Summer wine in Seoul

August 1, 2016 Flyga Twiga

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Let's go Bears!

July 30, 2016 Flyga Twiga

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Strikingly beautiful venue - Modern Korean Restaurant - Seoul, South Korea

July 27, 2016 Flyga Twiga

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When Companies Become Too Large

July 26, 2016 Flyga Twiga

Etihad Airlines Office Seoul 2016 © Flyga Twiga LLC

I actually had an entirely different blog post planned for this #TravelTuesday . I promise two things. First, this won’t turn into a total whine fest. Second, it will end on a happy note.

In the past seven days I have had 2 large companies, with whom I have had long standing relationships, let me down. The first was a clothing company for whom I have been a “Pro Guide” for three years. The other is an airline to whom I have been exceptionally loyal for nearly a decade.

While the details are different, each instance of customer dissatisfaction was precipitated by the low level Customer Service Employee, with whom I dealt, not being able to go “off script.” In both situations, a loyal customer has been lost due to their inability to deal with serious issues arising their overly large, bloated companies due not equip them to handle.

And, while I have no proof of this, I have a hint that in each circumstance the employee was afraid of the giant corporation for whom they worked. They appeared to me less afraid of losing a customer, than they were about being perceived as unable to do their jobs, by “kicking it up" the pipeline. At a certain point both of these companies have fostered a “that’s not in my paygrade” institutional thinking.

On the upside, it proves there is a place in the world for more intimate businesses. These experiences reinforced my commitment to such clothing/gear companies as a ONE WAY™ in Kenya and Kathmandu™ in New Zealand. And, the experiences offer validation for my bespoke, personal Safari service.

As for the airline, I was able to receive excellent customer service from Etihad Airlines™. I was forced out of my comfort zone - maybe even what could be described as an “airline rut.” Additionally, I may have found an even better airline to service my clients.

No one wants bad experiences. But in business, there is always something to learn from them. I plan to take these experiences and make sure they reinforce how valuable not only my client relationships are, but also my B2B relationships as well. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing out of all our relationships – to be treated with respect and fairness. That’s exactly what I intend to continue providing in my business relationships.

Happy Travel Tuesday!

Honored to be Kenya Embassy Seoul’s Exclusive Partner for KINTEX’s KITS 2016. Click below for News Release!

July 21, 2016 Flyga Twiga

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Respectful Traveling

July 19, 2016 Flyga Twiga

**ROK Military DMZ 2015 © Flyga Twiga LLC**

About a year ago, I took a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea. The most immensely guarded and most heavily linemined area on Earth. You have to sign up well in advance to go on a tour.

Two forms of official/government identification are required. There is a strictly enforced dress code. How strict? I witnessed a young South Korean boy being handed a pair of grey sweatpants to change into at the DMZ. He'd made the mistake of wearing camouflage pants.

Prior to stepping foot off the bus, tourists are informed that they will be watched by not only the North Korean soldiers from their side of the border, but closely monitored by U.S. Military personnel and their Republic of Korea (ROK) counterparts on our side of the border. Instructions about not taking photographs unless told otherwise was repeated at least half a dozen times.

The DMZ, especially for those who cherish South Korea, is a highly moving experience. I found my emotions charged and my soul deeply moved by the young (and I do mean young!) ROK men defending their border. Some looking barely out of middle school, much less high school, stood guard, willing to put their life on the line to insure our safety and South Korea’s continued freedom.

But, what shocked me the most about my experience at the DMZ was the arrogance of my fellow travelers. As we stood in two single file lines, facing one of the Earth’s most brutal countries, an older set of U.S. tourists suddenly started taking pictures. The U.S. Military personnel escorting us quickly barked orders for the couple to stop.

What were they thinking? What if the North Korean Guards had seen this as an aggressive act? What if the North Koreans were looking for excuse to pick a fight?

Years ago I worked at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, in order to make money for college. I learned that tourists can get disoriented, since they are not in their “home environment.” I wish I could use this excuse for the ridiculous behavior of this couple at the DMZ.

Being a “respectful traveler” means respecting those traveling with you. The stupid actions of the “happy snap” couple could have gotten me and all the others in our group killed.

Maybe we have become a society so enmeshed in our own worlds, that we can no longer see a bigger picture or consequences for our actions – even when faced with North Korean soldiers staring down at you.

I hope to continue to be a respectful traveler. Looking back on my experience at the DMZ, serves as a reminder that my actions affect others. I also hope whatever pictures the couple were able to take before being reprimanded were worth it. I will forever have a picture of them, in my mind, as a reminder of arrogant, disrespectful travelers.

Beautiful rooftop view from Insa Art Center in Seoul. Location of SSTF2016

July 19, 2016 jtmamy@gmail.com

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Well...was going to brag about my chopstick skills - until waiter saw them & brought me a fork!

July 17, 2016 jtmamy@gmail.com

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Politics & Travel Writing

July 11, 2016 Flyga Twiga

**South Sudanese Mothers Union Head & Lincoln Memorial 2013 © Flyga Twiga LLC**

Many discussions of travel, post 9/11 can quickly become political. Why do I have to take my shoes off? Who influenced the U.S. Department of State to abolish the additional pages for our passport? Which political candidate for President will or will not restrict Visas?

And, it is a hot political season - not just in the United States - but in many parts of the world, such as Kenya. As of this posting, I have already had one of my favorite travel podcasts become extremely political about the U.S. Presidential Campaign. My Twitter™ feed has begun to have travel bloggers, whom I follow, discussing in their meager 140 characters “Social Justice Warrior” issues which have nothing whatsoever to do with travel.

In my opinion, there is a time and place for those discussions. When preparing and presenting a travel article, blog post, vlog, podcast, or even a Tweet, it is unnecessary. Rather, travel is about adventure, learning, exploring, or even escapism. Injecting political opinions into these discussions, no matter how passionate you are about politics, shows a sense of insecurity in your own beliefs and your weakness as an author.

At nearly half a century of age, I am old enough to remember when there was a time authors could present subjects and you would have to struggle to guess their political affiliation. Realistically, many people who write, blog, or podcast about travel are neither trained journalists nor, in some cases, trained writers.

The internet has opened up a world to everyone. While the egalitarian nature of the internet is wonderful, I am surprised how quickly some abuse the freedom with the need to inject politics into their work.

In the end, infusing politics in travel writing, no matter how good or pure the intentions, hurts the author. Unless the reason is to alienate part of your audience, taking stark political stands serves only the purpose of placing yourself in a tribe of which the listener to your message may not belong or even want to belong.

If your whole company or brand is built around travel, don’t bait & switch me into your political world. Let’s keep our social media agreements. You presented yourself to be, to me, wanting to share about travel. Let's just stick to travel, ok?