Barcelona

Barcelona

May 2010

 We’ve been asked, Why Barcelona?  Some of our travels have covered regional areas, even several countries, but we’ve also enjoyed settling in and getting to know a particular city and its environs.  Barcelona seemed an intriguing place to explore and “hang out”  ̶  interesting art, architecture, culture, food, etc.  ̶  much like our trip to Lisbon.  Our conductor friend Francisco loves Barcelona; too bad he won’t be there to show us around, especially the nightlife and tapas bars of which he speaks so fondly.  Air/hotel package is thru Gate1travel.com; we used them for a trip to Greece and were very pleased with the arrangements.  Flights on Iberia; it’s good we’re not on British Air; we met some folks in Barcelona whose trip was disrupted by a BA strike.  A month ago ash in the upper atmosphere from a volcanic eruption in Iceland closed many airports in Europe, but that seems to have subsided (fingers crossed).  There’s financial turmoil in Europe, but that’s to our benefit in bringing down the euro’s value.  We’ll see how much of my high school Spanish I remember: I think I have the basics-- Hola, Buenos dias, and Donde está el baño (“where’s the bathroom”).  One complication: Catalan is a prevalent dialect in Barcelona (Catalunya region), so maybe I should use On és el lavabo.  We have our trusty Frommer’s guide.  My brother Doug is joining us: wife Ann & daughter Katie are doing their own trip to Montreal.  When we’ve travelled w/ friend Kay she’s kept a detailed ledger (“Kay owes” & “Wards owe”) to keep track of joint expenses.  Doug’s an accountant: does that make him more or less trustworthy for this task?  As on past trips w/ my bro there will be dueling diaries as we both write up our accounts, not to mention elbowing each other for the best photo angles.  The game is on!

Istanbul & Western Turkey

 We've visited Turkey twice. Our first trip focused on Istanbul. That was so interesting that we just had to see more! So our second trip covered considerable ground in western Turkey. Both trips are reported below.

Istanbul

February 2006

 

Where’s Moldova?  What’s aubergine?  These and other questions will be answered here.  But let’s start at the beginning.  The seed was planted last spring, when a Turkish sociologist contacted me (as Chair of Sociology) about giving a talk on his research on human rights.  Recep, wife Nuray, daughter Hatice (age 10), and sons Furkan (8) & Ali Ishan (3) were in nearby Troy for a year on family matters.  As it happens, one of our favorite eateries, Ali Baba, is a Turkish restaurant in Troy.  Friendship grew from several dinners and other activities.  When they left Recep suggested “Turkish coffee along the Bosphorus” for our next meeting.  I don’t need much prodding about trips, the prospect of visiting such a fascinating place with friends to show us around was too good to pass up.  Add in a “Lonely Planet” guidebook, suggestions from son Matt & Anthea’s friend (and their wedding photographer) Murat, and things began to come together.  There were some subplots.  Two January bird flu deaths in Turkey led to talks with “infectious disease” people and a look at the Center for Disease Control website.  No one advised against travel, just precautionary tips: wash hands regularly, don’t play with chickens.  Recep said they’re advised not to eat chicken, otherwise things seem OK.  Also Muslim protests about Danish cartoons with the image of Muhammad, a serious breach of their strictures.  We usually avoid highlighting our Americanism when overseas for political reasons; guess we also shouldn’t appear to be Danish  ̶  Oh, Canada?  Then a week before our trip NYC was hit with record snowfall; the only airport mishap a Turkish Airline jet sliding off the runway (no injuries).  Who do you suppose our flights are with?

Finger Lakes Fall

Finger Lakes Fall

September-October 2013

            After nearly 40 years in Albany, we’re finally getting around to a fall jaunt into the Finger Lakes wine country for some serious leaf-peeping. After classes on Thursday (10/10) we head to Webster (outside Rochester) to visit my college friends Alice & Rick, plus their adorable friendly Morkie dog Scooter. Arrival on a very pretty evening. Convivial relaxation on their porch w/ wine (starting our weekend wine tasting), popcorn, deer in the backyard. Out for a tasty “Asian Fusion” dinner. We invite them to join us tomorrow, but things too busy here w/ a project to redo facing around their fireplace.

            Off after breakfast on Friday. Overcast & some light rain, but pretty fall colors in subdued light, atmospheric low clouds among the hills as we drive south. We see “It can wait. Text stop ahead.” signs that have popped up recently along the interstates. About 1½ hours to Bath and Hammondsport. [My Nana was a Hammond, but I’m not able to score any “Hammond discounts.”] Pretty towns, lovely old houses here and thruout our travels.

Rhine River Cruise

Cruisin’ on the Rhine

June 2003

Friday, 6/6:

            We had received some info in the mail out of the blue about European river cruises.  Rather a splurge for us but very enticing, so like last summer’s trip to Central Europe we gathered our own mini-group: brother Doug & wife Ann again, Ann’s Uncle Harry, Diane & Jerry (Wisconsin friends now living in Santa Fe).  Excitement built when Viking River Cruise (VRC) “documents” arrived.  Even our AAA agent Jenny was impressed with how classy they were and the attention to detail, wants to hear all about it.  Are we worthy to board?  We head to NYC, find parking right in front of Matt and Anthea’s in Astoria (our son and his fiancee).  Anthea takes Marjorie up on a shopping offer, asking for a special European bath gel.  We walk by pretty rose gardens in their neighborhood to the subway.  Dinner in a Japanese restaurant before Matt and 2 other percussionists accompany a Chinese dance company for their 25^th anniversary.  A very interesting performance. 

Saturday, Sunday 6/7-8:

           After a local Greek breakfast w/ Matt & Anthea (pretty cosmopolitan, huh?  ̶  Japanese, Chinese, Greek, then off to Europe), Matt takes us to JFK early to avoid possible Belmont traffic (NY-bred Funny Cide is trying for the Triple Crown this PM).  Heavy rain, not much traffic, terminal almost empty when we arrive.  Air France flight leaves on time a little after 5.  Some free wine to relax.  Arrive Paris early at 5:30am.  Pretty sky, scattered thunderstorms & sunrise.  1-hour connecting flight arrives Basel about 9.  We and several other VRC cruisers met by Tour Manager Yvette & other staff who welcome and shepherd us efficiently thru customs to take us to the ship.  A hitch, tho: one of our 2 (very efficiently packed!) bags didn’t arrive.  Apparently it’s not uncommon, we’re assured all will be taken care of.  Sunny & very warm, becoming very humid in the PM.  Too early to occupy our cabin, so I take a quick stroll into the city, discover that PostoMat is not an ATM (no trouble finding ATMs to get local currency after this).  Light lunch on the ship, then a 10-15 minute walk into the city.   

Ireland

IRELAND

May 1995

            This is our 1^st trip “over the pond,” and Marjorie’s 1^st choice.  After dropping son Matt off at the airport for his visit w/ family in Kansas City, a drive to Boston to stay w/ Francisco & Diane.  Dinner with Sarah & Kevin, then exploring Natick and Wellesly that evening and early the next day. Francisco drives us to Logan airport, 80 and muggy in Boston.  Aer Lingus flight on time at 8:30pm.  Dinner w/ free wine (and another snack about an hour before landing), but only an hour or so of sleep.

Thurs., 5/25

            Arrive Shannon 7am  ̶  mostly sunny (!), about 50.  Through customs, exchange some money (exchange rate about 1.65), and pick up Hertz car.  Expected something quite small, like a Fiesta, but they’re out so we get a brand new Toyota Corolla (only 7 miles on it, 4 doors, regular trunk).  Ready to go about 9, our excitement has overcome the lack of sleep.

It’s been a while since I’ve driven a stick shift, so a refresher spin around the parking lot before venturing out. I don't find it too difficult driving on the left and shifting with my left hand, tho I’m glad to start at Shannon w/ open countryside, rather than Dublin.  We will have a very clean windshield  ̶  I often turn on the wipers when I want to signal turns!  But I quite enjoy the driving  ̶  it seems like "real" driving.  We have our share of narrow, twisting roads, squeezing past buses & tractors (and sheep) and trying to see past hedgerows, but there are more roads than expected that are pretty fast, even a few up to 70 (and still being passed by other cars).  We’re probably in greater danger as pedestrians, trying to remember which way to look crossing a road.  It helps in cities to have "LOOK LEFT" or "LOOK RIGHT" painted on the road at crosswalks.

Utah and Other Western

Utah (Mostly)

June 1997

  

 My father bought a travel trailer for a trip out West, but cancer took him so he never lived that dream.  My first big travel after childhood, perhaps living my father’s dream, was a whirlwind Western trip with long-time friend Carl in college (see more on this below).  Marjorie & I have covered some of that territory (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon) in more leisurely fashion (we’ve joked about saying “There’s the . . . “ while whizzing by sights), and we’ll revisit (for me) some of the spectacular sights in Utah on this trip.

Wed., June 11:

Flights from Albany to Chicago and Chicago to Salt Lake City on time, arriving about 2:30.  Pretty views landing of the Great Salt Lake, our first look at the colored countryside, snow-capped mountains surrounding the city.  Pick up our car at the airport, '97 Taurus w/ power windows/locks/seats, cruise control, etc.  Very comfortable & reliable for the trip, efficient air-conditioner.  Weather here not as hot as Albany (about 80), but unusually humid, for them anyway.   

We head right to Sonia's house (a former student who's now on the faculty at  Univ. of Utah).  They've had quite a bit of rain recently, Sonia's back yard flooded!  A nice new house, view of the mountains, populated by her very friendly dog (white Chow named Buddha), cooled by a "swamp cooler."  The latter used here instead of AC to cool w/ humidity.  For dinner up one of the canyons (passing quite a few joggers and bikers) to Log Haven, beautiful setting in the mountains and excellent food.  Mountains very pretty as the sun lowers while we drive back.  Mountains very close and accessible to the city.  Sonia & I watch the Jazz-Bulls game, Marjorie dozes.  There's lots of spirit here: signs, grass cut in a Jazz design, etc.

Thurs., June 12:

A nice morning, cool w/ sun/clouds mix, tho occasional lightning and thunder around.  We take a 45-minute tour of Temple Square led by two Mormon "sisters;" interesting and informative w/ a little prosyletizing.  The Square is very pretty, /lovely grounds, flowers, fountains, sculptures, /murals.  Can’t see the Temple interior, only members "in good standing" allowed in.  It's clear the Mormons dominate politically and culturally, even more in smaller cities & towns than in Salt Lake.  They're very nice, friendly people, but our discussions with Sonia and others indicate their views seem pretty authoritarian & patriarchal.     
Pretty views of the capitol.

Over to see the Salt Palace (local arena).  Rocky (Marjorie's office mate) performed in Salt Lake as a member of the Ice Capades, said they used the ceiling for views of the spaceship in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”  But the arena he'd been in was taken down 4-5 years ago (or maybe the aliens came and took it back)  ̶  they'll be building another for upcoming Olympics. 

After walking thru the Mormon office building where geneological research is done (beautiful old lobby and a room filled with people at workstations looking up "ancestors"), 

to the observation deck on the 26th floor of another church office building for overview of the square and views of the city & surrounding mountains.  To the university to meet Sonia after she finishes giving an exam.  Weather becomes cloudier & cooler (mid-60s),  I switch from shorts to jeans and we all use jackets.  Brunch at Ruth's Diner (which we've learned is now featured in a VISA commercial  ̶  you know, "they don't take American Express"), an interesting local hangout in one of the canyons recommended by Rocky.  

Greece

 GREECE

May 2007

 

            Any travel to Greece is divinely inspired, of course, but we’ve also been inspired by mortal muses.  The Jessops (Russ’ mother & stepfather) traveled widely thru Greece and their writings guide later explorers.  Daughter-in-law Anthea, whose father has traveled among the Greek isles, has a yen for Greece and contributed a book of info, supplemented by our usual Frommer’s book.  Albany Symphony violinist Katrin, a regular guest, has family on Kos and provided vocabulary tips and inscrutable recipe books in Greek.  Efcharisto (thank you) to our contributors.  We used a “Gate 1” package for travel and lodging  ̶  and subsequently found our dates/hotel choices listed as 1 of “40 Best Trips” in Budget Travel magazine. 

  This trip began thru discussions with Santa Fe (formerly Wisconsin) friends Diane & Jerry.  Couldn’t coordinate our schedules (they’ve booked a trip in the fall), but Wisconsin friend Kay, a companion on several happy trips, is joining us.  She arrives Saturday armed with a book on Greek religion, heavily footnoted and she says too complicated to remember much; but she manages to toss out tidbits of info here and there.  Marjorie & Kay rent “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” to get in the mood.  I’m eager to flex new digital photo & editing skills.  I’ve overcome my reluctance to leave the world of slide photography, took some Photoshop classes, & Marjorie arranged for me to get some digital tutoring from professional photographer friend Larry.  My motto: WWLP (What Would Larry Photograph?).