13 December 2013: SANCTI SPIRITUS
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…)
Drove bumpy, two-lane, horse and bicycle filled roads to Camagüey. In the mining town of El Cobre is Our Lady of Charity Basilica where resides the patron saint of Cuba in the form of a 16″ statue of the Virgin Mary, visited by everyone from Hemingway to Fidel’s mother. Prayed for her son’s longevity?
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…)
December 4, 2013: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISANA
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…)
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
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.
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.
UNBELIEVABLE!
– Peter Fillmore, group participant
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK, 14 Oct: Unbelievable! It has become our mantra thanks to Peter, who says the word is universally descriptive and can fit any occasion. We use it a lot. Today was no exception. Awoke before dawn to clear views of the Annapurna Range including Annapurna South, Fishtail, Annapurna Three, Four and Two. One remains allusive behind the others. The entire range was lit with the sunrise. All are “UNbelievable!”