MEDICAL TOURISM

Hello Fellow Travelers and Listeners:

This Friday April, 17th we are talking about Medical Tourism. We have special guest,
Renee-Marie Stephano, Esq, COO & General Council of the Medical Tourism Association.

With medical costs rising and insurance coverage reducing Medical Tourism has been on the rise. There are many questions and we have an expert who can answer them all. Tune in to get the answers to these questions:
· What is Medical Tourism?
· How many Americans are traveling overseas?
· How many will travel in the future?
· What procedures they are going for?
· What are the hospitals like compared to US hospitals?
· How many hospitals are modern and like 5 star hotels?
· What procedures are they going for and what are the cost savings (up to 90% off)?
· What are the doctors and quality like?
· After care and legal issues?
· Tourism options?

For more information on our guest or the Medical Tourism Association:
Renee-Marie Stephano, Esquire
Chief Operating Officer
Medical Tourism Association, Inc.
Editor Medical Tourism Magazine
Tel 001.561.791.2000
Renee@MedicalTourismAssociation.com
www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com
www.MedicalTourismMag.com

SHOPPING AROUND THE GLOBE

Hello Traveling Eye Listeners,

Our April 3rd show was on shopping around the globe. Here is a list of the places we discussed on the show. Please note that these consist of places we have been ourselves and places recommended by other travel experts:

Dubai, UAE during the Dubai Shopping Festival.
This event is held annually from mid January - mid February
We like this destination and time for shopping because Dubai has more than 40 shopping malls, including the Mall of Emirates. Dubai is also known as "the city of Gold" because of its world famous gold souks. You can find everything from traditional Arabic souks selling fabrics, spices, jewelry, pottery, etc to high end retail outlets. The airport alone is a great place to shop.

It's a Wrap, Production Wardrobe Sales
I found out about this shop from my sister in law who lives in Long Beach. It's a wrap sells clothing formerly worn my movie stars. When a movie company wraps up filming or a TV Show is cancelled or when a studio is simply weeding out their wardrobe, they will give "It's a Wrap" a call and the stores reps will go out to the studio and pick up the clothing. They then resell it at greatly reduced prices. There are two locations: 3315 W Magnolia Blvd in Burbank, CA & 1164 S Robertson Blvd in West Los Angeles.

China, Beijing & Shanghai:
In Beijing a good website to reference is http://www.shoppinginbeijing.com/ I've visited many of the places listed and find them excellent places to shop and bargain. I especially like the silk and pearl markets.

In Shanghai I like Nanjing Road. East Nanjing road is also known as the Gold Mile. Nanjing Lu was one of Shanghai's first commercial streets. There are neon lights and it's very modern with brand name stores and generics. West Nanjing road is where the knock offs are. You will find people on the street on East Nanjing road but I don't recommend these because they want you to go to their shop, which is normally down an alley and behind another shop. So for safety reasons I don't recommend it. On West Nanjing road there is an office building 541 West Nanjing Road. The entire building is made up of kiosks and the merchants sell anything from Chinese clothing and souvenirs to high end knock offs. Do you homework to make sure you know the quality.

There is another place in China that probably has the best shopping. It's called Shenzhen. Shenzhen is located in the southern portion of the Guangdong Province, on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Delta. Neighboring the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong. If you are visiting Hong Kong it is very easy to get to Shenzhen from there. PLEASE NOTE: Hong Kong is not located on Mainland China and you do NOT need a visa to visit Hong Kong. Shenzhen IS ON MAINLAND CHINA and you DO need a visa. If you plan to visit Hong Kong and Beijing or Shanghai and visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong YOU MUST GET A MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA FOR MAINLAND CHINA.

Thailand
Bangkok was mentioned for custom clothing. I like the leisure wear best. We did not mention the two night markets that are great for bargains

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Bonnie loves the Hippie Fair, A popular Sunday market for handicrafts, jewelery, clothes, paintings etc. It's locate on Ipanema.


Travel & Leisure Magazine listed the following Flea Markets as the best:

• The Garage on West 25th Street in New York City - Open on Saturdays & Sundays only
• Brimfield, MA spread over 23 different locations and fields - Open May 12 - 17, July 14 - 19, Sep 8 - 13 dawn til dusk
• Porte de Clignancourt in Paris - Open Saturdays and Sundays
• Porte de Vanves, Rive Gauche - Open Saturdays & Sundays before 1pm
• Plaza Dorego, San Telmo in Buenos Aires - Open Sundays only
• Portobello Road in London - Open Saturdays only
• Togo Shrine, Meiji Dori near Harajuku in Tokyo - Open First and Fourth Sunday each month
• Casabarata, on the road to Rabat in Tangier, Morocco - Open every day
• The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA - Open Second Sunday of every month
• Placa de la Seu in Barcelona, Spain - Open Thursdays

The Traveling Eye has a new day and time!

Hello Fellow World Travelers,

The Traveling Eye has a new day and time. We are on WVON Fridays from 11am - noon starting this Friday, February 6th. Tune in to 1690 WVON AM or log on to www.wvon.com.

This Friday, February 6th is about "Romantic Packages", where to find last minute deals for Romantic Getaways, where to go and what to do in Chicagoland and tips for Romance on a budget!

Since we were not on the air immediately following our Live broadcast from Washington, DC for the Inaguration on January 18th, I want to share my experience with you here.

We flew non-stop on American Airlines from Chicago O'Hare to Washington DC's Regan Airport on January 18th. American Airlines added this flight just for the Inauguration. It was like traveling with family. We saw so many people we knew and the ones we did not know felt like family because majority of the passengers on the flight were going to the Inauguration. It was such a great atmosphere and we were all so excited.

January 18th was a very busy day for us. We first had to go to the convention center and pick up our credentials for the weeks activities. We then went to the Marriot Wardman to set up for our broadcast. We were supposed to broadcast from the ballroom but our signal was too weak. Believe it or not the best signal was in the restaurant in the lobby of the hotel, which actually turned out better because we could see some of the inaugural activties on televison and everyone moving about in the hotel who were also there for the inauguration. I think it was a great broadcast, I especially enjoyed George Ambrose. George is one of our world travelers and has traveled with us for years. He shared his experience and his fathers experience on being a black man in the US and what Obama's presidency means to him, his family and his community.

After our broadcast we went to the Illinois State Senators Pre-Inaugural Ball. Bonnie DeShong & Robin Robinson hosted the event and I saw so many people from Chicago there I wondered how many people were left in Chicago. LOL. What can I say. Great music by Chaka Khan, she did all of my favorites, I'm Every Woman, Tell me Something Good, etc. Good food and all the great people I got a chance to see and meet. The only complaint I had was that the hotel charged $4 per piece for coat check.

Monday I went to the Illinois State Society Inauguration Ball. This one one of the unofficial balls. I have mixed emotions about this one. The line was around the block to get into the hotel where the event was held. Some people stood in that line for over an hour. Fortunately I did not but I did have to wait for about 1/2 hour. The hotel has a hard time handling the event. The entire function space was allocated for the ball but the hotel would only let 10 people in at a time. My husband parked the car in the garage (he was being a gentleman and let me out at the front), because he was in the garage he just got on the elevator and got inside while I waited outside. When I finally got in I could not find coat check and since I saw many people carrying there coats I figured no one else could find it either. Anyway, they had different rooms to represent the different flavors and cultures of Illinois. I guess it was such an ordeal to get in that I was never really able to enjoy myself. Oh well.

Tuesday, January 20th, The Day! I was so excited! I stayed at my parents house in southern Maryland. My father took us to the train station. We got on at the beginning of the line so we got seats. I truly enjoyed this experience because so many people were on the train going to the mall to see the swearing in or the parade. Listening to people laugh and talk with one another like they were good friends but they did not know one another. Spirits were running high that day. We took photos with other people and helpd people navigate the subway system. The had already closed some stations because it was either on the security route or overcrowed. We decide to get off at Gallery Place which was at 7th & H streets. We tried to get to the press area for the inauguration but by then those streets were closed or blocked so we decided to head to our parade seats. Once again everyone was in such good spirits, we danced and sang and did what we could to stay warm. It was so magical. They turned on speakers so that we could hear the swearing in ceremony. Just after the swearing in the temperature dropped about 10 - 15 degrees. Fortunately there was a CVS right next to the stand. I went in and purchased those hand warmers. I love those things. I put one in each glove and one in each shoe. The Parade started about one hour late but noone left before the parade started. Finally it started and we all waited with anticipation to get a glimpse of our New President Barack Obama and the first family. While he did walk parts of the parade route he was in the car when he passed the area I was in. I did get a glimpse of the entire family in the car and I was elated just to be there eventhough I could not feel my feet!

Our last night in the Washington area we all wen to one of our favorite restaurants in Baltimore. We went to Mo's. I had bragged to Bonnie about the softball sized crabcakes for $21.95 and you get two and based on the reactions I think she was empressed. This was a great way to end our time in DC with family, friends and great food!

Well, goodbye for now. Don't forget to tune in this and every Friday @ 11am central time on 1690 WVON AM or on line @ www.wvon.com

Peace out
Ja'Vonne

Beats, Bites & Best of Jamaica

Hello Fellow World Travelers,

I am in Jamaica at the Beats, Bites and Best of Jamaica at Grand Lido Braco. Beats, Bites and Best of Jamaica is an annual event at Grand Lido Braco that highlights the Tastes, Sights and Sounds of Jamaica's distinctive culture. all day each day is a selection of cooking demonstrations, dance lessons, music instruction, fashion, entertainment and let's not forget dancing the night away. I arrived Friday, October 10th and the festival had already begun. Actually the festival began on October 7th. I arrived just in time for the J'African Fashion Show. Designs were provided by Shades of Africa. The designs were a of African and Jamaican colors and styles. Fabulous casual and formal dresses and even mens wear. Right after the fashion show I attended a cooking demonstration by Norma Shirley. Norma Shirley is a household name in Jamaica and throught the Caribbean. Ms. Shirley prepared curried crab cakes with an avocado salsa. The crab cakes were delicious. Later in the day was the Caribbean Broilers Jamaica Limited amatuer Chef of the Week Competition. Resort chefs were given ingredients and had to create 5 dishes in 1 hour. The winner was Chef Beason from Hedonism 3 resort in Runaway Bay. His lamb dishes excellent and won him the prize.

Saturday I attended the Braco Brunchins. chef Vinroy Green prepared an Appleton Pot Roast Pork Loin with Papaya BBQ Sauce and Mango Cheese Spread. This afternoon promises to have entertainment by Children of the Drum, an Ice Carving Extravaganza, an Amateur Bartender of the Week Competition, Village Vibz, Grand Fashion Show, Reggae Dancehall and will finish with Kool 97FM, a local radio station, Party Jam.

Thanks to Air Jamaica for an excellent non-stop flight from Chicago to Montego Bay. I was on the beach by noon!

Talk to you soon.

September 7, 2008 Dubai

Hello Fellow World Travelers,

Ja'Vonne's Travel Minute
Traveling with your pet can be a pleasant experience for you and your pet if you remember to PLAN AHEAD!! Before you buy your airline ticket and book your hotel accommodations call or go online to find the vendors SPECIFIC pet policy, they differ between international and domestic. Do they accept them, are there size restrictions and how they are carried. AND charges. All airlines do not charge the same amount for the same size pet and costs can be high. Get the proper certifications for both your origination and destination, descriptions of which are available from the USDA/APHIS website. Hotels may also charge additional fees for pet stays, have limited rooms that allow pets, and have size restrictions. Also when planning gauge your travel plans on your pet's needs and personality.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/
www.petsonthego.com
www.tripswithpets.com

Live from The African Festival of the Arts in Chicago

The Traveling Eye with Bonnie DeShong and Ja'Vonne Harley airs at a new time every Sunday from 3-4pm Central time on The Talk of Chicago 1690 WVON and online @ http://www.wvon.com/. We bring you travel news, the how to's of travel and destination highlights.

This Sunday, August 31st The Traveling Eye is Live at The African Festival of the Arts!, Located at Washington Park at 5100 S Cottage Grove Avenue. The Traveling Eye will ask "What do you really know about Africa"? Come visit us at the festival and test your knowledge of Africa, Win prizes and join in on the discussion.
You've got to be there to win!


Our newest feature WHAT'S IN YOUR CARRY ON?, brought to you by Levy Home Entertainment, the nations premier book distributor, features Mary Monroe, an award winning best selling author of several books, including God Don't Like Ugly! Monroe's new book, She Had It Coming, is a steamy shocker about two best friends, Dolores Reese, a foster child and Valerie Proctor, who get caught in a web of deadly secrets and lies. Tune in to hear why She Had It Coming is a great book to have in your carry on.

Meet Mary Monroe and get an autographed copy of She Had It Coming on Wednesday, September 3 at 6:00pm at Wal-mart in Country Club Hills, 4005 W. 167th Street. Visit http://www.novelevents.com/ for more information.

Email us questions, comments and future show ideas thetravelingeye@aol.com
Visit our website for upcoming shows http://www.thetravelingeye.com/

Tune in to The Traveling Eye!
Sundays from 3-4pm on 1690 WVON or http://www.wvon.com/!

JA'VONNE'S TRAVEL MINUTE

Watching what you eat and drink may prevent the typical sicknesses while you're traveling. However, other medical issues may arise. The good news is that you'll probably be able to find competent medical care. The key is knowing where to go. Most travel guides suggest you go to a hospital where English is spoken, U.S.-trained doctors can be found or ask see the hotels doctor. For this reason, it's a good idea to always carry a written copy of your medical history with you in English & in the language of the country you are traveling to. Having such important information available in one place can help health care workers make appropriate decisions, and you won't forget important information at a time when you're likely to be not thinking clearly or able to speak for yourself. Before you leave home, create a medical history form. Below is a list of information that you should carry with you.

• Your name, address, and home phone number as well as
• Emergency Contacts name, address and phone numbers
• Your blood type
• Immunizations
• Your doctor's name, address, and office and emergency phone numbers
• The name, address, and phone number of your health insurance carrier, including your policy number
• A list of any ongoing health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, etc
• A list of current medications you are taking and pharmacy name and phone number
• A list of allergies to medications, food, insects, and animals
• A prescription for glasses or contact lenses

LIVE IN JAMAICA

Hello Fellow World Travelers,

The Traveling Eye with Bonnie DeShong and Ja'Vonne Harley airs at a new time every Sunday from 3-4pm Central time on The Talk of Chicago 1690 WVON and online @ www.wvon.com. We bring you travel news, the how to's of travel and destination highlights.

This Sunday, August 17th The Traveling Eye is Live in Jamaica!, brought to you by Air Jamaica with non-stop flights from Chicago to Jamaica, where your vacation begins the moment you board. Visit www.airjamaica.com for your next flight to Jamaica. We're staying at Superclubs Grand Lido Braco, a super-inclusive resort. Visit www.superclubs.com for your next vacation in Jamaica!

Our newest feature WHAT'S IN YOUR CARRY ON?, brought to you by Levy Home Entertainment, the nations premier book distributor, features a New York Times Best Seller, The Women Who Raised Me by Victoria Rowell. After all, a good book is a great companion to have while traveling. Tune in to hear about the author and "A tribute to the remarkable mentors who nurtured, guided and challenged this young woman" by Parade Magazine.

Visit www.novelevents.com for more information.

Email us questions, comments and future show ideas thetravelingeye@aol.com
Visit our website for upcoming shows www.thetravelingeye.com

Tune in to The Traveling Eye!
Sundays from 3-4pm on 1690 WVON or www.wvon.com!