Travelers head off to Asia, Greece--without traveling

South Coastal Library’s ever-popular Armchair Travelers Series has returned to the library, to offer patrons the chance to experience exotic places without having to travel far from home.

Pat and Gordon Wood will share their travel experience at South Coastal Library on Feb. 23.

“People who attend these Armchair Traveler presentations really, really like it because they’re looking at these things through the eyes of someone like themselves, who has traveled and can give them the inside scoop of what their experience was — whether it was a restaurant that was off the beaten path, unusual cuisine – just personal experiences of what they did in a particular country, or town or city,” explained Priscilla Scott, SCL’s circulation supervisor and volunteer coordinator.

Part one of the series was held last month, with local resident Marcia Bonifas speaking about her travels in South America.

“It’s extremely popular,” said Scott of the series. “More than 50 people attended it. It’s just a really fun time, and the presentations are informal, where people can chime in and ask questions as the person or persons go through the talk. So it’s an exchange, rather than someone lecturing. It’s a nice way to learn about a country that you may want to visit.”

On Feb. 23, at 7 p.m., Pat and Gordon Wood will be sharing their travel experiences through Central Asia.

“Pat and I were fortunate enough to go to Central Asia and visit five of the ‘stans’ — Kurdistan, Kazakhstan, etc., — and Syria and Istanbul,” said Wood. “This is a series of pictures that we took of fascinating cities, people and geography. It was fascinating. We’ve done it a number of times — at least three times — and it’s always well-received, and Pat and I have fun doing it.”

Scott said that the Woods are a favorite for the series, as they bring in loads of pictures and items from their travels to show attendees.

“They are using photography that they actually shot when they were at the destination,” she said. “They bring things from countries that they have purchased, that show the type of art or artifacts, to the presentation so that people get a taste for what they can purchase in these particular places.”

The series, which is free and open to the public, will conclude on March 29, at 7 p.m., when South Bethany resident Dick Fox will share his travel stories from Greece and Turkey.

“He travels a lot,” said Scott of Fox. “The trip that he went on, he went with 48 other people. This group of people traveled together every other year.”

Scott said that the series is one of the most popular programs at the library and will have something for everyone — especially those who love different cultures and places.

“Many people come because they know they don’t have any plans to travel. So it’s a way to have a personal experience in a country through the eyes of the people who are presenting,” said Scott. “They’re great. It’s just a wonderful thing to be able to present when all people are not able to travel those distances but yet can share in the experiences.”

For more information about the Armchair Traveler series, contact South Coastal Library at (302) 539-5231 or visit www.southcoastal.lib.de.us. The South Coastal Library is located at 43 Kent Avenue in Bethany Beach.