A dinner in Florence Italy

Well, it doesn't look like Olive Garden or In and Out Burger.

It is opulent and grand. Dining as it ought to be.

After dinner I got to be part of the entertainment along with a nuclear scientist from New Mexico. 

 

No need to go to the Alps to see pretty views

This is a photo of a waterfall in Alberta Canada.

While we love Europe we realize that the Canada Rockies and

the whole of the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. has just bout  everything

places in Europe have  with the exception of very  old buildings. 

 

George Washington in Trafalgar Square, London

In Trafalgar Square you can look around a see many indications of English History.  Somewhat surprising outside of the Portrait Gallery is a statue of George Washington.  He is a hero. He helped over throw a bad king. 

 

Uffizi Galleries

I have shared before that we like to go for walks later in the evening when there are fewer tourists. This photo is of the courtyard of the Uffizi Galleries in Florence. We walked through the arch to stroll along the river.

The Uffizi is a gem. Paintings you only saw before in books are hanging on the walls for you to see. "The Birth of Venus" for example is just there with hardly anyone around. Florence is a wonderful city.

 

Barcelona, Spain

Park Guell  

There are many reasons to like Barcelona. The weather is great, the buildings interesting, the tapas excellent, and the beach is not only beautiful but bathing suits are not necessarily as complete as in the U.S.

But, you will soon find that people from all over are visiting too.

I do not mind crowds, but we make a special point of visiting smaller yet interesting locations.  Get a guide book like Lonely Planet and set out a plan.

 

The Charles Bridge, Prague CZ

The Charles Bridge is an ancient access to the city. It links the castle area to old town. We walked it both in the daytime and at night. The views are very different. The photo above is one of the many sculptures along the bridge that tell of Prague's history. They are wonderful. If you want to know who took this photo, note the man at lower right. It was not him.

 

Court of the Lions. The Alhambra, Granada Spain

A number of years ago, when I was in Grad School, my in-laws returned from Spain and brought me a book by Washington Irving titled "Tales of  the Alhambra". Irving had spent a good block of time there. When you are done with the book you have learned a great deal about the Alhambra, its history, and the lovely gardens. It became part of the bucket list and we went out of our way on a road trip of Spain to make a visit. It was worth it. But having read the book made it feel like it was a second visit. If you read Dan Brown's "The Di Vinci Code" and go to Paris or read his "Secret of Secrets" and go to Prague it makes a difference. Even if you read them when home it puts flesh on the bones. I remember reading "City of Falling Angels" and it made a priority for me to visit the opera house in Venice. I would not otherwise seen La Fenice, and was glad I read it the book.

 

Neuschwanstein - just a little cabin in the woods

If you find yourself in Munich you will be fairly close to Neuschwanstein the famous castle that some say was the model for the castle in Disneyland. If it were in Disneyland people would only visit once. In the heart of Bavaria it is the project of a man with too much money. It is worth the trip. It is the destination of a bus which leaves from the Munich Train Terminal. Once there you realize that it on top of a very high hill (I'd say mountain but not one compared to the Alps).  You can ride in a horse drawn cart, ride an overstuffed bus, or walk to get to the top. The bus is the better of the three. Now, you get to the top and you want to take a tour of the castle. Fine. There  are hundreds of steps inside. Because I am lucky to walk, I waited while my wife went in. We have had a long marriage where she climbed things or went somewhere and I waited at the bottom.

        When done you can take the bus which goes better down hill or you can do what we did and that is hike down. Remarkably it is as far down as up.
 

Angels in hiking bootd

 

 I have often talked about the fact that we do not worry about getting lost. We do get lost often, but our experiences have been good. We were on a walk in Seville. There are wonderful parks and interesting places. But as it was getting late we wanted to get back to the center of the tourist area so we might take the tram back to or hotel. First off we came to this (we think) beautiful structure. We found amazing. While looking  around we saw a likely helper and asked how to get where we wanted to go using mostly our hands to communicate. Surprisingly he was an American Expat living in Spain. He said  follow me. Around corners through narrow passages and streets away we went to our desired destination. Very grateful to our guide.

Venice Italy

 

This was taken from our hotel window. It shows some of what Venice looks like.

We enjoyed long walks after the tourists went back to their ships.

It is quiet even romantic. The thing that strikes you is the vast number of visitors in Venice and the burden it places on space. They have issued day passes to help but when we were there the crowds during the day were large.

Hint: great little cafe in the Ghetto.

Cheetah Reserve, South Africa

The Cheetah is related to the Leopard. It is smaller but one of the fastest land animals. It is built for speed and for capturing its prey.

Beautiful, they're not something I would try to outrun.

Then again, I cannot outrun most animals. 

 

Union Square San Francisco

            We live within the Great California Valley, but we are close to Yosemite and San Francisco. SF is known as "The City" around here and we go in several times a year. We volunteered in China Town, ran the Bay to Breakers, gone shopping, walked the Goldengate Bridge, visited many world-class museums and so much more there. Due to the high cost of housing, it is great to visit taking rapid transit and living in the valley.
 

Choosing an Airline

Air France at SFO

            We are frequent flyers on Air France and Alaska Airlines. We have flown many others. One outstanding airline that we only flew once was South African.

            The flight may not be the deciding factor for you, but a good flight helps make it a good trip. We have flown long haul from San Francisco on several  carriers and Air France stands out for us.  Some of the others were fine, one or two made a 12 hour flight seem  like a 12 day flight. Because of where you are going, sometimes you do not get a choice. We are fortunate in that we often choose carrier over price.  One surprise was flying Jet Blue across the U.S. It was both lower cost and an excellent flight. Ask your friends.  Look at reviews. Study their website. Choose your carrier.   For example, I did not expect much from Virgin to London and was pleasantly surprised. I also have been disappointed in Delta. Maybe one flight is not enough to judge, but it is for me.

 

Let's say that you wish to "Pop-in" for a wee bit of Scotch

You will have the choice of thousands of bottles in Edinburgh.

            You just don't walk to  the Scotch Museum. You must prepare:

1) Are you sure that is where you want to go? 2) Have you researched it on the Web? 3) Have you found your passport with more than six-months until it expires? 4) Having decided on a date buy plane tickets. 5) Call your credit card and tell them that you are going. 6) Call your cell-phone provider and asked about your phone. You my need a different sim card. 7 How are you getting to the airport and back? 7) Plan on how much cash to get at the airport ATM in Pounds. 8) If there is any chance at all, Get travel insurance (Your credit card may do this for expenses charged on it. 9) You do not need a VISA or shots to get into Scotland. 10) Print your itinerary and give it to neighbors and relatives. 11) You will not need a car, but if you want to go someplace else you need to rent it. 12) Carry Wet Ones to clean your seat hands and seat belt. See you when you get home

Lighthouse on the Oregon USA coast

You may not make them out, but there are people in the light

getting a view of the Pacific Ocean.

 

CABS

        We often take cabs in Europe. It is an easy way for us. For example it costs 15 Euros per person to take a cab from CDG into Paris and the driver handles the luggage. The photo above is a gussied up Black Cab in London. We would probably not take it as it it not traditional.

        Let's look at two of the many cab rides I have had. In Rome we were late for a meeting at the Vatican. The trip alone would give you religion. It was like an uncontrolled Disneyland ride. Obviously we made it.  In Vienna I had hurt my back and my leg hurt too bad to walk so I left the group and took a cab. The driver was to take me back to the wharf but there are many one way streets. I knew he was lost as I saw most of Vienna. He slowed and alas there was the wharf. I should have more faith. In Paris we were on northside and needed to get toward the river. I asked the cabby if he could go over Montmartre to get a view of the city. He did not charge us for it and enjoyed the view and much as we did.

    I am sure some folks like Uber of Lyft. We will take cabs.

Vienna: Art and Music

        When you live in the Artic you may not feel the cold as much. When you are in Mississippi you may think everyone talks that way.

        In Vienna a visitor is struck by the art and music which the locals likely hardly notice any more. Certainly they must take pride in it.  This photo is of a street corner outside a public building. It is just an example of the art everywhere. We went to a concert and on the same night there were others to choose from. Art and music seem to be everywhere.

        Vienna is a beautiful city with warm people.

 

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

The Pope came and declared the cathedral finished.

When we were there, it was awe inspiring.

But it will likely never be "done".

My photo here is looking through the nave to the chancel.

The gold round in the lower middle is Christ on the Cross over the altar. 

Granada Spain

This photo was taken in the Alhambra above Granada Spain.  It was a long-time goal. Later in the day we were visiting places in the city. Granada is a place visitors ought to go if they have time. We had three days.

While walking along I spied a shirt in the window of a man's shop.

I decided that I had to have it.

Inside the clerks let me try on various sizes. Something unlikely at home.

I was taking my time and realized that the clerks were pressuring me to hurry.

It seemed a little rude.

When I finally purchase the shirt they hurried us out and locked the door.

They were not being rude - I was.

It was Siesta and time for their break.

I ought to have remembered that I was in Spain.

 

Excuse Me Do You Know The Way To Zambia?

When the herd heard me they tuned to see who was taking their photo. Just me in a South African reserve. It is almost time for the great zebra migration.    
 

Not meant to be souvenirs

Photo has nothing to do with text. I just like it.

            We are not big shoppers on our trips. We do not come for objects to remember places by. It just sometimes happens. I put the paper coasters from drinks in my pocket and have a large number of them. They cost nothing and were just a part of a meal. In France each of our Airbnbs were furnished with everything but pepper. We have two small containers of it in the cupboard here at home. I have two boxes of OTC medicines I got in Slovakia but I cannot read the writing and I am not sure what they are for. We did buy a pretty wineglass in Murano but it is hardly used. As I walk around our house looking for things we brought back from overseas it appears that has been brought back is mostly great memories.

 

Ireland road sign

On a cliff near Dingle they express that they want you back.

Lying-man island in the rear.

 

Every village is a new adventure

We often rent a car and do a road trip.

No need to do it along the Danube.

This is the tower of a small church near the river.

The blue church (St. Elizabeth) of Bratislava, Slovakia

 

You should have gone to Benny's

So, you come home from a trip of a lifetime. You are sharing

some of your adventures in Spain. You visited four cities in a month on your trip. 

Someone who spent a day in each city says:

"But, did you eat at Benny's in the Plaza"

like you wasted your time because you missed "the best

salad I have ever had."

Murder is a crime in Spain as it is in the U.S. Don't do it.

Some more things to bring along that may help

Over Greenland which is white - Iceland is usually closer to green.

        There are a few more items to pack in my opinion: small Swiss Army knife: mine have always been the smallest that a finger nail file, a knife and scissors (wife carries a nail clipper). Just remember that the knife stays in you checked luggage. It carry it on it will disappear. (I am on my third.)  Plus I take a small roll of duct tape. It fixes everything from a ripped  suitcase to a loose hem. Next are three things for the plane: gum (take off and landing), ginger candy (if you get the least bit airsick (On Alaska they serve ginger ale.) and a small package of Wet Ones (Walgreens sell small packs) you use them to clean your set, tray and seatbelt because the plane service rarely clean them. The load above is smaller than a large candy bar - which are free to take if you choose,

 

Getting ready

Air France Terminal at CDG Airport, Paris

         Before you go let us look at what you need to pack: 1. copies of your passport which you keep nowhere near your passport; 2) copies of your itinerary (which I email to myself to access it from any phone): 3) hard copies of plane and lodging information; 4) list of medications <take 1 week more than you need>; 5) Emergency phone numbers <I make sure they are in my phone, bur phones get lost; 6) phone number on the back of your credit card so you can call if it is lost; 7) trip issuance copies; 8) phone number for airline emergency: 9) ______ anything else you cannot do without <I take ginger candy and nasal spray and aspirin in my pocket>. 10) I always buy a New Yorker Magazine to read if I get bored.

 

Buy a beer, stay for the waitresses and their entertainment. How many glasses at once?

Trite: Beer and Pretzels In Hofbraeuhaus, Munich 

 

The OHSU Gondola

On the top of a major hill there stands Oregon Health And Science University.

It is in Portland, Oregon.

There are actually a number of hospitals under the same umbrella.

When the top of the hill became too crowded they opened the waterfront.

To link the top with the river, they build this tram system.

I was hospitalized up atop.

My wife had brain surgery on the lower building.

As always, this is a teaching hospital and they learned a lot from us.

 

The late night concerts around Europe

A concert at the old church on the plaza, Old Town Prague.

        We often have looked for concerts in the places we have been staying. There was a great group of fiddlers and horn player in the church up the hill from the sea wall in Dingle Ireland. There was a remarkable violist at the castle in Prague. I will always remember the  symphony with ballet in Vienna. The organ concert in Saint Martins in London shows off amazing skill. There are monks chanting everywhere in France and Italy. The flamenco with strings in Madrid brings life to an old building. Those are just a few. At check-in it is worth asking. 

A thought from a sign in Portland

I have been lucky enough to see (and touch in those days) the Liberty Bell. I have stood in Independence Hall and Old North Church. I climbed stairs inside the Statue of Liberty and looked at Plymouth Rock. Walked the garden at Mount Vernon and visited Lincoln’s home in Springfield. I have stood in the dim of the memorial, reciting the Gettysburg Address for my young children.

These things have changed me. But of greater importance to my education were visits to the slave quarters at Mount Vernon. There is Ford’s Theater where Lincoln was shot for believing in equality. I have seen the steps that the young black children walked to integrate Montgomery’s schools. I have stood in the pulpit of Martin Luther King at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church from which he saw Rosa Parks who had seated herself in the “wrong” seat on a bus. I have dug gold in the same places that the Chinese dug to make their master’s rich. There are the Japanese concentration camps in the desert. I have been to Watts.

Tomorrow is Independence Day. We beat the British, we are still to address ourselves.

 

The Straits of Gibratar

Looks like ten years ago we were standing on our balcony at the Rock Hotel and looking across the strait at Morocco. This is where Europe and Africa meet.

 

Saint Stephan's Church, Verona Italy - A surprise

View of the Church and monastery. 

Hidden back courtyard to the church.

        Where you stay is often more important than everything else on your trip. We have fond memories of  BNB's and small hotels where we met charming people. This photo is of St, Stephan's Church as seen from across Ponte Pietra (bridge). The monastery had been sold to a young couple to make into a BNB. The owner was a delight. Indeed, it is an old building, but it has a modern vibe. They are very helpful and we enjoyed knowing them. You don't get this in a hotel.

Lake Como Italy -- Bellagio

One of my favorite photos.

Those are not all louds at 2 o'clock.

At 9 o'clock those are houses hanging on.

 

Lazy Day on Lake Garda Italy

I had a camera load of photos from all around five countries

in Europe. It had been a great road trip.

A stop on Lake Garda was needed, especially for the driver.

No mountain or valley here. No famous building.

Just a swan.

 

The Tower of London

        This is  the White Tower which is part of the Tower of London complex. Rather that going on the London Eye, we suggest going to the Tower, seeing the jewels, listening to the Beefeaters, learning some history and walking the rampart with views of the Tower Bridge and river.

        This is at least a half-day adventure. Well worth it. Some hints: go at opening in the morning. It is cooler then. But, go all the way back and see the Crown Jewels without a crowd. Now work forward. Hear the speaker in the chapel telling of history. See where Mary met her maker and have lunch in the cafe. 

Gracie's Cousin

        Gracie is a 3 year old giraffe. This week she walked away from the ranch where she lived in Texas. The owner put up $5,000 for her safe return. She weighs 1,200 pounds and stands 10 feet tall. Not easy to hide. She was not hiding, just away from home.

         When I was in the savanna in Southern Africa, I saw large groups of giraffes.  This one, in the photo, saw me. As this guy was in a reserve he was accustomed to Americans in Range Rovers taking his picture. In groups called "Towers" these tall animals. are in herds, and as safe as Gracie. 

 

Looking at the Neighbors From The Rock of Cashel Ireland

        The Rock of Cashel is a major landmark and visitor stop for people driving through Central Ireland. It is a chapel, a cathedral, an abbey, vicars' house and a Tower House. You will pay for a guide in the cathedral but the rest is walking around. Of note: the auto park is at the base of the hill and it is somewhat of a hike.  Rather than give you  photo I have taken of the ruins, I thought I give you an idea of what you can see from the top of the rock. Indeed there is another church in ruins, but look at the green and the lush fields.

Scotland Surprize

Cafe on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

I had ordered fish'n chips and was waiting for my order.

I did not realize I looked so American.

A young man in a wheelchair started a political dialogue.

He knew more about us than I did.

This is not uncommon in Europe.

 

Simple Pleasure

In a small town in Austria there exists a small walkway to the river.

I am sure there are other such walkways in other towns and other countries.

The special feeling, however, is that the traveler has discovered it

for the first time

 

In Prague: Macarons

When we took our granddaughter to Paris, she fell in love with macarons. The French style are different from those in the US.

In other trips to Paris we were tempted to bring some home to her.

They  likely would not make it.

So, we took this photo of a shop in Prague

It would have to do as a reminder our our trip together.

Better than bringing home snails.

 

A common problem with rental cars

This is a Mercedes B Class on Lake Como early in the dew of the morning..

I like to drive and go seeking surprises. This means renting a  car.

I have driven in 14 different countries three of which drive on the left. My wife, and navigator, takes credit for us being alive.

        We use Auto Europe to rent our cars. Auto Europe is a consolidator which means you may get a car from any manufacturer. The list of various vehicles I have driven is long. However, Auto Europe has always found a fairly new car which fits our needs that we have outlined as to where we want to go. This is to say, you would not likely want a Cadillac Coverable to drive the beach dunes. You need a Land Rover.

        The biggest hint I can give you is, besides the language difference, have the rental agent tell you what the switches mean. They always give the traffic laws of their country, but how do you turn on the windshield wipers? In the Alps I had to have some not-so-hell's angels help me open the gas filter.

            Also a car may be just different. The Mercedes above was a diesel and I understand that, but to conserve fuel the engine goes off when stopped. This should be explained to the driver before he is in stop-and-go in Innsbruck Austria. Don't tell me to read the manual. 

 

Thanks to the pilot

 I have a nephew who is a Captain with United Airlines.

We are all pretty proud of him.

I was particularly proud when we flew our last flight to New York JFK.

I looked down and wondered where the heck was the airport?

You must have more skill than I to find it.

(They did find it.)

 

Giverny, France

 

I was taking with someone who had just come back from France. He

had taken a long-boat down the Seine and we were comparing notes.

When we had both gotten to Giverny we were impressed with Monet's

garden as we had seen so many paintings and prints that Monet had done of it.

This photo is a detail - not of the footbridge - but just one patch of garden.

As mentioned

I mentioned a while back that when we were in Venice

it was high tide. This picture shows St. Mark's Square

and those "tables" are actually the risers people need

to walk on when the tide is in.

 

Experience is the best teacher

      

 We once tried to plan a trip by just listening to others. Others have different values.

Shopping airlines will surprise you in the difference in fare. We did not buy travel insurance for a trip depending on the insurance provided by our credit card and it took months and a call to the state Insurance Commissioner to settle. Without an itinerary you can miss things, but on the other hand you can find surprises. Your card may not include medical expense or evacuation. Plan ahead: you will need to get an all Paris Card, tickets to Park Guell and the Alhambra etc. As for not telling your credit card provider I got a phone call from a lady in Georgia while I was in Gibraltar. I told them I would be in Spain. Forgot that Gibraltar is not Spain. Call your cell-phone carrier and see if your SIM card works or if you need  another. It also helps if they tell you when to change cards. The ATM at the airport is always a better rate, plus you will need local cash for some services. Don't over pack, I did this just once. We have had to ask a neighbor to go in and find our passport and mail it to us so we could come home.  Do not buy traveler's checks. Hardly anyone accepts them. Remember an extra chip for your camera as you can fill on quickly. Yes, your phone is pretty good but Photoshop is tough. Something will go  wrong ...unplanned. It is part of the adventure.

 

The travel planning process

        So you heard from a friend or Rick Steves or by way of an ad that X is the place you will want to experience. (You don't go to just to see it,) 

1. Buy a copy of Lonely Planet - or another guide  - and read up on your                         destination. If you have access to National Geographic they help too.  

2. Check with airlines to see if they go there and how much.

3. Reserve Air when you set the date.

4. You need to look into Travel Insurance. (your credit card may include it but it         may not include medical expense or evacuation).

5. Set up an itinerary. You may want to visit something that requires a reservation.

6. How do you get to the airport? Reserve it.

7. Call your credit card and tell them where and when you are going. 

8. Call your cell-phone carrier and see if your SIM card works or if you need                  another. 

9. Do not buy traveler's checks. Either get to an ATM at the airport or just use                 your credit card. (At ATM you need a debit card.)

10. Make a packing list. Meds, copy of Passport, special clothing, etc.

11. Pack a week before. Take out unneeded things. Do it again.

 12.Give a copy of itinerary and a key to someone responsible at home. 

13. Make a list of things to do or not do when you are gone. Keep it.

14. Unless you are going to the middle of the jungles there are stores that sell                 dental floss. Unpack again.

15. Remember an extra chip for your camera ... and your camera.

 16. Sharpen your sense of humor.

                                               ...next post is about why...

 

SO... what do you bring home? What size are you?

This photo of a bookseller's window gives you an idea of the political awareness of people overseas. A book seems heavy to carry so I did not buy one. In fact, I bring home very little other than photos and memories. Two lighter exceptions for me were a shirt from Granada Spain and a shirt from Munich Germany. You see, I pack light and I ran out of clean clothes. Yes, we have used laundries in Ireland (Dingle), Verona, and Prague, but we have someone else do the work as we spent too much money to waste it on domestics. Yet, I was close to leaving and stopped to buy a cheap shirt (and in Munich a sweater as it was turning cold). And because I do not waste time, I believed the tags that said "Large". These folks must be smaller than I am. A little tight. But, now that I have lost weight right on.

 

Central Europe: Best places (in my opinion)

OK I haven't been to all the cities in Central Europe. I hear that Krakow is wonderful, but we missed it.) I would just like to recommend three. Prague is a city of old and new. It has much to communicate regarding the effects of World War II and Nazi occupation. I find it charming. The second on my list is Vienna where music meets a clean city. You must go to a concert there. The Third is Budapest. The photo above (not very good I know) is of the Chain Bridge. High on a hill Buda is great to see and look out from.  Great food. 
 

Soweto South Africa

        Soweto South Africa is a large urban township just outside of Johannesburg. It is concerned the center of the anti-apartheid activity.  It now is an important visit. Not only are some parts the poorest of the poorest it is also the home to the Mandalas, In addition it is where you will find the Pieterson Memorial a museum you will never forget. We also had lunch in a cafe near the Tutu home. Soweto is where black Africans took a stand against Apartheid.