Grocery Store Parking Lot, Cortina. Italy

          When we travel, we pack an ice chest. It folds and only takes up the space in our luggage of a shirt. So, when we are driving the back roads we can pack a lunch and picnic somewhere. In The Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy, we stopped at grocery store in Cortina to buy bread, cheese etc.  The parking lot had a stream running along and under it with a lovely waterfall. It almost seemed too nice to leave. 

Man of La Mancha

 Figure next to windmill door.

One of the many windmills.

South of Madrid, high on a hill next to a fortress and overlooking a sleepy town, the windmills

can be seen for miles. A lovely sight which would make you start humming a song.

"To dream the impossible..."

The Victoria and Albert Museum, London

  

   When in London we have stayed in a boutique hotel across from the British Museum. It is very convenient to everything. Because of that we have been in the British Museum several times. It is free to get in as are most other venues not owned by the Queen.

     An easy bus ride away is the Victoria and Albert which is very different from other places. It focuses more on art from around the world. There is a lovely central court/pond and a very good cafe. As a glass artist, I was especially taken by the giant work hanging in the front rotunda. It is a wonderful work of blown glass which I estimate to be over twenty-five feet long. It was a temporary exhibit. It is just a sample of the surprises at the V&A. You will also be amazed at the sculpture hall.

Barcelona Magic

Along the streets and tourist areas, men appear to have laid out rugs with various items for sale. The rugs have ropes attached to their four corners. If the police come near they grab the ropes, tied in the center, and they magically have a bag which they carry away. The items are attached to the rug and will easily be laid out once again when the coast is clear. These men are not licensed and know that they can be cited. But, it is how they make a small living. Barcelona scarfs are popular. This can also be seen in places in Italy and France where tourists are.

The Roman Forum

     The Roman Forum is best described as the old downtown of Rome. One could wonder why they didn't take better care of it. In a way it is a mess. Broken pieces here and there. The bottom photo includes a view of a newer monument in the background. This monument is known by the locals as the Wedding Cake and it may be the answer to why folks let ruins be ruins. The Forum is history and weathered time. In its falling apart it tells a story of an empire that fell apart. The Romans thought they were special, a big deal, led by leaders who were big deals. Even big deals fall part. 

     In its disrepair, the Forum tells a story of the past and warns about the future.

     When in Rome, you must walk the paths in the Forum. If it is a sunny summer day you need a hat and sunscreen. There is little shade.

La Bonne Franquette

     There are a great many pictures many food on the internet.  People post them on Facebook and Instagram and e-mail them to friends. It is easy when you have a smart phone with a good lens. I have this photo saved to my camera and computer. It was from a very nice restaurant on Mont Martre in Paris. The cafe is surrounded by artists and some wonderful views of the city. I have no recollection of why I took the photo or actually what this dessert is. Granted that every lunch is accompanied by wine, but I do not think that is why I don't remember.  I guess that this photo presented itself as an opportunity to remember the restaurant by capturing the name on the plate. I am a Top Contributor to TripAdvisor and it is often easy to forget to post. As I recall, everything at L Bonne Franquette was just fine. 

Knights Templar

This church Segovia Spain - and seen in this view from atop the Alcazar - is

reportedly a home or center for the Knight Templar. 

"The order, which was among the wealthiest and most powerful, became a favored charity throughout Christendom and grew rapidly in membership and power. They were prominent in Christian finance. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades.^[6] Non-combatant members of the order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom,^[7] developing innovative financial techniques that were an early form of banking,^[8][9] and building fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land."

-Wikipedia 

The Pittock Mansion, Portland, Oregon, USA

Built in 1914 for Henry Pittock, owner of The Oregonian newspaper, and his wife Georgiana the house looks over the city of Portland, Oregon. It is now owned by the city and serves as a museum. The photo above was taken looking south from the north lawn. This was last December during one of Portland's usual overcast days.  The picture can be easily "photo-shopped" into summer, but this is more realistic. It  is an interesting visit and a good way to see the city. There is a charge, some stairs, and a lovely shop selling pretty things.

The Roman Colosseum

A difference view than usual, this is the first sight of the Colosseum when exiting the Forum.

You can tell what day it is by the photo date.

The man in blue in the lower right is a physicist from New Mexico traveling with us.

Violence in Paris

There were several police officers wounded or killed yesterday on the street pictured 

in the second photo.

It is a busy main drag in one of the world's great cities.

The upper photo is one I took of an equally busy place where no police were hurt yesterday. 

My point is that every city, these days, has violence and every city has a place of peace.

We do not allow the potential for harm keep us from experiencing

the wonders of these places - be they Paris, Madrid or San Francisco.

If we are afraid - rather than realistically cautious - the bad guys have won. 

Highland Games

MacLellan tent at the Highland Games in Pleasanton, California U.S.A.

Church Door, Granada Spain

Door of a small church near our  hotel in Granada Spain.

Phoenix and Paris

The City of Phoenix as seen from the mountain south of the city.

Lots of people obviously like it there.

Paris from  Montmartre  and Sacre Coeur Church,

People obviously like Paris.

Sagrada Família

Sagrada Família commenced in 1882 by architect Francisco Paula de Villar with Gaudí,

Gaudi's art is really wonderful and it is nearing completion.  The photos above

are of the wonderful light of the stained glass and below, a detail of the exterior.

We had a good visit, but beware you need a reservation for a time and

there are crowds.

Easter means going to church - for me.

 If someone tells you that they attended church at St. Peter's in Rome, 

you tell them that St. Peter's is not in Rome. It is in The Vatican a different 

nation from Italy.  It is, by the way, one big church.

Then, here is a photo of a church in Italy. It is a neighborhood church

in La Villa in the Dolomites. Impressive in its own way.

Banff, Alberta, Canada

This is one of those "Glad I Took That Photo" times.

A sculpture discovered on a walk in central Banff. 

It is not art, but a reminder of surprises around every corner.

Sex and Prostitution in Barcelona

     This is the Erotic Museum as seen from the entrance to the market off La Rambla in Barcelona. Pretty obvious what they are selling.  Just as obvious were the prostitutes (legal) that we watched working the exit way from the subway. Prostitution is legal as are bordellos, but pimping is illegal. No one, except maybe Americans, gave this all much thought.

France: Art is everywhere

 Small signage in Bayeau Fraance

Window treatment partly empty building, Bayeau

United Airlines-- oops, then oops, then...

     You have likely heard enough about United Airlines lately. I have only flown them twice, so I cannot speak about their quality, but as an observer of the news and the messages of their CEO and PR department I'd like to note what I hear. It is policy ... our people did what they had to do ... good job ... we apologize for what we did ... we should never have hurt that man ... we will be sending all of the passengers their money back.  Hmm, a bad lawyer could get more than that. Why would I fly them when they cannot even get their apologies right?

Rivers: Europe's original lifelines

A tug or tender on the Seine River, mid-city Paris, France.

Even with all of the new highways in Europe, 

the rivers still serve  major transportation purpose.

United Airlines Flight Problems

 Aircraft over London (Photo by Mike McLellan)

Looking down from a A380 over the Atlantic

     The big travel news today is about how United Airlines overbooked a flight out of Chicago and had a physician force-ably removed so they could seat their flight crew who needed to get to Louisville. It is a messy story about what has become a less-than-wonderful way to get places.

     While Jet Blue and Virgin America do not have a policy which would lead to this kind of problem, most other airlines do. They will bump passengers starting with those who paid the least and have the least miles on their airline.

     We have frequent flyer cards for Virgin, Delta, Alaska and Air France. The last three are partners so we can combine miles. We do not fly as often as many, especially those who travel on business, but we do see many hours in airports. Flying is actually a  great way to get somewhere considering the alternatives of driving or taking a ship. Granted that the higher the grade the better it is. Economy can be very uncomfortable for a person my size and age. Economy does not seem as bad for teens and preteens and shorter folks. Then again, I don't know how they actually feel.

     One thing we have learned about flying is that it is a necessary part of travel and we have to prepare for it. First, we have to learn the system and use it. Secondly, we have to be patient. Third, we try to be kind to others including the staff. (Karma is real.) Fourth, we have learned that you have to be flexible - not just in getting into the narrow seats, but in your expectations. Finally, if you know what they promised and what you promised when buying a ticket, you also know when to complain. 

     So, as an example, I was flying home from Paris. My spouse and granddaughter were at the window and aisle (A380) meaning that they had two sets together. I was across the aisle. Seated next to me was a college student from  Austria going to visit a friend in the U.S. We were on Air France (plug).  Both the student and my seat back entertainment screens were not working correctly. I asked that someone might reset the units at the central control panel. I said it was no hurry. Truth is, I did not care except to check on the mileage from time to time, but I felt the first time Austrian flyer might like to watch something. Then appears the Purser who apologized for the problem, had tried to fix it, and offered us either 50,000 mileage points or $50 at the duty-free shop in the airport. I took the miles, the student took the $50. I was happy. The student was happy. The airline did not have a crabby passenger.

     

Generalife, Alhambra, Granada, Spain

The Generalife is formerly the vegetable gardens for the Alhambra along with a summer palace.

It is now a wonderful garden overlooking the Alhambra itself.

All of this is on top of a hill overlooking the city of Granada.

Granada may be my favorite city in Spain - along with Rhonda, Segovia.... 

Baptismal Font, Verona, Italy

Immersion font converted to sprinkling.

Hang Gliding in the Dolomites

          One of the basic concepts behind my blog is that the world is full of pleasant surprises. Travel opens one up to finding the wonderful even at home. While driving through the Southern Tyrolean Alps (The Dolomites) we happened upon a group of folks diving off the highest peaks and hang gliding down into a lovely valley. I admit to being awed by it. I took a good number of photos using a zoom lens. I am not sure that I would have the courage to do this, but it looks like fun. I have done parasailing (Lake Tahoe, U.S.A.) and found it surprisingly less frightening than expected. When discussing this with some others, they indicated that they found it frightening to drive the Alps! Alas, each of us need to try new things in order to find out who we are.

Tartan Day: McLellan

I spell my name McLellan.

The Mc is short for Mac.

My signature is MacLellan but computers make it hard so my family name

has slowly become McLellan for many, but not for me.

The above is our Tartan (Modern Dress)

Rainbow over the Ha'penny Bridge, Dublin

While walking toward the Half-penny Bridge in Dublin (Temple Bar is to the right) we saw a rainbow. No pot 'o gold, but a great vision.

Macy's San Francisco: Flower Show

    Everywhere in Macy's, San Francisco there are flowers (plants brought in in pots). This year's theme is Carnival and the above photos I took yesterday do not really do justice to the displays. If you are in downtown S.F. this time of year, it is worth a look.

Notre-Dame, Paris

     I have already confessed to wanting to stop at churches. It is what is called a "bus man's holiday". We also like to go to worship. There was St. Giles in Edinburgh, St. Martins in London, small churches here and there.  We went to mass at Notre-Dame in Paris, meeting a friend from California USA there. We were there for two services. Did not understand a word, but knew exactly what was going on. One thing of note... so much incense it reminded me of Cheech and Chong concerts during the 1970's.

Paris Market

     This is the view of a neighborhood market from our apartment window in Paris. Almost every block has one of these small grocery stores. The apartments are small so people buy food daily. There is a bakery, a cheese shop, and a meat market. Then there are these places for general purchases. 

     We bought eggs, pepper (white not black), snacks, and laundry supplies here. As  there were cafes on both corners for lunch and dinner we really only needed breakfast items. Remember to greet the owner or worker - in French - when entering. It is the polite thing to do.

The Dolomites, The Alps, The Rockies, The Cascades

     Regular readers know that I love the Dolomites of Northern Italy. Certainly, I like the Alps as experienced in Austria or Switzerland.  But, if you are from the western United States you have encountered great mountain vistas in the Cascades or the Sierra Nevada.  Closer to home than the Alps are the Rockies. The photo above was take from a roadside picnic area near Banff, Canada. It is a common view of the Canadian Rockies and not a big example at that. As we live so near the Sierras and once lived in the Cascades, we began to think that other places had prettier mountains. Not so. But, they do have different experiences and that is reason to travel. You may be impressed by this picture if you have lived your whole life in Kansas. I am impressed by the miles of row upon row of corn.