A Brief Visit to a Masai Village

24 March 2013 by 17 Comments

The day we were to enter the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, we first made a stop outside of the park at a Masai village.  My image of the Masai before this visit was of tall, lean men wearing blue or red clothes holding a cane-like piece of wood.  I knew they were a nomadic people and that they lived generally in both sides of the border between Kenya and Tanzania.  However, that was the extent of my knowledge about them.

Visiting a Masai village is not the only time you can see the Masai as you see them in small towns as you traverse this part of Tanzania and as they may work in some of the places you may stay.  You will also see them herding their cattle to take them to get water (like the ones we saw heading into the Ngorongoro Crater).

When we were taken to their village, I was not sure what was in it for them.  I understood they lived off their cows and didn’t have many possessions since they are nomadic so I didn’t quite get it.  I was not aware that some do make the best of the tourism in the area by making crafts to sell to visitors.  Basically we were taken to their village so we could get a glimpse into their lives in return for the potential purchases we would make from their inventory of crafts.  I am used to tours (big or small) always taking visitors to places for shopping and sometimes I can find that tedious (even if I do need to buy some gifts to bring back home).  This time, I somehow did not mind.

Crafts for sale at a Masai village in Tanzania

Some of the crafts

First, they welcomed us with some chanting and by placing ornaments around the necks of the female visitors.  They also proceeded to show how high they can jump and got one of our guys to try jumping higher than them – nope, could not do it!

Masai welcome at their village in Tanzania

The group welcoming us to their village

Masai women welcoming us to their village in Tanzania

Women greeting us

I found the short glimpse we got into their lifestyle very interesting.  We were divided into smaller groups so we could each visit the small home of the Masai and there talk a little bit about how they live.  The warrior into whose house we went offered good information and was generous in answering our questions.

Exterior of a Masai warrior's hut in Tanzania

Exterior of a Masai hut

Interior of a Masai village hut

Our host and some visitors at one of his wives’ hut

Among the things our warrior shared with us:

  • things are communal; they make crafts and the sales go to the entire group
  • they are polygamous
  • since their huts are so small, the house in which the warrior sleeps at night, any kids older than 4-5 get sent to another wife’s hut
  • the warriors’ job is the safety of the group; women have a long list of things they are responsible for like building the huts, cooking, fetching water, minding the children, etc.
  • some warriors get an education in a village or town so they can, for example, speak English and welcome tourists to their villages
  • life centers around the cattle on whose milk and blood they depend
  • they move every 2-3 months to a new place (where there is more grass for their cattle)
  • when someone dies, they leave the body out in the open to be nourishment for animals; they leave some marker so people know not to build their camp there; supposedly, a few months need to pass before the area can be used again
  • they live typically into their 100s (he also told us they don’t have illnesses).

After chatting with the warrior and checking out the crafts (and making purchases), we stopped at the tiny schoolhouse for their group.  The kids were into showing they could read the words on the blackboard!

School building at a Masai village in Tanzania

School building

Kids at a Masai school in Tanzania

The kids at school

I left with admiration for a people who seem to strike a workable balance between living according to their traditions while dealing with some of modern life with common sense (like taking advantage of the opportunity that visitors can provide in terms of extra income for the group).  We gladly perused their crafts and, while certainly not offered very cheaply, we were happy with negotiating some but not as much as we had done in other settings.

Masai women with the containers to store cow's milk and blood

Masai women with the containers to store cow’s milk and blood

Curious what else others know about the Masai.  Leave a comment and share!

Filed Under: Africa, Tanzania Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

My Top 5 Hotel Pet Peeves

14 February 2013 by 23 Comments

I have stayed in way too many hotels over my professional lifetime and over my pleasure travel lifetime.  A good hotel is a good thing when one is on the road, clearly.  I don’t need perfection – though I know it when I see it and love it – but I also have some pet peeves that REALLY turn me off to a property or even a chain. These are by NO MEANS the biggest problems in the world but, with that, what follows are, in no particular order, what ilivetotravel finds annoying in a hotel experience. 

  1. Bath robes for giants.  Either giants are the vast majority of hotel guests or hotels are slightly clueless.  Yes, I am a short guy but some of these would be evening gown length for most people.  And the average height for a man/woman in this country is not 6′ – that I know of anyway.  I understand a 6’2″ giant needs to cover his/her modest parts to avoid catching a nasty cold but these are below the knee even for them!  The W Hotel in DC did really well in this category with reasonable length robes.  Thank you.
  2. Dark carpets.  No, I have no skills in terms of interior design so this is not an opinion based on the look of the room.  This is about dark carpets affording a hotel the opportunity to be a little more lax with cleaning carpets.  I am not saying hotels with dark carpets do not clean as often as they should BUT why stay somewhere where that opportunity is a little easier?
  3. Drafty windows.  You’d think that this is not a common issue.  And you are right.  But in January this year I had TWO back to back hotel stays where the windows did not properly close.  These were in Chicago and DC during very cold spells.  But besides the cold, I could hear street traffic late at night so I dreaded what it would sound like in the morning.  In both cases, the windows were not closing properly, something I would expect someone would have caught before me.  Both times, I called to have it looked at.  In one case, the hotel immediately just changed rooms for me (giving me an upgrade in the process – GREAT customer relationship building move) and, in the other, I had to call a second time an hour later because no one had come to take care of things… (bad customer relationship building move).
  4. Poor lighting.  This really gets me.  I NEED to see.  I know you are trying to create a mood.  Ever heard of dimmers??  Or at least offer some lamps with good strong light and others without it.  I stayed at a VERY nice DC hotel where none of the lamps seemed to have much of a light bulb making my ability to read anything impossible.  Come on!
  5. The waste culture.  One of the largest hotel chains I have stayed at, across all their brands, seems to do a poor job of minding waste.  That I know of, they don’t participate in any program to recycle used soap, for example.  Or when I hang my towel back, it still gets replaced the next day.  But what really takes the cake is how they take my still half-full little shampoos or lotions and replace them.  I understand you want me to have enough and not run out (thank you for that).  Go ahead, add the new bottle but LEAVE the half-full one there so it doesn’t go to waste.  One little bottle doesn’t make a difference but add this up across all their properties and rooms and nights, and that’s a heck of a lot of not caring about being wasteful.  This chain is not the only one doing this, sadly.

I would love to hear YOUR pet peeves when you stay at a hotel!

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Preparing to Hike Kilimanjaro: More than Training & Gear

2 February 2013 by 33 Comments

I sit here, two weeks before my departure for Tanzania, asking myself “Oh my, what did I get into??”.  As you may have read, I am headed to Tanzania to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro, something that 5 months I would have told you was the furthest thing from my bucket list.  Seriously.  As I contemplate the process so far, I have learned a few things and I wanted to share those with folks who may be thinking of hiking Kilimanjaro.  Conditioning and gear are two important elements,  But there is a less immediately obvious element in being prepared…

How did I decide to climb Kilimanjaro?

I already knew I wanted to do more treks with Trekking for Kids (with whom I trekked the Transylvanian Alps) because of the great work they do with orphanages but I was not expecting Kili would be the trek for me.  I attended a TFK event last September where I heard Len Stanmore speak about his incredible journey of extreme outdoor adventure.  His story is quite inspirational and others started talking about TFK’s upcoming trek to Kilimanjaro in February 2013 at the reception afterwards.  I was hooked.  Somehow.  Not really sure what had just happened but I was in.  ALL IN.

Besides the orphanage work (fundraising for it and actually spending a few days there), there are three key aspects for me about the hike itself:  training, gear/packing preparations, and a third that I have yet to name at this point in this writing…

Kids, uniform, Tanzania

The kids at the Kili Centre orphanage sporting the new uniforms paid by funds raised by this trek

Training for climbing Kilimanjaro

Fortunately, when I decided to go on this trek, I was still relatively fresh from my Romania hike and had continued exercising in general.  It makes for a good starting point!

I started more serious training by getting on the treadmill and increasing the incline over a few weeks to 15%, ending up doing this for a couple of hours.  I also used a backpack whose weight I kept increasing beyond the expected weight we would carry on the hike (about 15 lbs for our day needs; porters would be carrying the rest) .  I was doing great with this and was planning to mix in real hikes by going to small but still helpful Kennesaw Mountain near Marietta, Georgia, where I trained for the hike in Romania.  And that is when a mini disaster struck:  I over-stretched my Achilles tendons (both legs!) likely due to the imperfect simulation of a 15% incline on a treadmill.  It all seems obvious now but I had not contemplated that I could hurt myself that way – you just don’t know what you don’t know!

That set me back about 6 weeks at a point when the intensity of my training was really beginning to pay off.  (I am almost back to normal and training again at this point.)   Not only that but I gained weight due to the double whammy of Thanksgiving and Christmas falling squarely in that 6-week period…  So now I will carry even more weight uphill 🙂

Advice:  If you embark on something like this without that type of starting point – don’t fret!  Just be sure to start gradually.  Aggressive training from cold is more than likely counterproductive if not outright a risk!  That’s the easiest way to get injured.  And also, stretch even of days you are not training.  Stretching is your best ally in physical readiness.

Getting in gear.  The gear to climb Kilimanjaro!

After being in good conditioning for the hike, the next item on the list is all the stuff that I will need on the hike.  That short word “stuff” covers a wide range of things that I will need to make this a successful trip.  After getting the packing list from TFK (VERY thorough!), I did an inventory of what I had and what I needed to research/acquire.  I started staging all my items in a spare bedroom.  It looks like a mess but it does two things for me:  1.  allow me to start gathering in one place all that I will need to pack making packing later a lot easier and 2.  allow me to start enjoying the upcoming trek by seeing it shape up!

packing gear for hiking trip

The “mess” in the spare bedroom!

Advice: 

  • Get a good packing list for the type of hike
  • Go talk to your local outfitter before you acquire things to learn about what they recommend, what materials are out there, criteria for choosing items, etc.
  • Then proceed with sourcing the items (borrow or buy).

Let me share some more specifics about gear and packing here (for a more detailed description of the clothing I took, go here)…  But do check out this post on what I considered my 7 key items for this hike (written BEFORE the hike) and then the top 14 things I took (written AFTER the hike)!

I am happy to email you a copy of my packing list!

Clothing for your packing list

Mt. Kilimanjaro covers multiple climate zones ranging from forest where one may be trudging through mud to extreme cold and windy terrain towards the top.  Guess what?  That means carrying gear to deal with all the climate zones but, most importantly, to deal with the extreme cold and wind which is far more dangerous to a hiker.  The key to all this is layers.  Not rocket science, I know.  I hear the cold towards the top is brutal!

The list I was provided by TFK was very clear on what was needed.  I went (a few times!) to my favorite outfitter and explores the options available for each category of item needed.  I have learned WAY more than I thought I’d ever learn about gear.  And spent way more than I ever thought I’d spend.  But two things help:  one, I have bought thinking of re-use especially at ski time or in future treks and, second, I have tried to borrow some items (though it has not been as much as I would have hoped for).

Advice:  My advice to you is to borrow, or buy used if possible, and think of re-use as you make choices on what to get.  For example, instead of buying the absolute best gloves for the extreme temperature, think of using liners, etc. so the gloves themselves can work for you in less extreme weather back at home.

Accessories for the Kili climb

This covers a whole range of items like the hiking poles (with shock absorbers!  see here for more on them), headlamp (not only to read at night or go potty in the middle of the night but also for the night hiking we will do on summit day!), sleeping bag liner (to make it warm enough for the coldest nights), sleeping bag pad (for comfort and further insulation from the very cold ground), cameras (yes, plural:  the big one is not summiting with me – too heavy), even duct tape!

Advice:  Borrow, or buy used if possible.  Buy new if that suits you better.  However, another possibility is renting some of the items on-site.  This helps you in two ways:  not buying stuff if you are not going to be hiking/camping more than this trip and also reducing the amount of stuff you have to lug half way around the world!  However, some potential downsides of this:  you don’t know the condition of the item you will rent (dirty, torn up, etc.) and you may not find the right type for the item you are looking for.  For example, you need to be sure that sleeping bag will be warm enough.

Health/”Medical” items for your Kili climb

For this destination, one does have to be ready with anti-malarial and other items as recommended by the CDC.  I have all the hepatitis stuff from prior travels so the anti-malarial (which is taken for every trip) and the typhoid (which I needed) were on the must-have list.  But the medical category is not just the innoculations/vaccines.  Things like ibuprofen, Cipro (for the potential digestive maladies that could affect a traveler…), and maybe even something to help you sleep get on the list.  Other items, such like the iodine tablets, sunblock with DEET, high-SPF chapstick, etc. are more preventive in nature but just as important.  This list is very important and is sometimes less obvious than the gear and clothing lists.

Advice:  Do your research, ask people who have gone before (feel free to ask here!), and don’t try to save money by skimping on these items!

Finally – Emotional Preparedness

I will have to get back to you on this after the trip for a full report.  However, I had heard that a lot about hiking Kili is the mental strength to power through tough conditions like mud and rain, tiredness, perhaps pain, and other discomforts.  So I am thinking this would fall under emotional preparedness.  I have heard from people who have hiked it before that, in the end, this is the most important elements in preparing for Kili.  You may be fit, you may not.  Altitude sickness could keep you from summiting and that is independent of your fitness level (amazing!).  But if you don’t have some toughness in this realm, you may fall short of your goals.

We are lucky that our lead guide is one of the foremost mountain expedition leaders in the world, Luis Benitez.  He is also a Board Member of TFK!  In an email he sent the trekkers last week, he told us that the best thing to do in this category is to expect discomfort, understand it will happen, understand it starts and it ends.  All that so that when it hits at any point in the trip, you remember it will pass and you don’t let it bring you down (figuratively speaking!).  I think this is a great piece of advice that will serve ME well in these 2 weeks before I leave for this hike.

Advice:  Listen to Luis’ advice!

Final thoughts on climbing Kilimanjaro

I am almost done doing all the things that I need to do to be ready but, in the end, it is the emotional preparedness that I am not sure how to measure.  I cannot check it off a list, like I can do with the other items on my packing list.  Yet it is likely one of the most important success factors in this trek.  I don’t know if altitude sickness will beat me to the summit.  I can’t control that.  But I sure hope I am ready enough to control my willpower and discomforts to summit or get very close to it!  Kili, I shall meet you very soon!

Uhuru peak or Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

P.S. – Thanks for all the words of support, advice, and orphanage donations via Trekking for Kids!

——————————————————————————————————————————

A month after this post went up, I had completed climbing Kilimanjaro and started writing about every day in the trek (7 total days) and about the route we were to take.  Check it out!

–  The Machame Route

–  Gear for climbing Kili:  clothing

–  Day 1 (and links to the subsequent days)

Filed Under: Africa, Hiking, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

My Favorite Nativity Sets

31 December 2012 by 7 Comments

I am not typically focused during my travels on picking a particular item from every place I go.  (OK, maybe a beer glass but I am not consistent with that one…)  But if an item really catches my eye in a certain category, I do buy it.  Nativity scenes (“pesebres” in Spanish) is one of those categories.  I especially like the ones from Andean countries which you will see below.  Here are my favorite ones with special emphasis on one of them.

Nativity scene made from glass

Only exception in the bunch: this was a gift I was given, source unknown

Nativity scene from Poland - Christmas

From Poland

Nativity scene from Peru - Christmas

From Peru

Nativity scene from Chile - Christmas

From Chile

Now to a series of pictures from a nativity scene from Panama.

Nativity scene from Panama - Christmas

Nativity scene from Panama – the entire set

Nativity scene from Panama - baby Jesus, Christmas

Baby Jesus

Nativity scene from Panama

One of those who came to adore baby Jesus

Nativity scene from Panama - Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary

Nativity scene from Panama - Joseph

Joseph

Here is hoping to many more still to be discovered and happy new year to all!!!

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Read some about the trips when I acquired the Nativity sets:

Poland:  Visiting Krakow, Czestochowa, the Wieliczka salt mines, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Wadowice.

Chile:  Santiago, Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, the Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Valley of the Moon, and the Tatio Geysers.

Peru:  Lima, Huaraz and Ancash, Puno, Cuzco, and Lake Titicaca.

Panama:  Panama, Panama City

Filed Under: Travel Journal Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Photo of the Week – A Night out in Brasov

26 December 2012 by 1 Comment

Last summer, as you may have read (or hopefully will check out!), I did a hike in the Transylvanian Alps in Romania.  Home base for the trek was the charming city of Braşov.  I still have to write about that beautiful town but this picture really evokes the spirit of old town Braşov for me.  After a nice summer night dinner, we strolled around town as many of the locals seemed to be doing.  It was a fun atmosphere and I wish I had had more time there.  I shall return!

IMG_1100

Filed Under: Europe, Romania, Special Photos Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Year (or the World?) Ends… Either Way, I Travel

21 December 2012 by 17 Comments

Well, today is the day the apocalypse was to happen.  I guess a few hours are still left so maybe I shouldn’t count my eggs just yet.  BUT, if the end did happen, guess what?  I can still blog from purgatory and you KNOW that would be an incredible travel story.  Just hope it is not one of being stuck there forever, like when I was stuck in Europe because of the Icelandic volcano (which did turn out well) or someone else’s horrible travel story.  Also, if the world did end, purgatory looks a lot like my house (and if the world did NOT end, I need to make some minor changes at home…).

So the end of anything usually calls for some reflection and be it the end of the world or the end of the year, I feel like reflecting on my very busy 2012…

A Texas tweetup in January

January saw me taking what felt like a bold step – to travel somewhere to meet people I met online.  At first that has an almost dirty sound to it, doesn’t it?  But I had been talking on Twitter with these three folks for many months and they were clearly people I would enjoy meeting in person and exploring with.  So off to awesome Austin, Texas for the Texas tweetup!  There I met in person @kirkcole, @L_e_a_h, and @LolaDiMarco.  Unfortunately, a severe cold hit me on the day I traveled so I was not able to partake in all the activities but enjoyed a good day’s worth of laughing and eating in Austin!

Photo of people reflected in the fender of a car

Can you find the Austin tweetup fab 5 in the picture?

Normal in February – and other months

Traveling to DC for work permeates every month this year so my normal continued in February.  Recovered from the Austin tweetup and post-Christmas parties in January, February was time to relax and be home (or in DC). Over the year, I got to check new things in DC that I had not explored yet in the last year.  Doing the White House tour was a long-time bucket list item that I finally made happen.  I continued exploring and enjoying many of the DC’s finest hotels like The Mayflower, the Sofitel Lafayette, and the Renaissance on 9th St.  DC is a wonderful town if you get out and explore.  Its many beautiful brownstones and local eateries are a joy to explore.

March Madness:  Mile High Skiing

The traveling continued in March – this time a great ski trip with dear friends to Vail and Breckendridge, two places I had been dying to try for many years.  The trip did not disappoint and neither did my skiing, not having skied since Valle Nevado, Chile in the Andes in 2010.  Vail and Breck WILL be in a future ski trip for me, I can tell.  The bowls of Vail where incredible:  one bowl, then another one behind it, then another.  It seemed to never end!

Statue of skier in Vail, Colorado

How thoughtful! Vail had a statue of me at the base of one of the slopes!

Amicci en Italia and diving into eastern Europe in April

April finally brought about the “long”-planned trip to Italy with two sets of great friends.  Though mainly focused on Rome (a city I love re-visiting), a side trip to finally see Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast was built into the itinerary.  It did not disappoint, especially our guide in Pompeii, one of the preeminent experts on Pompeii!.

But I took advantage of being on the other side of the pond to add another iconic destination I had never explored:  Dubrovnik, Croatia.  Its tiled roofs and architecture combined with the natural setting of its location made it a magical place for me.  Of course, ever eager to see more, I decided to get further into eastern Europe while in Dubrovnik by doing day trips into Bosnia & Herzegovina (Mostar) and into the beautiful mountains and bays of Montenegro!  These day trips were short, obviously, but they definitely opened the appetite to see more of these countries and this part of Europe.

View from up high of Kotor Bay in Montenegro

One of the ridges that divides Kotor Bay into 2 bays in Montenegro

Re-charging, re-connecting, and exploring Chicago

May saw a second tweetup, this time in the Windy City since we were eager to connect with other travel bloggers we had been chatting with for awhile.  The Windy City tweetup had a little bit of everything:  from French goodness (courtesy of the Sofitel Water Tower), Charlie’s Angels, boat tour, fallen traffic lights (not our fault!), doughnuts, cold coffee, good food, drinks (repeat), and the mob.  It was a very fun weekend indeed meeting @workmomtravels, @travelingted, @jettingaround, and @elatlboy in person.

Posing in front of the Bean in Chicago at Millenium Park

Being tourists at The Bean

More fun with fellow travelers and good learnings

In June, TBEX, a travel bloggers conference, held its North America conference in Keystone, Colorado (very close to Breckenridge where I’d just been 3 months before; who knew I would be returning to the area so soon!).  Besides the interesting learnings, the reception at the mountaintop on Friday night and the ensuing party at the pub at base (free!) really made the weekend a lot of fun and a good time to meet others who share the travel bug and re-connect with others.  Among the great folks I met (too many to list all!):  @BlBrtravel, @stayadventurous, @captainandclark, @lazytravelers, @budgettravelsac, and @travelrinserept.

A trek with a purpose in Romania and a true relic of the USSR

Romania had been a mysterious place that I had always dreamed of seeing.  Not because I knew I would love it but it just called to me.  A wonderful opportunity came my way to do a hike in the Transylvanian Alps with Trekking for Kids, a non-profit seeking to bring improved lives to orphaned/at-risk children around the world.  We worked with the orphanage and just “were” with the kids before and after a hike through some beautiful landscapes around Brasov – we even saw castles other than Dracula’s!  An experience I will never forget every which way, including it was my first multi-day hike ever!

Sphinx-like rock in the Bucegi Mountains near Omu Peak, Romania

Who knew there was a Sphinx atop the Transylvanian Alps (near Omu Peak)??

Since I was headed that way, I decided Romania (more precisely, the town of Iasi, Romania’s cultural capital) would be a great springboard to explore Moldova.  So with my great guide, I explored churches, monasteries, towns (including the capital, Chisinau), and wineries in this little known former Soviet socialist republic still working to undo decades of horrible communist dictatorship.  I am SO glad I made the time for this unpolished gem at the edge of eastern Europe!

The trip ended with a one-day, two-night in awesome Paris, my home away from home in Europe.  Always love re-visiting my favorite areas and still finding new things to enjoy!

Time with Family in Tampa on my sister’s birthday in August

August also included a trip to Tampa where my family lives – always good to be with them, and enjoy good Cuban food and TLC!  I had just been there in June (when I visited the impressively set-up Dali museum) but my Mom turned 70 while I was in Romania and my sister was hitting a milestone birthday of her own in August so I just HAD to go and celebrate with them!

Rest in September

In September, I took a break from travel.  Well, non-business travel… But read on, the year of travel is not over!

Architecture and Wine:  Tuscany or Bordeaux, you say?  No, Virginia in October!

I finally succumbed to friends’ suggestion that I explore Virginia wine country with them.  I had been wanting to do this for a long time but other travel got in the way.  I took advantage of being in the DC area for work to go ahead and spend a weekend with them in wine country.  And got out RIGHT BEFORE Sandy passed by!  As you can read in my writings about this central part of Virginia, Monticello, Charlottesville and the countryside are filled with early colonial history and architecture as well as delicious wines.  And there are close to 200 other wineries in the state to be found and explored!  I was glad to have this opportunity to see more of my own country and other places will be in my sights in 2013 (like Michigan and Wisconsin thanks to friends from Chicago who write about these places!).

Cemetery where Thomas Jefferson is buried in Monticello on a fall day

Cemetery where Thomas Jefferson is buried in Monticello on a fall day

OK, now I rest ‘xcept for Thanksgiving in November

So, my fun travels wrap up for the year save for visiting family again in Tampa where I discover yet another new place for good Cuban food!  Someone STOP the madness! 🙂

I reflect back on the year and I am amazed at how much I have been able to see of places I have always wanted to see.  And this is setting aside the twenty-something weeks of work travel to DC!   The bucket list shrinks and yet I add new places I learn about.  I consider THAT my most important key performance indicator – a never-ending travel bucket list!

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and the best in 2013 for you and yours!

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Interview with the Ultimate Global Explorer: Len Stanmore

10 November 2012 by 26 Comments

Len Stanmore has climbed the highest peak in every continent (the “7 Summits”), skied to both the North Pole AND the South Pole, and run across 3 of the 4 major deserts of the world:  the driest (Atacama), the windiest (Gobi), and the hottest (Sahara).  Impressed?  From November 22 to December 3, 2012, Len will race across the last major desert:  the coldest (Antarctica) with Racing the Planet’s 4 Deserts series.  With this race, Len will be the only (yes, THE only) person to have ever accomplished all these remarkable feats – a true ultimate global explorer (with all due respect to explorers of other eras)!!

Len Stanmore, Ultimate Global Explorer

I had the good fortune of meeting Len last September as he supports a non-profit organization close to my heart, Trekking for Kids (TFK) with whom I trekked in Romania earlier this year.  Len has supported TFK before and is now using his Antarctica race as a fundraiser to help TFK improve the lives of orphaned and at-risk children around the world.  Check out more about Len’s support of TFK via his Trekking for Kids page and support him!

Why I am sharing Len’s story? 

Len’s story has inspired me to go somewhere I have never sought to go before:  the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Uhuru Peak Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Believe it or not, I was NEVER hoping to or interested in climbing “Kili“.  But Len’s story of how he got going with this incredible journey inspired me to aim for this summit.  See, Len decided at 49 years old he had to do something to improve his health.  He chose a goal that would push him and he chose Kili.  I thought to myself:  gosh, I am younger than he was and in good physical condition – so why am I NOT trying to climb Kili???  That, and talking to Len and a couple of other veteran Kili hikers sealed the deal for me.  So in February 2013, I will be headed to Tanzania for the climb of my life!

Len graciously made some time to talk to me as his training and prep wind down and the big day gets near and I wanted to share that with you…

Now to the interview… Everyone, meet Len Stanmore

–>  Len, the set of races/climbs that you will complete in November with your run across Antarctica sounds like beyond the reach of mere mortals:  Was this part of a grand goal you set for yourself after your first climb or how did it come to happen?

My first and only goal at the time was Kilimanjaro.  It was while doing Kilimanjaro that I first heard the term “7 Summits”.  I decided during that hike that the Vinson Massif, the tallest peak in Antarctica, would be next – for no good reason!  I guess it not being that tall at around 16,000 ft made it seem quite attainable.  Of course, I did not stop to think about how cold it would be!  From then on, I would just hear of the other types of expeditions and then pursue them.

–>  Did you ever feel that one of the goals was be too big of a challenge to accomplish?

I had not done much research on the 7 Summits so I was not sure early on if I would get to summit Everest.   I will say that the scariest of all was McKinley. The climate is quite harsh (not that Everest’s isn’t!).  In fact, I first attempted to summit McKinley but it was too stormy and I decided not to pursue it that time.  Then I did Everest.  Eventually I returned to McKinley and reached the summit.  The other thing about McKinley is that you don’t have porters.  You take ALL your stuff UP the mountain breaking into sweat for real:  carrying a bag weighing about 60 lbs and pulling a sled with another 70-80 lbs (at this point, the interviewer was feeling out of breath and breaking into a sweat just thinking about it!).

–>  You have said that Kilimanjaro was your favorite hike.  Why is it?

Kilimanjaro is the only one of the places I have tackled that I would go back to.  I love Africa.  And I love that climbing Kilimanjaro allows you to experience so many ecosystems.  It, along with Everest, are the better known mountains of the seven and Kili is quite doable (though training is still required!).

–>  Len, I heard you say you were scared of heights… 

I still am!  Going up a ladder to about 20 feet is about it for me!

–>  How did you work through that fear to climb the 7 Summits?   How did you avoid thinking about it?

What makes you think I DIDN’T think about it?!  My stomach tightens up in those situations… Usually it’s the downhill that’s the worse.  I just force myself to focus and keep moving.

Len Stanmore completes the Gobi Desert Race in the 4 Desert Series

After completing the Gobi Desert race in 2011

–>  Of all these expeditions which one was your least favorite?  If you had to do all these again but were allowed to exclude one, which one would it be?

Oh wow. Let me recap all in my mind… (pauses for a moment) I think it would be Aconcagua.  At the time it was the highest altitude I had attempted so I felt the lack of oxygen.  It was really hot in the valley you crossed to get there.  Plus, it was not very scenic, not breathtaking like the others.

–>  Of the day-to-day things on your expeditions, what are the worst things you wish you did not have to deal with?

Oh, the worst part is when you are at altitude or in a very cold place and you wake up and have to get out of your warm sleeping bag!  Then rush to find your things and pack up quickly in very little time.  There is a lot of pressure in the morning.  When you start for a summit, many times you leave at night.  It’s a dash, trying to do everything with the headlamp, and then you realize most people are ready and you are not.  It’s nerve-wracking!

–>  And what do you look forward to in the day-to-day of these expeditions (beyond finishing!)?

Besides the camaraderie of the group hiking together, the best part of the every day is simple.  You have left camp and started the day’s hike, past the hustle of getting ready.  Thirty minutes to an hour after the start of the day’s hike, your body calms down, your heart rate goes down, and you start appreciating where you are and you soak it all in.

–>  You have selected Trekking for Kids and its mission to benefit from your accomplishments – what led you to select this organization?

I was hiking Cotopaxi in Ecuador and my guide, Luis Benitez, asked me if I wanted to go with him to an orphanage he had to make a stop at.  I accompanied him and saw the situation where the girls in the orphanage at a certain age have to leave.  I thought to  myself:  if these girls do not get an education or skills, what will happen to them?  And even before that day comes, at the orphanage it felt it was almost a matter of day-to-day survival.  I have been skeptical of organizations that ask for money for orphanages for a long time.  But it is different with TFK.  The money goes to specific projects that the orphanage identifies and that TFK vets (with receipts being submitted, etc.).  It blew me away the work TFK does with the orphanages – it’s amazing.  I know that the funds I give to and raise on behalf of TFK is going to benefit the kids, not a middleman or an organization.

Trekking for Kids

–>  What would you hope people who learn about your story get from it?

Simple.  My hope would be that they would identify their own quest or challenge, and that they go for it whatever it is!

–>  Finally, and the most important question:  You, your wife Liz, myself, and others will be hiking Kilimanjaro next February with TFK.  I just did my first big hike in the Transylvanian Alps in Romania last July.  On a scale of 1 to 10, how concerned are you that I will beat you to the summit? 🙂

(laughs)  VERY concerned!  Are you kidding me??!!   In all seriousness, we will get to the summit at the same exact time as one group!

What now?  And a more important reason why I share his story with you

Now?  I am now eagerly following Len’s preparations for Antarctica and will follow him during the race via TFK’s Facebook page where daily updates will be posted. It will be exciting to hear about his race!  Best of luck, Len, in this last leg of a great series – and I will see you and Liz in Tanzania in February!!

I find Len’s story to be an amazing one and I hope that sharing it with you may inspire you to your own epic journey (be it of this kind or any other!) as it has inspired me to push myself physically and mentally to do Kili!

Filed Under: Travel Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

A Historical Landmark Welcomes Me in Washington, D.C.

19 October 2012 by 14 Comments

As I often travel to Washington, D.C. for business, I seek a place to stay where I find both convenience (including very close to work), comfort, and an overall great experience.  The Mayflower Hotel, a Renaissance hotel, is one of my favorites as it combines all these key aspects.

Mayflower Hotel logo in Washington, D.C.

The Mayflower logo!

I normally do not write a post focused only in a hotel but since I have stayed here so many times, and since I enjoy my stays there, I decided it merited a post.  (This is an unsolicited and non-compensated post in any way, shape, or form!)  There are many good reviews of hotels in D.C. out there so if you are looking for more info (the real scoop) on a hotel, all you need to do is a search!

Mayflower Hotel entrance in Washington, D.C. - a Marriott Renaissance property

Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., a Renaissance hotel in the Marriott family

Facade on Connecticut Ave. just north of L. St.

History

This hotel, the longest running hotel in the capital, has quite a story.  Located about four blocks away north of the White House, it was built in the 1920s and opened in 1925.  It is supposed to be the largest luxury hotel in D.C. and that is quite impressive given some other strong challengers in the category that I have not explored.

Many famous events have taken place here or many famous guests/residents have stayed here.  The hotel has signs in many places outlining some of its history – it is pretty neat to read them.  The hotel used to have a part that was dedicated to apartments where, for example, Sen. John F. Kennedy stayed.  Calvin Coolidge’s Inaugural Ball was held here and, since FDR days, the hotel has hosted inauguration day parties.  Truman stayed here as President during some of the repairs of the White House that took place during his time.  J. Edgar Hoover had lunch here regularly during his prime.  Lots of history make this hotel quite unique.

Mayflower Hotel signs sharing its rich history

There are signs everywhere in the hotel highlighting its rich history

Of course, some of the history is notorious… including that it allegedly hosted JFK’s mistress, where Monica Lewinsky stayed at some point when the scandal with Clinton was unfolding, and where then Governor of NY, Eliot Spitzer paid for a high-end prostitute’s services…  These don’t have signs around the hotel – that I have found anyway!

Around the ground floor of the hotel

The hotel, currently in the midst of major renovations in the front of the house (the new check-in counters are finished, now they are working on the ground level bar/café), has a style that does take one back to the glamor and style of the era in which it was born (or thereabouts).  Nothing like the ground level of the hotel or the elevator area to the former apartment section of the building to appreciate the elegance characteristic of this hotel.  A lot of these details were hidden in renovations done a long time ago as an effort to modernize the hotel but, fortunately, the beautiful original details have been uncovered and restored.

Lobby area of the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Luxurious lobby at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Area on the ground floor where the main ballrooms are

Elevator lobby at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. in the former apartment tower

The rooms, though renovated, are detailed to connect well with the rest of the building.  A great example are the cabinets around the bathroom sinks.

Hallway at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C., a Renaissance property

The Executive Lounge

One of my most prized features as a frequent business traveler is access to a nice lounge where I can get water, perhaps a simple breakfast, and if I am lucky free drinks and hors d’oeuvres.  The Mayflower’s has most of these but, like other Marriott chain hotels in the U.S., wine and beer are not free (this is different than international properties and, for that, I am thankful!).  But then the hors d’oeuvres sometimes are like a real meal.  So, on a busy day, I don’t have to bother going on or ordering from the room service menu (which gets rather repetitive).

But my favorite part about this lounge versus others is how large it is!  As large as it is, some mornings it can be hard to find a table to sit at but more often than not, that is not a problem.  The spaciousness of the lounge makes it a great place to hang out as it also has a couch and couple of related chairs.

I will never forget that after the quake of 2011, when the office building I worked at closed, it was the lounge I came to to avoid sitting around in my room for more hours than were necessary!

The gym

One of the features that most hotels get so wrong is their gym.  I can count with half the fingers in one hand hotels whose gyms are better than the average hotel.  Granted, this does not mean they are gyms I would choose to normally go but it is certainly nice to see hotels that beat that nasty stereotype of a gym hotel (usually a former room converted by placing mirrors on all the walls and then having exercise equipment from the times before exercising was important!).

The Mayflower’s gym is certainly spacious.  While the aerobic equipment (treadmill, bikes, etc.) could be better, it is adequate and there are plenty – all with TVs.  There are also a number of weight training machines and equipment.  Finally, there is space to place mats and stretch, do abs, etc.  Apples, water, towels, and -for the really daring- a scale!

The food

I have not actually tried the main restaurant itself but have sampled the room service menu which is consistent with the menus in other Renaissance properties in the U.S. (I do wish for a little more variety or at least a re-do of the menu every few months… However, the hotel’s chef is more than ready to take special requests and I am forever thankful!)

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The Mayflower is most definitely a landmark in this city of landmarks.  If you have a chance, stay.  But, if not, walk in, check it out and imagine all the history this magnificent grand dame has seen!!

Logo in the Mayflower Hotel door (Washington, D.C.)

Note:  I paid a public rate for my stay.  I received no special services or attention in return for this post.  I wrote it because I like this hotel.

Filed Under: US & Canada, Washington, D.C. Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Few Good Things to Do in Willemstad, Curacao

12 October 2012 by 14 Comments

Last year, I visited Curacao, formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles, with a couple of friends after spending a few days in Trinidad and Tobago.  Based on that too-brief visit, I thought I’d share my recommendation on things to do in Willemstad!

Curacao is an interesting place with lots of things to do and experience.  Curacao is The Netherlands in the Caribbean, for sure, but also an incredible melting pot. Many folks speak Spanish due to its proximity to and semi-shared history with nearby South America.  Yet it also shares a lot with the other Dutch islands in the hood as well with Suriname, another former Dutch colony.

Curacao, license plate
Even the license plate shows off the beautiful architecture

There is much to write about this island.  I struggled with how to not write about it all in one long post.  So this post will focus on the food, fun and beach as I experienced in a very short visit.  I did not get to scratch the surface of what Curacao has to offer so I will, upfront, tell you that and then challenge you to discover Curacao yourself and perhaps share back with me what you discovered!

An upcoming post will focus more on the incredible charming architecture of this island.  Enjoy!

My hotel

First, Curacao’s capital, Willemstad (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), has two sides along the canal that splits it:  Punda and Otrobanda.  Punda is the better known side with the pretty pictures folks normally see whenever Curacao is mentioned (more on this in the next post!).  Otrobanda is or was the poorer side though it contains some neat/charming architecture too.

I chose the Renaissance in Curacao (part of the Marriott family) as my hotel, located in Otrobanda right by the canal entrance.  While the hotel was not an all-around knock-out (e.g., the confusion at breakfast on what was included in my rate and what was not), there were a couple of things that hit it out of the ballpark.  One was the upgrade they welcomed me with.  A corner suite was definitely a great way to greet a Platinum guest.  Thank you for that!!  (N.B.:  There was no exchange of upgrade-for-post; I got the upgrade purely through my status.) I wish I had had others sharing the room with me but that was not the case so the space was not taken advantage of.  But what I did greatly enjoy was the humongous bathroom!  Larger than my master bedroom at home!

A cruise ship passes my hotel room at the Renaissance in Willemstad, Curacao
The view from my room includes passing cruise ships!

But what really blew me away was the infinity pool.  Now you may say “seen one, seen them all” but, my friends, this was no ordinary infinity pool:  it was a beach on an infinity pool!  You walked into it as you would on a beach from the sand and the beach chairs.  It was huge and at the far end, the wall dropped down to the rocks by the sea.  When I first exited the hotel and looked at the pool, it seemed the sea was part of the water in the pool – I did not realize it was a pool at all!!   Bravo, Renaissance!

Infinity beach pool at the Renaissance hotel in Willemstad, Curacao
Heavenly!

Beach

Curacao has lots of beaches to choose from, 38 or so.  Some of the best are on the west end of the island.  Beaches in Curacao are not the typical long stretches of sand and surf that we typically envision.  Instead they are smaller, less obscenely huge places to enjoy the sun and surf!   We picked Mambo Beach just for being convenient to us as we were staying in Willemstad and had not rented a car.  I imagine it is far from the best beach but it was definitely enjoyable.  So put “beaches” on your list of things to do while in the island!

Map showing Mambo Beach, Curacao

Food and Entertainment

We ate at a couple of places that also doubled as entertainment with live music.  I could have kept returning to these places except I ran out of nights!

On our first night, we decided to watch sunset at a high vantage point on the fortress walls in Otrobanda at the entrance to the canal leading to the bay/port.  It was very near to the hotel and these places offered the right angle at sunset to look -or stare- at beautiful Punda!  Yep, another item to put on your must-experience list of things to do in Curacao!

View of Punda at sunset from Otrobanda in Willemstad, Curacao
Beautiful Punda at sunset
Wine as we enjoy the view of Punda from Otrobanda in Willemstad, Curacao
Wine sets the right mood…
Along the fortress wall in Otrobando in Willemstad, Curacao, things to do in Willemstad
Along the city wall we were lounging at

Later that night, we went to Avila Blues Bar for both dinner and entertainment.  The hotel is well known for hosting the Dutch royal family (allegedly, the heir to the throne comes to play here, wink, wink).  The blues bar is on a pier by itself so you are sitting above the sea.  The band plays on a loft-like second story above the bar.  The food was great and so was the music.  More importantly:  great atmosphere!

Avila Hotel Blues Bar by the sea near Willemstad, Curacao, things to do in Willemstad

For lunch one day, we sat at one of the average cafés right by the canal that is the entrance to large bay (St. Anna Bay).  While the food was not spectacular, watching people, ships and the movable-floating bridge (aka, Queen Emma Bridge) was fascinating or, at least, entertaining (notice the mist in the picture below coming out under some umbrellas).

Waterfront cafes and restaurants in Willemstad in Curacao by the entrance to the bay

Curacao floating bridge in Willemstand
The floating bridge passes us by as we ate lunch
The Queen Emma "floating" bridge in Willemstand, Curacao is for pedestrians
When not pulled away to let boats pass, the Queen Emma “floating” bridge is for pedestrians

Another night, we went to a Cuban place near the old fortress walls in Willemstad called Mr. Congas.  Its owner is a friendly but serious Cuban guy – the music is authentic (take it from this son of Cubans!) and the food is decent (but I have had and can cook it better!).  The place has an indoor space built into the former fortress walls and an outdoor area where the live music plays.  It was a great evening to sit outside, listen to music (dance for those so inclined), eat, and have a few drinks!

Live Cuban music at Mr. Congas in Willemstad, Curacao

Cuban food at Mr. Congas in Willemstad, Curacao

Cuban food at Mr. Congas in Willemstad, Curacao

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Curacao has a lot to offer – much beyond beaches.  Beautiful architecture, sun, surf, food and a lively entertainment scene – lots of things to see and explore in Curacao – a definite must-see in the Caribbean!

Do you have any other recommendations?? Please share via a comment!

Couple enjoying the view of Punda across from Otrobando in Willemstad, Curacao

Filed Under: Caribbean/C America, Curacao Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Getting into the White House – A Tour Story

5 October 2012 by 15 Comments

Though it was on my recently crafted bucket list, I can’t claim that going on a tour of the White House, in Washington, D.C., was a childhood dream of mine.   I didn’t quite understand, nor probably care, about the significance of the White House back then.  I understand the significance now – or better yet – the symbolism, what it stands for, even if my faith in its occupants is is not always there…  IMHO, only warped egos nursing psychological gaps stemming from their childhood would endure the hell it takes to get there.  But I digress, I meant to write about a White House visit.  And I am not a mental health professional… 🙂

I approached the White House from the north side coming from work by crossing Lafayette Square, a great place to bring your lunch and sit to watch people and one of the most important residences in the world!

North side of the White House with Washington Monument behind it from Lafayette Square in Washingon, D.C.

View of the WH from Lafayette Square with Washington Monument behind it

Since taking a camera is not allowed and there are no lockers, the pictures you will see are from my smartphone (though you cannot take pictures during the tour) – excuse the lower quality!

Planning my White House tour

You may think after my VIP Delta treatment that I am now being recognized EVERYWHERE for the VIP that I am (in my own mind).  No, no, I wasn’t invited to the White House.  That is reserved for big donors or poster-children of age, race, gender/orientation, or other politically-convenient traits.  I did it the good ol’ way:  I contacted a congressman’s office and requested a tour, a White House tour.  And it wasn’t a 3-hour tour.  More like 30-45 mins…

A visit requires planning if you are an out-of-towner.  I am one of those except I work in DC on a very frequent basis.   After 1.5 yrs of this, I realized the foolishness of my ways:

  1. I had never been to the White House.
  2. I worked 2-3 blocks away.
  3. I could plan weeks in advance.
  4. I may not continue doing this for much longer (going often to DC, that is).

So, I decided to just send the darned email, fill out the silly little Excel spreadsheet (less than 10 fields to complete), and then sit and wait for the date and time of my “appointment.”

You too can visit the WH like these schoolchildren! Just get there before them…

The White House tour – some details

I eventually got my confirmation and so I waited.  I waited for this tour that is not a tour.  You walk yourself around a pre-defined path while no one is describing anything for you.  However, you are encouraged to ask questions of the people stationed in every room or area you visit for information about the room/area (you do get a National Parks brochure describing the visit too).  These folks are not your average docent/guardian at a museum room.  These are Secret Service folks.  Why?  Had we not been cleared well enough in advance?  Well, I am sure there is always a risk a visitor could do something requiring the training a Secret Service person has received but there is a more important reason.  At some points in your tour, you COULD BE within 6-12 ft of POTUS (this word always makes me giggle), the President of the United States!  You may not know it, and it may not matter if he (“she”, by the time someone reads this many years from now?) is there but they have to handle as if.  Pretty neat if you think about it.

These Secret Service folks, though, are not unfriendly.  A tad rigid maybe but I am sure they are being quite vigilant.  However, they gladly answer questions and even offer information – I was astonished that they went “above expectations” so kudos, Secret Service dudes and dudettes – most bodacious!

So the tour actually begins outside and you are warned to have gone potty and maybe bring something to eat plus water.  Not that you can consume them inside but so that you have for the waiting in line before you hit the security checkpoint.

Perhaps being off-season, I did not encounter any line at all.  Which I was happy for (my friend Leah will need to forgive the 2 faults I know this sentence has).  I first went through some weird checkpoint (maybe sensing powder/dust or chemicals?), then I went through the more standard metal detector and bag conveyor.  Of course, you are not allowed to bring many things on this tour, including cameras (cellphones are allowed to be carried in but cannot be used) and the instructions tell you all this so you are not taken by surprise.

Buyer beware:  Once you enter the White House no electronic devices can be used until you exit the White House through the front door and exit the large portico.

The start of the White House tour

OK, so you enter the White House from the east, one floor below the street in the front but at the level of the gardens facing south.  Large paintings of First Ladies and POTUSes {double giggle} await.  As you walk down this gallery, you see some photographs of presidents current and past doing the most mundane presidential things:  meeting prime ministers from other countries, playing with visiting children, and all the cute things POTUSes {giggle} do.

Then you can see the china chosen by different residents in the China Room and the hallway, and also peek at the Library (all books by key American authors).  You can also see here the Vermeil Room, so called because of the large amount of gilded silver;.  This room holds portraits of recent First Ladies and was at some point a former billiard room – or the White House man-cave, I suppose.  There are other rooms in the ground floor, like the Diplomatic Reception Room, that are not included in the tour.  The ground floor is interesting but nothing that wowed me other than knowing many greats (American or otherwise) have been there.

Let me throw in some White House history…

Before I keep detailing the tour, allow me a historical detour {wow, that was brilliant}…  It is important to know that  the White House, which was built between 1792 and 1800, has undergone renovations throughout its history.  The rooms are not exactly as they were after it got rebuilt after the fire set by the British in 1814 during the 1812 War.  This fire destroyed the interior, but not the structure, of the White House.

So this was news to me:  did you know the White House was designed by an Irish-American architect named James Hoban (and namesake of a favorite bar of mine in D.C.)?   George Washington had seen his work while visiting Charleston, S.C. and chose him to design the President’s residence in the future capital (in the meantime, Washington lived as President in the then-capital of Philadelphia).  As you may know, Washington was the only President to have never lived in the White House.

Hoban did not design all of what you see today (for example, the porticos were built later as were the East and West wings).  The third floor attic had the roof line changed in 1927 to convert the space to living quarters.  Finally, the actual structure itself underwent serious changes during the Truman years since the internal wooden beams among other things were found to be close to failure.  Truman actually had to move out of the White House for months while the internal rooms were dismantled, steel beams installed, and the rooms re-established.

North portico of the White House added in 1829

North portico was added on in 1829


East Wing from the northeast corner of the White House and the Dept of Treasury in the background

East Wing from the northeast corner and the Dept of Treasury in the background

Let’s move on… to the State Floor of the White House

You move on up, like the Jeffersons (as in the TV show, not the President), and hit the State Floor (or the main floor). On this, the last floor included in the tour,you get to see some neat spaces:  the Green Room (once Jefferson’s dining room; Thomas, not the TV show in this case), the Blue Room (often used by the President to receive guests), the Red Room (a favorite of the ladies, the First Ladies that is), the State Dining Room (which fools you because it can seat up to 130 people) and the East Room.  This last room is a large ballroom-like space that has seen even several weddings.  Also, the bodies of 7 Presidents have laid in state here.  The East Room contains probably the most important painting in the complex:  the 1797 (ancient by U.S. standards!) full portrait of George Washington that made Dolly Madison (a First Lady) famous.  See, when the White House was burning in 1814, good ol’ Dolly rushed to take this painting out of the White House to save it.  I appreciate her efforts but I wonder if, without such an effort, she would just be more of a footnote in history as are some other first ladies, whose names I cannot recall…

After seeing these rooms, you move to the large foyer/lobby where you are summarily “shown the door”.  The Secret Service individual standing at the door was actually quite informative and shared how he has seen the current and last Presidents in very private moments – being very human as they move about their abode after hours (or before hours for the early risers…).  From here, you walk out the north door to the massive portico we are used to seeing anytime shots of the White House appear on TV from the north side.  Once you step out of the portico, that smartphone camera can come out and you can snap away the photo you have been dying to take:  one of you at the White House!

My picture in front of the White House's north portico

Yea, that’s me in the middle of that crowd with the blue shirt…

In conclusion, fellow citizens, Romans, et ales

Yes, I am getting all formal, after all I am writing about THE White House.  Not the Pink House in Buenos Aires, or some other colored-named house.  In conclusion {drum roll}, the visit to this most important abode is way too short and way too limited.  Heck, I am paying for a lot of stuff in that place.  I want to see the Lincoln bedroom, perhaps enjoy a pillow fight there (nope, I did not even get to take a peek at the room!  pillow fight there remains in the bucket list).  I want to see the Oval Office even if not allowed in (the POTUS is not ALWAYS there, come on!).  But, I am thankful that, at least, us regular folks get to enter the precinct that is the home of the President of the United States of America and for a very short moment take a peek at a place that has seen a  lot of greats (and a lot more so-sos… no names…) lead this country or visit those who have led this country.  Check it out if you can!

North portico of the White House as the tour ends

Leaving the White House, turn around and soak in the view. You were just IN THERE!

No politicians were harmed in the writing of this post.

Filed Under: US & Canada, Washington, D.C. Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Photo of the Week – Harbor in Dubrovnik, Croatia

21 September 2012 by 6 Comments

Everything in Dubrovnik is picturesque (check out other sights in this jewel of the Adriatic!), including the view below of a harbor used by smaller craft including local fishermen.

Harbor or port in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Filed Under: Croatia, Special Photos Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Photo of the Week – Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark

21 September 2012 by 2 Comments

I finally visited Copenhagen in 2011 with my family.  One of the most picturesque areas of this city by the sea is Nyhavn.  Nice waterfront cafés (and also good eateries in the side streets!).

Nyhavn harbor in Copenhagen, Denmark

Filed Under: Denmark, Special Photos Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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