Pacific coast: Oregon USA

Not far from Tillamook on the Oregon Coast. 

Grandson, Lucas

In guard uniform at MiniEurope, Brussels Belgium

First stop in 7 country trip to Southern Africa through Europe

Village Church, La Villa Sud Tyrol. Italy

     This church is a delight and it is obvious that people take care of it. The church yard with its tombstones is well kept and shows regular visits by the locals. While not very well attended most weeks, it is a place of community gathering and expectation.

European Languages

     This is a photo of the Prague Castle taken from the Charles Bridge. I do not speak a word of Czech, but fortunately the Czech people speak a good amount of English.
     In European Countries, many people speak English. It is the popular second language there and in South America. It is rude to expect it, however. Start with something in the local vernacular. They will take pity and break into their best English.
     Thus, it is important to learn some basic words in the language spoken to you as starter. I speak enough French, Italian, German and Spanish to get by. Only once in awhile - in a small village far away from the city -  do I have problems; then I use hand signals.
     Examples of hand signals is the time we were in the far reaches of Spain. We wanted lunch at a small cafe. No one spoke English, but my Spanish got me as far as hand signals. I ordered by walking around the room pointing at dishes in front of folks.
     The only other struggles were with Span-lish in Gibraltar and English in northern Scotland. In both case the English is mixed with something else.

Traveling with young people

This is my granddaughter and three of her friends in the courtyard in front of Edinburgh Castle. The younger folks see things older ones miss and they also add energy to the exploration.

Ultralight plane gliding over the Danube, West of Vienna

     Along the Danube, it is easy to look down at the river or along the bank at the castles and churches, In this case looking up was a pleasure as the ultrlight flew overhead.

The French shop that changed several habits

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     This is a market as seen from the window of our flat in Paris. Each day, like locals, we went down to the market to buy things for the day. Not much room to store things in the flat The largest room was the bedroom followed by a lovely bathroom/ laundry room and a living room. The smallest room was the kitchen and even then it was over furnished  with appliances.
      Thus, we made daily trips to the market (and to the bakery, butcher and larger fruit stand.) It was in this market that we discovered and learned to appreciate white pepper - they did not carry black pepper, cheap French wine, and Persil Laundry detergent. Persil was all that they had and we had never seen it, (We learned later that it was one of the first products brought in after the Communists were sent packing from East Berlin.) These products and the baguette are now often on our shopping list.

Budapest

     Budapest is a lovely city separated by the Danube River. One can  travel freely and see the sites. Some bus or taxi ridding for the hills is helpful from time to time. The people are friendly. There are buildings that exist since the Russian Occupation mixed with older and newer buildings. It is a city of lights at night; warm and open. Be sure and read up on Budapest before your visit.

Tips on tipping

     The Select Belvedere is a long ship of well over 100 feet.  It is not as large as many of ships like it, which means that there are less than a hundred people on board. That is one sitting at dinner and never is anything too busy. We took this longboat from Passau Austria to Budapest Hungary and back. This photo was taken at berth in Bratislava, Slovakia. The groups we go on are all inclusive which means no tipping. In the countries themselves, most tipping is unnecessary. Tipping in places like cabs or cafes is a matter of rounding up. Say the cab ride was 5.6 Euros, the tip is ,4 for a total of 6 Euros.
     Now, while tipping is unnecessary for tour guides and waitresses on the boat, we realize that our income and economy exceeds that of these folks, Rather than an afterthought and rather than running around looking for an envelope at the last minute, we pack nice "thank you" cards in our suitcase. You do not need to feel it necessary to tip in Europe, We don't. We like to do it.
     In the United States, we are 20 percent tippers. At special times and for special reasons we tip more. During the Covid-19 Pandemic we have chosen to take the money sent to us by the government and turn it into  $50 and $100 bills to add on to the regular tips for those who have lost income,

The Columbia River Gorge; Oregon/Washington USA

The Columbia River largest national scenic area in the United States: a land of natural contrasts between rain forest and desert, sea-level passage and alpine meadows.

The difference of a few months: The Spanish Steps, Rome

     Tradition is to sit on the Spanish steps and wait for romance. The steps are named for the Spanish Embassy which is located at the base of the steps. You will note that these photos from a difference time show you how difficult is is to climb the steps.  It is now illegal to sit on the steps in this COVID-19 World.  Many tourist spots are closed or changed due to the pandemic.
     The Spanish Steps were a symbol more than a reality. All over the globe are symbols to the effect of the virus.

Night on the banks of the Chobe River -, Botswana

     As evening falls on the Chobe Delta, one of the rangers (rear) gets dinner ready for us. Dinner actually was prepared by a large group of safari workers. We would all go into a large open tent (there were 14 of us) to be served. After dinner we sat around the fire with wine or local beer and talked about our day, Then, at time for bed, we headed to our tents with en suite.The evening noises were mostly the cries of hippos. We were so tired from our full days that we easily went to sleep.

     In the morning, after taking showers, it was breakfast and then out for a full day of game drives. We grew close to our rangers and to the group of workers. There was lots of humor and and hard work.

     Each day the laundry crew took our clothes to be washed -- but not our underwear -- underwear is left to the wearer to wash. 

      

Domes in Madrid

Long lens shot across the roof tops from the The Royal Palace...

Rain in Vienna Austria

Walking in Vienna is one beautiful square after another. Sculptures abound. Goods from around the world for sale.  A wonderful city rain or shine.

Lake in Central City Park, Madrid Spain

 It was a warm day, but still a delightful walk through the park and botanical gardens in the large park in Central Madrid. There is plenty of shade and things to see, In the middle of the park near the exit that goes out into the downtown, a lake presents itself. Surrounded by cafes and food and art stalls, the lake gives the young and not-so-young a place to row a small boat. This is an oasis in Madrid.
We had a couple take our photo in front of the lake and we took theirs'. The street performers were fun. We sort of hung around until time for tapas and adult beverages. Then it was off to the hotel.

Cumulus Clouds over the Sacramento Valley California USA

On United States Highway 5 north of Woodland, California, Looking East toward the Sierra foothills.  The water in the foreground is flooded rice fields,

Granddaughter and friends on way to Arthur's Seat Edinburgh

The Beach at Monte Gordo, Portugal

Not far from the border with Spain, Monte Gordo is a resort town on the Southern Coast of Portugal. A huge white sand beach sloped to a pleasant swimming area. All of it not far from the hotels.

The beach is dotted with cafes and bars.

A boardwalk makes travel across the beach easy.

Florist Shop Across from Train Station, Prague

A little something to brighten up the central city.

The Westward Product Drift

     Most Americans think that new products originate in the USA and drift toward the East. Our experience has been somewhat different. When we were in a Paris flat, we did laundry. We did not find much detergent that was familiar in the shops so we picked up Persil. We loved it. Three years later it arrived in our supermarkets.  Just hitting the drug shelves in the U.S. today is rub-on Voltaren. It has been available in Europe for a long time. Last fall, it was well advertised and over the counter in Central Europe. As it is an NSAID I begged off, but it would have worked for my muscle pain. Lots of products like these and still others seemed to be of higher quality so we bring some back.

Bringing in the horses for the Horse Guards, Vienna Austria

Just happened upon the transfer the the horses from their stables to the preparation area. This reminded me of the Queens Guards around the corner from Westminster in London. Beautiful animals who seem proud of the job they do. Vienna is a city of old and new contrasts.

Peeping Hippo, Zambezi River between Botswana and Zambia

I took this photo as we made our way up the Zambezi. I suppose that some folks think this hippo is cute, but I was watching him and he was watching me. These big fellas can over take a boat and flip it. They are very strong and very fast. Keeping your distance is smart.

Seville, Spain: Massive civic art.

A surprise in the middle of much older buildings.

Shade for gatherings and having lunch on the side of the street I was sanding to take this.

Budapest, Hungary

     A government building sits on the Danube like a pretty wedding cake the Pest side. About 25 yards further to the right (unseen) is the dock that our boat used for mooring.  I walked passed this building several times to view it and some memorials. Still further to the right is The Chain Bridge. More to visit on the Budda side, easier to see the landscape from the Pest side.

Anniversary of D-DAy

Preparing to go down to Omaha Beach and place a wreath.

African Wild Dog

You can see by the date stamp that this photo was taken just about 3 years ago. We were still in South Africa and not yet on Safari in Botswana. It was here that we were introduced to wild dogs. The warning was that these animals (and the caped buffalo) are underestimated. The Wild Dogs are pack animals that are very good hunters. They are fast and will do quick work of a kill. Do not think for a moment they are like your dog at home.

Segovia Spain is well worth the brief trip from Madrid

This is a ceiling detail in the Alcazar in Segovia. This is an amazing town from any angle.

Old and Modern Barcelona

Coming into the center city in Barcelona in a taxi, I had my camera ready for first impressions. I saw this lovely building coming up on the left and I liked the roof details, Pulling up, I noticed that the detail was as much advertising as it was architecture.  Not that product placement is not seen around the world. Not that Coca-Cola is not the number one product advertised. I just find it interesting. Then I think about Times Square, New York where you cannot see the buildings at all.

A Prague Sausage

This is a sausage from a street vendor in Prague. It was wonderful. Nice too is the drink pictured which belongs to a young woman from the United States who was also visiting Prague with her husband. We shared a time of lunch and information about places to see. We usually do not hang out with fellow Americans, but this just happened. "Just happens" makes it worthwhile.

Fence along a church in Amsterdam

I like surprises and this fence was a surprise in Amsterdam.

It was around the base of a church across from the train station.

Just interesting and hard work.