Boomeresque:Definition
1. Adj.: Describing a person born between 1 Jan. 1946 and 31 Dec. 1964
2. Adj.: Description of a person, place or thing possessing Baby Boomer je ne sais quoi
3. See also, Boomer, Esq.: A Baby Boomer who is also a licensed attorney (See, e.g., About).

A Women’s Journey to Kenya with Linda Higdon

by Suzanne Fluhr on May 29, 2017 · 6 comments

Linda Higdon on a Womens Journey to Kenya

Wisconsin Cheesehead

When in Wisconsin….. If you’re not from the U.S. or don’t watch American football, Google “cheesehead” .

I recently returned from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and my first Women in Travel Summit conference organized by Wanderful, “an international sisterhood of women who support one another — before, during and after travel.” The conference brought together a lively, diverse (age, race and ethnicity) group of women travel writers and bloggers, along with destination and resource sponsors.

My college professors’ recommendation letters all said something like “Suzanne seems reserved and self-contained, but is actually quite friendly and engaging once you get to know her.” At a compressed, three day event like the WITS conference, “once you get to know her” wasn’t really an option, so I put on my networking big girl pants and resolved to be friendly and engaging without the “once you get to know her” caveat.

I returned home exhausted, but exhilarated and in awe of many of the women I met. I think Boomeresque readers will be inspired by getting to know some of them. To start, meet fellow Baby Boomer, Linda Higdon of Global Heart Journeys. You can join Linda on a Women’s Journey to Kenya from July 9th – July 24th, 2017.

Q.1) Please share with a us a capsule version of your biography.

A.1) I’m the creator and tour host of “Women’s Journey to Kenya”. I was a performing classical musician and artist for half my life. For the past 15 years, I’ve been “on the ground”, working, traveling, and building relationships with women who are igniting change in the developing world. I have a deep passion for introducing open-spirited and adventurous women to the extraordinary Kenyan women who have transformed and enriched my life.
Linda Higdon on a Womens Journey to Kenya

Q.2:  What are the foci of the trip to Kenya you have planned for July 9th – 24th, 2017? 

A.2: I designed “Women’s Journey to Kenya” for women who are restless and who might be looking for new purpose. I aim to provide a real adventure that speaks to their hearts and also gives them a touch of luxury and a lot of safety!  A day by day itinerary can be found at http://globalheartjourneys.net/

During the 16-day journey we spend a lot of personal time with many Kenyan women and children in the heart of villages, lush tea fields, high desert, and cities. We connect directly with our global sisters who live close to nature and the earth with indigenous traditions.

Samburu Woman and Hut in Kenya

The trip also includes inspiring “living room conversations” with women leaders on the frontlines of change as they share their stories of working on landmark cases for girls’ rights, of igniting national movements, and of collaborating with Nobel Prize winners. I have had the privilege of working with these women, so we have special access on this trip.

In addition to the beauty of the people we meet, one of the highlights I share on this journey is the natural beauty of Kenya. We do a 2 day high desert safari where we are guided to see the magnificent wildlife only found in this part of the African continent. On safari, guests stay in a luxury tented camp in the high desert.

Zebras in Kenya

Q.3) What is a typical day like on the “Women’s Journey to Kenya”?

A.3) Each day guests eat a hearty breakfast. We then drive no more than 45 minutes (mostly on paved roads) for that day’s heart-opening immersion filled with surprises, delight, and discovery. Everyone is back by dinner to restore and refresh in 4-star luxury with delicious cuisine, swimming pools, and upscale amenities. Not what many of us would think possible in this part of the world.

On several evenings, we form women’s circles to explore and process together. Conversations under the African night sky are magical.

Samburu Women in Kenya

Q.4: What fitness level is required to participate safely and comfortably on the Women’s Journey to Kenya?

A.4) There isn’t a lot of walking, trekking, or climbing and staff is always there to lend a steadying hand. Women of various ages have participated in previous tours. This trip is even suitable for “women of a certain age”—-like I am.

Q.5) How many guests participate on each trip?

A.5) We cap the number of participants at 10.

Q.6) I assume you are not looking to put your tour participants in harm’s way, but what do you do about safety in Kenya?

A.6) I am often asked this question. Many people want to know if Kenya is safe. After all, we do not hear many positive things about Africa in the news or from the State Department. Kenya is one of Africa’s most progressive countries. As in any country or city in the world, there are places to go and some places to avoid. My husband and I have worked in Kenya for nearly 16 years and are very familiar with the safety situation. I work with one of Kenya’s most reputable travel companies with professional licensed drivers who provide all ground transportation.  My large network of welcoming Kenyans surrounds all members of the tour throughout the 16-day journey. English is the main language in Kenya so communication is easy. However, when visiting rural areas where only Swahili is spoken, I provide translators.

Q.7) May men participate in your “Women’s Journey to Kenya”?

A.7) I intentionally designed the tour so that the activities, conversations, and discoveries are for women only. However, husbands or male partners/friends could easily join their women immediately before or after the tour to participate in additional safaris or further explore Kenya’s and Africa’s natural beauty.

Q.8) And now for the nitty gritty (so to speak). How much does the journey from July 9th to July 24th, 2017 cost and where can we find answers to other questions?

A.8) For the July trip, the cost for a single room is $6,595 and the cost per person for a double is $5,995.00. This price includes lodging at 4-star hotels, all breakfasts, ½ of all lunches, safaris, safari buffets, a closing dinner, New York Times bestseller Find Me Unafraid and Kenya Pulse, and a lively set of articles written by my husband, Paul Higdon, and I. International airfare is not included. All ground transportation in Kenya is included.

Q.9) If someone cannot participate in July, are you planning to offer this trip again?

A.9) Yes, I am planning to offer the “Women’s Journey to Kenya” again in February of 2018. The prices will remain the same. Check for the dates on our website.

All photos courtesy of Linda Higdon.

Would you consider participating in a trip like Women’s Journey to Kenya?

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Nan @ lbddiaries May 30, 2017 at 11:33 am

What beautiful pictures (including Ms. Cheesehead, smile). This sounds like such an amazing journey – are you going to go?

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Suzanne Fluhr May 30, 2017 at 1:47 pm

I wish. Maybe sometime. Meanwhile, my one of my assigned tasks for today is to plan a trip to Colombia and Ecuador for February 2018, including the Galapagos Islands. My other assigned task is to plan our August trip to Ottawa, Canada for a wedding.

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Suzanne Stavert May 30, 2017 at 7:11 pm

Suzanne, I was so happy to finally meet you in person. I think you were a great networker and I believe you made lots of new friends. I met Linda there as well and she is a very special person. The trip to Kenya would be a dream come true. Great interview!

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Suzanne Fluhr May 30, 2017 at 9:45 pm

Thank you. Blushing

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Ruth Johnston June 22, 2017 at 5:21 pm

Sitting in Kenya reading about Kenya. I am inspired to stop all my work and to go out and explore more. Fab article! Kenyan people are so wonderful!

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Suzanne Fluhr June 23, 2017 at 12:37 am

Ruth, apparently, Linda Higdon is in Kenya quite often and has many contacts there. Maybe your paths will cross. Stranger things have happened. 🙂

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