Travel Journal - ilivetotravel's travel log

20 Photographers-in-Action Shots

29 April 2014 by Raul 9 Comments

Like most travelers, I enjoy taking pictures of the places I see. It used to be to show family and friends but eventually developed into more of giving myself a challenge of not only capturing images for my memories, but also seeing if I could capture anything unique or interesting as I explore the world via travels. However, I am hardly unique in all this as this photo essay will show. Among the interesting images that catch my attention is watching others photograph people or their setting. So in what I hope will not be the only post of its kinds, here are “photographers in action.”

Let me know which is your favorite picture!

Lots of summer weddings and photo shoots during my time in stunning Brasov, Romania

Milford Sound, New Zealand, cruise, photographer

Plenty of great photo opps while cruising Milford Sound in New Zealand

Atacama desert, Chile, llamas, photographer, salt lake

Hopefully this photographer knew when close could be too close (Atacama desert in Chile)

Trocadero in Paris provides a great setting to capture photographers (and others!) in action

A friend caught me working hard on a photo on Itay’s Amalfi Coast

Something must have caught the eye of my cousin while traipsing around Sofia, Bulgaria!

Vatican, Pope, Pope mobile, security guard, Benedict XVI, photographer, Catholic, Papal audience

The Pope mobile, a Pope, a security guard, and an avid photographer make for a peculiar shot

Vietnam War Memorial, D.C., name of the dead, veterans, reflection of memoral wall

As I enjoyed a run through the monuments in D.C., I stopped to show respect for the fallen and snap a memory

Washington Monument, D.C., stones, photographer

Sometimes, a photographer needs to get up close and personal to capture the Washington Monument in D.C.

Chile, Atacama desert, color, purple, volcano, photo

The Atacama desert is a perfect canvas of color any time of the day as this photographer found

Sometimes the amazing Sydney Opera House is not the only fun shot

South Africa, Cape Town, photographer, sky reflection on car

A college friend captures one of the many beautiful vistas in the Cape in South Africa while offering me a great shot

France, Bordeaux, marathon, Medoc Marathon, runner, costumer

The Medoc Marathon, commonly called the Bordeaux Marathon, certainly gives plenty of opportunities to capture costumed runners!

Trocadero in Paris may require some serious yoga-like poses for that perfect shot!

photographer, Jordan, Bedouin, travel, photo

A pro capturing an image of a friendly Bedouin in Jordan

trekker, hiker, Romania, Transylvania, photo

Trekkers capturing the beauty of the Transylvanian Alps

Glacier hike, New Zealand, Franz Josef, blue ice

Another glacier hiker and I exchanged our cameras as we climbed Franz Josef glacier in New Zealand

Rome, red door, cloudspark, glass reflection

When in Rome, take a lot of photos. And watch out for that friend who found a beautiful red door to photograph!

Filed Under: Special Photos, Travel Journal Tagged With: Amalfi coast, Bedouin, paris, photographers, photos, Pope mobile, red door, Rome, travel, Vatican security guard

St. Paul Outside the Walls: Rome’s Less Seen Basilicas

24 April 2014 by Raul 3 Comments

As one may expect, Rome does not lack in the church category. All types and sizes up to the best know, St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican. However, there are three other major basilicas in Rome: St. John Lateran (first among the four for being the oldest), Saint Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore), and St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura). As the term “major basilica” implies, they are of high importance to the Catholic Church and any other basilica is just “a” basilica or a minor basilica.

As with St. Peter’s and St. Peter, St. Paul Outside the Walls was built is on top of the site where St. Paul was buried. The original church was built in the fourth century and it got built on and modified up until the nineteenth century when a fire destroyed a good bit of it and it got reconstructed. The modifications it went through in those 1400 years were done for different reasons: fortifying it against potential invaders, repairing damage, beautifying it, or simply making it larger.

Of the original church only a couple of things remain (the triumphal arch with its fifth century mosaics, and part of the apse). But it was other details that grabbed my attention.

First, was the images of all the Popes right above the top of the columns. It really gives a great sense of the longevity of the Church.

Rome, St. Paul, Outside The Walls, fuori le mura, major basilica, Catholic Church, St. Paul's chain, colonnade, travel, photo, Italy, — Popes’ likenesses on the friezes

Second, how uninviting the exterior is (at least on the sides), hiding the interior beauty of this church.

Third, to me it seem a different style of architecture for a church. I suppose this derives from the fact that its design goes back to a very old design even if it was modified through the centuries. So it may not be a design that is odd but one that I am not familiar with.

St. Paul Outside the Walls, facade, Rome, Italy, Catholic Church, major basilica, statue, mosaics, photo, travel — The facade and statue of St. Paul

St. Paul Outside the Walls, facade, Rome, Italy, Catholic Church, major basilica, statue, mosaics, photo, travel, colonnade, columns — Colonnade to the side of the basilica’s facade; note the garden that sits in front of the facade.

Fourth, the colonnade inside the church (around 80 columns is pretty spectacular.

Rome, St. Paul, Outside The Walls, fuori le mura, major basilica, Catholic Church, colonnade, travel, photo, Italy, — The beautiful colonnade and what I assume are marble floors

Fifth, the stucco ceilings which are so beautifully decorated.

Rome, St. Paul, Outside The Walls, fuori le mura, major basilica, Catholic Church, travel, photo, Italy,, ceiling, stucco — Some of the beautiful ceilings at SPOTW

Finally, the altar and the tabernacle on it are beautiful crowns over the tomb of St. Paul. One can take a few stops down to see the chains that held St. Paul prisoner in Rome.

Rome, St. Paul, Outside The Walls, fuori le mura, major basilica, Catholic Church, travel, photo, Italy,, tabernacle, mosaic — Tabernacle at the altar, and, in the background, mosaics dating from the 13th century

Rome, St. Paul, Outside The Walls, fuori le mura, major basilica, Catholic Church, travel, photo, Italy,, tabernacle, stucco ceiling — Top of the tabernacle and the ceiling in the background

Rome, St. Paul, Outside The Walls, fuori le mura, major basilica, Catholic Church, travel, photo, Italy,, St. Paul's chain — St. Paul’s chains

St. Paul Outside the Walls is away from the beaten path of central Rome that most tourists stick to but it is an easy subway ride from that part of Rome. Whether due to your faith, your interest in architecture, simple curiosity or only trying to get away from the crowds, it is well worth checking out.

What lesser known bits of Rome have you visited? Any recommendations?

Filed Under: Europe, Italy, Travel Journal Tagged With: Catholic Church, ceiling, colonnade, fuori le mura, Italy, major basilica, mosaic, Outside The Walls, Paul's chain, photo, Rome, St, St. Paul, statue, tabernacle, travel

Monticchiello: Charm in the Middle of Tuscany

16 April 2014 by Raul 4 Comments

A few years ago, in one of my trips to Italy, we spent a few days in Tuscany. We opted to rent apartments in a small mountaintop town called Monticchiello, a charming place, sandwiched between Pienza and Montepulciano (lucky folks!!!).

We truly lucked out: the town was quaint, quite small, and its location was central and offering greats views. The place we stayed at was an awesome building a few hundreds of years old (but, the landlady mis-led us in terms of it sleeping all of us – I ended on a cot by the dining room).

apartment, Tuscany, La Toscana, Monticchiello, Italy, Italia, travel, lodging, accommodation, photo, old, stone

What a real person’s room looked like in that apartment!

A meal to remember

One of its gems was the only restaurant up there, aptly named Osteria La Porta (the gate). There was a wait so we went to stand outside. Not a few minutes later, the owner came out with a bottle of wine and five glasses for us to entertain ourselves with, courtesy of the house. Yea, like THAT would happen in the U.S.! We immediately knew we were at the right place.

La Porta, foodie, food, restaurant, Monticchiello, delicious, pasta with truffle, Italy, Italia

THE right place!

And we were not disappointed. We made it inside and began studying the menu. However, the waiter advised us that the pasta with truffle was very special. That was a plate with no meat of any sort. Just fresh pasta, fresh truffles, and a trickle of plain butter sauce. I decided that if it was being recommended, I ought to try despite its lack of meat or any veggies I normally like (mushrooms do not fall under that category). It was simply a superb dish. I can safely say top 5 ever eaten by me without any fear of exaggeration.

5 very happy campers

A special coincidence

We traveled to Italy during Holy Week which led to a few opportunities for good timing to happen. Such was that Sunday at Monticchielo: we were there on Palm Sunday. We went to church that Sunday and it was neat to hear Mass in Italian. But bigger surprise awaited us: the procession around town. All 40 or 50 of us followed the priest around this neat little town. I normally don’t spend enough time researching places to find out if there are local events that could be of interest – I just explore once I get somewhere. Maybe I have missed some things with this approach but, I have to say, it makes running into these local situations so much more fun.

Monticchiello, Tuscany, La Toscana, Italy, Italia, Palm Sunday, Church, Catholic

The faithful getting their palms before the procession

The priest leading the procession

Walking down the narrow streets of Monticchiello

Headed back in to the church at the end of the procession

What experiences have you had were you as pleasantly surprised while traveling? (Except the part about me in a cot next to a kitchen!)

Filed Under: Europe, Italy, Travel Journal Tagged With: exploring, food, Italia, Italy, La Toscana, Montecchiello, Palm Sunday, pasta, photos, travel, truffles, Tuscany

Admiring History on the Rocks in Petra, Jordan

7 April 2014 by Raul 2 Comments

I first went to Petra, Jordan back in 1998 on a day trip from Sharm-el-Sheikh at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. If you know the lay of the land, that may sound impossible. Well, not if you take a flight from Sharm-el-Sheikh to Aqaba, Jordan and then hop on a bus. That’s exactly what I did. I did not have the luxury of time so it was an either do it on a day trip or not do it. Since I could not predict the future, I had to go for it to be sure I got to see Petra in case I didn’t get to come back.

Petra, Jordan, Nabatean, archeology, ruins, history, necropolis, ancient site, exploring, Middle East, travel, photos, Canon EOS Rebel — Headed to Petra

Petra, Jordan, roads, travel — Great vistas along the way

Return to Petra

Fast forward 15 years and I return to this necropolis-turned-town-turned-movie-setting-turned-massive-tourist-site. I was thrilled at the opportunity to return and explore it on more depth. You see, in my first visit, I decided to walk my way in which is great in many ways but it eats away precious time for someone on a day trip there from Sharm-el-Sheikh. The second time, while I did walk in, I walked faster knowing time was precious and I rented a donkey to take me up to save time. That was a great idea except that the donkey preferred the edge of the path on the way up rather than risk hitting itself against the rocks at the other side of the path, making this rider a little bit worried about the way down!

Petra, Jordan, Nabatean, archeology, ruins, history, necropolis, ancient site, exploring, Middle East, travel, photos, Canon EOS Rebel, donkey, ilivetotravel, donkey — Donkey in the shade – smart!

Thanks, Nabateans

Petra is amazing due to how it has evolved over time but it was the Nabateans who deserve the credit (after God, of course) for this place. Certainly, the landscape and topography are thanks to the Maker but what happened after that really starts with the Nabateans who carved a necropolis out of these beautiful rocks. Others, like the Romans, continued to develop the site to what we know now.

More than the Treasury

You can see evidence of amazing early engineering when you see the channels that were carved into the rock to capture the rare rainfall that rolled down canyon walls and take it into a natural “holding tank.”

Also impressive are the facades of the tombs built into the rocks such as the Royal Tombs and other areas like the Monastery and the very famous Treasury, which many think to be what the Indiana Jones movie showed. In reality the Treasury is more of a facade. Be sure to get a guide who explains to you what you are looking at as the Treasury, for example, shows evidence of how it was carved out of the stone. And be sure to go all over!

Petra, Jordan, Nabatean, archeology, ruins, history, necropolis, ancient site, exploring, Middle East, travel, photos, Canon EOS Rebel, Royal Tombs — Some of the Royal Tombs

My advice if you are visiting Petra and don’t have but a day or two is to use a donkey for some of the climbs (unless you want or need the exercise) and then walk and explore – this way, you will maximize what you will see from this one-of-a-kind place and there is PLENTY to see and admire about this unique site.

Petra, Jordan, Nabatean, archeology, ruins, history, necropolis, ancient site, exploring, Middle East, travel, photos, Canon EOS Rebel, Treasury, ilivetotravel — My family “came along” with me to Petra!

During my second visit to Petra, I was a guest of the Jordan Tourism Board. That notwithstanding, the stories I share were my real experiences and nothing else. As they always are!

Filed Under: Asia, Jordan, Travel Journal Tagged With: ancient site, archeology, Canon EOS Rebel, exploring, history, Jordan, Middle East, Nabatean, necropolis, Petra, photos, ruins, travel

Photo of the Week: Viewing Venice from my Window Seat

21 March 2014 by Raul 5 Comments

Venice, Italy is such a unique place. It is almost out of Disney’s mind. But it is not. It is truly unique and a sight worth seeing once in your life. I have been fortunate not only to have seen it, but to have been there twice. It can be a maddening place with the crowd of peers (read: fellow visitors) but it is also a great place to get lost to get far away from the tourists.

In my second visit there, I actually flew from the U.S. direct to Venice. And that gave me this incredible bird’s eye view of my destination from my window seat. Forget jet lag, this sight can restore anyone’s energy!

Filed Under: Europe, Italy, Special Photos, Travel Journal Tagged With: airport, flight, Italia, Italy, landing, photo, travel, Venezia, Venice, view

A Great Hike Right Near Atlanta: Sweetwater Creek State Park

19 March 2014 by Raul

Atlanta may not be what comes to mind when thinking for a place to go to enjoy the great outdoors. But our little known secret is how close we are to any number of incredible spots to be “with” nature and enjoy the great outdoors. I recently got to explore Sweetwater Creek State Park, a short 15 minute ride west of Atlanta, and was impressed at the place and shocked that I have been a resident of this city for close to three decades and I had never been.

The park sits along a reservoir (with all sorts of water activities possible, like fishing and paddle boats) and a creek flowing from it into the larger Chattahoochee River, as it makes its way down to Alabama, Florida, and eventually, the Gulf of Mexico.

A lot of work is being done around the park and its visitor center looks to be quite new. It has some exhibits, a gift shop, and very helpful folks to answer any questions. We got a map and were told to be sure to do the red trail as it has the more scenic views of the creek and the old mill. Yes, as any self-respecting creek in the South must, Sweetwater Creek was the former home of a mill for the New Manchester Manufacturing Company.

The ruins of the mill, burnt down during the Civil War are still standing which makes for some great photo opportunities. The fact that its ruins are still there helps transport one to the times not long ago (maybe a century ago?) when mills and ferries were commonplace in this area. So much so that many streets in Atlanta bear names like Howell Mill, Paces Ferry, Sewell Mill, Montgomery Ferry, etc.

After doing the shorter red trail, we connected to the longer white trail. At some point the white trail departs the shores of the Sweetwater Creek and head inland and uphill. The whole circuit was around 5 miles and it took us about an hour and forty minutes. It was a glorious morning in late winter in Atlanta and my first visit to Sweetwater Creek State Park could not have been any better! And some folks planned ahead exactly how they were going to enjoy the weather and the view!

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Read about these other great hikes in Georgia:

… and more to come!

Filed Under: Georgia, Hiking, North Georgia, Travel Journal, Travel Stories, US & Canada Tagged With: hiking in Georgia, hiking near Atlanta, nature, outdoors, state park in Georgia, Sweetwater Creek

Lafayette Square | History and Architecture of Washington, D.C.

17 March 2014 by Raul 5 Comments

One of the most important buildings in Washington, D.C. is the White House. That global symbol of the U.S. Presidency is indeed a big draw even if it is so inaccessible to most of us, the people. One can be forgiven for losing sight of what is around the White House as the draw is too strong. However, the square just across from its north side is an interesting place to explore of its own. The square, named Lafayette Square, is home to some of the oldest buildings in D.C.

Lafayette Square’s perimeter

Madison Place and Jackson Place bound Lafayette Square on the east and west sides, respectively. Furthermore, Pennsylvania Ave. and H St. bound it on the south and north sides, respectively. I used to work a block down from it and enjoyed eating my lunch there at times. For instance, like when it was not hot and humid, or bitterly cold. It was amazing to me that I would so casually get to sit and linger with a view of the White House!

As recently as the late 1990s, vehicles were able to go through that portion of Pennsylvania Avenue, just north of the White House. However, it is now pedestrian only which is quite alright with me. That security measure keeps tourists safe from being run over by a vehicle while absent-mindedly taking photos of the White House.

Washington, DC, Lafayette Square, Andrew Jackson, park, White House, photo, Olympus

The statue at the center of Lafayette Square is NOT Lafayette but, instead, Andrew Jackson

The buildings around the square were almost lost had it not been for some key people intervening, among them the First Lady at the time, Jacqueline Kennedy. The federal government had bought the land and was planning to demolish all the beautiful buildings around the square to build, guess what, likely-monstrous government buildings.

As a lover of history and architecture, I am thankful these buildings were preserved even if other work was done to adapt and “blend” them with the new buildings they were to connect to. Their existence helps capture how the areas near the White House likely looked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thankfully, these buildings are protected now.

Jackson Place – on the western end of Lafayette Square

The White House actually owns most of the buildings on the western side of the square. These buildings serve different purposes such as a place for former Presidents to stay when they visit. The buildings have incredible pedigrees with past important and famous folks owning or staying in these places. Their style is quite distinct from those across the square in Madison Place.

Jackson Place, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, history, architecture, Olympus

The buildings at Jackson Place

Jackson Place, Madison Place, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, White House, Olympus

Looking across Lafayette Square from Jackson Place towards Madison Place (National Courts is the big red building)

Decatur House on Jackson Place

The Decatur House on the corner of Jackson Place and H Street does deserve special mention. While it looks pretty plain from the outside, it is one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, D.C. having been built in 1818.

Decatur House, Washington D.C., DC, Lafayette Square, Jackson Place, architecture, history, Van Buren

Decatur House on the corner of H St. and Jackson Place

The Decatur House was built for a naval hero named Stephen Decatur who fought in naval wars in North Africa, in the War of 1812, and others. Other illustrious Americans like Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren subsequently lived in the house. Beyond those famous folks and more sadly, slaves lived in the structure behind it. The Decatur House is one of the few examples of slave quarters in an urban area that remains.

Though I worked literally a short block away, I never visited it – crazy, huh?

Madison Place – on the eastern end of Lafayette Square

The buildings along Madison Place have more charming façades than those on Jackson Place. These buildings were adapted to fit in with the new National Courts Building (the big red monster behind them in the photo). Actually the National Courts Building was designed to not take attention away from the old buildings by being built tall and just pretty much red bricks. I have to agree that it does meet that objective as it helps frame them.

The one on the corner with H Street, the Cutts-Madison mansion, was First Lady’s Dolley Madison’s residence until she died in 1849. The house was built in 1819. Later owners modified it. For instance, they switched the front door to H Street in the mid 1800s from facing Madison Place.

Washington D.C., DC, Cutts-Madison mansion, Lafayette Square, architecture, history, Samsung

Dolley Madison’s home with the National Courts Building behind it. To its right, the Cosmos Club Building.

Other buildings on this street include the Cosmos Club Building and the Benjamin Ogle Tayloe House. The latter was built in the 1820s back when this area was still mainly trees and shrubs. It almost became the official residence of the Vice President of the U.S. Additionally, for three years in the late 1950 and early 1960s, it served as the headquarters of NASA. Who knew.

H Street – the northern side of Lafayette Square

Next, the northern side of the square. This side of the street currently houses the U. S. Chamber of Commerce and the Hay-Adams Hotel. Regrettably, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was built in government style in the 1920s. In any case, the north side used to have houses as Madison Place and Jackson Place have. Unfortunately, those houses disappeared much earlier in the 20^th century. Perhaps, people then were not inclined to think about heritage preservation. Lost in that shuffle were the Corcoran House and the Hay-Adams Houses.

Chamber of Commerce, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, Olympus

The northern side of Lafayette Square

Thankfully, the are some good news on the northern side. The “Church of Presidents,” St. John’s Episcopal Church is still there. It gets its nickname because every President since Madison has attended service there, even if not regularly. The church was built in 1816 and it is a gem.

St. John Episcopal Church, Church of Presidents, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, history, architecture

St. John’s is a neat reminder of the history of the U.S. capital

Next time you are in D.C. gawking at the White House, take a moment to stroll around Lafayette Square. Take a peek at these buildings that take us back in the capital’s history.

Where to stay near Lafayette Square

D.C. has plenty of hotels. Some are far out and some are right in the heart of the city. Of course, the price point will vary accordingly though sometimes one can find a great deal. Conversely, some times of the year, it almost does not matter where you stay: prices will be high. For example, when the cherry blossoms bloom in the spring.

Fortunately, on this visit, I got to stay at one very close to the square: the aptly named Sofitel Lafayette. It is just a block away on H St. and it is perfect as a base to visit the square and many other places in D.C. Only the Hay-Adams Hotel is closer to the Square but the price difference is huge! I sampled a couple of the specialty cocktails at Le Bar, where they have an incredible diversity of specialty cocktails. And a very nice wine list too!

Le Bar, Sofitel Lafayette, DC, hotel, bar

Le Bar offers nice spaces to enjoy its offerings

Sofitel, France, hotel, accommodation, Church of Presidents, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, architecture, Olympus

The entrance to the Sofitel

On the day of departure, I splurged and got an incredible breakfast of smoked salmon pair with a café au lait, and a side of a pain au chocolat 🙂

That was a great way to wrap up my visit to one of my favorite cities in the world!

As you may detect, I enjoy history and architecture – and a trip down memory lane, even if not mine. Hopefully, you too will enjoy taking it slow and exploring Lafayette Square!

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Have you visited D.C. and explored Lafayette Square? Are there similar places in your hometown that help portray its history?

Here are other posts from my time spent working in and traveling to Washington, D.C.:

And here is a link on how to do a tour of the White House, since it is right by Lafayette Square 🙂

Pin the image below as you plan a visit to the U.S. capital!

Filed Under: Travel Journal, US & Canada, Washington, D.C. Tagged With: architecture, charming, Cutts-Madison mansion, DC, Decatur House, history, Lafayette Square, Washington D.C.

Travel Inspiring Reads – Conquering the Fear of Flying with “Ask the Pilot”

12 March 2014 by Raul 9 Comments

I admit it. No, I confess it. I am a nervous flyer. The more I fly, the nervouser I get. Is it that the odds are infinitesimally less in my favor? Is it that I can better recognize abnormal sounds? Or is it just the fault of that off-duty flight attendant gripping our shared armrest during turbulence over northern Florida? Surely, it is non-sense to worry about being propelled at 35,000 ft of altitude in a metal cylinder loaded with fuel, right??

It is probably a little bit of everything and, maybe, some superstition mixed in for good measure… I totally get the concept of aerodynamics. It is a basic concept and one does not have to be half a rocket scientist to grasp the physics involved. You know, roll down the window of a moving car and put your hand out. As you tilt your hand in different ways, you can find that one position where all of a sudden your arm is about to fly up and back. That’s how a plane flies (OK, maybe grossly over-simplified). It is all so elementary that technically a plane can glide down on no engines (this actually happened to an A330 in 2001 and it ended up landing at an island in the Azores). Clearly, this is not the recommended way to fly but it illustrates the point.

Enter, stage left, Patrick Smith’s “Ask the Pilot,” a no non-sense look through the many bad thoughts a nervous flyer can have. With the authority lent to him by his experience as a passenger and cargo pilot, he walks the reader through all these mis-conceptions or fears.

My favorite section of the book is the one that deals with turbulence. Of all the things to worry about when flying, turbulence is about the most normal thing, to the point many pilots don’t even feel turbulence we passengers fret about. As Smith points out, “A pilot worries about turbulence the way a sailor might worry about the waves.” Turbulence is simply crossing wind currents. For me, the problem begins because that first shaking startles me. And then, if it continues, it is almost like I don’t have a chance to recover from being startled. Let it go long enough (and not too violently enough) and I can come back down from the “scare.” As Smith puts is somewhat comically (except I wasn’t smiling when I read it!): “In the mind’ eye of a rider in coach, the plane is plummeting… In reality vertical displacement is infrequently more than fifty feet. and the plane will not be snatched away and stomped into the ground.” Oh, OK.

He doesn’t completely soft pedal the matter and does share than serious turbulence is possible and can be damaging but stresses it is infrequent. He also covers items like wake turbulence, hitting a bird during takeoff or landing, and other important topics like why is the pilot walking around the plane doing that when it barely seems he is inspecting anything (it is not the only check that is happening and that quick visual is like you looking at your car’s tires before a road trip).

Not everything he cover is about fear. He covers topics like how JFK‘s (formerly Idlewood) design came about. The briefing babble. Pilots’ pay. Unions. Flight numbers. He explains why it sounds like engines rev up immediately after landing (he explains how it is not a 180 degree reversal of engine power). He uses great humor as he shares anecdotes such as the time a cargo plane crew member dumped, not thinking straight, a bag of dry ice into the toilet… A volcano-like fountain of blue toilet liquid filling the restroom and beginning to flow all over the floor of the main level. (They survived.)

The book appealed to me as I had heard it did a great job calming this nervous flyer. What I discovered was a fun read that I highly recommend to any flyer out there (frequent or not!).

Are you a nervous flyer?? Am I the only one?? 🙂

Filed Under: Travel Journal, Travel Reads Tagged With: air travel, airplane, book, fear of flying, good read, inspiration, pilot, travel, turbulence

Photo of the Week – The Alps of Transylvania

7 March 2014 by Raul 4 Comments

This scene was what we were rewarded with after arriving at the Cabana Curmatura in the Transylvanian Alps in Romania and hiking on for another hour. I dream of returning to amazing Transylvania. Too bad people’s only notion of it is the legend of Dracula: there is SO much to enjoy and explore there!

Filed Under: Europe, Hiking, Romania, Travel Journal Tagged With: Alps, Canon EOS Rebel, Dracula, hiking, mountains, nature, outdoors, photo, Romania, Transylvania, travel, trekking, view

The Livable Capitals: Santiago, Bern and Berlin

3 March 2014 by Raul 27 Comments

As I listed the capital cities I have visited, I kept thinking which would could be the “most livable.” Livable, for me, means not an intense place, not one with millions of tourists ruining summer months, with character, and some great redeeming feature (the ocean, the mountains, a great river running through it, an amazing spot in history, etc.). There were several candidates (and some definite ‘nevers’…) but the top three I landed on were: Santiago, Bern, and Berlin.

Santiago (Chile)

This may be cheating a little but I have lived in Santiago already. Twice. Sort of. I lived there for 3 months over 20 years ago staying at an apartment in the area called Providencia near Tobalaba. Then I spent a whole year traveling back and forth, spending 60-65% of the year down there (though this second time I stayed at a hotel, the awesome Marriott on Ave. Kennedy).

And I would happily do it again because Santiago is such a livable place. Traffic aside, it has everything I would want in a place to live. Quiet enough for a city, arts and culture, great food, neat things to do on day trips (beaches, skiing, wineries, hiking, etc.), friendly locals, interesting architecture and neighborhoods, and the magnificent Andes as a backdrop – my favorite feature of this city.

Andes, cordillera, Santiago, Chile, view, Marriott hotel, photo

A wonderful view to wake up to every day!

I would likely live in Vitacura or Las Condes: not too far from the city center towards the mountains but near the river, a nice mall, and close to many of my favorite eateries. I used to go running along Americo Vespucio towards the river then meander through neighborhoods.

Santiago, Andes, snow, winter, skiiing, Cihle

Granted, that was not the prettiest of winter days but imagine the great skiing further up in the Andes!

Hopefully, my job would be towards that part of town to avoid the pretty nasty traffic though – I commuted from that area to “el Centro” and that was, on a very good day, a 45-min commute each way.

Bern (Switzerland)

I am not as familiar with the next two cities as I am with Santiago as I have only spent all of a day in each – severely limiting knowing, for example, in what of town I would want to live in. In my one day visit to Bern its compactness and its location struck me. Bern is hugged by the Aar River (I wonder if so named to make sure it sorted first in lists of rivers….) and surrounded by hills that look down upon it. Its old quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this capital city of around 200,000 inhabitants has been included in the top ten best quality of life cities as recently as 2010 (do I choose them well or what??).

The Aar River along the old historic center of Bern

I think Bern would be a great place to spend a year or two, anchored in central Switzerland. It may not be an easy place to fly in and out of which would be a drawback for getting back to the States but nothing that a good connection in Zurich, Munich, or –heaven forbid- Charles de Gaulle in Paris wouldn’t fix.

I enjoyed walking its old streets, enjoying the architecture and its details, and sitting at an outdoor café sipping some good beer!

Perhaps the compactness of the town would get to me after some months but I think I could get used to it quite easily – plus there would be so many places to spend time visiting in a radius of less than half a day’s drive. A little more ambitiously, it would not be much of stretch to launch weekend trips elsewhere to places like Bavaria, Austria, northern Italy, and –for sure- the rest of Switzerland itself!

Berlin

Berlin is clearly a major city and those can be a little too much in terms of livability but, in my short visit there, I got a sense for the variety of neighborhoods and cosmopolitan vibe of the place. That, coupled with the deep and painful history this city has had, would draw me in as a place I could live in.

The iconic Brandenburg Gate – one of the many reminders of the city’s deep history

There seems to be a lot of turning over old areas into new districts to draw people in (I presume, a younger generation) and it would be interesting to see how Berlin continues to morph over the next 20 years.

Berliners seeking some sun by the river – OK, it isn’t the Caribbean but let ’em enjoy!

Newer and older residential buildings

Living in Berlin would give me ample time to explore its arts scene while also geeking out on its Cold War, WW II, WW I, and imperial history. Of course, German beer and food would not be far behind but that I could find anywhere in Germany too. I just hope I don’t become “ein Berliner” after eating all that food! (Thanks, JFK, for the idea.)

Filed Under: Europe, South America, Travel Journal Tagged With: Andes, Berlin, Bern, capital cities, Chile, germany, photos, Santiago, Switzerland

Exploring Food and Lodging in Lake Placid

24 February 2014 by Raul 8 Comments

While visiting Lake Placid earlier this year, I spent a day exploring this northern New York town. Because it was a rainy day, we skipped some of the outdoor activities but we got to visit some neat places and enjoy good food and drinks (of course!). I shared already about the very well set up Olympics Museum, my “adventure” at the luge training facility, and my skating at historic Herb Brooks Arena (check it all out here). Having covered those sites so tied to Olympic history, I should probably share with you more of what Lake Placid has to offer. In this post, I will share about some of the lodging, food, and drinks that I enjoyed checking out during my visit.

A lodge you can dream of – and then go see for yourself!

One of our stops was the Whiteface Lodge. I had heard it was an incredible place and it did not disappoint! I was staying in the town of Lake Placid proper at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort which was ideally situated close to many places I visited and with a great restaurant (Generations) right on site (more on the restaurant below).

The Whiteface Lodge consists only of suites, and there are suites of every size. Even the “small” ones are well-equipped with nice kitchens, fireplaces, large screen TVs, and balconies. Some of the suites are outright “owned” by private individuals who may live there, visit there, or partially rent them back to the Lodge to then put into its reservations system. The most amazing suite was the Presidential Suite which the General Manager of the resort kindly showed us since it was unoccupied that day. I can safely say the Presidential Suite is bigger than my house!!!

Lake Placid, Whiteface Lodge, Presidential Suite, decor, travel, accommodations. lodging

The living and dining room areas of the Presidential Suite

I was impressed by the beauty of the outdoor areas and how the space is well-laid out for different activities that guests may opt to take part in. For example, there is a fire pit for making smores (I didn’t get to eat any!). The resort also has indoor spaces for every age and interest. From a two-lane bowling alley, to its own movie theater, to a game room, and to a phenomenal spa for lots of R&R.

While I did not stay at the Whiteface Lodge, I can assure you I was not going to miss its bar (open to the public) to check out its specialty seasonal cocktails and tasty appetizers while chatting with friends. Though they had a series of interesting martinis, I opted for a specialty cocktail (as I seem to have become a specialty cocktail adventurer) named Jacob Marley’s Return: Bourbon infused with apples, cinnamon, and cloves with Frenet Branca, and maple water. All these ingredients came together excellently for a cocktail perfect for the season and area of the country.

cocktail, Whiteface Lodge, Jacob Marley, Bourbon, maple syrup infused, Lake Placid

Introducing… Jacob Marley’s Return!!

As part of my visit, I was invited to try the thermal pools which was great as it was snowing and being outside in hot waters watching it snow was priceless.

Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi

The steam from the heated pool makes for a slightly less than excellent photo but you get the point!

A different lodge

Lake Placid is big enough for more than one lodge and certainly for different kinds of them. The Adirondacks Loj, operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club, is perfect for those wanting a more basic place to stay. Sitting at the edge of Heart Lake, the Adirondacks Loj offers also more of a communal feel with shared dining room and even shared rooms (you can have a private one). The Loj seemed like a great base for hiking and its staff clearly was eager to help with information or anything else. It may be a great place to use as a base but I think I would also enjoy cold winter nights in front of the massive stone fireplace!

This photo of Adirondak Loj is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Great food everywhere. I am not complaining.

No visit to a new town is complete without sampling the food on offer. The night we arrived we went to a pub which was perfect for the mood after a five-hour drive in from the outskirts of New York City. The Lake Placid Pub & Brewery was packed yet we had no trouble finding a spot to perch ourselves on. I drank some pints of the oatmeal stout which was perfect to help me recover from the long day. That stout and a delicious flatbread pizza of the many on offer and ilivetotravel was a happy camper that night!

The next night we went Lisa G’s known for their excellent chicken wings. I had some as an appetizer but dove in for an incredible chorizo risotto with Manchego cheese that was out of this world.

Lisa G, Lake Placid, restaurant, food, cuisine, cooking, foodie

The chorizo risotto

For my beverage, I kept up the theme from the cocktail I had had earlier that evening at the Whiteface Lodge and chose a Bourbon-based cocktail: The Sassy Cider – Bourbon with maple syrup, lemon juice, some cider, and a little cayenne pepper – perfect to warm me up after a cold and wet day!

The morning I was leaving, we went for brunch at the Generations Restaurant associated to the Golden Arrow (where I stayed this weekend). With a great view of Mirror Lake, we enjoyed all sorts of good and impressive stuff, local-sourced and fresh. The cinnamon roll with strawberries and maple syrup clearly hit the right spot for my sweet teeth (in plural, because I have more than one sweet tooth).

cinammon roll. strawberries, maple syrup,, Generations, Lake Placid, foodie, cooking

Mmm!!!!

Everything we tried was great and then the piece de resistence came to us: bison burgers cooked on a Himalayan salt block. I had never heard of the concept but a large salt block is heated to high temperatures and then brought to your table. The bison burgers are laid on it and you let them cook until your preferred level of “cooked” Ir was amazing to see this salt block cook my burger. Here are the before and after pictures of this neat trick!

bison burger, Generations, Lake Placid, Himalayan salt block, foodie, cooking

Before…

After!

Now that I have shared all this with you, I am developing quite an appetite… I think you get the point: Lake Placid offers great experiences beyond its Olympic history and outdoor activities (which I hope to experience in the near future!). It sits in the beautiful Adirondacks, a blessed corner of our country and one I am glad to have discovered!

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My activities in Lake Placid were facilitated by its Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, and local businesses. Opinions my own!

Filed Under: New York, Travel Journal, US & Canada Tagged With: Adirondacks, cocktails, food, Lake Placid, lodging, Olympics, Whiteface Lodge

Snowy Scenes from My Window Seat

19 February 2014 by Raul 7 Comments

As I departed from New York City via LaGuardia airport a week ago or so, I snapped some quick photos from my smartphone. Little did I realize how good the pictures would turn out (for a smartphone). The flight took off in a westerly direction, crossed Manhattan and the Hudson River into New Jersey after which the turn south began…