Top of the hill in Barcelona. Worth the walk

Park Guell (I'll check spelling) is at the top of a hill

in Barcelona. Designed by Antoni Gaudí. It is marvelous. 

From the bus it is a fairly steep hike or you can take a cab.

Worth it.

You need reservations and they are timed.

Fort Charles, Southern, Ireland

In a garden in Barcelona

What's on top...

The tops of two buildings in Barcelona, Spain.

Cute little African animal...

Just a seemingly cute little pig...

Botswana, Africa

Warthog will kill you...  

What are you afraid of?

Flying?

 Dangerous places>

People who are different?

     I am afraid of missing out on the variety of human experience and not taking advantage of the wisdom of other cultures. I am a little nervous leaving home because I am not sure what I will find in the larger world, but nerves turn into excitement when I encounter happy, caring people in other nations.

     I have learned that I like some foreign foods and hate others. I would never had known that had I not tried them. I have learned that people around the world are much the same while being different. The differences are minor, the common things wonderful.

     Do you want to make America great again? Remember it is great because of variety. It is no greater than any other country... it is just ours ... like we appreciate our homes more than other places. But, America is great because we are not afraid, not bowing to the fear of others. They are not scary. They are interesting and friends you just have not met yet. 

South African Zebra

The Zebra are not exactly hard to see in the grass lands of Africa. 

Chimneys at the Gaudi Design House in Barcelona

You need to climb out on the roof to see them up close.

Fencing has been added so tourists do not fall.

The national animal of Scotland

Loved this guy. Well fed and not a care in the world. Middle of the Highlands, Scotland UK

Inside a wine bar, Kilkenny Ireland

Ireland is more than Guinness.

Alcazar, Segovia, Spain

     Certainly I was struck by the Alhambra in Granada and the Alcazar in Seville, but I really found Segovia to be a sleepy and walk-able city with lots to see. The Alcazar there is impressive and manageable. It has wonderful views of the countryside. This is a photo of the altar of the chapel there.

Ceiling of Anthropology Museum, Dublin, Ireland

The ancient gold in the collection is interesting,

but I was fascinated by the ceiling of the old building.

Dublin, Ireland

Central Square, Brussels, Belgium in the rain...

The gathering place in each city is always fun to visit. These are places of history and democracy. These are places a free speech often with some risk. It is not the buildings that tell the story. It is the open space.

Mall near St. Steven's Green, Dublin

Wonderfully Victorian

Good place for lunch too.

On the Savannah in Africa.

A small giraffe and an old tree. Photo by Mike McLellan

South Africa

World's Fair and Olympic Sites

We have made a point of visiting the World's Fair and Olympic sites in various countries. It is always interesting to see the innovative things they have produced and to see, as well, if these things have caught on. The photo above is from Mini-Europe looking at the World's Fair site in Brussels, Belgium.

Long Boat on the Seine - Medical Issue.

We were parked on the Seine on the Seine Princess after I had been in Paris a week staying in a rented flat. I had a revisit of a medical problem which had occurred several months before. I chose to weather it rather than go to the the American Hospital only a couple of blocks away. I was sure it would resolve itself. However, the staff and others never made me worry that I would not be cared for.

What I want to convey is that European Medicine and travel support is something you do not have to worry about. If something happens, you are in good hands.

Paris at first glance

We had landed at Paris after a long non-stop out of San Francisco. We took a cab from CDG to our rented flat. We knew it was central, but not exactly sure how central. We took our luggage to the second floor apartment (in Paris that is actually the third floor as the bottom floor is "G" for ground) via a small elevator. We freshened up and went down to explore. A half a block and we walked through the arches of an old building and this is what we saw. That old building was the Louvre and this is what we saw. We were ready for three weeks of adventure. We were hooked.

More packing tips

     I always take a photo of everything laid out and again of everything packed. This is in case my luggage gets lost and it also gives me an idea if security has been rummaging around in my stuff.

     I put things in cubes and also in plastic bags (especially shoes). If you cannot remember what is in the bags, label them. I always put my shaving and cleaning gear on top in case I need a freshening up and do not want to dig.

     In the mesh part of the lid are copies of the itinerary and my passport. Plus I have information on how to find me while I am on the trip. It does me no good to have someone who finds my bag calling my home as -duh- I am not there. I do carry a world cell phone which is expensive, but handy.

     Some people believe in rolling clothes and others in laying them flat in the luggage. I lay my pants and folded dress shirts flat and roll my underwear. My socks take up less room when flat and are inside other things like my shoes.

     Do not put medications or your prescriptions in your checked luggage. Keep them with you. I carry a man-purse (actually an old camera case) with medications, documents, one day's currency at destination and camera with me as it is permitted as an additional free carry-on. In my carry on is a change of clothes and my qt bag of liquids.

Over 3,300 different bottles of Scotch. Edinburgh

The Diageo Claive Vidiz Whisky Collection found its home at The Scotch Whisky Experience in May 2009 and is the jewel in the crown of our tour and tasting experiences. Every visitor to one of our tours has the opportunity to view the stunning Collection, drinking in the amber glow from 3,384 bottles of golden spirit. - From their website

The Cathedral In Segovia

    The town, the cathedral and the Alcazar are great visits in Segovia, Spain. As cars are limited, you park near the old Roman Aqueduct and walk up hill through the city. Fun shops and cafes, nice places to stop. The place is an excellent day trip from Madrid.

Muckross House, Ireland

Nice visit to see the house, gardens, quilts and lake.

Just off the road on the East Ring of Kerry.

21 year-old visits every country

I read this week that a 21 year-old woman has visited every country on earth. I am 55 years older and an under achiever: Canada(5), Mexico(3), USA, England(2), Scotland(2), Ireland, France(3), Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The American Cemetery, Normandy France

We were there on a cool, rainy day and it seemed appropriate. Normandy is beautiful, but the memories are better seen filtered through overcast weather. Sad acres and acres of crosses, Stars of David and symbols of Islam. Side beside they are buried as side by sided they died on the beaches. Even inland the memorials of this strike or that bombing tell you that this was the place of ultimate sacrifice.

D-day Museum in Normandy, South of France

A solemn, but important visit. 

D-Day Memorial

OMAHA BEACH, FRANCE

Ten years ago at the Tower Of London

We have aged a little since this was taken. We have had some health problems. We have traveled to fifteen more countries on three continents and put down payments on trips to eight more countries. Some wonder what we might do if we are ill overseas. We will do just as we have done here.

By the way, pray for Great Britain while our president is there.

My granddaughter, Madison in Normandy

In NORMANDY, at the American Beach near Omaha Beach. Learning about D-Day.

Keeping track of travels

      I do not include lots of detail, but I do keep keep track of air flights, road and train trips as  they are records of our adventures.  People looking at these maps see lines. I see people, places, meals, and details in my mind.

Red Rock area near SEDONA Arizona

Around every corner a new surprise.