FUN-travel: Summer 2012 – Trip Recap
September 26, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Summer 2012 – Trip Recap
- Trip Recap – My travel mantra is, “I want to be surprised, but not pissed off.” Travel is very personal! We are trying to figure the best mix of land and cruising for us. We specifically broke up the Spain trip because we didn’t want to constantly be driving. (lesson learned from last year in Ireland, Scotland, England and Belgium) And we don’t want to just cruise because you miss staying in the towns and cities and really getting the “local flavor.”
- We take six to eight week trips because it is physically and financially expensive to fly out of the country. We only have so many airline miles left for our “free” tickets. (you still have to pay the taxes which get quite hefty when you fly to Europe) And we have decided that flying is no FUN! (Like it used to be in the “good old days” or unless you’re in 1st class, which we don’t want to pay for.) So the fewer flights the better for us. The baggage weight limits and charges are enough to make you crazy – even when you fly the same airline! We’ve encountered everything from Baggage Police to Baggage Nazi’s (those trying to take our carry ons at the boarding gate, when there was plenty of overhead space, seriously!)
- Size does matter when it comes to a hotel/cabin. It needs to have enough room so that you can walk around the bed without the other person having to move out of the way. We now check out the size before we book. We are boycotting Marriott hotels because they still charge for internet in 2012! Really!
Barcelona
- Rick Steves books have been an invaluable source of information for us. We have found places we never knew existed and have followed his advice on everything from tours to restaurant choices to hotel rooms. Just remember to make sure they have an elevator and A/C if that is a priority for you!
- And last but not least, remember that when you travel as Rick says, “It’s intensified living – maximum thrills per minute and one of the last great sources of legal adventure. Travel is freedom. It’s recess, and we need it. Of course, travel, like the world, is a series of hills and valleys. Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic. If something’s not to your liking, change your liking.”
FF (FUN-fact) – In Pamplona during the Running of the Bulls everyone wears white pants & shirts with red sash belts and red kerchiefs.
More FF – If you plan on going to any festivals in Spain or Italy, and like us, want to experience “being there but without the crowds” contact our new Tomatina friend Jacopo at www.jacopodellatorre.com. We plan on seeing him again when we go back to Italy.
FUN-travel: Barcelona, Spain to San Diego
September 26, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Barcelona, Spain to San Diego
Trip Day 55 – Tuesday, September 4 – Barcelona, Spain to London, UK to HOME!
What I LIKE
Parc Güell
- love spending money & hate wasting it
- save $87 Euro on hotel room by staying @ airport
- airport shuttle only takes 10 min
- 7:15 – take off on time
- British Airways Heathrow lounge has full buffet of hot & cold food items all day long – full bar too!
- free, fast internet
- non-stop from Heathrow to San Diego
What I DIDN’T LIKE
- 4:30 am wake up call for 7:45 am flight to London
- have to take train to satellite terminal for flight
- having 6 hr layover
- taking so long to get home!
Parc Güell
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #425: Acoustic
September 26, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #425: Acoustic
Acoustic – having to do with hearing or with sound.
Have you ever heard an acoustical guitar performance? Have you ever been in a building that was known for its great acoustics? Are you like me and know the word but didn’t know what it meant exactly?
Last week I wrote about taking my 94-year-old father to Anthology for his birthday. It is a very intimate 225 seat supper club in the Little Italy section of downtown San Diego. We went to see the Count Basie band. They are billed as a 19-piece orchestra. They filled the stage! Count Basie formed the band in 1936 and conducted it up until his death in 1984. Four of the current musicians that played are from the original band.
Several times during the show the band leader Dennis Mackrel said, “We are an acoustical band.” I was puzzled by what he meant when he said that. I had heard of an acoustical guitar but had no idea what that meant.
Curiosity got the better of me so when I got home I looked it up. Like many words in the dictionary it has several meanings. With regard to being an acoustical band, that definition is – an instrument that does not produce or enhance sound electronically.
Anthology is a really special place. I love that I can sit at a table, have dinner and actually see the people on the stage. It only takes 20 minutes to get there and parking is easy. Another great place we have taken my dad is to Thorton Winery in Temecula. That’s more difficult now that he is getting older because it is so far. Both of these venues have spectacular sound equipment and lighting and the acoustics are fabulous. That definition means – designed to respond to, absorb, or control sound.
So this week I wish you an acoustical adventure. What kind of music would bring you the greatest pleasure? Who could you invite to share that experience with? Did you experience any Epicurean delights last week? If not, it’s not too late!
Reader Responses
“I have seen a few “acoustic” concert tours during my lifetime. One of the most surprising was that of the late Dan Fogelberg. We had tickets to see him perform at the Rockford Civic Center in Rockford, IL. When we purchased the tickets we were not aware that he would be performing a “solo acoustic” show. So, suffice it to say we were disappointed when he came out by himself, accompanied by a guitar and his piano. As her performed, we were impressed with his musicianship and enjoyed the songs with simply the spare accompaniment. It was an excellent experience. I was similarly impressed with James Taylor’s “One Man Band” tour, where he played his songs as they were originally meant to be played; however, he was accompanied by a pianist, Larry Goldings, who was excellent. Several years ago, some of the biggest names in the business decided to re-record their songs and perform them, unplugged. Which is another name used for these type of acoustical tours. We don’t see or hear much of the unplugged business anymore, so it has probably run its course. The acoustic element really makes us LISTEN. I think that is the most important aspect. We focus more on the melody, the tune, the words, than the volume of the supporting instruments and amplifiers. It strips away everything but the essential music. That is what makes it great. Back in 1980, I saw Earl Klugh and Bob James, the jazz guitarist and pianist, respectively, at the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. Now, while they had backing musicians that night, including the great Harvey Mason on drums, listening to how the gently plucked notes from Klugh’s guitar and the soft chords of James’s electric piano, really filled the auditorium. You could hear a pin drop. It remains one of the best concerts I have ever seen. The woman who attended the show, sat mesmerized by the percussionist, Dr. Gibbs, as he occupied a corner of the stage with all of his various chimes, bongos, bells and whistles. It was that memorable of a show. So, actually listening and taking in the beauty of all of those elements, is what makes acoustic so important in our lives. If we would carry that over to our day-to-day lives, we would probably have a much better world. Great word, Susan. Have a great weekend.” – “Warrior” Joe
FUN-travel: Barcelona, Spain – Day 5
September 25, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Barcelona, Spain – Day 5
Trip Day 54 – Monday, September 3 – Barcelona, Spain
Casa Milà
What I LIKE
Block of Discord
- 8:00 – more good free coffee downstairs
- pack up for noon checkout
- Renaissance @ airport is only $90 Euro
- 12:00 – lunch @ Nello’s next door – fried eggs with ham & French fries, tuna belly salad (their hamburgers look really good)
- 1st stop – Casa Milà – Gardi’s 1906 residence – no senior discount – $20 Euro with audio guide –75 min tour well worth it
- like 4 tours in 1 since it covers his other famous ventures in Barcelona that we saw
- full tour includes:
- 1. the rooftop – 30 chimneys on multi level roof with a roller coaster of melting-ice-cream eaves
- 2. the attic – parabola-shaped arches – served as laundry & storage space for tenants – also used for ventilation keeping things cool in summer & warm in winter
- also filled with photos, models & videos of his work
- 3. the apartment – fully decorated – center atrium maximizes light in the apartments
- 2:30 – back to hotel
- 3:00 – taxi to Renaissance – good time to go – traffic is light – only costs $25 Euro
- 4:00 – happy hour!
- 7:15 – dinner @ downstairs bar – hamburger – really YUMMY! – curry chicken & rice
- 10 pm – attempt sleep
Block of Discord
What I DIDN’T LIKE
- use Gallery computer to check in for flight – only problem it’s in Spanish
- staying @ airport hotel
- paying for internet
- no siesta – need to sleep tonight
- 2 & 3:30 am wake up – afraid to miss wakeup call
FF (FUN-fact) – Antoni Gaudi’s most famous work is his unfinished super-sized church Sagrada Familia. He labored over it for 43 years until his death in1926. Gaudi drew his inspiration from nature incorporating form, texture & color into everything he did.
Block of Discord
FUN-travel: Barcelona, Spain – Day 4
September 24, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Barcelona, Spain – Day 4
Trip Day 54 – Sunday, September 2 – Barcelona, Spain
What I LIKE
Placa España
- 7:30 – Nespresso coffee in Gallery Hotel is free!
- same as we had in Sevilla
- black label is the strongest
- 9:45 – hop on, hop off bus
- 2nd route (orange line) takes in the west side
- 2 hours covers the sites without getting off – main attractions are:
- Olympic Stadium
- National Palace
- Placa España
- 12:30 – Cathedral stop to see Sardana Dancers
- special surprise treat – only happens on Sunday in August
- locals dance Zorba the Greek-style – with arms raised, holding hands they hop & sway to the live music
- 1:00 – hop off @ beginning of La Rambla to walk entire street
- 1st stop – need food! snack break of Dürüm Kebab – giant flour tortilla filled with Gyros-style chicken & meat, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cabbage & 2 kinds of sauces – heated pannini style – YUMMY! Best value going – only $4 Euro & enough for 2
La Rambla
- 2nd stop – Palau Güell – one of Gaudi’s early works – features his trademark curvy style –
rooftop contains 20 chimneys slathered in bits of glass, ceramic tile & marble - 3rd stop – take side street to venture into Barri Gòtic – Barcelona’s most historic, atmospheric, characteristic & colorful neighborhood
- old walled, medieval part of city has narrow, winding lanes & courtyards – filled with shops, bars
- 3:00 – lunch stop @ Las Mañanitas – having Mexican food craving – guacamole, chips, salsa – taco fiesta plate has chicken, meat, pork – Pacifico
- Siesta
- 8:45 – dinner la Tagliatella – really good for a chain restaurant (ate @ one in Pamplona) – 7 cheese pizza with paper thin crust, veggie stack of eggplant, tomato, mozzarella
What I DIDN”T LIKE
- had no idea how far Las Mañanitas was
- 4th night @ Gallery Hotel cost $179 Euro vs $137 for the 1st 3 days
FF (FUN-fact) – La Rambla is the pedestrian-only Champs-Elysées of Barcelona. It’s great people watching (and watch out for the pickpockets) and includes the usual touristy things as well as a flower and bird market.