South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Pedrique recalls family travels
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, actress Ariana Ron Pedrique was busy filming “Ayar” in various parts of Los Angeles where she lives. “‘Ayar’ is a feature film about a Latina who returns home after an unsuccessful showbiz career in Vegas to reunite with her 5-year-old daughter,” she said. “Playing Ayar was special to me (and) peeling back all the layers of such an interesting and fully dimensional character was fascinating. She’s a strong-willed woman who is willing to face all her demons (and) hoping to amend the relationship with her daughter. This is also a story about survival, regret, forgiveness and rebirth.” “Ayar” will release in theaters on Nov. 26.
Q: What are some of your memories about growing up in Venezuela?
A: When I was a kid, my family would take me to Isla Margarita. We would go to all these beautiful beaches and eat empanadas for breakfast down at the seashore. This is by far one of the best memories I have of growing up in Venezuela. Also, all the Christmas parties at home with my family, listening to our holiday music while eating all sorts of delicious food, memories of us decorating the house together — I’ll never forget!
Q: What kind of trips did you take during this pandemic?
A: My husband and I wanted to do something we’d never done before and decided to go on a road trip to Sequoia Park and Yosemite. We stayed at a charming Airstream hotel surrounded by trees and campfires. One day, we found ourselves surrounded by deer! I couldn’t believe how peaceful they were and how spectacular the experience was. We’re definitely going back this year.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: I love Playa del Carmen in Mexico. It’s so beautiful. I totally recommend it! And to someone going there for the first time, I would say — eat breakfast at La Cueva del Chango, snorkel in Playa El Cielo (in Cozumel), and don’t miss the seven-color lagoon at Bacalar.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child?
A: When I was six months old, my parents took me to Oricao, a beach club in La Guaira (Venezuela). I know that because my parents took a picture of me with no teeth and a pink polka-dot swimsuit, which my mom likes to show to everyone. My family would go there every year. We would play in the hydrotubes and water slides all day long.
It was one of my favorite places in the world.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: I would love to live in a beautiful bungalow in Bali for a month (and) give myself the time to just enjoy life. Also, ever since I was a kid, I’ve always dreamed of going to Egypt and riding a camel.
Q: What kind of research do you do before you go on a trip?
A: Lately, I’ve been enjoying traveling comfortably. So, now I look for the best possible schedules when considering buying a ticket. I check in early, do my bags a couple of days in advance. I like to review some of the places we can visit. But I also want to go with the flow and let myself marvel at the experience.
Q: What is your best vacation memory?
A: When my husband and I went to Honolulu to celebrate our engagement. It was our first time there. We rented a car and traveled all over the city to all the beaches we could find. It was very adventurous and romantic. We loved it!
For more from the reporter, visit www.jaehakim.com.
A: I’m sorry to hear about your personal circumstances. Airlines should be sensitive to the needs of their customers. After all, we taxpayers were sensitive to their needs during the pandemic, lavishing them with more than $60 billion in federal aid. How about a little reciprocity?
But your situation is different. Delta changed your departure time by 1 hours. The Department of Transportation, which regulates U.S. air carriers, says you are entitled to a refund if there’s a “significant” schedule change. But there’s a catch. DOT doesn’t define what constitutes a “significant” change.
“Whether you are entitled to a refund depends
on many factors — including the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances,” it notes. “DOT determines whether you are entitled to a refund following a significant delay on a case-by-case basis.”
In other words, Delta probably owed you a refund for your changed flight, especially in light of BART’s weekend schedule. It should have offered you a choice of an e-credit or a full refund. It didn’t.
I recommended that you send a brief, polite appeal to Delta Air Lines. I publish the names, number and email addresses of Delta’s customer service executives on my nonprofit consumer advocacy site at elliott.org/company-con