Hello! Amanda runs the Rick Steves' Europe social media accounts, but not my personal platforms. I'll be sure to say hi!

Thank you!

...and there's more to come! Register for upcoming live sessions here: www.ricksteves.com/travel-festival.

Agreed!

This is my Christmas gift to my homeless neighbors, to the volunteers who get great joy from helping them…and, yes, to myself. Merry Christmas to all!

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And my neighbors who are cold, wet, hungry, and overwhelmed…are now happy that their humble little refuge — where love gets traction, and prayers are answered — will stay in business.

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And now, I get to partner with the wonderful network of volunteers and caring people who run the Lynnwood Hygiene Center. And — thanks to $400K in community donations — there is funding to develop the center through capital improvements.

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So, I purchased the center and the land it sits on — the best $2 million I can imagine spending.

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It's an invisible need… an invisible center… helping invisible people. Meanwhile, I’m haunted by the invisible impact of the insatiable greed that’s so widespread (and sadly, celebrated) in our multi-millionaire and billionaire class.

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And tragically, once a center like this is gone, it’s hard to imagine it popping up somewhere else in these NIMBY times.

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For an entire community of my down-and-out neighbors, this hygiene center is the only place to take a shower, wash clothes, repair a bike, or get a sweater, blanket, or hot meal…while also enjoying a little bit of community.

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Then, about a month ago, I learned that the only hygiene center in my neighborhood was being shut down. The property was being sold...destined to be developed.

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