tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23778230503626326772024-03-14T00:38:48.542-07:00retired from what?S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-60079966260537135072018-05-29T09:42:00.000-07:002018-05-29T18:18:58.029-07:00Well - this is a fine start.<br />
<br />
This is a Google blog. I’ve been posting thru an app on my iPad. The app hasn’t been updated for the new OS so I simply log on. So far so good, but I discover I cannot access my photos. It tells me to get the Google+ app. Then I’m told I have to get Google photo and give them access to all of my pics if I want photos in my blog.<br />
The war between the operating systems steps to a new level. But I’ve no loyalty. Got a Windows laptop and and iPad and I use Google products on both.<br />
All watched over by machines of loving grace.<br />
And now to the actual topic of this blog - travel. In eight hours we will board the 777 and hope to sleep on the way to Heathrow.S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-7133905384464588562016-07-08T14:35:00.001-07:002016-07-08T14:35:00.353-07:00Good Cooks, Last LooksThere are always photos that don't seem to fit thematicly into any other post, yet they cry out for further viewing.<div><br></div><div>We begin with our last meal in Finalnd and end with the only photo of the four of us - me and Mark, sister Sandi and brother in law Richard. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_KtQlcXCY-8/V4AcZEgMW9I/AAAAAAAACNE/H96z2fml-SU/s640/blogger-image--647169318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_KtQlcXCY-8/V4AcZEgMW9I/AAAAAAAACNE/H96z2fml-SU/s640/blogger-image--647169318.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xEr7zMdMd_E/V4Acf8CVueI/AAAAAAAACNc/eMoTxN4srKc/s640/blogger-image--2061704731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xEr7zMdMd_E/V4Acf8CVueI/AAAAAAAACNc/eMoTxN4srKc/s640/blogger-image--2061704731.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UvRWIgBm10M/V4AcduvftJI/AAAAAAAACNU/LoMSPlnl5u0/s640/blogger-image--1859383324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UvRWIgBm10M/V4AcduvftJI/AAAAAAAACNU/LoMSPlnl5u0/s640/blogger-image--1859383324.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vg_zer_AMBk/V4AccoHlhHI/AAAAAAAACNQ/g-66pU4sppM/s640/blogger-image--462426733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vg_zer_AMBk/V4AccoHlhHI/AAAAAAAACNQ/g-66pU4sppM/s640/blogger-image--462426733.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jLpo-63XDSM/V4AcV8FsjHI/AAAAAAAACM4/ysBz88NntCo/s640/blogger-image--233956436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jLpo-63XDSM/V4AcV8FsjHI/AAAAAAAACM4/ysBz88NntCo/s640/blogger-image--233956436.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OpcZ-AoPRls/V4AcYNxAZ_I/AAAAAAAACNA/GhD-j0muBZI/s640/blogger-image-850621424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OpcZ-AoPRls/V4AcYNxAZ_I/AAAAAAAACNA/GhD-j0muBZI/s640/blogger-image-850621424.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e-4nDEWheJ8/V4AcbZ9yCxI/AAAAAAAACNM/DB160xhi2gU/s640/blogger-image--1770283022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e-4nDEWheJ8/V4AcbZ9yCxI/AAAAAAAACNM/DB160xhi2gU/s640/blogger-image--1770283022.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--MnzKwq6TnQ/V4AcUnmeSkI/AAAAAAAACM0/z3tgoK-d_7U/s640/blogger-image-1630676670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--MnzKwq6TnQ/V4AcUnmeSkI/AAAAAAAACM0/z3tgoK-d_7U/s640/blogger-image-1630676670.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jg_IlJih-mA/V4AcXLBsdXI/AAAAAAAACM8/gOiBx_OmeTA/s640/blogger-image-2019823681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jg_IlJih-mA/V4AcXLBsdXI/AAAAAAAACM8/gOiBx_OmeTA/s640/blogger-image-2019823681.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lPalAaxu9og/V4AcaXsUxeI/AAAAAAAACNI/uDypwmwMRoA/s640/blogger-image--1146895677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lPalAaxu9og/V4AcaXsUxeI/AAAAAAAACNI/uDypwmwMRoA/s640/blogger-image--1146895677.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MUoiYK-dcX4/V4Acg71c14I/AAAAAAAACNg/3S3eqe0ds1s/s640/blogger-image-21649918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MUoiYK-dcX4/V4Acg71c14I/AAAAAAAACNg/3S3eqe0ds1s/s640/blogger-image-21649918.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mY4X5avZEq0/V4AceoTMMQI/AAAAAAAACNY/hqPpdr5pwUI/s640/blogger-image--221213892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mY4X5avZEq0/V4AceoTMMQI/AAAAAAAACNY/hqPpdr5pwUI/s640/blogger-image--221213892.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-82096927305840830512016-06-30T13:51:00.001-07:002016-06-30T13:52:45.270-07:00Porticos and moreIn the early 20th century, a style of architecture known as National Romantic took hold in Finland and the other Baltic nations. I found it most appealing. <div><br></div><div>To me, it looked like medieval meets Craftsman or...I'm just not sure. I realized on the last day, as my battery was dying, I'd been taking pictures of doors. Wish I had taken more.</div><div><br></div><div>For architecture fans, here's a link with more than doors.</div><div> <a href="http://blog.visithelsinki.fi/en/national-romantic-helsinki/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://blog.visithelsinki.fi/en/national-romantic-helsinki/</a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nYtKN36Q7WQ/V3WGI7HpRTI/AAAAAAAACME/2pelYUceP2Q/s640/blogger-image-1118686348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nYtKN36Q7WQ/V3WGI7HpRTI/AAAAAAAACME/2pelYUceP2Q/s640/blogger-image-1118686348.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WRXmP9ZwpTE/V3WGLTbfRaI/AAAAAAAACMM/53qta0l9Qx0/s640/blogger-image--171766172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WRXmP9ZwpTE/V3WGLTbfRaI/AAAAAAAACMM/53qta0l9Qx0/s640/blogger-image--171766172.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-usxMNarqPI4/V3WGPDRw77I/AAAAAAAACMU/sDH2yLYT-ww/s640/blogger-image-1412117866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-usxMNarqPI4/V3WGPDRw77I/AAAAAAAACMU/sDH2yLYT-ww/s640/blogger-image-1412117866.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SzEEEdNZ83o/V3WGKXzVIzI/AAAAAAAACMI/9pZDVCdh7fk/s640/blogger-image--354425950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SzEEEdNZ83o/V3WGKXzVIzI/AAAAAAAACMI/9pZDVCdh7fk/s640/blogger-image--354425950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OM3zIj7JH0Y/V3WGVXu8pHI/AAAAAAAACMY/r6Rcva0GePI/s640/blogger-image-1335834595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OM3zIj7JH0Y/V3WGVXu8pHI/AAAAAAAACMY/r6Rcva0GePI/s640/blogger-image-1335834595.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JTlcmBwsFdI/V3WGMm__eZI/AAAAAAAACMQ/XDL68D9zRDE/s640/blogger-image--172543489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JTlcmBwsFdI/V3WGMm__eZI/AAAAAAAACMQ/XDL68D9zRDE/s640/blogger-image--172543489.jpg"></a></div>X</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-17421099816944187422016-06-30T02:25:00.001-07:002016-06-30T04:45:15.212-07:00The Midnight Sun and the Rising SunNearly everywhere we travel, be it Paris or Yellowstone, there are bus loads of Japanese tourists taking pictures of each other in front of things. I first saw this in 1979 at the Louvre, watching Japanese tourists take happy snaps of each other in front of the Mona Lisa who was behind bullet proof glass. <div>I did not expect to see the same in Finland. I expected most tourists would be other Europeans or North Americans whose cruise ships stopped by for a few hours, and that was the case, but there were loads of Japanese people there and I learned that FInnair has non-stops between Tokyo and Helsinki. I asked several people "why so many Japanese" and got several answers.</div><div><br></div><div>1. There is an obvious esthetic shared - they like clean lined design and for years, the iconic Finnish fabric and clothing company, Marimeikko, has had a big market in Japan as well as employing Japanese designers.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SuAWxchJMEg/V3ToYJifhTI/AAAAAAAACL0/mxQldiwSG3Q/s640/blogger-image-1391722131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SuAWxchJMEg/V3ToYJifhTI/AAAAAAAACL0/mxQldiwSG3Q/s640/blogger-image-1391722131.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>2. Moomims. They are characters who came to life 77 years ago, the creation of a Swedish speaking Finn, that went on to fame in 60 countries, especially Japan. Moomins are to Finland what Disney characters are to the US.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lb-1dTQZor4/V3ToW_5hlYI/AAAAAAAACLs/CE1-wnAd4N0/s640/blogger-image-1463104503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lb-1dTQZor4/V3ToW_5hlYI/AAAAAAAACLs/CE1-wnAd4N0/s640/blogger-image-1463104503.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>3. Japanese people are nature lovers. They come from a very crowded island and are amazed by Finland's huge forests, hundreds of islands and vast amounts of untamed wilderness. </div><div><br></div><div>4. Fascination with Santa and reindeer. </div><div><br></div><div>And years ago, I read that there were large numbers of Japanese traveling to Lapland in the winter to see and, hopefully conceive a baby under the northern lights. </div><div><br></div><div>And I think they feel comfortable with each other, their reticence to be forward, their nature to be very polite. </div><div><br></div><div>We were at a folk dance performance, seated on benches on flat ground, and a man was standing in the aisle, blocking the view for many people, especially the woman near me in the wheelchair, and no one yelled "down in front" or made a move. After about 5 minutes, it took yours truly, the pushy American, to tap him on the shoulder and point to the people behind him. He looked horrified at what he had done and quickly left, out of sight. </div><div><br></div><div>But while they have so much in common the language the Finns and the Japanese most share is English. Of course. </div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-89369861622580890782016-06-28T16:48:00.001-07:002016-06-28T20:39:21.401-07:00PosthumousThe apartment we rented in Helsinki appeared to be next to a huge park that led to the water. When we walked over to see it, we discover it was a cemetery, an enormous cemetery. It was well cared for, with beautiful huge trees and some unique tombstones, thus most of this post will be photos.<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fvgEGh7iRf8/V3MMp83K3jI/AAAAAAAACJ8/wNV-2Z4KLWY/s640/blogger-image-453577874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fvgEGh7iRf8/V3MMp83K3jI/AAAAAAAACJ8/wNV-2Z4KLWY/s640/blogger-image-453577874.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div>There is a much copper in Finland. One sees it in roofs and decorative objects, but this is my first copper grave marker. Or polished stainless steel.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bAJMC4QKFh0/V3MMx9dsYTI/AAAAAAAACK0/dtrNWFvYemE/s640/blogger-image--1754086813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bAJMC4QKFh0/V3MMx9dsYTI/AAAAAAAACK0/dtrNWFvYemE/s640/blogger-image--1754086813.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Many were somewhat more conventional, but works of art all the same.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OY-AaeJmg5E/V3MMy-cSM8I/AAAAAAAACK4/9SXQfi_EzGc/s640/blogger-image--136473782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OY-AaeJmg5E/V3MMy-cSM8I/AAAAAAAACK4/9SXQfi_EzGc/s640/blogger-image--136473782.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IkbZb8iSYIQ/V3MMrwpN32I/AAAAAAAACKM/c-jgnXbRdMg/s640/blogger-image-2068835884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IkbZb8iSYIQ/V3MMrwpN32I/AAAAAAAACKM/c-jgnXbRdMg/s640/blogger-image-2068835884.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A musician lies here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QLL0z3q1Vrg/V3MMwywqP5I/AAAAAAAACKs/9JhEum7hT-s/s640/blogger-image--1519546654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QLL0z3q1Vrg/V3MMwywqP5I/AAAAAAAACKs/9JhEum7hT-s/s640/blogger-image--1519546654.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FE7WbNpxBiM/V3MMvmwjHzI/AAAAAAAACKk/xDc5l5mufkI/s640/blogger-image--824007078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FE7WbNpxBiM/V3MMvmwjHzI/AAAAAAAACKk/xDc5l5mufkI/s640/blogger-image--824007078.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were a fair number of rocks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wtK3_tAcU6I/V3MMU69RX3I/AAAAAAAACJo/Mx1y3Eyy1os/s640/blogger-image--90159573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wtK3_tAcU6I/V3MMU69RX3I/AAAAAAAACJo/Mx1y3Eyy1os/s640/blogger-image--90159573.jpg"></a></div><br></div>And sometime in the late 1800s, stones like these began to become popular and then common; chunks of granite with only one polished surface. Whether it was done out of frugality or fashion I cannot say. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8FN1pjTnUwU/V3MMWFTz_ZI/AAAAAAAACJ0/QaTZxknt2eQ/s640/blogger-image--177949359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8FN1pjTnUwU/V3MMWFTz_ZI/AAAAAAAACJ0/QaTZxknt2eQ/s640/blogger-image--177949359.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Seventeen years ago, we remodeled our kitchen and chose for the counter tops a common granite called Baltic Brown. I was in Helsinki for days before I realized my countertops were everywhere. That granite was used for cobblestone streets, curbs and sidewalks. And the granite used in St. Petersburg, Russia was all imported from Finland. As you can imagine, there were tons and tons of it here, though not that same color. Who wants a tombstone that looks like a curb? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XpBzXkTXLzI/V3MMT1mH3yI/AAAAAAAACJk/_AktALsBzDU/s640/blogger-image-2122910930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XpBzXkTXLzI/V3MMT1mH3yI/AAAAAAAACJk/_AktALsBzDU/s640/blogger-image-2122910930.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By the 20th century, engraving the deceased' signature became quite popular and it remains so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NtnPNDQswJI/V3MMs10l2AI/AAAAAAAACKU/HB8hQKtccGQ/s640/blogger-image-1391367508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NtnPNDQswJI/V3MMs10l2AI/AAAAAAAACKU/HB8hQKtccGQ/s640/blogger-image-1391367508.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Three colors of granite. Saw no plastic flowers but did see lanterns. In most of the cemetery, the trees were dense and large, as were the lilac bushes and other shrubs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VozBY7ertic/V3MMuruRZkI/AAAAAAAACKc/Dxp2Hd5ABP8/s640/blogger-image--1734828619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VozBY7ertic/V3MMuruRZkI/AAAAAAAACKc/Dxp2Hd5ABP8/s640/blogger-image--1734828619.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Tools were simply left out for anyone to use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SRp7h-Jy1Ts/V3MMqxOHDwI/AAAAAAAACKE/ia4JuBqdGuc/s640/blogger-image-1503595466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SRp7h-Jy1Ts/V3MMqxOHDwI/AAAAAAAACKE/ia4JuBqdGuc/s640/blogger-image-1503595466.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Remember, the Finns are an honest bunch. When Readers Digest did the "lost wallet" experiement in 16 cities, 11 out 12 wallets were returned in Helsinki, thus it was declared the most honest city in the world. (In Lisbon, where Mark had his phone stolen, just one was returned, and that was by a tourist.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was so nice being in a place where people were polite because that it who they are and not because they fear you'll pull a gun on them. Parents go into shops and leave the baby prams on the sidewalk. It was a clean and courteous city and never felt dangerous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But, back to death, this woman was life size,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ec_8O5s_p4Y/V3MPl2CA84I/AAAAAAAACLQ/91G7kRZaOQ8/s640/blogger-image-1629559640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ec_8O5s_p4Y/V3MPl2CA84I/AAAAAAAACLQ/91G7kRZaOQ8/s640/blogger-image-1629559640.jpg"></a></div></div><br></span></div>As were these folks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i9GiwTN5pqI/V3MPnJVaITI/AAAAAAAACLY/X6aZNhaKoKQ/s640/blogger-image--1592368103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i9GiwTN5pqI/V3MPnJVaITI/AAAAAAAACLY/X6aZNhaKoKQ/s640/blogger-image--1592368103.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have never wanted to be buried and never thought I'd have a plot, but the variety and artistry of this place made me think I just might like a marker of some kind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bEi67ZnNgKI/V3MPkyo0HJI/AAAAAAAACLI/gHu7fXlSCcI/s640/blogger-image--2117729267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bEi67ZnNgKI/V3MPkyo0HJI/AAAAAAAACLI/gHu7fXlSCcI/s640/blogger-image--2117729267.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-51076175583158834212016-06-25T00:47:00.001-07:002016-06-25T01:02:07.594-07:00Happy Juhannes!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tkAdPSOO1gk/V246frhlh5I/AAAAAAAACJQ/rvlyGoxzJ-g/s640/blogger-image--1288039076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tkAdPSOO1gk/V246frhlh5I/AAAAAAAACJQ/rvlyGoxzJ-g/s640/blogger-image--1288039076.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div>Juhannes - midsummer night, a celebration of the shortest night (which got Christianized as an event honoring John the Baptist, thus the name) was celebrated here in Helsinki on the evening of the 24th and the 25th. As the young woman at the tourist office said, this holiday is as important as Christmas. Flower crowns are worn and most are delightfully wild. <div><br></div><div>The city begins to shut down on the Thursday before. Buses run weekend schedules, stores close by no later than 2 on Friday and most people leave town to a cottage up north, to cook out, sauna, drink and have a bonfire. </div><div><br></div><div>Here in the city, the "outdoor museum" on Seurasaari I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">sland, presents a celebration that is steeped in history and is very family friendly. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Costumed musicians, singers and dancers perform. The woman to the right of the accordion is playing the bird call. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bM1qbgolHpE/V243GOGxOFI/AAAAAAAACI4/Z6z1RoF4MmQ/s640/blogger-image--741511679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bM1qbgolHpE/V243GOGxOFI/AAAAAAAACI4/Z6z1RoF4MmQ/s640/blogger-image--741511679.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There is plenty of opportunity for the visitors to get involved, as in the "may pole" dance. And it wouldn't be Finland without some metal representation.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZVO5Vb7d8K8/V243EfjSjMI/AAAAAAAACIs/P6Eg-Vz_eUo/s640/blogger-image--1774032723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZVO5Vb7d8K8/V243EfjSjMI/AAAAAAAACIs/P6Eg-Vz_eUo/s640/blogger-image--1774032723.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tourists welcome! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZsLHlvI8I8/V243HPBLCiI/AAAAAAAACJA/iOhSQzVyfEA/s640/blogger-image--1394679281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZsLHlvI8I8/V243HPBLCiI/AAAAAAAACJA/iOhSQzVyfEA/s640/blogger-image--1394679281.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Each year since 1954, a couple has wed at the historic church among family and friends, dined at the historic vicarage, then joined the crowd to dance their first waltz.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CHHy23BTtOY/V243Ce2lD1I/AAAAAAAACIc/jHDmqklcRqY/s640/blogger-image--2034957369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CHHy23BTtOY/V243Ce2lD1I/AAAAAAAACIc/jHDmqklcRqY/s640/blogger-image--2034957369.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes, they wear period clothing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meanwhile a number of bonfires are lit near the shore as a flotilla of observers view the flames from their boats and paddle boards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The biggest fire is set ablaze by the happy couple, who are rowed to the place on a rocky outcropping in an 18th century style boat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uYLw34G4I7s/V243FBWQRqI/AAAAAAAACIw/4JcsWAu5UvI/s640/blogger-image-532731906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uYLw34G4I7s/V243FBWQRqI/AAAAAAAACIw/4JcsWAu5UvI/s640/blogger-image-532731906.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can see that, while this island feels a million miles away, it's really right in the city. Bus 24. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Photo taken about 10:15. It never gets truly dark this time of year.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dIN0p_H8B88/V243Bj9s7AI/AAAAAAAACIU/VDCnGh5TIEg/s640/blogger-image--1054160869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dIN0p_H8B88/V243Bj9s7AI/AAAAAAAACIU/VDCnGh5TIEg/s640/blogger-image--1054160869.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And so the days get shorter and we head back to pack for our return home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-62779046296508391192016-06-23T21:50:00.001-07:002016-06-24T03:51:45.492-07:00DasvidanyaThree days in St. Petersburg is hardly getting to know Russia, but here are some observations --<div><br></div><div>The Russians we talked to (and English is not commonly spoken, even in the heart of the tourist area) want Americans to know that we have nothing to fear from Putin. They say he's a good man, a sincere man. I'm not sure if they love Putin or they simply dont want to go back to a Cold War. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y-VjKLY43JM/V20QwPqkHYI/AAAAAAAACIE/lBMVeaZVgcw/s640/blogger-image-267370764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y-VjKLY43JM/V20QwPqkHYI/AAAAAAAACIE/lBMVeaZVgcw/s640/blogger-image-267370764.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>There were lots of souvenir stands around, but the ones in The Hermitage plaza did not carry Putin T <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">shirts. I feel sure they were not allowed, as their meaning could be misinterpreted as making fun instead of deeply respecting. </span></div><div>Of course, some people love Putin and think the western leaders are idiots. We also saw a shirt with Obama as a turd which said "Don't forget to flush." </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-44CrxvDA9NE/V20QtONPsBI/AAAAAAAACHs/_cmKTXv2650/s640/blogger-image-771405336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-44CrxvDA9NE/V20QtONPsBI/AAAAAAAACHs/_cmKTXv2650/s640/blogger-image-771405336.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I read often that Russians aren't friendly and seem dour (which I also read about Finns) and we saw no evidence of that. It may be that people in the hospitality industry are just very hospitable. </div><div><br></div><div>This is Alexi. He bent our ears for about 20 minutes about Putin, communism, propaganda and cars. He's a Chevy man, all the way. When I asked to take his picture, he insisted on putting on his sunglasses. He said he wanted to look cooler. I wonder if he wanted to be less recognizable.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8RGHxBw3QL8/V20QuN4prNI/AAAAAAAACH0/o7_ON-3pYVU/s640/blogger-image-1866519217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8RGHxBw3QL8/V20QuN4prNI/AAAAAAAACH0/o7_ON-3pYVU/s640/blogger-image-1866519217.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The hotel, a boutique place in a good neighborhood across from the Japanese embassy, was wonderful and the food everywhere we went was excellent. I had low expectations for food, but there was much deliciousness without meat. This whole trip has been easy for me because fish is everywhere, all the time. Salmon and herring for breakfast? Yes, please, and excellent bread, rye breads everywhere. The Baltic Diet works for me, and Mark is a total omnivore, so we have eaten very well. </div><div><br></div><div>The restaurant of our hotel, the Pushka Inn, was where we ate breakfast each day. It was also where, about 5 years ago, a certain American did as well.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-32p2Z_jX_G4/V20Qu7f-GLI/AAAAAAAACH8/I_6k5ZvsTCs/s640/blogger-image-713253011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-32p2Z_jX_G4/V20Qu7f-GLI/AAAAAAAACH8/I_6k5ZvsTCs/s640/blogger-image-713253011.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Our last meal in Russia was in a charming basement place that kept bunnies as pets. When I asked why, our waitress said they just like them and children love them. They also had a roomy alcove filled with pillows and children's books, so kids could hang out while parents lingered. How civilized. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SU8GX24DipE/V20QsIsxYII/AAAAAAAACHk/qjM36uyfgQk/s640/blogger-image-2053125401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SU8GX24DipE/V20QsIsxYII/AAAAAAAACHk/qjM36uyfgQk/s640/blogger-image-2053125401.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We all enjoyed our brief visit to Russia. People were very friendly, the food was excellent, the hotel lovely. Since Russia has figured so large in my life, from the Cuban Missle crisis, the space race, the Berlin Airlift, the end of the USSR, Mark's US born Russian boss for more than 20 years, to my Dad's fascination with the place and my love of Dr. Zhivago, I wasn't quite sure of what to expect, even in a very tourist place like SPb, but I liked it a lot and wished I'd had more opportunity to talk with people. </div><div><br></div><div>Fare well, Big Bear. </div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-2691720979745502012016-06-23T12:29:00.001-07:002016-06-23T12:35:57.587-07:00Hermitage PilgrimageI cannot recall a time when I was not fascinated with Russia, with the Czars and the story of the Anastasia, the daughter of Nicholas the Second who was executed with her entire family by the Bolsheviks. Or did she survive? I remember seeing a Hallamrk Hall of Fame teleplay starring Julie Harris as the maybe heiress and being so moved by it I got out a library book about the Romanovs and learned all I could. <div><br></div><div>The Winter Palace, which was already becoming a museum by the time we were fighting the Civil War, is now The Hermitage, another thing I don't recall not knowing about. It is one of the top museums in the world and in truth, I never really thought I'd see it. It is enormous and its collection is amazing.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CfDal-ZT3zo/V2w4TI7-kBI/AAAAAAAACG4/Pe1mZO1f_Pw/s640/blogger-image-1394668299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CfDal-ZT3zo/V2w4TI7-kBI/AAAAAAAACG4/Pe1mZO1f_Pw/s640/blogger-image-1394668299.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Now, I've been to The Louvre, The Rijksmuseum, The Met, The Prado and I can say that I've never been so close to being trampled at any museum in my life. </div><div><br></div><div>Crowds? I've done them, but what makes The Hermitage different is that it seems nearly 90% of visitors come as part of a tour group. Flocks of people with earbuds, oblivious to other humans, dash from Famous Painting to Famous Sculpture like ice cutters in the Arctic, smashing through any humans who stands in their way. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E_OlxnyUS18/V2w4ouf9nKI/AAAAAAAACHE/hAFNtsTqK3k/s640/blogger-image-1431533799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E_OlxnyUS18/V2w4ouf9nKI/AAAAAAAACHE/hAFNtsTqK3k/s640/blogger-image-1431533799.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>And if there was any air conditioning, it was not obvious, so it's was about 80 degrees and humid inside, a babble of languages being shouted by non-amplified tour guides and what should have been a transcendent experience became Penn Station on Friday of Labor Day Weeknd. </div><div><br></div><div>And, as we said about Versailles, looking at that incredible <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">opulence, it's easy to see why the peasants revolted. I'm sure there is a lesson there for America, but it will go unheed.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UbqBVI6soLE/V2w4pcCpvdI/AAAAAAAACHQ/t2pCMtJ3GOg/s640/blogger-image-2064649414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UbqBVI6soLE/V2w4pcCpvdI/AAAAAAAACHQ/t2pCMtJ3GOg/s640/blogger-image-2064649414.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div><br></div></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-56379505814486864052016-06-23T06:26:00.001-07:002016-06-23T06:26:34.268-07:00Russia remembers<div><div><br></div><div>On June 22 1941, 3.5 million German troops began their invasion of Russia, a nation unprepared for Hitler's advance because Stalin refused to believe the intelligence he received. </div><div><br></div><div>We were in St. Petersburg on that day this year and watched troops parade in the square in front of The Hermitage.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4NpY6hYmb0s/V2vjib0T36I/AAAAAAAACGk/yJyWhYaeUhE/s640/blogger-image-1839696686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4NpY6hYmb0s/V2vjib0T36I/AAAAAAAACGk/yJyWhYaeUhE/s640/blogger-image-1839696686.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>There was also a display of WW ll vehicles and men in uniforms from that era posing with the many who wanted pictures. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hN8jsrPRiZE/V2vjgZMHzQI/AAAAAAAACGU/jLRyIKXtRao/s640/blogger-image-1927394286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hN8jsrPRiZE/V2vjgZMHzQI/AAAAAAAACGU/jLRyIKXtRao/s640/blogger-image-1927394286.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bzS0HR-3qeU/V2vjhZhPu7I/AAAAAAAACGc/DgjnkWor9uo/s640/blogger-image-191802632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bzS0HR-3qeU/V2vjhZhPu7I/AAAAAAAACGc/DgjnkWor9uo/s640/blogger-image-191802632.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Two things struck us. </div><div><br></div><div>First, that the Russian, our allies, recall when they were caught unaware with far more pageantry than we remember Pearl Harbor. Second, that WW ll is being recalled in a most official manner, where we in the states have rather relegated it to Turner Classic Movies on Memorial Day weekend. </div><div><br></div><div>On a side note, there were also opportunities for kids to hold old time weapons which many seemed eager to do. I watched a cluster of kiddos holding rifles and other long guns and thought - where do you think you are? Texas? </div></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-81452362398712035902016-06-21T12:20:00.001-07:002016-06-21T12:36:54.587-07:00Long sunsets and summer strolling in SPb.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aYgycZr1HW0/V2mTcWxyAEI/AAAAAAAACFk/xRuYXliIZNA/s640/blogger-image--249309983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aYgycZr1HW0/V2mTcWxyAEI/AAAAAAAACFk/xRuYXliIZNA/s640/blogger-image--249309983.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This must be the <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> most photographed thing in St. Petersburg. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It is the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood. It was built on the site where Czar Alexander ll was assassinated in 1881 when his carriage was blown up. It was not the first attempt on his life. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The interesting thing to me was the interior, which is all mosaics. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x9mnNvW8kSc/V2mVW97U7TI/AAAAAAAACFw/gGPR5gVWF_4/s640/blogger-image--333703595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x9mnNvW8kSc/V2mVW97U7TI/AAAAAAAACFw/gGPR5gVWF_4/s640/blogger-image--333703595.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6r6poki3jaQ/V2mWfCDZxmI/AAAAAAAACF8/inmkpuv5sGk/s640/blogger-image-2037378417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6r6poki3jaQ/V2mWfCDZxmI/AAAAAAAACF8/inmkpuv5sGk/s640/blogger-image-2037378417.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Like everything else in this tourist town, there was a line to get in and it was packed inside. Outside, buskers and venders and snack sellers plied their trades. We tossed 100 ruble notes (75 to the dollar) Into backpacks and guitar cases and strolled down along the canal back to our hotel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4SAclWtpI_Y/V2mWgPopdPI/AAAAAAAACGE/zonWKHlUklg/s640/blogger-image--91050924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4SAclWtpI_Y/V2mWgPopdPI/AAAAAAAACGE/zonWKHlUklg/s640/blogger-image--91050924.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And the two young musicians whose picture I posted on FB? They were playing La Cucaracha.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></span></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-50228232989022943572016-06-20T12:03:00.001-07:002016-06-20T23:37:18.634-07:00Slow boat to Russia<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kvYE4WFNdpk/V2jgneTtcQI/AAAAAAAACFM/jH-tgYjmA4g/s640/blogger-image--1893396878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kvYE4WFNdpk/V2jgneTtcQI/AAAAAAAACFM/jH-tgYjmA4g/s640/blogger-image--1893396878.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This is a view from the deck of the Princess Maria, a ferry that hold about 1500 people and attempts to show them a good time as they cruise from Helsinki to St. Petersburg. </span></div></div><div><br></div><div>It is not a Carnival cruise. There is a small casino and some musicians, but passengers on this ship are aboard for only about 15 hours. The upholstery is blue velveteen and has seen better days, but it was not disappointing, as my expectations were realistic. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sI5oi7eyTC8/V2jdb11E0bI/AAAAAAAACEU/Z-Jpz6RNIa8/s640/blogger-image-227606736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sI5oi7eyTC8/V2jdb11E0bI/AAAAAAAACEU/Z-Jpz6RNIa8/s640/blogger-image-227606736.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CzS8m-aQVqU/V2jeFbPwd-I/AAAAAAAACEk/vgIp4urk_xk/s640/blogger-image-1427050368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CzS8m-aQVqU/V2jeFbPwd-I/AAAAAAAACEk/vgIp4urk_xk/s640/blogger-image-1427050368.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NIOsQL6RPFQ/V2jfl0b3r7I/AAAAAAAACE4/apOv8D_nAzA/s640/blogger-image-842692566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NIOsQL6RPFQ/V2jfl0b3r7I/AAAAAAAACE4/apOv8D_nAzA/s640/blogger-image-842692566.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>We arrive in Russia at 9:30am and grabbed a cab to our hotel. I regret that we have no picture of our cabbie, a man of firm opinions with a thick accents and at high volume, but with many hand gestures and a rather jolly attitude.</div><div><br></div><div>"Mr. Putin" is good. Obama doesn't listen. China is our friend. Don't like Clintons. Life was much better under communism, when he had a good salary as a cab driver. Now, he is his boss and he works much more for less money. He say "Taxi drivers are the niggers of Russia." He used the same descriptive word for Obama. </div><div><br></div><div>After man wrong turns, we arrived at our very nice hotel and set off to see some St. Pete.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-loTso-Cblvc/V2jeEp2kNJI/AAAAAAAACEg/R5zoNY1AQqQ/s640/blogger-image--1891017535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-loTso-Cblvc/V2jeEp2kNJI/AAAAAAAACEg/R5zoNY1AQqQ/s640/blogger-image--1891017535.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n_SQVvTJhbc/V2jda8WvD-I/AAAAAAAACEM/laxI5x1a-BI/s640/blogger-image-901483426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n_SQVvTJhbc/V2jda8WvD-I/AAAAAAAACEM/laxI5x1a-BI/s640/blogger-image-901483426.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These shoes are made of chocolate. Louboutins. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3sn9BIDZYUk/V2hEED8F2qI/AAAAAAAACDs/Qixo_gHRA7Y/s640/blogger-image-1316677406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3sn9BIDZYUk/V2hEED8F2qI/AAAAAAAACDs/Qixo_gHRA7Y/s640/blogger-image-1316677406.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dined at a great restaurant, sort of nouveau Russian/world food. Best meal so far. But this place could have been in Barcelona or San Fransisco or anywhere - vintage wood, cool lighting, visible kitchen, old brick walls. In the west, at least, ther are no differences in what is popular or hip. We've seen plenty of man buns in Russia and tattoos in Finland. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S76Uuoq1I-g/V2jfmqGHZrI/AAAAAAAACFA/NqW3nSciryY/s640/blogger-image--1573149884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S76Uuoq1I-g/V2jfmqGHZrI/AAAAAAAACFA/NqW3nSciryY/s640/blogger-image--1573149884.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Again, is a tad disappointing that foreign is not very foreign any more. To the good, people do not seen to have any prejudices about Americans, like many did back in the 70s when we were truly foreigners. I guess they get that we are not our politicians and we know that they are not theirs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div> </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-3326022899444202122016-06-18T07:01:00.001-07:002016-06-18T07:04:03.168-07:00Karnevalli!As the local woman said, "We can't do this in February and there are many samba schools." <div><br></div><div>Yes friends, it Carnival time in Helsinki, despite the rain, wind and temps in the 50s, but the Finns aren't about to let weather get in the way of their fun.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EHy9rKqCvt0/V2VT77mwIGI/AAAAAAAACC8/5nZRlgRnOz4/s640/blogger-image-1494631612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EHy9rKqCvt0/V2VT77mwIGI/AAAAAAAACC8/5nZRlgRnOz4/s640/blogger-image-1494631612.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the obvious theme for this year is The Olympics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aGCvTlN2H1s/V2VTzgDKLnI/AAAAAAAACCs/Eig9fD29XvU/s640/blogger-image-269155735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aGCvTlN2H1s/V2VTzgDKLnI/AAAAAAAACCs/Eig9fD29XvU/s640/blogger-image-269155735.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TCQfKw9eSWQ/V2VT4zW53NI/AAAAAAAACC0/_gnjkY3rpUU/s640/blogger-image-2084733001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TCQfKw9eSWQ/V2VT4zW53NI/AAAAAAAACC0/_gnjkY3rpUU/s640/blogger-image-2084733001.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>I am pleased to report that the crowds were there as well. There's a saying in Finland - there is no bad weather, just bad clothing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g3B1ImKQ_Gw/V2VU0YbnIVI/AAAAAAAACDI/9BmF0H3QV-A/s640/blogger-image--1250017627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g3B1ImKQ_Gw/V2VU0YbnIVI/AAAAAAAACDI/9BmF0H3QV-A/s640/blogger-image--1250017627.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-74523516396338062812016-06-17T12:14:00.001-07:002016-06-17T22:39:55.131-07:00A teacher and a blacksmith changed the fate of the worldFinland was a land of peasants and fishermen ruled by Sweden for most of its written history till it became a Russian possession the 19h century.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x3r5wfqkv0s/V2RY5U20VHI/AAAAAAAACB8/KXykRfoOzg4/s640/blogger-image--1913774924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x3r5wfqkv0s/V2RY5U20VHI/AAAAAAAACB8/KXykRfoOzg4/s640/blogger-image--1913774924.jpg"></a></div><br><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Finnish wasn't even a written language until the 1500s because Swedish was the official language.</span></div><div><div><br></div><div>It's always been interesting to me that nations that were once possessions of Catholic countries have fared worse to this day than those whose exploiters were Protestant. Sociologists have long attributed this to the Protestant Work Ethic, but that didn't seem enough of an answer and yes, Catholicism is very hierarchical and authoritarian and sure, there's the whole issue of birth control but something else I hadn't considered till this trip was right before my nose. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MgB_ZrE7CwI/V2RY2rXHfNI/AAAAAAAACBs/YOqf6GQtIFQ/s640/blogger-image--1308070045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MgB_ZrE7CwI/V2RY2rXHfNI/AAAAAAAACBs/YOqf6GQtIFQ/s640/blogger-image--1308070045.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">When the Nordic people went Protestant, they did so completely and rulers required compliance. One of the main tenets was that people should not rely on priests to tell them God's word, but should study it themselves. Not just should study, but MUST. But reading the Bible required literacy, which was when Finns began to learn to read, as it was for them a requirement of confirmation to read scripture. The first Finnish language publication was the New Testament.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Literacy. That's what made the difference. Luther and Gutenberg changed the fate of the world. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PtjcDmMiLw8/V2RY9RTPSoI/AAAAAAAACCQ/WQctP1llcEo/s640/blogger-image-1949259133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PtjcDmMiLw8/V2RY9RTPSoI/AAAAAAAACCQ/WQctP1llcEo/s640/blogger-image-1949259133.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>And as a note about the Finnish version of Lutheranism - the historical museum has a nice collection of statues and such from the Catholic era because, unlike many others who converted, the Finns didn't want to destroy the icons. They had all been donated to the churches and to destroy them would be disgracing their donors which no one wanted to do. </div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oNO5bL1_Epg/V2RY6V96OMI/AAAAAAAACCA/7sXiis4Be1o/s640/blogger-image--1936219050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oNO5bL1_Epg/V2RY6V96OMI/AAAAAAAACCA/7sXiis4Be1o/s640/blogger-image--1936219050.jpg"></a></div><br></div>It was also a tradition to gift model ships to the churchs in gratitude for getting home safely with cargo intact.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j-LbXgTKkbI/V2RbSldVBrI/AAAAAAAACCc/XQmlDEFPSrw/s640/blogger-image-191090642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j-LbXgTKkbI/V2RbSldVBrI/AAAAAAAACCc/XQmlDEFPSrw/s640/blogger-image-191090642.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SzMUwKjpIsQ/V2RY73MPL7I/AAAAAAAACCI/jtuLAp9eQjE/s640/blogger-image-570317874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SzMUwKjpIsQ/V2RY73MPL7I/AAAAAAAACCI/jtuLAp9eQjE/s640/blogger-image-570317874.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And now, Finland is ranked as the most literate nation in the world.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/mar/11/finland-ranked-worlds-most-literate-nation">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/mar/11/finland-ranked-worlds-most-literate-nation</a></div><div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-5145432795855616282016-06-16T06:41:00.001-07:002016-06-16T06:41:19.355-07:00H20<br><div>There are 789 islands within the borders of Finland and 187,888 lakes. <div>Plus, it's got 1250 km of coastline. </div><div>The Helsinki archipelago has 330 islands. </div><div>Here are a few photos. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tb-rqsQCQ-8/V2KsflJw3iI/AAAAAAAACBM/14kxThSXuNo/s640/blogger-image--2112416622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tb-rqsQCQ-8/V2KsflJw3iI/AAAAAAAACBM/14kxThSXuNo/s640/blogger-image--2112416622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fefpqTpkRds/V2Ksa1528WI/AAAAAAAACAw/siujTs2vphk/s640/blogger-image--2142784774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fefpqTpkRds/V2Ksa1528WI/AAAAAAAACAw/siujTs2vphk/s640/blogger-image--2142784774.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I3BrvkcX7h4/V2KscBuw-1I/AAAAAAAACA4/9ChwsDHiaJg/s640/blogger-image--652380741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I3BrvkcX7h4/V2KscBuw-1I/AAAAAAAACA4/9ChwsDHiaJg/s640/blogger-image--652380741.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That building is a new public sauna, which recently got a write up in the NYT. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IgcY_WgIKxo/V2KsdM3BPHI/AAAAAAAACBA/TWTCRRaMELE/s640/blogger-image-818889962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IgcY_WgIKxo/V2KsdM3BPHI/AAAAAAAACBA/TWTCRRaMELE/s640/blogger-image-818889962.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div></div><div>Icebreaker a at rest</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1p4rHjDt7ks/V2KseXlNaiI/AAAAAAAACBI/Dnk5F1dhaM4/s640/blogger-image-1066454828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1p4rHjDt7ks/V2KseXlNaiI/AAAAAAAACBI/Dnk5F1dhaM4/s640/blogger-image-1066454828.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Military, cruise and sailing ship</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5PVSzAhCquI/V2KsZtPyGhI/AAAAAAAACAo/GdEFtXRQRUc/s640/blogger-image--1199147461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5PVSzAhCquI/V2KsZtPyGhI/AAAAAAAACAo/GdEFtXRQRUc/s640/blogger-image--1199147461.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ready to set sail</div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-54975747691028254022016-06-14T10:19:00.001-07:002016-06-14T10:37:26.826-07:00Sunny skies, a little chop...<div><br></div>Today we went to Soumenlinna, an island just 2 km from the dock at Market Square in Helsinki and a Unesco World Heritage site. <div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PNTvdkUWvxo/V2A8m-T4SyI/AAAAAAAAB_g/KrrgC7vlujo/s640/blogger-image-1493952820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PNTvdkUWvxo/V2A8m-T4SyI/AAAAAAAAB_g/KrrgC7vlujo/s640/blogger-image-1493952820.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>It was begun as a Swedish fort in 1748, spent time as a Russian fortification and has been Finnish since independence in 1918. It's filled with lovely old building, amazing walls and now, some 500 folks actually live there, though it can only be reached by ferry. Also, cafes, restaurants and conference facilities and something that, given the people laying about on the lawn, Mark immediately referred to as the Bob Marley Hostel.</div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7SWDMZOV8i8/V2A8olBFdBI/AAAAAAAAB_o/IeKhlIbc05M/s640/blogger-image-844678432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7SWDMZOV8i8/V2A8olBFdBI/AAAAAAAAB_o/IeKhlIbc05M/s640/blogger-image-844678432.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These walls are about 30 feet tall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v_8jbJnnB4I/V2BAx5m2CpI/AAAAAAAAB_4/ONAJuW89Xiw/s640/blogger-image-451008709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v_8jbJnnB4I/V2BAx5m2CpI/AAAAAAAAB_4/ONAJuW89Xiw/s640/blogger-image-451008709.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rhc1NfnYioo/V2BA0ICJC_I/AAAAAAAACAM/x81zJSSL0fI/s640/blogger-image-923041043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rhc1NfnYioo/V2BA0ICJC_I/AAAAAAAACAM/x81zJSSL0fI/s640/blogger-image-923041043.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was where gunpowder was stored.</div></div><div><br></div><div>The weather was wonderful and we walked the length of the island. We boarded the boat to return and just as we pulled away, I realized that my jacket was no longer with me. I asked the young woman who worked on the boat what she thought I should do. She called the main number of the island, asked about a lost and found and gave me the number. She then suggested we get off at the next island and wait for the boat back to the dock to go look for the jacket. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MKhF2Xd9mHQ/V2BAzH1RvyI/AAAAAAAACAE/Pzepl27xQNo/s640/blogger-image-1635297657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MKhF2Xd9mHQ/V2BAzH1RvyI/AAAAAAAACAE/Pzepl27xQNo/s640/blogger-image-1635297657.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>We did. The next island was tiny tiny and had only a small cafe, so we waited 35 minutes for the next boat and headed wence we had come. As soon as we pulled in, I saw my jacket on a rock and yelled to a boarding passenger to bring it aboard. HURRAY! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-znthBk0M0Iw/V2BA1VSxh5I/AAAAAAAACAQ/SkqjjlsrlcM/s640/blogger-image-1424040805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-znthBk0M0Iw/V2BA1VSxh5I/AAAAAAAACAQ/SkqjjlsrlcM/s640/blogger-image-1424040805.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It was a nice warm ride back to the city, and as we pulled in I saw the young woman who had been so helpful standing on her boat. I jumped and waved, pointed to my jacket and she gave me a thumbs up. </div><div><br></div><div>But that's nothing compared to my poor Sis, who took a spill last night that necessitated a trip to the hospital, which gave her a clean bill of health and a very small bill to pay (About $150 INCLUDING a CT scan, but do not get me started!) but she's bruised and STILL has no luggage! </div><div><br></div><div>But here is a truism from the coffee tent in the Market Square ---</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NXIscyMj1w0/V2BAwtpW7NI/AAAAAAAAB_0/ef8hFOsCuU0/s640/blogger-image-1462249916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NXIscyMj1w0/V2BAwtpW7NI/AAAAAAAAB_0/ef8hFOsCuU0/s640/blogger-image-1462249916.jpg"></a></div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-58108990693635906242016-06-12T10:08:00.001-07:002016-06-12T10:08:07.119-07:00Strawberry sommelier needed<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2FUcJ-k7QNc/V11_cQc9GHI/AAAAAAAAB-g/xkdZVyzsMaQ/s640/blogger-image--1106226006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2FUcJ-k7QNc/V11_cQc9GHI/AAAAAAAAB-g/xkdZVyzsMaQ/s640/blogger-image--1106226006.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Who knew there were half a dozen types of strawberries from which to choose, each with subtle differences. I pointed to a basket, handed over my €s and was not disappointed! They exploded with flavor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's strawberry season in Finland and here at the market, which is outdoors every day with produce, crafts and hot food to eat, here by the docks where the boats ferry you to some of Finland's many islands or Stockholm, we ended up with a Sunday morning brunch <font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">of smelt, an actual mess of smelt, as that the the collective noun used for smelt. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wuJTdl2uKs/V12W8dIcQLI/AAAAAAAAB-4/hhqt8Syy6TU/s640/blogger-image--640829746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wuJTdl2uKs/V12W8dIcQLI/AAAAAAAAB-4/hhqt8Syy6TU/s640/blogger-image--640829746.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was seated in an orange tent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Me with sister Sandi and her husband, Richard, who arrived half a day before us but alas! Sandi's luggage did not arrive with her. Note my flying jacket - it is windy and in the 50s. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qRyEDUzbeGA/V12W7djuwJI/AAAAAAAAB-w/m289KMa-uCc/s640/blogger-image--1160160993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qRyEDUzbeGA/V12W7djuwJI/AAAAAAAAB-w/m289KMa-uCc/s640/blogger-image--1160160993.jpg"></a></div></div><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Helsinki Cathedral</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6qiF6db3Ly4/V11_bNFld0I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/GCuocCrbP4A/s640/blogger-image--778568790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6qiF6db3Ly4/V11_bNFld0I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/GCuocCrbP4A/s640/blogger-image--778568790.jpg"></a></div></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Lutheran. Eighty percent of Finns say they are Lutheran, but few are regular church goers. The second most popular religion is Eastern Orthodox, at 1%.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">It was a rather spartan interior, especially compared to the dripping with riches and bleeding saint mannequins of Spain. Charmingly, and oh so Finnish (they have long been HUGE coffee drinkers; not sure I ever saw my Dad drink anything else) there is a coffee shop down in the basement where various charities bake the goods and staff the shop as fund raisers for their group. We truly enjoyed our home baked goodies provided this week by Red Cross volunteers. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LGYJ0wDWUSI/V12W9Sbv2EI/AAAAAAAAB_A/DKtOWkf-aas/s640/blogger-image-414366611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LGYJ0wDWUSI/V12W9Sbv2EI/AAAAAAAAB_A/DKtOWkf-aas/s640/blogger-image-414366611.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Did I mention that it is Helsinki Day! Events all over the city and people strolling up and down the esplanade. We were quite enamored by this lovely lady - such style! </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mHf1vogEN74/V11_Z4t9NjI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/rRXE90orUxw/s640/blogger-image-1571353773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mHf1vogEN74/V11_Z4t9NjI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/rRXE90orUxw/s640/blogger-image-1571353773.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-42263345585448742792016-06-11T08:43:00.001-07:002016-06-11T12:38:03.080-07:00Sun, sun, sun, here it comesSo as we leave Denmark, here are random reflections...<div><br></div><div>1. Not many non-Anglos. The place feels clean and prosperous, which doesn't mean that they don't have gypsy beggars and bus stop hanging winos. And skater punks! </div><div>2. Perhaps our cab driver wasn't comfortablely fluent in English, but everyone else was, right down to colloquialisms. When I ordered the cab, I asked for a price estimate and the woman said "Worse case scenario..." </div><div>3. I found the museums lacking, but then I'm sort of a museum snob. </div><div>4. There some serious tanning going on. Saw so many golden brown Danes, and while some may have been from the parlor, I think it's just a northern tendency to worship the sun when you have it and dress like it's really hot out when it's about 62 degrees. Sitting outside to have a drink, even in 25mph winds on a chilly day, is A-OK as long as there is sun. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vvHu69JTrQU/V1xcZXW2hiI/AAAAAAAAB9s/qu6mQmPaaCk/s640/blogger-image--455568277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vvHu69JTrQU/V1xcZXW2hiI/AAAAAAAAB9s/qu6mQmPaaCk/s640/blogger-image--455568277.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This place was in the Brooklyn of Copenhagen, but there are similarly crowded places all over town. We ambled down to a well reviewed restaurant called Gorilla and indulged in snacks of scallops, octopus and something they called a Korean hotdog - in other words, kimchi instead of sauerkraut. Also in this 'hood...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5OYo4mWADJs/V1xcbvI6C3I/AAAAAAAAB98/cl3VAxG6Y3Y/s640/blogger-image--786716480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5OYo4mWADJs/V1xcbvI6C3I/AAAAAAAAB98/cl3VAxG6Y3Y/s640/blogger-image--786716480.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We were not the only ones taking pictures. </div><div><br></div><div>And I close with a better photo of the pharmacy unicorn.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jGbY2Ud0epQ/V1xcaoc-j-I/AAAAAAAAB90/eZ7IkGCcPfE/s640/blogger-image-2120258860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jGbY2Ud0epQ/V1xcaoc-j-I/AAAAAAAAB90/eZ7IkGCcPfE/s640/blogger-image-2120258860.jpg"></a></div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-43059225204268043772016-06-10T06:42:00.001-07:002016-06-10T10:21:44.709-07:00Why not Sweden?The great thing about Europe- you can go to another country with little planning. As a matter of fact, no one checkd our ID as we entered Sweden and no one checked to see if we really had train tickets either. Crazy! <div><br></div><div>We had not intended to visit Sweden on this trip, but when we discovered it was just a short train ride from Copenhagen, it was why not? So off to Malmö we went. </div><div><br></div><div>It was graduation time in sunny Malmö and groups of students, girls dressed in white, boys in dark blazers, all wearing captain's hats, stroll the street singing, blowing whistles and making a ruckus. And why not?</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R6pW1O4ALrQ/V1r2dRoe5OI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/xE3zMrUm7zw/s640/blogger-image-2082839451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R6pW1O4ALrQ/V1r2dRoe5OI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/xE3zMrUm7zw/s640/blogger-image-2082839451.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I noted that the students in hijab were in their own group, though still in tight white, but no skin showing, outfits. In fact, I saw far more women in hijab these few hours in Sweden than in 4 days in Denmark. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also, in Copenhagen, unlike other European cities, no churches are touted as tourist attractions. Below is St. Peter's in Malmö. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oRA38984e9I/V1r2ciM2XTI/AAAAAAAAB9I/fOEyBWjPUSg/s640/blogger-image--1289609503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oRA38984e9I/V1r2ciM2XTI/AAAAAAAAB9I/fOEyBWjPUSg/s640/blogger-image--1289609503.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNR0WY1DyXg/V1r2bjtcERI/AAAAAAAAB9A/d_G4XEwgwvw/s640/blogger-image-1552055239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNR0WY1DyXg/V1r2bjtcERI/AAAAAAAAB9A/d_G4XEwgwvw/s640/blogger-image-1552055239.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Other cathedrals we visit are below. We like trains and we especially like train stations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c2IMUBs4-t0/V1r2eXrdfbI/AAAAAAAAB9U/C60v2mGIOkY/s640/blogger-image-815682676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c2IMUBs4-t0/V1r2eXrdfbI/AAAAAAAAB9U/C60v2mGIOkY/s640/blogger-image-815682676.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tjZX3YwwzKM/V1r2arrBqUI/AAAAAAAAB88/0vrPt_yzzfE/s640/blogger-image--276157176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tjZX3YwwzKM/V1r2arrBqUI/AAAAAAAAB88/0vrPt_yzzfE/s640/blogger-image--276157176.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I think my next post will be reflections on Copenhagen as seen in the rear view mirror.</div><br></div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-25399911068085808782016-06-10T06:27:00.001-07:002016-06-10T06:42:39.910-07:00An unflat circle<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2hDXmy29Q-8/V1rALmy3XeI/AAAAAAAAB8g/oMFtoVT-99c/s640/blogger-image--744750487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2hDXmy29Q-8/V1rALmy3XeI/AAAAAAAAB8g/oMFtoVT-99c/s640/blogger-image--744750487.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's a city with many spirals for us to walk.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Above is the interior of the "Round Tower" which is attached to Trinity Church and was built in 1642. It's 7.5 spirals around a hollow core and the view is quite nice there is an observatory on top, one of the oldest in Europe. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SvY3Ckvo7Sc/V1rDz6he95I/AAAAAAAAB8s/pr0G03QY5UE/s640/blogger-image--1344496635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SvY3Ckvo7Sc/V1rDz6he95I/AAAAAAAAB8s/pr0G03QY5UE/s640/blogger-image--1344496635.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><div><br></div><div>Mark climbed to the top of this church, which seems to be visible from nearly everywhere we are, including the window of our flat.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QP590C2Te0M/V1rAK5CbB0I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/Ff6n2ZaA-OQ/s640/blogger-image-1049413142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QP590C2Te0M/V1rAK5CbB0I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/Ff6n2ZaA-OQ/s640/blogger-image-1049413142.jpg"></a></div>You probably can't see it, but the symbol over the door of the pharmacy is a unicorn.</div><div><br></div><div>And here is the staircase from the kitchen to the courtyard. We are on the 3rd floor. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WoeRNuV-uWI/V1rAJ2FMImI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/MJIEQoN9iz0/s640/blogger-image-1932946462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WoeRNuV-uWI/V1rAJ2FMImI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/MJIEQoN9iz0/s640/blogger-image-1932946462.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Vacationing is hard work. </div></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-69574471195046421022016-06-09T12:32:00.001-07:002016-06-09T12:43:39.259-07:00Uncle Walt was Right.<div><br></div><div>It's a small world after all. </div><div>This is us with Daniel, whose neighbors we were for basically his entire childhood and whose Mom is dog sitting for us right now. After a couple of months in Israel, this young man is bumming around Europe with his giant rucksack and two skateboards. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lIj871bStoo/V1nG5fTH6NI/AAAAAAAAB74/u7234thc5Es/s640/blogger-image-378126547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lIj871bStoo/V1nG5fTH6NI/AAAAAAAAB74/u7234thc5Es/s640/blogger-image-378126547.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>We met up in Christiana, close to our apartment, which was an abandoned military base was taken over by hippies in the 70s who squatted there and declared it a free town. There's a skatepark, among other things, and lots of tiny shops selling pot and hash. There are also groups of tourists being lead thru by guides but there is a no photos rule, which we broke just a little. What surprised me was the suits I saw there, getting baked on their lunch hours.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7pZzxX_EMg/V1nG6QQXdnI/AAAAAAAAB78/9Etko9t9eqc/s640/blogger-image--1211684767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7pZzxX_EMg/V1nG6QQXdnI/AAAAAAAAB78/9Etko9t9eqc/s640/blogger-image--1211684767.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Here's is the city's official take on Christiana...</div><div> <a href="http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/culture/alternative-christiania" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/culture/alternative-christiania</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-89357071327777564042016-06-08T22:59:00.001-07:002016-06-08T23:13:01.156-07:00Coffee and a Danish<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uBoppVJt9eI/V1kF2mE6EuI/AAAAAAAAB7k/0XxcljYwd2U/s640/blogger-image-392028424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uBoppVJt9eI/V1kF2mE6EuI/AAAAAAAAB7k/0XxcljYwd2U/s640/blogger-image-392028424.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was early Tuesday evening when we arrived, exhausted but exhilarated as always. The flat is beautiful, the weather mild and we bought groceries and ate pizza and fell asleep.</span></div><div><br></div><div>When dawn broke, I stretched and yawned and silently cursed the screeching birds and prepared to get up. I grabbed a device to check the time and it was 3:30. Yes, morning comes freaking early this far north and the bedroom window mini blinds do little to block the light. </div><div><br></div><div>Here is what I know so far ---</div><div>1. Not everyone here is a blue-eyed blond, but the percentage is very high. Much to my liking, the hair I have always hated, my stick-straight, baby fine hair is the norm! I envy none. </div><div><br></div><div>2. Not everyone speaks English. We simply haven't come across anyone who doesn't. </div><div><br></div><div>3. Like the rest of Europe, excellent mass transit but with a twist - it's the honor system. What! Can you imagine that in NYC? The Danes are a rule following people. There can be no cars in sight and they will still wait for the walk signal. </div><div><br></div><div>Time now for photos. It was a gray day and chilly, too. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-swRcSMVKpVA/V1kF1idZ1dI/AAAAAAAAB7c/UkPBeoBe0Rc/s640/blogger-image--1726349087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-swRcSMVKpVA/V1kF1idZ1dI/AAAAAAAAB7c/UkPBeoBe0Rc/s640/blogger-image--1726349087.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This is the famous Church of Our Savior, with the exterior spiral staircase which Mark climbed. I waved to him. It's 400 steps, the last 150 outdoors and Mark said it was scary up top.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1UPg--pt5kU/V1kFXayiS9I/AAAAAAAAB60/QQn_pSMRH14/s640/blogger-image--919204638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1UPg--pt5kU/V1kFXayiS9I/AAAAAAAAB60/QQn_pSMRH14/s640/blogger-image--919204638.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went to the Royal Palace where today, the parliament meets, and learned that this huge and not especially attractive building is actually the third in this location, as two previous ones burnt to the ground, one after only 54 years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the evening, we took a boat (part of their metro system) up to the Danish Design Museum. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Mj0Y4z2kIk/V1kFy8pk1EI/AAAAAAAAB7E/CjVx6oesHmQ/s640/blogger-image-1824974180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Mj0Y4z2kIk/V1kFy8pk1EI/AAAAAAAAB7E/CjVx6oesHmQ/s640/blogger-image-1824974180.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WTPTr0Oit1c/V1kFzj0pbaI/AAAAAAAAB7M/bsh9aVRkzgM/s640/blogger-image--1066304224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WTPTr0Oit1c/V1kFzj0pbaI/AAAAAAAAB7M/bsh9aVRkzgM/s640/blogger-image--1066304224.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JOWEdtq9ZSc/V1kF0rA2kcI/AAAAAAAAB7U/lHTziUoP6Wk/s640/blogger-image-1859332512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JOWEdtq9ZSc/V1kF0rA2kcI/AAAAAAAAB7U/lHTziUoP6Wk/s640/blogger-image-1859332512.jpg"></a></div><br></div>They had an exhibit of clothing. This is a maternity corset. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And like children, we find it funny that the word fart, meaning motion, shows up again and again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XR0vNtJLdks/V1kFyGDHcCI/AAAAAAAAB68/egNTC5RhaPQ/s640/blogger-image-74848420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XR0vNtJLdks/V1kFyGDHcCI/AAAAAAAAB68/egNTC5RhaPQ/s640/blogger-image-74848420.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-47840348981497716492015-11-15T12:54:00.001-08:002015-11-16T05:10:48.415-08:00Random Word Generator, Part 2<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As someone who has always avoided designer brands and visible logos, (You want to use my body as a billboard? Pay me.) I find the global desire for our brands fascinating. Non-American companies try to pull off the Anglo vibe and it works well for them. In a previous post, I talked about Springfield, a Spanish brand whose everything in-store is in English.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A Danish company is the biggest European clothes seller in China, and it's brands are :</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Pieces</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Only</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mamalicious - maternity, of course</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Selected Femme </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And Jack & Jones, the non-American logo we saw most often except for...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pull & Bear, a Spanish brand with stores everywhere. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(See the Abercrombie & Fitch influence? Europeans still crave that brand and line up round the block to get into their store on 5th Ave.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Other slogans, maker unknown, we saw while in Iberia.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Jeans Intelligence</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Dresen Power</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Infinite D 62 coded</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> This is a perfect low (on a seemingly cheerful looking woman in her 40s)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> NY Sunday Voltage Dirt Club , (in a circular design, of course.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Minnesota, NY (Where the Voltage Dirt club is?)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Palm Beach Rugby Beach Team, Old Tigers (Highly unlikely.) </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Incunabula (It means a book published before 1501. Also, good metal band name.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And when weary of just throwing together words, how about letters?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On a man purse at Heathrow in largish font - </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> POLO</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">VIDENG</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Available now on both Alibaba and Amazon. Honest. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Got few photos, as most things passed by quickly. Must admit I loved the cheek of the last one, seen in a shop in Lisbon that does small run stuff locally.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The more fonts the better. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gm7JVhvETus/VklLkh5VeoI/AAAAAAAAB5M/M7qeCFDjWN4/s640/blogger-image-1541956930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gm7JVhvETus/VklLkh5VeoI/AAAAAAAAB5M/M7qeCFDjWN4/s640/blogger-image-1541956930.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Can't fault the sentiment</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EjXf15cfQn4/VklLg5uQyRI/AAAAAAAAB48/J7fNceAnSLk/s640/blogger-image-54521052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EjXf15cfQn4/VklLg5uQyRI/AAAAAAAAB48/J7fNceAnSLk/s640/blogger-image-54521052.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IJOxDSbeHY0/VklOYo4KCDI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/hKCsbvCXQMI/s640/blogger-image-265334782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IJOxDSbeHY0/VklOYo4KCDI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/hKCsbvCXQMI/s640/blogger-image-265334782.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not really sure what the designer was trying to say. I say this is George Bush. Mark isn't so sure. </div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleTallBody;"><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-24398795225630427062015-11-13T07:33:00.001-08:002015-11-14T05:18:16.514-08:00<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lisbon. Lisboa. Why do I like you so?<br><br>Sure, I'm swayed by the perfect weather we find here, the clean and easy subways, the charming old buildings, many faced with ceramic tiles. The wide river adds a nice breeze and andpoint for all to gather and see the sun go down. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3NkAiNA4d8Y/VkczhRDPUZI/AAAAAAAAB4E/jCmjTgQPDbY/s640/blogger-image-909314873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3NkAiNA4d8Y/VkczhRDPUZI/AAAAAAAAB4E/jCmjTgQPDbY/s640/blogger-image-909314873.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>It's much smaller than Madrid and much grittier. Many buildings empty, derelict, in need of TLC.<br>But there is something about the art that talented taggers have painted, perhaps by invitation (there is a tour of Street Art) that charms. Buildings are often cheerfully painted, lots of peach, sky blue, Big Bird yellow and Pepto Bismol pink. The official palace is pink. But there is also lots of grime and mildew and plants growing out of roofs, unintentionally. Portugal is poorer than Spain and it shows. But they try to make beauty where they can.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k3NX27WbS8E/VkczoPIYo9I/AAAAAAAAB4g/7HmJGT5PqR0/s640/blogger-image-1011891390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k3NX27WbS8E/VkczoPIYo9I/AAAAAAAAB4g/7HmJGT5PqR0/s640/blogger-image-1011891390.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Ec12-oidPI/Vkczp8XezvI/AAAAAAAAB4o/HyQE2ekzMto/s640/blogger-image-850887628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Ec12-oidPI/Vkczp8XezvI/AAAAAAAAB4o/HyQE2ekzMto/s640/blogger-image-850887628.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Right down to their many mosaic sidewalks and plazas. </div><br>Ran into no one who didn't speak English, though we spoke mostly to those who deal with tourists and/or are young. There was a friendliness evident, but who knows if it was sincere. <br>Maybe Portugal is simply Spain without the arrogance. I was annoyed in Madrid at how fellow pedestrians refused to acknowledge my presence and simply expected me to move. I had to step into the street more than once or simply be mowed down. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They have bullfights in Portugal but they don't kill the bull. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In Spain, the dish that's presented as the culinary pinnacle is a roasted suckling pig.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In Portugal, it's all about cod. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the flea market in Madrid, police were out in force checking people's permits to sell. At the Lisbon flea, it was a free for all - anybody could throw a blanket on the sidewalk and vend their garage sale stuff.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lisbon is a city so vertical, part of their metro system is funiculars and elevators. They have elevators to get you from one neighborhood to another. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nCbEcADKGEc/Vkczklf-pfI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/Yy26hqeNzFU/s640/blogger-image--642753945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nCbEcADKGEc/Vkczklf-pfI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/Yy26hqeNzFU/s640/blogger-image--642753945.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like many cities, this one has statues aplenty, in the squares and atop the buildings. But what I noticed is how often they were women - warriors, protectors, and bestowers of reward. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IB0i2H9BlBE/Vkczdv8prmI/AAAAAAAAB30/9LWOftQ808Y/s640/blogger-image-831578918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IB0i2H9BlBE/Vkczdv8prmI/AAAAAAAAB30/9LWOftQ808Y/s640/blogger-image-831578918.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ibrBrs7UXCU/VkczfgQhDcI/AAAAAAAAB38/adZ0bNqwHvA/s640/blogger-image--1591667228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ibrBrs7UXCU/VkczfgQhDcI/AAAAAAAAB38/adZ0bNqwHvA/s640/blogger-image--1591667228.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SC1r7Kj6BVg/VkczmYXOfKI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/uvltCQQzLy0/s640/blogger-image-2073717312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SC1r7Kj6BVg/VkczmYXOfKI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/uvltCQQzLy0/s640/blogger-image-2073717312.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Note, too that the recipient on the left is a woman. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So yes, even though we were victims of theft and Mark was felled by an intestinal bug for a couple of days (which erupted in me when we got home) and our original hotel ended up being quite unsuitable and I had to hustle to find a room among the hoards of tourists from Germany and France, it just felt right. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next big trip - don't ask. Still recovering from this. There will be at least one more post of photos that didn't fit elsewhere. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-36158360968001263232015-11-06T23:23:00.001-08:002015-11-08T07:12:41.554-08:00Road Report -Iberia<div><br></div><div>Back in Lisbon, we turned in the car yesterday. </div><div><br></div><div>The highways of Iberia are in excellent condition, though somewhat better in Spain than Portugal. Everything in Spain seems in a bit better shape than Portugal; a reflection of their economies. The highways are mostly free in Spain, mostly toll in Portugal.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZdOQgT25mb8/Vj8BFKpVFqI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/miPcObnagWE/s640/blogger-image--1465599008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZdOQgT25mb8/Vj8BFKpVFqI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/miPcObnagWE/s640/blogger-image--1465599008.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The drives were really very nice. This whole place is far more mountainous than I knew and so much greener than I expected. In terms of topography, much of what we saw was quite similar to central Texas, only very green, so Hill Country Texas for those few weeks in spring. And many more trees. And far more agricultural. </div><div><br></div><div>Adding to the attractiveness of the drive - no billboards. No mobile homes. No yards filled with junk cars. </div><div><br></div><div>Detracting? So much graffiti, ugly blotches and run of the mill tags, sometimes even on historic buildings but nearly always on highway walls. On rare occasions, it's good. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3CEOSrvYCf8/Vj8A_94bRcI/AAAAAAAAB3M/rYaITECjMpA/s640/blogger-image-1741714149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3CEOSrvYCf8/Vj8A_94bRcI/AAAAAAAAB3M/rYaITECjMpA/s640/blogger-image-1741714149.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This was at the end of an ancient wall in Granada where they had covered it with reinforcing concrete, visible only if you climbed to the top floor of a home from the time of the Moors. </div><div><br></div><div>Saw millions of olive trees. They seemingly grow anywhere, including up the sides of mountains. Saw trees that looked like oaks (from a speeding car at least) obviously planted in rows and couldn't figure out why till I saw some that had recently been harvested - they were cork trees. </div><div><br></div><div>Gas expensive? Yup. We paid $5-$6 - gallon, but that came as no surprise. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mark says the Renault Clio impressed him. Handled well and got about 42 mpg. (I drove almost none.) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-786mNOCeOiw/Vj9lesEsmPI/AAAAAAAAB3k/WKIUhlHlC0I/s640/blogger-image--1278732747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-786mNOCeOiw/Vj9lesEsmPI/AAAAAAAAB3k/WKIUhlHlC0I/s640/blogger-image--1278732747.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div>We saw so many car brands - about 20 European brands, including the Spanish made SEAT (it's an acronym) now owned by VW, and the Czech made Skoda, now owned by VW. Also saw all the Japanese and Korean brands, but for all of the above, mostly models not sold in the US. Only American car we saw was an occasional Ford. Saw one Honda CRV - our car back home - and it looked huge. </div><div><br></div><div>The roadside convenience stores were very clean and well stocked and had clean "aseos" which are also called "W.C." which I always thought was a British term and likely is because English is everywhere. Everywhere and all the time. </div><div><br></div><div>All the stop signs are red hexagons that say STOP. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377823050362632677.post-3965243949416413872015-11-06T11:55:00.001-08:002015-11-06T12:10:33.247-08:00Ruined by RuinsEvora, Portugal, yet another Uneso World Heritage Site.<div>This peninsula is filthy with them. </div><div>We have seen so many churches and castles and quaint, narrow streets we have overdosed.</div><div><br></div><div>Only 500 years old? Yawn. We are already jaded. </div><div><br></div><div>But Roman ruins, well, that's different. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bcsSgvcCT_0/Vj0FpGgFPhI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/mOg-l4B46z8/s640/blogger-image--1538196414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bcsSgvcCT_0/Vj0FpGgFPhI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/mOg-l4B46z8/s640/blogger-image--1538196414.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The photo above was taken by Fred, our tuk-tuk tour guide.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zdhC5NA5bd4/Vj0FrY1HhII/AAAAAAAAB2g/TniE95PIOBc/s640/blogger-image-65836297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zdhC5NA5bd4/Vj0FrY1HhII/AAAAAAAAB2g/TniE95PIOBc/s640/blogger-image-65836297.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">His English is excellent and this is his business. An entrepreneur. We wish him well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally, on Friday the sun came thru. We headed west to investigate the Almendres Stone Circle, oldest in Europe,<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> thought to be 4-5 centuries BC. Not quite the tourist attraction Stonehenge is, as it's simply a cow path that leads there. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QJV-EuYtX3I/Vj0JLfs-gHI/AAAAAAAAB20/nfnjkFfK68c/s640/blogger-image--1938085507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QJV-EuYtX3I/Vj0JLfs-gHI/AAAAAAAAB20/nfnjkFfK68c/s640/blogger-image--1938085507.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The muddy parking area had a couple of camper vehicles in it and when we walked to the stones, we came upon a young woman engaged in her sun salutations. French hippies. The remnants of their campfire remained in the center of the stone circle. Which is more of an oval.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCWVX5eOkwE/Vj0JNDkOR7I/AAAAAAAAB28/7HLnQVpxGnE/s640/blogger-image-407508084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCWVX5eOkwE/Vj0JNDkOR7I/AAAAAAAAB28/7HLnQVpxGnE/s640/blogger-image-407508084.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-srjOmGSITZU/Vj0JJkok7AI/AAAAAAAAB2s/LFwCSRiWJ4k/s640/blogger-image-571076457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-srjOmGSITZU/Vj0JJkok7AI/AAAAAAAAB2s/LFwCSRiWJ4k/s640/blogger-image-571076457.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div>And of course they do line up with the sun. Note me in the pic for a sense of their size. </div><div><br></div><div>Nothing like the sun to lift spirits. </div>S & Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18088983812519478539noreply@blogger.com0