Young Women Of Distinction
" It's choosing to listen that makes all the difference! "
Credit: Cheryl Pegues
A SISTER'S PERSPECTIVE
Cheryl Pegues, a native of Seattle, Washington, is a Sister who is “living the dream” in Paris. To paraphrase the quote from the movie The Naked City, "There are eight million ‘Sista’ stories in the City of Light; this is hers."
Cheryl first came to France in the 1980s, after an insightful professor in Seattle encouraged her to look to New York or to Europe to find an environment where she could nurture her creative talents among like-minded persons. That first trip represented “trial by fire” in Cheryl’s words, after the people with whom she was supposed to lodge for the summer refused to allow her to stay with them when they discovered that she was black.
Though she had no money, she was undaunted. That summer, she became intimately acquainted with Paris by walking (the only form of tourism that she could afford), and resolved to return. She did so three years later, beginning as a cook and au pair for a family. She eventually got catering work, followed by a job baking in a tea salon, and then another position as prep cook in a Japanese restaurant. By a twist of fate, she then became chef at a restaurant called Les Petites Sorcières in Paris’ 14th arrondissement (district).
A Spring Day on the Quai d' Orleans
Credit: Discover Paris!
Read more of Cheryl's amazing journey and story here!
Monique Y. Wells
Owner
Discover Paris!
Paris Reflections: Walks Through African American Paris
Food for the Soul: A Texas Expatriate Nurtures Her Culinary Roots in Paris
Black Pearl Walk
Richard Wright's Paris and
Travel Professional’s Guide to Black Paris.
Tom is the author of Paris Insights - An Anthology and co-owner of Discover Paris!
The Baggage 'Insurance' Airlines Never Tell You About
George HobicaBut for some people - those traveling with Louis Vuitton trunks, Vera Wang wedding gowns, or even just a couple of fancy dresses or designer suits - $3300 simply isn't enough coverage to replace what might be lost. That's where something called "exess valuation" (EV) can come in handy. Never heard of this? Well, the airline rep checking your bag at the airport isn't likely to tell you about it unless you ask. So let us explain.
Most US-based airlines will cover an additional $1700 of your luggage contents on top of the Federally-mandated $3300 (they don't call it "insurance" because they're not insurance companies, they're airlines) if you declare excess value when you check your bags and pay a small fee. According to its Web site, Delta will even cover "valuables" if you buy this extra coverage, the cost of which varies from one airline to another (see chart). Depending on airline policy, coverage may only cover you in the event of total loss, not merely damage, to the contents and not to the bag itself.
Another thing to consider is that if you buy coverage from, say, Continental and then transfer to Delta during your trip, Continental's coverage ends once the second airline takes charge of your bag. You need to claim your bag, in such a scenario, and re-check it with Delta, paying Delta's fees.
Of course, you can also buy travel insurance to cover your bags, but many basic policies don't go very far. For example, Access America's Basic Plan covers only $500. Their more expensive Classic policy is good for $1000, and their Deluxe policy for $1500, and the maximum liability for valuables is $500, but only if you can provide receipts.
Some international airlines also sell EV coverage, but their web sites, the most readily available source of information, are either vague or woefully out of date, and good luck calling their toll free reservation numbers to get clarification. Your best bet is to inquire at the airport check in counter or a local sales office before your trip. One international carrier that is more straightforward is Taiwanese-based EVA, which sells EV for 50 cents per $100 declared up to a limit of $2500 in coverage beyond what international law requires. Remember, airlines change their rules on a whim, so be sure to check with your airline before take off.
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