Photoessay #2807 - Binolcular Vision

I read this book on the advice of a friend. By the end of this short story collection, I was hooked. All of these stories are gems, short fiction, beautifully put together. Sometimes I'm leary of short stories because they can read so twisted or brutal. The author fills this book with delicate descriptions, characters you meet and care about.

 I've arranged to purchase a copy as I return this copy to the library. I've had it a long time. I would read one story at a sitting. Some characters recur. Judaism is a theme. One of my favorite stories was about a child participating in her parent's ongoing Torah study group with the rabbi, cantor and head of the religious school. Which really is a poker game.

So here's my burning question. Naomi wants to do some study abroad. She's picked out a four week program in Scotland featuring elementary education. Tuition and room are $3300. They offer transportation from the airport and some excursions. But there's these value-added companies. That you sign up with and, as far as I can tell, you don't really get anything except maybe better transportation from the airport and a few more excursions with an upcharge of $1000-2500. When Naomi went to an informational program about Study Abroad, they told her she had to 'pick her company' and she received many thick glossy catalogs. I'm paying for most of this but not all of it. Our question, what do you have to go with a 'company'? Why not just sign up and go????