![]() ![]() The “choose a new flight” button just said “Check back later.” However, no staff member showed up - an ominous sign.Ī little before 5, I received an email from American Airlines stating that our March 22 Sunday evening return flight from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to Miami had been canceled. The ship sailed, and at 4:30 we went to a meeting for the distribution of snorkeling gear. We boarded the Silver Galápagos a little after 1, found our stateroom and went straight to lunch. The islands are a national park, and getting our park tickets took another hour in line.Īfter being transported to the dock, Eileen and I had time to take a few photos of seals, crabs and iguanas before climbing into a Zodiac and heading to the ship. Rising at 4 a.m., we had breakfast and left the hotel at 5:40 for a flight to San Cristobal in the Galápagos Islands. The rest of the day was spent sightseeing, including an evening tour. Silversea had us visit a doctor the next morning for another temperature check and more forms. Upon arriving in Quito, and because of COVID-19, passengers were greeted by airport staff in full hazmat suits checking our temperature and handing out health questionnaires, all before we entered the country.Īs Eileen and I had not booked travel from and to the US through Silversea, we had to hire a private transfer to our hotel, the JW Marriott Hotel Quito, but the hotel and further transfers were included in the cruise price. My wife, Eileen, and I left Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 12, 2020, flying to Quito, Ecuador, via Miami to join a cruise to the Galápagos Islands, “Voyage 8011,” with Silversea Cruises (Fontvieille, Monaco 888/978-4070, ). Many had stories to tell, the first printed in our September 2020 issue, and we are continuing to share their accounts.Īs can be seen, not only do companies have contrasting policies, but travelers have different strategies in planning and booking trips as well as different outlooks. In the interest of comparing how various tour operators, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, etc., handled the disruptions and travelers’ bookings, ITN asked subscribers to write in about their experiences. A tuition of $150 per semester allows you to join two classes on any topic being offered.Ĭontact us at closing of borders worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to the canceling and postponing of countless travel plans. ![]() A fee of $50 per academic year makes you a full member.Our study groups and interest groups are determined and chosen by member interest every semester, and membership is open to all. To get a better sense of the kinds of study and interest groups one might expect to find in the Second Half, please see the list of classes offered in the past. Facebook social media experience in The Second Half Cafe.Social events – social gatherings and biannual luncheons.Trips – local day trips around MA, RI and Conn.Interest groups in bridge, cooking, digital photography, film, theater, tennis, knitting and handbells.Study groups in art, science, history, religion, politics, music, languages.Here’s a sampling of Second Half offerings: The Second Half is affiliated with Road Scholar: Adventures in Lifelong Learning. At the moment we have almost 400 members. The Second Half is an ideal vehicle for sharing life experiences, exploring unfamiliar and interesting ideas and issues, and better understanding a changing world and your place in it. The classes are small and informal, providing an atmosphere where ideas are freely exchanged and debated, as well as the time to reflect upon the discussions and experiences of others. Classes are convenient, meeting once a week during daytime hours in either our classrooms at 421 Currant Road, Fall River, or in satellite locations. The Second Half provides opportunities for residents of southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island to participate in study groups, interest groups, lectures, and special events, so members can expand their knowledge as well as their social circles. The Second Half: Lifelong Learning Institute is a community-based membership, self-governing, non-profit organization whose programs provide intellectual stimulation and social interaction. This is one of our most popular study groups. Master Chef George Karousos, one of the top working chefs in the United States, prepares a meal while explaining every detail as he does it to members of Marge Ghilarducci’s “Travel Europe One Meal at a Time” study group. ![]()
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