Montmartre Paris

     We had hired a car and driver for a tour of the city, but had not gone up atop Montmartre to see the cathedral or view Paris from above, My granddaughter wanted cooking lessons so we had spent the next morning at a baking class (I watched) and then called a cab to go back across the river and then to our rented flat near the Eiffel Tower. As we got into the cab I asked the driver to take us over Montmartre instead of around it. I promised him more of a tip than just rounding up. Away we went. The driver seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. We did not have time to see the artists and walk around as we have done before, but my granddaughter got to see one of the best views in Paris (along with the Eiffel Tower and the roof of Galleries Lafayette). 
 

The most dangerous of creatures

Entering the Museum of Apartheid, Johannesburg, South Africa

     We wanted to teach our grandson about history as well as nature on a trip to South Africa. We talked about Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela. We went to the Apartheid Museum as well as a local school and several safaris..

     In the museum, you walk among the sight and sounds of the most dangerous of animals - mankind. In one room you are confronted by hundreds of nooses hanging from the ceiling, It is a reminder of the lynch mobs that came for black Africans willing to stand for freedom. I stood between that room and another which was a representation of the cell that Mandala was locked in during prison. I could not move.

     I hope that my grandson took away just a small understanding of what human beings are capable of -both good and bad,

 

Dachau Prison Concentration Camp Germany

Sleeping quarters: four to a bed

Guard Tower

     To visit Dachau we traveled by train from the central Munich Train Station. It was a guided tour. We came upon the concentration camp which was filled with school children from mostly secondary schools around Germany. It is required as part of their education. I suspect it is to stop the possibility of this ever happening again.

     As I waited in the Visitor's Center, I struck up a conversation with a German woman claiming to be in her nineties. She said she had always wanted to come here, but had put it off.  She had lived through the Nazi occupation and had suffered from it. We talked about her experiences and what her feelings were upon seeing the camp. 

      I found this very interesting and also somewhat sad. It reminded me of my feelings having worked on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. While the latter were not gassed, they were separated because of race. People did not know about them because they were isolated.

      In the end, we parted company - the lady and I - and went back to our homes a little more educated about what people can do to other people when they think they are superior.

 

Moules & Frites

A good friend from France, who ran his own winery in the U.S. for a time,

knew I was going to Mt. St. Michel while in Normandy.

He told me just the right cafe to go to and to order moules & frites.

Indeed, mussels and French fries (although French fries were invented in Belgium).

I loved it.

 

City Hall and Plaza Brussels Belgium

Brussels is the home for The European Union

and draws people from all around Europe.

Like many European cities is has an old center 

which is interesting and fun to explore.

 

Eiffel Tower at night

I was on a ship in the Seine and used a long lens for this photo.

There was a rumor that it was illegal to photograph the Eiffel Tower all

lighted up as it was copy-righted art. I never believed that, 

but this photo is so blurry that you cannot tell anyway.

 

Stained glass in Munich Germany Church

For many years, I have worked in glass - both stained and fused - so I am taken by the wonderful windows in churches. In many places (Paris is an example) the glass was taken out during World War Two so that bombing would not destroy the art.

These windows in a Munich Church (near the markets ) are very modern while using ancient symbols. The colors are pastel rather than being bright.
 

Last night we went to the Van Gogh Experience in Portland

The Van Gogh Experience is touring the U.S.

With projection, lighting, and sound, this tech centered

event tells of the life and work of

Vincent Van Gogh.

10 in our family went together and all seemed to enjoy it.

(Photo above is of an approximately 20 foot wall projection.

One of many in the huge area,)

 

Cathedral in Segovia Spain

Segovia is a short drive from Madrid and worth the trip.

One enters from under a giant Roman aqueduct and ascends a hill into

the heart of the old city.

There is lots to see including the Alcazar and Cathedral.

A very manageable walk. 

 

Over Oregon

The flight from Sacramento to Portland is only 1 hour and 40 minutes.

About the time needed to go up and then back down.

The views are wonderful: the Central Valley of California,

along the Cascades, and the Central Valley of Oregon.

Right now a winter Wonderland. 

Hyatt Regency Hotel, San Francisco

Downtown San Francisco is a great visit at Christmastime. 

Macy's is decked out as is Union Square in general.

The Hyatt Regency on Embarcadero is worth a visit - have lunch.

 

Municipal Building, Prague CZ

A pretty cafe in the Municipal Building near the

entry tower (Magazine) leading to old town Prague.

 

Oregon Coast, USA

The Oregon Coast is a pretty place. 

The water is cold and most places are not busy. 

This spot is on a circle drive outside Tillamook.

We enjoyed the drive as well as long stops above the beaches.

 

Pass in the Dolomites (Italian Tyrol Alps)

Amazing view. Amazing place.

I should someday publish my Bucket List (of which this was one).

 

Askari South Africa

We spent several days at Askari in South Africa. It is a game reserve with

vehicle trips in their huge acreage. Many free roaming animals and many

armed game managers. The armed staff is not to protect you from the animals.

It is to protect the animals from us.

 

A tree grows in Botswana

While on Safari, I saw many trees like this.

I find them very artistically interesting,

 

Chime tower, Feldkirch, Austria

Little guy, day and night, tolls the time.

Lovely city and lovely people.

 

Scotland/Edinburgh/Phone Box/ Soon gone

Just as in the United states, folks in Scotland depend on cell phones and smart phones. While you once saw these booths everywhere, they are now a surprise. This on was in Edinburgh near The Royal Mile. We also saw on on the boat landing near the Firth of Forth. I imagine that they may be gone one day.
 

The Alhambra, Granada Spain

You can see by the other photographers across the courtyard that this "Lion" fountain is 

a popular subject at the Alhambra, 

I had been given a book on the Alhambra written by Washington Irving. 

Over the years this place took a priority place in my list.

It is crowded, popular, amazing, and you need a reservation.

I suggest a guided tour as the guides hold good tickets.

Do not drive up. Take the shuttle. 

When done with the tour, hang out in the  gardens or go back to a room or two.

 

Ireland and the Internet

This is a photo of an old Abbey taken from the Rock of Cashel in Ireland.  When we were there on our first visit, I was writing a column for a local newspaper. I did not have a laptop or much access to a computer except in an Internet Cafe. These Cafes were all over in those days. I would write a column and send it in to the editor whenever I could. Those columns were a sort of diary of a trip. Not exactly the quality of "Innocents Abroad", but fun for me. Today, I carry a tablet and phone. There are no Internet cafes around.

 

Excellent London Pub and Rain

The Rising Sun is a pub in central London. It was near the Stauton Hotel 

where we have stayed (great place). I was looking at my ratty old umbrella the other day/

I have a beautiful new one, but the old one is held together with a scrap of an Underground

pamphlet. I put to two together in the rain while near The Rising Sun. Long time ago.

That umbrella has traveled to nearly 24 countries with me since and reminds me of a favorite place.

. 

 

Street Side In Vienna

We have been to Austria a number of times, but it was only on the last trip we spent time in Vienna.

What a wonderful, cultured city. It has art and music all around.

 

Jewish Cemetery in Prague CZ

Prague is an urbane and lively city. It is also a city with a long history.

Part of its history is what happened during World War Two and its

long history of various social and ethnic groups.

A very sobering, but interesting, tour is of the Jewish Cemetery. It is near the river

and in a lovely section of the city. It is well kept. 

Interesting to me is the use of pebbles in place of flowers. Flowers die, but pebbles

are the stuff of the earth, itself. Also, as you can see, no  one worries that

the headstones are not perfectly straight.

 

Budapest two (and too)

The municipal building on the Pest side of the Danube. Our boat moored just to the right. Wedding cake.
 

Budapest

Budapest is a beautiful city and the Danube is blue there,

 

Tapas in Barcelona

How civilized. A late afternoon time of relaxing and food before the 

busy evening comes.

 

San Francisco looking north across the Bay

Alcatraz Island in distance.

(Photo by Marietta McLellan)

 

Saint Peter In Chains - Cathedral in Rome

Lots of churches have containers showing off relics. St. Peter In Chains in Rome boasts the chains used to "bind Peter in the center of Rome where he died". 

His place of death traditionally is located in the large plaza

 in front of St. Peter's Cathedral of the Vatican.

 

Juliette Balcony in Paris

In my quest for cool windows and doors...

 

Spanish Landscape

You would not know that this is not a view of the Coast Range from the

Central Valley of California. Very much alike. This is Spain just south of Toledo.

 

Looking out from the Rock of Gibraltar

I was listening to a show and they mentioned Gibraltar and it 

made me think of my time there. It reminded me of how fortunate I have been

to travel so many places. It is not everyone who can do it.

I am blessed.

 

Kilkenny Castle (Manor House)

Kilkenny is an interesting and friendly town south and west of Dublin.

This photo is of the "castle" and park-like grounds.

I am glad that I do not have to mow the lawn.

 

Madrid Parks and Green Space

Madrid has some lovely parks and green spaces.

On a weekend afternoon, they are filled with people talking, eating, sleeping

and enjoying the warmth. The lake above is near the City Hall 

and a short walk from the center of the city and the Botanical Gardens..

 

In Rembrandt's Home in Amsterdam

They allow photography of the works hanging in Rembrandt's House in Amsterdam.

It is a nice visit along with Anne Frank's House.

Both are straight up and narrow. You need reservations for Anne Frank's House.

but Rembrandt's is not that busy in the early morning.

 

Speaking of Money Business

These primates came near our safari vehicles. The bottom one is a baby.

Botswana, Africa

 

This baboon hit me and pushed me aside to steal some cookies

 

We were at a table next to a refreshment stand at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. One of my companions had a bag of cookies. This guy, I will guess about 65 pound of him, ran full speed into my side pushing me nearly off my seat. In a flash he grabbed the cookies and was gone. The young man working at the stand came out with a broom and told us that this baboon often steals things and we should be warned. Too late for me. The shadow at the lower right is the young man with the broom.

Ape Watchman on Gibraltar

Stay clear of these guys on the Rock of Gibraltar. They own the place.

 

In Africa: The Giraffe

 In Africa one can see many giraffes, but often they are somewhat bent at the shoulder attempting to eat. This guy(?) is on alert because we made a noise. As for guy or girl, there is a way to tell from looking at the bumps on their heads, but I forget.

Venice, Italy

      We loved Venice, but with special conditions. We love it early in the morning before the cruise ships let out their passengers. We love it at night when the passengers all go back to their ships. We love the back streets and the small islands and the places where you can sit with a glass of wine and be among locals. We do not dislike tourists - we are tourists - yet we go places to meet local folks in their own environment.  Fortunately for Venice, the cruise ships are now to dock on the mainland.

The photo above shows the skyline of Venice from over the entrance to the Grand Canal. The Doge's Palace is the large gray building and to the left is St. Mark's Square.

The Palace, Prague

Wall of armor in the Palace

View of Prague from Palace.

Prague is a great city, especially the old central city and the walk across Charles Bridge 

to the Palace high on its hill. This is a whole day and you can work in lunch and

a concert too. Great views from the Palace

 

Close and courtyard: Kilkenny Ireland

Kilkenny is a great small city in Ireland. It is a short drive from Dublin.

Excellent downtown area and the "castle' (manor house) and lawn is a good visit.

 

TSA DISBILITY CARD

I wear two metal leg braces.

I had polio and have bad knees. I also have a plastic graft in my chest.

While I do not always wear the braces, I need them when walking 

long ways in the airport or moving my luggage about. 

I give them this card at security and still get patted down and swabbed.

I am used to it.

PDF on the internet site.

Between Innsbruck Austria and Mittenwald Germany

Lots of interesting places along the roads in Europe. Some are just there, not marked, maybe because they are average. Or, maybe everyone knows what they are. Here is an example. I thought it worth a photo, but could not put a name to it.

 

Warming hut at top of tram in the Italian Dolomites

This is taken with a very long lens as it was up a substantial mountain.

 

Windmills south of Toledo, Spain

Not sure we would have visited these windmills in La Manchaca.  They were off

the road a fair piece and the navigator (Marietta) saw them  in the guidebook.

We turned off the main highway to Madrid and had lunch in a little village before

climbing the hill (in our rental car) to these grain grinding windmills.

Fun and Interesting. Going  inside you can climb to the grinding stones (at window)

and  see how they work.  There is an old fortified castle nearby, as well.

 

Dry Lake in Botswana as seen from South Africa Airlines flight from Johanneburg

 

Looking out the window I saw what looked like a vast area of water.

We were over Botswana on a flight to Kasane airport.

I pilot came on the overhead to explain that it is a dry lake during their dry season

which is our Winter in the U.S.A.