Ziners who are interested in getting closer to the people and cultures of the countries they visit might want to look up Servas International.

I spent a spur-of-the moment cyber saver weekend in San Diego last year (I was in the mood to go to the zoo, and the price was right.) A good friend, with whom I always get together when I go to San Diego, was hosting a family from Tasmania through Servas. We spent the day at Sea World together and it was quite an opportunity for us all to engage in cultural exchange. My friend, who hails from Colombia, and her family use Servas extensively when traveling through Europe, which they try to do each summer when school is out.

If you'd like to check it out, try http://www.servas.org/page.php?name=p_main

Carrie Bardonia, NY