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 ~

Falls First Glances

Can a car look differently? Feel differently? Smell differently? Have a completely different spirit? I believe it does. At least our Ford Flex does. After Melanie left over a week ago, 2 new – and yes, different – people joined my adventure. Karin and Christoph are along for the "Eastern Adventure". Where not even the people are different, but the Country Roads have vanished almost completely. Where did the Country Radio Stations go so suddenly? And the dusty and seemingly endless roads gave way to, hmmm, how do I express myself, lets say different roads and landscapes ;) Even the language has changed with entering into Quebéc. And I thought I could at least understand some French. But this here … oh my gosh! Sounds like something completely different. Yes, different is my word for now. And yes, we have to live with change. Change is good. Change is the only constant.

And with constant joy and the excitement to travel some new roads we are driving East. Passing Niagra Falls (too many rainbows at times to count). Exploring Algonquin Park on – and luckily never in – one of over 2000 lakes. Spending a few hours in Canadas Capitol. Passing Montréal on the way to Québec. Unfortunately Celine didn’t have the time to invite us in for lunch *lol* :)
And Québec’s the city we are at now. It was awfully cold and windy and really ghastly at the beginning. But the sun showed up today and we are loving the city a whole lot. It’s charming here. It’s a little bit French here. The people speak funny here. The streets are very picturesque. Music’s embracing the city from around every corner. You can stroll around here and enjoy and relax. It’s a place you must go see when traveling the East of Canada. Je me souviens de toi, Québec!
But time to hit the road again tomorrow. Heading back over the boarder to the US . Yes, I said I’d be back. Can’t wait to travel the Coastline of Maine, see some lighthouses. And also another charming city surrounding my spirits: Boston, I’m only Miles away.

Yes, change is a constant. It’s a certainty, that after summer there’s fall to come. It’s the fact of life. The days are starting to get shorter with each passing day now. The temperatures of Texas are long long gone. And I have begun to stow away my Shorts, Tank Tops and Flip Flops deep down in my bag and dig out the Fleece Jacket and trainers (plus of course my Cowboy Boots :)). Yeah, I guess I have to face reality … and change. It seems, summer is saying Good-Bye more sooner than later. And fall is showing it’s first glances.

Looking down into the Falls

Nature's Beauty - Niagra Falls

Relaxing on Canoe Lake - Algonquin Park

A Day's End in Huntsville

Strolling Around in Ottawa

Taking A Ride on St. Lawrence River - Québec

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace
as I have seen in one autumnal face.

Autumn quote by John Donne

Reflections

I'm alone in Toronto for 4 days. Exploring the city on my own - obviously :) But not getting drunk here (or anywhere else for that matter) as some people on facebook might have interpreted my last status "... got drunk in Toronto". I mean, it is a writers freedom to leave some things open to interpretation. Right? Doesn't that make things a little bit more interesting? And can't you get drunk in more ways than one? Like maybe "drunk with impressions"? No idea if that expression exists though. But for right now I'd like to think it does. Cause that's what I meant by saying it.

Anyways. I think it's time to do a little thinking. Some reflections on the past weeks. It seems like forever since I boarded that plane to Atlanta on June 14th. In fact, it's "only" been 10 weeks since. Onto date. At home 10 weeks pass quite fast. Might be the everyday life. Here, it seems that weeks are passing fast too. But on the other hand it seems like things, places, experiences, people are passing me by so quickly. One day I'm at the California Beaches. The other day I'm marveling at those giant trees in Yosemite NP. And even though there are just a few days inbetween those places, one just seems so far in the past already. Like it's been weeks since. Do you get what I mean?
I've traveled so many roads this summer (can't even tell you how many Miles it's been. A few thousand, I'm sure). I've done so many things. Spent time with so many different people. Seen mountains, no mountains *LOL*, beaches, deserts, lakes. I've crossed the country from East to West. I've danced Two Steps in my Texas Cowboy Boots. I've been to Nowherelands, Citylands, Flatlands, Drunkenlands (just observing ;)), Waterlands, Movielands, Disneylands and even Badlands. I've been "kissded" so many times (how can I ever forget that :)). I've traveled through 22 States (yet there are more to come). And I've crossed the boarder to Canada just recently.

Yeah, I'm in Toronto now. No more small villages out in Nowhereland. No more Country Roads (oh how I miss that American Ride). This is a big city. This is a different country. People are friendly here (especially if you don't have the money to pay your meal :)). People like to honk here a whole lot too (I'm so glad I'm a pedestrian in Toronto). Street Cars have sand on the floor here. What's with that? Didn't I leave the beach behind weeks ago ;) There are Starbucks around every corner in this city. More than I've ever seen in any other. Not even in Seattle. I finally eat healthy food here. I have to actually ask for the check here (and not having it served right after my last bite). People are selling you diet Frappuccino and say that it doesn't come with whipped cream when I ask for it. Duh! Obviously it doesn't. Would it make sense to order diet and then add whipped cream?! Well, I never ordered diet anyway. Do I look like I need it?!

But enough with that. I guess I'm done reflecting for now. I'm getting ready for the next part of my adventure. Some new traveling roads. I hope you string along a little bit longer too.

Oh yeah, I've seen the first Halloween Decorations today. Does that mean summer is over??

... and a little thing to add at the very end ... you people out there in this huge void. I have no idea who you are. Who's reading my "Traveling Roads"? Please leave a message if you feel like it. And even if you don't ;) It would mean a lot!! So, don't be shy :)

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the number of moments that take our breath away.

~ anonymous ~