Catalonian Independence

     Last year as we walked around Barcelona there was an undercurrent of independence going on.    Even in the quiet backstreets there were displays of flags announcing people's loyalties. It was subtle but ever present. In California one only sees the California flag on public buildings, not on private homes and businesses. The Catalonian people are proud. I am not sure what will happen next. 

Tower in Verona Italy

      Let us talk about fear and traveling. Many people are scared of leaving the known of their own home and going to a far away place. I suppose that we were that way once, although lack of finances was more of a reason not to go places.
      We have gone into cities in Europe right after a bombing or riot. We have gone to places were we do not know the language or customs. We might have been in physical danger and not known it. We have driven on the "wrong" side of the road with natives and tried foods that were suspect.
     But, for the most part it is and continues to be worth it.
     The one thing, for me, that is an issue is my fear of heights. I am not fearful at 35,000 feet, but I break a sweat on bridges and towers and cliffs. The photo above is of a tower in the center of Verona, Italy. There is a elevator up and then a short flight of stairs. At the viewing platform there is a strong fence. My wife leans over and looks down. I stand in the center and consider holding on.
     Having confessed this, I still go up towers, on high bridges and to the edge of cliffs. I also try any food on a menu that I have not had before.  In Verona I ordered and ate donkey meat ragu; let me save you the trouble.

Hire a guide

     Yes, you can drive yourself around a major city or destination with a guidebook, but you cannot beat hiring a guide - someone who has lived in a place for many years or even grown up there. I have done lots of homework and driven in the countryside and it works well, but not for a visit in a special place with limited time. The photos above are the result of hiring a local guide.  Starting at the top: Daniel showed us around his home city of Brussels. We told what was of interest and he did the rest. Next is the back of Duncan's head. He lead us around the Chobe National Park in Botswana. There were maps available and rental cars, but no thanks. Three full days of game drives made it possible to see the game, not worry about hitting an elephant. Next is Tim the former Police Chief of Dingle, Ireland. A man with a ready wit and a great knowledge of the area. He even speaks Gaelic. The bottom photo is of the great cavern in the Rock of Gibraltar. Karl grew up in the city and was the right blend of lots of information and freedom to roam. He arranged for all the entry tickets and drove roads that scared me beyond words. Expensive? No. Not if you want to know what you are seeing after spending a bundle flying there.

Landmarks

Paris has a tower, London has a bridge, Barcelona has a church, Rome has a Colosseum, 

San Francisco has a bridge and Dublin has this wonderful spire pointing to the sky.

Catalonia Spain

     This view of Barcelona was taken from near the Olympic site. That vantage is close to the fortress that guards the harbor. Barcelona is the main city of Catalonia and that Spain province wishes to form its own nation and leave Spain. There are many reasons for that, one of which is that Spanish is their second language. We will wish to keep up on this as losing this area would have a huge impact on Spain.

Killing Africa

     Once upon a time, men took small boats into the heart of Africa.  They walked miles carrying a big rifle in order to shoot  rhino or an elephant. The meat went to the guides and helpers and the head went home to be mounted on a wall in a large house (it had to be a large house) as a trophy of bravery.

     Now, the herds are being depleted and men fly in or take a Land Rover and shoot a rhino or elephant and cut off the horn or tusks and leave the meat on the ground. These men take the horn or ivory and sell it to other men who believe (falsely) that there is medicine or magic in what has been stolen. 

     

Friends, Romans, Countrymen...

Photo: part of The Forum in Rome.

I am impressed by it all, but love those trees.