<!--quoteo
(post=1858:date=Jul 29 2006, 09:55 PM:name=Apexpredator)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE
(Apexpredator @ Jul 29 2006, 09:55 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1858"><
{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>Not sure where to ask this so I
will put it here.
I know many of you have gone on collecting expeditions in the past.
Has the ACA given thought to creating trips for its members to participate in? Obviously the ACA
would simply act as a middle man to put people together who are interested in collecting in the
amazon or africa rather than sponsoring the trip itself.
I would like to participate in
some trips but really have not discovered an avenue to meet others who may be interested or have
the contacts. Looking forward to seeing replies. Thanks</div>
I know of quite a few ACA members that have participated in organized trips. While many details
were cemented at conventions I don't think they've ever been ACA sponsored events. I
wouldn't think they'd want the liability or the responsibility. TFH has listed such trips
in their classified sections. Cichlid News may have done so. A decent travel agent could probably
provide some info, including brochures.
One of the difficulties with this type of
"organized fun" is that relationships within the group before are seldom the same after.
Picking travel partners approaches the difficulty in finding a mate. Try short day trips first to
see how you and your friend or friends handle interaction. Someone has to be in charge. If
you're used to that being you, disappointments will follow.
Another possibility
would be a Google or Yahoo search on Amazon trips or African trips, centering around your
interests. I see from your profile you're mainly interested in African cichlids. Such a trip
would probably involve layovers in either England or Germany. You might consider initiating your
trip from there, incorporating languages if you have that talent. Even the Brits speak differently
than we do.
A group trip where you don't know the other members could lead to
intriguing things, possibly life changing. I'm reminded of David Wilcox's
"Johnnie's Camaro." There are several versions. The one I prefer is on his East
Asheville Hardware album.
If you find decent travel connections post them here. You
might find others of like interests that would be willing to make the same trip. Good hunting.
Dan