Skywatch from above

When I fly I usually prefer an aisle seat. My short attention span (and economy seat) means I pop up and down occasionally in longer flights.  This one however, was a short flight into Philly, so I sat by the window.  This perfectly clear view was somewhere over Pennsylvania. 

I once read a book where the main character was from Montana and wanted to know what Pennsylvania looked like.  The other character described it in one word, green.  I thought that was a really good description.  

Beautiful works too.

More great skies:

Happy Friday!

M.E.

Travel Expo

My friend Susan had some free tickets to a nearby travel expo a few weeks ago.  

We were happy to go ponder potential travel destinations and look for any new ideas.  

While we were there, Samantha Brown (from the travel channel) was there talking.  Hoards of people were all standing around, so the photo I took from the way back with my little point and shoot wasn't too good.  She is one of my favorite travelers to watch (along with Burt Wolfe and Rick Steeves) and she seems quite nice.

Exotic locales?  Hmm, something to think about.

I would love to head back to Europe, London is the home of my heart.  Also, I would like to do a tea house tour at some point. I have met the loveliest people in tea shops across the world.

Norway is on my list for a couple years from now.  I have friends with family there and it will be their year to travel.  I hope to hop on their plans so they can show me around and I can take all kinds of stunning snaps.

After the expo, we went to a local Cuban diner.  This place has a good menu and yummy specials, not to mention some serious 70's kitch on the walls, and ceilings and every available nook and cranny.  One main wall is painted this vibrant blue with celestial bodies of all sorts.

The opposite side has the collection of 70's clocks.  Do you remember these?  We had one, it was by the entrance to the house...a few years back.  I don't know what happened to it when we moved houses during my high school years.  Perhaps it's in one of those boxes you didn't even realize didn't get unpacked.  Or it found a new home elsewhere.

We both had wonderful meals and enjoyed the ambiance of the diner.  For a Sunday afternoon out, it was quite the popular place to be.  Off to go through all my travel catalogs now, so that when I see that tax return I can start dreaming a bit more!

M.E.

Don't stop traveling!

I started this blog to share my travels and the photos I get with my new camera.  I try not to dwell on work or politics or those sorts of things.  However, one of my great loves is traveling in Europe (I think I got the bug as an exchange student when I was 16),  so when US residents were advised caution for traveling in Europe,  I felt a need to comment.

Don't stop traveling!

You could miss this view...

Ireland

 or these architectural masterpieces...

Westminster Cathedral

Cambridge

You might not get to see local crafts people at work...

Waterford Crystal

Now, I know some folks might be thinking, but it could be dangerous!
Yes, but it can be wonderful if you pay attention, plan ahead, and use your noggin!  I have the dubious luck of being in London just after 7/7 and in Scotland (about 20 miles away) from the terrorist attck in 2007.

What? You don't want to travel with me any more?!

But look at this fabulous vacation destination...

Brighton

And wouldn't you be sad to miss towns where history and contemporary life, live side by side?

I have a very good grasp of the cautions presented this weekend and the very real threat of attacks in tourist areas highly traveled by US citizens.  I do hope that people think through their plans and do not automatically rule out travel to Europe.  I have friends taking a Mediterranean cruise in a few weeks.  I will wish them well, think of them often, and know that they are extremely well prepared if they need to adjust their circumstances somewhere along the way.

I certainly hope that the media does not do major damage to an already struggling European economy by dramatically slowing down a major source of income, tourism.

*Getting down off the soap box now*  I hope you enjoyed the photos!

M.E.