Travel Tuesdays: Megabus

Photo Courtesy: us.megabus.com

Megabus is a low-cost coach service with services in the United States, North America, and Europe. In the United States specifically, it operates throughout East, South, West, and Midwest with destinations in over 100 cities. In the past, they featured specials as low as $1. YES, I said it, $1. They also operate a point-to-point service that offers curbside service rather than traditional bus stations. Their luxury single and double deckers offer free wi-fi, at-seat plug ins, panoramic windows and a budget-friendly alternative way to travel. Tickets can be purchased online or via the phone only.  

Recently, Megabus began operating in Columbia, SC and has services to Athens, GA; Atlanta, GA; Durham, NC; and Fayetteville, NC.  From the Atlanta and Durham locations, you can go further South, Northeast, or Midwest.  We have not taken advantage of the service, but it looks like an alternative way to travel in the near future.

Have you ridden on the Megabus or similar low-cost bus service provider (Chinatown Bus, Greyhound, etc) to travel to your destination?

Travel Tuesdays: Soup Kitchen in Quebec City

Mixed vegetables and a roll

During our extended weekend business retreat in Quebec City, we placed on our agenda volunteering at a Soup Kitchen.  It was highly recommended by our accommodation host, and it was an experience like no other.   

The foods consisted of vegetable and beef soup, pasta and meat, vegetables and meat, mixed vegetables, and bread.  In addition, Rhonda oversaw desserts (danishes, cookies, and cakes), and Sharee oversaw beverages (tea or water).  Ironically, the hottest item of the evening was butter.  The Canadians tended to pile it on thick; hence, there was a person stationed next to the butter to ration the amount given.

Serving line

An initial barrier we thought would be the language.  However, bonjour (hello) and merci (thank you) were common phrases, and used 90% of the time by the more than 100 persons that came through the food line.  The other 10% of the time our interpreter, Charles, was very helpful and questions asked often were specific requests for a dessert or "un petit" or "a little" cup of tea. 

A key observation from the experience was that everyone had a smile on their face, and were very grateful for the meal.  They were able to stick around in the warm environment for up to 2 hours, and many took advantage of it considering the temperature was dropping quite rapidly as the evening progressed.  By the time we left it was in sub-zero degree conditions, and snow was beginning to fall anew.

A final thought of reflection came after our trip.  We met a lady in our local library that is currently living on the streets.  She has spent more than 40 years living on the streets on her own accord.  The last 30 years have been in our current city of Columbia, SC.  She gave us the real scoop of living on the streets, and despite her setbacks, she always found a way to eat or have a roof over head by being very knowledgeable about what services were available in the city.  Truth be told, many people are one paycheck from being homeless.  Another truth is that many of those classified as homeless DO work.  Cost of living has made it difficult to cover the basics of living-- a roof over their head and food for nourishment.

When you travel, have you taken the time to help those at need?  What places have you visited that tend to have a high rate of homelessness?

Travel Tuesdays: Oh Canada!!

Window view of Quebec City from Levis, Quebec 

The initial idea of going to Canada was brought about via a desire to go to an international location that wasn't too far away and in the same time zone.  The other part of the travel experience, was to host a career mentoring retreat.  We had a few initial interest but they fell through.  However, we had already made our travel plans.  Thereby, we used the time to conduct our annual business meeting.  Our 4-day agenda covered production contracts, new services rate card,  marketing materials, and an updated streamlined website to hosts our videos and blogs.  

But enough about business. You wanted to see pictures of Quebec City, and Levis, Quebec, Canada and the SNOW!!  It was a true white-out experience.

A walk around the neighborhood in Levis, Quebec

A mural on the side of a building in Quebec City

Sharee is all smiles against a white wonderland behind her

Rhonda strikes a quick smile even in -3 Celsius (26 Fahrenheit) degree weather

View from our apt in Levis, Quebec over looking Quebec City

Night view of Quebec City from Levis, Quebec apt

View of our apt from the ferry that crosses the St. Lawrence River
We took 200+ stairs down the hill to reach the ferry & back up on our return

The ferry took us across the St. Lawrence River from our Levis, Quebec apt to Quebec City and back

Travel Tuesdays: Meet Oneika

Welcome to our first post on Travel Tuesdays!

When we were deciding on what or whom our first topic would be about, we decided to go with an ambitious young lady who is actually from our friends up North (Canada) and felt compelled to share her story.  Oneika the Traveller just reached an exciting milestone-- 66 countries in 10 years while working full-time.

Photo Credit Via oneika-the-traveller.com

Read about Oneika's story here.

We also thought we'll provide some incite on our travel journey.  Although we don't have nearly as many years experience or passports stamps, traveling internationally has taught us a few things.

#1 We are all the same. We love and provide for ourselves and family; trust in someone bigger than us; and dance when no one is looking.

#2  Deals are around every corner.  Now that we are constantly on the hunt for our next trip, we are always watching for deals. Airline specials or vacation packages.  Off-season or in-season.  We are always scouring the internet.  Sometimes we get them; sometimes it's a miss.  But one thing for sure, another deal is on it's way.

#3 Speak their language and smile.  Even if all you know is a few words.  It makes a difference in the way you communicate to the locals and their newfound respect for your attempt at speaking their language no matter how much you butcher it up.

#4  Blacks travel too.  While there haven't been many, we have seen a few blacks during our international travels.  Although the numbers are far below other Americans, there are varied attempts to increase the numbers whether through college study abroad programs or initiatives like Facebook's Nomadness Travel that seek to increase the brown population presence abroad.

Quebec City, Canada (Videos)

We are excited about Phase II of Take A Leap. The Career Mentee/Mentor component will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and go for your personal dreams. No more "woulda", "coulda", "shoulda".

View the two videos below of the beautiful sights of Quebec City, Canada, where we will be staying during MLK weekend 2014. Get your Passport and lets Cross over the Border.

Join us for the Take A Leap Career Mentoring Program International Retreat. New website coming SOON!!!

We would love to read your comments about Phase II of Take A Leap. Are you on the fence of starting a new career or striking out on your own? Do you need a career mentor/coach to help encourage you and keep you accountable?

Rhonda W.

Take A Leap Phase II

Streets of Quebec City via MotoVermont.com

In a blog post from a few weeks ago on stepping out on faith, we shared briefly that we will be expanding our Take A Leap concept to include two additional areas, careers & education and financial planning.  The Career Mentoring Program website will be unveiled in mid-June along with an E-book that will be available for $5.99 or when you pay the $50 deposit fee to participate in the career mentoring program, the E-book will be included as a bonus.  The orientation will be held mid-August for those local to Columbia, SC.

Waterfront view of Quebec City via Flickr

Those who are unable to attend in person will be provided materials via email within 24 hours of the conclusion of the orientation.  The program will officially begin in September with a number of assignments that Mentees must complete personally and in collaboration with their assigned Mentor.  In addition, Mentees will be preparing for their self-funded international trip.  We would like to formally announce that the international retreat location will be in Quebec City, Canada from January 17-January 20, 2014.  Videos from the international retreat will be documented for future segments of the Take A Leap webseries.  We are currently seeking locally and world-wide for Mentors and Mentees.  Please contact us at weconnectedprod[at]gmail.com for more information.

Studio Charleston Indiegogo Campaign

Studio Charleston

Rhonda and I are excited to have an opportunity to head up north in a few weeks to visit a film set in
Toronto, Canada.  We will also take the time to film another webisode of Take A Leap.  For those of you that aren't aware, since June 2009, a valid passport is needed for anyone traveling to Canada by air, land, and sea.  And since Take A Leap highlights countries where a passport stamp is required, we decided that it'll be our next documented adventure.

It is interesting to know that Toronto's film and television cluster ranks third in North America, and it's augmented by their varied production options and consistent tax credits.  This is a major selling point as to whether a full scale production will shoot at a particular location.  Not only does this create a pool of creative and technical talent, but it pumps millions of dollars into the economy.

South Carolina has lost out on many opportunities to have movies made here because of their noncompetitive film incentives.  I don't want to go into the political aspect of it, but I thought I'll share this Indiegogo Campaign which only has a few hours remaining to raise $35,000.  They are currently below expectations, but any monetary amount raised from contributions will help keep Studio Charleston, a premiere Film/TV production facility based in Charleston, SC, open for business.  This studio was key in bringing the movie Dear John to South Carolina, in addition to several independent projects. Please consider donating today!!

Is this the End??

The subject title of this post ask: "Is this the end?"  The answer is yes and no.  Yes, it's the end of the 2013 Oscars Red Carpet Take A Leap blog coverage, but it's not end of what's in store from WCP, LLC.  First, we'll like to give our shout-outs to those that helped us along the way.  Then we'll give you a glimpse of what's next for us.

God; Parents, Rev. Ronald & Diane Washington; Family- Brother Ashley; nieces & nephews; Aunts; Uncles; Great-Uncles; Great-Aunts with special thanks to Liz & Rebecca; Cousins, with special thanks to Marcie M. for providing jewelery; Francis Burns UMC with special thanks to Marcella Forrest, Carl & Val Robinson, and our Sunday School Contemporary class; Ms. Ollie B. as seamstress; Max H, Ed C., & Paul C. for coming up with excellent questions; Tamika Eugene-Brown; Travis Ward; Tiki Garrett- Rhonda's hair stylist; Antoinette- Sharee's hair stylist; Carmela A.- professional make-up artist; FB & Twitter followers; MTC Co-workers; Colonial Life Arena Co-Workers; Tre Tailor, Publicist; Local radio & TV- ABC WOLO; NBC WIS; CBS WLTX; FOX WACH 57; 103.1 KISS FM N'Touch with Judi Gatson; WGCV Urban Scene w/ Don Frierson; Gloria H. with donation of 3 dresses worn; Paul Mitchel The School Columbia for mani/pedi with Janessa J & Crystal D. providing us exceptional service; and Stephanie Frederic with FGW Productions and The Academy for giving us the opportunity to be at the 2013 Oscars Red Carpet events.

Paul Mitchell The School Columbia
Sharee's Manicure by Crystal

Gospel Goes To Hollywood Gowns

Sharee & Rhonda, Oscar Red Carpet Gowns

Paul Mitchell The School Columbia
Rhonda's Pedicure by Janessa J.

Sharee & Rhonda, Oscar Sunday

So, what's next?

• We have been asked to be interviewed for a major blogsite community that inspires teens and young adults. We'll share the link soon.

• We have two speaking engagements with Women of Destiny's True Dreams.  March 16 in Columbia, SC and June 21 & 22 in Atlanta, GA.

• We will continue to work on an assignment basis with FGW Productions.  We have sought out an opportunity to interview the cast of a movie that is set to film in Canada in early Spring.  More details soon.

• We are in the midst of planning our next major international trip to Dubai and S. Africa.  Initially we were looking in early 2014, but have now pushed it back to May 2014.