Category: TRAVELS


Schloss Kaltenberg Ritterturnier – Jousting

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October 26, 2013

 

The Kaltenberger Ritterturnier is the largest and longest lasting in the world. Held annually in July at Castle Kaltenberg, Geltendorf, Bavaria. It is a glorious time to spend among knights, musicians, artists and acrobats, watching archery tournaments and mingling with all sorts of folks in their medieval garments. Admiring the wonderful big horses of the knights. Not to forget the tasty down to earth food and world-famous Kaltenberg beer, brewed right here in the Castle.

The castle was built in 1292 and is currently under the proprietorship of Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, the great-grandson of the last king of Bavaria, Ludwig III. [Wikipedia]. Schloss Kaltenberg changed hands many times from 1292 until 1955 when it was returned to the House of Wittelsbach. Since 1870 part of the König Ludwig Schlossbrauerei is housed in the Schloss Kaltenberg. Over 100,000 hectoliters of beer are produced there. Prince Luitpold of Bavaria and his family currently reside in the castle. The castle also offers a ballroom for events as well as two restaurants. . [WIKIPEDIA]

In 2007 I spent several months in Munich and took the train from there to Geltendorf and up to the Castle grounds, to attend that year’s Jousting Tournament. Despite a cool day and rain starting at the begin of the Knights’ Tournament, this had been a totally enjoyable and exciting experience. For me as a horse person especially, as I have had my own horses shown, raised & trained for so many years in Alberta, Canada. The entire medieval atmosphere surrounding the grounds was uplifting.

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La Tunisie – Tunisia

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October 13, 2013

I visited Tunisia for the first time in 1973 and spent five weeks, visiting many beautiful and interesting villages and also the capital Tunis and many renowned historical sites. I also made many Arab friends, among them my good friend Hedi Ben Sassi, of whom I heard for the last time (by mail) in 1975 when completing my graduate studies at Syracuse University, USA.

Sidi Bou Saïd. Village en nid d’aigles sur une colline à l’entrée du Golf de Tunis, côté Nord de Tunis. Sidi Bou Saïd a longtemps étè un lieu villégiature pour la bourgeoisieTunisoise. Mais dès le début du siècle une “intelligencia“ internationale faite d’ecrivains, de peintres et d’artistes de tous genres, a adopté et habité le village.  سيدي بوسعيد قال Sidi Bou Saïd – not to confuse with Sidi Bouzid, where on December 17, 2010 the “winter of discontent” began with the self-immolation of the Arab street vendor (Tarek al-Tayeb) Muhammed Bouazizi, who hailed from Sidi Bouzid. Le village Sidi Bou Saïd aura tousjours une place spéciale dans mon cœur. Named for a figure who lived there, Abou Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia Ettamini el Beji (previously it was called Jabal el-Menar). And famous for its blue and white structures. My re-visit came much later in the Spring of 2012, when I spent an entire month in a Hammamet resort by the Golf of Hammamet. Renewing my acquaintance with most of the 1973 visited towns and villages, including Sidi Bou Saïd.

Tunisia then and Tunisia now – I could hardly see any difference. Public bus services had improved, we did not have to sit by the side of the road waiting. Then again, Tunisia had always been more liberal in their culture and relationship with the Western world than other Maghreb countries. Yet, it seemed that time had stood still for the Tunisians, despite all the sociopolitical demonstrations and upheavals following the winter of 2010, with the “Arab Spring” in 2011 which was supposed to bring about a change in most of the Arab countries involved. At the foremost Tunisia followed by Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, then Morocco, Jordan, Iraq.

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Greek Fest 2013 Vancouver Island

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September 15, 2013

My recent visit to the Greek Fest 2013 Victoria BC, Vancouver Island. This year is the 12th annual Greek Fest in Victoria! There is an estimated 100 Greek families in Greater Victoria who keep the Greek culture and traditions alive. Of which, best of course, are their traditional dances and the wonderful food – authentic succulent roasted lamb (with rice and salad), souvlakis and the great many delicious Greek pastries like Baklava, Koulouria and more. Not to forget the original Greek Coffee brewed to old tradition like Turkish Coffee, using the brass briki (the pot) Greek coffee is a strong brew, served with foam on top and the grounds in the bottom of the cup. Although it can be made in a different pot, the traditional small pot is best because it allows the proper amount of foam , very tasty. The day was hot and special attractions included the many Greek dance groups from near and far (Vancouver), and Athens, Greece. I love the Greek music. Also the same day the Portuguese Community had their procession across the street by the Greek Orthodox Church and Community Centre. Of interest were also all the old and original artifacts still in the possession of the Greek families, exhibited in the adjacent Heritage Centre.

Very enjoyable weekend and lots of sunshine. [I didn’t stay to the end because I was there by bicycle, around 12km ride one way and then back again to Victoria City.] My little video shows dance groups, the Portuguese procession and Juan de Fuca – a Greek, an early explorer of the straits surrounding Vancouver Island [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Fuca ]

[Any commercial ads/video’s following this post originate solely from the Word Press organization. I distance myself from any such advertised products. The Editor.”] 

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Martin Luther King Jr and the Deep South

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September 4, 2013

Martin Luther King Jr, Civil Rights Leader and Baptist Priest. Born in Atlanta, GA. Why was Birmingham, AL, significant for the entire civil rights movement. From http://www.birmingham.org : The year was 1963, and as the world watched, events in Birmingham sparked an unstoppable surge toward equal rights for people of all races.  As Birmingham enters 2013, the city will mark the 50th anniversary of pivotal events of 1963 in America’s Civil Rights Move

[ http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/birmingham_1963.htm ]

Birmingham, AL, summer 1997. My travel to Birmingham. To visit my son who just completed his MSc.AerospaceEng at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa., AL. [ http://www.ua.edu/ ] . I then spent a week in Birmingham, with a short visit of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. As a former Jazz aficionado. And visit the wonderful Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Before taking off on a week-long trip to the Gulf Coast – Mississippi, Louisiana, Gulf Coast. Stopping New Orleans, the Bayous, and Biloxi, MS. Then visiting the USS Alabama, Battle Ship (BB-60), commissioned in 1942 and now resting at Battleship Park on Mobile Bay, Mobile AL.

Birmingham is significant for the start of the civil rights movement, also because of Dr. Martin Luther Jr’s time in the Birmingham Jail and his famous letter:

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html.

Birmingham AL is also known as the city of steel. And its huge statue of the MAN OF STEEL – the Vulcan Statue. [ WIKIPEDIA: …Vulcan statue is the largest cast iron statue in the world, and is the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama, reflecting its roots in the iron and steel industry. The 56-foot (17 m) tall statue depicts the Roman god Vulcan, god of the fire and forge. It was created as Birmingham’s entry for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 World’s Fair) in St. Louis, Missouri. It is the seventh-tallest free-standing statue in the United States. ]

But more significant for the Civil Rights Movement was the march to Washington DC and Martin Luther King Jr’s famous speech 28 August 1963.: “I have a dream. That one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal’”. (include women)

NOTE. The FBI – to target King specifically as a major enemy of the United States.[34] Two days after King delivered “I Have a Dream”, Agent William C. Sullivan, the head of COINTELPRO, wrote a memo about King’s

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TRAVEL ENCOUNTERS – ESRO

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August 16, 2013

Amazing incidental encounters while travelling. During many travels or shorter trips I always meet new and interesting people (‘been there, done it’). But sometimes the coincidences seem more amazing. 1975 during my summer vacation from Syracuse University, me and my little boy took the Greyhound Bus across the Mid West and stopped among others in Washington DC, visiting the impressive Library of Congress.

[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/collections/72157601355524315/ ]

Of course being familiar with the Library of Congress from Europe when working with a project team on an international project for Unesco, the team including NSFAIS staff and LC staff. That was 1973, shortly before leaving Europe for the USA, Syracuse University. While we visited the Library of Congress in 1975 I tried to find out if that nice lady I knew from Europe was still working there. But no. Then in the Library catalogue looking for my name (as I did work studies for Unesco, Paris, that were published). What I found was my name. But, it was my husband’s name (dating to the time he worked with ESTEC – European Space Technology Centre, Nordwijk, NL). Where I also had worked as IT Head Information from 1965 until 1967. ESTEC is a centre of ESA.

Same time we were there that day, there was a fire drill. Alarm went, and all visitors and staff were asked to leave the LC building. And lo and behold I talked with a man standing next to me who told me that he himself had worked for ESTEC in The Netherlands. Small world.

Another one: We continued our trip that year 1975 and visited among other wonderful sites the Grand Canyon, and also Tuscon, AZ. There we found this: ESRO2

a sign on a little sandwich shop. ESRO – being the former name of the European Space Agency (ESA). [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESRO ] During the time I still worked there, the name was ESRO. How on earth does this sign on that shop end up here ?

[maybe a sign for myself?: “get your butt back home to Europe?” – I never went back.]

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WHALES – BUTTERFLIES

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August 11, 2013

Both right here on and off Vancouver Island. For my birthday in August I wanted to go whale watching. Whales around here are mostly Orca, otherwise also known as Killer Whales. They are highly intelligent, accomplished hunters and friendly to people. For their protection around the islands and surrounding Vancouver Island, whale watching boats may only approach up to 100 yards in Canadian waters, and 200 yards in US waters. The latter being patrolled by US armed wildlife officers. Borders run crisscross throughout the waters. So, the pilots of the small whale watch boats are very careful, not to get fined or have their licenses pulled for infractions to this rule. Plus, the whales need protection from human interference.

The two family of whales we have are the Transients and the Southern Residents. Transients mostly hunt seals and sea lions, they are mostly lonely big time hunters [ http://www.orcanetwork.org/nathist/transients.html ]. The Southern Residents travel in pods, lead by a matriarch [http://bcwhalewatchingtours.com/southern_residents.html] and are hunting salmon. We were lucky to have glimpses of some of the Transients, they can go down into the water for up to 20 minutes, then come up for breathing. Different for the Resident whales. Next time I will attempt near Victoria to go out. We took off from Sidney Harbour [http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=43 ] , northern part of Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island, and traversed towards the American San Juan islands. It was my lucky day. I met a family of tourists from incidentally the city in Europe where my grandmother and mother are from. In fact they live around the corner from that same street. Myself not been there for 48 years. We shared the whale watch boat. 
 

After that I visited the Victoria Butterfly Gardens. What a treat ! A jungle paradise has been created inside the Gardens, where large numbers of butterflies and moths from all over the world are flying freely. There are also special bird species, and Koi fish and flamingos in the little streams, as well as giant turtles. Arriving at the Gardens I ran into my good friend who was there with her friends, so we could share this incredible uplifting experience.

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Washington DC – the beauty of a city

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July 13, 2013

I have visited Washington DC several times to visit family. Once summer 2001 and then twice in 2002. When the situation had changed in the inner City and most of the famous landmarks and wonderful museums, like the Smithsonian. Much more restrictive checking of purses upon entering. I also at that time did some research at the Library of Congress and obtained a temporary library card. It had been a long and arduous process. I love Washington DC especially old Georgetown, with its old brown stone houses, some from the 17th century. And the shady old walkways along the canals. I stayed at that time near Dupont Circle, historic District in NW Washington, one of the best areas, an easy walk to the Washington Zoo, the Smithsonian National Zoo. One of the landmark Zoo’s in the world. [ http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ ] Admission was free. At the time of my visit I had been lucky enough to also view a couple of new born baby animals, a most adorable little playful elephant, and several tiger cubs. What a treat ! Georgetown is fantastic with its indoor international markets and the little Cafe’s and boutiques. I would love to re-visit, but I think it will never be the same. Near the home we stayed (an old greystone house) it was also an easy walk to Dumbarton Oaks Park

[ http://www.doaks.org/gardens ]. Very enjoyable end educational experience. 

What I liked best about this city are the many international book stores, one just around the corner to read newspapers in the Cafe and buy books. They even had editions of ASTERIX & OBELISK in French.

I put together one video of images of locations in the city and also Alexandria and Baltimore Harbor, that we visited. I have many more pictures, but some still in print. Followup later. 

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Berlin Re-Visit 2010 – Russian Visa

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June 9, 2013

This time, 2010, got myself an extension (above the 90 allowed days’ stay). From the Auslandsamt/Authority for foreigners. They had a good big stare: what on earth does a German lady need an extension of stay in Germany for ? Good question [lost my citizenship when taking on the Canadian – tough luck !] Got an extension for several months. Rented a vacation apartment in Kreuzberg, aka. ‘Little Istanbul’ because of the many Turks living here. A huge “Wohnblock” three houses attached, high up. Sound carries tremendously, especially when some drunk across the building from where I rented decided to go nuts. I am so not used to this anymore, having now lived in North America for almost 40 years (all quiet here). Lots of graffity adorning sidewalks and buildings. Biggest challenge was obtaining a Russian Visa for my 8-day voyage to Sankt Petersburg, Russia. Flights to Russia take off from Flughafen Schönefeld with Rossyia Airlines. Bought the voyage in the Russia House [ http://www.russisches-haus.de/index.php?lang=ru ] , a citizen’s friendship House, there’s among others a Russian travel agency, who also arrange the invitation with a hotel in St. Petersburg. Bought the trip including the invitation. Then needed the visa. How on earth can I get a visa for Russia NOT being in my country ? Good question, again. Went to the Russian Consulate, standing in line (in the street, no one allowed anywhere inside), long line ups. [http://www.russische-botschaft.de/ ] Luckily, Russians are a friendly and helpful lot. And of course, they speak German, they live there. Someone in the lineup collects all passports of a larger group (mine the only Canadian), goes forward and gives the Russian security guy at the front door the passports. Then waiting again. Then The security calls in a group of people. You go through security check, upstairs, then check again, get a number, then sit down and wait again. Your number is called, you talk to the Russian Consulate official (German or Russian), present your travel papers with the invitation. He did not like it. Told me, “you need a residency permit to get a visa”. As a tourist how to get a ‘Residence Permit’ ? I went to the nearest Municipal Office, talked to a lady, told her where I rented. She said: NO. This is a vacation apartment, not a real rental location, suitable for residency. So, I pleaded. Took me a while, finally got my paper. Went back to the Russian Consulate, same wait forever, presented the residency paper in the morning. By 12 noon I had a Russian Visa – for one entire month (only needed 8 days). That’s how it goes! What helps a lot is, to speak the language.

I made many excursions to nice old areas surrounding Berlin center and middle, such as Park Grunewald, old Köpenick, old Spandau, Potsdam, Park Sanssouci with the castle, the Botanical Gardens, die Zitadelle and more. Interesting in Potsdam is also the Dutch Viertel/quarter with the authentic red brick Dutch-style houses and courtyards (little Cafe’s). I also watched each game during 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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Berlin Reminiscences part 1

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June 8, 2013

{Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin.} You know that one ? {Berlin ist eine Reise wert.} I left my suitcase in Berlin. Berlin is worth a voyage. 

I was several times in Berlin, even when it was still divided up into four Sectors. Long ago. That had been 1961. When my good friend and I traveled from my hometown Braunschweig, NW Germany, to visit her family in Berlin. Train travel is only one hour and a half, thereabouts. No stops, because of the VoPo’s, the notorious police squads responsible for security in the Communist Sector. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkspolizei ], the DDR – Deutsche Demokratische Republik. Stop at the border check (between the West and the East). At that time I was employed as IT specialist by the European Space Technology Centre, Netherlands. I had left all my ID’s pertaining to my work at home. I traveled as a simple office assistant. Main thing then was, not to make eye contact. That was serious scary stuff. Special trains also, which had grates underneath each wagon to prevent East Germans to flee the DDR.

Back in Berlin much later, the year 2005 and then 2007. All had changed. Still the atmosphere lingers. Friedrich Strasse goes through the West and former East Sector, you can feel the difference as soon as you walk along that Street. Our time again traveling back 2007 and spending days with my son (from Holland). We stayed in one Hotel near the old Anhalter Bahnhof (now a ruin). Near the Center and Brandenburger Gate. So interesting.   With Europe, the unbelievable thing always is: the moment I am back (and it took me 31 years) it feels like I never left. Language ? I can speak “berlinisch”, can fit in, nobody knows I come from (the moon ?). But crossing borders is different. I lost my citizenship and over there are now a foreigner. To be in Berlin itself is always a good thing, because that is where the main government is. You can get a lot more done here. Huge city – made many trips to outlying areas, parks, lakes, Potsdam – DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik). Potsdam famous for its history prior to the big wars and during and 1945. [ http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potsdamer_Konferenz ] Potsdam is pretty. Nice old streets, the castle. There is still some stores selling special DDR paraphernalia. Berlin in summer turns into a hotspot of actions bringing in large numbers of Roma/Romani, which hang out around the Alex (Alexanderplatz). Accosting tourists. They usually carry slips of paper (in english) asking for money or other. Following tourists into stores. Ignore them! I love the Ku-Damm – Kurfürstendamm, where we always stop at Cafe Kranzler. [ http://www.cafekranzler.de/ ] Top floor restaurant. Do not miss! Unter den Linden – I love it. Promenading, a large boulevard in mid-Berlin. And of course Humboldt University (founded 1810) with its many little sidewalk book sellers, always bought myself (or re-sold) some books. Also found many little (cellar) used book stores even in Kreuzberg. Best of all I like the old quarter – the Nikolai Viertel. I could live there, but is now all tourists and seems to be getting smaller and smaller in size. More images of Berlin.

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NEW YORK CITY – 1975 and 2001/2002

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May 18, 2013

I love New York – that is New York City. During the time I spent 20 months in New York State to complete my graduate degree program at Syracuse University, from Fall 1974 until late Spring 1976, I had the opportunity to travel once only to New York City for a job interview with an international NGO. Not much time I spent, but just ran around to at least make it to Central Park entrance, couple of highrise buildings downtown Manhattan. And during that short time (before my journey back to Syracuse) bought myself a Bushnell zoom lens for my (then) Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SLR camera. Best Photo and camera shops in the world, New York City. Manhattan. My first video shows those old photos – these had been slides, which later I had scanned to create more or less reasonably fair quality images.

Many, many years later, when visiting my son who also had completed his graduate program in the United States, Alabama, and who at that time had worked as a IT consultant in Washington, DC, we took the opportunity to travel twice to New York City. My son had invited me for my birthday to see Les Miserables in a little Theater on Broadway. August 2001. What a treat. It was a late show, we came out onto Broadway at midnight. Millions, it seemed, people milling around in the streets, on the side walks, in the streets, any languages to be heard and spoken – myself connecting with my European counterparts, HELLO, GUTEN ABEND, BONJOUR, BUENA SERA, BUENAS TARDES, hoe gaat het met jullie ? (that’s Dutch). Fascinating city. Never sleeps. We stayed in a hotel near Central Park.

There is always something going on in New York, demonstrations, street parades, but during those years prior to that WTC all of this was more fun than danger. Not like now. Little Italy – fascinating, beautifully appointed with marble restaurants, rich. Or, Central Park with its magnificent Metropolitan Museum of Art. So much to see. Like the British Museum, it cannot be done in one day. And then Fifth Avenue – Tiffany’s http://www.tiffany.com/Locations/FlagshipStore/NewYork.aspx – the wonderful world of jewelry (no photos, please), Rockefeller Centre, and the most magnificent Russian Tea Room [ https://plus.google.com/113986177784302968706/photos?hl=en ] – I have one photo of son & self inside it, but didn’t turn out too well. [the nicest menu item is “all of Russia” – selection of a bit of everything typically Russian].

The second time we took the Amtrak Train from Washington DC to New York City, again in a hotel near Central Park. Winter 2002. During that time we watched the Winter Olympics 2002 and of course the ice hockey games between Canada and the USA, both men and women. In the evening watching the Gold Medal Hockey game between Canada and the United States. People complaining in adjacent rooms when we cheered for Canada, both (men & women) teams winning the Gold. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_2002_Winter_Olympics ] Taking the elevator up to the top of the Chrysler building and looking down to where the WTC Towers once stood. Lots of soot still in the air, and sooty smell. One could not go down any further south. Looking forward to my next visit to New York City, the city with many cities inside representing the entire world.

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