Rental Car Travel Overseas

     This is a Merces Benz Class B diesel which we rented in Verona Italy. In it we drove through northern Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. (Lake Como in bacground.)

       In Germany and Austria, you must keep track of your speed so it matches the lane on the Autobahn.

    On the left side of the road, I have driven in Scotland, Ireland and England.  The left side is not really difficult after a few miles. The motorways are no problem and keeping left on narrow roads is helped by the low-speed limits that everyone obeys. On the motorway you keep in what in the U.S. is the fast lane and there is the slow land. Keep left.

 In Scotland we rented two small cars and took trains in the middle.  A Renault with a glass top in the Highlands and a Ford Focus in the rest. (Small cars are a great idea. I am not sure what to do with a van.) Ireland saw us in a Nissen Versa which did well on the narrow roads.

    With a rental VW Jetta we drove most of Spain with side trip to Portugal. 

     You will need an International drivers license available at AAA or the DMV. It helps to watch YouTube videos of using roundabouts in Ireland and Scotland. 

    Don't be afraid or tentative. This is the most likely way to get you in trouble. I would recommend driving as you see the countryside and real local experiences.

 

The Caladonian Canal, Fort Angustus, Scotland

    This is the last few yards of the Caladonian Canal which connects the coast at Fort William to Loch Ness at Fort Augustus. The hotel near Loch Ness there happens to be run by the McLellans or actually the MacLellans which is how I should spell my name. Fort Augustus is one of my favorite places. We have been there twice an it is lovely and fun to watch the small ships going through the locks one level to the other.

    Loch Ness, in itself, is a wonderful place to visit.  On our last trip we joined a research team out on the loch and came up empty (as everyone does) on a Nessie sighting.

 

Mont St. Michel

I have posted long range photos of this obviously identifiable landmark.

It is wonderful and does not seem real.

Once inside, seeing the cafes and markets and the busy streets

it seems less magical.

There are, however, hidden places to encounter the Mont.

This photo is of a walkway up to the rampart where all I encountered was seagulls.

 

What Not to Pack - opinion

            

                Let's say you are going to Europe. I will choose Germany as an example. What don't you need to pack?

            A major website has underwear to buy for travel. They are expensive. The selling point it that you can wash them out each night and they are fast drying. So is most other underwear or use a hotel hair dryer. Or you can be like my traveling companion who brings old underwear and throws them away.

            You do not have to bring a medicine cabinet. Yes, bring those prescribed and keep them in their bottles. But you do not need headache medicines or cold remedies. Germany is not a Third World Country. There are drugstores everywhere and there are nearly free urgent care offices there too. (Cheaper than US.)

            If you are travelling for a week bring 3 shirts that you can rotate. If something goes bad with one or all, the stores have great bargains on shirts, and you then have something unbreakable to bring home.

            Go through everything in your suitcase and if you can live without it, live without it. Traveling light is traveling well. Sure, bring your camera and a extra chip (although you can buy them everywhere) but leave the heavy stuff home.

                 

 

Town Clock Rouen France

In Prague there is a famous clock. In Munich there is a famous clock.

In London there is a famous clock.

In Rouen France there is a famous clock.

In Rouen you walk under the clock on a lovely street. It, along with the cathedral and the location of where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake are three important sites. The city is on the Seine and is well worth your time,

 

Banksy Street Art

Montmatre Paris

 

Banksy Street Art

         Venice is removing art by Banksy from a wall along a canal and not for the reason you might think. They are removing it to preserve it. The photo appears on Goggle. I first encountered Banksy's art when walking down Montmartre from the cathedral. It was of a little girl and a flower. I was amazed by it. Sadly I cannot find the photo I took that day -- ten years ago -- but I encourage you to Google his name a see some of great work of an artist we don't really know.

Lots of talk about prison camps

Top photo is of the gates at Dachau Prison Camp outside of Munich.

One walk around inside it and you get an idea about how someone could be so mean.

It was not surrounded by alligators, but there was still no escape.

This is a place where people without power

were crushed by the powerful.

We thought it would never happen again.

 

Anne Franks' House - Amsterdam

        Today it looks like an office building more than an apartment. It stands on a average street with a canal running by. The story that it tells is of a Jewish family hiding so they would not die at the hands of the Nazis. A little girl writing a diary is a most powered inditement of those who cannot tolerate a whole group of people. The stairs are steep and the air stuffy behind the false door, but we suggest that it is an important visit in this political climate.

 

Satorial Mistakes

 

        This photo was taken at Victoria Falls in Zambia. It is my grandson and me. Now, note how I am dressed. To go to Africa, I made sure to buy all light brown clothing. It would add to my Safari look. During our adventure I did not see this color -African or otherwise - dressed like a character from "Out of Africa". Mostly folks in trainers (running shoes) and shorts.

            This is not my first time. Getting ready for a trip to Ireland I went out and brought a tweed jacket. First, I knew it might be cool. Second, all the old movies had characters in tweed jackets. Mine was the only such jacket I saw. Lots of Nike and Adidas.

Alas, I am ready to star in the next "Raiders of the Last Ark".

 

Canada ... Calgary B.C. ... and more

    This photo is of downtown Calgary from a lovely urban park.

  We have many fond memories of the Canadian people during our travels. There was the border agent on the back road from Glacier (returning) into British Columbia who teased us about the vibrant lime green of our rental car. There was the couple in whose home we stayed in in Cooper's Cove who were trained chiefs. There was the college student turned summer waiter in Jasper who explained the way my allergy to tomatoes could be controlled through cooking. There was the interesting woman who entertained us as she piloted her small boat through the dolphin pods off Vancouver Island. There are many more friends we made, and we hope they visit us sometime. 

O' Canada

    Canada has long been a close neighbor to the U.S. We stood together during several wars and have dealt with the same diseases. We have for years welcomed one another's visitors. My wife and I have traveled to Canada many times and we even went there on our honeymoon. We have always found the folks friendly. I have many stories of good experiences there. Sadly Canada has joined many nations alienated in recent months. I hope that they realize that a few do not represent a huge majority that count Canada a sister/brother in this world.

                  Photo: The river along the Icefields Parkway near Jasper B.C.

 

Lunch at the Museum of Modern Art, Prague + one trolley

        We are obviously museum junkies and always visit them when we can. We have also had lunch in museums as some have nice places to eat. My favorites include the Victoria and Albert in London and the cafe in the Musee d' Orsay in Paris. (The one in the basement of the Louve only in an emergency.) This photo is from the museum in Prague. Basically, it is a good soup and bottles of soda. I have no idea what the soda was, but it was refreshing.               Now to the trolley. They have an excellent system in Prague. We took the trolley (which is a sleek and comfortable streetcar) several times and on the way to see the modern art we had a nice experience. In our area, we have BART. It is Bay Area Rapid Transit. There are special seats for the old or disabled, but they are often filled with young active people on their phones. (If they don't look up to see you with your cane, you do not exist.) The disabled get to stand when there is a crowd. In Prague, it seems, the moment an elderly or handicapped person board the trolley, people are already on their feet indicating they are going to stand. They smile and act like you are important – because you are.

 

Old River from Tracy Wildlife Dock

When I think  of traveling I think of far away places.

We live in the San Joaquin Delt area of California and people come from all over

to visit San Francisco or Yosemite -both a couple hours away from our home.

People come to our area to boat and fish and find quiet.

We need to enjoy what we have within a few miles.

 

Under the Tuscan Sun

        Ready for a relaxing dinner in Tuscany. This area is far different from the big cities of Italy. A bed and breakfast is not expensive (nor is a hotel) and you are close by car or train to Florence or the beach. Lovely fields and people.
 

Dancing in Madrid: Flamenco

          One of the fun parts of traveling is to see other culture's art forms. Dance in many places is indeed an art. We went to a Flamenco bar in Madrid and it was a "powerful" experience. It is far from the light tapping of the Highland fling. A must stop in Ireland is a visit to River Dance. How do feet move that fast?

        Finally, I have a photo which I will not post here of my wife participating in Slovak folk dancing in a ship on the Danube. As for me, I watch.    

 

Mike at the Vatican

We visit all the small countries we can.

This is as close as I got to thePope.

 

Bastille Day - National Day of France July 14th

    On several of our trips we have been out of the country on the Fourth of July. One memorable one was while we were staying in Crail on the Scottish Coast. A young college woman from San Diego State was also at the B&B. At breakfast he glided up to our table and looking around, whispered and giggled, "Happy Independence Day".

     When we were in Normandy we missed the Fourth again but waited ten days until celebrating Bastille Day - Le Fete Nationale - in Honfleur. Fireworks and parades.

 

The Bridge from Namibia to Zambia, Africa

    There was no bridge between Namibia and Zambia. The trucks had to stop and wait for a large ferry to take them across the Zambezi. (Sex workers were many.) The lines were huge, and the wait was great. The new bridge is at the boundary between Zimbabwe and Namibia and Zambia. When we were there the bridge was not complete. You can see from the photo that there are no vehicles on it. We had to take a small van to the river and transfer to a large boat and then get on another van to take us through customs (You need a visa to enter Zimbabwe) and then on the Victoria Falls. 

In a small village in Botswana

During the trip to four countries in souhern Africa, we brought books and supplies for a school out in Botswana. After another safari we headed for a native

village. Knowing they made a living on crafts we came with small American bills

as they use dollar bills in their culture. We took a tour and a young man by the

name of Peter was tagging along as he wanted to learn how to be a tour guide.

His English was superior and we talk about any number of things as we walked together around the village. The group did end up buying crafts.

I ended up making a friend.

 

Mt. Hood, Oregon

At one time we lived on the east side of Mt. Hood and now have a second home on the west side. The mountain dominates the skyline from most places in northern Oregon (and southern Washington) People have climbed it. People have died trying. Most of us are simply is awe.

 

Trinity College, Dublin

We walked into the courtyard to visit the campus.

A young man serving as docent approached me, saw my Rotary Pin,

and we were fast friends.

He had applied for a major graduate scholarship through Rotary.

It would essentially pay for his doctorate.

He wasn't attempting to get anything from me.

Rather, he was already thanking us for letting him apply.

Hope he recived it.

 

Florence, Italy

.

It is obvious from the crowds that Florence is a charming city.

I have photos from two visits and have attempted to choose something

other than art and the crowds to put here.

There is more to Florence than just a small limited space.

Take a cab to a monestary overlooking the city.

Go for a walk after 9 pm.

Try some of  the backstreets and quiet local hungouts.

 

Teaching about other nationalities - raising a child globally

We have taken our grandchildren to a variety of places overseas. 

Our goal was to give them a chance to be citizens of the whole world.

In each case, the kids were exposed to people unlike themselves.

This photo is of my grandson and other western travelers

visiting a school in Botswana which had been their "pen-pals" before hand.

 

Short Classes Overseas

This is  photo of one of my granddaughters at a baking class in Paris.

The bakery was on the otherside of Montmartre from our apartment near the Louvre. We got there by cab. While the grandaughter learned baking skills, we watched over a bottle of wine. I posted a picture on Facebook and a friend who is the CEO of our local hospital messaged me that he and his family did the same thing while in Paris.

We took a cooking class in Barcelona and I was incharge of wine and stiring the paella. It was my max. There have been art and history classes too.

You can only do this if you are not in a rush.

 

Notes on flying and sitting at the gate III

The waiting area at CDG Paris

            While waiting some people bring a good book and others bring their iPad. I bring a desire to watch people. Some are nervious, some sleepy, some already drunk, some are more worried about the person they are with.  It is also fun to guess things about the passengers and you do not need to be right -they will never know and you will never know.

            You should be wearing loose, comfortable clothes. No one cares if you are well dressed and you will care about being comfortable. You are going to keep your shoes on or on an international flight wear the free socks provided. Everyone will be pleased if you bathe before getting to the airport. 

            It takes less than twenty minutes on average to get your luggage. If you get to the claim area early you have all of the bags to watch. If you wait you will better find yours. Therefore don't just up and block the aisle on the plane. Relax and waiting until the line thins out so you can get to your carry-on. It is also nice to thank the staff as you leave. No reason, just nice.

            

 

LOST IN THE TRANSLATION : The big woman

            Whenever we have traveled to a European Country, I try to at least know some of the language. I thought my High School Spanish would help me in Spain, but I had learned Mexican not Spanish.  I took German at the university, but that was long ago. So, I took to guide books that would teach me the important phrases: hello, good-by, toilet, please, wine, etc.

            It is true that most folks in Europe took English in school and know it. Most people will help us out in our native tongue. The French and the Italians seem to be the most helpful ... or not.

            We had made a huge circle around five European countries by car. The plan was to fly from Verona to Paris and then home. We stayed the night in Verona and in the morning took our rental car back. At the rental office, I asked how to get to the boarding area. The kind young man said, "big woman". He repeated this several times. I gave up. What did it mean? Outside the office we looked up and there it was, a likely 60 foot tall advertisment -- a "very big woman". That helped.
 

Segovia, Spain: Columbus and the Roman Aqueduct

 A healthy walk from the parking lot under the aqueduct and

into the heart of the city. No need for a car. It is worth the visit.

 

More plane and gate notes

   I like to fly although always a little tense. We have a large number of trips to Europe and nationally. We suggest you take an empty water bottle through TSA to be filled before the flight. (Except the International wing of San Francisco which is not good water.) In our carry-on, we carry on gum, decongestant nasal spray, seasickness tabs, all the meds we need for the trip, and photo copies of all documents.

    You will find that ginger (candy even) helps with motion sickness. 

    Also, bring along Wet Ones to wipe down the tray, arm rests and any place you might touch before putting your hands in your mouth. 

    We also bring along Imodium in case we miss a spot when we ere cleaning.

    On international flight you will be given a set of earphones. They are sometimes repackaged so you may wish to bring your own, plus the sound on yours may be better. Also, get up and walk around (toilet?) at least once an hour or two. You legs will thank you.

 

The Fenice in Venice - after the fire

        Before a trip to Italy I had read a book by John Berendt titled "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" which had made me read his book "City of Falling Angels." The "City of Falling Angels" is about Venice and the fire that burnt the Fenice Operahouse to the ground. They were both excellent. The latter book made me want to see the new Fenice which had been built on the site of the old one.               We arrived and accepted a self-guided tour. We  were warned, as you can see by the sign in the photo, not to take pictures.

        Making our way to the box that allowed us to view the stage, we found someone tuning the piano. We could hardly move. Between his talent and the beauty of the place, we had a wonderful experience. 

        One of our favorite stops in Paris is the Palais Garnier - the grand operahouse. Both places are more than worth it to come inside and spend some time. You will not be sorry that you gave up the time shopping.

 

Before Take Off - Airports and Gates

        Somehthings I have to myself every time I fly. 1) get to the airport early. I know that often it forces you to sit at the gate until boarding, but better that than miss the plane. 2) Planes usually board 1/2 hour before take off. Take  off is the time on your boarding pass. 3) Print your boarding pass anyway. When you get out of range of the airport's internet, you can still fly. 4) The TSA and security are your friends unless you are doing something wrong. Just don't do it. 5) Yor Costco card is a picture ID, but will not work anymore at TSA. 6) Photo copy everything and keep it in your carry-on. 7) The fact that you have a mddle seat is not the fault of those on either side of you. They booked early. 8) If you want to board early, be disabled. If you don't want to be disabled, be patient. More to come...