Your Very Next Step newsletter for March / April 2017
By Ned Lundquist
www.yourverynextstep.com
“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”
– John Muir
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
– Lao Tzu
This edition of YVNS comes to you from Accra, Ghana.
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Send us your comments, questions, and contributions to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** In this issue:
*** Travel News:
*** Ned’s upcoming travel, maybe, perhaps:
*** Langkawi
*** Premium service in Kuala Lumpur
*** U.S.-bound flights from airports in 8 Muslim-majority countries to ban devices larger than cellphone on board
*** Technology experts question device ban
*** Malaysia’s Curious Claim to Fame: The World’s Biggest Roundabout
*** The Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Italy
*** Fishing for Catfish
*** Surprising Ways You Can Get Kicked Off of A Plane
*** The Most Beautiful Caves in the World
*** What It Was Like to Fly on Donald Trump’s Airline
*** Airlines expect a record 145 million passengers this spring
*** Falcon Cam
*** Get Paid $12,000 to Travel and Drink Beer
*** Pitchfest
*** Pageant in the Sky? Quit Judging Crews by Their Beauty Already
*** Why a Sexist Ranking of Airline Flight Attendants Doesn’t Fly
*** LOOK: Shenzhen woman named ‘world’s most beautiful flight attendant’
*** What It’s Like to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
*** The Best Hotel Room Service in the U.S.
*** Rail Trail of the month:
March Rail Trail of the Month
Indiana’s Nickel Plate Trail
February Rail Trail of the Month
Texas’ Brays Bayou Greenway Trail
*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:
1.) Wildlife and Water Quality Volunteers, Stanley Park Ecology Society, Vancouver BC
2.) Internship Program, Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills, CA
3.) VOLUNTEERS, Cape Tribulation Research Station, directed by AUSTROP, Australian Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Australia
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation career opportunities:
1.) Operations Associate, Marine Conservation Initiative, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Palo Alto, California
2.) Field Research Technician: Eastern spotted skunks, Arkansas, University of Missouri, Hector, AR
3.) Director, Wildlife Conservation Society, Quito, Ecuador
4.) Marketing and Communications Manager, Climbing Wall Association Boulder, Colorado
5.) River Guide ( Seasonal, spring and summer, 2017), River/Raft Guides, Canyonlands Field Institute, Moab UT
6.) Operations Manager – Events and Brand Activations – Outdoor Programs and Outreach, REI Co-Op, Kent, WA
7.) Master Technician – East Hanover, REI Co-Op, East Hanover, NJ
8.) Gear Rep, Kelty and Sierra Designs, Boulder, CO
9.) Sustainable Seafood Traceability Officer, World Wildlife Fund,Washington D.C.
…and much more…and it’s all FREE!!!
*** Do you have a travel adventure, conservation or outdoor update to share?
Send me your stories and I’ll post in the “Your Very Next Step” and on the YVNS website (http://www.yourverynextstep.com/).
*** Ned’s upcoming travel, maybe, perhaps:
March 21-25 Langkawi, Malaysia
March 26-30 Accra, Ghana
April 16-18 Cartagena, Colombia
May 13-21 Tokyo/Kyoto, Japan
*** Langkawi
Langkawi is an archipelago made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast. Surrounded by turquoise sea, the interior of the main island is a mixture of picturesque paddy fields and jungle-clad hills.
http://www.langkawi-info.com/?cid=ch:OTH:001
*** Premium service in Kuala Lumpur:
My flight from Langkawi to Kuala Lumppur was delayed because of the airshow flight demonstrations. Even after we boarded and were number one for take off we had to wait (presumably for more air show demos) which the plane got warmer and warmer. I had suffcient time to make my connect to Bangkok, so I thought, but I was looking forward to sampling the premium plaza service arranged for me by my friend Nik Anis.
The “VIP Meet and Greet Service” might be helpful in making my connection and finding some time to relax, Anis said. The Premium Plaza Lounge offers the service, which they say “takes away all the airport hassle by providing a seamless end-to-end airport experience.”
They provide “personal assistance to and from the gate, baggage handling and delivery, limousine transfer and buggy service, to let our guests breeze through the airport.”
My airport concierge was Lukman. He was waiting at the gate, and I was already frazzeled because of the delay coming from Langkawi had shredded by connection time. We had to claim my bags at KUL and then check them in again for my next flight. Of course my bags were the last two off the plane. Lukman navigated us through the airport and up to the busy departures hall and took me straight to the Thaiu desk.
Since I had two connecting flights after Bangkok on Star Alliance member Ethiopian I was hoping my bags could be checked through to Accra. I was unable to book a through ticket, but they were able to check my bags through and issue my three bording passes.
I then was taken to expedited screening and immigration control. Lukman took me to the louge, where they were expecting me. I ponly had time for a quick cold drink and a few desert goodies since my flight was already boarding. We took the train to the departure gate area, and Lukman’s colleague was waiting with the Buggy to take me to the gate. She said she could get the cart up to 20 lph, but there were few straightaways to test that out. Nevertheless, I was riding in style. At the gate I bid Lukman adiew, and knew I would have had a very toiugh time making my tight connection without him.
https://www.plaza-network.com/services#VIP Meet and Greet
*** U.S.-bound flights from airports in 8 Muslim-majority countries to ban devices larger than cellphone on board
http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20170321-u-s-bound-flights-from-airports-in-8-muslimmajority-countries-to-ban-devices-larger-than-cellphone-on-board
*** Technology experts question device ban
http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20170321-technology-experts-question-device-ban
*** Malaysia’s Curious Claim to Fame: The World’s Biggest Roundabout
…and other things you didn’t know about Malaysia
by Ken Jennings
http://www.cntraveler.com/story/malaysias-curious-claim-to-fame-the-worlds-biggest-roundabout
*** The Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Italy
http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-02-20/stunning-italian-coastal-towns
*** Fishing for Catfish
By Stephen J. Miklandric
*** Surprising Ways You Can Get Kicked Off of A Plane
*** The Most Beautiful Caves in the World
From the red rocks of Antelope Valley to Iceland’s glittering ice caverns.
Written by Caitlin Morton
http://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-most-beautiful-caves-in-the-world
*** What It Was Like to Fly on Donald Trump’s Airline
by Barbara Peterson
http://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-it-was-like-to-fly-on-donald-trump-airline
*** Airlines expect a record 145 million passengers this spring
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2017/03/20/airlines-project-record-spring-travel/99317958/
*** Falcon Cam
Nesting Season Begins with New Partners and New Female Falcon
*** Get Paid $12,000 to Travel and Drink Beer
by Sebastian Modak
http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-03-17/get-paid-12000-dollars-to-travel-and-drink-beer
*** Pitchfest
Supporting the Development of Innovative Small Businesses in the Active-Outdoor Industries—and the Women Who Lead Them
Camber Outdoors’ Pitchfest was created to inspire and drive innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship among women with a passion for the outdoors.
Women-led small businesses can apply to showcase their work and growth plans to some of the active-outdoor industry’s most influential CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders.
Finalists are chosen based on the strength of their application, involvement/impact on the outdoor experience, knowledge of their business, and understanding of growth hurdles.
The event, which includes live feedback from a panel of industry judges, takes place the day before the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market tradeshow.
*** Pageant in the Sky? Quit Judging Crews by Their Beauty Already
By Amanda Pleva
Pageant in the Sky? Quit Judging Crews by Their Beauty Already
*** Why a Sexist Ranking of Airline Flight Attendants Doesn’t Fly
By Christopher Tkaczyk
http://fortune.com/2017/01/25/travel-airline-flight-attendants-sexist/?xid=soc_socialflow_twitter_FORTUNE
*** LOOK: Shenzhen woman named ‘world’s most beautiful flight attendant’
BY SHANGHAIIST IN NEWS ON DEC 1, 2016 3:00 PM
http://shanghaiist.com/2016/12/01/world_most_beautiful_stewardess.php
*** What It’s Like to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
A once-in-a-lifetime trip in the wild.
http://www.cntraveler.com/story/gorilla-trekking-in-uganda-up-close-with-silverbacks
*** The Best Hotel Room Service in the U.S.
http://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-best-hotel-room-service-in-the-us
*** Rail Trail of the month:
March Rail Trail of the Month
Indiana’s Nickel Plate Trail
by Robert Annis
https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/?tag=Trail%20of%20the%20Month
February Rail Trail of the Month
Texas’ Brays Bayou Greenway Trail
by Laura Stark
https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2017/february/03/texas-brays-bayou-greenway-trail/?tag=Trail+of+the+Month
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities:
1.) Wildlife and Water Quality Volunteers, Stanley Park Ecology Society, Vancouver BC
https://www.goodwork.ca/volunteer/wildlife-and-water-quality-volunteer-in-vancouver-bc-38927
2.) Internship Program, Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills, CA
Hidden Villa’s Residential Internship Program is contributing to the next generation of thoughtful educators, innovative organic farmers, and creative non-profit leaders. This 9-12 month residential internship provides hand-on departmental work experience, Weekly Educational Workshops (Monday Classes) focused on sustainable systems, education and non-profit leadership, completion of a Special Projects that contribures to organizational goals set forth in our Strategic Plan, access to the Hidden Villa Intern Alumni Network, and mentorship opportunities to further career goals.
Internships are offered in several departments: Animal Husbandry, Environmental Education, Sustainable Agriculture, Journeyman Farmer, Public Programs, Development and Visitor Services.
http://www.hiddenvilla.org/programs/internship
3.) VOLUNTEERS, Cape Tribulation Research Station, directed by AUSTROP, Australian Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Australia
Volunteers assist in research and Station activities:
• Radio-tracking bats
• Counting figs
• Stomping grass for forest regeneration
• Constructing Station buildings
• Digging holes
• Running the Bat House (Austrop’s Visitor Center)
• Whatever else is necessary!
• They are our lifeblood! The normal stay is 2-3 weeks but extensions are available at the discretion of the Director (and are rarely refused).
Be prepared to be the only volunteer for a week or so. Self-motivation and independence are essential, but teamwork is essential when working with others.
An interest in conservation, the environment or native species – both flora and fauna, would be an added bonus.
You should NOT expect to be tagging around behind a learned scientist for the duration of your stay or have your own project – but it still will be a thoroughly worthwhile experience!
Vaccinations
As we have a colony of spectacled flying foxes – which are our educational animals, it is a requirement for volunteers, interns, students and researchers to have a current rabies vaccination. They are a long-captive colony and are clean – but we are obliged to require anyone who wants to work on bats (any bats), or interact with them, to be immunised. It is highly unlikely that you would contract Australian Bat Lyssavirus (a form of rabies, and an extremely rare disease) from contact with them, however it’s better to be safe than sorry (and it’s the law)!
If you are not vaccinated – you won’t be allowed near the bats, which would be a shame. Besides, if you are travelling, especially in Asia, vaccination against rabies is considered wise.
http://www.austrop.org.au/volunteers.html
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation career opportunities:
1.) Operations Associate, Marine Conservation Initiative, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Palo Alto, California
http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/jobs/31143-operations-associate-marine-conservation-initiative
*** From Sue Bumpous:
2.) Field Research Technician: Eastern spotted skunks, Arkansas, University of Missouri, Hector, AR
http://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/jobs/field-research-technician-arkansas/
3.) Director, Wildlife Conservation Society, Quito, Ecuador
http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/jobs/30854-director
4.) Marketing and Communications Manager, Climbing Wall Association Boulder, Colorado
https://andrewhudsonsjobslist.com/jobs/marketing-and-communications-manager-in-boulder-colorado-us/
5.) River Guide ( Seasonal, spring and summer, 2017), River/Raft Guides, Canyonlands Field Institute, Moab UT
Pay: Based on experience and qualifications
Schedule: May and April, and some possibility of work in March, and June.
Note: This is listing is for licensed, certified, and qualified guides, with previous multi-day experience on specified river stretches
River/Raft Guides will work mostly multi-day programs during our spring season. Main duties will include: guiding rafts (and/or canoes), cooking (and shopping), rigging and de-rigging, shuttle driving, maintenance and repairs, etc. Group sizes are generally from 6 to 36 participants, and will include both youth/student groups and adults. Multi-day trips are generally between 2 and 6 days, and would require being “in the field”. Some single day programs would be included as well.
Applicants are expected to be fully licensed and experienced guides, with previous experience on the stretches of river we work on (although they may work for one or two programs as a swamper – at training rate compensation – in order to gain experience on a given stretch). Furthermore, they may be scheduled as “Trip Leaders” on some programs, and need to be capable of doing so.
Regular housing (when not in the field) would not be provided,. Meals would be provided during actual programming and while in the field.
Pay rate TBD, dependent on actual duties performed and experience.
Season beginning/ending dependent on actual bookings – starting April 1 and going through May 31 (although there is a possibility of extension).
QUALIFICATIONS:
* Minimum age of 21
* Current Utah River Guide/Captain’s License
* Current Wilderness First Responder (or other 40+ hour equivalent), including CPR and general First Aid
* Utah Food Handler’s certificate
* Clean driving record (MVR required with application)
* Previous experience working in guiding, outfitting, etc.
To apply, please submit to info@cfimoab.org (Please no drop-ins or phone calls as we are busy with clients)
* Cover letter
* Resume
* 3 references: name, email, phone. At least 2 should be employment related
* Copy of driver’s license
* Motor vehicle report (current within 1 year)
* Declare any felony convictions
Candidates will be contacted for interviews.
CFI is an equal opportunity employer.
6.) Operations Manager – Events and Brand Activations – Outdoor Programs and Outreach, REI Co-Op, Kent, WA
http://jobs.camberoutdoors.org/jobseeker/job/33560859/
7.) Master Technician – East Hanover, REI Co-Op, East Hanover, NJ
http://jobs.camberoutdoors.org/jobseeker/job/33605815/
8.) Gear Rep, Kelty and Sierra Designs, Boulder, CO
http://jobs.camberoutdoors.org/jobseeker/job/33548829/
9.) Sustainable Seafood Traceability Officer, World Wildlife Fund,Washington D.C.
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/262273012/
*** Send your job opportunities to share with the YVNS network to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** Your Very Next Step is a service of the Job of the Week Network LLC
© 2017 The Job of the Week Network LLC
Edward Lundquist, ABC –
Editor and Publisher
Your Very Next Step
7813 Richfield Road
Springfield, VA 22153
Home office phone: (703) 455-7661
lundquist989@cs.com
www.nedsjotw.com
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