Comments from Exchangers

Kathy and Ed who visited San Francisco:
"We have visited the States before and chose the house-swop option because we wanted to experience how it was to actually live in an area instead of being just a tourist. We particularly enjoyed our encounters with our neighbours whom we met on the streets of our suburb. One of the highlights for our children was to experience an American Easter along with other kids in the neighbourhood. Our host offered us a 'friendly neighbour' to help us. We found this invaluable once we had established survival skills and were more interested in esoteric things. It is important to choose the host carefully, and to find a home that is within easy reach of the kinds of places one wishes to visit - "Trudging two small children around long distances made us quickly realise the importance of this as well as choosing a host who also has children as then you have similar needs and concerns."

A doctor's family from Cape Town exchanged their home with a couple from England who had a beautiful unique 17th century home, as well as a home in Ambleside in the Lake District. They also exchanged with an Hungarian violinist living in Los Angeles, who performed with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Tidboald. He is most grateful for our assistance and says Home Exchanging is a wonderful concept.

Ian and Di found the thrill of international home exchanging comprises poring over a world map; glancing through the annual listings of the Holiday Exchange Book; communicating by letter, fax, telephone and internet with like-minded people in other parts of our global village; staying in their homes (which are mostly superior to the best suite of any hotel), often with a motor vehicle; enjoying wonderful extended holidays overseas each year with the kids absorbing the local culture and developing long-term, international friendships - all for the cost of an airfare and some groceries.

Since 1990, lan and Di have been exchanging homes with members living in the USA, Canada, Scotland, Norway, Germany, France and Spain.

Joy and Denis from Johannesburg exchanged their holiday home in Plettenberg Bay and their trout farm in Machadodorp, near the Kruger National Park, for an apartment in Paris which was delightful, very convenient and in a wonderful position - and they all became good friends. Their second exchange was in Florence, where they were met on the highway by their Italian exchangers, taken to dinner at their apartment, had their car packed with italian food and wine, and were driven to their holiday home 30 km out of Florence. They had never known such kindness.

For the third exchange, they were offered three homes. The Italian exchangers had an apartment in Lake Garda, Venice, and a holiday home in Padua. The letter from the family in Padua reads: "You should not have sent back the key, you should have kept it for next time. You have been so nice and we miss you. I didn't move anything in the house after you left, so that every time I go there and see the three tea-cups on the table, I feel like you are still there!"

These exchanges took place within six weeks, and the families from France and Italy will be coming to South Africa at another time. To quote Joy: "Exchanging holiday homes always works very well as one does not have to do a simultaneous exchange."

Roy exchanged with a couple from Ireland who have a flat in London. He also arranged a hospitality exchange with a charming Irish couple in Dublin, where he was made to feel 'just one of the family', staying with them in their home - this was the highlight of his holiday. They will be coming out at a later stage to stay with him.Roy also exchanged his home with a South African couple living in New York who have a ski lodge in Vail,Colorado.

A member from Pietermaritzburg exchanged their home with a couple from the UK. The UK exchangers were so thrilled with their exchange that they have invited the Pietermaritzburg couple to join them at a Natal Game Park the next time they come out.

SABC broadcasters exchanged their home with a couple from Spain, and stayed in their favourite town near Malaga in an up-market Spanish holiday home. They hope to be arranging an exchange next year in California.

Another exchanger says: "After being retired stay-at-homes, we have now become world travellers".

An attorney has arranged a hospitality exchange in Scotland during the Edinburgh Festival.

A couple have had a wonderful exchange in Holland and Germany - they offered their home and beach cottage. The Germans were so taken with their exchange and holiday that they have bought a home in Cape Town.

A couple from Hilton in Natal exchanged with members from Massachusetts USA and England.The exchangers from England have now bought a home in Hilton, Natal.

"Our exchangers left their car at a lock-up garage at the airport for us - I think we passed them somewhere in mid-air. We never actually met."

Our SA member exchanged with Bill Barbour from Florida,USA who has been exchanging homes for ten years. Bill Barbour has written two books "Trading Places" & "Home Exchange Holidays. These two witty handbooks are packed with valuable tips, travel stories and secrets of successful exchanging.

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