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This blog is about the adventure of traveling and especially the interesting people that you meet. We will share stories about people and places we have encountered from around the United States, Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, Canada, Spain, Mexico, The Vatican, The Netherlands, Belgium, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and more. This is not a travelogue -- we leave that to Rick Steves -- this is a collection of fragments in the journey of life.


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Thursday, September 30, 2021

Alaska Airlines

Photo of wing on Alaska/Horizon flight to Portland Oregon USA.
Alaska has been our domestic favorite airline for many years.
They are very convenient and the service is good.
They have experienced pilots that fly is all sorts of weather. 
It is comforting in the winter.
"A" for Alaska.
 

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Aer Lingus to Ireland (Dublin)

     From San Francisco it is over Greenland to Dublin. We have flown in and out of Dublin four times and I will review the airport in a while. We have flown Aer Lingus each time and they qualified at those times as a low cost airline. I suspect that they get government help to encourage tourism. 
     I would give Aer Lingus a "B". Their service and quality was slightly better than average. We have also used their short-haul plane to and from London Heathrow and it was better than most. Aer Lingus is a good way to fly to Ireland. You can land either in Shannon or Dublin. Our plans center around stays in Dublin and renting a car (expensive) for a drive around the island. One note, learn about the traffic laws and surcharges before driving. (I had no problems, but hear of others who did.)
 

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Six Airlines to Europe

     We have flown six different airlines to Europe over the years. At this point we attempt to always fly Air France as our preferred carrier. Therefore, when rating airlines I use Air France as a benchmark.

     Alitalia to Rome was okay. I would give it a "C". The plane was not very clean and the personnel at LAX were somewhat in chaos. There was a change of planes and I understand that it is a problem, but they were in such a hurry that they just assigned seats breaking up couples and families. The passengers got the opportunity to sort things out. Food was fine and service spotty. I likely would not fly them again.


 

Monday, September 27, 2021

Flights


The photos above are of the seat back map of an A380 belonging to Air France. 
We are on our way from SFO(San Francisco) to CDG(Paris). We have landed in Paris +/- 8 times.
I will be highlighting some of the 17 airlines I have flown
and some of the 35 airports I have been in.

 

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Herd of elephants Kasane, Botswana


 

That herd got lots closer, but I needed to include grandson in photo.
We took him on a trip when he was 12 (now 16). Where do you want to go?
Maybe Disneyland...Africa? 
OK
Fly from SFO to CDG Paris.
Train to Brussels
Train to Paris
CDG to Johannesburg South Africa
Fly to Kasane Botswana.
Safari/ trip to Zambia/ trip to Zimbabwe
Fly to Johannesburg
Fly to Paris CDG
Train to Amsterdam 
Train to Paris CDG
Fly to SFO
(plus he had a round trip from Portland)

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Repeating favorite countries.

We, of course, travel often in our homeland of The United States. But, when it has come to visiting Europe we will revisit our favorite places while discovering new ones. We have rented flats in Paris as well as making short stays in France during stop overs. We have visited Austria twice, Germany twice, (Canada and Mexico several times.) We have returned to visit Scotland for extended periods. We know the Dublin airport well.  And, we have gone in and out of other countries as we have taken road trips.
It was once a long series of border crossings, but not now with the European Union. 
Need to get the UK to join.



Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Back street in Barcelona

This is a narrow street that runs passed a small gallery and ends near a kitchen where one can take cooking lessons. We took lessons. This street, however, is like so many in Barcelona's Gothic area which are interesting and make for adventures. They are safe, but very old. Fun to explore and few tourists here.
 

Monday, September 20, 2021

If you tossed a coin in this fountain a year ago, it is not time yet


 Lovely fountain and you will wish to return to Rome whether or not you tossed a coin here, but things in Europe are not completely open yet. I follow the State Department recommendations for travel,

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Kilkenny took the Hurling Championship in Dublin and we followed the team home

This is a bookstore window in Kilkenny. The photo was taken the day after the hurling team's win.
We enjoyed the celebration with them and learned a good many things about
a sport we had known nothing. We learned about celebrating too.

 

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Pickpockets in Europe


These are two photos of the top of Montmartre in Paris. It is where I caught a
pickpocket going for my wallet (although it was a decoy wallet in back pocket
and I keep my real wallet in front). He was more startled than I was.
They claim that the pickpockets are gypsies or from Africa. Not sure of that.
They are in many cities in Europe.
Women use a crossbody purse and guys do what I do.

 

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Tidy Towns in Ireland

There is  competition in Ireland between towns to see which one is cleanest
and most without litter. They are impressive,

 

Sunday, September 5, 2021

I Like Airports

I enjoy airports. There is a sense of adventure, expectation and hope in an airport
for me. I have been to a lot of them and each has a different vibe.
Small or large, I have some suggestions. Patience is important. Don't resent 
security; it keeps you safe. All bags look alike in baggage claim; gussy yours up
so it looks different. And, be glad those dogs sniff your bags, crotch and umbrella;
they are your friends.

 

Saturday, September 4, 2021

Photos of London Garbage Trucks


On our last trip to London I felt it important to take pictures of garbage trucks
and forward them to my then young grandson who was smitten by them.

 

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Altar of a church in central Feldkirch, Austria

Feldkirch is a very nice city with a wonderful central plaza.
One of our favorite restaurants of all times is there.