Our Journey of Thirty-Two Sleeps: Part One

16 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by Sheila Clapkin in Uncategorized, USA: Travelling Outside California

Sleep one After having breakfast in Los Angeles in the morning and having dinner at Half Moon diner upstate New York in the evening is not an easy task. There was a lot of work in the traveling mode to achieve our breakfast and dinner with a bunch of little snacks in between. We are sleeping in Bolton Landing, (established in (1799) perched atop Lake George in a mountain home which is more unique than most of the houses we passed on our ride in. In front of this mountain home fly two flags, the American flag and the Marine Corps flag. We were told, “Once a Marine, always as Marine.” Sleep was an important rejuvenating necessity and was provided by a private room with luxurious sheets and down comforters. Tired is an understatement.  Once rested you are ready to conquer the world once again. We woke to breakfast service in the main dining room with gigantic windows showing off the land leading to Lake George. The wind would rise and fall and with each rise it would blow a rainstorm of leaves falling to the ground below forming a carpet of color beneath the tree. The sight is awe-inspiring and humbling in it’s showing of nature working through the windows. Watching these nature dances through the windows gives you the notion that of course there is a higher power, in fact, but if not a higher power or order, then, what? Next telling mountain event was the delivery of heating oil. They filled the tank making the house ready for winter heating.  It was an interesting delivery because we just flip the button and gas comes from somewhere and we have heat. Sleep 2 This morning was spent enjoying the environs of our hosts E & D’s beautiful mountain home in Bolton Landing in the foothills of the Adirondacks.  All the while, I keep a watchful eye for humping deer. This is the mating season and the deer love to hump in this spot. They will carry their offspring all winter and then, in the spring they come to this spot as a family. I was told to marvel at the deer as an animal extraordinaire. Why? Think about the phenomenon of an animal that lives and thrives in a habitat that gives them twenty below and over 100 degrees and yet they adapt. Isn’t nature supreme? At noon, we picked up a picnic lunch before our boat ride in and around the 35-mile long Lake George finding ourselves guests of P & D at their compound consisting of three small islands connected by Gothic looking bridges.  It was thrilling to be escorted and to visit this lovely spot in the middle of the lake. If you are a blood relative you were welcome to build a home and live on the islands, but now that most of the building is done, you have to buy what is there now from a relative. The summer finds many of the Sir clan living and visiting this lovely idyllic paradise at the water’s edge. During the winter months you have only P & D living year round.  I asked P how they get to the mainland when the lake is frozen solid and she said they have a Norwegian Sleigh, they have a canoe they use and paddle it along the ice to get over the solid lake; they skate and have their private secrets on getting to and getting what they need during the months of living on the frozen winter water. She said that they close off a good part of the house and live in a small portion of it during the freeze. As we boated our way to the mainland, I turned and saw the beautiful trio of islands and bridges receding and realized that we were very privileged guests and I thank P & D for their generous hospitality, the generous gift of imparting their knowledge and sharing their fortunate life with us for the afternoon. Thank you P & D. Sleep 3 Today we rode an amphibian (Hydra-Terra vehicle) tour bus/boat to experience and delight ourselves with the sights of New York’s capital city of Albany. Not only is it New York’s capital city but also, it is the city of Skip’s birth. Even though Skip is a historic sight himself, we took the tour with experienced guides to enlighten us about the other historic sites of this 402-year-old city. We passed by the Albany City Hall, the Ten Broeck Mansion, Washington Park, New York State Museum, the Palace, which was the flagship theater of RKO, many years ago and the D & H (Delaware and Hudson) railroad building.  

After an hour ride through Albany a beautiful city we rolled and splashed into the Hudson River.   There are many interesting sights along the river and one that put some puzzle pieces together for me was the replica of Henry Hudson’s ship of discovery, The Half Moon.  Remember I mentioned we had dinner at the Half Moon Diner.  Now I fully understand the origin of this diner’s name.

Tell Me This is Not the Dreaded “It” Disease: Brain Freeze on Downers. Tell Me

01 Oct 2011 3 Comments

by Sheila Clapkin in Letters, Reflections, Trials and Tribulations, Uncategorized

When I realized that there were four jars of Best Foods Real Mayonnaise in my cupboard, I thought to myself, well this is how IT starts.  By IT, I mean the gentle demise of your brain and all of the functions it controls, literally Brain Freeze on Downers. You see, I still cannot mention the name of the disease that does this to basically elderly people because I am terrified.  I’ll bet you thought this is a commercial for Best Foods Real mayonnaise; well it is not. It is a discussion on a disease I must continue to call IT.  My doctors would like to know if I would like to be tested to see if I have the marker for IT.  Since my mother and father both had IT, I don’t need a damn test to tell me I will get IT, someday.  In the meantime, the health care specialists say, let us explore some ways to best help older adults lead happier, healthier lives.  I say this a crock for sure, because as I see it, it is more like let us see how little we can spend on health care for the aging and how to best use them as guinea pigs for new testing to gather results on the future of aging.

The UCLA Division of Geriatrics sends out a newsletter titled: Healthy/Years stating they are helping older adults lead happier, healthier lives. I say this is nonsense because everything I read in their letter and experiences as well about seniors leads to a brick wall.

This newsletter and the articles prepare you to fear for your life and the shoddy scary treatment yet to come. First of all, it states that 45% of all new breast cancer diagnoses is in women over the age of 65. Also stated that the risk of breast cancer does not start to decline until after the age of 85. Yet, they are promoting less mammograms for older women.

Healthy /Years, says what we all know that, the cure rate is early detection and the best way to do that is to have regular mammograms. Yes, I agree, but they have suggested that providing mammograms for women over the age of 70 is something of a debate among the experts.  They also state that mammography for older women depends on life expectancy and whether you would undergo treatment if a tumor were found. Really? This is disgusting. The UCLA Division of Geriatrics is cutting you off so to speak at 70 and if you want to live longer, you should make that known.  How does anyone predict true life expectancy? Maybe a mother, father, or grandparents died younger, but the way modern medicine is contributing to longevity, I expect to be way over 100, don’t you? So, if I know I have the marker for the dreaded brain freeze on downers (IT), then I should not get mammograms, or should I or should I not try to increase my life expectancy with or without the disease? I really do not like to think of these things, but we cannot sit with blinders on our eyes as well as our conscience.

The article in the UCLA Healthy/ Years, also states that in fact being older is actually beneficial when it comes to mammography because they are more sensitive as women get older, because their breast tissue becomes less glandular and more fatty, which makes it easier to detect cancer. Plus it takes less radiation to get excellent quality mammograms in older women, and I know all mammography has not been adjusted to this stated fact. So now that in older women it takes less radiation, is easier to detect, and is important in ladies until they are 85, you, the medical profession has suggested that we actually stop giving mammograms to women over the age of 70 because they might not live very much longer and may not want to receive the cure opportunities.  I say, what a crock.

UCLA Healthy/Years further states in another article titled: Vaccination is Crucial to Ensure a Healthy Winter for seniors.  It is stated that in December 2009 the FDA licensed a high-dose influenza vaccine Fluzone High-Dose, which has four times the amount of each of the three influenza antigens that standard vaccine contains for seniors because producing an antibody response has shown to be diminished in older adults. Nothing was said about receiving four times the amount of preservatives and other particles in this vaccine. Now, seniors it is time to step up to the plate and become a human guinea pig and receive four times the amount of influenza. Gosh almighty, will it stop?  No it will not, and I have it on good authority that it will not stop for a long, long time or even ever.  Where money and expenditures are in the equation, you will get seniors chopped off first and foremost because as stated above, life expectancy. It does not take into consideration the time, money and service you have put into the system. I have always known this fact and here it is quite evident here.  It is not what you have done for me in the past; it is what you can do for the future and us now.

Another Letter to Granddaughter #1

08 Sep 2011 5 Comments

by Sheila Clapkin in Letters

Dear Granddaughter #1,

I just mailed a package to you. It was a little more $$ to get it to you faster, so I sprung for the extra change. I hope it fits. I think the guy put a small instead of a medium and I did not realize it. It looks plentiful in size. I hope it works for you, but either way, I do want you to let me know. It will keep you nice and warm.  I know it is hot now, but within a few weeks it gets cold, especially up by the mountains where you are located.

I also sent a letter with Glen’s address and phone number as per your request. When I spoke to him last month he was so delighted to hear you may be contacting him to learn more about your dad. I thought about some thing you may want to know about your father.  I have had quite a number of conversations with him over the years. I do miss him and I know that he loved you with all of his heart.  He thought you are the best thing to happen to him in his life. He was strong in his values. What he believed was unflappable.  He was very personable. He had a nice one on one personality. He liked to talk to people on an individual basis.  He would always say how beautiful Rachel is and how much he enjoyed you.

He was a reformed alcoholic but never did drugs.  He was very proud of the fact that he kicked the alcohol and did everything in his power to stay clean. He hated the thought of booze entering his life again in any way.

Your dad did not believe in drugs and never did any.  He was dedicated to his job and felt he was doing well for the people in his police community.  He stuck to what it was that he felt he had to do.  He just set about doing it.  He was strong mentally and physically. He believed in God totally and absolutely.  He turned to God and Christianity to survive.  He felt strongly that God was guiding him. He was not ready to die. God took him for a reason I do not know or can’t even guess.

I do know one thing for sure, if your dad could sit across the table from you he would be so proud of you and what you are becoming as well as your beauty would take his breath away. I have often thought since he passed that he would be ever hopeful that you would see the same light he has seen. Your father was very intelligent in his approach to life.

You are lovely and wonderful, capable, able and important. I know that and I hope you know it, too.

I think you will love moving on through school and being done with that era. You have grown away from that kind of education.  YOU are going to have to be willing to have some stress and some deadlines to meet, but the end results of satisfaction will override the means to the end.  You are like your father in this respect, if you want it you will do it and you will not stop until you get there. What he wanted for you was to have you learn as many positive things about life as you can, as any parent wants and he would want you to remember him in an encouraging way. He would want you to tell your children about him being a confident and strong-minded person and tell them how much he loved you. He would especially want to be remembered. He would never want you to forget him and he would want you to do some special things in his honor and in his memory.

Love, Grandma

Cambria, San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay

28 Aug 2011 2 Comments

by Sheila Clapkin in Sightseeing In California

Cambria is a town, really a village, which consists of East and West Village. We explored from top to bottom and then realized we were famished. We ate at Linn’s because of a tradition we have when we come to Cambria among other traditions. After filling our bellies we wanted more of Linn’s goodies, so we drove out to the farm, which is five miles out into the lovely countryside to purchase jams, jellies, avocados, lemons, and my main purchases were, pourable fruit that I will use as a glaze for chicken and fish, plus seedless Olallieberry jam.

On the way out to Linn’s Ranch and Store, we stopped at the Santa Rosa Chapel and cemetery. We noticed many graves with the name Fiscalini on them. It seems there is a big Fiscalini Ranch, plus an East Fiscalini Ranch and I assume a West Ranch as well. God Bless the Fiscalini’s.  Others, as you can see from the photo, are not so blessed to have a big family and ranches that span the Cambria area. These wooden markers have been here a long time and from the looks of some of them; their inhabitants have long ago been forgotten. I noticed on a few of the wooden markers a brass plate has been put on to remember the deceased who lies there. This cemetery is not on a grand scale like some others, but it is grand in the sense that you become absorbed in the ambiance, the experience lingers on in your mind forever, and you know you will return time after time.

We moved on to a favorite spot of mine, Moonstone Beach. We began our little walk along the beach and I was struck by the realization that there is something missing.  The beach used to be covered in little polished stones and a moonstone or two here and there.  The mass of stones has dwindled and they look scarce and picked over.  Oh my, there should be a sign discouraging folks from taking the rocks.  I am guilty and am very sorry. If I could bring the stones I took back to this spot, I would, but how?  I will never, ever take any more and hope you do not as well. I have seen first hand in my little world of worlds the significant threat human activity can make on a habitat that should be in existence eternally.

San Luis Obispo: Midway between Los Angeles and San Jose on the Central Coast of California

We spent an evening in the lovely little town of San Luis Obispo boasting as the happiest city in America, and enjoyed their Thursday Evening Farmer’s Market. The street was very crowded and full of things to eat.  /there was as line for McCintock’s Oak-pit barbeque that stretched for blocks and blocks. We asked the people in line if it was all that good and they said, “Yes, yes, it is ALL that good!” We did not stand in line, but we should have, definitely. The produce was beautiful as well as plentiful.

Morro Bay:

Morro Bay is one of my favorite waterfront cities. I love it for our history of visiting and for the huge rock that adorns it. We had lunch here in Morro Bay this visit on a patio, in seats that jutted out into the bay in full view of the otters at play, the sea lions basking, the fishermen coming and going, the pelicans gulping, seeing and feeling the birds dropping wet stuff on the umbrellas and occasionally on your person, hopefully not in your food, as well as enjoying all that the bay has to offer the visitor and the locals.

Cayucos, California

28 Aug 2011 Leave a comment

by Sheila Clapkin in Sightseeing In California

I found perfect weather in Cayucos, California and you all are welcome to come and sample it to see if it is for you.  There are overcast mornings, cool and fresh breezes blowing all day long and you do not have to put on sunscreen until about 3 or 4 in the afternoons, or even at all. The weather here in Cayucos is the most perfect way to bath your body in luxury. What am I not telling you about Cayucos?  I am not telling you of the life at the water’s edge. It is lovely at first glance, until you see mold and ravages of the sea on the structures and the inhabitants.  There is a constant maintenance going on here. It is just mother nature at work. Nothing more.

Now let us delve into the soul of Cayucos. I do not know how it is for each person because it is an individual thing. One thing noteworthy in the soul arena is that I was able to buy some things in this town worthy of having and remembering.  Three sugar shakers and a bracelet with ten squares and engraved on each square is one of the Ten Commandments. I enjoy being reminded as I read and re-read each one. Do I need to be reminded? Yes, we all need to be reminded believe it or not at all ages and stages. It is a connection with something of the ages. It is another root among roots that keep us upright and keep us from toppling over.

Another warm and wonderful time in Cayucos and the surrounding area is the time we spent with dear old friends. I do mean old in all ways. I hate to admit the truth and the truth is we are now considered senior citizens in line for miniscule discounts and handicapped parking stickers. Being a senior offers some prizes, but if you think of anything you would rather have that being a senior offers in exchange for youth, let me know now.

Now that I am home and away from the seaside, I realize that while visiting this area, it seems that everything is civilized on the outside for a guest to see, but what is seething on the inside I will never be privy. How do I know there is seething deep within, because, there is seething everywhere and you don’t see it; you just have to know and respect that it is there. People want to talk with you, people want to share information, too much at times, and the children look wholesome and fresh.  Why am I even bringing this up?  I wonder unto myself.  Now that a little time has passed, I can tell you one thing. I was double charged on my Visa for our stay. I was charged for our rooms and the rooms of another guest. Now, certainly this is an innocent error, or is it that economic times are so bad this B&B needs the extra income? I know that it has taken me three days to get a hold of anyone with any authority at this establishment. I explained my dilemma and now, they have not called me back. I am being tortured.  I can’t slander their name, but you can see the pier if they give you an ocean front room. I mention the pier because upon arising, just before coffee you can walk along the pier to the very end have a conversation or two with the fishermen and then return to the double charging Inn, and have a lovely little breakfast.

Our window/patio view showed us places to explore as well: Here is a view of the Sullivan Butter Cookie Company taken from the patio.

We decided to walk over there to see what was happening because of the crowd around the front doors. Look what we saw. You are right, people hand making these wonderful cookies. You are also treated to a wonderful taste test of cookies for purchase. Oh yum.

Now keep looking at our patio sights and you will see Duckie’s Chowder House. I have it on good authority that the Manhattan Chowder is delicious and from the looks of everyone eating and licking their chops everything is good in Dickie’s.

Look also at the view of Cayucos Candy Counter with old-fashioned ice cream and candy. You do not know how hard and long I have searched for old-fashioned ice cream and to have it right outside my patio window, as well as hand made butter cookies and Dickie’s lip smacking good food is a travel discovery extraordinaire.

ON THE WAY TO CAMBRIA, Stop in Harmony: Population18

We got off the next morning to visit the sights and sounds of Cambria. But, wait along the way you have to stop in the town of Harmony with a staggering population of 18, including kids, cats, dogs, raccoons and local ranchers. First, you see the ranches, then, little homes and finally, you visit pottery making and the glass blowing building.

You have been immersed in a world ago and subsequently you are transported to discover another point in time. What a delight.

Dear Granddaughter,

26 Aug 2011 Leave a comment

by Sheila Clapkin in Letters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Granddaughter,

I want to tell you something.

I want you to know that my life has been successful and I am proud that I came out of many situations ok.  I want to tell you how I got here.  It was not easy and shh don’t tell anyone, but I used to have a couple of bookshelves full of self-help books which helped to answer many questions I had and helped to pave the way for me to progress with understanding and a calmer nature. Living life helped somewhat, listening to others helped a lot, learning through experiences of mine and of others are good lessons, and especially learning to pay attention helped to make me quite observant.  Sometimes I stare at the person talking or giving a lecture and they seem to talk just to me.  It was that way when I learned to look and stare and it is that way now as I keep staring, listening and learning.

Now in life, I have worked hard, saved my money and spent it too for important things that made me happy and helped our family.  So maybe I sound like I was born a thousand years ago, with all of the stories and all the things I have done to stay afloat mentally and physically, but it has only been 71 years. Not long in the scheme of things, but long enough to have learned a trick or two. I remember I had a boyfriend when I was 16. He was desperate for some $$ to take a bus home to see his mother or something like seeing a mother and a bus ride. Sounded important, right?  Now I realize it was a crock, but he said he would bring the money back on the weekend.  He did not and I never saw him again.  He absconded with my $200.00 and I was horrified that someone would do such a dastardly thing to me. My mother was so mad at me and told me I had learned a lesson.  She said it was a cheap lesson because the next con artists would ask for more and I would know not to trust them. She was so right, because the next person that asked me for money did not get any. I said, “ I don’t have any money.” I lied, but I did not lose any more money to the “money crooks. “I learned to spend just a little money in public. I never let anyone realize that I might have more.  I learned to be very cagey in the public eye and I learned never to do way more than those around me. I am still very careful not to stand out in any way that would put me in jeopardy or draw unkind attention to me.

My parents taught me when I was very young that you do not show off. You do not show off with your clothes, with your money and your buying power; you never order more than others or more lavishly; you basically play the low-key card. This is a good lesson to learn and even more so in this ever changing, ever more dangerous world. You see that I am driving a very low-key car. I inherited it from the person who taught me to paint the low public profile picture.

A neighbor moved from our neighborhood to a very fancy upscale area. She sparkled her diamonds and tooted the horn of her fancy, shiny car. There was light all around her.  Some guys followed her home and when she went into her garage they followed her in. They tied her up and took all of her sparkling jewels and drove off in her fancy car.  She lived to tell about it, thank God, but no one told her about playing the low-key card or painting a low-key picture. Perhaps if she had been listening or learned to be low-key, she would not have sparkled so much. I’ll beet she doesn’t sparkle much anymore and is living a quiet good life. The best revenge, you know is living well.

Another Letter to My Granddaughter

26 Aug 2011 Leave a comment

by Sheila Clapkin in Letters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know I wrote earlier in the week, and I know you have not had time to respond, but an idea floated by and I caught it.  It is that you can do any thing; it is just a matter of what you want to do.

So, you are scratching your head and saying, yeah, so what.  Well, so everything.  You just have to number your desires and set about achieving them.  I envision it something like a grocery list or “a what to do list.”  I make them all of the time and get most everything done. It is a little extra work, but I can’t remember everything; who can?  Well, those who have a photographic memory can remember EVERYTHING, and that is something I would dearly love to have and do not.  You can make up your mind about what you think, but in the mean time, make a “what to do list,” and do things on it.  Is there any reason why you shouldn’t?

Remember how we use to cook together and make really great meals.  We would make them here and you were to take them home and bake them or finish them off at home for a meal. I was told that while the things we made were delicious, you never followed through with the cooking; just left the goods on the sink leaving it to chance as to who would cook it.  So for me, the key to my success if you want to call living well, success, is something I learned in the third grade.  It is following through. I learned that I had to finish what I started. I have had many lessons in this area and I do everything in my power to finish what I start. I am obsessive about it.  Not that I condone being obsessive, but a little obsession is a good thing in my book of books.  When you are doing a job cleaning or fixing at home, and you finish a job and do it well it is respecting your home.  When you follow through with a friend it is respecting that friend.  If you say you are going to do something, do it. If you are going some place, be there and be on time. If you are having a conversation with someone, do equal amounts of listening and sharing.  If the person needs more attention, give it to them. You are respecting their needs. When an assignment is given, either at work or in your classroom, do it to the best of your being, which is showing respect for yourself and who you are. Respect for your self is the key to living well.

Sincerely and with a great love,

Your Grandma

#12 Barcelona: Part 2

28 Jul 2011 8 Comments

by Sheila Clapkin in International Travels

The weather in Barcelona cooperated with all of our plans for three days. The day before we arrived they were treated to thunderstorms bringing the temperatures down, giving the days and nights a spring-like feel.  Our panoramic tour in the afternoon allowed us to see several buildings for the 1992 Summer Olympics held here in Barcelona.

Summer Olympics 1992 Barcelona

The name Antoni Gaudi is synonymous with Barcelona.  Gaudi was an important architect who gave the city special landmarks using his style, direction and visions. We were treated to a viewing La Familia Sagrada. This Cathedral is named after the family that commissioned its being built. It is hard to explain the awesome nature of the experience standing in front of this work of art.  It is not finished in Gaudi’s lifetime. He was supposedly hit by a tram in June of 1926 and was not on hand to oversee the completion.  The city of Barcelona, as you can see from the following photograph, is working to finish the restoration of this resplendent work.  The have planned to open the finished work in June of 2026 marking the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.

I wish my photo did this edifice justice.

A little closer view of La Familia Sagrada

Guell Park

I could hardly sleep waiting for the early morning taxi ride to Parc Guell, a project that was made possible by the commission of The Count of Guell as a city-garden. The garden, which is designed and executed by “Gaudi”, was finished and made a pubic park in 1923. We were advised to rise early and take a taxi to visit this park early because later in the day it becomes too hot and the crowds are impossible to maneuver.

In Park Guell

Also in Parc Guell

Lovely Parc Guell.

As you can see, Parc Guell is a must see and takes several hours to enjoy to the fullest. One thing that happened truly is an unplanned and very exciting traveling experience and it happened in Guell Park the day we were there.  When the small group of us arrived at the park we had it all to ourselves. It was stunning and unforgettable. We toured the park uninterrupted by crowds and other travelers. When we finally wound down to the ground level, sellers of souvenirs arrived to set up their shops on the ground in the main sandy area of the second level of the park, but what happened with the police and the sellers is the story

I said to Skip, “Gee, look at all the stuff they are selling on the ground.” Naturally, we all went down to see; maybe they had something for our loved ones back home. I purchased several pairs of earrings; they had been paid for and bagged. Then a hell of a racket started, “Policia, Policia,” and all of the sellers rolled up their goods in blankets and swooped them up. Tourists had items grabbed out of their hands and within what seemed like seconds the sellers were there and then, they were seen running like mad out of the park.  Where was my camera? It was in my pocket with my brain. I could not record this event.  All I can show you is the empty space that had once been filled with sellers and their goods.

An area once filled with sellers, now empty.

It happened so fast and we were in the middle of it in kind of stunned state. What now? We left to further our Gaudi experience, but Parc Guell now has a primary and a secondary meaning for those of us who were there at that instant.

When in Barcelona you become  “Gaudied,” which means you try to see all the Gaudi you can while there. (I made this word up for myself)

After leaving Parc Guell we continued by taxi to Casa Mila, also for the records called La Pedrea (meaning stone)

It is called Casa Mila because the Mila family commissioned Gaudi to build this apartment house and using the main floor as their family residence.

Casa Mila aka La Pedrera

The interior corridor of the apartments that surround the building.

When visiting the Casa Mila you visit the entrance, which was once the Mila family’s living space, then, you travel by elevator to the rooftop.

Statues of a man and a woman on the rooftop of Casa Mila

A surprise finding more Gaudi from the rooftop of Casa Mila.

When you wind down to the Attic space you explore and then, finally you visit an apartment.  I enjoyed becoming “Gaudied”

We saw the façade of one more building of Gaudi representation, but the name escapes me. How about a photo? Let me know the name of this building if you find out or you already know.

Next, we walked all the way down the Les Rambles to La Boqueria a massive food market. We lingered.  As we ventured on the Rambla full of incredible shops, rows and rows of outside restaurants down the middle of the street and people, cars and many taxis everywhere, we found a spot to eat. Traffic going one way on one side and the other on the other side, pedestrians on two sides and down the middle. All the while you are enjoying your food and drink, you can have a 360-degree view of everything.  It is pleasant actually.

We walked and walked to get to the Placa Catalunya. When we finally arrived we passed the important Fountain of Caneletas and it is said: “Whosoever drinks from the fountain of Caneletas will always live in Barcelona.” We didn’t even let the spray touch our skin. Barcelona is beautiful, but to live here is for someone else. God’s blessing to all them.

Palau Nacional by day:

Palau Nacional illuminated fountain at night:

#11 Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia: Part I

27 Jul 2011 Leave a comment

by Sheila Clapkin in Uncategorized

Barcelona is a huge architecturally outstanding and marvelously dazzling city.  It is richly complicated and there is so much to report. I have to be honest; I have hidden from writing this Blog of Barcelona because of the city’s richness and my fear of not reporting to you its real exquisiteness and splendor.

The fact that there are so many tourists was not a surprise because they have a magnificent harbor that alone brings in millions of people per year on ships that dock, two and three times a day. Cruisers begin in Barcelona, or end here or have a stop on their cruise itineraries. If the tourist industry in this lovely city should slow down, I do believe the city would crack and dry up.  Surely the entrepreneurs would not be able to swindle as much. Locals would tear them from limb to limb.  I say this because nearly every dining bill had to be corrected, as much as 5 Euros each time. I bought four pairs of earrings and received only three in the bag. I blame myself for not checking. I do not wish to sound too critical here so I will say that this could all have been an individual coincidence.

Barcelona is a city with many monuments and many tourist sights. They are proud to show you the buildings for the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Barcelona is a city of dense apartment buildings. Everywhere they can build an apartment building they are and they did. Many have balconies with cascading plants creating lovely street views.

This is the city of the kiss. Not just a little peck, or the obligatory kiss on one cheek and then the other, I mean the mad passionate embrace kind of kiss.  You see many couples on the streets, in stores, having a drink or a bite to eat and then as if by magic, they land in an impromptu embrace.

Barcelona is the city of bags. Everyone who is walking whether in the tourist sections or the local sections is carrying a bag, or bags. Some bags contain elegant items bought in the Placas; I can tell by the names imprinted on the front, sides and back of the bags, some contain necessities or curios of one nature or another, and many, many bags are full of groceries. This is bag city.

This is the city of Tapas. I finally put the Tapa thing together. We walked all day today and went in and out of many Tapas bars.  To me, Tapas are little delicacies that are more colorful and more beautiful than pastries lining the bar; people take their little plates and pick and choose, as they like.  I tried to pick several things, but each Tapa had a number of things piled upon it I found not appetizing to me. Sorry folks, I love food, so I am sure I will come round, but I will need a Tapas Tutor when I come back.

Barcelona is a city of Taxi’s. Our hotel was located so far out from wherever you want to go; it is nearly in another country. Due to our distant hotel locations from this tour company, we will not use them again. One day after returning home we canceled our trip to Croatia with them.  We will have to find another way to see that part of the world.  Now back to Taxi drivers becoming your momentary best friend.  Some of your momentary best friends drive around a bit, to up the price I noticed and each one comes and goes a different way to the hotel. Round about rides jack up prices. We could have had a very nice city center hotel for the Euros we spent on taxis each day.  Now let us just leave it at that

Barcelona is a city of art.  You have the beautiful architecture of Antoni Gaudi, which I will share in Part 2. Let us remember that Pablo Picasso lived in Barcelona for many years and the Picasso Museum is a wonder, full of paintings, drawings and sculptures housed in five buildings. It takes all day to see just some of it.  Let us remember Joan Miro who was born in Catalonia and has many paintings and sculptures in Barcelona. I re-learned that he is a surrealist painter and realized I like surrealism, always have.  There is Dali to explore as well and many, many more artists who have added their gifts and capabilities to Barcelona’s abundance.  My goodness, I think perhaps art vitamins must have been in the water supply of Barcelona in the late 1800’s and 1900’s. Maybe those art vitamins are still there, but for the tourist their water also carries possibilities of intestinal infections, which can be quite daunting. Stick to the bottled water all the way.

#10 Granada and The Alhambra

21 Jul 2011 2 Comments

by Sheila Clapkin in International Travels, Uncategorized

Granada and The Alhambra

View of Granada from The Alhambra

Granada is a lovely city. I thought it would be a stopping point to see the Alhambra. It was much more to me.  It is built on three hills; I assume the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. It is quite hot in the town, but you can still see remnants of snow on the mountaintops. My personal experience in Granada was very comfortable, probably the most comfortable I have been thus far. There is a wholesome quality and an honest representation of life happening here. It was a Sunday when we had our free time, so most everything was closed.  Imagine walking to nowhere; imagine just being in a place because you are there, nothing snapping at your heels. It was nice. They had dinner for us a hotel.  Let me just say a word about a hotel, that gives free Wi-Fi and allows you to use your calling card purchased on the streets of Spain giving you 300 minutes for six Euros and a lovely dinner.   This hotel also had a beautiful pool area, which became an oasis in the heat and a meeting place for sharing the day’s events with other travelers.. This kind of guest relations is a 10 star for me.  Enough already, I just wanted you to know I liked Granada and the guest relations at our hotel very much.

Another view of Granada with the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background

Granada was real, authentic, a place you wanted to be.

The Alhambra:

Garden and view of water jets forming arches

When you visit Spain, of course, you must put on your itinerary, The Alhambra. The Alhambra is a 13th Century Palace for the Sultan and his Sultana. The viewpoint of all of Granada and the mountains makes this setting a privileged point of view. First, we were taken into the gardens in which you see many beautiful varieties of plants and arches formed by using plants, plus a special row of water jets that form graceful arches. Another pathway formed arches using the oleander plant, one that I do not admire, but have a new and elevated opinion of its uses.

After viewing the gardens one is treated to the inside of the palace.  The Arabian architecture uses the concept of plain and simple on the outside with all of the beauty on the inside. True to form with the beautiful compartments of the Alhambra. The sultans meeting room was most impressive and you had the opportunity of picturing the Sultan sitting at the back of the room in an alcove, meeting with guests and conducting his business. The most striking room for me was the room of the Sultana. It is beautiful. When I walked to the back, I saw an area of colored lighting. How does this happen?  Manuel told me that the ceiling of that room was made of stained glass. How truly unique to have stained glass on the ceiling to make mystical and magical forms of light on various spots and at various times of days they would change size, shape and locations.

See the magical colors on the left?

A photo is provided here of the lights that intrigued me. I would have enjoyed staying the day and watching how the sun played its part  in this moving painting as time passed. Alas, a guided tour waits for no one.

We were told that sometimes there were up to a thousand workers each working day on the Alhambra buildings and gardens for nearly one hundred years.  They are renovating it now as I write, and will be renovating for years to come. Those who have conceived, worked on and continued to work on the Alhambra I want to thank them for their gift, the symbolic power, the spell they cast and the charm they sought as it continues and will continue for as long as the world turns.

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