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TRAVEL GUIDE OF EXPLORATION AND LIFE EXPERIENCES.

SENECA WROTE;

TRAVEL AND CHANGE OF PLACE IMPART NEW VIGOR TO THE MIND.

As Panurge said to Pantagruel, "I've long known you to be a lover of peregrinations, ever wanting to see and ever wanting to learn. We shall see wonderfull sights, believe you me". 😍😍 (from Rabelais; Third book of Pantagruel)

A FEW PHOTOS TO SUMMARIZE THIS WEBSITE:

TRAVELERS' TRIFLES OR TRAVEL AND LIFE EXPERIENCES MAC.

OF CASTLES, KINGS AND QUEENS, PALACES, MUSEUMS, GARDENS, ARTISTS AND ART...OF HOTELS AND TRAVEL. SEARCHING FOR THE HOLY GRAIL, WRITING MY BOOK, THE ART OF FLÂNERIE, AND THINGS THAT NO LONGER EXIST. BASICALLY, THIS WEBSITE IS FULL OF MY PERSONAL ARM CHAIR PHILOSOPHY AND TRAVELERS' TRIFLES. WHAT I RELATE TO MY SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL IS A MATTER OF REACHING THE GATES OF UNDERSTANDING. 

AS I WORK ON WRITING AND PUBLISHING MY BOOK, I WILL PROVIDE SOME PAGES FROM MY BOOK ON THIS WEBSITE. THE PAGE CALLED  "INDIA" INCLUDES PART OF CHAPTER 5 OF MY BOOK. THE PAGES CALLED "MY STORY IN POETRY" AND "SONORA ROAD TRIP" INCLUDE SOME OF THE POETRY I HAD WRITTEN WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROADS OF NORTH AMERICA. "SONORA ROAD TRIP" WILL BRING YOU TO MEXICO. "MY STORY IN POETRY" INCLUDES A TRIP I MADE IN MY CONVERTED SCHOOL BUS 🚌 (A 1967 SHORT SCHOOL BUS) ALONG SIDE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. I AM AN EXPLORER, NOT IN ANY PROFESSIONAL WAY, BUT I TRY TO POST MY PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS AS INSPIRATION FOR OTHERS. INSPIRATION FOR WHAT? I DO NOT KNOW. I LIKE TO THINK MY WORK COULD BE ENTERTAINING. I AM NOT WITTY AND I HAVE NO CHARISMA BUT I DO WORK HARD. NOTHING ON MY WEBSITE SHOULD BE THOUGHT OF AS PROFESSIONAL ADVISE. IT IS NOT. I JUST HOPE ONE HUNDRETH OF ONE PERCENT OF THE WORLD POPULATION CAN FIND INTEREST IN THIS. IN PARIS FRANCE, THE ACTIVITY CALLED FLÂNERIE IS VERY IMPORTANT. AND I MUST ADMIT, ALTHOUGH HAVING BEEN TO PARIS AND FANCYING MYSELF AS A FLÂNEUR, I AM NOT A TRUE FLÂNEUR  BECAUSE I ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE AN AGENDA AND AT LEAST ONE DESTINATION TO REACH AS A RESULT OF THE WALKS I TAKE. THE TRUE FLÂNEUR HAS NO AGENDA FOR THEIR WALKS LIKE I ALWAYS DO. THEIR WALKS EXIST FOR THE WALKS AND ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF THE WALKS.. THE LAST TIMES I WALKED LIKE THAT WERE WHEN I WAS 13 AND 14 YEARS OLD AS I WAS ACCUSTOMED TO WALKING ALL DAY BETWEEN THE RIVER AND THE RANGE OF CLIFFS WITH CAVES JUST SOUTH OF FLORENCE COLORADO. I WALKED FOR MILES, ALWAYS ALONE, JUST TO WALK. THESE FOLLOWING PHOTOS SHOW EXAMPLES OF WHAT THIS WEBSITE WILL EXPLORE. GO TO THE PAGE CALLED "PRACTICAL THINGS" TO SEE AN EXAMPLE  OF THE PROCESS I USE TO PLAN MY TRIPS. I USE MY NEW YORK CITY TRIP AS THE EXAMPLE. AND TO SEE THE DESCRIPTION OF MY MARRIAGE IN PARLILITAN NORTH SUMATRA, YOU CAN READ THE PAGE "MEETING FARIDA". YOU WILL SEE MANY PHOTOS THAT I TOOK IN  SOUTH EAST ASIA AND EACH PHOTO HAS A PARAGRAPH CONCERNING THE MEETING AND MARRIAGE WITH FARIDA. JUST TAP ON ANY PHOTO TO SEE THE FULL IMAGE. (PHOTOS ARE NOT IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER). AND THE BUTTON THAT SAYS "BUTTON" WHICH  YOU SEE AT THE TOP OF EACH PAGE WILL BRING YOU STRAIGHT TO THAT VERY SAME "MEETING FARIDA" PAGE. "MY TRAVEL AND LIFE BLOG" PAGE ALSO FILLS IN A LOT MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE TRIPS TO SOUTHEAST ASIA I HAD TO  MAKE TO MARRY FARIDA, GET HER PASSPORT AND VISA, AND BRING HER AND RAYHEND TO USA. ANYONE WHO IS  INTERESTED IN THE TRADITIONAL CUISINE OF NEW MEXICO CAN GO TO THE PAGE CALLED "TRADITIONAL FOOD" WHICH SAMPLES FOOD FROM MANY PLACES. BON VOYAGE AUX MONDE.🌎 I SHOULD WARN YOU THOUGH, GO TO MY PAGES; "PARIS", "INDIA", "MY STORY IN POETRY" AND "INFORMATION PHOTOS" ONLY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN READING SHORT STORIES BECAUSE I WROTE A LOT ON THOSE FOUR PAGES. AS FOR MY SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL. WHY MUST IT BE SO? IT WOULD BE BEST TO JUST LIVE IN THE MOMENT. PURSEWARDEN, A CHARACTER IN "THE ALEXANDRIA QUARTET" BY LAWRENCE DURREL, WROTE IN HIS NOVEL, "THE GREATEST THOUGHTS ARE ACCESSABLE TO THE LEAST OF MEN. WHY DO WE HAVE TO STRUGGLE SO? BECAUSE UNDERSTANDING IS A FUNCTION NOT OF RATIOCINATION BUT OF THE PSYCHES' STAGE OF GROWTH. NO AMOUNT OF EXPLANATION CAN CLOSE THE GAP. ONLY REALIZATION!" ANY ONE OF US COULD WAKE UP AFTER THE MOST MUNDANE EVENING AND EXPERIENCE SUCH REALIZATION. THIS WOULD BE OUR SPONTANEOUS EUREKA MOMENT! LAWRENCE DURELL ALSO HAS PURSEWARDEN WRITING:

"YOU MAY TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD AND COLONIZE THE ENDS OF THE EARTH WITH YOUR LINES AND 

YET NEVER HEAR THE SINGING YOUSELF." SO, WHAT THE HECK? SHOULD I GIVE UP MY SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL AND JUST LIVE? LIVE IN THE MOMENT!!! MADHYAMIKA.

I AM NO ADEPTUOSO AND MY WORK MAY NOT BE LINGUALICIOUS AND MY WRITING SKILLS MAY BE FAR FROM SYNTAXCELLENT BUT I DO TRY AND TRY AND TRY. 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

I DO HAVE AN AFFILIATE LINK OR TWO ON THIS WEBSITE AND I CAN  POTENTIALLY MAKE A  NOMINAL COMMISSION IF ANYONE WERE TO  CLICK ON THEM AND MAKE A RESERVATION. IT IS ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE AND AT THE FIRST SECTION OF MY PARIS PAGE AND IT IS FOR TICKETS TO OPERÁ GARNIER BUT IT IS THE GET YOUR GUIDE SITE SO YOU CAN GET TICKETS TO MANY ATTRACTIONS IN MANY CITIES OF THE WORLD; EXPLORE AND BOOK EVENTS.  GET YOUR GUIDE SITE IS TERRIFIC, VERY EASY TO NAVIGATE.  ALSO, IF YOU DO MAKE A PURCHASE, VIA THE AFFILIATE LINKS HERE,  AND IF I DO GET A COMMISSION,  IT WILL NOT AFFECT HOW MUCH YOU WILL PAY.  THE COST REMAINS THE SAME FOR YOU.

KONG QIŪ (KONG FUZI) SAID; "WHERE EVER YOU GO, GO WITH ALL YOUR HEART".

🛫🛬

Oh, and one more thing:

I HAVE ABOUT 2,990 PLACES IN THE WORLD ON MY GUIDE BOOK OF LIFE WISH LIST. I KNOW THAT IT IS ALL RIGHT IF I ARRIVE AT ONLY 5% OF THEM BEFORE I MEET DEATH BECAUSE THE JOURNEY IS THE TRUE DESTINATION. I AM WHO I AM NO MATTER WHERE I AM AND I LIVE IN THE MOMENT  WHEN I MAKE PLANS AND ITINERARIES  KNOWING THAT I MAY NEVER ARRIVE AT ANY OF THOSE PLACES. AND THAT IS ALRIGHT. 😑 I INCLUDED A PAGE ABOUT DEATH ON MY HUMBLE WEBSITE  BECAUSE I CAME VERY CLOSE TO DEATH WHEN I WAS HIT BY A CAR AND IT FRACTURED MY LUMBAR #1 VERTEBRAE. THAT WAS THE THIRD TIME I LANDED IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF MOTORCYCLE AND CAR ACCIDENTS SO I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT DEATH QUITE A LOT. MAYBE THAT IS THE HOLY GRAIL? 🤔 TO DIE WELL?

OH, AND A REMINDER; IF ANY PHOTOS SEEM SMALL, JUST CLICK ON THEM AND THEY WILL BECOME LARGER AND FULLER. THIS IS TRUE THROUGHOUT THIS WEBSITE.

NOW FOR THE MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS

AROUND ALBUQUERQUE NM.

Climbing the boulders in the Sangre de Cristo mountains near Sandia Peak. Albuquerque is just west of Sandia Peak.

CLIMBING THE BOULDERS IN THE SANGRE DE CHRISTO MOUNTAINS NEAR SANDIA PEAK. ALBUQUERQE IS JUST WEST OF SANDIA PEAK.

IN COLORADO

AND HERE ARE SOME OF THE FAVORITE POSSESSIONS OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS.

And here are some of the favorite possessions of the Native Americans.
Here is a historic building in Manitou Springs. It is called Barker House Apartments so I imagine that it is not open to the public. Nevertheless, it is a National Landmark dating back to 1872.
This sculpture is outside of the Pioneers Museum of Colorado Springs. It depicts a farmer who lived in Security which is a southern suburb of Springs. During his lifetime, he gave away hundreds of thousands of pumpkins to the children. His name was Domenico Venitucci, also known as The Pumpkin Farmer. .
At Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. Overlooking the pool, the lake, and the countryside.

AT CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN RESORT IN COLORADO SPRINGS. OVERLOOKING THE POOL, THE LAKE, AND THE COUNTRYSIDE.

THERE IS A LOT TO DO AT CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN RESORT. IT IS ALL INCLUSIVE. THERE ARE BASKETBALL COURTS, VOLLEYBALL COURTS,, A FITNESS CENTER WITH PERSONAL TRAINER,  BOATING ON THE LAKE, ALLUVIA SPA  AND WELLNESS RETREAT, TENNIS COURTS, AND OF COURSE THE POOL. IT WILL COST AROUND $200 A NIGHT TO STAY AT CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN RESORT BUT AT LEAST WE CAN ROAST MARSHMALLOWS.

There is a lot to do at Cheyenne Mountain Resort. There are basketball courts, lakeside volleyball courts, fitness center with personal trainer, boating on the lake, Alluvia Spa and Wellness Retreat, tennis courts, and of course the pool. It will cost around $200 a night to stay at Cheyenne Mountain Resort but at least we can roast marshmellows..

THIS SCULPTURE IS OUTSIDE OF PIONEERS MUSEUM IN COLORADO SPRINGS. IT DEPICTS A FARMER WHO LIVED IN SECURITY WHICH IS A SOUTHERN SUBURB OF COLORADO SPRINGS. DURING HIS LIFETIME, HE GAVE AWAY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PUMPKINS TO THE CHILDREN. HIS NAME WAS DOMENICO VENITUCCI, ALSO KNOW AS THE PUMPKIN FARMER.

HERE IS A HISTORIC  BUILDING IN MANITOU SPRINGS. IT IS CALLED BARKER HOUSE APARTMENTS SO I IMAGINE THAT IT IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. NEVERLESS, IT IS A NATIONAL LANDMARK DATING BACK TO 1872.

Curr Reservoir. This reservoir is part of the property of the Country Club of Colorado. If you are visiting the Stratmoor area or Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, you can very easily arrive here for fly fishing or bait casting. You may catch Channel Catfish or you may catch a couple species of Trout. Oh, and the weather here in August is wonderful. Rain is minimal and the elevation is high enough to keep the heat from becoming too oppressive. We experienced perfect temperatures when we visited Colorado Springs in August.

CURR RESERVOIR.  THIS RESERVOIR IS PART OF THE PROPERTY OF THE COUNTRY CLUB OF COLORADO.  IF YOU ARE VISITING THE STRATMOOR AREA OR  CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN RESORT IN COLORADO SPRINGS, YOU CAN VERY EASILY ARRIVE HERE FOR FLY FISHING OR BAIT CASTING. YOU MAY CATCH CHANNEL CATFISH OR YOU MAY CATCH A COUPLE SPECIES OF TROUT. OH, AND THE WEATHER HERE IN AUGUST IS WONDERFUL. RAIN IS MINIMAL AND THE ELEVATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO KEEP THE HEAT FROM BECOMING TOO OPPRESSIVE.. WE EXPERIENCED PERFECT TEMPERATURES WHEN WE VISITED COLORADO SPRINGS IN AUGUST.

THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO.

Tourism is now the main industry of Red River. They have a ski lift on that mountain behind Farida. It is called Red River Ski Lift and it is a good one. They also have a zip line. A website for Red River is: www.redriverchamber.org We stayed at the Deer Lodge which has cabin style rooms.

TOURISM IS NOW THE MAIN INDUSTRY OF RED RIVER. THEY HAVE A SKI LIFT ON THAT MOUNTAIN BEHIND FARIDA. IT IS CALLED RED RIVER SKI LIFT AND IT IS A GOOD ONE. THEY ALSO HAVE A ZIP LINE. A WEBSITE FOR RED RIVER IS www.redriverchamber.org AND We STAYED AT THE DEER LODGE WHICH HAS CABIN STYLE ROOMS.

Deer Lodge has a

DEER LODGE HAS A "VERY GOOD" RATING ON TRIP ADVISOR. GUESTS CAN PARK THEIR VEHICLES RIGHT OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THEIR ROOMS. THEIR WEBSITE IS www.deerlodgeredriver.com AND THE HOME PAGE HAS A PHOTO OF A BEAUTIFUL DEER.NO 🐂, NO, 🦓, NO, 🐏, NO, 🦌 AAH, THERE IT IS 😃 DEER LODGE IS WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE TO THE SKI LIFT AND SAWMILL MOUNTAIN.

RED RIVER NM IS IN TAOS COUNTY LOCATED WITHIN THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS. IT IS ABOUT 36 MILES NORTH EAST OF TAOS. THE POPULATION IS ONLY ABOUT 480 PEOPLE ALTHOUGH IT HAS A SIGNIFICANT  TOURIST POPULATION . RED RIVER IS ON THE ENCHANTED  CIRCLE SCENIC BYWAY WHICH IS ABOUT  85 MILES THROUGHOUT  NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND IT  "STARTS AND ENDS IN TAOS"

Red River NM is in Taos County located within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is about 36 miles north east of Taos. The population is only about 480 people although it has a significant tourist population also. Red River is on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway which is about 85 miles throughout north central New Mexico and
In Santa Fe, one of the oldest houses in the USA, that still stands, can be found by walking just 5 minutes from Old Town Plaza. There is a gift shop here now. Some of the postcards sold here show the house as it was first built with its bricks exposed before the nicely painted stucco was added to protect the bricks This is called the De Vargas house which makes sense because it is on De Vargas Street.

IN SANTA FE, ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSES IN THE USA, THAT STILL STANDS, CAN BE FOUND BY WALKING JUST 5 MINUTES FROM OLD TOWN PLAZA. THERE IS A GIFT SHOP THERE NOW. SOME OF THE POSTCARDS SOLD THERE SHOW THE HOUSE AS IT WAS WHEN IT WAS FIRST BUILT WITH ITS BRICKS EXPOSED BEFORE THE NICELY PAINTED STUCCO WAS ADDED TO PROTECT THE BRICKS. THIS IS CALLED THE DE VARGAS HOUSE WHICH MAKES SENSE BECAUSE IT IS ON DE VARGAS STREET.

ANOTHER VIEW OF ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSES IN USA; THE DE VARGAS HOUSE. A PORTION OF IT IS NOW A GIFT SHOP BUT THERE IS A LARGE PART OF THE INTERIOR  THAT REMAINS TRUE TO THE ORIGINAL STYLE AS A HOME. IT HAS BEEN STANDING HERE SINCE AT LEAST THE EARLY 1700s, AS IS SHOWN FROM THE EARLIEST RECORD OF THE HOUSE. IT IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SAN MIGUEL MISSION CHURCH WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1620. ANOTHER REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS BUILDING WAS PROBABLY BUILT BEFORE 1700 IS THAT THE EARLIEST  CONSTRUCTION OF THE  BUILDING WAS DONE WITH THE SAME STYLE USED BY THE PUEBLO PEOPLE OF THE AREA.

Another view of one of the oldest houses in the USA. A portion of it is now a gift shop but there is a large part of the interior that remains true to its original style as a home. It has been standing here since at least the early 1700s, as is shown from the earliest record of the house. It is across the street from the San Miguel Mission Church which was built in 1620. Another reason to believe that this building was probably built before 1700 is that the earliest construction of the building was done with the same style used by the Pueblo people of the area.

HERE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST CHURCHES IN THE USA. IT IS THE SAN MIGUEL MISSION CHURCH WHICH IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSES IN THE USA. IT IS A NATIONAL HISTORICAL BUILDING BUILT BETWEEN  1610 AND 1620 WITH A ROMANESQUE  FORTRESS ARCHITECTURAL STYLE. THE OLD HOUSE CAN BE JUST BARELY SEEN AT THE LEFT SIDE BEHIND THE CHURCH. IT IS ON DE VARGAS STREET.

Here is one of the oldest churches in the USA. It is San Miguel Mission Church which is across the street from one of the oldest houses in the USA. It is a National Historical Building built between 1610 and 1620 with a Romanesque Fortress architectural style. The old house can be just barely seen at the left side behind the church. It is on De Vargas Street.
On the Old Town Plaza in Taos NM. Many wonderful shops and restaurants can be found in this area as well as a home of Kit Carson.
A second view of Old Town Plaza Taos with the veterans memorial on the left.

ON THE OLD TOWN PLAZA IN TAOS NM.MANY WONDERFUL SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS CAN BE FOUND IN THIS AREA AS WELL AS A HOME OF KIT CARSON. KIT CARSON WAS A FUR TRAPPER WHO BECAME AN INDIAN AGENT AND ARMY OFFICER. HE LIVED FROM 1809 UNTIL 1868. HIS GRAVESITE IS AT KIT CARSON CEMETERY IN TAOS. 

A SECOND VIEW OF OLD TOWN PLAZA  TAOS WITH THE VETERANS MEMORIAL ON THE LEFT..

My slideshow page has a few photos from the Rio Grande River Gorge bridge. Here, we are at the west side rim of the cañon itself with the bridge in the background. This bridge is about 10 miles west of Taos New Mexico. This is the 5th highest bridge in the USA.

MY SLIDESHOW PAGE HAS A FEW PHOTOS FROM THE RIO GRANDE RIVER GORGE BRIDGE. HERE, WE ARE AT THE WEST SIDE RIM OF THE CANYON ITSELF WITH THE BRIDGE IN THE BACKGROUND. THIS BRIDGE IS ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF TAOS NEW MEXICO. THIS IS THE 5TH HIGHEST BRIDGE IN USA.

We stopped at Eagles Nest NM while we were on our way to Angel Fire Ski Area from Taos and Red River. Eagles Nest is a very small town on the north side of the lake.

WE STOPPED AT EAGLES NEST NM WHILE WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO ANGEL FIRE SKI AREA FROM TAOS THROUGH RED RIVER. EAGLES NEST IS A VERY SMALL TOWN ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE LAKE.

This theater is on the campus of the New Mexico Highlands University in the new town area of Las Vegas NM. Las Vegas new town is on the east side of the Gallinas River.

THIS THEATER IS ON THE CAMPUS OF THE NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY IN THE NEW TOWN AREA OF LAS VEGAS NM. LAS VEGAS NEW TOWN IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE  GALLINAS RIVER.

EUROPE.

One of the villages that I walked through on the slope of Vesuvius Volcano. I walked from Herculaneum to the summit of Vesuvius. Herculaneum ruins are located within the modern town of Ercolano. I spent about 1 hour exploring the ruins then preceded up the paved road through Ercolano and a few villages on the volcano's slope until I reached the summit. It took me all day, until dark, for me to return to a coastal town to find transportation back to Napoli...For more about Italy, see my ITALY page.

ONE OF THE VILLAGES  THAT I WALKED THROUGH ON THE SLOPES OF VESUVIUS VOLCANO. I WALKED FROM HERCULANEUM TO THE SUMMIT OF VESUVIUS. HERCULANEUM RUINS ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE MODERN TOWN OF ERCULANO. I SPENT ABOUT ONE HOUR EXPLORNG THE RUINS THEN PROCEDED UP THE PAVED ROAD THROUGH ERCOLANO AND A FEW VILLAGES ON THE VOLCANOS' SLOPE UNTIL I REACHED THE SUMMIT. IT TOOK ME ALL DAY, UNTIL DARK, FOR ME TO RETURN TO A COASTAL TOWN TO FIND  TRANSPORTATION BACK TO NAPOLI...FOR MORE ABOUT ITALY, SEE MY ITALY PAGE.

One of the buildings of Pompeii ruins. This photo was taken on my approaching of the Scavii Pompeii. I took the fast train south from Napoli to the Scavii Pompeii train station. .

ONE OF THE BUILDINGS OF THE SCAVII POMPEI. THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN ON MY APPROACHING TOWARDS THE ENTRANCE TO THE SCAVII POMPEI. I TOOK THE FAST TRAIN SOUTH FROM NAPOLI TO THE SCAVII POMPEI TRAIN STATION. .

I SPENT LOTS OF TIME IN THE COVERED PASSAGES OF EUROPE BECAUSE SOME CAN BE ELABORATLY BEAUTIFUL. PASSAGE UMBERTO IN NAPOLI IS ONE SUCH SHOPPING CENTER. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PURCHASE THAT I MADE WHILE THERE. THERE ARE ALSO A FEW CUTE CAFES IN THOSE INDOOR SHOPPING MALLS. IN PARIS THEY ARE CALLED PASSAGE COUVERTS.

SEE "PARIS" PAGE TO SEE MORE ABOUT FRANCE.

I spent lots of time in the covered passageways of Europe because some can be elaborately beautiful. Passage Umberto in Napoli is one such shopping center. Here is an example of a purchase I made while there. There are also many cute cafes in those indoor shopping malls. In Paris they are called Passages Couverts.
On the Seine looking towards lle de la cité If I remember correctly, I am standing on Pont de les Arts.

ON THE SEINE LOOKING TOWARDS ÎLE DE LA CITÉ IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, I AM STANDING ON PONT DE  LES ARTS.

L'ÎLE DE CITÉ IS WHERE PARIS BEGAN (LUTETIA PARISIARUM). THIS AREA OF PARIS WITH ÎLE SAINT LOUIS PROVIDE SOME WONDERFUL EARLY MORNING WALKS.

LOOKING AT THE ISLAND, I WAS THINKING THAT IT WAS A FUNNY PLACE TO START A  METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY. I THINK THE RIVER WAS MUCH WIDER DURING THE ROMAN OCCUPATION. SO, WOULD THE ISLAND HAVE BEEN LARGER OR SMALLER THEN? THERE WERE NO CEMENTED  QUAIS ALONG THE NORTH AND SOUTH BANKS OF THE SEINE RIVER THEN SO THE BRIDGES THEY BUILT MUST HAVE BEEN LONGER TOO. I AM JUST SPECULATING THOUGH. I TRY TO GOOGLE THE SIZE OF ÎLE DE LA CITÉ DURING ROMAN TIMES AS COMPARED TO TODAY BUT I NEVER FIND ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE HISTORY OF LUTETIA.

Another view looking down (or is it up) the Seine River.

ANOTHER VIEW LOOKING DOWN (OR IS IT UP) THE SEINE RIVER.

Tour Eiffel from Place Trocadero

TOUR EIFFEL FROM PLACE TROCEDERO.

Relaxing at a lovely lake in the middle of Copenhagen Dänmark. I think the lake is Stadsgraven.

RELAXING AT THE LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF COPENHAGEN. I THINK THE LAKE IS STADSGRAVEN.

In Copenhagen Dänmark, you can visit Rosenborg Castle and its wonderful garden. This is a Dutch renaissance castle. It was built between 1605 and 1625. King Christian IV commissioned it to be built. He commissioned quite a few amazing buildings. There is a museum here and if you visit here, you will be able to see royal collections that date from around 1580 to around 1800. This castle visit should take 3 or 4 hours easily...For more about Dänmark, see the SCANDINAVIA page of this website.

IN COPENHAGEN DÄNMARK, YOU CAN VISIT ROSENBORG CASTLE AND ITS  WONDERFUL GARDEN. THIS IS A DUTCH RENAISSANCE MASTERPIECE. IT WAS BUILT BETWEEN 1605 AND 1625. KING CHRISTIAN IV COMMISSIONED IT TO BE BUILT. HE COMMISSIONED QUITE A FEW  AMAZING BUILDINGS. THERE IS A MUSEUM HERE AND IF YOU VISIT, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE ROYAL COLLECTIONS THAT DATE FROM AROUND 1580 TO AROUND 1800. THIS CASTLE VISIT SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 3 OR 4 HOURS EASILY...FOR MORE ABOUT DÄNMARK, SEE THE SCANDINAVIA PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE.

During an early morning photo walk this is what I saw when I left the Kongens Nytorv metro station in Copenhagen.

DURING AN EARLY MORNING PHOTO WALK. THIS IS WHAT I SAW WHEN I LEFT THE KONGENS NYTORV  METRO STATION IN COPENHAGEN.

Walking from the Blue Mosque to the Hagia Sophia. This very lovely and well maintained park we are walking through used to be the location of an ancient hippodrome.

ASIA / EURASIA.

WALKING FROM THE BLUE MOSQUE  TO THE HAGIA SOPHIA. THIS VERY LOVELY AND WELL MAINTAINED PARK WE ARE WALKING THROUGH USED TO BE THE LOCATION OF AN ANCIENT HIPPODROME. IT WAS THE HIPPODROME OF CONSTANTINOPLE FIRST COMMISSIONED BY ROMAN EMPEROR SEPTIMUS SEVERUS AROUND 205 CE. THE ROMAN EMPEROR CONSTANTINE THE GREAT HAD THE HIPPODROME RENOVATED AROUND 325 CE. HORSE RACES WERE THE MAJOR ATTRACTION HERE. IT IS NOW THE SULTANAHMET SQUARE.

Istanbul. We are inside an inner courtyard of the Blue Mosque. The official name Sultan Ahmet Camii.

ISTANBUL. WE ARE INSIDE AN INNER COURTYARD OF THE BLUE MOSQUE. THE OFFICIAL NAME IS SULTAN AHMET CAMII.

A rumah adat is a traditional style home of the Indonesian people of Sumatra. The one I am standing in front of is on Samosir Island in Tuk Tuk. I am standing next to Si Gale Gale which is a life sized puppet that dances to traditional Batak music.

A RUMAH ADAT IS A TRADITIONAL STYLE HOME OF THE INDONESIAN PEOPLE OF SUMATRA. THE ONE I AM STANDING IN FRONT OF IS ON SAMOSIR ISLAND  IN TUK TUK. I AM STANDING NEXT TO SI GALE GALE WHICH  IS A LIFE SIZED PUPPET THAT DANCES TO TRADITIONAL BATAK MUSIC.

WEBSITES IMPORTANT FOR FUTURE TRAVEL AND DISCOVERY:

https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-opera-garnier-seine-river-cruise-tickets-t381909


USE THE ABOVE LINK TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS AROUND THE WORLD.


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THOSE LOOKING TO MAKE MONEY PASSIVELY WHILE USING THEIR COMPUTERS OR THEIR CELL PKONES CAN USE THE PAWNS.APP LINK ON THE LEFT TO DO SO. IT IS A FREE LINK UP. IF THE LINK IS DOWN, JUST GOOGLE PLAY PAWNS APP.

SUMMARY AND ART ACQUISITIONS

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GERTRUDE STEIN AND ERNEST HEMINGWAY. 

SUMMARY OF WEBSITE

CICCHIAMICHAEL

www.cicchimichael.com 

I CALL MY WEBSITE TRAVEL GUIDE OF EXPLORATION AND LIFE EXPERIENCES BECAUSE I INTEND TO SHOW AND DESCRIBE MY PLANS AND EXPERIENCES AS A SEARCH INTO WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN ONE WANDERS AROUND THE WORLD THROUGHOUT LIFE UNTIL ONE CAN NO LONGER MOVE. 😀😀 INSPIRATION FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAVELING MAY ALSO BE FOUND HERE BECAUSE I DID MAKE SOME INTERESTING EXPERIENCES AND MISTAKES IN MY LIFE AND TRAVELS. MY TRAVEL AND EXPLORATIONS IN THIS WORLD ARE REALLY JUST A METAPHOR OF THE FLOW FOR THE SOUL FROM IMMATURITY TO MATURITY AND  TO ETERNITY (I HOPE). ThiS IS A LIFE LONG PURSUIT. 

I CALL THIS SITE "WHAT I SEE FROM MOUNTAIN TO SEA" BECAUSE I HAVE NO FAVORITE KIND OF EXCURSION, I JUST LOVE TRAVELING. I CALL MYSELF "ADDICTED TO TRAVEL AND EXPLORING". AS I SEARCH FOR NEW EXPERIENCES IN NEW PLACES, MY SOUL SEARCHES FOR THE ETERNAL BLISS. BOTH OF THESE JOURNEYS ARE HINTED AT ON THIS  WEBSITE. 

Gertrude Stein told Ernest Hemingway that he should buy art instead of spending money on clothing and such. He was not wealthy at the time and neither am I. Ernest Hemingway did manage to buy some art works and I also am taking Gertrude Stein's advice to heart. I just have to find good art with Instagram and Pinterest friends to buy art that I can afford. Here is one such art work that I bought from @lillys_press. This artwork is called

Gertrude Stein told Ernest Hemingway that he should buy art instead of spending money on clothing and such. He was not wealthy at the time and neither am I. Ernest Hemingway did manage to buy some art works and I also am taking Gertrude Stein's advice to heart. I just have to find good art with Instagram and Pinterest friends to buy art that I can afford. Here is one such art work that I bought from @lillys_press. This artwork is called "Two Birds".

I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCES AND THOUGHTS WHILE TRAVELING. MAYBE I CAN PROVIDE SOME EXAMPLES EXAMPLES OF WHAT NOT TO DO WHILE TRAVELING. I SURE MADE PLENTY OF MISTAKES WHILE TRAVELING. THERE MAY BE A FEW THINGS I HAVE DONE RIGHT! 😄 ACTUALLY, MY COMPLETE STORY WILL  BE HERE EVENTUALLY BUT IT IS A SLOW PROCESS TO GATHER ALL MY JOURNALS TOGETHER AND INCLUDE WHAT MAY BE USEFUL FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO VISIT THE FEW PLACES WHERE I HAVE BEEN (18 COUNTRIES SO FAR). I REALLY HOPE I CAN GIVE A FEW  TRAVEL TIPS OR INSPIRATION FROM THE EXPERIENCES THAT I HAVE HAD. I REALLY LOVE TRAVEL AND I HOPE TO SHARE THAT LOVE WITH OTHERS. I LIVE DAY BY DAY, REMAINING IN A CONSTANT MODE OF SURVIVAL. I BELIEVE  THE WORLD IS A MANIFESTATION OF HEAVEN SO THE MORE WE EXPLORE THIS WORLD, THE MORE WE SHOULD KNOW THAT WORLD..

I GUESS MY WEBSITE CAN BE CALLED:

MY VERSION OF MY PERSONAL SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL...

THIS WEBSITES' PAGE "MY STORY IN POETRY" WILL GIVE SOME HINTS OF THIS SEARCH  WHICH IS A SEARCH FOR  SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT. THIS IS A SEARCH FOR THE PROMISED LAND OF THE SPIRIT, TO THE GATES OF UNDERSTANDING OR PARADISE. 

LET ME APOLOGIZE RIGHT NOW FOR MY VERY UNPROFESSIONAL, AMATEURISH POETRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY. I AM ATTEMPTING  SOMETHING HERE THAT I NEVER LEARNED HOW TO DO. I AM JUST DOING IT. I GUESS THIS WEBSITE IS MY  NOVICE ATTEMPT AT A TRAVEL BLOG BUT IT JUST AS  MUCH A DESCRIPTION  OF MY SOULS' JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE. IT IS NOT VERY LOGICAL. I WRITE AS I THINK. I HAVE NO TRAINING AS A WRITER AND I CERTAINLY AM NOT A LITTERATEUR BY ANY MEANS SO I CAN ONLY HOPE AND DREAM SOME OF YOU WILL BEAR WITH ME  AND PEREUSE THESE PAGES BECAUSE I DO HAVE A LOT TO SHARE. I REALLY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DISERN WHAT MATERIAL IS INTERESTING TO OTHERS  SO I AM JUST REPORTING WHAT I EXPERIENCE ON THIS JOURNEY. IT HAS BEEN SAID:

"IT IS BETTER TO WRITE FOR ONESELF AND HAVE NO PUBLIC THAN TO WRITE FOR THE PUBLIC AND HAVE NO SELF"

Lilly is based in New Mexico and she paints some admirable scenes of the Land Of Enchantment.

Lilly is based in New Mexico and she paints some admirable scenes of the Land Of Enchantment.

Winds of Change was a gift included with the Amanita Muxania artwork that I received from the artist Maria Lilly. She is @lillys_press.com or www.etsy.com/shop/lillyspress

Winds of Change was a gift included with the Amanita Muxania artwork that I received from the artist Maria Lilly. She is @lillys_press.com or www.etsy.com/shop/lillyspress

These pieces are acrylic on wood and I acquired them from the Canadian artist @mysticmoonpixie who has a gallery with etsy.com

These pieces are acrylic on wood and I acquired them from the Canadian artist @mysticmoonpixie who has a gallery with etsy.com

Here is another acquired art work. This painting is oil on paper. Maria Aragon is the artist. She is on Instagram and her work can be seen at mariaaragon.etsy.com

Here is another acquired art work. This painting is oil on paper. Maria Aragon is the artist. She is on Instagram and her work can be seen at mariaaragon.etsy.com

This is called Hecate An Imaginary Portrait by Maria Aragon in Alamogordo NM. She works with oils on paper and canvas. She can be found @mariaaragon64 on Instagram. I already posted her etsy.com address when I posted the acquisition of a Gaia painting from Maria Aragon.

This is called Hecate An Imaginary Portrait by Maria Aragon in Alamogordo NM. She works with oils on paper and canvas. She can be found @mariaaragon64 on Instagram. I already posted her etsy.com address when I posted the acquisition of a Gaia painting from Maria Aragon.

MA Cicchi

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