GIVING THANKS

This is an amazing time to visit the United States. We are, well, united. The mood of hope and relief is almost palpable.

People are excited about our possibilities, despite the horrible economic and political mess left by the last President. Come visit us and see. You're finally welcome for the first time in 8 years.

I am thankful for our new beginning and I am also grateful for home exchange.

Thanks to home exchange I have new friends all over the United States, Canada and Europe. (I would love to make some home exchange friends in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, but so far the swappers there have proven to be scarce and/or flakey).

Thanks to home exchange I have stayed in grand and quaint homes near and far.

Thanks to home exchange I have experienced different ways of living. In some cases it made me appreciate what I have more. Other times I have found ideas to improve my own home or lifestyle.

Thanks to home exchange my children are aware of different cultures and more considerate of other people's homes.

Thanks to home exchange my family is comfortable when on vacation, with all the comforts of (someone else's) home.

And finally, thanks to home exchange I have saved tens of thousands of dollars over the nearly twenty years I have been swapping!