Help us kick off our February Winter Wanderlust speaker series with Abdi Sami, Associate Producer of "Rick Steves' Iran" and avid promoter of peace.

Mr Sami spent 14 years as the General Manager and CEO of Dream Quest Images, which under his management produced two Academy Award winning movies, "The Abyss" and "Total Recall". A native born Iranian and long time U.S. resident, Mr. Sami has been involved in promoting peace. He has worked with Mercy Corps in Iran and Afghanistan, served as a board member for the Foundation for Self Sufficiency in Central America, and currently sits on the boards of the United Nations Association of Seattle and the Voices Education Project.

Having traveled to over 30 countries in his life, Mr. Sami knows firsthand the transformative power of travel. Come listen to his talk at our Winter Wanderlust kick-off event on Sunday, January 31st from 2-4pm. The talk will be held at the HI-Seattle, conveniently located in Seattle's International District.

What: Understanding Iran: An Evening with Abdi Sami, Associate Producer of PBS's "Rick Steves' Iran"
Where: HI-Seattle, 520 S. King Street, Seattle WA
When: Sunday, January 31st, 2-4pm
Cost: Free (donations appreciated)    

Jean Bullard, successful children's author and one of the oldest hostellers in the States, shares tales from her journey around the world with her husband, four kids and one Buick in the 1960s. Feb 7th

Shon Meckfessel, author of Shuffled How it Gosh: A North American Anarchist in the Balkans, discusses traveling in the Balkans and the Middle East. February 14th.

Don Baragiano, founder of the Seattle based world music group Hejira, talks about the two years he spent in Saudi Arabia. Don will be intertwining musical examples and discussions throughout his talk. Feb 21st

Thoralf Gamlem, author of Step by Step: From Oslo to Trondheim, shares his experiences hiking and hostelling through Norway. February 28th.