The Forum in Rome

     Walking through the Forum in Rome is to imagine taking a stroll 2,000 years ago and hearing the talk and feeling the energy. Here were the philosophers and leaders, the slaves and servants. They gathered for political and religious reasons. They bartered and plotted. The very stones on which you walk, might have felt the pressure of Caesar's sandle. Worth a visit.

Holey Gibraltar

      This is a photo of the Rock of Gibraltar as seen from near the airport. Notice the apartments in the lower left for scale. The Rock looks solid and is used that way in advertising, but going up to the top you will find it is full of tunnels, caves and holes - the result of wars as far back of the American Revolution.  The tunnels are interesting and the great cave has been made into a theater. The road is very narrow. Our personal driver was a pro.  In my search for visiting tiny countries, this was a winner. Good lodging, food and people. It has a pretty downtown and harbor. Surrounded by Spain, they speak Spanglish. 

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, California USA

Just turn around... there were many of us yesterday on the beach and many had come to Pigeon Point Lighthouse to see if we could see whales making their way from Baja California to Alaska. We saw six gray whales on a very pretty day.  Then it was off to the town of Half Moon Bay for dinner.  The two pictures above were taken from the same spot. The top one is  the view to the West and the bottom one is the view toward the East. All you do is turn around.

The Flat Earth vs.The Globe

     Here is a screen shot of the earth as projected on a flat surface. This projection distorts some countries making them bigger than they are and others smaller. It does give  you an idea of the varieties of land and people. It is also not complete, leaving off all of Southeast Asia. - Sorry Japan.

     One thing I notice on these maps is that the Atlantic Ocean is central and there is  a bias in favor of the Northern Hemisphere. On a globe, it is easier to see that there is no center nor most important country. The trouble with the globe, as shown on Goggle Earth, is drawing lines of airline flights of more than 2000 miles. 

     Certainly, the center of the Earth for each of us is our home country. But, we need to see our nations as part of a globe. What happens, for example, in Turkey effects all of us in the U.S.A.

     Please note that "America" is two continents. I live in the United States OF America. I am an American, but so are Mexicans and Peruvians. 

Victoria Falls, Africa

My grandson, Lucas, took this photo from a helicopter over Victoria Falls. It is difficult to get the scale and size of it. The falls are over a mile long and amazing from both sides.   We flew in through Kasane Botswana and stayed on the Zambian side. Once at the falls, you can drive over the bridge and see the side in Zimbabwe (which is more striking). It is one of the wonders of the world. I will note that, while on the Zimbabwe side, having a beverage, I was mugged by a baboon. He/she was fast and big and took a fellow traveler's cookies. He/she pushed me out of the way and while I was not hurt, I was impressed.

Banff Springs

Take a slow walk through the cave-like tunnels

where people swim in the springs.

Outside, the old pool is covered over, but you can imagine

the tourists loving this place.

Bullet holes, Rouen France

Reminders in the civic building in Rouen France of World War II.

I just stood there and considered what those people faced.

The Vatican

St. Peter's - The largest churchh

The Vatican Security - smallest police car

Happy Earth Day

The view of one peak from another in the Dolomites, Sud Tyrol, The Italian Alps. My happy place.

Strolling through A Zambian Village

     Visiting a Zambian Village, which has been there for roughly 3,000 years, we met a good number of the locals. They were friendly and gracious and welcoming.  It is true that our visit helped their economy as we bought their crafts, but it was an enjoyable time. The kids especially, were interested in seeing us.  This was last summer for us, or winter for them. Actually they do not have much of a winter and call it the dry season. 

      One might think that they have so many needs that are unmet. But they are blessed by living with only one television for the village and few cell phones to look at during dinner. They do have political unrest, but their leaders do not Tweet twenty times a day. I am not sure they know what a Tweet is.

      They are happy for the most part. It was a pleasure to have them teach us about satisfaction.

Sex in the City

Amsterdam is noted for its canals, charm, legal pot, red light district, and chocolate. If one is afraid of the wild side of the city, it is easily avoidable. Things we may think of as ethically marginal are simply allowed, controlled and regulated. There is not more "sin", it is just controlled better.

I am not a prude and very accepting - somewhat unshockable from years in my profession.

I found Amsterdam a great family place to learn of history and art and determination.

Free advice

Free advice is usually worth what you pay for it, but here is some that may save you misery. Before I leave I take a photo of the contents of my suitcase.  In case of it being lost or stolen I have some idea of what was there and can show it.  The second reason is that it reminds me that if it looks as full as the one above, I will have to carry it on and off taxis and trains and buses for maybe a 1000 miles. Do I need all that stuff? If I am on my way to the heart of Africa, could be, but Italy is not a third world country and has stores on nearly every counter. The only thing I was ever sorry I did not bring was Tylenol which is way more expensive in Italy. Travel light! Carry a copy of your passport in your suitcase. And, finally, travel light. When done, go back and see what more you can leave behind.

Mittenwald, The Bavarian Alps, Germany

     Mittenwald in the Bavarian Alps south of Munich may be the most beautiful city in Germany according to travel posters. I would not know. We had traveled  north from Innsbruck Austria and wished to get a glimpse of southern Germany and that is all we got. The photo above is of the only street we found that was not packed with people. Being packed means something is worthwhile. The Mojave Desert is rarely packed. But, we were overwhelmed by the numbers and had to settle for a drive by rather than a stop and visit. This town is still one my list. If ever in Munich, I will drive south and stay a while - adding to the number of visitors on that day.

Cafe in Soweto South Africa

Advertising sign outside of cafe in Soweto, South Africa. PAP is a staple and is ground hominy to Americans. I am not sure if you get all of the main dishes, but a good many restaurants are buffet. I enjoyed the food, the African beers, but note that you should stick to bottled water.

Where am I?

I thought this was a rather interesting building in a small town in Switzerland, but it was raining so hard I did not know what town or what building, I did know I was in Switzerland,

Bellagio, Italy

Bellagio from across Lake Como.

Fountain near the center of Brussels

Nearly two blocks long, we hung out for a few days near this fountain in Brussels. It was surrounded by cafes and lively at night. We had a hotel near it on a side street and used this place as one to rid ourselves of jet lag on our last trip to Europe.

On the way to the Bayeux Tapestry.

     The Bayeux Tapestry is located in a building next to the hospital in the village of Bayeux, France. The tapestry tells the story of the Norman Conquest.  It is 230 feet long. A very interest artifact in a lovely place. As we were walking in from the parking lot, I came upon this mill. It is part of a pretty building housing apartments and a store. I was taken by it. After getting home and looking more closely at the photo, I noticed a bird on the wall.  It is likely a pigeon. I could have photo-shopped this shot to look like a sunny day and brought out the colors, but is was overcast and just like this. While seeing the tapestry was wonderful, the walk there and back was just as wonderful.

Flowers (weeds?) on the Beach of Normandy France

The beautiful cannot be overcome by the ugly for long.

Desktop Image

My grandson, Lucas Meurisse took this photo.

I like it as it minds me of our trip to Africa and

it makes a good desktop for my computer as it leaves space for icons.

Portland Forest Park

For some of the year we live in Portland, Oregon. The city is built on hills and filled with large urban parks. Everywhere you go there are walkers, runners and folks on bikes. It is active city where urban meets the woods. The above was taken just outside the Pittock Mansion.

Favorite photos: Westminster Plus

Elizabeth Tower

Mini Europe, Brussels, Belgium

     There are some silly things to do in every city. In Brussels'  Mini Europe there are fiberglass bodies that you can get in and make yourself a Beefeater or a Swiss Guard. The reason to visit Mini Europe is to get an understanding of the variety of buildings on the continent.

Yesterday Tartan, Today Spots

     Here is a photo I took at a cheetah preserve in South Africa. Leopards and cheetahs are increasingly endangered as their territory is diminished. At one time, for example, leopards were seen over lower Asia and most of Africa. No more. The cheetah population is growing smaller as well. Thus, animals that might be killed for killing cattle are saved and brought to this place in South Africa. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals and hunt in groups. Tough guys, but pretty.

Today is Tartan Day

     Today is "Tartan Day" on the calendar. That means very little to the Wongs and Schmidts, but folks like the MacLellans find it interesting. In the old days folks are said to have worn their blankets around their waist during the day. At night it became their warmth. People began weaving their blankets in family patterns. When the families became clans and got out of hand, the king decreed that tartans were outlawed. The clans still kept small pieces on their person - the Scots were and are an independent lot. Lots of fun reading the history. 

Pickpockets in Europe

     So, you find yourself in a crowd and there is something going on to get your attention. You are not thinking about the people around you.  A well dressed  man bumps you and says, "excuse me" or a little kid asks for Euro coin, or an old lady in black wants you to sign a petition, or a young woman hands you her baby (not kidding)... you may be a target for a pickpocket.
     In the picture above the man on the lower left has a camera bag with a cross body strap, that is good. The camera is at this back that is bad.
     Women (and men with cameras) should use a a cross body strap and keep their arm over the purse or case.
     This is what I do. I make a fake wallet out of my handkerchief and an old wallet and put it in my right rear pocket. I put one credit card and my daily cash in a thin wallet in my front pocket - most of mine have zippers too. One time in Paris, a man in a suit and tie pulled the dummy wallet. I turned and yelled "pickpocket" at the top of my lungs and three men ran away.
      There is not much violent crime in Europe, but people come in from the Eastern Block and do pick pockets.
     If you are with someone, divide your credit cards between you. Have enough cash for one day (there are ATMs everywhere.)  Keep your valuables in your front pockets, wear an old watch, not our new Rolex. Dress modestly. Keep your jewelry  to a minimum. Do out carry your passport, carry a photo copy. Leave valuables in the hotel safe.
       I own several money belts and hidden pouches, but my favorite is a sport coat with all of the pockets on the inside. saves me from carrying a backpack.

What to wear when traveling.

     The picture above is of a couple in an art gallery. This is not necessarily what to wear traveling.   If you are not taking the Queen Mary II to London, leave the tux at home. No one cares what you wear even in First Class on along haul. Everyone looks like coach even in First Class after twelve hours.

     Going to Africa? You can go to Travel Smith and buy pants, shirts, hats and dresses that repel  bugs. Shirts are $50 and pants are say, $100.  They look nice, but we found that jeans and a long sleeved shirt (J.C. Penny's $14 on sale) with tons of DEET work great and make you smell like you are on a safari.  

     I have several pairs of washable underwear which can be washed at night and dry by morning. My wife takes all of her old underwear and throws it away as she goes. 

     France and Ireland are not third world countries, they have day laundries. As well, clothing is fairly cheap if you need something on the way you can buy it. Remember not to try and buy a shirt in Spain between 2 and 4 pm. I tried it and they closed the store on me. Tapas is more important than a shirt.

      Do not worry about wearing the same clothes two or three times, you will not likely see the same people and if you do they will be wearing the some clothes more than once too.

     In brief, do not worry about what you wear, just leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs. 

The Royal Palace, Madrid Spain

     On a warm summer day, those men with the white buckets are selling cold water bottles in front of  the Royal Palace in Madrid. The king does not live there. It is not a modern home and the king is modern. 

     But, it reminds me of the conversation I had with another fellow traveler. I mentioned this palace or another one - I do not remember which - and he said that he is through with palaces, He has seen too many. I am not sure how I feel about that. The art I encountered in the Doge's Palace in Venice was worth the crowds. The Palace of the Alhambra was very different. I am partial to Balmoral.  But, I am not drawn to palaces. I am drawn to small street cafes and old pubs. I enjoy museums, but I like hanging out with old citizens rather than artifacts. I learn more from an Irish university student than from Irish linen.

     The comment just makes me remember why I travel. I travel to encounter culture - the people in their every day lives. That might be in a palace or in a pub.

Village Church, La Villa, Italy

     The village church as only a short walking distance from our Bed and Breakfast in La Villa. The town itself, is in the heart of the Dolomites - the Sud Tyrol. The Italian Alps are beautiful. The languages spoken are Italian, Laden, and German. The kids take English in school which helped us. We speak college German and a little Italian. Laden is a regional language of the area. If you want to get away from it all - this is the place.

Sign(s) all around Multnomah Village, Portland, Oregon

Older man carries a sign in our annual parade. Similar signs all over the neighborhood.
The Easter message - no "April fool".