[estelle]

I really want to visit America but the costs are absolutely ridiculous as they milk every cent out of ones pocket. The best time for me to go is during Christmas since it will not affect my work. However, the cost to fly during this period is twice the standard rate and also forces me to commit to a 21 day stay in America.

I would like to be in New York for a week prior to Christmas but the cost to hire even a cheap hotel or studio adds up to at least $1,300 for 7 nights and that does not include the other 14 nights stay in any other place of America I have to stay and the cost of domestic flights to get to each place.

Someone suggested an Orthodox site that deals with hosting Orthodox people in Orthodox family homes. I registered on this site and paid but have not heard from them with my register so I can access the site and find families willing to provide just a place to stay.

Does anyone know of any families or single ladies who would be willing to host an Orthodox female lady in their home for a few nights?

If they need references from our Bishop that can easily be arranged.

I would love to know sooner than later otherwise I lose the reservation on some really good airfare tickets.

Anyones help would be greatly appreciated.

[LoisCampon]

http://www.thecathedral.goarch.org/
http://www.evangelismos.org/
Dear Vasiliki,

Try contacting the priests from both these NYC Greek Orthodox churches. I know the Cathedral has a single adult fellowship with many members as well. Introduce yourself properly, offer your ecclesiastical references, and maybe they will be able to help you. For sure, if they can, you will be much happier staying in the city than in the suburbs or boroughs.

All the best,
Alice

[sasaderesada]

P.S. Not to dissuade your plans, dear sister, but to visit a country as big as the U.S. for the first time, on your own, without relatives to visit, is not the way I would go...Speaking to you as an older sister, your plans make me uncomfortable...I would suggest that there are many young adult tours and other tours that are generally fairly/well priced, where they take care of everything. I did one such tour with my mom and daughter a few years back to Italy. The accomodations and food establishments were excellent, as was our tour hostess. I really got to know the country intimately and would now feel much more comfortable going back alone. My mom went to the Holy Lands also through a tour--this one was arranged by a group in my parish.

Perhaps you could encourage your parish or another parish to organize such a trip as an Orthodox centered pilgrimage/sightseeing trip to the U.S.? It could involve young adults or all adults. It could even involve a priest if one is so inclined...Maybe you could even offer to take the responsibility to make the arrangements so that the timing can be right for you personally (time off from work, etc.) and so that the project could get off the ground. Generally, one contacts a Greek Orthodox local travel agent, and they are able to pull the package together beautifully according to your desires. I bet there are alot of others in your area/parish, that would love to make the same trip to the U.S.! the only catch is generally being able to guarantee a certain number of persons. With the right marketing ('Pilgrimage and sightseeing tour of Orthodox America', for instance), you should be able to garner interest. You can build in one or two days 'free time' into the tour if you so wish.

Generally, here in the U.S., this is the way to go in order to keep costs down and guarantee a good, cost effective, and safe time for all with coach buses for transportation, etc..

Also, keep in mind that it is veeeeery cold the week after Christmas in the North East...(and depending on where you go, even before Christmas). My daughter's friend from Greece visited that week last year for the first time, and they had to halt their plans in NYC because it was so bitter cold (below 0F wind chills). They had drawn up so many plans; she had wanted to see so many things; and they only were able to stand one day...after which the girl's cousin from Chicago who was also with them, got sick. :-(

[untostaronaf]

Vasiliki, email me.

Peace - Andrew

[TZtrDuso]

Alice, you are really sweet. I can feel your love and concern ... so honest. I have my reasons why I need to come to America and the time is right at Christmas not later. Anyway, that I cant discuss on a public forum.

As for the travelling, I do have experience in travelling on my own and I am not very young but none the less I share your concerns for America, however, it is too hard to find all these groups. I asked over 6 months ago and I was referred to an Orthodox web site that was supposed to arrange these things for me and I paid money and have not heard from them ... what more can I do?

The other thing is I am very independent and I have so much faith in God for His protection, I do not fear harm. Every place I have travelled to God has given a guardian angel ... I have been this way from a young age and find it hard to be tied down to what other people find interesting and fear. I am scared to start doubting God's protection now. I dont want to switch that button in me yet ... I am not ready to be an overly cautious mother. That is my mums job

Sigh. I believe it will all go well ... my intentions for America have a spiritual basis so it will be blessed, I am sure.

[ImapFidaarram]

oooooooh ohhhhhhhh!
I can probably get you in contact with the family that provided shelter to Metropolitan Philaret. If you are interested let me know.

[Optosypoeds]

Try http://egeriaexchange.com

They have listings in most major cities with accommodations for visiting Orthodox Christians.