Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Florence

Florence is a stunning city, everywhere you rurn is a piece of history or art that is between 400-1000 years old. The pictures I have do not do it justice. I took a walking tour yesterday, a great way to learn about the history of the city, and its importance in world culture. Considering both Leonardo and Michaelangilo lived here, they have had more than their share of great artists.

The most impressive site is David. I went there this morning and was amazed on how beautiful it is. If it asn't stone, and if I wasn't engaged....

Other great sites I saw included the Duomo, pieces at the Uffizi museum, and Santa Croce.

I had some great meals (breakfast not included in that comment).

I do have to say that I have been struggling with being a little travelled out over the past few days. I am soooo over souvenier shops, pushy people, waiting in lines, and my clothes and luggage. So I actuallyy only have 3 more stops, and need to pack 3 more times.

I am now off to Rome, enjoy the pictures.
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=767313002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Monday, June 22, 2009

Greek Islands


Over the long weekend John and I visited Turkey, Crete, Patmos and Santorini. I'll try to do my best to recap...

Turkey - port of Kusadasi.
Never in my life have I been at a spot with pushier merchants. They really do not take no for an answer. It is all done in good fun, and bartering is a way of life here. The people, while pushy, are also VERY friendly. John and I started our day having coffee and walking through the fort of Kusadasi.

We then spent the next hour participating in the national pasttime - shopping. There were many deals to be had, and we spent more then we should have. We barterred our way through shoes stores, clothing stores and other odd shops.

A highlight was watching a demonstration on a woman making a Persian rug. I was amazed on what a long, time consuming process this is. The rugs are very intricate, and made with an assortment of materials. John and I were able to walk away without buying a rug, so it looks like I will have enough money to make it home.

Patmos - a quiet town. I made this journey alone as John was relaxing on the boat. Patmos is a cute sleepy town aboutt 50 km from Kusadasi. There is a beach in the center of town where many people went swimming. I have enough sun for a year, so I decided to enjoy a cappachino at a cafe. Nothing quite like a lazy afternoon, having coffee in an outside cafe in Greece.

Crete - Our morning in Crete was also very laid back. It was a Sunday morning, so most of the town was dead when we arrived. We walked past, and ducked into the main church. The church is both simple and ornate at the same time. The outside architecture a beautiful mixture of straight lines and curved ceilings. Inside the church, a very ornate alter. Interesting service, or which I did not understand a word (sorry, It's all Greek to me). We hten sauntered down to a cafe to have a great late breakfast. The pictures of the fishing boats are from this port. While fishing is a pretty dead business in the Aegean, it makes one think back to their way of life for the past 3000 years.

Santorini - One of the most magical places on Earth. The current landscape of Santorini was created by a volcano that ripped apart the town about almost 4000 years ago. It is the basis for Plato's writing about the lost continent of Atlantis. The cliffs soar out of the sea. Cliffs of marble and lava great you as you sail into this magical place. Resting on the tops of these huge cliffs sits a town of beautiful white and blue buildings. ( by the way, move to Greece and you only need 2 colors - all the houses are white and blue)

There are a few ways to ascend the cliffs. The most modern is the tram that takes you up. The oldest way would be climbing the 4000+ steps. The most interesting way is to take a donkey. More on the donkey later. John and I took the tram on the way up. Once you get to the top, the view is stunning. An interesting meteorological event takes place here. We had not seen a cloud for 7 days, but in Santorini, when the water meats the cliffs clouds are formed and come from below and rise up over the town. You literally look down at the clouds and see them coming back up at you.

After walking though the town and some light shopping, we found a great place for dinner. We ate a great meal of mussels, Greek salad, Kabobs and Mousaka. I will really miss the great food, and friendly and boisterous people.

After dinner I decided to ride the donkey down the mountain. It was a bit harrowing as my donkey likes to walk on the edge of the path with me looking down cliffs that fell 500 feet or so. The last picture is kind of dark, but you can decide who is the biggest ass in the shot.

John and returned to the boat and packed up. We had a wonderful 3 weeks together and now I'm back to traveling solo.

Enjoy the pictures, some of them are a amazing.

Getting Married


After 16 years of dating John and I have committed ourselves to marriage. John asked me to marry him while at the windmills on Mykonos. I was honored to be asked, and gratefully accepted. It was a very romantic spot, and will always be a wonderful memory.

We had been talking about this for the past few months, and we appreciate what a wonderful life we have had together, and wanted to commit to each other for our futures.

I think it is really important to have the community recognize our commitment to one another. Relationships are so very rewarding, but also hard work. Without the support of the community, it makes it even harder.

For a long time in my life I did not understand what love was about. Then, for a while, I fealt I would never have the opportunity to share my life with someone. This relationship has taught me how great life can be when sharing it with someone that you love. We are very different people, but we have learned to appreciate the differences, and work with one another to get the most out of life.

I apologize for telling people in this kind of impersonal manner. If I had to call everyone it would cost me a fortune, and we have a wedding to pay for now.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Random Thoughts on a boat...

On the Blue Star Itaki on my way to Mykonos. Beautiful ferry ship. Sat out for an hour or so, now kicking back in the lounge.

Athens was great. The people are so friendly. I wonder what type of cultural differences drive our behaviors. In Greece if you walk pass someone with a map open they stop you and ask where you need to go. They then point you in the right direction. If they do not know where you are going, they take it on themselves to get you the correct directions. Sometimes this means that they get a whole group of people together to come up with the best directions. This gets quite comical as the next thing you know there are 3 or 4 Greeks yelling at one another on what is the best way to walk 4 or 5 blocks. After a consensus is reached, they give you the verdict, and you are on the way. In NY people basically ignore you if you ask for directions. Especially if they ask in another language. I promise to be more helpful in the future.

Again with the fruits and vegetables. I grew up thinking the US has the best produce. This is so far from the truth. I do not ever remember eating better produce in my life. All of the growth hormones and genetically engineered produce that the US has created is really awful. It may look good, but there is absolutely no taste to it. I haave not had a bad tomato in a month.
That being said, I miss the US beef. They do not understand how to create a steak or hamburger in Europe. I’m looking forward to a big juicy hamburger when I get home. After that it will need to be diet time. I have gained a ton or weight on the trip. Too many great meals and not enough running.

Speaking of coming home, I am definitely not ready yet. I need to figure out the next steps of life. Not having much luck. I am need of direction and purpose. Yesterday, while touring the Acropolis, I was thinking back to college when I took a Greek Philosophy course. I loved that class and thought back to all of the idealism I possessed. Maybe life sucks that away from you, but I need passion in my life again. The thought of going back to a job where I get yelled at by clients on a daily basis, all in an effort to make a large corporation more money is not doing it for me. We get one pass at this, I’d rather not have my obituary state that I made a lot of money for a large corporation….

The next week should be a lot of fun. 3 days at the beach and then a 4 day cruise. I’ll try and keep in touch.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Wonderful Mykonos Pictures posted

Mykonos was a very magical and romantic place. John and I had a wonderful time. We spent 4 days in Mykonos, rented an ATV to get around town with, spending most of the days at the beach or the pool. The food in Mykonos is amazing, very fresh and full of flavor.

Unfortunately internet connection has been a challenge the last few days.

We are now on a cruise of the Greek Islands where there is no real connection. The pictures of Mykonos and the islands will have to wait until I get a good connection. Hard to believe it, but John returns home in 48 hours.

I'll post more when I have time.

Pictures below:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=750975002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Monday, June 15, 2009

Athens and the Acropolis

By far this is the oldest stuff I have ever seen. We spent the day touring around Athens. The ruins are inspiring. We started off seeing the original Olympic stadium built in marble. So much marble that Stephen Tracy would be proud. The finished the first ever competitive marathon at this spot, and also concluded the mens and womens marathon for the 2004 Olympics at this stadium as well. It has put the bug in me to run a marathon here if they finish in the stadium. Anyone want to join me???

After the stadium we went to the Zues temple, followed by the Acropolis. There is no way I can do justice to the beauty, and grandeur of these places. It is a shame that war has destroyed a good portion of these temples. They are no doing reconstruction and re-fortification of the Acropolis. You can see this from all the construction stuff in the below pictures. While is may be under construction it did not take away from the experience.
Our hotel looks right out at the Acropolis. By far, the nicest hotel to date. Too bad it is only one more night here.
John and I haave been feasting on mousaka, souvlaki, ka-bobs, gyros, and tonight is probably pasticio. The people here are beyond friendly. They are warm, and always willing to assist with directions and ideas on things to do.
I spent an hour at the pool, which also overlooks the Acropolice.
We are off to dinner. Enjoy the pictures.



Saturday, June 13, 2009

Old Prague


An amazing city built in 800. The architecture is sooooo old. Lots of different styles. John and I had a great 5 hour tour with Mareck, our private guide. Visited the Castle, the old town square, the site of the uprising in 1990, the Jewish Ghetto, and many other sites. The people here are so friendly and very beautiful.
Saturday--We spent a great day at the city park laying out and getting sun. I got yelled at by a park ranger for walking around barefoot. Hmmmm...
We ate at the old city square while the sun went down. During the meal all the lights in the square went on. It was magical.

Pictures:

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Music City, Vienna is classical


Vienna is a beautiful city. The architecture, palaces, music, and people are wonderful. John and I have had a great few days here. Not enough time to really get to know the city, but I love it. Just like one of their most famous recent celebrities, "I'll be back"

We arrived Sunday evening after a nice train ride from Budapest. We met a really interesting woman named Shockdi that lives in Texas. The really interesting part is that she lived in Hamden for 12 years about 1 mile from our house. She and her partner now run a guest house in Austin. Who knew there were gay people in Texas.

After dinner on Sunday we walked to the Opera house. They actually broadcast what is going on in the Opera House right outside the Opera House. We sat and watched for a while. I find it funny when people tell me they do not like Rock and Roll because it is too load and you can't understand what they are saying. I feel the same way about Opera.

Monday we took a tram ride around the city center and scoped out all of the architecture. The city center makes you fell like you are back about 200 years ago with Mozart, Shubert, and Strauss. Later on Monday we went to the Freud Museum. A very interesting place where he did most of his writing. Freud left his house do to the Nazi's in 1937. There are many original works that have been returned to the museum. Unfortunately the couch is not there, so I remain as carazy as always. Notice from the pictures that he only saw patients for an hour each day. Nice office hours.

Today we spent the morning at the Hotberg Palace. This is where the Hapsburgs ruled for 600 years. The last main residents were the incomperable Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth (Sisi). The Austrians just love Sisi. She was assassinated back in 1909? and she became world famous from the tragedy. Her life story, and her husbands are extraordinary. After romping through their palace we made our way back to the hotel. The hotel is right in the heart of the city by St. Stephen's Cathedral.

The weather has been spectacular, so I spent a few hours at their main city park. There are statues of all the famous composers in the park. Burned my back, and then back to the hotel. John and I then went to Mozarts House where he composed The Marriage of Figgarro. Small museum, but very interesting. After over eating (a train that is becoming all too common) and ice cream, it is now time to turn in.

Off to Czech Republic in the morning.

The pictures:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=672258002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/
My run:

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Beautiful Budapest


John arrived on Thursday after a very nice flight and landed about 5 minutes before I arrived from Krakow. After a nice ride into the city we arrived at the Gellert Hotel. This is a very famous hotel with the best Thermal Baths in Hungary. There are about 10 diffrent thermal pools, a wave pool, sauna's and steam rooms. Going to the Baths is a way of life for people from Hungary. We spent a lazy day at the hotel, Jos and Gilbert arrived the same day and we had a great 5 course dinner.

Friday we went to the Marketplace and did some shopping for gifts. We then went to The Royal Palace and Fisherman's Castle.

Today we spent the morning catching some sun at the pools and then did a great 5 hour tour seeing all the sites. This is such an old city, with buildings back to the 1200's. They have a terrible history with siding with losing empires. The city is very unique do to all the different folks who have conquered Budapest.

Most importantly, today was John's birthday. He wanted me to thank the well wishers who sent emails. Gilbert and Jos treated us to a fabulous dinner. We are now tired and off to bed.

We leave for Vienna tomorrow afternoon.

The pictures:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=652356002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

A city celebrates, and I visit the saddest place on earth


I am stuck in the middle of some really powerful stuff here. I am in Krakow which is celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the fall of the Soviet rule. At the same time I spent the day at the saddest place on earth Auschwitz. I will write about Krakow later, a great city that does need to be separated from the devastation and inhumane treatment of mankind that I exhibited today.

What can one say about a place the size of about 6 football fields that 1,500,000 people were killed at? How can I put into words the total devastation that I felt. I can not. I can tell you some random thoughts though.


  • First of all we all have a duty to make sure that something like this never happens again.

  • The museum did an excellent job on the exhibits and their guided tours

  • The torture and living conditions are beyond comprehension.

  • While not Jewish my father, brother , sister and I would have been killed immediately. My mother and other sister would have probably lasted 40 days, the average life expectancy for victims.

  • Most of all of my friends would also have been immediately killed.

  • There were over 250,000 children below the age of 15 that were killed within 30 minutes of arriving at camp. They show a room filled with baby and child shoes that brought a tear to my eye. They also have a room filled with human hair that was shaved off of all victims before the bodies were burned.

  • To walk into a gas chamber and then the crematorium made me physically sick.

  • All Polish children are required to visit the camps prior to their 14th birthday. If it was possible, I think all children should need to do this.

I could go on and on, but I need to stop that thought process so I can go to bed. I would like to let everyone know what a beautiful city Krakow is. It is very old and has the largest public square in Europe. It is surrounded by spectacular churches and towers. The square is alive 24 hours a day. On the hour, every hour, a fireman plays a beautiful revelie on a trumpet. He does this 4 times as he switches windows to play the melody in each direction. It is wonderful.


Enjoy the pictures, the early ones are of Krakow, followed by the ones from Auschwitz.


Off to Budapest in the morning. More importantly John will be there where I arrive!!!


http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=633464002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/

Getting lost in Krakow

I went for a run this morning and got lost. While being a bit nerve racking as no one spoke English on that side of town I got to see a part of Krakow that most do not. You can check out my run and see where I stopped running in a circle.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Ftrail.motionbased.com%2Ftrail%2Fkml%2Fepisode.kml%3FepisodePkValues%3D8367679&ie=UTF8&ll=50.057139,19.95203&spn=0.012895,0.037422&z=14

Krakow is a great city with a beautiful old city square that is lively 24 hours a day. The square is surrounded by many churches. I also went to Pope John Paul II church. I'm off to Auschvits in about an hour.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Flying at Neuschwanstein Castle

Pretty butch picture huh? I could not resist posting this one. Today I flew off of a perfectly good mountain. What do I mean? I went Paragliding. This is where you are attached to an instructor and you soar off a mountain and go gliding in a parachute 2000 feet in the air. We did this at Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. This castle, as you can see from the pictures was built by Ludwig II, and is the basis for the Cinderella castle from Walt Disney.




Paragliding was amazing. I don't know what possessed me to do it, but I am so glad I did. There is nothing I have ever done that felt the same way. First you take a tram to the top of this huge mountain. You then get the chute all set up, get in my suit and harnness and practice takeoff. Before you know it you are ready to go. The first several pictures of today are me flying. My instrucure was Tiger, and he has flown over 5000 times. My knees were shaking so bad when it was time for us to run off the side of the mountain. Before I knew it we were sailing in the air and climbing up higher. We flew over the castle and around the mountains for about 20 minutes. We even did some acrobatics on the way down. Landed safely, and din't even fall to the ground. Just amazing.


The rest of the day was fantastic as well. I went down an alpine slide, hiked up a waterfall, and then visited Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle is amazing, built by a crazy gay monarch - Richard Wagner's lover -- back in the 1860's. It cost about a billion dollars to build.



I am beyond exhausted, still need to eat dinner and pack. I'm up at 4 tomorrow.


The pictures:
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=615690002/a=21881784_21881784/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=comcast2/
To see a great video on what paragliding is like, click on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFI9qyiRHvY&NR=1