Encouragement Messages

I was more than amazed at the thousands of kind emails that I received and would like to share some samples with you. They brought me positive energy and encouraged me to continue my project. Thank you all for supporting my trip and serving as constant inspiration!

 

Subject: home in Georgia
Message: Anyone who is clever enough to arrange this kind of gig is welcome in my home anytime. I too, am a student of life, but haven't taken this big a bite---I've been starting businesses, and am now taking a break. I am a chef and writer and live on a private estate in North Georgia near North Carolina and South Carolina. If you want to see the American south, or perhaps take a tour through Mexico or anywhere ! Let me know. I'd be happy to show you what I know, and eager to glean some of your energy as well. Good luck to you either way... Michele

Message : Hi Jean, I am a bit dumb founded at your innate ability to get around. I personally have been my own worst road block in getting out about in the world. What you are doing is indescribable, too awesome to put into a small note to you at this time. Your courage and free spirit will no doubt, carry you through safely and seamlessly. I live in NY, about 1 hour north of Manhattan by west point military academy. I could write for hours about how your life captures my heart (not in a lovely dovey kind of way ) and mind. I salute you and your kindered soul for taking on an incredible life journey in every sense of the word. If you are interested in visiting the Hudson Valley, let me know. Marriage and kids has me rooted....for now. Waiting for a strong wind to sweep me away to polinate in other places. May your angels guide your way. Bravo.

Subject: Your trip
Message: Hi, We are avid exchangers here in San Francisco. I read about your project and thought it was fantastic. We feel that home exchange is a wonderful way to cross cultural barriers and broaden the world and ourselves to new experiences. If you are coming back to SF in Aug. or Sept. we'd be happy to host you. You must be quite an interesting person. Our home is listing ***** on homeexchange.com. Best of luck,

Subject: Ohio
Message: JP: Hope your trip is going well. I admire what you're doing! All U.S. citizens should do something like this, just to be more familiar with our own country. I'm currently living in Mexico, working with the Presbyterian Church. If you ever make it down this way, you're welcome at our house. My wife and I still own a house in Colorado, up in the mountains about 65 miles northwest of Denver <…. > Have a great trip! No response necessary!

Subject: Bravo !
Message: j'adore votre histoire, on a fait un échange cet été a Bodrum en Turquie et ça été formidable .A quand le Viêt-Nam ?notre maison ***** jeter un coup d'oeil, vous serez le bien venu. Bon vent !

Subject: Portland Oregon stay
Message: Hi, Jean-Philippe
My husband, Scott, and I were going to email you before we left on our home exchange to Iceland with our five kids - we are finishing our stay this week, coming home on August 12th. You have probably already arranged for accommodations in Portland, but you are welcome to stay with us if you have not. We would love to have you over for dinner while in town to hear about your exciting trip and share our experiences about our exchange with an Icelandic family. Our home exchange ID number is ****. Happy traveling!

Subject: felicitations
Message: Nous avons entendu parler de toi à Yellowstone. Nous revenons d'un voyage qui nous a conduit de NYC à l'Adirtondack puis de Salt Lake à Seattle en passant par Grand Teton et yellowstone (où une de nos filles participe à un programme de recherche sur les bark beetles and wildfire) puis vers l'Alaska àù notre deuxième fille est restée. Chaque fois nous avons tenté la Homeexchange experience. Great and a lot of new friends. Ton idée est géniale et bravo pour ce beau voyage programmé vers l'AUTRE Patricia.

Subject: passage à la radio
Message: Bonjour,
Je vous ai entendu sur le programme de Mike Collins à Charlotte en Caroline du Nord dernièrement. C'est super ce que vous faites ! Cordialement. Monique une française de La Rochelle résidente de Concord en Caroline du Nord, banlieue de Charlotte !

Message: Je viens d'aller voir ton site. C'est vraiment impressionnant. Tu dois t'éclater. Je t'envie. Apparemment tu voyages avec un pote. Tant mieux. ciao man!!

Message: My family would be interesting in hosting you. We are 30 min outside of Boston. I have two master's degrees in behavior, one in management and organizational behavior (Babson) and one in counseling and consulting psychology (Harvard). I am also Myers-Briggs qualified and work out of my home as marketing consultant and executive coach for my clients. My wife studied at the Sorbonne and speaks French and Spanish. She would love to get back to Paris. We have three children 14, 12, 10 and a 5 month old Sheltie. We can take you to the train into Boston or you can rent a car to explore the area. Come anytime. I'd be interested in helping you with your studies of behavior. By the way, my wife is a trained chef so the food will be great!
Thanks,

Message: If I had more time, I would write in French after many days of excellent lesson with your parents. We had a truly wonderful time with your parents: They were so kind and generous. You have an amazing family. We very much enjoyed driving around Normandy in the Citroen, and our trips into Paris; but most enjoyable and interesting were the times we spent with your parent, Claude and Monique. I wrote them a note the other day but please do tell them also what a wonderful time we had, and how improved our French has become because of their patient instruction. Hope all is well with you.... We plan to see your folks when we return to the City and hope to see you when we return to your trip.

Subject: greetings form chicago
Message: Hola JP never met you but from reading your article and some of the testimonials it seems your a great person, wonderful human being, a true inpiration. The best of luck on your journey.

Subject: Enjoy you on radio in Charlotte, N C today
Message: Really enjoyed you on Mike Collins Radio Show today in Charlotte, N C. What a fantastic trip! Enjoy our Country and good luck in the future. Some day I hope to visit your Country and I am sure even as a senior citizen I will enjoy myself. Hope you put a book out about your trip. Good Luck,

Subject: Tours
Message: Becky is very eager to arrange some personal tours in Washington D.C. if your schedule allows it. Haven't talked to Eric yet about the White House. We'll keep in touch...

Subject: on te reverra pas !!
Message: Salut JP, quand je commence j'ai du mal à m'arrêter. Tes photos sont sublimes et nous laissent bouche bée. J'ai essayé de t'appeler, en vain. Redonne moi ton numéro au cas où je ne serai pas à la page… Ciao de France,

Subject: Bonjour de Kansas City
Message: JP- Bonjour, je m'appelle David et j'habite ici a KCMO, mais je ne vais pas etre ici le 6, 7, et 8 juillet, mais je voudrais vous proposer des activites ici. Vendredi soir, il y a "First Friday's" au centre-ville dans l'arrondisement "Crossroads." De 18h a 21h, il y a des petites musees, des artistes, concerts, et des galleries avec de l'art gratuit. 21st Street-17th street, Grand-Broadway. Aussi, mon pere joue du piano avec une groupe de jazz a Jardine's a 47th Street et Main de 5:30h a 8h. C'est gratuit. Aussi, il y a un match de baseball entre Kansas City Royals et Tampa Bay Devil Rays a 7h. Apres le match, il y a des feux d'artifices! Samedi et dimanche, je ne sais pas sauf un match de baseball pour les KC T-Bones et les KC Royals. C'est tout. Il y a des musees gratuites comme Le Nelson Atkins et Le Kemper Musee Contemporarian at 47th et Main aussi. Ils sont superbes! De plus, il y a du shopping a "The Plaza" a 47th et Main, et un grand marche a City Market a 3rd Street et Grand. Tu peux m'ecrire a wizards815@aol.com. Si tu veux un maillot de football de Kansas City, tu peux me donner ta taille, et je peux te donner un maillot gratuit. Il y a les mots "Kansas City," adidas, et "Wizards." Comme tu veux. Merci bien et passez un bon sejour ici a Kansas CIty.

Message: I see that you are coming soon to Kansas City. I'd love a chance to say hello or share a laugh around a bottle of good French wine. My wife and I just recently returned from a week in Nice and Paris. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Subject: Vos nouvelles
Message: Bonsoir. Ici la Suisse et vos parents qui s'inquiètent d'être sans nouvelles. Ils partent aujourd'hui pour Nice et vous pouvez les joindre par téléphone dès ce soir. J'espère que votre voyage se passe bien et bonne route. Meilleures salutations Gisele Hagmann

Message: Good Luck on your adventure. If something happens to your plans in Houston and you need a place to put your head down to sleep do not hesitate to contact us. The home exchange is not as important as your successful trip. Best wishes,

Subject: Your trip
Message: Just by chance I found your posting on Craigslist. My first time there. I will simply tell you I am envious of your plan. From childhood I dreamt of such an adventure. If I was 20 years younger and was single, I'd be motivated to do something similar. You are a very lucky man to have this opportunity. If you was to choose to do it again, I might have the ability to exchange with you. I'm currently constructing a beautiful second home in the mountainous area of Utah. Unfortunately it is just under construction. You may find you'll want to return to Utah to further explore. The Nat'l Parks are amazing but would take several weeks to really appreciate. I'll attempt to visit your site again during your travels and welcome the opportunity to read of your trip. Be safe and enjoy your travels.

Subject: Philadelphia
Message: Hey JP,
I saw your add on Craig's list and checked out your website. I think your trip is a really cool idea. My family and I live in a suburb right outside of Philadelphia. We were wondering if you have found a place to stay yet for your visit here in July. We are a big, crazy, Irish family (although some of us will not be around in July) and would possibly be interested in providing you with a fun experience. Please contact me and let me know if you might be interested. Hope to hear from you soon and I hope you are enjoying your trip so far.

Subject: Need a place to stay?
Message: Hey JP! (we don't say "hi" in South Carolina, we say "hey") I think your trip sounds like a fantastic idea. Are you still in need of a place to stay in Columbia, SC? I'm 29, single, work for a state arts organization, and have lived in SC for almost two years. If that makes me not enough of a South Carolinian, I understand. I do feel that I have a southern disposition, though, and I've already developed a drawl. Best of luck on your journey. I'm sure you'll learn a lot and meet many wonderful people. Take care!

Message: Jean-Philippe, Thanks for getting back to us. We hope your adventure has been fun so far. Please keep us in mind if your travel plans change/fall through. We'd also be happy to have you over for dinner or take you on a tour if you don't have something like that lined up. There are so many interesting and beautiful areas in Cleveland... like the West Side Market, Wade Chapel (inside stained glass designed by Tiffany), the Cleveland Art Museum, the beautiful Metro parks that wrap around the city, countless good restaurants, etc. We are avid travelers ourselves and appreciate how you've gone about planning your trip. We wish we had local people giving us personal tours of the places we've gone instead of trying to figure it out ourselves! We've especially enjoyed our time in Europe. We were just in France Spring 2006 and plan on returning this October. It's such a beautiful country! <….> we hope you have a wonderful, memorable and safe trip!

Message: Wow! I just found your posting and read about your adventure!
What a great idea. Do you have a place lined up for when you're in Cleveland?
Please let me know. My husband and I may be able to provide
Food/lodging/tour of Cleveland/etc. for you. :)

Message: <…> would you like to join us for an afternoon? We have an extra ticket to the Houston Astros game on Sunday afternoon (July 1)

Subject: Votre Trip
Message: Bravo JP pour votre projet. Nous sommes les petits Suisses qui vont être à Nice du 16 au 23 juin, pendant que vos parents seront chez nous. Si vous voulez étendre votre voyage au Canada, nous avons nos amis à Montréal, ils étaient l'année passée dans notre maison et nous chez eux, qui vous offrirons avec plaisir un lit. <…> Alors bon voyage et beaucoup de plaisir, meilleures salutations Gisèle

Subject: staying with my family
Message: Hi
My name is Denise. I love what you are doing. What a great experience you will have. And I can only imagine how inspiring it will be to meet many people who will open up their homes to you. I would like to offer you to stay at my home in Woburn which is just about 15 minutes from Boston <…> Please e mail me and let me know if you need accommodations in Boston. I am a Christian woman and would be as hospitable as I can. Also, I think this would be a great experience for my children who are with me 50% of the time. Have a Wonderful day; I look forward to hearing from you.

Message: JP, Hello, You sound as if you are a wonderful addition to the human race. If you do not yet have a place to stay while in Nashville Tennessee, please, please feel free to stay at my house. You will find my home simple, comfortable, intriguing and very interesting. You are obviously a remarkable young man. Stay with me, I’ll happily show you around town. If you have already made plans to stay with others while in town, please call me so we can at least meet. <…> If you want more information such as photos, details answers to silly questions, just ask. Sincerely,

Message: Hi my name is Lauren and I run into your website by accident, but what a happy accident!!! I loved the idea, the purpose and the way you planned this trip!! It's awesome. I'm also sure that a lot of people contact you to offer you a little of their time. So probably for New York you already have a full schedule but I want to offer you something different.... another side of this magic multicultural city: the lifestyle of a Latin immigrant in New York <…>

Message: Hi JP; I most admire what you are doing here and your goals. :o) I truly do and hope to be a part of it, a very, very tiny part. It would make me proud. I would love to host you. <…>

Message: Bonjour Jean-Philippe, You have written a very interesting letter - the world needs more of you! <…> we would be interested in hosting you for a short San Francisco Bay Area visit around July 29.

Message: I congratulate you on your exciting and ambitious plans and am interested in exploring with you the possibility of your staying in our apartment while you are in New York this summer. <…>