Looking up in Paris

    There is much to see in Paris. Like most large cities there is plenty of shopping and places to visit. For me, the delight of Paris is just the every day creative beauty found in surprising places. While looking at eye level is wonderful, looking up is often a treat.
 

Inside the Tillamook Cheese and Ice Cream Plant, Oregon USA

Blocks of cedar on the way to packaging. 

Visual check.

 

Below The Rock Of Cashel, Ireland

Nearly all places of interest from years ago have Celtic cross.

The Rock of Cashel has one. The Abbey at Ionia has one.

Graveyards are full of them.

This photo of Ireland taken in a cemetery below The Rock

is filled with examples.

 

Flamenco In Madrid Spain

The bar is dark from the black walls. In the center of the tables there is a stage.

A band with heavy use of acoustic guitars sits to one corner.

Several male and female dancers come out and explain the nature of

flamenco and its tradition.

When they are done dancing, the audience is tired for them.

 

View from the bridge at Ronda Spain

A deep canyon divides the city. A bridge unites them.

 

African Wild Dogs

Graham, our bush guide in Botswana, warned us that of all the

animals the Wild Dogs were the most dangerous. This photo is the

less gruesome of many I took of the dogs bringing down

and sharing an Impala. Running in a pack, they gang up on their prey.

 

Christmas at Union Square San Francisco California USA

Photo taken through the window of the restaurant in Macy's.

Happy Holidays - whichever one you celebrate.

M&M 

 

Christmas Lights

Christmas lights near Woodburn Oregon.

 

Helicopter flight over Victoria Falls Zambia/Zimbabwe

    Flying through the canyon cut by the Zambezi River, the helicopter flies up and then over the falls. above the mist one gets an idea of the scope and power of the falls. 
 

Dusk over the bay at Kenmare Ireland

     We were on a long sweeping drive around the coast of The Republic of Ireland. About half way around we discovered one of our favorite places there. Kenmare is a middle-sized town on the South-Western Coast of The Republic. It has an area of standing stones and tidy downtown area. 

    On the south end to Kenmare is a lovely park with some interesting sculptures depicting three larger than life-sized people looking out to the bay. As we walked along we could look out toward the west and see a beautiful sunset. That is this photo taken just steps from the bed and breakfast in which we were staying. I would give Kenmare at least two nights of visiting time.

Spanish Cop Car

Police Car in Barcelona Spain.

 

Budapest Hungary

In Budapest there are many roofs like this one.

It is detailed tile work.

Charming.

 

Bratislava Slovakia

Bratislava is a pretty and interesting city as well as the capitol of Slovakia. 

It is on the Danube.

Everywhere in the city, you will find sculptures that surprise you.

 

The Canadian Rockies

     While I often laud the wonders of the Dolomite peaks in Northern Italy, there other mountain venues that have been special to me. My family had a cabin on the American River in California where I often explored the pool and falls.

      These photos are of the water falling in the Canadian Rockies especially in the area near Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper all in Alberta. While we roamed the area during the time it was warm in California, it was cool and mild there. The water was lovely. In the lakes, because of the glacial dust, the water is a blue-green. In many areas, as it moves in torrents, it is sparkling white.

     Water is ordinarily clear, but takes on many aspects of it environment.

 

Travel Notes: Grandchildren

    This is our granddaughter during a trip to Italy and France.  We have taken our grandchildren on a trip when they are 12 years old "anywhere they wanted to go".  This young woman had to wait through a pandemic to go on her trip. It is a blessing to us to see the world through their eyes and be able to have this special bond. They have "taken" us down the Seine and to the Normandy Beaches. We have gone on Safari with them in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We have gone along to the Highlands of Scotland. They have shown us Tuscany. We have accompanied them to Belgium and The Netherlands. All of them have been to France. We appreciate them.
 

Tuscany Vineyards

Tuscany is lovely.

 

Buckingham Guards

Beefeaters at Buckingham Palace and The Tower of London

are fun to watch and, when available, full of information,

 

Photos: Tuscany

    We take one photo as representative of the trip we have taken and put it on the wall of our place. Each grandchild's trip is especially represented. The one above is now photo-shopped and cropped into a photo that turns out to be a wonderful shot of the Tuscan sunflower fields. The road and the train window frame are gone. Lovely.
 

Saying goodbye to Horizon Turboprop

 

This is a photo of Mount Hood, Oregon from this early this year.

Our flight there was on one of Horizon's turboprop fleet.

Sorry to say (well not sorry) but this week we fly to Portland Oregon

on one of their new small jets.

Looking forward to it.

Vienna Austria

If you wonder what the fuss if about Vienna just walk around the museums,

stop at a coffee house, and attend a concert,

Lovely

 

Dusk, wine, and the Chobe National Park Botswana

    Relaxing with a glass of South African wine, we looked across the Chobe to the sounds of hippos.
 

Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris

        Take the Funicular up to the top of Montmartre and visit the artists and wonderful cafes, but don't miss (how could you?) The huge church overlooking the city. Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a major landmark.

 

Parliament Building, Edinburg Scotland

The main chamber.

 

A door in a close off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

Decoded: the door to the Writers Museum which is located on a narrow side street leading to the main street in Edinburgh Scotland that runs from the Castle to the Palace.

 

A small creek in Tuscany

The creek in the foreground with the walls of the city behind, it is obvious that there is plenty of rain in Tuscany to keep things growing and green. What a lovely place. (Photo by Marietta McLellan).
 

Cortina, Sud Tyrol, Italy

 

The Baptismal in the church in Cortina Italy.

This town was an Olympic site,

Interesting characters

Traffic barrier on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh

    I was standing in a line waiting for my food. I young man rolled up in a wheelchair beside me. I had turned to my wife to verify her order and the young man must have heard my accent. He asked me if I liked the "American President". The president at the time was George W. Bush. I asked the young man why. He went on about the Republicans in the U.S. and about foreign policy. I  realized then that he was very much a member of the UK. Many of them know and understand what is going on in other countries. He knew more that I did. I could not have told you much about the political issues or people in the UK. The young man taught me a lesson. I never guessed I was so American-centered.
 

Ceiling of the Parthenon in Rome

A favorite photo of Rome.

 

Police Cars are not all cruisers

I am fascinated by police cars in other countries.

This photo is of a police vehicle in Rome.

They do not expect a big criminal.

 

Downsides to flying

        I generally enjoy flying. It is fun to go somewhere and I like looking out the window when it is clear. It is not always clear. The downside of flying for me is the lines for security or customs. They make me nervous. I have nothing to hide, but I have several implants in my body and I always seem to trigger the security machines. I often go too fast due to excitement. The machines don't like that.   The people manning those machines are always nice to me, but I nearly always get patted down and swabbed. I have been known to take my leg braces off, but they still seem to believe I have them on. I imagine I am in the computer. It is fun to watch the dogs sniffing around people and baggage. I really want to pet them in appreciation, but that is not appropriate. I will say I am surprised by a friend who works in security and immigration. He is in plain clothes at work. I never have guessed that.
 

Altar, Alcazar, Segovia Spain

Spain has Moorish influence, Muslim influence, and Christian Influence. Segovia' Alcazar in a great example. A Moorish palace that over looks the church from which the Crusades began.
 

Different mores

 This photo is of a second floor balcony of an "adult shop" in Barcelona. It was right across from the large community market. In Prague, the adult entertainment locations were on the central plaza and tourist center. It goes without saying that Amsterdam is pretty out in the open about things. Madrid had "girls" openly working the exits to the underground. While not shocked, we were surprised at the public openness of these things. It reminded me of San Francisco Tenderloin only more visible.

Water feature in the park in Central Madrid Spain

Boating, wading and nice outdoor cafes. 

Not far from the Botanical Gardens.

 

School yard in Zambia

        One of the highlights of our trip to four countries in Africa was a visit to a school there.  The students maintain their tribal language but nearly all speak English. That is a help for us when communicating. We took books and school supplies and my grandson met his "Pen Pal" there. The school is well-run and the kids are great. They are no different than in the United States.

 

The 'Fontana di Trevi', or the Trevi Fountain

The 'Fontana di Trevi', or the Trevi Fountain is usually pretty busy, but there are always times when you can get someone close to the fountain and take their picture. The square in which the fountain is found is also interesting. You just have to turn around. When I was there half the fountain was being cleaned.

Of interest is that hundreds of thousands of dollars are tossed in the fountain every year and goes to charity work. I did not put a coin in the fountain -not because I did not wish to return to Rome - but because I don't necessarily believe in it. I preferred dropping funds in the poor boxes at church.
 

Normandy France The Beachhead and Cemetery

A sobering sight,

We celebrate their valor

and support those who served and came home.

 

Bellagio, Lake Como Italy

            This is a photo of Bellagio from the water. You can see the passenger and auto ferries docked to the center right. It is a place that people rave about. There is good reason. It is a lovely town in a wonderful location. Photo taken 10 years ago.
 

It goes without saying that I am drawn to churches everywhere.

Small or large church buildings interest me.

This is a whopper: Saint Peter's in the Vatican.

 

Amsterdam

            If you want photos of water, Amsterdam is a good bet as water is nearly everywhere. The bridges are also interesting. This photo was taken from a small boat going down one of the canals. You can arrange for one with "The Dam Boat Guys".

 

Favorite Photos

One of my favorite photos and obviously

I did not take it.

 

I must return to Switzerland

            Here is my sad story. On an extended road trip through Italy, Austria, Germany Liechtenstein and Switzerland everything was great. The weather was good for the most part and the driving was challenging but fun. I had plans to drive of the length of Switzerland. I also made sure our flight from Verona to Paris went over the Matterhorn. Then, as we entered Switzerland the clouds rolled in and the rains came. It was hard driving although the roads were not crowded. The level of the clouds was maybe a hundred fifty feet above the road. We were in a steep valley and if there were mountains around us there was no way to tell. We saw little of the country. As we got back into Italy things cleared for awhile and we enjoyed our visit to Lake Como. Then, in Verona the clouds came back and guess how well we could see the Matterhorn while flying over it. Not sure that there is anything but clouds in Switzerland.  I have seen photos of a beautiful country, but I will have to go back to see it on a sunny day! Photo is the best I have of Switzerland.
 

Mini-Europe

Mini-Europe is on the Olympic site in Brussels, Belgium. it was a good visit even on a rainy day.

 

Barcelona, Spain

      People will  tell you that Barcelona is a wonderful city, but it is crowded. I say that it is crowded because it is a wonderful city. The photos are a telephoto of the cathedral and one of a vendor in the great marketplace.  My feeling is that if you don't want crowds you have three choices: don't go, plan to be there at an off season, or go to an oasis just south of Barcelona in the Sahara. Sorry about the sarcasm. It is just that great places have tourists for a reason.  

Bare walls

            In plenty of newer American churches the walls are stark white or made into projection screens. They are utilitarian. This wall in a Spanish Church is just plain beautiful. 
 

European Rail Travel

        Trains in Europe are a great way to travel. You can hop on a local from Paris to Amsterdam or Brussels in the Paris airport and see the countryside. On first class you can get lunch or a beverage served to you.

            In Italy you can board a train that looks like an airplane and travel at 120 kph from Rome to Venice. Great way to go. We have also taken a local from Venice to Verona which is quick and cheap.

            Needless to say that getting around England and Scotland is a pleasure by train, Especially good for a guy who usually drives and only sees the left side of the road. All Aboard!

"Free" toiletries at hotels

The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa

            Most hotels believe that you will take all of the free toiletries provided. We often bring them home in order to give them to our local homeless helpers. Yesterday I was looking for a small tube of skin cream to carry with me. The tube I found was from the David Livingstone Lodge in Zambia. The ointment itself is made in South Africa, but the tube reminded me of the time we spent along the Zambezi River at the lodge. The photo above is one I took of workers mending the roof. Lovely place and great for kids.