The pandemic may have temporarily halted my travels but not my dreams. I have a lot of time reflect.
Some of my most memorable experiences were not planned. Like the time we had to bribe a police officer in Tijuana so our car doesn't get towed. In my early travel days, we barely had money. I slept in a rental car on the beach in Ensenada.
I slept on the floor during a flight to Hong Kong. Now as an adult, I can buy a better seat on the plane.
I ate like royalty in Asia but also got spat on.
I got scolded at the central market in Barcelona for taking a plastic produce bag from a vendor stall...but a fruit vendor in Florence hand selected wonderful peaches for me.
I was laughed at by the ticket vendor at the train station in Vernazza, while butchering the Italian language...but a postal clerk in Paris spoke English to me when he heard me speak bad French. (this was pre-Google translate)
We got lost in Rome one night and it started to rain; I hailed a taxi back to the apartment only to realize the driver only had to drive around the corner and down one block. (this was pre-GPS)
We marveled at architecture in Budapest, savored sumptuous art in Italy, saw amazing antiquities in Turkey and Greece.
We climbed the majestic Alps in Switzerland, rowed through pristine alpine lakes in Austria, toured fairytale castles in Germany, and soaked up the Mediterranean sun in the French Riviera.
In Bosnia, we saw bomb out buildings and cried when I visited cemeteries where the deceased all died in 1992. I watched a bullfight in Mexico only to discover the animal gets killed in the end. My heart sank deep.
We visited sex shops in Amsterdam.
We were surrounded by hundreds of bees in Slovenia with 3 feet of netting covering our heads; arms and legs fully exposed, we left unscathed.
I drank more beer in Germany than I have in my lifetime.
In the Czech Republic I drank bottled water that cost more than a beer.
I had my first "Americano" while I was in Croatia.
Gimmelwald, Switzerland - Discovering Alpine villages where waterfalls seem to appear out of nowhere
Colmar, France near the German border was surprisingly spared from allied bombings during WWII.
Athens, Greece - Locals call these “Sleeping Dogs”. They wander the streets and plop themselves at random spots to sleep, but they’re not strays. The community feeds them and even takes them to a vet if they’re sick.
Santorini, Greece - Immensely touristy but if you’re willing to explore, you can find quiet spots
Kutna Hora, Czech Republic - about an hour from Prague, this haunting bone church’s centerpiece chandelier is reported to include every bone of the human body
Hallstatt, Austria - one of the most beautiful towns in Europe had its heyday from salt mining
Budapest, Hungary - after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the parliament is currently only 15% in use.
Dubrovnik, Croatia - fortified by thick walls all around the city from early invaders but unfortunately, was not spared from modern day artillery in the early 1990's Balkans conflicts
Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina- Bosnians will be quick to remind you this is not Turkish coffee; it’s Bosnian coffee. The way you prepare and drink it is intended to be slow and deliberate. The message is you’re savoring and sharing precious moments of time with friends.
Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina - this original bridge built by the Ottomans 400 years ago was pummeled to rubble by Croat bombing during the Balkans war in the early 1990’s. Rebuilt in 2005, it now stands as a symbol of reconciliation as they continue to mend fences.
Neuschwanstein Castle (also known as Mad King Ludwig’s castle) near Munich, Germany looks medieval but is only 150 years old
Eze Village, France - yes, this is a bonafide public street
Istanbul, Turkey - Topkapi Palace (the Sultan’s palace)
Cappadocia, Turkey - Central Turkey is famous for their other-worldly landscapes of fairy chimneys, cave churches, underground cities, and trochodyte houses
Vatican City, Italy - don’t be fooled by appearances. These are young soldiers, military trained by the Swiss Army to guard the Vatican and the Pope.
Florence, Italy - a two story produce market
Vernazza, Italy - one of five village strung together by a footpath.
Hong Kong fishermen
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