Join Richmond native Virginia Vasser February 25  to learn about her travels to exotic Jordon and  insights into Muslim Culture.

This is the second in the Richmond Hostel’s Vicarious Travelers Series.  These presentations are designed to offer people an opportunity to learn about customs and cultures from around the world.

The presentation is free.

February 25
3:30 - 5  pm
Richmond Main Library
101 East Franklin Street

The presentation  will be followed by an optional tour of the future Richmond Hostel under development next door.

The Richmond Hostel Committee is sponsoring  the Vicarious Travelers Series  to introduce people to travel to exotic locations across the globe.  These lectures are an opportunity to  learn about customs and cultures around the world  Through these shared stories, music and discussions we can start to understand how interrelated we are and appreciate our unique place in this world we inhabit.  

Topics include:

• Feb. 4–Kristin Smith, lifelong traveler and Board member of the Potomac Area Council of Hosteling International, will share stories about her trip to Easter Island
• Feb. 25–Virginia Vassar, Maggie Walker graduate currently teaching Arabic in Washington, DC, will talk about her trip to Jordan and offer other insights into Muslim culture
• March 3–Dr. Robin Poulton and Virginia Vassar will discuss their visits to Mali and Senegal in Western Africa, two former French colonies.  Dr. Poulton’s recent book about Mali will be available for purchase at the hostel after his presentation.
• March 31–Enjoy slides of Tanzania’s gorgeous scenery and amazing wildlife during a presentation by Alice Baird.

All Vicarious Traveler’s Series presentations will be shown at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch, 101 East Franklin Street  at  3:30 p.m. and will be followed by an optional tour of the future Richmond Hostel.

Won’t it be great for Richmond Folk Festival  goers to stay at the hostel next year?

We need your help to raise funds for the renovation of the facility.  Our goal is to raise $400,000  so we can open the doors to visitors from around the world. 

If you can spare $20, $100 or more, please go to Hostelling International’s Campaign for Hostelling website and click on “Donate Now”.

Final details are being worked out and we are just days away from closing on the new Richmond Hostel!  Papers are being signed, titles are being checked and all  details are being finalized.  We’ll be closing any day.

We hope to close on the  building by the end of September and then the fun begins.  We expect to host tours and fund-raising events – as well as plenty of volunteer opportunities to help with the renovation.  Check back for details!  Learn how you can help this great project change the landscape of Richmond.

The Richmond, Virginia  hostel is one step closer to reality with the unanimous approval of a Special User Permit by City Council on July 25. 

Getting approval for the permit was a key hurdle needed to move the project forward.   This allows the Richmond organizing committee to close on the property at 7 North Second Street.

An article describing the hostel project was recently featured in Richmond’s Style Weekly magazine.

Once closing is completed, renovations of the 1924 property will begin.  Plans call for the hostel to open by Spring, 2012.

If  you’d like to help with the project or make a tax deductible contribution, click here.

In the meantime please get involved and attend a Richmond Hostel Committee meeting.  The next meeting is……..

 
Check out this video made about Richmond. So much to do…for real.