‘Staying Alive By Not Staying Still’ Now that I’m all in on writing a memoir about my near-seven years of solo world travel, including the dramatic events that led me …
Starting month three of a delightful stay in Sofia
Enjoying a recent event in the center of Sofia, my friends and I toast Bierra Moretti, an Italian beer promoting its recent introduction to the city. I’m here with friends, from left, Liubo, an author of several books in Bulgaria, Nick, president of the local Taxpayers Association, Nick’s wife Alexandra, and my fellow retiree and good friend Chris, an Australian living in Bulgaria.
As the warmth of Spring arrives in this Baltic country of Bulgaria, where I’ve been a guest since April in the capital city, Sofia, I’m captivated by the easy-going, comfortable way of life and the warmth and friendliness of the many friends I’ve made here.
The eclipse that came to Kosrae by Nick Zoa On April 20, for the first time in recorded history, Kosrae experienced a total solar eclipse. Because the totality path of …
The Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria, could fit a small city inside!
My friend Peggy, whom I met in a cafe in the White Mountains of Crete, sent me advice in a cautionary email after reading a brief post I wrote mentioning my night in the Skopje bus station.
Skopje is the capital city of Northern Macedonia, one of the Balkan states in southeastern Europe. It was formerly part of Yugoslavia until it gained its independence by referendum in 1992 following the Yugoslav wars.
I was just passing through on my way to Sofia, Bulgaria.
An epic shot of me satisfying my quest to see the northern lights of Finland, taken by the outstanding @NordicOdyssey tour guide/photographer Herve. Not only is here your adventurous traveler and the lights above, but note the Big Dipper in the center-left part of the sky. A great touch!
I returned a week ago from a travel memoir writing workshop in Paris where a dozen participants, 11 from around the U.S. and one polite Canadian (thank you, Garrett), communed with fellow travelers, writers, and American travel writing legend and all-around good guy Rolf Potts who organized the event.
I been basking in the glow of that marvelous 6-day experience ever since.
The Eiffel Tower beams its blue light over the Seine River, where the French people and we tourists crowded its banks every night to wine and dine into the wee hours.
India — a photograper’s delight! Here’s one among many favorites of mine from a recent month-long stay in New Delhi, India’s capital city. The Lotus Temple, a Baha’i worship center, is named for the shape of the flower used in its unique design.
India is fascinating, a country of many stark contrasts, and the images are stunning almost everywhere you turn.
Yet the fascination comes with a jumble of mixed feelings, as in the advantage I took in shooting the scene above of the beautiful Baha’i Lotus Temple.
I was there at dusk with the setting sun, good for taking a photo of almost anything, anywhere. And in New Delhi, with the most polluted air of any capital city in the world, shooting straight into the sun like that, I was able to use the pollution like a filter to mute the sun’s rays coming directly through my lens from behind the temple to capture the scene with dramatic effect.
At least I thought so. Let me know if you disagree.
Entire families are involved in the collection and processing of Cairo’s rubbish in the area know as the City of Garbage, a neighborhood where they live and work.
I read about this part of Cairo before even planning my trip and was intrigued with the idea that an urban neighborhood would be almost entirely committed to the business of collecting and recycling municipal solid waste for its economic well-being.