Airbus A380 Ready to Go

     It is difficult to show how large this plane actually it, but you will note that it has two passenger decks. Our seats are a few windows behind the small red slash-mark after "Air France"on the front of the plane. We are on the top floor. I might note that every time I look at one of these planes I am sure that they actually do not fly. I don't understand things like "lift" and "thrust" - but somehow we get to Europe every time. Ready to do it again. Hello CDG.

Barcelona, Spain

Surprises around every corner.

Soweto, South Africa

     Soweto is an example of a place where upwardly mobile people wish to leave and immigrate to places with more possibilities. The ones who are satisfied or trapped stay behind. It reminds me of the people who piled into boats and left Vietnam during the war. Only those people longing for a better life dared immigrate to other places. Today, in the United States, we wonder why the people who came here from Vietnam are so smart and do so well. Pretty simple. People willing to risk danger for a better life are hard workers who are willing to do anything to succeed.

On Safari: Zambia Village

        It was early morning and already those people employed in the nearby town were gone to work, but most of the village people are either unemployed or shepherds. It is a tiny place with well scrubbed people and interested children. A small group of young men were playing a board game between huts. A woman was washing at the local water supply. There were beautiful crafts for sale at very low prices - so low that we were not inclined to bargain. These are not poor people. They are proud people with little in the way of possessions. But, they are rich in heritage and culture. They are rich in community life. Yet, the world is catching up and they are seeking to adapt. They will succeed.

Planning for Paris

     A view along the Seine shows some of the personality of Paris. I admit that it is a great city. It is easy to love. We have rented another apartment along the Seine very near the Eiffel Tower. We will use it as a point to explore the central city some more. Bet we find some good sidewalk cafes and lovely gardens. (Easy bet to win.)

     I am not sure, however, how the folks are going to welcome Americans. I will use my line that I am not an American, I am a Californian. This always helps. But, our president has strained relationships with almost every country except Russia and North Korea. He has especially hit the UK and France where I will be this summer. Not sure that I can change the attitude of a whole country, but I will be a goodwill ambassador to one person at a time. 

California Coastline

Watching for whales, Spring 2018

Speck at upper right is not a whale. It is a boat of whale-watchers.

What to bring back besides great memories

          Opinel knives are as French as things can be. Joseph Opinel introduced it in 1890 and I have always wanted one. When I was younger I saw romantic leading men, in movies about France, out on picnics cutting bread and cheese for some beautiful woman along the Seine. The knives are very sharp and fold. They have a special twist band that holds the knife in the open position. It was my choice (along with a Tour de France water bottle) to bring home. My wife brought home a scarf with a Galleries Lafayette tag sewn in. Not much else.

      I know a woman who brought home a table, chairs and a chandelier from Venice. I brought home a wine glass from Murano. 

      One month in Ireland and I brought home a Celtic ring - I bought it as a way of keeping my wedding ring from falling off - and dozens of free beer coasters. I like free beer coasters.

     I did not bring anything back from Spain. 

     I bought some baskets in a market in Zambia. They needed the sales. I use them every day.

    I am not one who says not to bring anything home - except model Eiffel Towers made in China - but I also know that you would have hard work to find souvenirs in our house.

     One of our favorites, however, is a book of pressed flowers gathered from around Scotland. 

     What have you brought home from your trips? 4000 photos? A sunburn? A set of English China?

     

Traveler Irritations

     One of the most irritating things about travel is packing and carrying luggage. Thankful for the advent of wheels, I still have personal irritation with myself for buying an expensive, light, strong suitcase - in BLACK. It looks like 90% of the other cases on the luggage carousel. I need to jazz it up with colored tags, duct tape and designs. My carry-on is extra small. It has my medications, my camera, a change of clothes, my itinerary information, and some of my liquids. It fits easily in the overhead bin.It too has wheels which is very helpful now that I do not do well carrying heavy luggage. I also wear a travel sport-coat which acts as a purse.  If I could I would pack everything in my carry-on but we usually go for three to four weeks at a time. Advice: buy brightly colored luggage and leave it below 26''s. You do not need every thing you own on a trip. Do bring a small package of laundry soap to help you reuse your clothing if it gets too stinky.

In the Italian Dolomites Things Are Always Looking Up

      The top photo is of the top of a gondola lift in the Italian Alps. The bottom is the same photo blown up. The top photo was already taken with a long lens which is why the second photo is grainy. Those mountains are very high and that building is a long way away.

Calgary, Canada

     Calgary is a pretty city that reflects the values of Canadians. They tend to be just plain "nice" as a nation. That is not damning with faint praise; it is a complement. This is a picture of just one small park in the downtown area of Calgary. These are spotted all around along with a good deal of public art.

Nothing beats a good hat

     I have a hat ... my second travel hat .. the first one is so shabby that it embarrasses my traveling companions. This one is road-kill kangaroo and folds into a small bag. It can go into my camera case and when I need it - there it is. Top view: Mt. St. Michel France, middle is Mable Canyon Alberta Canada, bottom is  Barcelona Spain. I'd say I have around 100,00 miles on it.

Through the eyes of an American

     No matter where I go in the world, I see it through the eyes of an American. It is who I am. I do not apologize for it, is how I was created. But, traveling has changed my heart. I do not encounter others in this world as foreigners or strangers. We are all citizens of one world. One part of that world may be different from another, but that difference does not make it better or worse. I have more in common with a bush guide in Botswana than I may have with a mature, white, American male from Mississippi. But, we all have much in common. 

Brussels, Belgium

A reflecting pond and monument near our hotel in Brussels.

     Brussels is a large industrial and commercial city. Home to the European Union, it is a political center. There are many interesting places to visit and the old civic center and gathering place is uniquely beautiful. However, it is not a city of overwhelming art. Some of that stems from the fact that it was hit hard by both World War I and World War II. People will say that they just skip Brussels and move on the Bruges as it is cute. Bruges was also not touched much by war. Brussels is good for at least a couple of days visit while in that area of Europe.

When in Rome or Zambia...

     The top photo is a posed one of my granddaughter eating snails in France. The lower photo is what most Italians use instead of toilet paper in Italy. 

     When you go overseas you find out that the American way of doing things is not the universal way of doing things. It is like trying to find ice for a drink in England - they have more now - but it was difficult to find on early trips to the UK.

     Now, you can complain about things or accept them or stay home. I thinks lots of people stay home because they are somewhat afraid of the different, the unusual or the outright strange. Just think how it must feel when someone from Australia comes to New York in December expecting summer weather. You know, there are just some things that are different. 

     Things I have learned to appreciate: blood pudding, tapas, afternoon tea, women who do not shave their armpits (sort of), and having mushrooms and cheese for breakfast.

The White Tower

     Recommendations for London: 1) Go, 2) make the Tower of London a priority, 3) be there at 10 am when it opens, 4) go directly to the crown jewels - near the back and thus skip waiting in line, 5) work your way back to the entrance and don't miss the chapel and the ravens.

Patterns

     As an artist, I am taken by creative shapes and interesting patterns. This photo was taken in the fort on top of the hill in Barcelona which overlooks both the harbor and the city. It is on a lower level and instead of focusing on the view it focuses on the bars of an area that either wants to keep us out of keep us in. Beyond that is a set of stairs that takes you to the top of the rampart from which to view everything freely. We are held back from that freedom by bars and railings.

I feel like I need to apologize

Top shot is of outside of the Royal Palace in Madrid

with the bottom shot being of a ceiling panel inside that same palace.

         No world travel is apolitical. When we go overseas we represent the United States and we carry our nationality with pride. In years past, it was easier to do. Under our current President - who is erratic and xenophobic - we find ourselves wishing to apologize for our lack of cooperation, brotherhood and understanding that this is a world not a collection of competing units. We are proud of our country, but we know others are proud of theirs too. We go not to tell them how great we are, but to learn of their greatness. We go as guests and try to act like it. It is increasingly apparent that respect for us has dropped and bewilderment at our actions has increased.  We wish we could cancel this current reality show and start reruns from years past, but we cannot. We just have to be examples of caring folks who seek to affirm the Earth as a whole.

Finding your brand of deodorant in Botswana

     In this evening photo of the plain between Botswana and Zambia (Namibia in between) you will not see any malls or drugstores. Certainly there are some in the major cities, but not here. You will have to pack your personal items or maybe go without. But, France and England are not Third World Countries. There are lots of malls and shops there. If you run out of something you can pop into a shop a find something at least similar to  your favorite brand of toothpaste.

     So, if you are going to Italy or Germany pack light.  You can buy what you need and make it a souvenir.  I have a shirt from Spain, dental floss from Italy, Tylenol from France, an ice pack from Ireland (don't ask), and a variety of other necessities that I bought here and there.   In fact, I find it fun. My wife buys her makeup in Europe as it does not contain lead and other chemicals.

Sunday Morning Rouen France