A Slide of Life

Past meets present

2011-09-09T15:03:00.003-04:00

I've never been a big fan of green flowers, but I thought these looked stunning against the fabulous blue waters of the Mediterranean. I took this photo while walking around the impressive ruins of Ceasarea, a large port town built by Herod the Great and named for Augustus Ceasar.

"You got something to say?"

2011-08-17T15:39:00.002-04:00

This handsome chap was taking a well-deserved nap when I came upon him with my camera; he clearly wasn't too thrilled but couldn't quite get the energy to really give me what for. As it was well over 100 degrees, who can blame him. His human, the owner of a beautiful pottery shop in Jaffa, wasn't too thrilled either--but that's because we were more interested in his dog than in his beautiful wares.

Olive branch in Jerusalem

2011-08-08T11:35:00.005-04:00

Just back from Israel, haven't gotten all my photos in yet but I loved this shot of an olive tree against the Old City wall in Jerusalem, just outside Zion Gate.

Kissing trees

2011-05-26T10:45:00.003-04:00

These lovely palm trees I shot in San Juan reminded me of that old couple in Greek mythology who, in thanks for a good deed, were turned into a tree so they could spend eternity together.

My new best friend

2011-04-30T11:25:00.002-04:00

I'd like you to meet my new best friend, Iggy. I met him while he was sunbathing in Tortola, and he never tells me my hair is going gray or cares if my skin looks a bit dry...

Blue skies, please!

2010-05-18T16:10:00.002-04:00

Haven't seen any blue in the sky here today, so here's a bit of blue from Ponce, Puerto Rico. (Actually, I do note believe the sky here is ever this color.)

W. Wednesday: Welcome to New York!

2010-03-30T18:48:00.002-04:00

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Skywatch Friday: Land of the Midnight Sun

2010-03-11T18:51:00.003-05:00

When I was in Leningrad (once and again St. Petersburg), we had to make sure and rush back to the dorms before the bridges went up to let the boats through. One of my friends didn't quite make it once, and had a rather long wait! Great night skies though.
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Wordless Wednesday: "Where's Mommy?"

2010-03-09T16:47:00.001-05:00

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Scenic Sunday: Sunny Afternoon in Granada

2010-02-27T17:36:00.002-05:00

Skywatch Friday: Say No to Snow

2010-02-25T15:27:00.003-05:00

More snow on the way! I want to be... In beautiful Nerja, Spain.
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WW: Snowed under

2010-02-23T17:46:00.001-05:00

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Scenic Sunday: Portal Perfect

2010-02-21T10:33:00.004-05:00

I love photographing doors, doorways, and portals of all kinds, but when the view beyond is as beautiful as this one at Granada's Alhambra, I am truly in heaven.
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Thinking of flowers

2010-02-14T17:05:00.002-05:00

Nothing to see around here but snow, snow, and more snow...so I thought I'd post this photo I took in charming Ponce, Puerto Rico. Believe it or not, this photo was taken in January--wish we'd gone this year!

Pass the suntan lotion

2010-02-05T10:27:00.004-05:00

As we prepare for another big snowstorm, I had to smile at the memory of all these people (look closely) sunbathing on the teeny tiny beach in front of the Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg (Leningrad when I took the photo). Not that it was snowing, but it certainly wasn't what anyone in our group would have considered sunbathing weather.

Wordless Wednesday: "I'm Comfy Nice"

2010-02-02T21:55:00.001-05:00

Scenic Sunday: Murano

2010-01-30T21:44:00.002-05:00

When we were in Venice, we had the opportunity to visit the charming island of Murano. Bought the requisite glass animals, of course, but we especially enjoyed walking around the serene little town, far away from the crowds and the noise.

Wordless Wednesday: "The Birds"

2010-01-12T21:05:00.002-05:00

The rooftops of Jaen

2010-01-10T15:41:00.005-05:00

I took these photos from the medieval converted fortress at the top of the hill that dominates picturesque Jaen, in Spain. The town looked much bigger from up there, ironically, though you can see how far up we were. The house in the last shot, which I really like, is visible among the trees in the forefront of the first picture.

Home, sweet home

2009-12-19T12:44:00.006-05:00

I didn't have to travel far to take these photos—just opened the front door, in fact, right here in snowy Maryland! It's still snowing, so the sky isn't lovely and blue, but the sky is wonderfully white, which it won't be once the cars come out! The photo just above reminds me of the first Narnia movie, what do you think? The backyard looks like a winter wonderland, as you see below.

And here's our new little snow bunny
No one's told little Daggers that cats don't like snow...
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A room with a view

2009-11-30T15:47:00.003-05:00

It's been raining all day, so I have transported myself back to Schloss Kapfenstein, a fabulous converted castle we visited in Austria. The fortress was originally built in 1065--just before the dastardly Normans invaded England!--but, as you can see, it is now quite peaceful and lovely.

Scenic Sunday: Flowers over the wall

2009-11-21T21:56:00.003-05:00

I walked up to this lovely flowery bush to take a photo and was rewarded by a fabulous view over the walls of the Alhambra.
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People watching in Zagorsk

2009-11-16T16:57:00.002-05:00

Other than at the monastery, elderly women definitely dominated the landscape in Zagorsk. Like anywhere else, young people flee to the cities; and, of course, among the older generations, many more men than women were lost in World War II. Russia lost more people than any other country in that war—20 million, I believe—and many more were killed by Stalin when they returned.
I confess I really enjoy taking photos of older people, especially in the countryside—so I didn't put my camera down much in Zagorsk.

Back to Dagenham with the Prodigal Tourist

2009-11-12T21:52:00.000-05:00

No photo today, thought I'd share a different type of travel with you: my trips back to England to visit my hubbie's real-life Cockney parents and show him that his old home is pretty great. Here he is reading from his upcoming book about our experiences, A Yank Back to England: A Prodigal Tourist. If you've been on the Prodigal site this week, you've probably seen it already, but I'm so excited about it I thought I wanted to post here as well.
Enjoy!

W. Wednesday: Ride the wave

2009-11-10T21:22:00.000-05:00

Lovely Lavenham

2009-11-07T07:41:00.004-05:00

Wasn't able to post this week (switched over all our equipment AND servers) but, to celebrate, here are a few photos from Lavenham, which I think is my favorite little town in England--so far, at least. We discovered it quite by accident, and enjoyed every minute. Dozens of Tudor houses line the street and, as you see in the last photo, they're not all the traditional black on white.

Scenic Sunday: Andechs

2009-10-31T22:22:00.003-04:00

This could be a wordless post, I think--will just say I took this photo on a perfect day in beautiful Andechs, Germany.

Suggestions please!

2009-10-28T20:10:00.003-04:00

I was asked to take some photos of my husband the soon-to-be-published author for a large poster that will be displayed in a bookstore (!). So we took a bunch and narrowed it down to these four.
What do you think? Should we go friendly like the top ones (with/without glasses), or more author-y like the lower ones (with / without glasses.
We all have a different favorite, so please help! What do you think? We'd appreciate some input... or should we scrap these and start again?

Watery Wednesday: So peaceful

2009-10-27T16:57:00.001-04:00

This is how I imagine Minnesota looks (I've never been), but I actually took this photo in Maine.

Scenic Sunday: Wish I was there...

2009-10-24T19:47:00.003-04:00

I started scanning my slides again today and was thrilled to find this photo of one of the prettiest coves I have ever seen, from my visit to Nerja, Spain. I posted a close-up of the little cottage in the cliffs here, but feared this photo had somehow gotten lost in the shuffle. I apologize for posting two beaches in a row, but they are quite different, I think. Plus, it's been raining all day and these cheer me up!
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W. Wednesday: What tourists?

2009-10-20T21:33:00.003-04:00

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Great send offs

2009-10-19T21:48:00.002-04:00

Still in Kauai, I spent a quiet half hour walking through a Japanese cemetery with very unusual--and quite beautiful--tombstones. The top one is my favorite, but I do love the can of beer in the bottom photo! I've been to many cemeteries on my travels, but this one remained with me a long time. Obviously well-loved departed.

Scenic Sunday: Island Touring

2009-10-18T08:49:00.004-04:00

Driving around the Garden Isle of Kauai, you pass many spectacularly scenic spots. Here is a photo I took at the Kalalau Lookout.
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Skywatch Friday: A Perfect Day

2009-10-15T17:25:00.002-04:00

A beautiful blue sky over Djvari Chapel in Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia.
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Wordless Wednesday: Tennis, anyone?

2009-10-06T21:12:00.002-04:00

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Scenic Sunday: Timeless Mountain

2009-10-04T08:37:00.003-04:00

Here is an out-of-time mountain-top in Armenia, which was a Soviet Republic when I was there, but is now independent). I was lucky enough to get out in the countryside, which was truly beautiful and quite unlike other places I've been to.
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Skywatch Friday: Back in--no, out--the USSR

2009-10-01T21:30:00.002-04:00

Here is a beautiful sky over the Gulf of Finland. I took the photo on the ferry escaping (oh, sorry, leaving) the USSR, from Estonia to Helsinki.
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Watery Wednesday: Puerto Rico

2009-09-29T21:59:00.003-04:00

Here's another photo from that beautiful, deserted beach in Puerto Rico. Definitely not for swimming!
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A deserted beach with a kick

2009-09-28T17:56:00.002-04:00

We found this beautiful beach n the northern shore of Puerto Rico. While some of the beaches were swarming with locals and tourists, there was no one but us at this little gem. Perhaps it was because the waves were more than a little intense, but we thought it was lovely and stayed an extra day. The last photo reminds me of a downed pterodactyl.

Skywatch Friday: True blue

2009-09-24T19:31:00.003-04:00

Here in Washington, DC, we haven't seen the sun much lately, so I had a hankering for a true blue sky. Here's one from Seville's Alcazaba. I'm smiling just looking at it--hope to see something other than gray here soon.
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Wordless Wednesday: Tallin

2009-09-23T07:23:00.001-04:00

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Market day in Tallin

2009-09-21T18:03:00.003-04:00

I love open air markets, they're always so colorful—the people as well as the goods! Here is one I went to in Tallin, the charming capital of Estonia. Of course, when I was there, everything had to be in Russian as well as Estonian; the locals were rather hostile about that—people only spoke to us when we switched from Russian to English—so I can only assume today's signs would not be bi-lingual.

Scenic Sunday: 'Round Ronda

2009-09-19T21:25:00.003-04:00

A couple of shots from spectacular Ronda, a small town in Spain built on two sides of a deep--very deep--gorge. The last photo shows the bridge connecting the two parts of town.

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Skywatch Friday: Hawaii

2009-09-17T20:07:00.002-04:00

Another fabulous sky from the beautiful Garden Isle of Kauai.
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Wordless Wednesday: In an Austrian restaurant

2009-09-15T18:07:00.003-04:00

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Protected from the elements

2009-09-14T18:10:00.002-04:00

This is one of my favorite photos from Spain--a charming little fisherman's cottage, built right into the cliffside in Nerja. Somewhere I have a photo of the entire cove...

Scenic Sunday: View from on high

2009-09-12T18:24:00.006-04:00

Here is another fairy tale view, this one of an ancient church on a mountain on the outskirts of Mtskheta, the old capital of Georgia. I confess I cannot remember its name, nor do I remember how you get to it—but it's certainly scenic!

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Highway or byway?

2009-09-10T19:33:00.003-04:00

When we were in Puerto Rico, we decided to forego the highway and drive to the Southern coast on the mountain road—as you can see, the view was quite lovely, and so was the sky. There was absolutely nowhere to stop though, not even for a cup of coffee, so after four hours we gave up our principles and sought out the highway—and lunch!
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What are we in line for?

2009-09-09T20:51:00.004-04:00

Everyone always talks about how the British are so willing to stand in line without complaining—well, they are not alone. When I was in Soviet Moscow, the Russians were endlessly willing to stand in line — the thinking was, if there's a line, there must be something good to buy! In fact, you're supposed to get in line first, then ask what "they" are selling--otherwise three more people will be in front of you!
Now, the first shot is just for water, which was usually available, as long as not all the machines were broken. It just seems very orderly to me though, I think I would get my water and walk away with it. In the second shot, the line is the longest because the items are particularly hard to find: children's clothes.
Now, in this line, everyone is quietly waiting for something that was not really that hard to find, but still extremely desirable -- and that's probably the line we would have joined if we wanted to do "as in Rome": ice cream! Must have been the popular one, the one that tasted really good so it was less available, a log of creamy vanilla (always vanilla) enrobed in a soft chocolate cookie. Yum. (I don't believe we ever stood in a line this long, except perhaps once for Russian champagne, which was only available for a couple of days before holidays!)

Looking for roots

2009-09-08T19:36:00.003-04:00

OK, I've discovered I like taking photos of roots! Other than the light, these two photos are quite similar, right? I took the top one in at the Barnum place in Sarasota, Florida; and the bottom one at the Dole Plantation in Kauai, Hawaii. I can't decide which light I like best--cool and soothing or hot and sunny! What do you think?

Another day, another castle...

2009-09-07T17:13:00.004-04:00

Looks like my photos from Hochosterwitz are still in the "to do" pile, so I thought I'd post a few from Riegersberg, another Austrian castle up a BIG hill. The castle itself is not as exciting, but great views up there! I hope you get an idea of scale from the hubcap in the last photo.

Scenic Sunday: Austria

2009-09-05T19:52:00.005-04:00

Here are two photos of the fairy tale castle of Hochosterwitz in Austria. As you can see, it's perched way up high at the top of its own mountain—and it's a LONG way up! You leave your car at the bottom and walk up and up and up through a dozen or so fortified gates (photos another day). I was pregnant when we went and it was quite tiring! I really love old places, though, and I loved this one. Plus, the view from there was lovely—as you can probably imagine from the second photo!

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Skywatch Friday: Thar she blows!

2009-09-03T18:49:00.002-04:00

I think the clouds here make the Rock of Gibraltar look like a whale, don't you? Blowing out the wrong end, of course, but other than that...
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Watery Wednesday: Mtskheta

2009-09-01T20:01:00.004-04:00

Here are two views of the 3,000-year old city of Mtskheta (we didn't use to pronounce the 't,' if that helps), at the confluence of the Rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi. This was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Iberia in what is presently Georgia, and is located less than 20 miles from the present-day capital of Tbilisi. I like the way the water suddenly turns green in the second photo.
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David and... palm trees?

2009-08-31T15:31:00.004-04:00

If you have to look twice at this statue of David, you are not alone. I took this photo at the opulent Barnum Mansion in Sarasota, Florida. He obviously was into ancient civilizations, and decided to recreate what he could among the palm trees. The Remus & Romulus suckling the she-wolf is from there too. I really enjoyed visiting, and got some great plant shots I'll post another day.

Scenic Sunday: Klagenfurt

2009-08-29T18:47:00.003-04:00

We don't usually take those little river cruises when we travel, but we did in the charming, old, Austrian city of Klagenfurt. I am delighted we did because, as you can see, it was a beautiful trip--definitely scenic in my book!
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People watching in Madrid

2009-08-28T21:13:00.003-04:00

As you might know by now, I love people watching... I took these photos in Madrid; the top one, which is one of my favorites, is in Sabatini Gardens. I love the peaceful look on this man's face. If you look closely you'll see he might be worried as something is growing on his ankle. The other two photos are in Retiro Park, where my friend and I rented a rowboat and actually went out on the lake.

Skywatch Friday: San Juan Sunset

2009-08-27T19:47:00.004-04:00

Here's another man-and-nature shot I hope you enjoy: Sunset over El Morro Fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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W. Wednesday: Anchored in Maine

2009-08-25T19:57:00.001-04:00

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Worshipping in Tallin

2009-08-24T16:59:00.003-04:00

I've been lucky enough to go to Tallin, the charming capital of Estonia, a couple of times. The old part is quite small, and very walkable, and it has a surprisingly Germanic feel. One thing that surprised me was how many beautiful places of worship were built in such a tiny space, all happily contributing to the city's life and landscape. Here are two of my favorites.

Another day at the beach

2009-08-21T22:22:00.006-04:00

Thought you might enjoy a few shots from another less-than-idyllic beach I visited in the Former Soviet Union, this one near Tbilisi, Georgia. The beach was covered in rather painful pebbles--who am I kidding, these were full-fledge stones, as you can see in that last picture--so I was happy I had my camera and was able to indulge in some excellent people watching. The old Prodigal likes to complain about pebble beaches in England, but he couldn't believe these photos! Made him quite nostalgic for the waterfront by our rental house in Deal--and indeed, there were certainly no cockles and shrimp to be had at the Tbilisi beach!
The water was quite pretty, though I can't remember anyone in my group actually swimming.

Skywatch Friday: Maine

2009-08-20T17:15:00.002-04:00

No need to go far to capture a beautiful sky--this one in Maine was perfect, especially above the conveniently all-white church. And no visible parking lot either!
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Macro-plantation fun

2009-08-19T20:37:00.004-04:00

At the Dole Plantation in Kauai, I had a bit of fun with my double-macro lens. I'm glad I did, because I just found these photos and quite like them. What do you think?
Must see if I can figure out how to fit the darn thing on my camera again—I've done it before, right?

Watery Wednesday: Lake Sevan

2009-08-18T20:41:00.006-04:00

As you can see, Lake Sevan is actually very pretty, which is probably why we put up with the rough conditions ( Life at the top ) and had a wonderful outing.
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Changing gears

2009-08-17T18:29:00.004-04:00

The Jewish Quarter in Old Toledo is well worth a visit; the narrow streets are really glorified alleyways and the old buildings brim with charm. Of course, the Jews were kicked out of Spain in 1492 and, if you look closely (top and left), you'll see a cross at the top of the old synagogue. Unfortunately, the museum, which I understand has some beautiful, very old and valuable artifacts, was closed when I was there--must go back!

Scenic Sunday: In the Caucuses

2009-08-15T20:04:00.004-04:00

Well, the viewing "station" on the Georgian Military Road was a little bit odd (see Everybody off the bus), but the view itself was spectacular. Never quite seen this shade of green on such as scale, almost as though the mountains are covered in moss.
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Everybody off the bus!

2009-08-14T21:30:00.005-04:00

Traveling from Tbilisi, Georgia to Erevan, Armenia, we took a long bus ride down the Georgian Military Road, through the beautiful Caucasus mountains. At one point, right in the middle of total isolation and people-less nature, we stopped at the huge, surreal Soviet-artified semi-circular monument you see above. I guess it was some sort of bizarre view-watching spot, like the scenic stops on our American highways. We decided the men sitting around were photographers waiting for tourists, but they never got up and they certainly never offered to take any photos.
Come back tomorrow and see the view--that was pretty spectacular.

Skywatch Friday: Leningrad

2009-08-13T20:21:00.002-04:00

A fabulous sky over The Admiralty, built in the early nineteenth century in the once and future St. Petersburg (Leningrad when I was there, of course).
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Life at the top

2009-08-12T22:08:00.009-04:00

The Jetson House ( Meet the Jetsons ) was quite unusual, but its surroundings were surreal. The house was on Lake Sevan, a resort in the former Soviet Republic of Armenia (now an independent country). I went there as part of a scheduled visit when I took a group of tourists to the Soviet Union. The interesting thing was that we were led to expect a quite ritzy resort and, indeed, the view was quite lovely (will post another day). The beach, however, was not, well, what I would call 'ritzy' -- and I don't just mean the big pebbles that covered it, or even the locals, though both were something to behold. The photo above shows the high-class changing booths and the photo on the left would, I think, easily qualify for another Worldless Wednesday post! Can you see the dandelion coming through? I love that.

Wordless Wednesday: Meet the Jetsons

2009-08-11T20:00:00.003-04:00

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Another parador panorama

2009-08-10T18:47:00.005-04:00

Since everyone enjoyed seeing the fabulous converted fort I went to in Jaen, I thought I'd post a photo of the beautiful parador in Toledo. Didn't stay in this one, we were pre-booked at a converted nunnery, which was also lovely but considerably cheaper. We did pop up for a drink, and here was the view from up there.

Scenic walk: Leningrad (St. Petersburg)

2009-08-08T20:43:00.001-04:00

Start at the hotel

don't take this taxi

follow the sailors down the river

watch a movie being filmed

do a bit a shopping

quick rest in the park

and end up at the Winter Palace (Hermitage).
Hope you enjoyed the walk!

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Skywatch Friday: Here comes the sun

2009-08-06T20:38:00.002-04:00

The sun is trying really hard to come out in this shot of the Zagorsk monastery in Russia.
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I could get used to this

2009-08-05T20:47:00.003-04:00

A couple more photos of the fabulous parador (fortress-turned-hotel) in Jaen, as well as the view from our room. Not bad, not bad at all.

W. Wednesday: Thinking about tomorrow

2009-08-04T19:57:00.003-04:00

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A walk through Tbilisi

2009-08-03T08:03:00.003-04:00

In a former life I organized and led a team of American high school boys on a basketball exchange program to the Soviet Union. We spent two weeks in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia (now an independent country). The city was lovely, the people very friendly, and I used to go for walks on my own whenever I could. I was heartbroken to hear a good part of Tbilisi was destroyed during the war, and I know Russia wants in again, but here are a few photos I took on one of my walks, starting with one of the most unusual--and prettiest--public planters I've ever seen.I got lots of attention on my walks. You really didn't see women out alone at all (not sure what it's like now.) This guy followed me for blocks, trying to get me to stop for coffee; I finally got rid of him by agreeing to take his photo.
I always did stop for coffee on my walks, sometimes at a peaceful, quiet spot like this; usually, I'd go right in front of the hotel to a little place that has Turkish coffee, which is a bit like espresso except cooked on the stove and with sugar in it.
This is some sort of public weighing station. Never quite figured it out, but it seemed to attract a crowd. Perhaps people didn't have scales at home?

Scenic Sunday: At Jaen with the surroundings

2009-08-01T17:49:00.003-04:00

Sorry for my title pun, but I think this spectacular fortress built by the Arabs in the thirteenth century is so perfectly at peace with its surroundings you have to look twice to see where the stones end and the edifice begins. The fortress held many invaders at bay but, of course, it's a hotel now and I was lucky enough to stay there when I was in Spain. We had actually planned to go straight to Granada after leaving Toledo, but we saw this castle and had to investigate. They had a room--with a fabulous view--and so... It was fabulous.
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Skywatch Friday: Clouds of La Mancha

2009-07-31T08:05:00.005-04:00

Driving through La Mancha on the way from Toledo to Jaen, we passed a calvacade of windmills, all lined up and waiting for Don Quixote. I loved the way they looked up on the hill, under the lovely morning clouds. I especially like the doughnut shaped formation on the right!
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Kremlin creations through red-tinted glasses

2009-07-30T10:53:00.002-04:00

A few more shots from the Kremlin in Moscow. A bunch of buildings are squooshed together within the confines of the Kremlin Wall, without much thought to architectural compatibility. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't--in the second picture, for example, you can clearly see modern offices blocking the view to what should be a national architectural treasure.

Watery Wednesday: Pillars of Hercules

2009-07-28T22:31:00.004-04:00

I've always been a great fan of mythology, so I was thrilled to visit the purported "Pillars of Hercules" in Tangiers. The view of the sea was beautiful, but I admit I had a hard time envisioning Hercules pulling this rock down. The top part of the opening is supposed to look like Africa (upside down). What do you think?
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Backstage in Brugges

2009-07-27T12:14:00.004-04:00

Brugges is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Belgium. The whole town seems supsended in time, yet alive, almost like a living museum. I believe most people focus on the fabulous facades there, but I really loved these old houses we found when we moved to less crowded areas.

Scenic Sunday: Show me the way

2009-07-25T15:57:00.009-04:00

If I were a sailor returning home after months at sea, I believe I would find this lighthouse in Tangiers a most welcome sight. Even from the safety of the shore, I found this view pretty spectacular.
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Parked in Berlin

2009-07-24T18:47:00.003-04:00

While I was visiting fellow bloggers today, I came across several wonderfully peaceful shots of benches. Not sure if this is a meme going around or a coincidence, but it made me want to post this photo I took of two locals on a bench in Berlin. It looks like they're enjoying the lovely view on a quiet Sunday but they're actually gazing across to what was at the time East Berlin.

Skywatch Friday: Red Sky at Night, What a Delight

2009-07-23T17:39:00.004-04:00

Our last night in Venice, we were very tired (and freezing), and quite tempted to hightail it back to our hotel and a warm restaurant. But sanity prevailed and we took a vaporetto over to the tiny island of San Giorgio Maggiore and climbed to the top of tower at the charming church of the San Giorgio Maggiore. As we got out of the lift, the elevator man hurriedly pointed to San Marco's Plaza, smiling broadly and saying "bello, bello" like in a movie. And it was. There was no one up there but us, and for a few minutes we enjoyed a perfect combination of the best of man and nature. I hope this photo gives you a taste of what we experienced.
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Postless Wednesday (almost)

2009-07-22T17:56:00.002-04:00

I was going to post this lone fisherman for either Wordless or Watery Wednesday, but the day just disappeared... I'm posting it now for posterity, and because I like this shot very much -- it's one of a few I've had enlarged and framed over the years. I took this photo in Tangiers; I was quite far away on a cliff. Never found it if he caught anything or, for that matter, what he was angling for.

Tiny treasure town

2009-07-21T17:57:00.003-04:00

Still in Andechs... definitely a picture-perfect little village. That house at the top is my dream house--and the garden's pretty fabulous too!

Sailing into the sunset

2009-07-18T20:49:00.006-04:00

On a business trip to Munich, Germany, I managed to take a few hours to go to picture-perfect Andechs. Saw the old monks' brewery, of course, but also found my way to a beautiful park in time to take this lovely (if I say so myself) shot as the sun came down.
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Stepping out on the town

2009-07-17T20:15:00.003-04:00

Hope you enjoy this walk through the streets of Old San Juan.

Skywatch Friday: Cotton Candy

2009-07-16T20:21:00.005-04:00

Still in Kauai, another "Stop the car!" moment -- just had to take a picture of these clouds over a tilled field. Doesn't even look like a real sky!
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Wordless Wednesday: Kauai

2009-07-15T09:17:00.002-04:00

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At rest in Lavenham

2009-07-14T12:16:00.003-04:00

Don't have a relative buried here so this probably doesn't qualify as a Tombstone Tuesday, but the cemetery in Lavenham (Suffolk, England) made me feel truly at peace so I'm posting these photos today.

Garden Isle no more

2009-07-13T18:01:00.003-04:00

When I was in Kauai, it was called the Garden Isle. Now, apparently, locals prefer "Hawaii's Island of Discovery." Must say I was surprised how varied the beautiful island was, and how much there was to see, so perhaps the new nickname is the way to go. Not just gardens, after all!

Scenic Sunday: Granada

2009-07-12T08:40:00.003-04:00

I was taking so many photos when I was in Granada, Spain, I had to be dragged away... definitely a scenic spot.
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Skywatch Friday: Moscow

2009-07-10T09:24:00.003-04:00

Clouds gathering over the Kremlin in the former Soviet Union...We had no idea what was coming, of course.
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People watching in Old Tangiers

2009-07-09T16:52:00.004-04:00

Got some great people-watching in when I was in Tangiers--all men, of course, the women were home working.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-08T09:41:00.001-04:00

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A climb too far

2009-07-07T17:29:00.004-04:00

When I was in Tangiers, I was taking pictures of the beautiful sea over a cliffside wall when my eye was caught by two boys struggling to make their way up. They eventually made it, but not fast enough--one of them had to stop, take his pants down, and have a pee. (No, I did not take pictures of that.)

Brigadoon on Hallstatt Lake

2009-07-06T16:47:00.002-04:00

Hallstatt, Austria, is one of the most magical places I've ever visited--you drive through a mountain, and you go find yourself in another world. We very nearly didn't stay, even though we had a reservation! When we arrived, there were so many tourist buses we weren't sure we wanted to stick around; plus, you had to leave your car outside of town (in the mountain!), which means lugging suitcases to your hotel. So we went to Baden, the closest city, but were not able to find a hotel. We were so lucky! When we got back, all the tourist buses were gone and we were in Brigadoon.

Happy Birthday, America!

2009-07-05T15:36:00.004-04:00

These photos are from a memorable trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. It was extremely hot, but the reenactors were as valiant as their real-life ancestors. As you can see from the Union Jack in the top photo, the year was 1775 and we hadn't quite told the Brits who was in charge yet. Soon would, though!

Skywatch Friday: Seville

2009-07-03T09:26:00.006-04:00

Took this photo at the Alcazaba in Seville, Spain; love the tiny little plane trail that intrudes in the perfect nature frame.
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