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Since January 1999, DreamWeaver Travel Company's owner Dudley Parkinson has endeavored to make use of his more than 12 years of experience in West Africa to provide people with a unique international travel experience. Dudley has spent almost 7 years living and working in Cameroon, Benin, and Togo with the Peace Corps volunteer, trainer, and staff member.
A Non-Traditional Tour of Traditional Cultures
"West Africa really hasn't been discovered by Americans," says Dudley, who thus far has seen mostly Europeans traveling there. Realizing that he could share his passion for traditional cultures, art, wildlife, and remote areas with other travelers in a way that does no harm to the local communities or environment, Dudley founded DreamWeaver Travel Company. He now also offers the same sort of travel experience to South America as well.
Dudley's Guidelines for Responsible Travel:
1. Travel in a spirit of humility and with a genuine desire to meet and talk with local people; travel to meet, not
conquer.
2. Reflect daily on your experiences; seek to deepen your understanding. What enriches you may rob or violate
others.
3. Be environmentally friendly; use energy, water and other resources efficiently and in keeping with local practices.
Only bring necessary technological gadgetry. Participate in local recycling programs where available. Try not to
bring into the country any containers that you don't plan to take out.
4. Don't create barriers; take advantage of opportunities to walk, bicycle, and use other forms of non-motorized
transport.
5. Acquaint yourself with the local customs. Be culturally sensitive, especially with photography; people will be happy
to help you.
6. Realize that the people in the area you visit often have time concepts and thought patterns different from your
own; not inferior, just different.
7. Be economically beneficial. Spend money so that it stays in the community. When buying, remember that a
bargain may be obtained because of low wages paid to the producer. Don't purchase products made from
endangered species.
8. Cultivate the habit of listening and observing, rather than merely hearing and looking. Discover the enrichment
that comes from seeing another way.
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