Mike McLellan's Postcards

WELCOME

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, February 9, 2023

Political Awareness in Europe

In the United States our news rarely runs political commentary on happenings or opinions in Europe. In Europe, the people see information from around the world. Their TV networks are inclusive. Their newspapers, like the Scotsman published in Edinburgh, run news from around the world along side the news of their locale. The photo I took of this editorial is just one example.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Train in Tuscany

The trains are comfortable and timely in Tuscany.

However, you need a back-up plan in case of a strike or walk-out.

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

The Louvre - more than three things to see

When we have been in the Louvre - usually most of a day - we see folks who have set aside an hour or two go running (fast walking) by us on the way between the three more popular things to see. One is the Mona Lisa and the others are Winged Victory and Venus De Milo. These folks miss so much. Besides, these three pull in huge crowds and make them hard to see. I am not suggesting people stay out of the Louvre if they only have a few hours, but those hours are better spent on one floor and in one section that has been planned in advance. As for the big three - look them up on the internet and see more of them.

Sunday, February 5, 2023

FaceTime

Call your cell phone carrier a month ahead of time and arrange for international calling. They may send you a SIM card that is usually activated the day before you leave. Or, you sometimes can get a SIM card in an airport upon landing. We have iPhones and while we do use our network, we also use FaceTime on WIFI. It doesn't cost anything and most hotels and Airbnb's have WIFI. It is nice to see a friendly face. On my wife's last trip to Italy, she used FaceTime. Set your phone time to include your destination as well as where you are calling. In this last case, my wife was in Tuscany and I was near San Francisco - a nine hour difference. Sometimes it is another day.

Saturday, February 4, 2023

Barcelona Security Guard

Just outside Park Guell.

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Castle at Durnstein along the Danube

The ruins of the castle overlooking Durstein and the Danube looks to be an interesting visit.

Probably true, but it is a long way straight up.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Normandy Battle Site

While touring the cemeteries and battle sites of Normandy, we were taken from place to place in this vintage personnel carrier. It gave a small insight into what some things were like. Certainly there was calm and beaches were clean, but the visit is a solemn experience. We laid wreaths at the America Cemetery and again at Omaha Beach. We got to Normandy by cruise ship from Paris. The change of mood was obvious in our group.