I love airports! I love the adventure of leaving one place and arriving someplace else. It's like walking in the front door to have a meal or two with complete strangers and walking out the back door in a different part of the world. Lately though, the meals have dwindled to be peanuts or pretzels. Hard to share when they give you so little. Traveling to Europe though, I got a full meal. Its was a miniature version of what I can get at home. Lean Cruisine looks huge compared to the chicken something or other. I think its because they need to fit the meal, and a drink on a shelf that drops down from the seat in front, giving you hardly room to breathe. Its a real test of manners to slice meat and to eat with your elbows glued to your ribs. The rolls could be used as weapons if need be. But I don't complain much, and eat it all, while the guy next to me falls asleep and I need to get up and use the restroom. There's the "cough, cough" get his attention to get up move, and there's the "turn the light on and off" move also. Once, a man next to me fell asleep, and as much as I tried to ignore him, I couldn't... he slumped towards me and his head rested on my shoulder. I was frozen. I sat there for a few moments trying to figure out my next move when he started snoring. Before the drooling started I jostled in my seat and he woke up.
Still gives me nightmares and giggles.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
I Am World Famous!
My image has traveled the globe. I am in photo albums around the world, in countries I can't even remember, let alone pronounce. I'm mostly in albums in Japan. If you look closely you can see me...there in the background. Sometimes I'm in front, as I walk in front of a group, not realizing they are posing for a picture. In major movies, they pay for extras to fill a shot. You don't get mentioned in the credits, but there is no denying your presence.
I thought a lot about this, while on my trip to Italy. Each tourist had a camera. Stopping and taking pictures was the norm. Even in the Sistine Chapel, where pictures are forbidden, I saw people snapping photos. Some were discreet, and others just let the flash go off. I saw a lot of camera phones there. You would think people would have a little more guilt being in God's chapel. I guess they weren't Catholic. Catholics know guilt better than most. I know, I felt it.
I spent 45 minutes climbing the steps inside the dome at St. Peter's Basilica. It was hot, and humid, and the steps narrowed as we made our ascent. I was in front of three teenage boys from Germany. We were almost at the top, when I stopped to take a break and turn around to see where I had come from. Just when my eyes focused, and my mouth fell opened, the flash of their camera went off. I wish I could see that photo. I'm sure it showed every nose hair I have, and cavities in my mouth. They laughed and so did I. I'm glad they live so far away.
When I got home, and looked at all 431 snapshots I took, I started looking in the background to see who was there. Japan was well represented, and so were Americans. Americans are easy to spot. Bright colors, white tennis shoes. The Japanese are usually in a tight group with someone holding a flag. I saw families dragging kids behind them, and groups of teenagers hanging out. I think its universal for teenagers to hang out. Here, it's at the mall. In Italy its at a fountain, or piazza.
Each person has a story. Some we know, but mostly not. In their small way, as an extra in my photo, they influence the composition. My favorite picture is of my friend Linda, in Florence, with the majesty of the cathedrals in the background, – a tourist walked by, in front, and made the most wonderful composition. I have no idea who she is, but thanks ...for the story. (See photo below.)
I thought a lot about this, while on my trip to Italy. Each tourist had a camera. Stopping and taking pictures was the norm. Even in the Sistine Chapel, where pictures are forbidden, I saw people snapping photos. Some were discreet, and others just let the flash go off. I saw a lot of camera phones there. You would think people would have a little more guilt being in God's chapel. I guess they weren't Catholic. Catholics know guilt better than most. I know, I felt it.
I spent 45 minutes climbing the steps inside the dome at St. Peter's Basilica. It was hot, and humid, and the steps narrowed as we made our ascent. I was in front of three teenage boys from Germany. We were almost at the top, when I stopped to take a break and turn around to see where I had come from. Just when my eyes focused, and my mouth fell opened, the flash of their camera went off. I wish I could see that photo. I'm sure it showed every nose hair I have, and cavities in my mouth. They laughed and so did I. I'm glad they live so far away.
When I got home, and looked at all 431 snapshots I took, I started looking in the background to see who was there. Japan was well represented, and so were Americans. Americans are easy to spot. Bright colors, white tennis shoes. The Japanese are usually in a tight group with someone holding a flag. I saw families dragging kids behind them, and groups of teenagers hanging out. I think its universal for teenagers to hang out. Here, it's at the mall. In Italy its at a fountain, or piazza.
Each person has a story. Some we know, but mostly not. In their small way, as an extra in my photo, they influence the composition. My favorite picture is of my friend Linda, in Florence, with the majesty of the cathedrals in the background, – a tourist walked by, in front, and made the most wonderful composition. I have no idea who she is, but thanks ...for the story. (See photo below.)
Monday, September 19, 2005
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Friday, September 16, 2005
Travel Tips
After spending two weeks in Italy, I have come up with my very own list of does and don't while traveling. I gleemed these from first hand experience, of watching loud obnoxious Americans in a foreign country. I tried to be invisible, and then tried to talk with a British accent. Didn't work. It's hard to hide an American anywhere. Here they are in no particular order.
1. You are the visitor. This is NOT the USA, so don't expect it to be. Imagine standing in your mother-in-laws house...would you criticize the food, the furnishings and the service? You would get the silent treatment for sure.
2. Smile alot.
3. Learn to talk with your hands...pointing left and right is universal. Be careful what finger you use.
4. Don't pack anything in your suitcase you couldn't just walk away from. Things do get lost.
5. Order food off the menu you can't pronounce. (see #3 for pointing directions)
6. Go down a road even if you don't know where it goes. The maps will drive you crazy anyway.
7. Keep smiling.
8. Wrinkles in clothes are ok. No clothes in some places are ok.
9. Board the correct train car, and look for your seat. There is a reason your ticket has numbers on them. It's easier than lugging luggage through cars looking for the right seat.
10. Buy small gifts to take back, especially flat ones. Chocolate always works.
11. Stop looking at the map and look around.
12. Taxis are a good thing. Especially when you are lost late at night. (see #16)
13. Eat at McDonalds at least once.
14. If you think your lost, you probably are. In fact, as soon as you get off the plane assume your are, until you board the plane to go home.
15. Keep medicines in your carry on. (see #4)
16. Take a business card or address of where you are staying. After a long day of walking around, you can hand it to the taxi driver to return you back to where you started. (see #12)
17. When walking, turn around and see where you've come from. The view is different. (see #11)
18. Don't be timid about asking directions, even if you can't speak the language. (see #7)
19. Always give your seat up to an older person...esp. a woman. Kindness is understood in all languages.
20. When crossing a busy street, shadow a local.
21. Do not buy souvenirs from a man with shifty eyes, holding a black folder with rolex watches for 19.95 euros.
22. Pat the dogs.
23. Eat grapes off the vine.
24. Bring postcards from your home city and write thank you notes.
25. Make copies of your passport and any credit cards and leave them at home. Also put a copy in your suitcase.
26. Take a first aid kit for every scenario. Even if you don't use them, someone else might need help.
27. When hand washing items and hanging them out to dry...make sure they don't blow away and end up on someone's roof...esp brightly colored undies.
28. If they indeed relocate, ignore them and buy more in the next town. (see #27)
29. Think of round-a-bouts as lazy susans. There is no need to exit until you are sure which way to go. Going round and round is no big deal.
30. When driving, know the signs for one way and do not enter.
31. Don't talk loudly. Americans are very loud.
32. Aways get to your accomodations in daylight.
33. Don't ever let the gas tank go below 1/2.
34. Take your phone and make sure its for international calling..... even if its for just an add on for one month
35. Take a watch with an alarm, and forget the travel kind. Learn how to use it before you leave.
36. Eat mexican food in a foreign land. It will surprise you to experience what they think is authentic.
37. Do not take books to read. They weigh a ton. Take magazines that you can toss out.
38. Buy a piece of original art from a local artist. Make sure it calls your name before you buy it.
39. Airports are a great place for last minute gifts.
40. If you've used an internet cafe change computer pin numbers and passwords when you return.
41. Do not wear new shoes. If you do, make sure your have bandages. (see #26)
42. Do not stand in an open piazza and talk bad about the surroundings (see #1)
43. Leave your address book at home and jot the info you need on a small piece of paper.
44. Bring a cheap rain poncho.
45. Do not drink carbonated drinks during the flight. The bubbles get into your intestines and expand.
46. If you are a woman take sanitary supplies, even if you think you are in menopause and don't need them. They are very hard to discribe or point to, when you can't speak the language.
47. Don't exchange all your foreign money when returning. When luggage is loaded, and you've passed the security screening, flights do get cancelled and you could be out of luck.
48. Better to be stuck in an airport than a dark hotel.
49. Touch ancient old buildings. They do speak to you.
50. Always travel with plenty of clean underwear. (see #27, 28, 46)
1. You are the visitor. This is NOT the USA, so don't expect it to be. Imagine standing in your mother-in-laws house...would you criticize the food, the furnishings and the service? You would get the silent treatment for sure.
2. Smile alot.
3. Learn to talk with your hands...pointing left and right is universal. Be careful what finger you use.
4. Don't pack anything in your suitcase you couldn't just walk away from. Things do get lost.
5. Order food off the menu you can't pronounce. (see #3 for pointing directions)
6. Go down a road even if you don't know where it goes. The maps will drive you crazy anyway.
7. Keep smiling.
8. Wrinkles in clothes are ok. No clothes in some places are ok.
9. Board the correct train car, and look for your seat. There is a reason your ticket has numbers on them. It's easier than lugging luggage through cars looking for the right seat.
10. Buy small gifts to take back, especially flat ones. Chocolate always works.
11. Stop looking at the map and look around.
12. Taxis are a good thing. Especially when you are lost late at night. (see #16)
13. Eat at McDonalds at least once.
14. If you think your lost, you probably are. In fact, as soon as you get off the plane assume your are, until you board the plane to go home.
15. Keep medicines in your carry on. (see #4)
16. Take a business card or address of where you are staying. After a long day of walking around, you can hand it to the taxi driver to return you back to where you started. (see #12)
17. When walking, turn around and see where you've come from. The view is different. (see #11)
18. Don't be timid about asking directions, even if you can't speak the language. (see #7)
19. Always give your seat up to an older person...esp. a woman. Kindness is understood in all languages.
20. When crossing a busy street, shadow a local.
21. Do not buy souvenirs from a man with shifty eyes, holding a black folder with rolex watches for 19.95 euros.
22. Pat the dogs.
23. Eat grapes off the vine.
24. Bring postcards from your home city and write thank you notes.
25. Make copies of your passport and any credit cards and leave them at home. Also put a copy in your suitcase.
26. Take a first aid kit for every scenario. Even if you don't use them, someone else might need help.
27. When hand washing items and hanging them out to dry...make sure they don't blow away and end up on someone's roof...esp brightly colored undies.
28. If they indeed relocate, ignore them and buy more in the next town. (see #27)
29. Think of round-a-bouts as lazy susans. There is no need to exit until you are sure which way to go. Going round and round is no big deal.
30. When driving, know the signs for one way and do not enter.
31. Don't talk loudly. Americans are very loud.
32. Aways get to your accomodations in daylight.
33. Don't ever let the gas tank go below 1/2.
34. Take your phone and make sure its for international calling..... even if its for just an add on for one month
35. Take a watch with an alarm, and forget the travel kind. Learn how to use it before you leave.
36. Eat mexican food in a foreign land. It will surprise you to experience what they think is authentic.
37. Do not take books to read. They weigh a ton. Take magazines that you can toss out.
38. Buy a piece of original art from a local artist. Make sure it calls your name before you buy it.
39. Airports are a great place for last minute gifts.
40. If you've used an internet cafe change computer pin numbers and passwords when you return.
41. Do not wear new shoes. If you do, make sure your have bandages. (see #26)
42. Do not stand in an open piazza and talk bad about the surroundings (see #1)
43. Leave your address book at home and jot the info you need on a small piece of paper.
44. Bring a cheap rain poncho.
45. Do not drink carbonated drinks during the flight. The bubbles get into your intestines and expand.
46. If you are a woman take sanitary supplies, even if you think you are in menopause and don't need them. They are very hard to discribe or point to, when you can't speak the language.
47. Don't exchange all your foreign money when returning. When luggage is loaded, and you've passed the security screening, flights do get cancelled and you could be out of luck.
48. Better to be stuck in an airport than a dark hotel.
49. Touch ancient old buildings. They do speak to you.
50. Always travel with plenty of clean underwear. (see #27, 28, 46)
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
It only takes a spark, to get a fire going.....
Going to Rome and visiting the Vatican, is like mecca for catholics. It's where the Pope is. It's where thousands of believers gather to get a glimpse of him when he appears in front of the little window, or when he drives by in his popemobile. I saw neither. This is catechism 101 in real time, with nuns and brothers walking everywhere. I felt like I was on a pilgrimage, even though I hadn't really given it much of a thought before I got there. I got caught up in the hugeness of the basilica, and the inspiration of the art. The Sistine Chapel is hard to describe. My forefinger hasn't quite straighten out, since seeing the scene of God's finger touching man's. All I have to say is the words "Sistine Chapel" and my forefinger starts to bend.
I was on a mission of sorts. I wanted to light a candle, and say a prayer for all my friends and family. I was taught as a child that lighting one and saying a prayer would reduce the time spent in purgatory, and they would get to heaven sooner. I don't believe that. I just wanted to stand as close as I could to heaven, the same place that the pope stands in, so my prayers would go straight to the top...right to St. Peter. I was in his house. I was thinking of my prayers, the same time I was looking for the candles. I saw the flickering lights near a side chapel that glowed with the light coming through ancient stain glass windows. I reached into my pocket to pull out a few euros, when I just stopped. All prayers ceased at this time. All thoughts of the expressway to the pearly gates stopped. The candles that were to carry my deepest prayers to heaven were electric light bulbs. How could this be! I was in the pope's home church. I was in the heart of all Catholicism, and there were no wax candles!
I did not pray for my family or my friends. I had a few choice words with those standing around me. Not religious talk, but honest straightforward grunts. I was not a happy camper! And even though I don't go to catholic church anymore, I felt betrayed a bit.
A few days later, I was in another Italian town, another ancient catholic church, and more ancient stain glass windows> And there were waxed candles. There were about 10 unlit candles amongst many that formed a circle, in tiered layers. I put my euros in, lit my candle and moved it to the top row. Just in case. I wanted my prayers to go straight to St. Peter. Yes. Amen.
I was on a mission of sorts. I wanted to light a candle, and say a prayer for all my friends and family. I was taught as a child that lighting one and saying a prayer would reduce the time spent in purgatory, and they would get to heaven sooner. I don't believe that. I just wanted to stand as close as I could to heaven, the same place that the pope stands in, so my prayers would go straight to the top...right to St. Peter. I was in his house. I was thinking of my prayers, the same time I was looking for the candles. I saw the flickering lights near a side chapel that glowed with the light coming through ancient stain glass windows. I reached into my pocket to pull out a few euros, when I just stopped. All prayers ceased at this time. All thoughts of the expressway to the pearly gates stopped. The candles that were to carry my deepest prayers to heaven were electric light bulbs. How could this be! I was in the pope's home church. I was in the heart of all Catholicism, and there were no wax candles!
I did not pray for my family or my friends. I had a few choice words with those standing around me. Not religious talk, but honest straightforward grunts. I was not a happy camper! And even though I don't go to catholic church anymore, I felt betrayed a bit.
A few days later, I was in another Italian town, another ancient catholic church, and more ancient stain glass windows> And there were waxed candles. There were about 10 unlit candles amongst many that formed a circle, in tiered layers. I put my euros in, lit my candle and moved it to the top row. Just in case. I wanted my prayers to go straight to St. Peter. Yes. Amen.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Just Penciled In
Finally. My trip to Italy has begun. I'm buckled in, and imagining the wonderful sights I will see. The passport I held in my hand fell open, and I saw the photo of myself, that looks nothing like me anymore.
I had prepared well, and left copies of documents with others in case something tragic happened while out of the country. In the space for emergency contact, I had written in pencil my dad's name and phone number. I had to erase it and put someone else's name there. It was a sad moment, to realize if someone called him, he wouldn't know who they were talking about. The name of his eldest daughter was lost, as has the names of his 5 kids.
Now, if you asked him about "that nice lady that lives far away" they would get a reply. If you asked him about "that guy that lives in a different country", he would say he knows me. We are one in the same. His mind tells him he doesn't have kids, we know better. He has 5. We have been renamed. Even my mom has been renamed. She gets called the names of my dads female friends. She is kind. She answers to all of them.
My oldest brother Chuck is now "my very good friend that likes me", that is, if he stops and speaks to my dad. If he just walks by without a word, then he is "that guy that doesn't like me"
My younger brother David is the "guy with the three dogs, and my very favorite man". I think he only has 2 dogs, but that's beside the point.
Karen, my younger sister is the "lady next door amd does my hair". That's easy for him, she literally lives next door and she does indeed cut his hair.
Lori, the youngest is the "blonde bomber" She's also been called "fat". My sister is no way fat. She is beautiful, and has long blonde hair. She is also his favorite.
Somedays when we visit, he doesn't even recognize those terms, or our faces. After a family gathering of about 20 people, I talked to him on the phone. "Yes, I had a great time" he exclaimed with enthusiasm. "These people were so nice, but I have no idea who they are." I'm glad someone in my family remembers who we are, while my dad is on his own trip...out of the country.
I had prepared well, and left copies of documents with others in case something tragic happened while out of the country. In the space for emergency contact, I had written in pencil my dad's name and phone number. I had to erase it and put someone else's name there. It was a sad moment, to realize if someone called him, he wouldn't know who they were talking about. The name of his eldest daughter was lost, as has the names of his 5 kids.
Now, if you asked him about "that nice lady that lives far away" they would get a reply. If you asked him about "that guy that lives in a different country", he would say he knows me. We are one in the same. His mind tells him he doesn't have kids, we know better. He has 5. We have been renamed. Even my mom has been renamed. She gets called the names of my dads female friends. She is kind. She answers to all of them.
My oldest brother Chuck is now "my very good friend that likes me", that is, if he stops and speaks to my dad. If he just walks by without a word, then he is "that guy that doesn't like me"
My younger brother David is the "guy with the three dogs, and my very favorite man". I think he only has 2 dogs, but that's beside the point.
Karen, my younger sister is the "lady next door amd does my hair". That's easy for him, she literally lives next door and she does indeed cut his hair.
Lori, the youngest is the "blonde bomber" She's also been called "fat". My sister is no way fat. She is beautiful, and has long blonde hair. She is also his favorite.
Somedays when we visit, he doesn't even recognize those terms, or our faces. After a family gathering of about 20 people, I talked to him on the phone. "Yes, I had a great time" he exclaimed with enthusiasm. "These people were so nice, but I have no idea who they are." I'm glad someone in my family remembers who we are, while my dad is on his own trip...out of the country.
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