Traveling to Southern Africa

    Southern Africa is a 25 hour flight by way of Paris. We didn't want that so we broke it up with four days in Belgium on the way and three days in Amsterdam on the way back.

    Our trip south include South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

   We went to experience it not to just look at it. Many misconceptions were dashed. Yes, any of the black Africans speak tribal languages, but in the south many speak English because they were British Colonies and it is taught in school. There are not a bunch of naked people running around or wearing beige. The men like colorful short-sleeved shirts and long pants. It is hot. Women tend to wear dresses with full skirts in the heat. But, don't think everyone dresses like this either.

    There are not animals everywhere. You have to look for them or, in our case with a pack of elephants, they find you.

    The joy is going without predetermined ideas and remember the countries have modern cities. Johannesburg has a great mall, but shopping is not why you go to Africa. (Photo is on a reserve in Botswana.)

The Sea of Tarifa, Spain

    You likely have seen a view from the Sea of Tarifa. From a ship there you can get a great photo of the Rock of Gibraltar. In the background is Spain. I took this photo from the balcony of the Rock Hotel. This is where The Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.

LA Alhambra, Granada SPain

Read before you go is a motto worth keeping.

I have mentioned Dan Brown's books on Paris and Prague.

One of my favorites is "The City of Falling Angels" about Venice

and the fire at the La Fenice Opera House.

There are plenty of guides about these places but they come clear in these novels.

The Alhambra in Granada Spain is like that.

Washington Irving wrote "Rip Ban Winkle" and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

but he also wrote "The Tales of the Alhambra" and there is a plaque 

in the room where he stayed.

 

Holyrood House

The Royal Family owns some prime real estate in Great Briton.  Most famous are Buckingham, Balmoral, and Windsor. The official residence in Edinburgh sits below Arthur's Seat at the end of the Royal Mile. Like all places owned by the crown you have to pay admission. Public places like the British Museum are free. We encourage you to tour Holyrood to see the historical objects and to talk with the docents. Of note, as well, it is right across the street from the new parliament building. Which is a statement unto itself.

THE COAST OF OREGON

We live in California near the Pacific Coast. We have had the opportunity to visit many coastal  areas around the world, but none is better than the coast of Oregon. (We have a second place in Portland.)  I suspect that it is the rough coastline and the whales. Or, maybe it is the fact that there are fewer people there. It is a rocky coast with some nice places to set up. Not like the coast of California or those along the southern U.S. states with their busy miles of white sand and warmer water. I have always felt that rather than swimming these places in Oregon are best to look at on an unhurried walk  and for collecting polished gemstones. This is a place for spending time near the surf and sharing life with the gulls.

 

 

Occupational Comparison

    Many of my friends, socially and professionally, are physicians. I never asked them if they visited hospitals when on vacation trips. I suppose not. But, I am clergy and I feel compelled to visit every church - big or small - to see "How they do it?"  I have truly enjoyed these visits, talks with other clergy, and worship in dozens of churches around Europe and the United States. In America my favorite is likely the Baptist church where Martine Luther King was pastor in Montgomery Alabama. It is difficult to pick one in Europe, but we have been to mass at Notre Dame in Paris three times. (I am Presbyterian.) This is a photo of a service. 

The BIG Surprise: Sirmione

    On the to the second to last day in traveling a four-country circle road trip in the heart of Europe we stayed at a wonderful family-run hotel on the shore of Lake Como. Our plan was for a short drive to Verona to stay the night before flying to Paris. We were early. The navigator using her guidebook of Lonely Planet saw a great visit off our planned route to the town of Sirmione. It is a wonderland of castles and views of La Garda.  We met this hippo in the center of the village. We walked the streets and enjoyed every moment of it -- until I paid the tab for lunch. In my pocket was the key to the safe back at the hotel in Como. Our passports were safe! Off we went and saw the city of Bergamo (home of San Pellegrino water) the third time. The passports were waiting for us, and we got to Verona on time for dinner, but the little Mercedes we rented zipped at high speed; the rush of air ridding the driver of his "sweat'.