Where to go in 2016?

Stairway in Kilkenny, Ireland

 

     Many of the travel websites that I surf have various lists of places we "must see" in 2016. What are the "hot" spots for the traveler in 2016?  Who are they to tell us what our passions, yearnings, and interests are?

     Every year I find my travel "to go" list gets bigger and changes. I talk to friends and their excitement about a trip excites me.  I find a news article that makes me want to go somewhere - or not go somewhere. The list is modified.

     My grandson wants to go to Africa and my Granddaughter wants to go to Harry Potter's England. I think Portugal sounds interesting and while I'm there I need to see Andorra and Spain. But, then again, the Eastern European countries are calling. Yet, I have a bum knee that needs work.

     The truth is that these are problems of the financially blessed. There are millions of people wondering what they are going to do about their hunger.  So, today as I think about the New Year, I ask us all to spend some time just being grateful that we can dream, scheme and plan for our future adventures. Most of us are very fortunate. 



     



Two more pieces of advice:

It is people you meet and the stories they tell.

It is being open to surprises.

     I cannot count the number of times we have gotten lost or been pleasantly surprised by something we did not plan. I believe over-planning is the curse of American travelers. We are concerned with volume. We like to check off boxes. When you travel this way, you come home with lots of pictures of famous places, but you can miss the blessings that can be stepped over.

     We, for example, like Bed and Breakfasts. We have met some fascinating people there: the former police chief of Dingle, a couple from South Africa, Jaki - a woman we will never forget, a fellow Rotarian across the globe who interned at the same hospital where I did my clinical training, a young man who knew more about American government than we do.

     And places recommended by locals. I know people who make all their reservation before going. We ask local folks for their "favorites"-like the cajun fish cafe in the bayou of Louisiana. Then, there are posters like the one advertising celtic music at a church (above) or the local performance of a play. Is it risky? I suppose we could be disappointed although not knowing what to expect usually curbs that.  

     We are sure that many people do not like this style as we read many posts on sites like TripAdvisor where people are trying to nail down every minute of a week-long trip to Austria. That may be fine for others, but having tried another way, we find that adventure is planning for discovering surprises.

Don't go anywhere without them

I do not like to post pictures of myself, but here I am modeling two pieces of clothing that I never fly anywhere without. The first is a black, vinyl roll-up jacket. It packs up to the size of a can of Coca-cola (or Bud, if you prefer). It always rains or turns cool. This coat has gone to more than a dozen countries and been used in every one of them. 

The second is a hat - sun and rain protection. Mine is made of kangaroo (roadkill) and folds to the size of a taco. Sort of Crocodile Dundee.

Picture taken in Honfleur Harbour, Normandy, France  

On the Back of the seat in Front of me...

     One of the best things on long haul flights is the entertainment. I don't really watch movies. I read and listen to music on the earphone. One thing I do watch are the maps showing where we are. (And on the new A380's they have cameras on the tail and underside so you can actually SEE where  you are.) These maps above show two spots in a flight from SFO (San Francisco) to CDG (Paris). As in all of these flights to Europe from San Francisco, the largest body of water flown over is Hudson's Bay. The flight pattern takes the plane over Greenland (which is white) or Iceland (which is brown) or if you are flying to say Berlin or Helsinki you get both.

     The problem with these maps is that they show you how long it takes to get to where you want to go. The good part is that they tell you the cities you can see out the window. 

     

Pictures of foreign food

Girl eats pizza in Normandy, France (no they do not cut it)

     I must confess that I am not drawn to pictures of people eating whether those photos are on Facebook or a blog. Food is meant to be consumed not photographed. 

     People will post a picture of an awesome dish from some cafe that I have not been to nor will likely go to. Just tell me about it, don't send glossies.

      However (there is always an "however") I'd like to mention my feelings about foreign food. First, for all of you that say that English food is not very good, I disagree. I like it. Especially the meat pies. If you don't like traditional English food, the UK has plenty of great other places to eat. Like Indian food eaten on Rathburn Street a few blocks from the British Museum - wow.

     I would also say that nothing beats a full English or Irish Breakfast. I am allergic to fresh tomatoes so I have to pass on them, but the mushrooms, black and white puddings, bacon (Canadian bacon or ham), eggs, and toast (plus fruit) add up to spectacular. Okay, the porridge is not my favorite, but you have to ask for it.

    The black pudding is also known as blood pudding and I love it. If you do not, it is because someone told you what is in it. Like  haggis.

      There is something grand about haggis especially when regally presented.  Even when it is just dropped on a plate I like it. Sure, I know what is in it. Did you ever see a cow butchered? If you have, you have seen worse, and I will bet you still eat steak.

     The Italians know comfort food. The best meal I have had was in Austria. One of the worst was in Liechtenstein, but that was the fault of the cook not the country. 

     Escargot, of course, is snails cooked in garlic butter or some other way. Snails, in themselves are not tasty, but Escarot is about the sauce. 

     Yes, I have eaten lots of Chinese food that I loved until I found out what it actually was, so I stopped asking. That goes for a whole bunch of things. I can only imagine that some Chinese folks would have trouble eating a hotdog if they knew what was in them.

    So, I like to try most everything, and there are foods I don't like - such as peaches and fried grasshoppers. Something about the texture. 

     Bon Appetit.

Intersection reflection

     In cities that grew up from the days of horses and buggies (and in the case of this intersection in Rome -not far from the Forum- where chariots travelled) the streets took on shape of the hills, the land people claimed as their own, and even the paths the animals walked. Thus, when compared to planned Twenty-first Century communities, you get some complex intersections. In those intersections you get odd pieces of land and in a major city it is expensive. So, you use it. In many older locations you see "flat-iron buildings" that point to the place where streets come together. I am particularly drawn to them as interesting pieces of architecture. 

     

Christmas Eve Full Moon as seen from Portland, Oregon U.S.A.

Getting out of the car after returning from Christmas Eve services and dinner with our family at my daughter's home, Marietta grabbed her camera for this shot. Merry Christmas.

The Pittock Mansion, Portland, Oregon Christmas Fundraiser tour

Zoo Lights, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

Every year the Portland Zoo decorates with lights and gobs of people come to see them. Because parking is an issue, we suggest that you park at a MAX (the rapid transit train) station in Beaverton or Downtown and take the train into the Washington Park Station. The kids like the lights and the ride. 

Pretty Paris Prison

Two views of the Concierge in Paris which housed prisoners, not the least of which was Marie Antoinette. The lower photo shows a replica flat boat in the Seine in front of the building. It is  very pretty building and one has to be told what it was used for as it does not look like a jail. Of interest to me is that the jail in Dublin, this building, the Tower of London and other old European jails are major tourist attractions today. (These photos were taken just hours apart which also shows how quickly the weather and light change in Paris.)

The Winter Solstice

Just as at Newgrange, these standing stones at Kenmare, Ireland were likely set to measure the movement of the sun and to celebrate the Winter Solstice or the "Rebirth of the Sun". One can see why the church set the birth of Jesus at this time. It was a great pagan celebration of renewal. It is not the season when "shepherds are out in their fields feeding their flocks by night" - which is more likely Spring or even Summer.  In any case, It is time for the days to grow longer.

Ready for the Winter Solstice at Newgrange

No trip to Ireland is complete without going to Newgrange and walking inside to see how an ancient people celebrated the rebirth of the sun. One warning, it is not easy for large people or for people with fear of enclosed places.

Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton National Park, Canada

We have visited many of the great National Park hotels in the United States and Canada.  We have also stayed in a couple. Our experience has been that the lobbies and the places to eat (and drink) are beautiful and worth a visit. The rooms, however, because the hotels are older, are not as good as other places near them. Our advice is stay in at least one. Visit them all. Have tea at the the Prince of Wales. Stay at something near by.

Candid versus staged photos

Candid photo of Mike people watching in St.Peter's Square, Vatican

Staged photo of Maddie eating escargot in Rouen, France 

If you are like me, you have taken a whole bunch of pictures of people standing somewhere with a famous landmark or pretty scene behind them. Everyone in those photos looks a little stiff. It is much more fun to catch someone in a candid moment enjoying a view or doing something interesting. Then, there is a third photo which is staged. These are like someone holding back the Leaning Tower or picking up the Empire State Building. Sometimes you can just ask someone to reenact their reaction to a new taste treat. Maddie, by the way, did not dislike escargot that much.  

The Sundial Bridge, Redding, California USA

It really works as a sundial, but the bridge is pretty in itself. Foot and bike traffic only.

Favorite Places: Iona Abbey

 

One of the top places on my "bucket list" was the Abbey on the Isle of Iona off the coast of Scotland. You get there by taking a train to Oban, a ship to Mull, a bus down Mull, and a ferry across to Iona. We stayed two days and in the late evening we went to a vesper service. The worship leader's message was on the gift of hospitality. They welcomed us with open arms. I would not have missed this for the world. The cemetery is full of Vikings and the last resting place of Macbeth.

Photo from archive

Graffiti

There is graffiti everywhere. The worst is probably in Rome or maybe Los Angeles. In Paris it tends not to be "tagging" like on box cars in the United States. It is often a small work of art. In this photo there is some graffiti. An artist has changed the do not enter sign into a man carrying a board. Clever. This sign is in front of a cafe where we had lunch just outside the Luxembourg Gardens. 

Where to spend rainy afternoon

          I was reading a novel last evening and one of the characters asked another, "Where is your favorite place to be?" The second character answered that he loved the pasture behind his house best: it was the place he met his wife, where they got married, and where they were to be buried some day.

              I have lots of favorite spots. It depends on what I am doing. If it is hiking my favorite would be The Dolomites or Yosemite. If it is Christmas, it would be in Portland, Oregon with family. 

              On a rainy day, I can think of no better place than at a wine bar on the road into Kilkenny, Ireland. Sure, you think of Ireland and beer, but this place specializes in wine and small plates of food. It is warm and you can look out the large front window at people going by. It is just nice. The Grapevine Wine and Tapas Bar, 4 Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny, Ireland

Garbage Trucks of Western Europe

 Paris, France

 Rome, Italy

 Kilkenny, Ireland

London, England

...because they were there...

San Francisco in December

It was an overcast day last week, but it was in the high 60's in San Francisco. We were at Union Square and on our way to Maiden Lane when I passed this flower bed. The photo is looking Southwest toward Macy's. The palm trees are all lighted and ready for the holidays - Hanukkah celebration was just starting. It was busy and full of life. iPhone photo.

Ice Rink, Union Square, San Francisco

We were into "The City" yesterday on business and concluded the day with looking at the stores around Union Square, having a drink at the Westin Clock Bar, watching the skaters, listening to jazz and having dinner from a food truck at Winter Walk - Sutter Street is a pedestrian mall this winter. You will note the heavy coats -it was 68 degrees! 

Favorite Photos: Interior of British Museum

You may have seen a photo similar to this before. That would be because it is taken from a small window in an upper story of the original building of the British Museum. While walking around, suddenly there it is, and you have to take that photo. Also of interest to me is that around the right side of the stairway, near those old columns, is a place of refreshment which might be called a beer garden.

Hurling Parade, Kilkenny, Ireland

 

Boys on the bus celebrating their hurling victory in Kilkenny (2009). I post this because hurling is - to my mind - the most dangerous sport. These fellas look sane, but watching the games I was never sure.

Remembering summer: Alberta, Canada

It is not that I hate winter, it is just that I like summer better. While this scene would be pretty all decked out in snow, I like the blue and green a tad more. But, that's just me.

Why Travel?

This is a picture of my wife walking up to a castle in Ireland. Certainly seeing places like this is a good reason for traveling. Yet, I have even better ones. When I travel I do not have to make the bed every morning - it's true - I leave the room after breakfast and when we get back the "Bed Fairy" has cleaned up the room. Another reason is that I do not have to wash dishes while traveling. Honest. I just get up from a meal and someone else clears the table and washes the dishes. You can't beat that.

Rome is Hard On Atheists

Rome is filled with wonderful churches and places of worship. An atheist has a hard time missing them. While many Romans do not attend church, they nearly all claim to be of faith. While churches do not create faith, a view like the one above just might. It is sunset over Rome. That is St. Peter's in the Vatican to the left of center. This photo was taken from the rooftop garden of the Hotel Dianna near the Termini. We were sharing bread and wine which made it seem even more like communion.

Packing Tips

     This is my wife's suitcase packed for a three week summer European trip. The case is a 27" on four wheels. We like the four wheeled variety as they can be pushed along in airport waiting lines, and also dragged on two wheels when needed.

     You will note that it is not full or expanded. That is to leave room for new clothing and other purchases. The clothing taken is multi-purpose and in complementary tones - she wears blue with beige. I take blue with black. We both wear a coat with a dressy look. Mine is a sport travel sport coat. We both have roll up pouch rain jackets.

      We always take a hat - one that is crushable. It is important protection in sun or rain. We generally carry enough clothing to last one half a trip. In this case, about 10 days. On the 10th day we find a laundry that washes and folds our clothing. We take things in around 9 am and it is back by 5 pm. If that will not work, we also carry a small bottle of washing detergent. Most of our clothing will dry over night.

     You will notice the paper in the lid. It is our itinerary with our contact information (including the number of the international cell phone we carry) so any lost luggage can be gotten to us and not just returned home...we are not at home!

     We do each have a small carry on with medications and personal care items, but we can always buy things like aspirin overseas. The hotels provide shampoo etc. There are no Third World Countries in Europe. You can buy things there. Medications and other items are often cheaper anyway. Plus, a dental floss container in Italian is a neat thing to bring back. 

     One thing that is not evident in the photo is that clothing is generally rolled and it saves space. Also shoes are good places to stuff things into.

     We do not travel light because it is less costly. We travel light because it allows us to cover more ground without grunting. 

     

San Francisco gets ready for Christmas

Union Square in San Francisco gets ready every year for Christmas 

with a tree lighting and skating rink.

Saks Fifth Avenue is ready too.

Northern California Fall Sky

Fall sunset in Northern California USA - Photo by Mike McLellan

Pardon me, sir, but you can't take that picture...

So, you are in the Sistine Chapel and no photos are allowed, but everyone is taking them. You cannot take a photo of Michelangelo's David at the Academia in Florence, but lots of people do. Then, on the other hand, people were taking all sorts of photos in museums in Paris and no one asked them not to. Interestingly the places that prohibit photos also sell big books of pictures in their gift shops, but that would not be the reason for the rule... I confess that I took the picture above in Muckross House on the Western Coast of Ireland. I was in the kitchen at the end of the tour. I saw this platter on the fireplace and it is exactly like one we have. I could not keep myself from it... and then I heard it, "Pardon me, sir, but you can't take that picture..." It should be "you should not take that picture.." or "you may not take that picture..." but you can see I could and did. I am deeply sorry.