A Letter from a Journeywoman Reader

'Every once in a while I'll receive a note from a Journeywoman reader and what she expresses in that letter makes me understand that, yes, our website is making a real difference. It reinforces for me the fact that women worldwide are reading the articles and tips we post and are inspired and moved to 'take action.' What a splendid reward for me. Thank you!'

Evelyn Hannon

Dear Evelyn Hannon,

I've been enjoying Journeywoman for several years but I thought you'd like to know that this month's newletter struck a chord with me. Be inspired, you said, as you told us how you started your travels all those years ago. Don't wait for a travel partner. Well, you did it! [Inspire me, that is!]

After five years of procrastinating from my husband about visiting, I have booked my flights in two weeks time to go from the UK to Dubai, to visit my son who has been working there as a Landscape Architect for nearly five years. He has often asked us to go but there has always been some reason why we couldn't, it seemed. The truth is, I well know, that my husband does not enjoy travelling and is just putting it off. But I'm 62 and my life is going by and I want to go!

So I read your article and a couple of days later my husband asked me where I wanted to go for my birthday (in mid-February), perhaps to our favourite little village in Somerset, barely an hour's drive away for lunch? He was very surprised when I said I rather fancied having my birthday in Dubai. I checked how much the flights cost and guess what - I'm going to Dubai for my birthday! Flying alone but my son will meet me there, I am staying with him and he and his girlfriend are taking some holiday to show me around. My daughter, living just four miles from Heathrow, is putting me up on the way there and the way back, so there will be no worry about getting to the airport on time. Everything is fixed, it seems. I shall have some winter sun, so nice after a cold wet winter in the Uk, and I shall see for myself where my son is living and working and be shown round by people who know the area - what more could I ask? And my son plans a cruise on a Dhow, followed by dinner on the Palm for my birthday - Wow!

Thank you, dear Evelyn, for inspiring me to become a Journeywoman at last - who knows where I could go next - I have standing invitations from friends in the US of A and in Canada, Australia and in Turkey. The world is out there, waiting for me!

I'm still pinching myself!

Thank you!

G. in England