Black Friday stroll over the Golden Gate Bridge

On Friday (yesterday) we walked over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco to the Waldo Grade. It was a clear day before the rains came. There were protests in the city and it took us four hours by BART and bus to get to San Francisco and these shots were taken as the sun was setting. It was a good day. We did, however, miss the lighting of the Union Square Tree as there were protests there as well.

Black Friday

Black Friday at San Francisco's Union Square 2013 -  will report on 2014 tomorrow.

What to take/not take on a European Vacation

      The many travel sites that I monitor have nice lists on what and how to pack for a European vacation. Some people tell you how to use a carry-on bag for a month long trip. Others have a handy list of things you might need like duct-tape and Ziploc bags.
     Here are my suggestions. Don't take a nickle-and-dime attitude. The difference between counting the cost of everything and just being sensible is very little money and a huge amount of freedom. You can spend your whole time fussing about the cost of getting a 3-day museum pass in Paris, or you can spend the extra money and skip the long line of tourists waiting to get in. Your time is worth more.
     It is true that a carry-on makes for faster traveling, but if the reason you are sticking with it is the cost ($50?) then you are worrying about the wrong thing. I will guess you will spend more than that on things you do not need.
     Take a sense of humor. Traveling is a little stressful, but if you cannot laugh at missing a bus or making a wrong turn you are not ready to discover the joy hidden in the misadventure.
     Take along a sense of wonder. Ugly Americans are those that carry with them a yardstick based on what they have at home. When you stop trying to see if the new places measure up to your expectations you will be amazed at wonderful new things.
     Keep your loud voice at home. People in Austria who speak German do not understand English whether it is whispered or shouted. Americans are, in my opinion, louder than others except for drunk Italians.  
     Do not take a tight schedule. I know people who have a huge checklist for each day and rush around making sure they do it all. Sitting at a small, outside table looking up at the Alps in the Sud Tyrol for two hours - sipping a crisp Pinot Grigio - beats hitting four churches during the same time. You will remember the wine.

Roman floors

These are photos of floors in Rome.

It is so thrilling to look up at the marvelous Italian ceilings that we rarely look down.

The builders spent a good deal of time making those floors just as wonderful as the rest of the buildings.

These floors are of stone and marble. Some in Venice are delightful parquet. No matter, the floors tell the story of the generations that walked over them.

The third picture down shows four holes. These are drain holes. The floor is in the Pantheon which has a open circular roof. Water can enter when it rains and thus the drain is necessary.


Many floors in the churches are actually covers for crypts of beloved priests. The major tombs in the walls are reserved for wealthy patrons.

Crater Lake, Oregon

 From 25,000 feet.

Oregon and Washington - like the same latitude in Europe such as England, Scotland and Ireland - are often under a cloud cover. It is why they are so green, lush and beautiful when the clouds clear.

Sunday: Presbyterian Church, Downtown Dublin, Ireland

We made sure we knew where the Presbyterian Church was and the hour of worship. There are not many Protestant Churches in Dublin's center city. When we got to the church a note on the door said the whole congregation was on a retreat in County Wicklow. Thus, we went to the Church of Ireland which is near to the Episcopal Church and they were very welcoming.

The Presbyterian Church building was having tower work done (see picture).

The Best Airline

Various websites ask us to name the best airline. The answers really depend on subjective factors. I have not flown them all. One experience on a specific airline may or may not reflect all other flights. 

The picture above is the "Tinkerbell" flight of Alaska Airlines. We have flown Alaska a good deal as they go where we want to go domestically. They serve complementary wine and micro-brew beer and are almost always on time. We find them consistent.

One of my favorites is Virgin Atlantic to London. They seem to get it right for us. Flying to the continent we have had good fortune with Air France.

I do not like Aer Lingus or Alitalia based on one bad experience with each. I have found United and Continental/Delta passable. 

I hear good things about Swiss Air, but we have not flown with them.

In the end, I have a half dozen frequent flyer cards and have only earned enough for perks on Alaska as my other miles are lost because I do not use them. Maybe I should be more loyal.

               

                 

What's in a name?

Photo by my traveling companion of 48 years: Marietta McLellan

We have been to a couple of coliseums. This one in Rome is older than the one in which we 

watched the Olympics in Los Angeles. This one is in a more interesting neighborhood too.

There are so many friends in this world masquerading as strangers

The more I travel in the United States and other countries, the more I am surprised at how we are all alike. I meet new friends every day. One supposes that that is an attitude as much as a reality. Maybe this does not happen to shy people, although I think it does if they let it. There are interesting and interested people everywhere.

Sculpture on this theme in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Downtown Dublin

Building to the left is the Post Office which was the pivotal location of the

revolution ending in the independence of the Irish Republic.

I took this picture from the top of a double-decked red bus. 

Polo field in the middle of Dublin

How many cities have a polo field in the park at their center? Dublin does...

Liechtenstein - small and bland

Castle at the top and me outside the main building in the rain in bottom photo

 

Liechtenstein is a small country sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland without the pizzazz of either. It is one of those places that you feel a need to check off your European check list. but you will have to pay for the stamp in your passport. I am sure that the locals love it there and maybe I was expecting too much, but driving through was enough for me. However, I still got lost in one of the world's smallest countries. Maybe that is something of which to be proud.

St. James, Dingle, Ireland - Sunday - Church Day

Music in the church

Piazza Narvona: Look at those funny tourists

Looking at the Piazza Narvona, Rome

 

Look closely at top picture and you will see that I was being watched (see 12 and 11 o'clock). I think 11 o'clock may have just taken a shower.

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maconthemove

San Francisco

     There are many websites that have travelers list the ten best cities in the world. Lately I have seen two where one listed Florence, Italy and the other listed Paris, France. There are others that have different opinions. New York often comes in near the top.
     London is always high on the list as are Rome and Venice.
     These are all great cities, but when the balloting is done, one city is beloved by most everyone who visits there. That place is San Francisco.
     Wherever we go, when people ask us where we live, we say near San Francisco. Some people do not like Americans. California often gets you a few points, but almost everyone wishes they could visit San Francisco - or visit again. They tell us how they envy us.
     While lost in Bolzano, Italy (in the alps - it is where the "Iceman" has his museum), we stopped for lunch and some directions. Once inside the cafe we were surprised at the "American" decor. And, right over the center of the counter was a huge picture of Goldengate Bridge. I asked about it and as best as I could understand the Italian being spoken, it was the owner's dream to go there.  He understood we lived near San Francisco and we thus took on some of SF's magic.
     It is a great city.

Baghdad by the Bay

Arctic blast - means more up north than in Central California

This picture of a glacier was taken on the Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada on the way to Jasper National Park.  It was taken in the summer. Even then we needed a jacket and a sweater. Flash forward to today 11-12-2014, the temperature at noon was 3 degrees (F). Arctic blast for sure.

Buckingham Palace

We were watching the PBS special on the Queen's houses and it was on Buckingham Palace. The commentator said it is the building everyone wants to see most in London. My wife disagreed and said that her top building is the Tower of London. I had to admit that mine was Westminster Abbey.

I find Buckingham Palace to look like a large federal building in Washington D.C.

Regarding the Queen's houses, the best by far is Balmoral Castle near Crathie Scotland.

Why I do this blog and why I want to take my grandchildren traveling...

      My daughters, at one time, complained about the number of "Indian ruins" we forced them to march through in New Mexico and Arizona. They enjoyed going up the Eastern Seaboard and visiting Washington D.C., but to them every Civil War battle site looked alike. They enjoyed the Olympics, but our limits on spending put a damper on some things.
     When it came time to be on their own, they took off for Europe and South America with little encouragement. They saw new things and encountered different people. They displayed the courage to travel.
      Indeed, travel takes courage. It means putting aside your xenophobia and belief that what you consider the norm is the best. It means trying new things and being comfortable enough with yourself to have confidence without slipping into bravado. Travel takes trusting in yourself and in the goodness of others.
     So, I urge my friends to step outside their comfort zone, and challenge my grand-children to trust us that we will show them great mysteries that will be theirs all of life.
     People who travel, have a broader view... and do better on Jeopardy!

Petting Manta Rays

St.Martin in The Fields - Sunday is church day

Everyone knows about after worship coffee hour. At St. Martins in London it is held in the crypt under the sanctuary. It really is a crypt and has a café too along with a place to do stone rubbings. St. Martins is the home of the famous music academy and if you listen to classical music you know them well. And, it is a friendly worshiping community to boot. We marked "regular visitor" on the registration pad as we have been to church there whenever in London.

Bellagio

This is Bellagio Italy as seen across the inlet. Does it look like Las Vegas to you?

London: Helpful Hints for First Time Visitors

A walk through Kensington Garden along the path dedicated to Princess Dianna.

Some hints for first time visitors to London:

1) We speak the same language (almost) but do not expect London to be just like the United States only older. It is not. If you want hamburger go to Los Angeles. If you want to have Shepherd's Beef Pie head over to Rathburn Street in Soho.

2) You cannot see it all. Make a list and prioritize it. The British Museum is wonderful. You can give it a morning and then walk down to Trafalgar and visit the National Gallery. With lunch and tea that will take a day. While you are there, you will be close to the Theatres, so have a nice dinner and catch a play. "The Mousetrap" it is still playing at St. Martins.

3) The Hop On Hop Off Bus is great. Take it all the way around the circles without getting off as a great introduction. Make sure it has a live narration not a recording. It includes a boat tour on the Thames. Good overview.

4) Do not miss the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. Hint about the Tower: it opens at 10 so get there at 9:45 a.m. and get your tickets. Get in line and when it opens go directly across to the Crown Jewels. You will not have to wait. Then work your way back to the front gate.

5) Do not go shopping on Oxford Street - there are the same shops in other, less crowded places, but if you have time visit Harrods Department Store and especially see the food court.

6) My favorite museum is the Victoria and Albert. It is a nice place to have lunch, as well. Easy bus ride out there. In fact, always take the bus. You will see more than on the Underground.

7) If you are a reader make sure you visit Kings Cross Station for Harry Potter and then walk down to the house of Charles Dickens ( they are close).

8) A worthwhile adventure is to take the bus to the Albert Memorial and walk the trail through Kensington Gardens. These were once the Royal hunting grounds. You can catch a bus back on the other side.
9) If you have flown into New York and taken the cab to a hotel in near Central Park, you will be surprised at how far out (and how long it takes) to go from Heathrow to a hotel near the University of London. Give yourself time. { There is a fast train that goes from LHR to Paddington Station and then you can take a cab reasonably to most places in the center. You can also take the Piccadilly Line on the Underground  into the city for far less money. If you carry lots of luggage, forget the Underground.}
10) Stick with the South African wines if you are a wine drinker. It is a bargain. Otherwise, remember that beer and whiskey are the drugs of choice in England (although gin is very popular too).



JULY 2015 - Visit Normandy

I do a vast amount of research before a trip. I do not plan so much as educated myself. Then when I go I let it just happen. It is on person's style and not for everyone.

Rental Cars

Having driven in Ireland, England, Scotland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland (plus U.S., Mexico and Canada) I would rate Ireland highest on the nerves level. They charge big time for rental insurance and know you are going to hit a hedge row. Italy comes in second because even the smaller towns have restricted zones and one way streets that will cost you big time if you break the law - and they will track you down through the rental the company. Easiest is Canada for someone from U.S., but get a bigger car than I did last time. Finally, nothing beats driving through the Italian Alps and surviving.

Ireland

Canada The Italian Alps

Dingle Harbor, Ireland

View of Dingle Harbor and Atlantic Ocean - MM

 

How'd you like to spend Monday morning walking that coastline instead of going to work?

 

During our hike we saw the local dolphin who lives in the harbor and took the advice of the local Chief of Police as to where to go to catch the best views. It was a nice morning stroll while our clothes were washed and folded by a local day laundry. Then it was off to a pub for lunch.

Trinity College Chapel, Dublin - Sunday is church day

 

Beautiful chapel in a beautiful college in a beautiful county.

Many famous folks graduated from Trinity like:

 Jonathan Swift, George Berkeley, Edmund Burke, Oliver Goldsmith, William Molyneux,

William Congreve, Edward Hincks, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett

Let's talk airports

     The second thing you need to consider after which airline is how you are going to do in the airport. Some of them are user friendly and others are not. Calgary  (YYC) in Alberta, Canada is beautiful and easy to get around. It has nice shops and places to eat. It is not a bad place for a layover.
     Portland International (PDX) is a favorite. It is easy to fly in and out of and easy to pick someone up.
     My least favorites are Chicago O'Hare, Sea-Tac, LAX and Newark.
     On my okay list are the Air France Terminal (just the AF Terminal) in Paris, Denver, New Orleans, San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco and John Wayne (Orange County).
     I like Atlanta, but not many agree.
     The best small airport I've been in was probably Verona, Italy.
     The toughest to get around is, in my opinion, Dublin, although I have not been there since they opened the new terminal.
     JFK is huge, but if you only have to deal with a single domestic terminal it is better.
     Boston Logan is not bad inside, but tough to get to downtown in rush hour. The new tunnel should help.
     Much debated is Heathrow in London, but every time I have been there is was just fine. But, it could just be that I was in (or actually near) London.
     The only one I consider a little unnerving is Lindbergh in San Diego where it feels like you take off straight up.
     It is true that Leonardo da Vinci (FCO) is way too far outside of Rome.
     There are a couple of others, but in general, the airport can make a big difference in the pleasure or pain of your flight.