Village School Botswana, Africa

When we were in Africa we took school supplies and books to a village school.

The students speak English as well as their native language because the country was once part of the British Empire.

Look closely at this photo and see how many students share computers.

There are between two and four at each place.

The computers are old models brought in from European Schools. It was fun to get to know some of the students, but made me wonder how these kids learn like that.

 

Neuschwanstein Castle - 5,845 miles way

    It was Fall in Bavaria and we took off for Neuschwanstein from Munich because almost everyone does. This is a different view than you usually get, but this is what it looks like from the road up. You will wish to take the shuttle to the top. Even at that, the ride is a tad wild. You can walk down like we did, but be warned that it is steep. The castle is fun, but the view of the valley is wonderful. In the Castle you will find treasures but the are lots of stairs just like all castles.

Warm day/Carousel rides

This man was out hustling  ice cream in a plaza in Granada Spain.

Behind him is a Carousel.

Two things struck me about this.

I am reminded about how much I enjoyed the common life in Granada. It has the Alhambra, but the city is walkable and friendly.

The second thing is the fact that there are still Carousels around Europe. While a few countries in the world have "Eyes" like London, the old school carousel is still going strong: Florence, Paris, and large and small towns.

Granddaughter aboard in a small town in Tuscany.

 

Tourist vs. Travelers

This is the front of a horse cart in Seville.

This is one of most beautiful plazas I have ever seen.

The time you spend on a carriage ride you can spend on a stroll in a park.

We were covering some area in in a park and descovered

The Plaza de Espana with it water features and beautiful tile.

Tourists see the former, Travelers see the latter.

 

Rubbing statues

Any number of cities have myths around rubbing statues. In Verona it is Juliet's breast. In Florence it is the nose of the pig (boar).  On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh it is the foot of a leader. And this one in Munich.

 

And back again

There are cetain familiar places that end up in many photos.

As I fly over Mount Hood Oregon U.S.A, some six times a year,

it is both a mountain and a symbol of an adventure.

    

 

Making a brief trip last four weeks and a life time.

View of Prague from the castle

      Say you have always wanted to visit Prague. Work spoils the desire because you only get one week vacation.

    First buy yourself a good guidebook. We like "Lonely Planet".

    Second, don't just look at the pretty pictures. Read it.

    Third, go to other sources like watching a Rick Steves series or check out                 National  Geographic.

    Four, read Dan Brown's "Secret of Secrets", it is about Prague. 

    Five, check your flights and night's stay. The Internet is a wonderful resourse.

    Remember your passport. No Visa needed for CZ.

    SECOND WEEK; put down general plans and revise and know that it all will         not  be perfect. Revise again

                         FLY TO PRAGURE --- -one day early to beat jet lag.

    Enjoy all the things you want and dream about. Take photos (better if you             keep a journal of photos.) I don't, it takes time to write them down and if you         have an iPhone it remembers for you.  Go to locally suggected places to eat.

     My system is to ask the person at the desk: "If you were going out to a nice            dinner where would it be?  

     Don't spend time in stores to buy trinkets. Do that when you wait for your             plane home and also get rid of local money.

                          FLY HOME

    ONE WEEK to unpack and decompress.

    Every day from then on you will have memories and photos and warm feellings.