The Carnegie Café series continued at the Drayton Library with a workshop on armchair travel on Mar 26.
“What is armchair travel anyway?” asked librarian Joanne Wiersma.
“Does armchair travel interest you and does it inspire you to actually travel to see more of the world?”
Armchair travel tranSports people to faraway places without the person actually leaving home, she explained. It allows people to travel vicariously through travel documentaries, fiction and non fiction travel books, foods and traditions, while seated in a comfortable armchair, she pointed out.
Travel DVDs offer travel experiences that showcase the best of a country, including the country’s customs and traditions, language and the cities or countryside of that particular country.
Books transport the traveler to another destination by their setting and descriptions, leaving the traveler feeling like they are present with the characters. The armchair traveler is able to connect with how the characters in the book live, their daily routines, culture and environment.
“It is such a great way to learn about others in various parts of the world and how they live with very little cost, particularly when using the resources offered at the library, “ Wiersma said.
Ethnic foods are available for purchase from ethnic stores or grocery stores. Wiersma was part of an international dinner group for a one-year period. The group met throughout the year and sampled foods from various countries including Ireland, France and Egypt. Along with taste testing, the group also learned facts about each country through trivia questions.
Wiersma noted armchair travelers have the benefit of avoiding the negative experiences that travelers are subjected to. While relaxing at home, arm chair travelers are not faced with the stresses related to planning a vacation, long line ups at the airport, illnesses on the plane or in foreign countries, food security issues and political unrest globally.
Armchair travelling is suited to those with limited finances, health or mobility restrictions or those who have a fear of flying.
Destinations “travelled to” by workshop participants included the Grand Canyon, South Africa, Turkey, France, the Swiss Alps, Holland, England and Newfoundland. Countries on workshop participants’ bucket lists include Arizona, Australia, New Zealand and northern Canada.
On April 30 the Carnegie Café will feature Gardening 101 for adults wanting to know what, when and how to plant gardens. Anyone interested is asked to preregister in person at the Drayton Library or by calling 519-638-3788.
