A journey of a thousand miles begins today!!
In and around Portugal
Ok - First I'll introduce my airplane mates: My travel comanpanion on plane from Charlotte to NY was Sergi a
Russian Methodist Evangelical Teacher coming from a training seminar.
He lives in a Seminary. He asked if I would come to Moscow and consult
on how to turn the Seminary into a Bed and Breakfast for the visting
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pastors.
Then Nikki sat next to me from NY to Munich – wonderful woman
(aquarius) who got me thru my reaction to either the sleeping pill or
some "natural jet lag pill" she gave me –I got very sick all over her
blanket and in every bathroom on the plane for the next 4 hours…. She
was most gracious however an gave me her card as she would love to be a
part of Tranquility Inn Two oversees – she’s an astrologer and
naturopath. She was traveling to Munich to reclaim her German heritage
for her children - something with the govt??...
And then Carolina a native portugeese woman married to a German who
spoke a combo of 3 languages in every story gave me her number in
Lisbon and would do anything for me while I'm here. She was so kind
and helpful!! I was a very lucky girl to get such wonderful people for
the total of 26 hours!!!
Now I’m sitting in Lisbon airport where smoking seems to be the very
popular indoor activity, waiting for my only glitch in airport delays –
of course it’s the last one, when I’m so super ready to be horizontal.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler jengausman
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1
Mom and I learn Portuguese!!!
I wasn’t quite prepared for the hassels of internet service – I assumed my new fabulous WIFI MacBook meant that anywhere there was WIFI it meant I... Continue reading »
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2
East to West of the Algarve
Faro is quite expensive and we continue to wonder what the Portuguese do for a living to afford the clothing and shoe stores we see – Yikes!!
<... Continue reading » -
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Moroccan Dreams - Casablanca
Bonjour - My plane from Lisbon arrived on-time to Casablanca - I was the only American person on the plane and the only unaccompanied female travel... Continue reading »
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4
Day one in Casa
Oh my gosh – where do I begin??? There is so much to take in, see, smell, taste and touch. All senses are working in overdrive. My nose is... Continue reading » -
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Moroccan Dreams - Marrakech
It’s so funny how things I could do with no question of confidence, or self doubt I now don’t know how to do or I question if I’m going the right way,... Continue reading » -
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A new career already??
Ok this is a long one…. If you're not into my lengthly descriptions - sorry!!
First night in Marrakech, fresh from a relaxing massage and sau... Continue reading »
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Last Day in Marrakech
El Jamaa Square is gigantic and again, I wasn't quite prepared for the enormity or the sheer mass of people. Really an experience best shared wi... Continue reading » -
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Last of Marrakech - I promise
Ok - I made this last entry just to show the pictures I "paid for" tonight - I bought the Moroccan "mixture" of spices that we used today in class... Continue reading »
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9
First and Last day in Fes
After a not too exciting breakfast, I am equipped with my map and I start out in the hopes to find a bank and begin exploring from there. Aft... Continue reading »
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10
Train to Fes
Friday Morning I make it to the train on time, purchase my first class ticket, which I am embarrassed to even ask for. I remember that on my f... Continue reading » -
11
Dad meets me for Tapas and Tango
Monday morning I get on the bus for my 4 hour ride to Seville. I of course choose the only seat that doesn’t recline, but no one sat next to... Continue reading »
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12
Train to Tangier
Train to Tangier – It seems most of my good stories are from the train – is that normal?? Is that the “experience” I came to find?? I don’t know –... Continue reading »
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13
Granada and the Cathedral
Another rough night for me - no sleep - not even 10 minutes. Dad however slept until 9am with jackhammering, iron hitting iron and what sounded... Continue reading » -
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Alhambra to Alicante
Wow – we saw a lot today!! And didn’t spend more than 15 minutes being lost!! We got up early and made it to the Alhambra by 8:30 expecting large c... Continue reading »
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15
Coastal Drive to Barcelona
We left Alicante for more time in the car - I'm not the best passenger as you might imagine... but we are only doing about 3-4 hours a day so it's not... Continue reading » -
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Hasta Luego Spain
I can't believe it's been 8 days already... Dad and I had a wonderful time. I got to hear a ton of stories about the past 5 times he's been to E... Continue reading » -
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Ciao Italia...
Dad and I parted ways in Barcelona airport. I think he had a good time, walked more than he had in a while and got to connect with his daught... Continue reading »
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18
To the Top of Florence...
Another great day!! I woke up early and found my way to the breakfast room. Only one table left as a huge American tour group is staying here... Continue reading »
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19
Siena is Simply Perfect
Picked up my super cute car today and got “directions” from the National Car Rental lady who worked some magic after presenting me a $518 Euro bill... Continue reading »
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20
Giving Thanks in Assisi
Today I think was the best day yet as far as sightseeing. The Coast of Portugal is beautiful, the Alhambra was excellent, Morocco as a whole... Continue reading »
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21
Am I there yet??
Friday Nov 24th:
Let me say that yesterday was better than today. But I suppose not everyday of this trip can be the greatest day ever.... Continue reading »
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22
City Fix
Saturday Nov 25th
I slept soundly, stuffed myself on cakes and cheese and fruit (breakfast has a whole new meaning for me!!) and took the win... Continue reading »
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23
When in Rome take one
After talking myself into leaving my hotel room, I was being nervous or shy or I don’t know what my problem was, but I finally make myself leave ... Continue reading » -
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Rome take two
Sunday evening Nov 26th. Thank the Pope, I found an English bookstore. I was irritating myself with so little to do. I braved the train station (ie... Continue reading » -
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Arrivederci Italia
I have walked thru, around, across and in circles in Rome. I think I can say I’ve seen it all. Whoopee Doo for me. It’s been a beaut... Continue reading » -
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Olives and Islands
Athens is so far my absolute favorite!! After I got over the apt failure and embraced my fantastic hotel - I woke up Friday morning with a fresh persp... Continue reading » -
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Leaving Rome for Athens
I guess it was inevitable – to have a day like today. First: I decide to give myself only 15 minutes from wake up to have to be at the train statio... Continue reading » -
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Pyramid Blitz
One day in Egypt:
After a bad airport experience where I’m convinced the Egypt Airport tries to rip foreigners off with the “visa fee” of diff... Continue reading » -
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Lions and Elephants and Steve oh my!!!
Finally AFRICA!!! I arrive Nairobi at the ungodly hour of 4am where I find my very patient and kind driver Jackson waiting with a sign. Hav... Continue reading »
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30
Safari Day!!
Dec 7th: My buddy Jackson and I go back to the airport to meet Steve’s plane which is an hour late and we didn’t know it…. I’m literally the only... Continue reading »
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Goodbye Safari Hello white sand
Dec 11th Sadly, yet the perfect amount of time spent, we leave Kenya and arrive Mauritius. Steve was in charge of hotel accommodations for Mauritius... Continue reading » -
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Nirvana?...
First real day in Mauritius Dec 12th Got out of that hotel as fast as possible and walked around Mahberg, one of the larger towns for a while and on... Continue reading » -
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Allergic to Mosquitos
Quick story waking up day 2 in Mauritius: we found this perfect B&B on the southwest coast. Perfect – totally my style and the woman w... Continue reading » -
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Last Day Mauritius
Today, Steve is snorkeling and has totally found his nirvana in the Indian Ocean. I’m on the beach under a tiki hut with a rum punch in my han... Continue reading » -
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Madagascar Mammals
We arrive Madagascar around 10pm to find our driver waiting to take us to a guest house Steve found. Let me remind everyone that Steve was in... Continue reading »
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36
Reality Check
Steve and I got back from the lodge and were really looking forward to walking around the capital city Antananarivo or Tana for short. We had se... Continue reading » -
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On the way to Thailand....
what a day of travel. 21 hours total for us to get from Madagascar to Bangkok... However I've been told that my recent posts are a bit "complain... Continue reading » -
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Sawadee ka Thailand!! (hello in Thai)
After what felt like the longest day ever Steve and I are weary with hunger, sleep deprivation and stiff bodies. He looks worse than me howev... Continue reading »
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39
Clean Colons in Ko Phangan
I’ll share the details with anyone who wants to know but I’m feeling like a new person. This Colonic thing really amazing. This morning we... Continue reading » -
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Merry Christmas Bangkok Style
We arrive Bangkok airport this time more prepared with hotel options in hand. We taxi to the first idea where they quote us a ridiculous amount... Continue reading » -
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Duped in Bangkok
We wake up Christmas Morning to thai women in santa hats serving us breakfast and a mixture of English and thai xmas music on the speakers. I... Continue reading »
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