The Adventure has started

Today I kinda felt like an Asian Tourist. Or at least that's what I imagine it must be like: Europe in 5 days or something like that. Well, in my case it was Europe in 1 day. Breakfast in Switzerland. Lunch (with a Croque Monsieur of course = a must when I come to Paris) in France. And dinner in the UK :)

But let's start from the beginning. And that's what today was: the beginning of my Summer Adventure 2011. A very relaxing train ride to London (with a change of train in Paris). Everything went smoothly. All the trains were on time. And what I mainly and positivly noticed today was, that the people were extremely helpful! I was already getting annoyed by the train stations in Paris and why the Metro doesn't have more escalators for people with more than one luggage. And every time there was a helpful person coming to my rescue. Not that I can remember (and I've been in Paris a lot lately) people being so helpful. So that's that about the helpful Parisians :) We'll see how the Britain and the Americans will do.

Here I am now, in the big city of London. Have already been in the city centre for a while. Getting some healthy food (a Vegetarian Swiss Restaurant called Tibits, and no, I'm not homesick yet). That will change tomorrow. As I have a date in the Hard Rock Cafe. What can I say, I have to get used to American food :) And for sure I'll get enough food during the next week on Queen Mary 2 (if you remember my Blog from the last Transatlantic NY - Southampton you'll know what I mean). Relaxing times are ahead before arriving in the Big Apple. I'll take you along the Traveling Waterway Road. Hope you'll join me. Even those who can't swim :)

If you care to see pictures of my summer journey, please go to my Photo 365 Project. One picture a day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielle_76/sets/72157625722382508

I'll keep you posted from somewhere along the road.
Be safe and take care!

My Ride

"Life’s a circle. And every end is somehow it’s beginning." I remember writing those words down almost 2 years ago. On a ship crossing the Atlantic back home. And here I am again. Only 2 weeks away from crossing over - again. This time just the other way round. Southampton – New York. The start of yet another adventure of 3 months away from home. 3 months on the road. 3 months full of new adventures, meeting people. 3 months of memories that I’ll be able to look back on. If not in my memory then for sure on thousands and thousands of pictures. That’s a promise :) What can I say, as a friend just recently told me, I am a "photoholic".

It’s been quite a while since I last wrote in my Blog. But this summer’s Trip coming up is just reason enough to get it back to life. Don’t ya think :) A diary for me to keep and a way of letting everyone else know where I am and what I am doing. A way to let you all take part in my Traveling Roads. Roads that will lead me from the most craziest Big Apple there is to Chicago. To a Ranch in "The Big Sky Country" (Montana). To an adventurous trip up to Alaska. To dear friends in Cali (how have I missed being "Dani California"). To a train ride from LA to New Orleans. To a place in the US that couldn’t be more country (Nashville). To the beautiful East Coast of North Carolina. And to a little town called Wilmington that will always draw me back and where I will always feel like coming home!

Life’s indeed a circle. And I am happy to being able to start all over again. Hoping you’re with me on "My Ride".

In the circle of life. It's the wheel of fortune.
It's the leap of faith. It's the band of hope.
Till we find our place. On the path unwinding.
In the circle, the circle of life.

Traveling With History

I feel quite young right now. Well, I am still young, right? RIGHT?? :) But traveling with a group of people where the majority is 60 and over does make me even younger. Quite the difference, when I think back to the "Southern Sun" with Trek America where a huge bunch of the people were in their early twenties. There I was definitely one of the older ones. But, in any case, I am enjoying very good company here touring the South of Spain.

We have left Málaga and with it the Atlantic Coast behind. Headed towards the mountains of Andalucia, visiting one of the "pueblos blancos" (the white villages): Ronda. We’ve had some insight on corridas there. Thought about the pros and cons of it. Is it cruelty to animals or High Art? Guess that’s a topic where it’s hard to find an answer to. I did not eat a bull’s stew there. In case you might think I’d do that now, after having had Alligator in New Orleans. But instead enjoyed a Gazpacho and a Spanish Tortilla. We’ve tested the sherry in the city of Jerez. I marvelled at the beautiful Andalusian Horses oft he Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Which definitely is a High Art. No discussion about that needed. Such grace and beauty. Amazing! We’ve explored the many historic sights Seville hast o offer (feel like I just can’t take in any more, there is soooo much). And saw another form of Spanish Art: the Flamenco. An art in it’s most passionate form.

Yes, I am stuffed on my travels through Andalusia. With art and history and culture and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of food too. But you see, this all makes great sense. And feels so very right. At moments as tonight. Strolling through the picturesque streets of Seville. The hectic day has been left behind and changed into a quiet night. The city is dressed in lights. A single guitar sounds through the streets. The sweet smell of jasmine embraces the evening. The sweet smell of summer days.
Another day just started. Another day filled with history, culture, art, and of course food in beautiful Andalusia.

Málaga as seen from the Gibralfaro

Andalusian Colours

un pueblo blanco: Ronda


people of Ronda

Plaza de Toros - Ronda

un Calle en Jerez

the Southern Feeling

Plaza de España - Seville

El Sevillano

Casa de Pilatos - Seville

Pasión pura

Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.

~ Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel ~

A Train Ride Down South

It feels like I did not leave home. Sitting in a restaurant in the old town of Málaga, just next to the church, I can hear more Swiss German than Spanish. But my physical condition definitely tells me that I have been on the road for a while. Taking the train yesterday evening at 8 PM in Basle. Changing in Lausanne. Then trying to sleep, with the emphasis on trying (Gosh! Are teenage kids really that inconsiderate these days?!), for a train ride of almost 10 hours down to Girona, Spain. Another change there to get the train to Barcelona (just a short ride of an hour). And then one last change, hopping on my last connection to the final destination of today: Málaga. So, you might wonder (completely eligible), what makes one go on a train ride of 20!! hours when you can do the same distance in just 2 hours. Hmmm, well, those of you who kow me, do know that I am not a passionate flyer. Let's just say, I'd rather stick to the ground if I can. And a small note in brackets ... I did the whole America / Canada Trip of 3 months with only taking a plane once. The rest was either by bus, train, car or boat. Well, sometimes I did some hiking :)

So, I guess my bones are telling me to just get into that nice and comfy bed (don't we just appreciate the small things if for once we have to miss out on them?). And, of course, I DO listen to what my body tells me to do :) Especially as there's loads of new roads to be traveled on during the next few days. It is one more day of exploring Málaga tomorrow. Then I'll meet up with yet some other group of strangers in the evenig. Spending the next 9 days traveling through Andalucia. The forecast - at least for the weather - looks splendid. We already have now a temperature of 33 degrees C. And this in October. Can anyone believe that?! Gettin' on my Shorts and Shirts again and living some more summer days - which I thought I'd had left behind already. Enjoy things while they last ...

First Glimpses: The Old Town of Málaga

Soaked in the evening light: Cathedral

That's the plan: Andalucia in 9 Days

Inbetween Travels

Somehow my enthusiasm for writing seems to have vanished. Disappeared. Gone with my summer travels. Guess that happens at times. But I am hoping for the words to be back soon. Together with the start of my 3 weeks in Spain. And please don't say "What?! Another vacation? AGAIN?!?" I've heard that a lot already. But hey, what can I say. I really need some rest from this traveling during the summer. Don't I? :) I mean, that was REALLY exhausting *lol*.
You see, with me talking about travels, the words seem to come back. Only a few more days and I hit those roads again. Hope ya all string along for the Spanish Ride.

Hasta Luego en España :)

Stuffed on Queen Mary 2

Life’s a circle. And every end is somehow it’s beginning. That sounds very philosophical. And in a way it is. But if you look at it from a different angle it can be quite funny too. Remember my very first Blog from this trip? Well, if you do remember, then you do know where I am heading with this. Cause there’s quite a similarity in the title of my first Blog and this Blog – my last Blog of these Traveling Roads. "Stuffed in Georgia". That was the title. And I am being stuffed again. Not in Georgia this time (will never forget those first 24 hours Becca ;)). But stuffed nonetheless. On the Queen Mary 2. It’s like you can eat here for 24 hours straight. And I am not kidding! Have a late Breakfast. Have an early lunch. Continue with some tea (maybe coffee) and sweets. Then go straight over (after some change in dresses) for a 5 course dinner meal. And if you like, after one drink or maybe two, you can have a late night snack before heading over to do some dancing, chatting, piano music listening or simply retreating back to your room and sleep – and maybe dream of next days meals *lol*. There you go. Almost 24 hours straight eating :) Simply go visit the Milby’s in Meansville, Georgia or book a Transatlantic Cruise on the Queen Mary 2. But apart from eating there’s other things you can or could do here. Like, what I am doing right now, observing the waves passing by. Reading a book. Unfortunatley not on a warm and sunny deck. Having a massage, if you are willing to pay a fortune. Go see movies or a theatre play like Romeo and Juliet (how tragic, once again). Do Line Dancing. Walk on deck, if you can fight against the Atlantic winds. Spending money and buying hotels and houses while playing Monopoly. Simply sleep (great possibilty, I must say). Having a picture – or none – taken by some elderly, a little tipsy men who cannot find the button to push *lol* Enjoying the drink oft he day, listening to Jazz Music. Or end the day and start a new one in G32 (disco). Lots of possibilities on the way over the Atlantic.

This is the last but one day on the Queen Mary 2. We are nearing Southampton, England on a steady path. Arriving there on Monday, early morning. I will spend the day in London. Meeting up with a new, old friend: Sophie, who I have met on the Southern Sun from New York to Los Angeles. We are planning on going to Fifteen, Jamie Oliver’s Restaurant. Joy :) The day after I’ll be taking the train from London to Paris, and then back home. Any volunteers to help me get that luggage from one train station to the other? :) So, as sad as it is on one side that this trip is ending, I am really looking forward on the other side to get back home. Seeing family and friends again. Sleeping in my own bed :). Listening to my favourite radio station on a regular basis again. Just the small things that I have come to miss while being away. This road is coming to an end. But in my head there are already new traveling roads forming. And as we know, life’s a circle. And every end is somehow it’s beginning ...

Leaving New York

Kissing Time while leaving the Big Apple

the Bond Girls of Queen Mary 2

Charming

Beeing formally dressed

Ending the day with a drink or two

Travelling by boat has this wonderful, timeless, romantic aspect.

The Atlantic just rocked me peacefully to sleep each night.
~ Kimberly Ennico ~

Lighthouses, Lobsters and Big Apples

I fell in love. I really did! The subject of my admiration is tall, well, mostly tall. Very slender indeed. And it’s attention goes out to everyone who’s nearing it. Even from far far away. You curious? :) I bet you are. But at some point I guess I have to disappoint you. It’s not a human being my love goes out to. It’s a building. Well, a few buildings. It is the lighthouses of Maine. Actually, I fell in love with the whole State. A reason good enough to go back one day and explore it some more. But for now I am left heartbroken…

… time to being distracted. And there’s lots here to distract me. Like the charming big (have to say small now that I have arrived in NY) city of Boston. A place to mingle and linger. Sip some coffee (tea for me) in a picturesque coffee shop (or maybe just a Starbuck *lol*). Take the ferry out to the Islands. Eat Lobster in the oldest restaurant Americas. And get your spirits ready for the bigger things to come. Like some fruit maybe. Maybe an apple. A Big Apple. YES! I have hit the Big Apple. And I have taken a few bites oft hat apple already. It's tasty. It's REALLY big. It's busy. It's loud. It's beautiful. It's shiny. It's glamorous. And it's VERY VERY crazy. But, nonetheless, and despite of all this, I'm lovin' it a lot! So much to do and see and once again not enough time to do so. But still, I've already taken some hearty bites here. Like climbing the Empire State Building. Or just taking that elevator to floor 102 and enjoying an amazing view. Walking 5th Avenue up and down and up and down :) Even eating up on top of the world on 230 5th Avenue. Taking the Staten Island Fery. A free ride - yes, some things still come free in this world, even in NY City. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge. And meeting up with some new old friends. Liz and Cari, I am missing you already :(

My trip is nearing it's end pretty soon. So, besides being a little heartbroken I am also quite sentimental. A mess, you could say? No, not that bad ;) The trip isn't quite over yet. I am still going to cross that Atlantic. Boarding the Queen Mary 2 on September 8th. New York - Southampton. My evening dresses are ready to being worn. My mind is ready to get some memories of these past 3 months lived through again. Lying on that deck of ship. Reading a book. Thoughts drifting away. To all those Traveling Roads of the past 3 months ...

Portland Head Lighthouse - Maine

Tiny Lighthouse

Cape Neddick Lighthouse - Maine

Life in Boston

on top of Empire State Building

nice views - Empire State Building

Cari and Liz - Brooklyn Bridge

Havin' Fun on top of the World :)

A nice View as seen from 230 5th Avenue

Take the back roads instead of the highways.

~ Minnie Pearl ~