Airbus A380 Ready to Go

     It is difficult to show how large this plane actually it, but you will note that it has two passenger decks. Our seats are a few windows behind the small red slash-mark after "Air France"on the front of the plane. We are on the top floor. I might note that every time I look at one of these planes I am sure that they actually do not fly. I don't understand things like "lift" and "thrust" - but somehow we get to Europe every time. Ready to do it again. Hello CDG.

Barcelona, Spain

Surprises around every corner.

Soweto, South Africa

     Soweto is an example of a place where upwardly mobile people wish to leave and immigrate to places with more possibilities. The ones who are satisfied or trapped stay behind. It reminds me of the people who piled into boats and left Vietnam during the war. Only those people longing for a better life dared immigrate to other places. Today, in the United States, we wonder why the people who came here from Vietnam are so smart and do so well. Pretty simple. People willing to risk danger for a better life are hard workers who are willing to do anything to succeed.

On Safari: Zambia Village

        It was early morning and already those people employed in the nearby town were gone to work, but most of the village people are either unemployed or shepherds. It is a tiny place with well scrubbed people and interested children. A small group of young men were playing a board game between huts. A woman was washing at the local water supply. There were beautiful crafts for sale at very low prices - so low that we were not inclined to bargain. These are not poor people. They are proud people with little in the way of possessions. But, they are rich in heritage and culture. They are rich in community life. Yet, the world is catching up and they are seeking to adapt. They will succeed.

Planning for Paris

     A view along the Seine shows some of the personality of Paris. I admit that it is a great city. It is easy to love. We have rented another apartment along the Seine very near the Eiffel Tower. We will use it as a point to explore the central city some more. Bet we find some good sidewalk cafes and lovely gardens. (Easy bet to win.)

     I am not sure, however, how the folks are going to welcome Americans. I will use my line that I am not an American, I am a Californian. This always helps. But, our president has strained relationships with almost every country except Russia and North Korea. He has especially hit the UK and France where I will be this summer. Not sure that I can change the attitude of a whole country, but I will be a goodwill ambassador to one person at a time. 

California Coastline

Watching for whales, Spring 2018

Speck at upper right is not a whale. It is a boat of whale-watchers.

What to bring back besides great memories

          Opinel knives are as French as things can be. Joseph Opinel introduced it in 1890 and I have always wanted one. When I was younger I saw romantic leading men, in movies about France, out on picnics cutting bread and cheese for some beautiful woman along the Seine. The knives are very sharp and fold. They have a special twist band that holds the knife in the open position. It was my choice (along with a Tour de France water bottle) to bring home. My wife brought home a scarf with a Galleries Lafayette tag sewn in. Not much else.

      I know a woman who brought home a table, chairs and a chandelier from Venice. I brought home a wine glass from Murano. 

      One month in Ireland and I brought home a Celtic ring - I bought it as a way of keeping my wedding ring from falling off - and dozens of free beer coasters. I like free beer coasters.

     I did not bring anything back from Spain. 

     I bought some baskets in a market in Zambia. They needed the sales. I use them every day.

    I am not one who says not to bring anything home - except model Eiffel Towers made in China - but I also know that you would have hard work to find souvenirs in our house.

     One of our favorites, however, is a book of pressed flowers gathered from around Scotland. 

     What have you brought home from your trips? 4000 photos? A sunburn? A set of English China?