Good Walls...

     While walking up the hill from the Alcazar in Segovia, Spain I made my way along a wall that keeps the pedestrians from a long fall. A little further along was a wall with a lovely vine cascading down it. Each was built for protection of one sort or the other. Neither one of them was a negative object. They were not the Berlin Wall or a wall between Mexico and the United States or a wall dividing Jerusalem. The difference had little to do with construction and more to do with intent. Some are there to protect and others to divide. Sandburg wrote that "good fences make good neighbors". I tell you that dividing walls destroy neighborliness. 

The Rock of Gibraltar

(Taken with a very long lens from the ground)

     There are many surprises in Gibraltar. It is a English Colony surrounded by Spain. Famous for The Rock, it is an interesting visit. The local language is Spanglish - mostly English with a Spanish accent. The people are really nice. To drive there you have to wait for the planes to land at the airport as you have to go over the runway to get in. The most surprising for me is the fact the The Rock is honeycombed with tunnels dating back to the Revolutionary War. The tunnels were added to during World War II.  There are holes where gun emplacements are located. 

Borrowed bucket lists

     It was a very long time ago that I saw photos of the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy. They immediately went on my desired places to go, right under Scotland (our ancestral home).  When my grandson took his turn to choose, he chose Africa and that included Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe. I thought that a safari would be fun, but I knew that much of the southern part of Africa is desert. I have seen desert although not populated by big game. He gave us a surprise. Victoria Falls and that trip should have been on my preferred list, as well. 

      I am a member of Rotary International and think in worldwide terms.  Over lunch I hear about other people's trips and adventures and choose whether or not to put them on my own list. I probably am missing a good deal by my own bias. The more we travel the more I realize that every place on the globe has an important story to tell.

"Tales of The Alhambra" by Washington Irving

     Many years go my Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law brought me a leather-bound copy of Tales of  the Alhambra  which they purchased on a trip to Granada Spain. My wife and I were both in graduate school in those days and had little or no money to buy gas for our rickety car let alone travel to Europe. But, I knew that one day we would be able to travel if we made it a priority like my wife's mom and dad did. 

     I read Washington Irving's account like I had read some other world travelers like Mark Twain and Pearl Buck. After traveling to Granada I reread Irving's book and it took on a whole new meaning. I could close my eyes and see what I had only imagined.

     Last evening I began reading a book set in the dirt poor shanties of Soweto, South Africa. Having just been there a few months ago the words took on new meaning.

      This is just another benefit of traveling. When you read Dan Brown's "The De Vinci Code" or about D-Day, having been places makes for a deeper understanding. (Photos by Mike and Marietta McLellan)

Things are starting to melt: Portland Oregon USA

      The ice under the snow is melting. We had a good deal more than this in Portland, Oregon USA.  While I grew up to 14 in Illinois, I am a Central California  boy. I like to come to Portland to celebrate our family. I have learned to deal with everything but icy roads and major rain storms that do not let up. Portland is lush and green and beautiful.  It is much like the western cast of Ireland. Central California is very much like the middle of Spain. I like both climates, but can do without snow. Portland does not get that much. But, this year it was just enough to make us change our plans.

Summer 2018

     Where to next? We just booked a trip to return to Scotland for two weeks followed by an almost annual (this time about a week) in Paris. We have a list of things we missed in both places, but if you have suggestions we are open.

Castel Vecchio Museum, Verona

Castel Vecchio Bridge is a remarkable place in Verona. As part of the complex there is a museum filled with art. It was a very rainy day as we explored the bridge and the museum. For Christmas, here is one of the paintings that graces the gallery.

Madonna and Child; Lichtenstein

Just outside a church in Lichtenstein we stopped at this statue before going into the sanctuary.  It was a cool and rainy day some 5 years ago, but I remember it well. 

Venus de Legos

     One of the fun displays at OMSI (The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) in Portland was a collection of works in Legos. Everything from a life-sized dinosaur to the Mona Lisa. In this case, Venus de Milo is presented among other works. One imagines that it took hours and many Legos to create it. Even if one does not appreciate the medium, one has to appreciate the time and effort that has gone in to these pieces. Exhibit travels around the United States. I first saw a smaller grouping in Redding, California USA. 

Pinot Grigio from the Dolomites

     In the valleys surrounded by these unique sandstone peaks the grapes for Pinot Grigio ripen for harvest.  Go into a wine store and look at the labels. These wonderful wines come from the north of Italy. this place is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the most beautiful areas of Europe. If I were a grape, I would want to grow up there. If you have a bucket list, change it to a barrel list and head here.

Newgrange

December 21 - the rebirth of the sun. Today the sunlight comes through the passageway and illumines the center of the mound. This ancient formation is older than the pyramids. I took this photo of Newgrange in Ireland to show the whole mound. Notice the people gathered  at the entrance to the passageway. We entered it. I found it somewhat small for me and others did not fit. But, I did get to the center and out again! It was a summer day, and thus did not see the sun on the wall inside. Besides, it was not dawn.

Cape Buffalo

     Our guide and driver, Duncan, was listing the Big Five that we were seeking to see while in one of four countries in southern Africa. I realized four of them, but did not remember that the Cape Buffalo was one of them.  They are the Big Five because they are dangerous. The buffalo I saw were pretty much chilling out. They did not appear dangerous. Actually, A good many animals do not seem dangerous at first - just take humans for example.

Ready for a meal in Honfluer?

It was not yet time for lunch at a street cafe in Honfluer, France. The tables and chairs were, however, easier to see at that point. What a pretty area and note the stone walkway and the raised tables to the upper left. Life is art in France.

Waterton Lake from the Prince of Wales

One of my favorite photos. This is Waterton Lake taken from the Prince of Wales Hotel/Lodge in Canada. At the far end of the photo ... if you took a boat down there ... you need your passport to go ashore. It is the United States.

Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe

Lucas Meurisse, one of my favorite photographers and grandson, took this photo of Victoria Falls from a helicopter. They flew out of an airfield in Zambia near The David Livingstone Lodge and covered the length of the falls and then into the gorge. Lucas would rank this as one of the highlights of a trip through Europe to Africa that included almost a month of travel and seven flights. I appreciate his courage and pluck to travel over 25,000 miles with his grandparents. Certainly a highlight for us, 

The Spanish Steps, Rome

These are the Spanish Steps in Rome; called that because they are near the Spanish Embassy. They are a meeting place like the coffee shop in "Friends" and the bar in "Cheers". Nearly ever city has that place where people gather like Las Ramblas in Barcelona or Montmartre in Paris or Trafalgar  in London. Times Square in New York is now, once again, more like this. Union Square in San Francisco has long been a gathering place. All of these attract locals and tourists - and pickpockets. There are risks everywhere, but there is no travel without risk.

Remembering a memorable meal.

La Bonne Franquette is a restaurant on the top of Mont Martre in Paris.  We had gone up to that neighborhood as it is full of artists. The view of the city is super too. We stopped for lunch at this place. Very Parisian, but I knew I would forget the name of it. Thankfully their plates were all marked, maybe to keep us from stealing them or maybe to help us remember the meal.  This all made for a pleasant time. 

Giraffes on the horizon

This a tower of giraffes  meaning that they were standing still.

They lope when then run and actually are graceful.

The human neck has seven vertebra and the giraffe also has seven. 

Trip Monitor

Quick shot of the screen in front of my seat on an Air France flight to  Paris.

Not sure where to go next. Many places seen, but way more to see.

Planning now for 2018.

Barcelona

Statue in the old section of Barcelona.

Barcelona

The Gothic or old section of Barcelona is a grand place with narrow streets and hidden gardens. Here is an example.

Venice View

By the date in the corner you can see that this photo was taken five years ago. We were walking on one of the smaller islands of Venice and looked across at Saint Mark's and The Doges' Palace. Venice is magical. If you visit, make sure to walk the streets at night. The tourists go back to the ships and hotels; you are left with history and shadows. You cannot beat that.

Mont St. Michele, France

My wife took this picture of me standing on the causeway to Mont St. Michele. I do not really look like Harrison Ford. But, I like this photo none-the-less.

Dingle Harbor

     This is a photo of Dingle Harbor in Ireland. We were not prepared for a sunny day and both of us got bad sunburns by hiking out to the end of the harbor to watch the dolphin and fishing boats going in and out. It had been raining much of the time in Ireland - and yes we saw lots of rainbows which means the sun came out  - but the sun had not stayed out for long. It was sunny the whole time we were staying in the town of Dingle.  There were sunbathers on the small hidden beach and a lovely view of them and the water. It was worth it. The "ring" of Dingle is a beautiful spot. Take sunblock.

Chapel near the Seine in France

     Due to my long career as a theologian, I am attracted to churches. We have visited great cathedrals and small country churches.  We have visited the private chapels of kings and queens. Here is a photo of a small chapel just outside the walls of an abbey in France. We had come to the abbey to hear a concert of chants, but this small building, near the site where the brothers of the abbey are buried, was of great interest. Simple. I think all truth is simple. I think all faith is simple. But, simple does not mean they are not powerful. The prayers prayed in this place are not less life changing than those uttered in Notre Dame.

Calgary, Canada

     This is a photo I took of the flags at the site of the Winter Olympics held in Calgary, Alberta Canada. (Actually outside the city.) It is a great trip to drive from Calgary up to Banff and on the Jasper. Well worth the time.

      You have to like Canada. They have a very nice and bright Prime Minister. They show a really caring attitude just about everywhere. You feel welcome. They understand the importance of kindness. They talk a little funny, but in general it is a good place to visit.

To Kiss and Elephant

     Taking a break from a game drive, we were invited to interact with some elephants saved from poachers. The elephants were relatively tame although still dangerous if uncontrolled. Then they asked if we'd like to kiss an elephant. Who wouldn't? Actually it is rubbing noses. It is simple. You put an apple in your mouth and the elephant takes it from you with a very wet trunk and you get a small face full of elephant dribble. Not very romantic and more fun to watch than to do it. This is my reaction to the experience - a small recoil. 

Monet's Window, Giverny, France

     There are two parts in Claude Monet's garden at his home in Giverny.  One of them is a flower garden called Clos Normand in front of the house. As I was walking up to the front of the building, after having seen the Japanese Garden, I saw this window of his house and began to imagine the artist looking out upon his garden. We see his famous paintings of his water and plant features painted in the sunlight. I wonder what he saw when it was raining or when he just stood by this window and looked out. Here we can look in and see the tidy house with its simple furniture. We see a farm kitchen where people gathered. 

     We see what the artist sees in their work, but I often wonder what the artist's world is like that allows them to view the world differently from the way I view it all.

Sunset over the Vatican

This is a long-range view of St. Peters in the Vatican from the roof top garden of a hotel in Rome.

The Eiffel Tower Bight

     Someone said that it is illegal to post a photo of the Eiffel tower at night because it is lighted and has become a copyrighted work of art. I have photos of the Mona Lisa, The Thinker, and The Tower bridge too that I will use to test this. The business about the work of art was on the Internet so it must be true. We shall see. The Eiffel Tower is, by the way, very pretty when lighted like this.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

     I find Amsterdam one of the prettiest cities I have seen in Europe. In the last generation they have done much to clean up the canals and streets. We rented a small boat with a guide for a tour. There were ten of us from four different countries. The smokers sat in back. The guide was an ex-pat who has lived in Amsterdam for many years and not only knew the sights and history, but he also could help us relate it all to our North American experience.  The bridges of the city are interesting and most of them are pretty. There are flowers everywhere in the summer. This city is very old and also very new.  We stayed close to the center by the train station, and made note that we need to go back.  We missed some of the great museums. The photo above is of one of the newer drawbridges on a main canal.