Travelocity Lies

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Here is the email I sent directly to Travelocity customer relations on March 28th, 2012. To date I have not received a direct response to my complaint.

On March 10th I received an email that let me know a flight I had booked
which would have been leaving less than 24 hours from when I received this
notification had been changed and that I would not be able to make my
connecting flight. I was already at the airport ready to board a flight
from KUL-CMB when I received this notice. I was already checked in for this
flight. I tried calling the numbers listed several times and could not get
through to anyone. Since I was using skype on my phone I had to not only
pay skype fees but also 3G fees for this call to go through. The
international number listed CAN NOT be called internationally unless your
phone is unlocked for international calling. How is a customer supposed to
get through in the case of a last minute emergency like this? Once I
finally got through to a representative, I ask them to take my phone number
in case the call was dropped (as I was using internet service to call).
They refused to take my number, and the call was dropped. Then I had to go
back through trying to get in touch with someone again. This went on for 3
hours, where I was shuffled from one agent to another to the point where I
was almost stranded last minute in a foreign airport. Finally, a customer
service representative told me I could book onto a later flight if I paid a
fee upfront which she PROMISED that I would be refunded.

I was sent these emails consequently *see emails attached below*

When I arrived at the airport in Colombo, I *was not allowed to check into
my flight.* This was a flight for which I paid an extra fee, and I was
treated VERY rudely at the front counter, and made to search the airport
for the Saudi Airlines office, no one escorted me, no one helped me out.
When I got there, the representatives told me that the mistake was with the
agent and that there was nothing they could do. As you can imagine, I was
frantic and hysterical as I was about to be stranded in a third world
country for which I had no visa! The woman took pity on me, and booked a
seat on a flight. She insisted that this was the fault of Travelocity, and
that they should never have sold the ticket which I purchased in the first
place.

As you can imagine, the negligence on the part of your company caused me
emotional turmoil to a degree which I cannot express to you, on top of a
financial burden to which I expect to be fully reimbursed.

I hope that these concerns are addressed expressly, and I will be following
up. This is not a matter to be taken lightly, as the negligence on the part
of Travelocity could have put me in a very dangerous situation. Had the
woman at the Saudi Airlines office not taken pity on me, I would have been
stranded in Sri Lanka, due the fault of Travelocity.

 

 

Travelocity/Saudi Airlines Nightmare

Recently, I took a trip back to Lebanon to visit my beau and best friend. I did my usual, try to get the cheapest ticket possible, and this time it backfired in my face. I am going to post about my ordeal, the outcome, and information about international airline passenger rights so that neither I nor anyone else has to go through what I did.

In the upcoming posts I will tell my story, post my emails to Travelocity and responses they sent to me, and update on the progress. Then I will outline my and your rights as airline passengers on international flights, and contact relevant authorities to get more information.

Stay tuned!

 

The Cameron Highlands relaxation weekend

Sometimes my job can be a bit stressful (see 5 schools 1 Malaysia), and sometimes it’s a bit lonely out here in Taiping. That is why this weekend away to the Cameron Highlands was such a nice refresher. I got to spend time with another human being who has nothing to do with my job in a place that was like taking a break from Malaysia.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Malaysia, but every day the weather is the same. When you stay in the same place for a while you get adjusted to it, and it’s nice to get away and see something new. I can appreciate the hot weather (as I lived in Northern Wisconsin which is like the antithesis of SE Asia), but my favorite weather is light jacket/warm sweater weather. I love me a good sweater, and even more so, I love scarfs! I’m actually planning my winter holidays around places that will have just this sort of weather (I hope!). So, I think you can imagine the pure joy in my heart (and apparently in my travelmate’s too) because as we were walking along the main strip we saw scarfs on sale and both of us stopped and squealed with glee. We didn’t buy any though.

Sadly, I forgot my camera for this trip. So all the photos come via Heather, my travel buddy, and her Itouch. It’s safe to say we had a great time drinking tea, buying flowers, eating strawberries and honey off the comb. And on this note let me make a reccomendation:

Do not eat at La Bella cafe. 3/3 items ordered between us were nothing to brag about and 1 item was entirely inedible. However, the ambiance of the place is very nice, and the staff was very amiable. The recommendation is to go there for a chat and a pot of tea. The tea was great.

And the other place of note for me was a hotel called “Cameron Highlands Resort.” No, didn’t stay there. Probably never will. But every time we drove past it the place grew on me. The exterior looks so pretty, like an old-world cottage. And when the sun went down it was covered in white Christmas lights, and the pine trees (YES, the Cameron Highlands has pine trees!) were as well, so that it made me feel like I was driving past Christmas wonderland.

Actually, the whole town reminded me of this place in Michigan, which I can’t remember the name of right now, but where the buildings and shops are very old-worldy and there is the largest Chrsitmas store in the world. What is that place called? But what is better about the Cameron Highlands is that you can go hiking in the mossy forest which is sort of like a magical fairyland forest.

All in all, what a great weekend! I will definitely be going back there soon.

 

creepy carnival comes to town

No idea what this is all about, but I’ll get to the bottom of it during yoga tonight! Across from The Gate Cafe and Taping Studio is some kind of nightmarish carnival that so far is completely abandoned. It also sprung up overnight. Check out the photos:

 

Book Reviews: The Story of Zahra, The 40 Rules of Love, The Rice Mother

When I travel to a place I like to read something by a local author. I’m reviewing these out of order of travels and when I’ve read them. This order just makes more sense for me.

The Story of Zahra by Hanan Al-Shaykh

*contains spoilers

I picked this book up at the bookstore in Byblos I mentioned in my previous post. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it is apparently widely read for it’s representation of patriarchal oppression and war from a woman’s perspective. The symbolism in the book is in essence the vein pumping blood to it’s heart. Without it the book would not exist. While reading I found it hard to sympathize with Zahra. She didn’t seem real, like a character that could actually exist. She exists in the story to prove to the reader that men inflict their control over the lives of women.  Finally, her fate is put into the hands of a rooftop sniper. In the final moments of the book, Zahra fades from existence, but to me it’s almost as if she never was. She narrates in a dreamlike state, and somehow always seems removed from the things she is experiencing. In the tragic finale she becomes what she has  been all along: a ghost.

Perhaps the author is trying to say that this is what being in war is like. Like you are witnessing your life and the lives of those around you from outside of yourself, because you have lost all control. What does it mean that Zahra’s attempt to save the lives of those around her leads her to her ultimate destruction? If we take Zahra as a metaphor, if she is Lebanon, then we can see that the one she loves is the one who pulls the trigger.

Overall, the book was meaningful to me, but it wasn’t necessarily an easy read. Read this book if you are in the mood to think deeply about womanhood, war, and family.

The 40 Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

This book really made an impact on me. First of all, the way I acquired it was really special. A friend bought it for me while I was in Istanbul because he knew I was interested in Rumi, and thought the story was something I should definitely read. So I started reading it in Istanbul and finished it in Beirut. The friend was right, the story did have an impact on me.

The author gracefully expresses two love stories in this novel. Neither of them are conventional in any way. One is modern, one is set in the 13th century. One is among middle aged writers, one is among two deeply spiritual men. Both of these relationships cause a significant change in the lives of the partners, and both of them have unexpected endings.

We begin the book with Ella, a middle aged Jewish woman living somewhere near Boston, who is starting a new job as a manuscript reader for a publisher. Her first assignment is to read a book called, “Sweet Blasphemy,” by a mysterious writer named Aziz Z. Zahara. Throughout the novel we learn more about Aziz as Ella is so engrossed in the story of Rumi and Shams and what it means for her own life, that she eventually begins a correspondence with the author.

While the story of Ella and Aziz is sweet and interesting, for me the real heart of the book is the story of Rumi and Shams. I did some research on the history of Shams and his relationship with Rumi, and it seems that most of the main events she portrayed very accurately. With this relationship, Elif is showing us that there are many ways to love, and that our “true love” has something to give us that is above romanticism. Our true love will change us. Will make us become who we were always meant to be. Maybe they will be in our lives for only a short time, and maybe the world will look down on the relationship. This is the lesson of Rumi and Shams. Without Shams, Rumi would never have picked up a pen to write a poem. And Rumi is one of the greatest poets in history.

The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka

Rani Manicka weaves a family history through the history of Malaysia, tying the two inextricably together. A major event happens halfway through that changes the lives of each family member. The effect lasts for generations. The Rice Mother is the bond that ties the family together. At one point she is even compared to a spider, weaving the destinies of her children into her web of expectations.

For me, this book was fascinating because it takes place in Penang, Malaysia, a place I am very familiar with. It takes a look at the lives and history of Sri Lankan Malays, but not only this. We see glimpses of what it means to be Indian Malay (or Sri Lankian Malay), Chinese Malay, even Orang Asli. Rani Manicka gives us a glimpse of this dynamic country, and the people who call Malaysia home. Is it really Satu Malaysia, and what does it mean for one particular family? This book is the answer.

 

Fantastic Finds: Lebanon

I thought that I would start a new category for my blog called “fantastic finds.” If anyone can think of a better name please let me know. These are places that I personally enjoy in places that I’ve lived or traveled that may or may not be on the tourist track. So I’ll start with Lebanon.

Gibran’s Lebanon  
Old Souk, Byblos

Recently, I have decided to start collecting children’s books from the countries I visit. In Byblos I found a really nice little bookstore that had an excelent selection of local reads, especially books for kids. I bought two books, one a counting book in Arabic, French and English, and the other an informative book about the cedars of Lebanon. I also picked up a book for myself called “The Story of Zahra.” Which is turning out to be very interesting!

Brisk Cafe
Hamra, Beirut

Brisk is the haunt of my friends in Beirut, and you very well may find one of them there at any time of day or night! Brisk takes pride in serving locally grown, natural food. The staff is great, the food is great, and the atmosphere is laid back. Try the mushroom soup, if they don’t have it go for the lentil. And everytime you see a heart in your mocha, believe that someone is in love with you !

 

ma salaama Beirut, Selamat Malaysia

It has only been 3 months since I arrived in Lebanon. I am truly sad to leave. My position here is not what I thought it would be, and I felt myself backtracking in my career. It is quite hard to go as a manager with major responsibility for the operation of an international school to an office drone who basically copies and pastes for 8 hours a day.

Lebanon is beautiful, the country is beautiful, the people are beautiful. I made some wonderful friends in the short time that I’ve been here. I’ve also learned much about myself. In the end, I really couldn’t work in this capacity. I know what I am capable of doing and felt my skills just being wasted in office space.I also realized that this organization is completely the opposite of where education should be headed.

Now I was hired in a capacity in which I feel I have finally made it to where I want to be in my career. I’m going to be working for the Malaysian Ministry of Education working to improve English education in rural schools, implementing modern teaching and learning theory in classrooms, training teachers, and making a real difference for real kids. I can’t wait to get started! I finally feel like this is where I should be and what I should be doing. For the next 3 years, I’m going to be in Malaysia, working for a government that is investing in it’s greatest resource, it’s people.

I’m so lucky to have this opportunity. I’m lucky that I was able to spend time in Lebanon. It has helped me to understand my identity, which as fractured as it is, I’ve learned what it means to be “1/8 Lebanese.” Now this “American-Lebanese boiled egg,” has a  bit more sense of herself.

For the next few days, I’ll be seeing a bit more of the country and spending time with my wonderful friends. My next update will likely be from Kuala Lumpur.

 

International Studies and Study Abroad… help or hindrance to an international career?

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my career and the choices I made when I was studying. As an international studies major, I was interested in an international career from the get go. But is “international studies” the best avenue for an international career? I’m going to go ahead and say no, a very emphatic no.

Most of my classmates are not currently employed in an international job, more are unemployed. One of the only avenues open to us (which is also open to non-majors) is the ESL profession, which is where I started, and what I am currently employed in. Although be it in a more dignified position than that of a cram school teacher or something like that.

International studies is too broad. We learn a little bit of this a little bit of that. We dip our feet into area studies, economics, politics, language, history, maybe even business, but we don’t become skilled in anything. Our advisers LET us minor in things like Asian studies (mine), women’s studies, Africana studies, French, etc. We are told many jobs will be open to us because of our broad background. I don’t believe this is true. What jobs are open to us?

1. International student advising or study abroad advising. Most get a Master’s Degree before getting a “real” job in this field, and it is all about who you know.

2. Graduate Student. I mean, most international studies majors go straight into a grad program… many I know are still unemployed after their grad degree

3. Peace Corps. This is a volunteer program. It is not a real paying job. We are told after we do peace corps then we will be more employable. I know many former Peace Corps volunteers working in ESL… in undignified cram school jobs (Disney English being one).

Most international studies majors want to work on a global scale. We want to change the world. We have big dreams. But I think that, though it sounds good, being an international studies major does not prepare you for an international career. Study abroad programs are mostly too safe and regulated for a student to get an idea of what it might be like to strike off on your own and actually work abroad. We don’t learn tangible skills, we aren’t trained thoroughly in any one subject.

Most of us don’t know what we want to do. I didn’t know I wanted to work in Education until after I graduated. Then I had to make up for lost time by working extra hard, making the right connections in the field, gaining the experience to make up for my lack of education in the field. It would have been better for me to be an education major with international experience than an international studies major with education experience. I have only made it this far by my work ethic and sheer luck of getting the right jobs at the right time.

Other things international studies majors don’t learn but should:

1. how to drive “British style”

2. currencies trade

3. international law (especially labor, property, trade)

I can’t help but think, how are we at all prepared for an international career? International jobs don’t go to international studies majors. They go to

1. Engineers

2. Geologists

3. Specialists (agriculture, water management, construction managers)

4. architects

5. MBA’s

and study abroad… is a ripoff. You can easily arrange your own international study experience. Many schools even have degree programs in English, at a much cheaper cost than US schools. I was lucky, I had a scholarship for my study abroad program, but if I hadn’t and I arranged to study there on my own I would have paid approximately $3,000 for the year. Other students from Beloit in the US were paying Beloit tuition to study there ($35,000 ish). Is this right?

So, for those thinking of having an international career… minor in international studies and arrange your own international study experience. This is my point of view.

 

I can’t always keep my mouth shut when something really really bothers me

I got a forward and it disturbed me so much I had to “reply all.”  Here is the reply and the forward, please EVERYONE, stop with the propaganda and the hate.

Hello Christians, remember the song “Let there be peace on earth?” How about listening to the lyrics again. “Let it begin with me.”

ok here it is…

————————————-

I really have to respond to this forward I received. Let me first say, that although I am not in the military, I believe I serve my country by representing Americans positively and by working with youth all over the world to help them receive an education. This makes America safer. This helps people to understand and appreciate us. This forward is not helping me to do my job, but is putting me in danger by spreading hateful lies about the communities I work in. This reply is not meant to be disrespectful, but meant to shed some light on my perspective, and to try counter the hate with some peace.

Supposedly this is written by an Egyptian. Perhaps it is, perhaps it was all made up. Let’s remember there are MILLIONS of Egyptians. Let’s also respect the fact that Egyptian MEN and WOMEN used PEACEFUL protesting to win their right to democracy!

This forward is conservative propaganda. Most of it is lies, the parts that are true are taken out of context. Having been president of the Middle East Studies Association at BGSU, and having lived in Palestine and now Lebanon among Arabs of many faiths, I can tell you that is not an accurate representation of Islam.

In its inception Islam gave more rights to women than did Judaism and Christianity. The problem in the Islamic world today is holding on to TRIBAL traditions and using the same logic that was used when the Koran was written (in the 6th century AD). Many Muslim women and men are trying to change this mindset. In fact, as we can see from the recent movements in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, things are changing and people are demanding their rights. This is amazing, and even Americans are drawing strength from the audacity and bravery of the Arabs and Muslims fighting for democracy!

Let’s remember a few things.
1. spreading hate about different faiths will not do anyone any good. Fear is a weapon of oppression!
2. All faiths are complex, and all of them have things that the believers can be ashamed of. Don’t throw rocks in a glass house. Judge every individual by their own actions.
3. Research something before believing a forward! There are many different viewpoints on every subject. Be objective!
4. Jesus said “love your neighbor.” Do you think you get to pick and choose who that applies to?

How about actually talking to some Muslim women before judging them, their husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, mothers, sisters, and daughters. I’m sure you would want them to do the same before they draw a conclusion about you.

Thank you,

Nichole Saad
( by the way, my family name is Arab, and I’m proud to be Lebanese! )

This is my Youtube page with videos from my summer in Palestine. You can see that NO CHILD IS BORN A TERRORIST! I worked at the first school in Nablus to have Christians, Jews, and Muslims going to school together, learning an international curriculum.

http://www.youtube.com/user/nomadnichole

nomadnichole.wordpress.com
nomadnicholeseasia.wordpress.com
<3 我爱上了马来西亚<3

Subject: Fwd: Joys of Muslim Women…Everyone should read this

 

All the warnings but still Americans believe what they want!         We all need to read this !!. Joys of Muslim Women    20 years from now, I will be in Heaven –bye !! This was written by a woman born in Egypt as a Muslim.     This is not hearsay, and it will scare the life out of you. Make sure you read the paragraph (in red) towards the end.     Joys of Muslim Women by Nonie Darwish     In the Muslim faith a Muslim man can marry a child as young as 1 year old and have sexual intimacy with this child. Consummating the marriage by 9. The dowry is given to the family in exchange for the woman (who becomes his slave) and for the purchase of the private parts of the woman, to use her as a toy.     Even though a woman is abused she can not obtain a divorce. To prove rape, the woman must have (4) male witnesses. Often after a woman has been raped, she is returned to her family and the family must return the dowry.  The family has the right to execute her (an honor killing) to restore the honor of the family. Husbands can beat their wives ‘at will’ and he does not have to say why he has beaten her.     The husband is permitted to have (4 wives) and a temporary wife for an hour (prostitute) at his discretion.     The Shariah Muslim law controls the private as well as the public life of the woman.     In the West World ( America ) Muslim men are starting to demand Shariah Law so the wife can not obtain a divorce and he can have full and complete control of her.  It is amazing and alarming how many of our sisters and daughters attending American Universities are now marrying Muslim men and submitting themselves and their children unsuspectingly to the Shariah law.     By passing this on, enlightened American women may avoid becoming a slave under Shariah Law. Ripping the West in Two. Author and lecturer Nonie Darwish says the goal of radical Islamists is to impose Shariah law on the world, ripping Western law and liberty in two.     She recently authored the book, Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law.     Darwish was born in Cairo and spent her childhood in Egypt and Gaza  before immigrating to America in 1978, when she was eight years old. Her father died while leading covert attacks on Israel .  He was a high-ranking Egyptian military officer stationed with his family in Gaza .     When he died, he was considered a “shahid,” a martyr for jihad. His posthumous status earned Nonie and her family an elevated position in Muslim society.     But Darwish developed a skeptical eye at an early age. She questioned her own Muslim culture and upbringing. She converted to Christianity after hearing a Christian preacher on television.     In her latest book, Darwish warns about creeping sharia law – what it is, what it means, and how it is manifested in Islamic countries.     For the West, she says radical Islamists are working to impose sharia on the world. If that happens, Western civilization will be destroyed. Westerners generally assume all religions encourage a respect for the dignity of each individual.  Islamic law (Sharia) teaches that non-Muslims should be subjugated or killed in this world.     Peace and prosperity for one’s children is not as important as assuring that Islamic law rules everywhere in the Middle East and eventually in the world.     While Westerners tend to think that all religions encourage some form of the golden rule, Sharia teaches two systems of ethics – one for Muslims and another for non-Muslims. Building on tribal practices of the seventh century, Sharia encourages the side of humanity that wants to take from and subjugate others.     While Westerners tend to think in terms of religious people developing a personal understanding of and relationship with God, Sharia advocates executing people who ask difficult questions that could be interpreted as criticism.     It’s hard to imagine, that in this day and age, Islamic scholars agree that those who criticize Islam or choose to stop being Muslim should be executed. Sadly, while talk of an Islamic reformation is common and even assumed by many in the West, such murmurings in the Middle East are silenced through intimidation.     While Westerners are accustomed to an increase in religious tolerance over time, Darwish explains how petro dollars are being used to grow an extremely intolerant form of political Islam in her native Egypt and elsewhere.     (In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President by themselves! Rest assured they will do so… You can look at how they have taken over several towns in the USA .. Dearborn Mich. is one… and there are others…)     I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!     It is too bad that so many are disillusioned with life and Christianity to accept Muslims as peaceful.. some may be but they have an army that is willing to shed blood in the name of Islam.. the peaceful support the warriors with their finances and own kind of patriotism to their religion. While America is getting rid of Christianity from all public sites and erasing God from the lives of children the Muslims are planning a great jihad on America .     This is your chance to make a difference…! Pass it on to your email list or at least those you think will listen..     Some of those I’m sending it to WILL NOT! Put your head back under the covers so you can’t see the boogie man!

 

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Nomadism, career choices, advice for the young’ins

I know that many people dream of traveling, as I did when I was a young kid. People make different sacrifices to appease the wanderlust demon who lives inside always scratching and saying “let’s go, let’s go.” But traveling is much different than living abroad and making a career and life out of knowing the ins and outs of living in a new country and culture. Here are some questions and answers about making a life out of living abroad:

Do you need a degree to do it? No. Is one helpful? Yes.

This is going to change very soon to a yes. But for right now, there are certain places where you can find a job teaching ESL without a degree. Not necessarily legally, but many international jobs are going to be somewhat under the table sort of affairs. You have to get over the sort of righteous government accountability that you take for granted coming from a western perspective. Most employers are unable or unwilling to go through the necessary channels to get you a work permit. If you have a degree it could be possible, and having a working permit and residency in some cases can make your life much easier. In others it’s just a waste of time. It’s your call.

Do you need money? Yes. Do you need a lot of money? No.

Here is what you will need at least: Money for airfare (RT just in case, yo), at least 2 months supplementary income. If you are thinking of Asia, I would say stash up about $1000 to get you through until you start getting paid. Many contracts are going to include housing, airfare (usually they will pay at the end of contract so don’t expect them to give you a ticket upfront), a base salary (if you are teaching ESL, this is not going to be THAT much-unless you are working in a major epicenter aka Shanghai, Seoul, etc. and have landed a really good deal- and end of contract bonus)

Line up a job before going, or go first and find a  job later?

I’ve done both. Both have worked out ok. The good thing about going first and finding a job after is that you get to be selective in your employer and you aren’t roped into any unfair contracts. Be prepared to do visa runs, and have money saved up for the job hunt if you take the second route.

 

More to come in later posts. Hope some of this was helpful at least.