Monday, January 28, 2008
OLA FROM BRAZIL
I am writing from Curitiba just south of Sao Paulo Brazil. (White pin at right on map below). The city is beautiful and the people incredibly friendly. Most folks I meet have taken at least 4 years of English in school and everyone wants to try it out. This is the middle of their summer and the rainy season, so all is lush and green with the most exotic flowers growing everywhere. After all, this is the edge of the Amazonian rain forrest. Yesterday was devoted to an all day train trip through the mountain forrests to some small towns on the ocean. Tommorow I fly to Iguassu Falls, also in Brazil. It is actually 200+ spectacular water falls on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. But for now - it´s off to try the traditional drink of Brazil, which is supposed to make tequila seem like water. Happy Trails. .............Oh, did I mention that every one here is drop dead gorgeous? I hope it´s the drink causing it.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday, December 21, 2007
The Best Holiday Present: Another Journey
It's the holiday season and the best time to plan a trip to South America for Jan and Feb 2008, thanks to United frequent flyer miles. A notice from United that all my miles go away if not used by the end of 2007 prompted the trip. The flights are booked from Florida to Sao Paulo Brazil to Santiago Chile and back, but hopefully the trip will include side ventures to Argentina, Uraguay, and Paraguay. Brazil has been booked to include a trip on the scenic cliff hanger railroad from Curitiba to Paranagua and back as well as a trip to see the Iguassu Falls. The falls are supposed to be spectacular, and also, happen to be located on the borders of Brazil, Argentina. and Paraguay: a chance to see one world class site and 3 countries. Planning the Chile portion is next and should be interesting. The country isn't that wide, but runs almost the entire length of South America. It could involve a lot of mileage to see a few sites. Any suggestions are appreciated.........One other dream trip in the making - thanks to Delta frequent flyer miles - is another trip around the world in the fall of 2008. This time it will hopefully include the trip to Abu Sibel Eqypt to see the special sunrise on the monuments that happen only twice a year; Feb 21 and Oct 21. Egypt was also the home of the yearly presentation of the opera Aida at the foot of the pyramids in Cairo, but this may be a thing of the past. In recent years, productions have been cancelled because of international tensions. E-mail requests to Egypt have gone unanswered but research is ongoing. In the meantime, Happy Holidays and Happy Trails to you.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Friends United!
From Left, Pat, Janet, Lee, and Roy at our reunion. Still crazy after all these years!
You're Still Here!
It's humbling to hear that some folks still check in to my blog, even though it has been over a year (?) since my last entry. An article in the local news stated that even though there are many millions of blogs, the average readership is 1 (0ne). My favorite quote from the article; "This means that not even your Mom is reading it." Given the statistics, thanks for reading!.......one reason for restarting the blog is that somehow, I've saved almost enough frequent flyer miles for a second trip around the world. Again I want to travel to 6 places I have never been. As plans are confirmed I will give details here, so stay tuned.....Finally, as someone who has traveled my entire life, (My Dad was in the military so I moved a lot. Moving here to Florida was my 26th move), I am realizing that some of the greatest happiness can come from travelling back in time - to renew old friendships. Last week a group of friends who worked together with me in California decades ago, came for a visit. To quote Hallmark, "a true friend is someone who knows the worst about you, but remains your friend anyway." Thanks to great friends who don't give up..............Happy Trails, RamblinMe
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Travel Tips for You
Now that my wings are clipped while I'm saving for the next trip, it is a good time to share a few travel tips that may make your next trip even easier. I highly recommend a computer product called GoToMyPC. In every country that I travelled, I was able to use a local computer to update my blog and check my messages. The beauty of GoToMyPC is that it brings up the exact computer screen that you have at home when you go online and it allows you to perform all of the functions that you would if you were at home, including accessing your phone book and files, replying easily to emails, printing, etc. It made all the difference for me. If you're interested, log on to gotomypc.com. Customer service is outstanding, the entire process and company is very savvy about international travel, and it costs only $20 a month. Also, you are not locked into a contract. I've stopped the service and will start again whenever I travel........Second recommendation - a product called Everglades Outdoor Protective Clothing Treatment Insect Repellent. You use it to make any clothes that you have bugproof. This is especially important to avoid malaria carrying mosquitos. I almost bought BuzzOff clothing that has a built in repellent but they are outrageously expensive. Everglades treated clothes have the exact same protection that BuzzOff advertises. Also Everglades works and it stays on your clothes through five washings!!! I was the only tourist that I saw in Peru who wasn't covered in bug bites. I found mine over the internet.........Third, don't hug! Being a southerner I want to hug everyone. In Africa I was sadly saying goodby to my guides and hugged one of them. He responded by grabbing my butt. Hugs, just don't translate as well......Finally, this last idea is from my Virginia friend Bill - instead of bringing candy to give away to kids, bring children's flavored vitamins to hand out. There is so much malnutrition in some countries that even this small effort helps.....That's all for now - and happy trails from Ramblin Me
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Egypt on Hold for Now
Sadly the trip to Egypt is on hold until the Muslim political situation calms down. Even though I received word from the Egyptian consulate that everything is fine there, the news is telling me the opposite. All the furor over the cartoon of Mohamed in a Danish newspaper seems to be escalating. I think Sue's advice to wait 6 months is sound. Thanks to all who helped me research this!!
In the meantime, I'll be hiding out on Valentine's Day to stay away from all of the reminders that I don't have a valentine. It's a tough holiday for single folks. For those of you who are coupled - enjoy! Eat lots of chocolate. It's wonderful that scientists are finally acknowledging that chocolate is good for you.
See you next trip. Marion aka RamblinMe
In the meantime, I'll be hiding out on Valentine's Day to stay away from all of the reminders that I don't have a valentine. It's a tough holiday for single folks. For those of you who are coupled - enjoy! Eat lots of chocolate. It's wonderful that scientists are finally acknowledging that chocolate is good for you.
See you next trip. Marion aka RamblinMe
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Back to Egypt
The entire time that I travelled through Egypt, people were telling me that it's too bad that I won't be there for the Feb festival at Abu Simbel. Twice a year the sunrise is in perfect alignment with the massive statues cut into the rock - Feb 22 and a day in Oct. Feb is the best because of the cooler temperatures. The alignment is coupled with a huge fair and festival at the site. With the frequent flyer miles I earned from my trip around the world I have purchased tickets to fly back to Egypt, leaving Feb 14. It's a valentines gift to moi! How did you know? It's just what I wanted!
Abu Simbel is in the southernmost part of Egypt - almost at the border with the Sudan. It is far away from any of the other typical tourist sites, so it actually requires a separate trip, at least for me. I currently have tickets for JAX to Cairo and back and also hotel reservations in Abu Simbel. Now I just need to find some way to get from Cairo to Abu Simbel and back. This part seems impossible from the US and may have to wait until I'm actually in Egypt
You are invited to come along for the adventure. Marion
Abu Simbel is in the southernmost part of Egypt - almost at the border with the Sudan. It is far away from any of the other typical tourist sites, so it actually requires a separate trip, at least for me. I currently have tickets for JAX to Cairo and back and also hotel reservations in Abu Simbel. Now I just need to find some way to get from Cairo to Abu Simbel and back. This part seems impossible from the US and may have to wait until I'm actually in Egypt
You are invited to come along for the adventure. Marion
Friday, November 11, 2005
A Final Farewell to India with a Last look at the Taj Mahal in the Mists....
....and an end to my journey around the world. Thank you for travelling with me. Until my next trip. Happy Trails, Marion (aka RamblinMe)
Architectural Details of the Palace in the Agra Fort
Bottom left hand corner shows indentations carved in the walls which cover an entire room. The room served as a "jewel box" for the Shaw's daughter. Each daughter had an entire room to store their jewelry. And I was worried about what to do with all my jewelry........
Humeyun's Tomb, Delhi, India
This tomb was mentioned in an earlier blog entry. It served as the model for the Taj Mahal.
Johann, my Guide in Delhi, India, in front of the President's Home
Johann is an exceptional person and guide. He is working as a tour guide to pay for his work towards
his PhD. The work involves studying an ancient tribe in a remote area in Northeast India. Johann speaks 5-6 languages (his English and German are better than mine!)
Johann mentioned that the President of India is single - so perhaps there is hope for me. One can always hope!
his PhD. The work involves studying an ancient tribe in a remote area in Northeast India. Johann speaks 5-6 languages (his English and German are better than mine!)Johann mentioned that the President of India is single - so perhaps there is hope for me. One can always hope!
Harley-Davidson, Moscow
A couple of months before I left for this trip, an article appeared in my local paper about Moscow opening its first Harley-Davidson store. No address was given, so finding it turned into quite an adventure. I showed the article to these folks in the store and bought a sweatshirt with "Harley-Davidson Moscow" on it - now my most treasured posession!
Bikers Rule! Da!
Bikers Rule! Da!
One of Stalin's Seven Sisters
"The foundations for the Seven Sisters were laid in 1947 to mark Moscow's 800th anniversary. Stalin had decided that Moscow suffered from 'skyscraper gap' compared to the USA and ordered the construction of these seven behemoths to enhance the city's skyline." from p.159 "Lonely Planet's Russia and Belarius."
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