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How can you help?

At R&R Travel we try to practice "Giving Back" all year long. So many people just pick the Holidays to do something for others. Personally I feel anytime that you can give to others is honorable and appreciated. But I just wish that everyone practiced it year 'round. So today I'm going to share with you a little bit of what we do year round to give a little back to others. These aren't things that you do to get credit for doing something good. These are things that you do out of the kindness of your heart. Giving a little back does wonders for a persons soul. So here is a few of our favorites.

These are just a few little things that you can do to make a big difference. People are in need, you just have to open your eyes enough to see it. And open your heart enough to help. You don't have to empty your pockets a 24 cent pack or crayons or a 50 cent notebook means the world to some kid in Jamaica. R&R Travel collects donations year round so if you happen to have picked up extras this year drop them off at R&R Travel we will make sure that they get to those in need.

1) There are so many families that need help these days. In our little county alone there were 100 new families needing assistance this year. We all know at Christmas who needs help. But these are families that struggle year round not just at the holidays. Don't put on blinders folks. Ask your kids, you will be amazed at what your kids know about the other kids they go to school with. We "adopted" a little girl about 6 years ago. I found out my daughter was buying her lunches and extras because she was hungry. There are so many government programs out there, but you have to have a parent who is wiling to, and not too proud to ask for the help. Sometimes that is the hardest part. You can help a kid by just going to your kids teacher. Letting them know that you would be willing to purchase milk, supplies, whatever they need if they have a kid who would not have it otherwise. Look around you, open your eyes and heart to those who may need just a little help from you. 2) Loose Change - Ronald McDonald House is one of my all time favorite charities. If you haven't used one, you have no idea how wonderful these homes are. Sadly I spent a lot of time in one when my nephew was born. Had it not been for Ronald McDonald House my sister and I would have been sleeping on the hospital floor and probably going hungry. When you go through McDonald's drop that spare change in the donation box. What is 11 cents going to get you? Not a lot. But 11 cents means the world to those of us who have had to use the Ronald McDonald charities. I always take my bills in change and no matter what the loose change return is I give to the collection box. It doesn't seem like a lot at the time. And you probably aren't going to miss it. So drop your change and do some good. 3) Pack for a Purpose - Wherever you travel to pack a small back pack full of school supplies, socks, gloves, etc. Most resorts in the Caribbean accept these bags. But if traveling to other places, you can deliver to local schools, churches or shelters. 4) Food Pantry - When canned items go on sale purchase an extra can or two and put in the food pantry collection box on your way out the store. That 50 cent can of green beans isn't anything to you. But it may mean the difference between a family having dinner tonight or going hungry.

‘Tis the Season

'Tis the season of giving, of remembering and of traveling! When this time of year approaches we sometime get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle and gift giving that we forget what the reason for the season really is. Take a moment this year and remember the reason for the season. Take a moment as well to think of those that may not have gifts under the tree, or a turkey on the table. There are so many in need all around you. Sadly I think we all put on blinders at times so that we don't see them. This year alone, in our small county there were 100 new families on the adopt a family list. These are families that are having a hard time this season. They may have a parent how has lost a job and can't afford Christmas dinner, or even stocking stuffers for their kids. Sadly they may be children who have lost their parents this year, and are now placed in an unfamiliar home, with people they don't know. Please take the time this season, to help those in need. Even if you only have a little to give. A little means a lot to so many people. Give that extra quarter to the Ronald McDonald house. Give your pocket change to the bell ringers with the Salvation Army. Drop off an extra box of stuffing or buy an extra can of veggies when they go on sale. Drop them off in the food pantry deposits at the grocery stores. Take a star from the tree. Contact the school or Child services to see if there are any kids or families that may need the extra help. Buy an extra toy or even book for toys for tots. There is so much that you can do. So many little things to you, is a really big deal to someone else. Our office and family adopts a family each every year. And we try our best to get them everything that they need and then some things that they want. This year like so many other years, we not only adopted our families, but was contacted by the state to ask if we could adopt another child in need as he was left off the list year. It seems every year there is at least one child or one family that falls through the cracks. They are either too proud to ask for the assistance, or they just moved here and weren't put on the list in time. Or just got missed. Sadly so many of these kids, and families will only get what we get for them. So many never understand the joy of Christmas morning. We've made it our goal that not only do they get to experience the joy of Christmas. But maybe, just maybe by seeing that someone does care enough to think of them the Christmas spirit will come alive in all of them. I hear from so many people that these people take advantage of the system. Or that they rely on donations. That they are lazy and could buy gifts if they gave up tobacco or alcohol. That may be the case for some of them. But even if that is true. It isn't the kids fault. They deserve to know that someone cares enough to think of them. They need that Christmas spirit. They need a glimmer of hope. And maybe, just maybe, if that truly is the case, these kids will see what the spirit of giving and not just taking does for someone. And maybe, just maybe, this will change their lives. Please give just a moment of your time this holiday season to help a child see what the spirit of giving and the spirit of Christmas really is. It isn't about how many gifts are under the tree, or how big of a feast you have. It is about caring, loving, sharing, and giving. So spread that love and Christmas spirit the season. Change someones life. Happy Holidays everyone!

Packing Light

Last week we talked about the outrageous fees that the airlines charge their passengers to take their luggage with them. I personally think this is just a way for them to get more money from us all! I mean really, they know we are going to travel with clothes. So why not charge us for that? Well I for one think it is a rip off. I get charging for a check in, but not $35, $45, $50. That is insane. And to charge that much or more for a carry on. Really? There is something wrong with this picture. So I have made it my mission to learn to pack and just take a free bag. Even Spirit airlines gives you 1 personal item. If you can fit everything you own in a bag no bigger than an 18X14X8 . They know that most people aren’t going to do that. Heck most women pack purses bigger than that. Well not me folks. I’m fitting everything I need in a back pack!! My husband, Ernie and I leave for Vegas today. I have 2 pair of jeans, 2 tee shirts, 2 long sleeve blouses, 4 underware, 3 pair of socks, PJ’s, my toiletries, passport, mints, headphones, pen, documents, wallet, phone, charger and cord, and even a book to read in the airport all in my back pack. I’ve even made poor Ernie pack all this things into a small bag. Now it is a bit tougher on him as each pair of his jeans are about twice the size as mine. Not because he is a big boy. And surly not because I’m a thin mint. But because he is about 6 foot 3 and I top out at 5 foot. So a you can imagine that’s a lot more material per leg. But he did it. He packed 2 pair of jeans, shorts, underwear, 3 shirts, his toiletries, 3 pair of socks, phone, cord, charger, and headphones all in his little bag. I’m actually kind of proud of him! Everyone has a theory of how to get more in a bag. Some people roll their clothes. Some fold, some layer, some tuck. I really don’t have any specific way that I do every time. I just do what it takes to get it all in my bag. A lot of it has to do with the bag. I found a great bag while in Japan this year. It doubles as a purse so after I unpack I use as a back pack purse on my adventures while traveling. When you are picking your bag make sure it is a multi purpose bag, and I like the taller, thinner bag, versus the shorter, wide bag. Pack the necessary items, leave behind the things your hotel provides, like shampoo, conditioner etc.. If you feel you have to take those things, take the ones left from your last hotel stay that you didn’t use. They are small, and don’t take up a lot of space. And they are FREE!! And when you pack to come back home, you leave them there. One, There is no need to pack them back up, because they are disposable rather than the travel bottles people fill with their favorite products. Leave them behind, same with the free toothpaste you got from your last dentist visit. This makes room for anything that you purchase to bring home with you from your travels. Pack sensible, pack light, pack only what you need. Pack disposable. Happy travels!

Who hates baggage fees?

Who hates airline baggage fees? I do! I know I’m old school. Since I have been a travel agent since 1988 I remember the days when you were given 2 free checked bags, 1 free carry on and a personal item. And did I mention they were FREE?! What happened to those days? They are long gone. Now days we have to pay $35 for a carry on and another $30 for our checked in bag. And by all means don’t try to sneak an extra personal item. These days people are treated almost criminal like for a bag that doesn’t slide easily into the mock up overhead bin space. What can we do about it? Sadly not much. We can pay their fees, be polite to TSA when they call them because you are trying to repack your bag at the gate and you in a not so polite voice tell the gate agent to cool her jets. Yes, we can do all that. Because really is there anything else that we can do? To the general public, No. There isn’t much that you can do to change this. But as a travel agent, it is our job to speak for our clients. We are your voice. We speak with ASTA and NACTA and let them know your concerns. They in turn speak for all of us. They go above and beyond to make sure everyone who has concerns are being addressed. They lobby to keep things fair and in check. It is our job as your travel agent not only to make sure that you have an amazing adventure. But we also make sure that we fight for what is right and relay your concerned to our advocates for a better future for the travel industry.

#rrtravel #ASTA #NACTA #wehaveavoice #callyoutravelagent

Baggage fees too much for you?

Rising baggage fees got you down? Refuse to pay $35 to carry on a bag? Well I for one am fed up!! So guess what I’m not gonna do it anymore! How you ask? Well I’m not going to start a crusade or pretend that they care enough to think that my opinion matters. So what I am going to do is pack everything I need in backpack. Yep, that’s right! Everything in a backpack. What? You think I can’t do it? Well hold on to your hats folks, before I pack them away! I leave for 4 days in Vegas on Sunday and everything I need is going in one little back pack!! From my passport, to my skivvies. From my jeans, to my wallet. From my toothbrush to my book. Everything I need is getting rolled up, and tucked nice and neat into my backpack. I just hope they don’t have to search my bag at the security check point. Cause I’m pretty sure that once I get all that stuff crammed in there once I won’t be able to do it again! Stay tuned to see how it goes folks!!

#rrtravel #baggagefeessuck #icandothis #everythinginabackpack

Write your postcard home about this beautiful view. Call 660-584-8747 to book your next palace vacation (at Post Cards Home from R & R Travel)

It's a beautiful morning to be flying over Missouri. #mbjbound #jamaicaonelove #rrtravel #getaways

#jamaicaonelove #mbjbound #getaways #rrtravel

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This weeks prize! Blue mountain coffee and green grotto travel mug. Prize goes to the person who shares our page and gets is the most new followers!! #rrtravel #Jamaica #coffeetime #likeandshare

#jamaica #coffeetime #rrtravel #likeandshare

Inspire

Life as a travel agent has taken me to many different lands. Where I have met people of different backgrounds, My latest trip has been 11 glorious days in Jamaica. No, not for vacation, but for work. Darn the bad luck right?! While here exploring places I have never been I have met some amazing people who have inspired me this week. So the next few postcards home are all about those that inspired me while here. You will meet a gentleman who despite many challenges are still here today! And his beautiful wife who helped make that possible. You will also meet a true gentleman who decided to help himself and make changes rather than accept what was put in front of him. Then you will meet a man who took on a challenge that no one wanted and became one of the most loved and famous men of Jamaica. So I hope that you continue to join me and learn a bit about the people I met this week. And what inspired them to become what they are today.

Appreciation

Whenever I travel I always try to meet as many people as possible. Especially the locals. Some of those that I meet may have been born and raised and have never left their island home. Like Devon Foster. A true gentleman that my Mother and I met in 1988 on my first visit to Jamaica. It was Devon and his love for life who made me love Jamaica so much. His story of how he worked so hard and such long hours to give his daughter a better life made me appreciate all the sacrifices my parents made for me. Sometimes it take others to point out the obvious. I also met a man in Isla Mujeres one year, he was a taxi cab driver. Very friendly and very welcoming. He was very proud of his island home and wanted to share with me its beautiful history and sights. As we talked I learned that at the age of 67 he had never been off of this tiny, floating rock his entire life. This 4.3 mile island is all he has ever seen. He had never even had the desire to take the ferry over to the mainland. I asked him why. His answer “why would I? Look at this place. It’s beautiful. It has everything I need right here. My home, my family, my job, and I get to look at this view all day. And meet people like you to share it with.” Although I was flattered by that statement it made me pause. As I am a person who wants to see the world, experience life, and everything this world has to offer. Why wouldn’t he want to do that. Then I took a look around and saw his world though his eyes. It was even more beautiful than what I thought it already was. How was that possible I thought. Because now, like him, I appreciated what was around me. So now when I continue to explore the world, I always take a moment to look around and try to appreciate the beauty that is in front of me. Not just what you see of the surface. But look deep and appreciate the people that make the world around you possible. The gardener who take so much pride in his landscaping skills and his beautiful plants that he tends to. The waiters who are working hard to bring home a tip so that they can buy school supplies for their kids. So they go that extra mile to make sure your coffee is served after you sit down so it’s not cold when you get back from the buffet line. The server who sings a love song for you as he is bringing your steak and lobster dinner. Because he wants you to have the most romantic evening with your loved one. Yet he is going home to a pot of rice and beans. Yet he still sings when he serves it to his wife and kids. Because he appreciates life and everything he has. As you travel take a moment to get to know those around you. Hear their stories, listen to what they have to say. And appreciate them and the please treat them and their corner of the world with grace, dignity, and respect. And reflect on what meeting them has brought to your life. Happy Travels.

#rrtravel #respect #appreciation

Saying GoodBye

As i am sitting soaking up the last rays of Caribbean Sunshine, I am reflecting on my experiences these past couple of weeks. And wondering when I will be back in the land of All Right and Yeah Mon. Jamaica has become my second home. I’ve been here so much they call me a Jamerican. So leaving and saying goodbye to those I’ve met along the way is always a sad day for me. I don’t just love the beauty and the landscape. It is the people and the hospitality and warm welcome they always greet you with. Everyone has a smile on their face. They are the happiest people on earth, I think. They aren’t thinking about the violence taking place all around the world. They aren’t thinking about what happens if their country is attacked. Did you know Jamaica has an army? Well they do, but we don’t hear about it because they aren’t about violence. They are about love, and peace. Which is what the rest of our wold needs to take notes on and learn from. But I digress. But this in itself is one of the reasons that I love Jamaica so much. The people, and their attitudes, and the love and zest for life, peace, and happiness. If more of us lived our lives the Jamaican way our world would be a better place. As Michael Jackson sang,” If you wanna make a change, you gotta start with yourself.” So I’m taking a look in the mirror and making my changes. No longer will I not greet everyone with a smile and warm welcome. No longer will I let the world around me bring me down. From now on I will make a difference. Even if it is giving someone a smile. I’ve traveled to many different lands and there is nowhere I would rather go back to. Jamaica holds my heart for many reasons. So today I will not say goodbye I will only say until we meet again. And I hear those beautiful , heartfelt words, “Welcome Home”.

#atravelagentslife #jamaica #rrtravel #welcomehome

Just hanging with the owner of moon palace Jamaica! #PalaceResorts #yeahmoon #rrtravel #lifeofatravelagent

#lifeofatravelagent #rrtravel #palaceresorts #yeahmoon

Flowerider amyone?? #YeahMoon #palaceresorts #rrtravel

#rrtravel #yeahmoon #palaceresorts

Dip your toes in one of the beautiful pools at Moon Palace Jamaica. Like Jamaica the waters all right. #yeahmoon #palaceresorts #rrtravel

#yeahmoon #palaceresorts #rrtravel

#rrtravel #PalaceResorts #YeahMoon #meatpatties #yummy

#palaceresorts #rrtravel #yummy #yeahmoon #meatpatties

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