Servas-ing

Some observations on experiences with Servas visitors. Servas International is an international host organization (http://joomia.servas.org). I've been a Servas host for almost 25 years; this was Sandy's first experience as a Servas host. I've hosted maybe 50 Servas visits ... as many as six in one year, none in other years. Numbers have ranged from singles to a family of seven from Poland. Countries of origin have included Sweden, Brazil, England, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Denmark, Russia, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Italy, France (Brittany, actually), Ireland, Austria ... and maybe others I can't remember.

If you sign up and are approved as a Servas host or traveler, there is a good deal of information you provide ... ages, occupations, education, interests, travel experience, etc. As a host, this is summarized in a directory Servas travelers can use to plan their trips, including the limits you have ... length of stay, amount of advance notification, accessibility, pets, etc. 

Out of the many visits I've hosted, there have only been two sour notes; all the rest have been pleasant experiences. For the travelers, staying in homes is a richer experience than a series of motels, one that exposes them firsthand to American customs and allows conversations with hosts on a variety of subjects.

Our recent guests, John and Jytte, were from Denmark. They had both travelled some and are fluent in English, which made up for my lack of linguistic ability. We enjoyed visiting with them, sharing the farmers' market and touring Mesa Verde with them. I learned a bit more about life in Denmark today, contrasting a little with what I thought I knew about the country from Danish immigrants when I was growing up in northern Wisconsin (before our guests were born!). 

They offered perspective, too, on prices, commenting on how cheap our gasoline is! I knew prices were higher in Europe,  but this brings it home in a personal way. 

Jytte is in a wheelchair, which also offered some new perspectives for me. I thought the house was accessible; it is in some ways, but there are no sinks that a wheelchair can get under and the shower and tub are not accessible. These are factors we'll have to consider and negotiate with future mobility-impaired visitors. On the trail, she was awesome! She negotiated curbs and steps with relative ease (it would still be better if they weren't there) and was ready to take on every challenge. John actually pushed her up the Spruce Tree House trail at a run! Impressive people, not to be stopped by her physical condition. tv