What happens if you are ten minutes late?

 Some of my favorite YouTube videos are those where a passenger gets to the gate after the door is closed and demands to get on the plane. How many times do the airlines have to say that in most airports you need to get there one and a half to two hours early for domestic flights and two or more hours early for international flights? It takes time to park, get luggage checked, tickets ready, walk to the boarding area and get on the plane. I have had to wait in the boarding areas a good deal and listen to some of this first hand, but I am always early so I can relax a bit before getting on the plane. In fact I like hanging out in the lounge if there is one. Do not think that an airline is picking on you, they are trying to keep a schedule for everyone else. They need people to make connections.  They have a certain place on the runway for takeoff. It is just the way it is.

Famous Blue Church of Bratislava, Slovakia

Down or up the Danube, a stop in Bratislava is a treat.

Nice city with loads of public art.

(Photo by Marietta McLellan)

 

The Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin Ireland

     As part of every busman's holiday, I have to stop in at every church and chapel.  This is the chapel at Trinity College in Dublin.   We were visiting while touring the island by car. Dublin is a nice city full of life. The college is no different. When we arrived at the school, a young man greeted us. He was obviously like I was in graduate school - part of the public relationship staff. One thing he noticed about me, was my Rotary International pin.  He was excited to meet a Rotarian as he was applying for a full fellowship in education through our organization. 

     I have met Rotarians around the world and have had meetings with some. It is fun to be part of a group that draws from people in all countries and walks of life.

     Trinity College is the home of The Book of Kells, and a wonderful library. 
 

Fruit vendor, Los Ramblas, Barcelona Spain

The markets all over Europe are fun to visit. The colors of this one were amazing.

 

The Royal Palace, Madrid Spain

This is pretty much a museum and also a music venue,

Don't expect to see any royalty.

Still, it is worth a visit along with the cathedral across the plaza.

 

Inside The Rock Of Gibraltar

Stalactites  in the cavern inside The Rock.

One of many miles of tunnels in The Rock.

 

Hall, used for concerts and events, in The Rock.

     Gibraltar is a nice place to visit with its British center city and its long history as a landmark and fortress. Certainly, when one thinks of Gibraltar, the Rock formation aside the sea's entrance to the Mediterranean comes to mind. It was viewed as the end of the world at one time.

     The surprise is that it is not solid. We even talk about "as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar", but is not true. It is full of natural and manmade holes and tunnels. It was carved in places for cannons and gun emplacements.  It is a place to explore as much as look upon.

     For me, I wanted to see it and not just drive it. There is a road to the top, but you need to keep your eyes on it and not anything else. So, we hired a driver for the day. He was highly recommended. He showed us the whole of the  place along with much of the day looking around The Rock.

     From the date on the photos, you can see that it has been 5.5 years since we were there, but it is still a vivid memory.

But, Paris is a busy place

 This is a photo I took from a bus while in Paris. People tell me that Paris is too busy to visit. I suppose every big city is. It is busy because it is beautiful. If you do not like crowds visit Needles California.