Step into the shoes of an explorer, hiking through the uncharted landscapes of Canada. Or perhaps become a time traveler, retracing the historic trails of the Wild West.
True adventure awaits the armchair traveler as the University’s Travel Lecture Series kicks off its 2005-06 season.
There will be no guidebooks or maps found here, no tourists with unwieldy cameras and bewildered expressions. Instead, every month, St. Louis’ oldest and most well-known travel lecture series will feature a film presented by a renowned filmmaker. Each travelogue showcases a different corner of the world, giving viewers a glimpse into the heart of exotic locales from Alaska to Fiji.
The travelogues are offered the first Friday of every month, with showings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in Graham Chapel unless otherwise noted.
Oct. 7, Brown Hall Auditorium — Alaska’s Inside Passage: John Holod takes viewers on a trek through Alaska’s wonders, including killer whales and bears. The voyage includes a helicopter journey offering magnificent views of Juneau and surrounding glaciers.
Nov. 4 — Pony Express: Relive the days of the untamed West with Hal McClure through the story of the Pony Express. Viewers gallop along dusty trails, encountering legendary Western figures like Buffalo Bill Cody as they travel westward from Missouri.
Dec. 2 — Irish Stories and Glories, Part II: Travelers will join Sandy Mortimer on a journey that highlights Ireland’s beauty and history. The Irish people become the true tour guides of this film that takes in everything from the country’s lively pubs to its prehistoric Ciede fields.
Jan. 6 — Canada’s Incredible Parks: Canada’s national parks offer everything from elegant to rugged and take center stage in this exploration of director Dale Johnson’s tour of 21 of Canada’s most famous parks.
Feb. 3 — La Belle France: Louisiana folk musicians Monty and Marsha Brown explore France’s most famous sights. From famous cathedrals and canals to noisy, colorful markets and festivals, they reveal the artistic side of a nation rich in culture and history.
March 3 — Amazing Thailand: This unique journey reveals the secrets of Thai cooking, kickboxing and other cultural traditions. Mike Shiley leads the way through the canals of Bangkok, the villages deep in the jungles and the deserted islands at Thailand’s periphery.
April 7 — Fiji: Scuba diver and filmmaker Rick Howard provides a unique perspective of the island of Waya, part of the Fiji Islands. Viewers get a glimpse of the beauty both underwater and above, across vast spans of white, sandy beaches and exotic seascapes.
May 5 — Corsica and the Rivieras: Filmmaker Stan Walsh turns this trip into a tour of elegance and grandeur, sweeping over the Neolithic megaliths in Filitosa and the famous marble of Carrara.
The Travel Lecture Series is sponsored by the Office of Alumni and Development Programs.
A single ticket for the entire series is $29. Two tickets for the season are $48.
Individual film tickets are available for $5 at the door.
For more information, call 935-5212.