Hmmm,

Well, no important thoughts here. Just that I know it's good to visit faraway places in the world & learn about people who have experienced different ways and cultures. It is also just as wonderful to come home and enjoy even more fully the life that I have been blessed with, even with all the minor trials and tribulations.
Seeing life in other places does make you realize what a diverse world we have and how lucky we (as US citizens) are to enjoy all the benefits (not necessities) that we have, whether it is from our own personal efforts, family or government resources.

Thoughts on Europe

Still in the thinking phase. Check back later....

Home Again

Getting from Seattle to home took me as long as flying from Wash DC to Seattle! Seattle traffic was a huge mess in the morning due to the Blue Angels practicing for the SeaFair events. 520 was backed up forever & I-90 was closed. : ( i had to drive clear down to the airport to hook up to 405 North. Even, then it was stop-and-go till I got off at the Renton-Issaquah highway. Had to stop and do some grocery shopping and then pick up Miko at Mom & Dad's before finally getting to home! The cats & Miko were so glad to see me and be able to get in out of the heat! I took a nap before heading up to Kristi's to pick up Mika and she remembered me!! :) She was very happy to see me. I stayed for dinner & then back home to bed.

Lots of interesting things have been happening here on the Hill in the last month besides Mika getting bigger. Our cousin, Joe, has apparently hit the jackpot. Hope things work out for him!

Last night, Becca and James came over for dinner and movies. We swapped alot of European. We're thinking that for Matt's birthday, we will put together a little family Tastes of Europe dinner. Becca and I both enjoyed gnocci very much, so we're going to figure out how to make that with a tomato-cuke salad and some Ajvar condiment sauce with bread and cheeses. Hmmm, what shall we do for dessert?? Have to think on that. Gelato, for sure, with ???

I had a really fabulous trip, but it's nice to be home. Matt,James, Dad and Kristi all helped me out so much with the yard, garden, house and animals. I really appreciated all their time and help with things. Because of them, I'm able to just relax and not be pressured about yard or house work. Thanks!!! Now, work....well, I won't go there for a couple more days at least ; )

Chasing the Sun

I must find out how many miles I traveled in this last 24-hour period! Four airports and three flights and I chased the sun about halfway around the world! Wanting to be sure I had no problems getting out of Croatia, I got up at 5:00 AM and caught a 6:30 taxi to the airport for a 9:00 AM flight. I did have to pay some additional taxes and fees on my plane ticket, about $40, I think, but still had an hour and a half to hang out at the airport. Once I got to Franfurt, Germany, though (at 11:30 AM), it was rush, rush, rush! I had to find the International flights gates, go through a long line of security and get to the gate desk to get my boarding pass issued! No time to go to the Duty Free shops for Euopean chocolates : (

Once I was in the air, I changed my watch back six hours to Wash. DC time, so now I was back to 7:00 AM that same morning again! The flight was long, watched a movie & slept some. There was quite a cross section of people, Germans, Americans and Indians. Several of the Indians were a great nuisance to the flight staff, constantly up out of their seat, moving about, asking for this and that. They also congregated in the rear of the craft & talked, I was a bit worried about what they were up to. But, made it safely to Wash DC at about 3:30 PM.

I had two hours to get through passport control, customs, etc. before the flight to Seattle. Passport was easy, the agent just had to scan my card through the machine. All the passport stations were equipped with videos trained right on the person as well as fingertip scanners. I think all the foreigners entering the country had to scan their fingertips into the computer system.

Now, getting through customs was another story, because a beagle dog sniffed out my Croatian pear I had in my carry-on! The agent asked me to step on the other side of the guide rail and asked me if I was carrying any fruit : 0 He was very nice about it, chatted with me about how the SuperBowl was stolen from the Seahawks, but that the Steelers, in his view, were the better team anyway. I said I'd agree since I did want to get on that flight to Seattle ; )

So, once they confiscated my pear, I rechecked my bags and headed for the last flight. Once in the air, I changed my watch back again three hours, so now it was 3:00 PM again!! I read some, slept some and talked some with the person next to me who was returning from a cruise from Vienna up the Danube to the Rhine and then down the Rhine. He and his wife had a wonderful time & liked just leaving their bags on the boat & seeing so much of the country from the rivers.

About 8:15 PM Seattle-time, we landed and I finally got to see the sun set on this 24-hour flight following the sun across the sky. In Croatia it would have been 5:00 AM in the morning!! I dropped off Mom & Dad at Denny's (they're flying to Alaska first thing in the morning) drove to Matt's place (he had dinner and a couch for me to sleep on) and fell asleep!

Croatia Folk Music and Dance

Dubrovnik hosts a musical festival every July and August. On my last night there I was able to get a ticket to a Croatian folk music and dance performance. It was very, very good. The company performed many songs and dances native to the Dalmatian Coast as well as music and dances from the inland hills.



The performance was held in an outdoor courtyard on the Wall, called Revlyn Court, I think. After the show, I took one last stroll down the Stradum, Main Street, of Dubrovnik, before heading to my Dubrovnik home. Have to get up at 5:00 AM tomorrow and travel many, many, many miles....









The Stradum at night. Dubrovnik is very busy at night, great for people-watching. And at the far side is Restaurant Row in Dubvrovnik. The Ragusa 2 is owned by the same people whom I rented the apartment from.

Goodby Dubrovnik

This is a photo of Korcula from my morning swim across Shell Bay. I stayed in a room just up the street from the trees. The street below the trees is pure restaurants and cafes, just as the street I'm on here in Dubrovnik is also.


Adios to Dubrovnik,

I'm pretty much packed, may be able to do just the two bags I came with, will see in the morning. I'm headed out to see if I can get a taxi at 6:30 AM. People here on the coast don't generally seem to get moving till after 8:00. Even the bus starts running at 6:40'ish. Will use it if I must. But I think I have to get to the airport early to be sure to get surcharges paid on my ticket to Frankfurt and go through check-in.

Korcula Restaurant Row in the evening.

Met two gals traveling on the ferry to Dubrovnik. They have been traveling (back-packing) spur-of-the-moment for the last 10 days and were exhausted! Besides which they have spent alot of time looking for lodging, figuring out the towns/cities etc. I prefer using my travel time seeing the sites and absorbing the atmosphere of the place, not worrying so much about where to stay. If you do your research, you still have flexibility within a framework of security. Yea, RickSteves!

Today, coming back to Dubrovnik was like coming home! Knew exactly which bus to take, how to validate my ticket, where to get off. Then I went for a swim outside the city walls before getting to my packing. Hope those two girls fared well, I gave them lots of info and some pages from my travel book to help 'em out.

The Jadrolinja ferry I took from Korcula to Dubrovnik.

So, Mom and Dad, I'll try to call from Washington DC. I do have my cell phone. Don't have any idea what time that might be, maybe something like early afternoon at home??? Hope for my travel luck to hold out for a couple morfe days and yours to go well also. Oh, how's Bec and Diana doing? They come home tomorrow also, yes?

Matt, see you tomorrow night. Kristi, et al, see you Thurday afternoon. Hope Mika will remember me....

Steph

Travel Luck

Dober Dan & Buenos Diaz,

I thought my travel luck had run out this morning! I missed the stop to the intercity bus station and had to hoof it three k,s to get there, had two minutes to spare! The bus driver sold me the ticket on the bus. When we got to the ferry station, the ferrymen didn,t let the bus on! The driver was none too happy, but we made the next one. It,s pretty tricky getting one of those big things on a small car ferry!

But here I am in Korcula, a city on an island about 4 hours from Dubrovnik and I have my ferry ticket back to Dubrovnik tomorrow. Korcula is a mini-Dubrovnik, smaller, quieter and windier. I,ll post photos tomorrow back at the good Internet place in Dubrovnik. I had a nice lunch and went for a swim and a snooze on the rocks outside the city walls. On the coast, the restaurants all serve spagetti, pizza or seafood. Since I,m not big into octopus salads or pasta with scampi, I,ve had my share of cheese pizza and spagetti bolonese.

Oh, and the Marko Polo Travel Agency, recommended by Rick Steves, hooked me up with a sobe, room for the night. It,s very nice, my own bath and a terrace for the guests. Right in the middle of the Old Town.

There is the local sword dance this evening that I,m going to go see. It celebrates a historical battle with the Turks that was once fought here. Tomorrow, there,s a few small sites to see before catching the ferry, which should be a really pretty ride.

Adieu,

Steph

Lokrum Island

Dober Dan,

I must show you photos of where I went swimming today! The island just offshore from Dubrovnik, Lokrum, (it's behind the cruise ship in the last post), one of the most lovely swims I've ever had! It is a nature preserve and as it was relatively cool today, I had a good walk around and got some, hopefully, great photos overlooking Dubrovnik from the old fort ruins on the high point.

By then it was hot and I was ready for a swim. Because it had been raining, I think, there was hardly anyone at the beach and it was absolutely, as I said, lovely. You can't see them, but there are ladders going down into the water from the rocks, so it's easy to get in and out. The water is quite cool and feels wonderful in the heat and the whole beach was shaded by the forest! Lovely! I stayed until the last ferry return at 7:30.

Now, I'm off for dinner at the restaurant of the hotel where I'm staying. The wait staff is familiar of me and this afternoon, the waiter said that if I didn't stop in for food the next time I wandered by, they'd put me to work doing dishes ; 0 I get a 10% discount, so I figure I'd better or they won't let me leave in a few days.
So, till next time, Steph



A peahen and chick I saw on my walkabout today.

Exploring in the Rain

: ) Rain!! It's wonderful! I have my raincoat, umbrella and Keens, the Keens are absolutely necessary to keep from slipping. I've seen several ladies already today slipping and sliding, very dangerous. I also see lots in high heels! Very crazy! The Keens have also been great swimming on the rocky beaches. It's not pouring down rain, but just enough to be slippery.

Here is my Dubrovnik sitting room. Upstairs is a loft with the bed and AC. It's very comfy!

After breakie, I paid Lora, the manager for the room, since I might not see her again. She works 'till noon only. She thought I'd be disappointed by the rain, but, of course,. I was smiling. I almost melted yesterday! It was only in the high eighties, but the humidity was up near 70%!


A cruise ship leaving the Old Port. There's another out there today, but I think it's mostly Europeans. I don't see too many Americans today. Still lots of Aussies around though.

So, yesterday, I swam in the public beach right outside the Ploce Gate. Had to pay to use a lounge chair w/ an umbrella, but it was worth it. Again, lots of crazy Europeans & Aussies sitting out in the full sun all afternoon (ladies with no tops on) and baking their skin! Then I headed over to the Lapad side of the new city to check out the other tourist walk and beaches. Nothing great. In the evening, I went to check out a musical festival event going on, but didn't stay. It was three hours of theatre in Croatian language. I did some exploring of the many city streets inside the wall, instead.


See! The clouds in the sky and waves hitting the rocks! The Adriatic has been very calm, no waves or breakers at all. You just float on top of the water. This is one of the defence fortresses guarding a small bay by the city.

Today, I've been doing a bit of souvenier shopping while exploring around the city and close bay. I bought some Ajvar, it's a very popular Balkan condiment and very tasty. I bought the mild, still have to find the hot kind. I think I'll be heading over to the Old Port to see if the local ferry is running out to the nearby island. it will be a good day for walking around there, I think. It's still very warm so, of course, I'll be taking my swim suit and probably take a swim somewhere. Other than that, packing a small bag for my overnight at Korcula tomorrow.

'Suppose you and Dad have your bags packed and ready to get out of the heat, eh, Mom? Well, Matt, I'll write again, but be looking out for me Wednesday evening, probably very tired. Then, Kristi, I'll be back home early Thursday afternoon, I reckon. This is all with luck that I catch my flights OK.

Later, Steph

Exploring in the Rain

Photos...maybe

On the Dubrovnik Wall. This thick wall surrounds the Old Town and helped keep Dubrovnik a free Republic for centuries. The Venician Republic was their worst enemy. Oh, and also Adriatic pirates.
A city street going down to the Stradum (main street) close to my hotel. My hotel entrance is in a street like this. Actually it is an apartment room, not a hotel room. The tiny streets and high buildings actually help keep the streets cooler and catch any stray breezes.
City of Dubronik from the Wall. You can see the other side of the wall in the upper middle.
The Buza cafe from the wall. Bill Gates goes here when he's around. Below this is the Buza beach where the locals swim. There is a little ladder going out into the water.
Looking down to the main street from the wall. This is the same view you get from the web cam link I have on my blog.
In front of the Tirana on one of the islands.
Susana, from Croatia, and I on the Tirana.
Well, we,ll see. I'm at another place not far from my hotel. There's two cruise ships off the Old Port today and I hear lots of Americans! The place is packed with them & they are all melting in the heat. There is a breeze today though, but steamy, humid clouds in the sky. I'm going to head out soon and find a beach, with hopefully, a tiny bit of shade for me to laze in. The water is soo refreshing, though. And if it clouds up a bit, I may try to brave the walking tour before cleaning up for dinner. What else??

Chloe is gone to the Backpacker hostel, so I have my place to myself. The air-conditioning works well after the sun goes down & at least adequately during the day. I tell you it is hot! So good for my skin! The Ragusa 2 hotel is also a restaurant on the restaurant street. I haven,t eaten there yet, but Chloe did & said it was OK. Well, I have had breakfast there a couple of times, but their coffee is not so good. It's better to sit at one of the cafes outside the wall, quieter, shadier and breezier.

Lora told me about the Buza beach, where the locals swim. I checked it out, but it's outside the wall on the cliff side of the city! Lots of steep steps to get up and then down to. The beaches here are either rocks or cement. No sand, unless I go out to Lopud to the skinny-dipping beach.
; 0 I hear it's really popular with the Germans, but, I suppose I'll leave it for them. Besides which it's a half-hour walk from the village...too HOT! So, I'm headed a short way out the Ploce gate to the public beach or maybe I'll get through one of the fancy hotels and use their beachfront, like we do in Mazatlan. : )

Maybe it'll rain a bit. Will still be hot, but maybe a welcome change. This computer is really the American type, with the z and y and puncuation marks in the right spot. OK, well you have a taste of the sites in/around Dubrovnik, though it's not like being here. Off to the water now,

Steph

Tirana Galleon

Dobra Dan,

Well, I just enjoyed a cappuchino at a shaded cafe overlooking the Old Port in Dubrovnik. With a slight breeze and shade, it is very nice. out in the sun, it is HOT and HUMID. On my way to the internet, I noticed some steamy clouds coming over the mountain range. Lora, the hotel manager, said today is a "not too hot" day! Well, we,ll see. I was doing some research on how to spend my next few days. I,ve decided to go to Korcula, an island about 3 hours away Monday morning by bus, stay overnight (they have a sword show something Monday evening) and take the ferry back the next day. Tuesday evening, I,m going out on the Tirana Galleon again for the "Sailing With Mozart" cruise. I will be able to see the city walls from the sea by night. The next day I leave early for my airport connections back home. I am confirming my reservations for those now.

I,m going to try to post some photos, but the connection may again be too slow. No, I can,t get it. I will try again later from another internet place.

Anyway, yesterday I wne t on another sea excursion on the Tirana, a duplicate of a 15th century sea galleon. See http://www.tirena.com/ for more info and pictures. It was great! I met a couple and their son, Sebastian (about Seth,s age) who live in England, but she is a Croatian. They come every summer to visit her family in Zagreb and vacation here on the coast. Sebastian is growing up bilingual like the boys speaking Croatian and English. They were really pleasant to spend the day with. I have photos of them I,ll post when I can. Anyway, we went to three different islands in the Elepant (sp) chain and enjoyed a grilled fish lunch with local Croatian musicians. Susanna introduced me to some special olive oil grown and processed by the locals at one of the islands. They don,t even sell it to the public, but she was able to get some for herself and me as well (bottled in recycled coke bottles)...great memories. i,ll have a special olive oil and bread hor,d,vure when I get home.

Mom, you must overlook all the spelling and grammar errors. It costs $$ to be on the web & I don,t have time to check all the Croatian (and other) words, sorry!

The Wall Walk is spectacular! I went in the evening when it wasn,t quite so hot. Hope I have some fabulous photos. In between times, and this morning i,ve been exploring the tiny, steep streets of Drubrovnik. I,ve found the cheapest places to eat. Most of the two main streets are sit out side, more expensive restaurants, but I,ve located the fast food places. One is like a self-service cafe where the local ladies doing the cooking, nothing fancy, but tasty and saves my $$ for these excursions. There is a fruit smoothy place I found this morning, but didn,t open till 9:30, will try it today or tomorrow. Another one, I saw is the Croatian version of veggie food, might try that one later this evening. So, Mom & Dad I,ll be able to tell you where all the cheap places are when you come to visit this fall

Tomorrow, Sunday, after an afternoon of swimming, I,m going to check out the Lapad section of the new town. Lots of hotels, etc that cater to the European crowd, but the promenade is supposed to be an interesting place.

So, now, I,m moving to another workstation to try again for a few photos for you. I want you to see some of the places I,ve been here. Also, it,s not as crowded in here now which may help. Besides that it,s cool in here! And I have all afternoon for swimming. Well, there is a five o,clock walking tour on the defence and politics of mediveal Dubrovnik I,d like to do, but it may just be too hot. I,ll see what I,m up for.

Till next post,

Steph