The Promise of California
“Would you young ladies like to visit us in California for 2 weeks?” , asked the two elderly ladies.
“We would love to do so. However, as students, we don’t have any money. We couldn’t possibly afford the trip,” we regretfully replied.
“That is not a problem at all. We will fund your trip,” they graciously replied.
We were totally dazed! A fully sponsored trip to the United States of America? We couldn’t believe our good fortune!
I couldn’t wait to tell my parents the good news. When I got home I announced to them dramatically: “I’m going to America and you don’t have to pay a pesewa!”. They were pleasantly surprised.
This was the genesis of a sponsored trip to Los Angeles, California in the United States in 2002. My friend, Akua and I were students who were working as tour guides for a travel and tour company during our vacation. The tourists were in Ghana for two weeks through a collaboration of the travel and tour company with “Elderhostel “, now referred to as “Road Scholar”. This is a not-for-profit organisation in the United States that offers educational travel adventures.
Akua and I were responsible for accompanying the group of about twenty tourists (from mostly the United States and Canada) to various tourist sites in Ghana. We were also in charge of organising programmes whereby experienced lecturers would teach the tourists about the subject matter in question.
For example, we visited the Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle in Cape Coast and Elmina respectively in Ghana. Thereafter, a lecturer from the University of Cape Coast gave them a lecture on the slave trade.
During the stay of the tourists in Ghana, we went the extra mile to ensure that they were all very comfortable and happy. Thus we knew that they were all very satisfied with our services. However, this did not prepare us for the wonderful invitation from Delora and LLana, two African American ladies in their 60s and 70s respectively. We were in our mid-twenties then.
So, to America we went. And we had such a wonderful experience! (Incidentally, it would take me another twenty years to visit America again.)
We were, first and foremost, so impressed by their very kind gesture of inviting us there. This is because they were just regular folks who were being kind to us from the goodness of their hearts. They were not giving to us out of the abundance of their wealth. They were two friends who lived together in a moderate two-bedroom apartment. As such, Delora had to move from her bedroom to sleep on the sofa in their living room during our two-week stay. That was so touching.
So, where do I start? Firstly, they took us to the Hollywood Walk of Fame! The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognised top tourist attraction in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame comprises terrazzo five-point stars inlaid into a charcoal-coloured terrazzo background. The name of a celebrity is inscribed in each star. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce manages the Walk of Fame and they add new stars to the Walk each year.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
We also went to the Guinness World Records Museum. This is also a tourist attraction at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I took a picture with the wax figure of the tallest man in the world.
With the tallest man in the world
On another day, they took us to the Disneyland Resort, an amusement park at Anaheim in California. It was simply amazing! Akua and I went on several rides. Whereas some were pleasantly entertaining, others were very exciting and somewhat scary. We almost felt as if we were going to fall off some of the rapid speed coaster rides and we were screaming at the top of our lungs. It was an experience! This reminded me of Parque de Atracciones, (Park of Attractions), an amusement park that I visited in Madrid, Spain in the late 90s.
Disneyland in the background
A ride in a teacup
We also took memorable pictures with the Walt Disney animated characters, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Unfortunately we couldn’t take a picture with Cinderella as she was busy.
With Mickey Mouse
With Minnie Mouse
We also had the opportunity to visit Los Angeles Zoo. There were so many animals to see and we had fun.
With a zebra in the background at Los Angeles Zoo
One evening, they took us to the theatre to watch a play. I was not following the story line so well because of the accents of the actors. I also couldn’t appreciate the jokes they were telling because of the cultural connotations which I didn’t understand. As such, I was dozing off from time to time, regrettably.
Llana was visibly annoyed with me. She complained that after spending so much and making such an effort to bring us to the theatre, here was I, dozing off. “All that you girls are interested in is clothes and shopping!”, she chided. “If you were shopping for clothes, you wouldn’t be dozing.” I took her rebuke in my stride and dutifully apologised. I knew that because of the generational gap between us, we were bound to have our differences.
On the whole, we had a wonderful time in Los Angeles. What I learnt from the whole experience was that, you don’t have to wait until you have so much before you help someone else. What may seem to be a little inconsequential gesture to you may mean the world to someone else. A little kindness that you practise today may go a very long way. You can bless someone with the little that you have today.
The word “Los Angeles” comes from the Spanish language and means “The Angels”. I firmly believe that Delora and Llana played the roles of angels in our lives. May God bless them wherever they are!
Would you like to regain that youthful glow? Why don’t you give your skin a treat with this Dove Body Love Pampering Body Lotion Shea Butter Pack of 3 for Silky, Smooth Skin as shown below? As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Kindly provide your comments by clicking on the chat icon beneath the heading. Please subscribe below to get publications delivered straight into your inbox:
Wonderful story. So happy it happened to you. Blessings.
Yes, it was a great experience 👌
Thanks for your good wishes 🙏
An interesting read!
Thank you 😊
Such an experience. Great to treat people with love.
Yes, it’s good to treat people well! 😀
The chronology of events is out of this world. I enjoyed every bit of the story. Can’t wait to read another story from the author.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks 🙏
This is such a nice story ! Wow how cool , and those ladies were super nice !
Yes, the ladies were really nice! It was an awesome experience! 👌
A great read, it’s. A story well recounted. It felt as though I was part of the actual experience. If I could unmake my age, I’d love the same opportunity for the physical experience.
Thank you, author. You took me to California.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😀
My take-homes: we went the extra mile to ensure that they were all very comfortable and happy. Lesson: Though it does not cost anything to be nice, its effect can be life changing. Let’s all strive to be nice.
2They were not giving to us out of the abundance of their wealth. Lesson: You don’t have to be rich to share. Let’s therefore practise a life of sharing because there is enough to go round.
Thanks for those reminders.
Yes, we should indeed practise a life of sharing as there is enough to go round!
Perfectly summarised! ☺️
Nice story Heidi
Thanks 🙏
This is an intriguing story of the effect of kindness. Surely, the old ladies have left precious memories to your youthful bank story.
Yes, they have left precious memories!
Beautiful experience!
Thanks 🙏
What an incredicle experience and thank you for sharing a wondeful story👍👏! Great article
Yes, it was an incredible experience! I’m glad you enjoyed the story. Thanks 🙏
This was a great story. Those two ladies were so kind and generous toward you two.
I loved the photos, especially the one with you and Minnie Mouse- so adorable ❤
Hahaha, I’m glad you enjoyed the story and photos 😁. Yes, the ladies were so generous, God bless them. It was a great experience!
❤😻😍
Oh wow, I was touched by the part where they weren’t giving out of plenty but they shared the little they had. kindness goes a long way, that must have had a profound impact on your life going forward.
Yes, it did! It was a great lesson to us. They were so kind, God bless them. We had an awesome experience! 👌
The smile on the other person’s face is so beautiful to behold. It’s always a blessing to show kindness no matter how small. It is a reflection of God’s love for humanity. Let us keep doing good and showing kindness all around. Wonderful piece.
Thanks so much! May we continue to do good and show kindness to others !
Excellent piece. Thanks for sharing
Most welcome 🙏
What an adventure, loved the images!
Yes, it was a great adventure. We had a wonderful time!
That’s great!
Pleasant story. May God bless the two ladies who rewarded excellence
Amen! And I’m glad you enjoyed the story! 🙂
You had beautiful angels, wow! What a fantastic time! Your sacrifices and selflessness were blessed. Being kind is nice. You’ve lots of experiences and lessons to share, Madam. Your today’s act of kindness could make a big difference! Amazing piece!
Yes, it’s always good to be kind. We should also do whatever we are doing with all our heart and soul. And you never know the difference your little act of kindness may make in someone’s life. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😁
Very interesting narrative. There’re certainly earthly angels out there and it’s great to know your excellent customer service gave you such a wonderful experience.
Yes, oh. Seems we made a positive impact on them! 😀
The memory of a lifetime indeed. An unforgettable trip to one of the most exciting parts of the world. The ladies did well to invite you two. Angels in the city of Angels was truly an apt way to put it.
Yes, angels in the city of angels! God bless them!
Interesting times and experiences there!
Yes, very interesting ☺️
Interesting reading with useful lessons. It’s always good to provide good customer services to clients. The fact that you had the opportunity to travelled to US without paying a penny is an attestation to how well the tourists were satisfied with your tour guide services.
Its nice to read your travel and tourism stuffs. Well done!!!
Hahahah I so love this !!! Very interesting and a lot of learnings, going the extreme length to make customers welcome paid off😃
Yes oh, it really paid off! 😀
Interesting reading with useful lessons. It’s always good to provide good customer services to clients. The fact that you had the opportunity to travel to the US without paying a penny is an attestation to how well the tourists were satisfied with your tour guide services.
It’s nice to read your travel and tourism stuff. Well done!!!
Yes, it appears they were very satisfied with our tour guide services 😀. Thanks 🙏
This is an intriguing story of the effects of kindness. Surely, the old ladies have left precious memories to your youthful bank story.