Pat

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

AWESOME THREESOME OF CUBA

15 December 2013: TRINIDAD, CIENFUEGOS AND SANTA CLARA – AWESOME THREESOME

Horse carts more numerous on streets than cars.

Horse carts more numerous on streets than cars.

Rough and narrow roads filled with more horse carts than cars. Dense fields of maribou; grazing cows and horses, pigs and chickens running through yards; vegetable gardens; men cutting marabou for charcoal, machetes chopping away; mountain peaks to the north, and everywhere the banana tree. Temperatures cooler and humidity lower. Lush and green Cuba is a tropical paradise. Columbus thought the island “More beautiful than any I have ever seen.”  (more…)

By Pat, ago

SANCTI SPIRITUS – lively and spirited colonial city

 

13 December 2013: SANCTI SPIRITUS

16th century Parroquial Mayor is Cuba's oldest church.

16th century Parroquial Mayor is Cuba’s oldest church.

I experience a four-hour bus ride through the least developed area of the island: narrow road with no paved shoulders, some sugar cane fields, pig and chicken farms, goats, sheep, busy small towns, cattle, horses, trucks, bikes, people transports, and pedestrians. The slim road is a gauntlet of movement. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Dear U.S.A.: May I Please Visit Cuba?

9 December 2013: SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba

After much research, my final decision was to ask my government’s permission and legally travel to Cuba. I remember the revolution and Fidel’s verbose entry into  international politics, sweat the missile crisis, lived 50 years with the U.S. Embargo of this island, and read about Cuba. Now I wished to meet Cubans and see Cuba for myself – B.C. (before capitalism – alas. I am too late.) (more…)

By Pat, ago

NEW ORLEANS

December 4, 2013: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISANA

DSC02684

Jackson Square with namesake General and St. Louis Cathedral.

I have flown to New Orleans, a city that exceeds its hype. It truly is beautiful and unique. NOLA is hundreds of years of history, antique stores, boutiques, brand stores, gambling, music, restaurants and bars all packaged within a relatively small area. Oh, and I can also mention Lestat and the Mayfair witches, thank you Anne Rice. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Nepal – The Fun Starts Here

When you travel, if you don’t learn something new about the culture you visit, gain a clearer understanding about your own culture, and learn something about yourself, you might as well stay home.

– Pat Bunyard

Good beer and popcorn on Freak Street

Good beer and popcorn on Freak Street

NEPAL, 16 Oct 2013: My title may be a Nepalese advertisement for beer, but the sentiment is true. It has been an interesting, challenging and fun experience traveling Nepal with Niraj Maharjan and my travel mates of Road Scholar. Niraj has brought vibrancy and passion, humor and pride to his task of leading our little group, and his efforts brought alive what was before my eyes. I have gained much understanding and appreciation for the culture, people and hopes of Nepal.

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By Pat, ago

Drink, Think, Relax

If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.

– Orson Welles.

KATHMANDU, 15 Oct: Dubious day turns out wonderfully. Out my window I see the Swayambhunath Temple and the rain has stopped. I bid farewell to my wonderful travel mates Teresa and Jim, Susan and Peter, and Jo who left this morning to India and further exciting travels. I fought off the staff who thought I was going too, managed to relax over a hectic breakfast, then arrange for a taxi. My story is not as yet at an end.

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By Pat, ago