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REVIEWS FROM PARTICIPANTS

2007 Yucatan Group  (Photo by Alan Fritzberg)

Yucatan

What a wondrous, marvelous, fantastic, and yes, educational, experience. I can not stop speaking about it; nor can I stop thinking about it. The information you imparted about writing and the feelings to be evoked from the soul resonate within me each day. I am truly having a difficult time concentrating on life's everyday needs when my mind is back in the Yucatan. I will cherish my memories forever, and look forward to living my life as a travel writer.

Ken Schanzer


You fully immersed us from dawn to dusk--and beyond--in the travel writer's experience. Thanks for your humor and encouragement . Your generosity in giving of yourselves, of your time and talents was incredible. The biggest thank you is for pushing me out of my comfort zone. The workshop was phenomenal!

Cindy Mincks


What a freakin' amazing experience you created. My soul was stretched and my heart opened. Thank you for your generosity and for creating the miracles of the many adventures we were privileged to be part of. I will return to Indiana a more present person, in mind, body and spirit as a result of this trip.

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin


You are two of the gutsiest and most generous people I've ever encounterd in any context. I was so touched by the constant effort you both made to reach out to every participant to offer support and encouragement. Most days it seemed you were trying to turn yourselves inside out to give us a good look at the factors that go into great travel writing and photography. Shame on me if I don't do great things with the rich intstruction and experiences you provided.

Mel Ramos


The information imparted, the setting, the variety of authentic and original experiences and activities, the fabulous food--all A+ and beyond.

Linda Lenhard


The week was wonderful!! I'm 5'8" and I grew more in the last 7 days than I have in my whole life.

Jesie McCrite


The experience far surpassed my expectations. Thank you for the greatest travel experience of my life.

I will go anywhere with you and Paul! Drawing readers of Spirituality and Health brought in the most amazing group. I have not attended church since moving to Gold Beach because most churches just do not get it. The group, under your leadership, got it.

Thank you again for the experience where I learned, laughed and made new friends.

Judi Backenstow


Everything you shared with us was done with such care and generosity. You are right: life is a trip. Everything that applies to traveling well applies to living fully, authentically and passionately.

Lizbeth Fritzberg


For me, something catalyzed during the week, and I now believe that I am truly a writer. I learned the ins and outs of travel writing and intimate details that might have bee left out of any other similar workshop. Your expertise and insights went beyond what any of us could have wished for. I plan to tell all my aspiring writer friends of this tremendous learning and personal growth experience. Kim Marie Murphy

Although I've never done a workshop like this before (who has????), I can tell that you live your passion, which makes it a true joy to adventure with you and learn from you. That passion rippled through me, the other participants, and the Maya people we were fortunate enough to encounter.

Tracy McMahon


I wonder how I was so fortunate to have chosen to come to an amazing writing workshop. I've attended many, hoping they'd make me a prolific, published writer. I imagined this would be more of the same, with some sightseeing adventure thrown in. Little did I imagine being a journalist in a press corps welcomed with exceptional hospitality thanks to the leg work of our experienced leaders.

Judie and Paul were terrific role models for the successful journalist and photographer. Their special personalities and insights into the needs of each individual student writer along with their encouragement and affirmations were remarkable. To have Stephen, an Editor-in-chief, himself an outstanding writer, edit our work with such grace and help, was far beyond my expectations for "another" writing class.

Each day would have been grueling under the command of our "Boot Camp" instructor; but instead, it was fun and important to learn what it took to be a journalist. Wonderful leisure activities were included. Time for a massage and a sailing trip around the Lagoon of Seven Colors, and entertainment from our Maya hosts and the Grand Fiesta our last night.

I came to Rancho Encantado without much excitement though I clearly wanted to be there. It took several days and your encouragement to come alive. I came home to Spring, trees blooming and the fragrance of hyacinths at my front door. My depression had lifted in Mexico and I'm renewed. Thank you again for your friendship and encouragement.

Jacque French


I can't thank you enough for the wonderful week. It was truly fantastic, and I learned so much. I very much enjoyed the last night - meeting the Presidente and the dancing. To be left-brained, I greatly appreciated the following: the structure (which provided a container for our time), the content, the authentic place from where each of you came, the thought and detail that went into planning our excursions, the unusualness of the places and people we visited, your sharing how to give back, your belief in us as travel journalists. It was an affirmation--we already were what we wanted to be. You made me believe that.

Suzanne Marriott


I was extremely pleased and impressed with the course. It was much more than I expected. Excellent value for money. Judie, I'd follow you anywhere!

Janet Wilmoth


Let's do it again.and again.and again.

John Lamkin


Wonderful, extraordinary contacts with locals. Thanks for organizing all those with your inexhaustible energy. I feel privileged to be part of so many firsts.

Sandra Ricardson


Fabulous and phenomenal.you did magic! Your enthusiastic energy brought everyone out of their closets!

Steve Shapiro


This workshop was a wonderful education not only in how to write but also how to travel. Paul has a gift for making photography and technical information accessible. Thank you!

Cecilia Fiermonte


You are professional and it showed in your information giving, examples, assignments and the insightful feedback you gave quickly, following our readings. The skills that make you a good information gatherer allowed you to simultaneously pick up on the students practicing in the field. It is only after completing the week that the privileged experiences we had has become apparent. Thank you for understanding as I went through my first writing group. In going through the exercise steps that we did, I was able to go from initially tentative feelings to immersion.

Alan Fitzberg


The retreat in the Yucatan was amazing. We learned a lot and Mexico will never be the same!

Linda Grueling


This was an incredible adventure. You opened my eyes and heart to the stories of the Maya people, their ancient culture and lore. I will never travel the world again with the same set of eyes. Love you!!

Sally Thompson


The workshop, the concept and the execution were brilliant. I am so grateful hat you shared your considerable expertise on travel writing. The excursions and activities you arranged were outstanding. I am leaving with a few dozen new friends, a couple of writing mentors, a rich coffer of memories and ideas for stories. Thank you from my heart.

Sharona Fein


Primo! Primo! I loved the teachers (talented and great instructors), the teachings (thorough, organized, informative, helpful), and all the field trips and sites. This was a workshop with serious demands and expectations, with time to play (and not just fluff and fun with a little work).

Tatjana Zemcuznikov


The workshop was well beyond my expectations. The activities were varied, fun and very informative. Your tireless energy as writers, editors, photographers and your passion for travel writing made it all happen. Gracias, thank you, thank you.

Sheilah Shapiro

Guatemala

I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this WONDERFUL trip. I immediately accepted the fact that I would get no sleep on this trip, so the busy schedule was fun, not awful. I liked seeing everything In Guatemala and I wouldn't cut anything out. Perhaps more hours in the day would be good--please do that, would you?

One of the signs of a good retreat is it's ability to have the retreatant carry the fruits of the retreat back into 'daily' life. Of course much depends on the disposition of the retreatant as it does the persons leading the retreat. More importantly is the openness of both to the Spirit...

In my life and language, you were exceptional retreat leaders. I will be 'unpacking' this retreat for many years to come.

Sheila Barnes, Faith Formation Coordinator, Seattle University


I have not one complaint, not one disappointment and I loved every aspect of this Guatemala trip. It has been quite an adventure, to say the least.

Carol Thomas


This has been a trip I will never forget. It certainly lived up to the billing of teaching us to be a traveler and not a tourist. We had an opportunity to witness what happens when you travel with an open heart. People are more friendly than I ever experienced before. It was great to communicate without speaking the language, although I will start working on Spanish at home. You inspire me. Your original concept of a tough "boot camp" is great. Do no let anyone talk you out of it. Stick with your gut. I hope you continue to share this experience with others in the future.

Tom Houk


A church with Maya ruins, floor paved with large, square stones, even-textured, sealed with both grout and caulk. Small lions on the top of the church that originally roared when the wind blew through them. The town voted to close their mouths. The town voted to close their mouths? They must have heard us coming! You are an enthusiastic, dynamic leader that immediately made it safe for such a diverse group of individualists to come together and really fly. What fun to meet such great friends and long-term colleagues. I loved it. I can't wait to see you again! I can't believe that I laughed so much I pulled a muscle!

Carol Berg


Your level of expertise and ability to fly by the seat of your pants is absolutely fantastic. The real experiences were grass roots and I loved meeting the local people and seeing all the sites. I wanted more time to write. For my first group experience, I loved it! I loved it!

Diana Ford


I loved this trip. It helped that you told us the itinerary would change as people and events presented themselves. This way I wasn't upset or discombobulated when it did change. The experiences were unique and personally rewarding. You were flexible and asked us our thoughts when you could. I never felt like cattle as you often do in groups. My outlook on travel and life really has changed. And for that I thank you. I feel I learned a lot about writing and photography.

Lori Kostrewa


Fabulous, special week. I would never have gone to the places we visited on Lake Atitlan or Solola on my own. I doubt I would have made it to Chichicastenango either. I loved the "untouristy" feel and the heart openings that were happening all week long. Judie and Paul's expertise in writing and photography were really valuable. Though we were all exhausted at some times, I think the "pushing to beyond the comfort level" worked and helped all those who came (including me) stretch and grow--in the heart as well as the writing. I will definitely return to Guatemala.

Name Withheld


Guatemala--sink or swim. Over all, great trip. I feel as though the speed and complexity were more of an advanced course vs a beginner's course. And having said that, I feel as though I absorbed as much as I could (which is A LOT). The accommodations were great and all things Maya were a real treat. Classes and writing exercises were what I hoped for. I appreciate the reality of the experiences, the risk you took with the opening exercise. It was gutsy and helped the group to be a group. Our guides Paty and Ana are gifts and gifted. Mucas gracias. Take the show on the road again!

Kate Buckley


There is a lot more to see in this part of the world that I have now become aware of. Sometimes it seemed not to be objective journalism. In the ceremony with the Maya "counter of time," we became participants.

Nathan Singer


I have really enjoyed this trip. It was so nice not to have to think about what I was doing and how to get there. you put together such a broad overview of the true heart of Guatemala. I enjoyed the people we met and the sites we visited. I am going home with a rich sense of this country. The group was able to bond so well, largely because of your openness and honesty.

Jan Myers


Your energy and enthusiasm for life are infectious. Your classes can't be improved. It was more than expected with people who became family in an astonishingly short time. I know new friends were made here. I fell in love this week--with Guatemala, you, my husband. The week was a love story. Continue! Where do you go next? Paul is a funny guy. His humor kept it light and his help with the camera and tips were invaluable.

Gayle Houk


It was a wonderful trip. You attract good travelers to travel with. You put enormous effort into this trip and it was special. Yes, things were crammed, but better to have too much than too little! You are indeed flexible. Paul is a wonderful counterbalance--smart ass that he is!

Merle Singer


The entire trip was over eventful, frantically busy, and I loved it! I wish I had been able to spend more time writing, but I need at least 6 hours of sleep a night for survival! The test will be over the next six months--can I write a saleable article?

John Halliburton


This truly has been a transformative experience for me--possible only because you created a safe space for us to take risks and grow. I have always believed that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I was obviously ready and you were the right teacher--intuitive, caring and tough. The information provided was excellent and helpful. I feel better equipped to actually initiate the selling and publishing process and also better informed abut the actual writing. Hearing stories and listening to critiques was helpful. I'll end now. There is more in my heart but no words to express it. Thank you.

Patricia Goubeaux