26 March 2017
Arriving Antwerpen Centraal
What I will remember about Antwerp was arriving by train into their Centraal Rail Station. Looking up, one recognizes perfection and beauty when one sees it. And the beauty of this station is right in front of you upon exiting the train. (more…)
Amsterdam is a city of wide streets and narrow passageways all contained within a widening ring of successive canals and cut through by the Amstel River. One might view the city as a marshland crisscrossed by a maze of winding cobblestone avenues, and canals crossed by quaint bridges. But once you begin walking its streets, you realize this is a quite maneuverable city of interesting architecture, history, and art. Amsterdam continues to be one-of-a-kind in Europe, and not too different from the city that I saw over 40 years ago. (more…)
23 March 2017
I can’t say I am impressed with Air Canada.
I have flown many legs, hundreds of thousands of miles, and hundreds of destinations. This time, I dropped from the list of “Priority Boarding” to Zone 5 by walking across a parking lot. Not all bad, as AC does board back to front and I admit it seems to speed up boarding. I just like that early boarding line. With all my miles, frequent flyer status, and experience, I am spoiled and want the perks. (more…)
31 January 2017
The romance of travel isn’t always evident by the one currently experiencing it. Truthfully, the romance exponentially decreases with the longer and farther one travels. Flying to East Africa from the west coast is right up there with a dental implant. (more…)
30 January 2017
Three words describe my day: SADNESS, FEAR, RESPONSIBILITY.
SADNESS. I follow the informative path through Kigali’s Genocide Museum. Here is the history of the Tutsi genocide and the final resting place of over 250,000 victims. The Hutu, Tutsi and Twa (Pygmy) of Rwanda are all Banyarwanda who share a common language and background. Yet here is the tragic story of what can happen when people believe lies, blame a scapegoat, loose their humanity, and vent their frustration on others. This site honors the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994. (more…)
27-28 January 2017
Silverback Akarevuro
I visited the Kwitonda family this morning. Within minutes of climbing a fence and entering their forest back yard, I found a large group of mothers and infants gathered around a rotted log having a picnic of mushrooms. The mothers ate; the infants clumsily practiced their vine and climbing skills. Their father and 450 pound protector sat close by expressing his pride and approval. He is responsible for 28 members of his extended family and I was fortunate to spend an hour with them. (more…)
26 January 2017
A day walking the community of Bwindi is a day well spent. Available for me are a luxurious room; abundant and well prepared food; services of maid, cook, laundress, masseuse, and room service. No request is too small, no wish is denied. Meanwhile, outside my door are people with few if any of these amenities. It is a humbling experience. (more…)