Week 3: My First Clients

If my little family and I could settle in Indonesia, if we could make a living by introducing this beautiful country to tourists from all over the world, if the money we raise could help the children of our village build a better future — these are the dreams that carry me forward. The project has officially launched. I announced it on social media on Tuesday, and shared it privately with some of my contacts over the rest of the week. I also started reaching out by email to French associations for the visually impaired. As I write these lines, fifteen first clients have already come forward to travel with us next summer. I'm thrilled with these results. We're still a long way from my final goal of forty, but the early momentum is encouraging.

Former podcast guests are joining the adventure

I'm thrilled that two heroes from Voyages à l'aveuglette (Travels Blindfolded) will be part of the first wave of travelers we'll take wandering along the roads of Java in 2027. An Esperanto speaker and a Breton musician — those are the activities that define them. If you're a loyal listener of the podcast, you'll know right away who I'm talking about. For everyone else, you'll have to wait until next July to learn more about them through the lines of this weekly journal. I had long phone conversations with them over the course of the week, and those discussions let me fine-tune some organizational details. In particular, we talked about health issues that often come alongside visual impairment, like difficulty walking long distances or performing certain complex movements. These conversations led me to consider building groups based on physical ability, and also to plan for satisfying alternatives during each activity for those who might not feel up to doing all of it.

New faces are knocking at the door

My social media outreach didn't only reach people close to me or folks I already knew beforehand. No fewer than four people I'd never spoken to before got in touch. This proves to me that the concept stands on its own, and that I'm not just attracting friends who join because they enjoy my company. What I'm really selling, first and foremost, is Indonesia and the sense of getting away from it all. I'll need to strengthen my appeal to this part of the audience if I want to reach my goals. I should also note that none of the associations for the visually impaired I emailed have responded to my outreach yet. I'm hoping it's just a matter of time and that my approach with these organizations will pay off in the days ahead — otherwise the pre-registration count will struggle to keep climbing.

Muslims are answering my call

For those who don't know yet, Java Horizon caters to two types of travelers. First, we offer fully secular trips designed for blind and visually impaired travelers, focused on the food, music, and all the brand-new sensations that Java has in store for its visitors. Second, we also offer Muslim travelers without any particular disability the chance to discover the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world. Visiting mosques, immersing yourself in the intense spirituality of this far-off corner of Southeast Asia — the experience is deeply enriching for a believer. My friends from Angers and the surrounding area, whom I've had the chance to meet through my religious activities, didn't hesitate for a second to jump on my offer. I can't wait to bring them into my world and let them feel the inspiring atmosphere that lives under these latitudes. A unique atmosphere that has marked me for life.

Coming up this week

The communication campaign continues. A few more days and I'll have finished reaching out to my contacts and to organizations for the visually impaired operating in France. After that, it'll be time to open up internationally. I'll already be more than happy if five more people join our community of curious explorers. As I mentioned above, I'd love for strangers living far from where I am to be won over by my introduction email and reach out to book their spot. Let's talk again next Monday to see whether that wish has come true or not.