truly a marvel for its time. Djoser was the first king of the Third Dynasty of Egypt and was in power around 2670 BCE. He is believed to be the first to build in stone. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to step back in time and just take it all in!
Learning to walk like an Egyptian from our Egyptologist
Our dear friends in India have hosted, adopted and nurtured us as if we are family. The experiences they have helped us to build over the years have been truly remarkable. Imagine, meeting the Supreme Court Justice in India, chatting with the King & Queen and Prime Minister of Bhutan, being the first western guests in a remote village in Rajasthan, dining with a family and learning how to cook true South Indian dishes. These are all experiences we have collaborated on and designed with our colleagues in India. We know, without a shadow of a doubt, that our clients will be cared for like family when traveling to India, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar & Thailand.
We are honored to be able to deliver the programs we are so passionate about. We couldn’t do what we do without our global partners! Nanda continues to build on these relationships and to seek new partnerships each year to offer even more exciting destinations. These relationships are built based on a lot of hard work, mutual respect and trust, and dedication to a common mission. I am honored to call our global partners my friends and want to really express how much we value their professionalism, dedication and passion.
When you travel with Nanda Journeys, you can trust that you will have a wide network of industry experts putting their extensive experience to work to ensure you have a fantastic, educational and fun program! We at Nanda want to extend a big THANK YOU to our global partners. We could not do what we do without each one of you. Here is to the next 20 years!
As a Tour Manager in Peru, I meet many people coming to visit Machu Picchu. This of course is one of the highlights of my country and I enjoy knowing that travel companies include this visit as part of their experience.
There are however, many different ways to organize tours in Peru and I love to participate in ones that show a real taste of my country. The best part of every Nanda Journey is connecting people to local communities through authentic and meaningful activities. Not only visiting museums and archaeological sites, but also local markets, talking with local people in a plaza, trying different fruits, vegetables and local dishes that you prepare yourself under the instruction of a local chef or member of the community.
I have had the chance to lead some Nanda Journeys in Peru and it was great to meet so many awe-inspiring, passionate and generous people. I feel so blessed to see our guests working alongside our Andean communities; visiting young children that have never seen a Deontologist; visiting Peruvian Universities to interact with our professors and eager to learn students; bringing medical supplies and donations to a remote medical center in Ollantaytambo, a small rural community in the Sacred Valley. These are just some samples of what we collaboratively do with Nanda Journeys to immersive our guests and create a truly experiential and authentic journey.
Working with Andean communities is a powerful and energizing experience to me. It enriches me in many different and positive ways and I love to share with others enrich and make a difference in their life. It feels great getting involved and connecting people because it helps me to grow as a person and fulfill my need of purpose. This is what inspires me to work with Nanda as their National Guide.
Being a National Guide for Nanda Journeys makes me feel fabulous, we create meaningful and rewarding experiences that make a difference in my local community. I look forward to meeting you in Peru!
Daniel Flores – Professional Guide, Peru.
Daniel will be the national guide for the following upcoming journeys:
KERALA, INDIA – A culinary journey home with Chef Arun Gupta & Restauranteur Anjan Mitra. Coconut & rice, lamb & fish and all things spice – these are the tenants of Kerala cuisine in Southern India.
At a time when Indian cuisine appears to be everywhere in the Bay Area and being recognized with accolades and Michelin stars: (August 15, Rooh & DumSF and more), I joined the team behind San Francisco’s first South Indian restaurant DOSA (opened 2006) for a one of a kind culinary adventure. Chef Arun Gupta & restauranteur Anjan Mitra embarked on a trip home to India to rediscover their culinary roots and find inspiration to place on the menus at popular DOSA restaurants in San Francisco (on Fillmore & Valencia). I had the joy of tagging along for this bucket list once in a lifetime “foodie-cation”.
“For me this journey was an opportunity to find the best of Kerala cuisine and to understand what is at its heart” said Anjan.
In one week we travelled from Mumbai to Delhi to Kerala. From the coast of Kerala where the Kerala fish curry rules and further south into the mountains to tea country and further in to Periyar, known as India’s “Spice box”. The bounty here is impressive, it’s a pantry in nature. It’s mind blowing what can be found on one farm.
“You can go into the back yard and pick and taste and smell curry leaves and cloves from a bush and pull up ginger and tumeric from the ground. Then you step into the kitchen and smell the same spices being cooked, simmering in fresh coconut oil” says Chef Arun.
Nanda Journeys cooking class with the experts
We cooked and learned with amazing chefs from the region’s resorts and with home cooks too. Each chef provided a chance to delve deeper into the roots and culture of this spice driven Indian cuisine. Chef Jerry of SPICE VILLAGE cooked “Avial” – a vegetable dish with coconut, curry leaves and turmeric. Home cook Anu Mathew cooked the Kilcutty Chicken Curry with her Mother. It was indeed one of the highlights showcasing the best of the region, an impressive embarrassment of riches from the 35 acre farm. A chicken curry made Kerala style with coconut oil & milk and all the spices the garden grows: Cloves, curry leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, fennel, cumin and allspice. Chef Arun hopes to feature this Kerela favorite on the DOSA SF menus. A dish that will represent Kerala with spices from region coupled with fresh California ingredients.
I learned a thing of two as well on this culinary adventure by Nanda Journeys. I learned that the best of Kerala’s cuisine is to be found at the homestays, the food cooked by mama or grandma, recipes passed on through the ages and each cooked with that extra portion of love and soul. Visitors who stay at these homes get an authentic Kerala experience, eating and living like a local. They also get three full tasty meals a day and will often eat with the family. The homestays are as varied as the spices that show up in Kerala dishes. One we visited was on a 100 plus acres rubber plant farm and the other on a 35 acre farm that grew it all: Bananas, coconuts, curry leaves, cloves,cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, peppers and more.
The food came from the back yard to the table and the fish from the river just feet away. The freshness of the cuisine was palpable, the flavors banging, the joy from each tasty bite expressed through the quiet as we ate and satisfying smiles from all as we finished every soulful bite on our plates.
Chef Arun on the Kerala culinary journey: “We spent 10 days in a region of India that is very connected to the land, to what they eat and what they grow. You have a people that are very proud of their culture and eager to share it and teach it. We got to experience the whole food story here in Kerela for example picking pepper corns from a tree and seeing them evolve from bright and green to a biting black and later to a bowl of prawn pepper fry.”
Kerala Backwaters cruise
Expect the flavors and spirit of Kerala to show up with a California sensibility soon on the DOSA SF menus. Perhaps Appam – the coconut flavored bread eaten with the Kilcutty Chicken Curry or a local fish cooked with Kerala spices wrapped in a banana leaf.
I cannot wait to return to Kerala for another food seeking mission but for now DOSA SF, closer to home will give me and you the opportunity for a yummy taste of Kerala. Every single Kerala dish an inviting spice party on your palate.
Enjoy my tasty “chaat” with DOSA’s Executive Chef Arun Gupta & owner Anjan Mitra. A big heartfelt thanks to them both for being my travel companions on this trip that took them to their ancestral home – India and to the heart of their native Indian cuisine.
1 medium (~4-5 striped bass gutted fileted and pinboned with the scales left ON)
—placeholder for Kerala marinade—-
1 bunch cilantro washed and dried.
1 TBSP ginger, finely grated
1TBSP garlic finely chopped
1 Jalapeño finely chopped with seeds
1 Thai chili finely chopped
2 medium ripe tomatoes (one chopped and one puréed)
3/4 cup sliced shallots
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
60 ml unsweetened coconut milk
5 of curry leaves
Salt to taste
Water as needed
Coconut oil for cooking as needed
Fish Marinade Ingredients:
1.5 cups coconut vinegar (sub white wine vinegar if coconut vinegar is not available
1 small red onion thinly sliced
8 dried red chilis
6 garlic cloves smashed
1 TBSP ginger freshly grated
1 tsp black peppercorns
1/4 tsp coriander seeds
4 cloves
1/tsp cinnamon powder
1 TBSP desiccated coconut
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients except dessicated coconut and let sit for 2 hours or up to one day.
In a small food processor purée until smooth. Fold in coconut and apply to fish. This marinade can hold for up to one week.
For the fish season well with salt and ground black pepper. Apply marinade thoroughly and let sit for an hour
Moilee Sauce Instructions:
In a medium stockpot, and heat coconut oil on medium high until oil is shimmering
Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly until lightly browned.
Add jalapeno and fenugreek seeds and cook until fenugreek is lightly browned- this will help eliminate bitter flavor
Add shallots and cook, stirring constantly until shallots are golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes
And curry leaves and continue to cook until mixture is dark brown (not burnt) actively scraping and stirring any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Approximately 5-7 minutes
Add chopped and puréed tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes or until raw flavor is gone
Combine powdered spices with 1/2 cup water and pour mixture into pot. Turn heat to low and cook 4-5 minutes
Add coconut milk and continue to cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes. If sauce looks to be getting too thick add water
Season to taste with salt and fresh lime juice
To cook the fish:
Using a gas or charcoal grill place filets on hottest part of the grill scale side down.
Cook for 5-7 minutes until fish is 80 percent cooked. Place cilantro on grill creating two separate beds for the fish filets to lie on and flip filets into cilantro.
Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes or until fish is cooked through.
The scales on the fish should tighten up and even blacken. This will help keep the fish’s moisture and also keep the fish from sticking to the grill. When the fish is cooked the flesh should flake write off the skin which should not be eaten.
Serve with Moilee sauce and rice as well as chutneys and mango pickle if desired.
(Note: if you do not have a grill you can substitute scaled filets of striped bass and bake fish in the oven wrapped in a banana leaf or aluminum foil until fish is cooked through 12-15 minutes depending on thickness)
CONTACT: DOSA on Valencia
995 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-3672 www.dosaSF.com
Dosa on Fillmore
1700 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 441-3672 www.dosaSF.com
As I reflect on the music education delegation to Argentina and Chile last summer, I keep picturing the young orchestra students at the Buen Consejo School (Buenos Aires, Argentina) who performed for us. They were so excited to have music teachers from the United States visit their school. Several members of our delegation donated instruments to the school because it was located in a poor community and it depended solely on donations to exist. When West Virginia teacher, Sherri Tadlock, presented a used flute to the school, the students were elated and the flute teacher was overcome with joy. With tears streaming down her face, she explained that one of the students needed to use her flute because they didn’t have enough instruments. I’ll never forget watching Sherri play with all of the other flute students and seeing the joy on everyone’s face.
The staff members of Nanda Journeys go above and beyond what is required to ensure that the delegation has a safe, informative and experience-filled trip. We have a great time with our international guides and I have always felt safe and cared for in these delegations. It is important to me that we have an educational experience because I have an intense desire to learn about music education and the indigenous folk music wherever I travel.
The insights I’ve gained because of my travels to other countries goes beyond the limitation of language. I’ve learned that people are the same all of the world: they want a better life for their children; they have hopes and dreams just like we do; children are beautiful, curious and mischievous in every corner of the globe. More and more I appreciate all of the luxuries and experiences life in the US provides. My awareness of my privileged life is much stronger now than before I traveled abroad.
I didn’t know what to expect when we traveled to Morocco. The kaleidoscope of new architecture, mosaics, camels, flowing tapestries, fragrant/exotic spices and warm, friendly people expanded my mind and heart even more. We danced and played drums and other percussion instruments with musicians in several restaurants. And the food was AMAZING!
When you spend up to 10 days in another country with other colleagues from the US we share experiences that form deep bonds of friendship and respect. Everything is new and unfamiliar and the language differences can be a challenge at times. We are all supportive of each other and these trips have fostered deep friendships with people who might never have crossed my path. We share teaching strategies, stories about our families and unexpected experiences. Our bus broke down on the freeway on our way to a coastal city in Chile. Some people might have been upset or frustrated but we actually had a great time sitting and chatting with each other, so when the “rescue” van came to get us we were actually surprised to see it drive up.
I still feel connected to each of the delegation communities that have traveled together. Whenever I hear something in the news about a country we’ve visited memories immediately pour into my mind with images of moments we shared together and with the people we met on our trip.
It’s been my privilege to lead music education delegations for nearly ten years. Each time I venture to another country and meet people steeped in unfamiliar cultures I am reminded of our differences and, more importantly, our similarities as humans. I come home a different person after each trip and I am grateful for these opportunities. Now I am counting the weeks until we head to colorful, exotic Tanzania this summer! To learn more about how you can join us in Tanzania, click HERE
Welcome to the Nanda Journeys Blog. Here we will share traveler stories and highlights from our unique journeys. By way of an introduction, I thought the best place to start would be to share a little about Nanda Journeys, how we came to be and why we are so passionate about what we do.
My team and I have over 60 years collective experience creating and delivering highly immersive experiential travel programs. Our goal is to connect people who are passionate about the sames things and who together can be change makers, improving the lives of communities around the world through education, community project support and friendship. We are dedicated to people, global communities, responsible travel and authentic experiences.
I decided to call my business Nanda Journeys for two reasons.
India is my personal heart destination and I feel a little piece of me lives there, each time I visit I fall in love a little more. Nanda is the Sanskrit word for Joy. I want each of their travelers to have a joyous and happy experience when they are traveling and thus this seemed very apt.
Journeys spoke to me as it evokes a sense of curiosity, an evolving experience that never ends. I want our guests to have that same feeling. Their journey should never end as we should have facilitated creating friendships and connections that will go on forever, regardless of their ever taking another Nanda Journey.
The idea came to me after a particularly inspiring yoga class and as soon as I had settled on the name Nanda Journeys, the tag line Travel for People with Purpose and Passion popped in to my head and I didn’t give it a second thought! One of the joys of owning one’s own business is the ability to be decisive!
So there you have it how Nanda Journeys came to be. We hope you will journey with us vicariously through our blog posts or by joining one of our journeys.
Nicola visiting her heart destination and proudly showcasing the Nanda Journeys brand!