Pat

Retired. Have time for the things I love: travel, my cat, reading, good food, travel, genealogy, walking, and of course travel.

Phnom Penh “I can’t imagine worse traffic anywhere else in the world.” 9-10 January 2015

Cambodians could be world's best driving instructors.

Cambodians could be world’s best driving instructors.

To say Phnom Penh traffic is crazed and its drivers suicidal would be an understatement of enormous proportions. In this city of two and a half million people, most of them are on scooters, in tuk-tuks, atop cargo-ladened trucks, or driving shiny new cars. To transit from Point A to Point B is to make critical decisions, to understand Cambodian logic and philosophy, to be willing to map your Route C with courage, and a trust in Buddha. All of which cannot guarantee safe passage. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Climbing the Temples of Angkor Wat – Siem Reap Cambodia. 6-8 January 2015

Bayon's South Gate lined with demons and gods.The devil in me chose a demon.

Bayon’s South Gate lined with demons and gods.The devil in me chose a demon.

I have read about and seen photos of the Angkor Wat Archeological Site, but nothing prepared me for the size, complexity and grandeur of its temple ruins. I was unaware that this complex is as big as the city of San Diego and contains over 110 individual temples built over six centuries. Thus, temple architecture and design is as varied as the personalities of the Khmer kings who built them. Many temples were dedicated to Hindu gods but over time were converted to Buddhism, while others started out Buddhist and later all images of Buddha were chipped away or adapted to convert the temple to Hinduism. After the 16th century, the temples and the country peacefully adopted Theravāda Buddhism. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Siem Reap, Cambodia. 5 January 2015

DSC04748I learned today that Royal Gardens are relative. Some rather poor, dusty and dull trees, a spout of water, and an empty garbage-strewn fountain a royal park do not make. The beautiful temple, where costumed youth are posing for professional photos, makes for an interesting pause. The men and their harmonious instruments add reality to the fact I am in Siem Reap. Drawn to the screeches in the trees, I look for the monkeys but instead note that the sounds come from numerous large bats. Countless motorbikes, rickshaws and bicycles zoom amid honking cars and trucks. All traffic seems to move slowly. Good thing as there are very few traffic lights and a smattering of stop signs, most of which just suggest as action to be contemplated by drivers. There appears to be no rules to driving when it comes to direction, passing, turning, or right of way. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Good Ole Days of Flying

It is a new flying world and I have to adjust.

Flying is not what it used to be. I have fond memories of flights taken during the 1970s and 80s, less so in the 90s and certainly fewer fond memories since the turn of the century.

 

IMG_1391-0.JPGI remember flying with a jade tree. I was taking a large Crassula ovata to my sister in Indiana. It was fragile and I didn’t want to check it. So I took it onto the plane with me. I strapped it into the adjacent seat and we flew to Chicago together. It didn’t occur to me that it would probably freeze to death there, but we did have a nice flight.

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By Pat, ago

Warsaw Poland – The Royal Way

26-29 July 2014

Warsaw's Royal Palace and square

Warsaw’s Royal Palace and square

I have walked more than 150 miles of Poland, enjoying its art, architecture, museums, fortresses and churches, and learning more of Poland’s history. My last days in Poland will be touring Warsaw or Varsava as the Warszawian’s pronounce the city. The city’s harrowing story is one of death and destruction, uprisings and resilience, pride and rebuilding. A story of a city and its citizens rising from the ashes of war. A story of its Jews. A story written in its art, photos, films, music, architecture, and in the streets of Warsaw.

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By Pat, ago