2024-05-01 08:00
Why did Albania declare itself an atheist state? It hasn’t always been. Albania has been a secular state since 1912, and as such, is neutral in questions of belief and conscience. &hell…Read More
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Travel Sketches Blog
TravelSketches.info
A blog of my worldly travels from childhood to present day.
2024-04-24 08:38
You too can travel cheaply, cheaper than you thought you could. The secrets are thinking locally and living like the locals. Not only will you experience a cultural shift, you will also save… Read More
2024-04-17 07:48
I continually hear people say they would like to travel but that they can’t. There are a lot of excuses, and many of these are valid. Others are just that – excuses. Let me tackl… Read More
2024-04-10 09:10
Spring came into Sarandë on cat’s paws. If we weren’t looking, it snuck up on us. The tree buds are greening and the swimmers are diving into the Ionian Sea, while others ar… Read More
2024-04-03 08:45
Two strikes and you’re out. For me, two strikes and I’m in. It was my pleasure to be rewarded twice last week. Let me explain. Amelia and JP For a travel blog, this might be a li… Read More
2024-03-27 10:27
Every European country has a castle and Albania is no exception. There are 158 castles and fortifications earning the status of cultural heritage in Albania. High on a hill above Saranda sta… Read More
2024-03-20 09:48
I was very surprised to recently learn of one permanent Saranda resident: Hillary Rodham Clinton. She resides alongside our beautiful coffee house in central Saranda. Despite your political… Read More
2024-03-13 10:16
Saranda has a split personality. It is unclear how to spell the name. The official Albanian spelling is Sarandë, the Greeks spell it Sarande, while the Italians spell it Saranda. You ha… Read More
2024-03-06 10:24
Saranda, like every country that attracts tourists, has its seasons – low and high. Seasons are generally defined by weather. A country may have the traditional four seasons, or it may… Read More
2024-02-28 12:14
Like a clam shell pried open, Saranda rises out of the Adriatic Sea and up the mountain sides around a bay of clear water. Five major rings encircle the central portion of these mountains, w… Read More
2024-02-21 05:53
Albania’s third largest city packs a wallop, even in the off season. Vlora (Vlorë) lies on the south coast and attracts a tourist crowd all year long. It is at its pinnacle in the… Read More
2024-02-14 06:56
Tirana is a mixed bag of the pleasant and the unpleasant. As Albania’s capitol city, it has everything. The past is still very much present, as the country only opened its borders to t… Read More
2024-02-07 13:23
Before I knew it, I found myself in Tirana. This is a very busy city, only a few hours from London. I have long had a goal of getting to this city, and now I have arrived. Tirana… Read More
2024-01-31 10:48
In my wanderings around England, I have seen several old buildings on stilts in the center of town. The first I passed off as unique, but when I saw more, I became intrigued to learn more ab… Read More
2024-01-23 13:16
On a cold but sunny day, I had the pleasure of visiting King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, in their supposed final resting place, that is. The location is Glastonbury, England, and the site is… Read More
2024-01-17 11:04
From a 13th Century parish church to the 12th Century Cathedral is but two hours by train but thousands of years before now. A 13th Century Church I did attend Sunday services at St. Mary&rs&hell…Read More
2024-01-10 11:04
My visit to Gloucester Cathedral was a moving experience. This is one of England’s top 10 cathedrals. I was enthralled. Maneuvering Gloucester I arrived by train and called my hotel to… Read More
2024-01-03 18:00
I’m back in the long shadow of Exeter, 28 miles away in Axminster. I am now away from the Salisbury Plain in a town built on a hill overlooking the Axe River. I am maybe 1-1/4 miles ou… Read More
2023-12-27 15:10
I headed south in England and arrived at Mecca! Mecca in Saudi Arabia is the holiest place for Muslims as it is where Muhammad was born and received the Koran from Allah (God). My Mecca is t… Read More
2023-12-20 12:46
I find it so interesting that in the UK you can get to most anywhere you want too somewhat easily. I’ve discussed my love of train travel in England and only wish that it were as preva… Read More
2023-12-12 16:54
Traveling Europe has its challenges getting from A to B. Last week, I completed my house/pet sit in Shrewsbury. Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to visit this fascinating, very old town… Read More
2023-12-06 10:20
There are many odds and ends when traveling Europe. This is what makes travel interesting. There is a joy in leaving the mundane, in discovering new perspectives, and finding there are other… Read More
2023-11-29 11:39
I headed north from Exeter to spend a day in Wales. My intent was simply to add another country to my list of countries visited. I was only there for some 40 hours. My next house sit might h… Read More
2023-11-23 13:39
I was very fortunate to spend a day at Exeter Cathedral. It was unlike any other day at the Cathedral. The day was 12 November, Remembrance Sunday (Veterans’ Day in the U.S.). The day… Read More
2023-11-15 14:29
Leaving Manchester and far from the madding crowd (thanks, Thomas Hardy), I ventured into the remote. I was surprised to find myself in the woods, high on a hill, and absent from any human c… Read More
2023-11-08 06:19
I did not start off house-sitting in Manchester. I started with a day in the fabulous city center and thought this is how I’ve always imagined Europe. The main commercial area is devoi… Read More
2023-11-01 06:28
Travelling abroad is different from traveling in the United States. I have had to learn how to travel in Europe. Perhaps I am learning how not to travel in Europe. I’ve already made my… Read More
2023-10-25 06:29
I have arrived in Merrie Olde England, but I still have a miscellany of thoughts hanging over my head. Let me get these out of the way before I conquer the largest of the British Isles. Litt… Read More
2023-10-18 06:16
I travelled Kansas many years ago but, now that I’m in Germany, I must follow the red brick road — if I’m on a bicycle. On foot, I must follow the brown brick road. These s… Read More
2023-10-11 06:13
I finally made it to the Miele Museum, close to where I’m living in Gütersloh, Germany. Their Promise of Forever Better was beautifully displayed with an historical perspective on… Read More
2023-10-04 06:51
Let me assure you that house sitting is not for the faint of heart. It is a job that comes with responsibilities. It also requires a lot of persistence finding house/pet sits. I can easily s… Read More
2023-09-27 08:42
When I go food shopping in Gütersloh, I am always trying to compare it with shopping from my past. Is this a good price? Is this cheaper or more expensive? What is the converted price?… Read More
2023-09-20 09:30
There is an English garden on the edge of city center Gütersloh. This city park, Stadtpark, or Volkspark (peoples park), is made up of 38.3 acres, seven and a half of which are a botani… Read More
2023-09-13 09:57
The international Miele company is headquartered in Gütersloh, Germany. They make a promise of forever better for everything they produce.This means they will do all that they can to be… Read More
2023-09-06 09:26
I attempted to go to church last Sunday to experience a German worship service. Are the rumors true? Have the churches become secularized? The Martin Luther Church was locked up tight. The o… Read More
2023-08-30 12:53
Gütersloh is a green city. It is often called the green city on the Dalke River. The adjective green is aptly applied to the city for a number of reasons. These include the many parks a… Read More
2023-08-23 06:01
My understanding of house sitting at this point indicates that I will always be going with the flow. Changes can happen from day to day. There is little in the way of long-guarantees. Some w… Read More
2023-08-16 06:55
I am finding that there is a fear of using language to communicate when travelling. My experiences tell me that many people do not speak when encountering a stranger in a foreign country. Th… Read More
2023-08-09 08:21
I have arrived and find my introduction to Germany to be both entertaining and challenging. The city of Gütersloh is quite upscale. I love the clean, varied residential areas. What I&rs&hell…Read More
2023-08-02 08:56
I have arrived in Gütersloh, Germany but not without the help of many. I frequently remind myself “There but for the grace of God go I”. I have not been averse to go up to p… Read More
2023-07-26 07:57
It seems like I’m always starting a new career. How many have there been: organist-choirmaster, perpetual student, book dealer, medical data manager, author, writer, blogger. What now?… Read More
2023-07-19 07:33
How can you escape the hordes of travelers all going to the same places? Let’s try exploring less popular travel destinations to get away from the crowds. TimeOut.com. a leading global… Read More
2023-07-12 09:29
There is on the El Camino di San Tommaso a fountain of free-flowing wine. It spills wine all year long. Yes, it is free for the drinking. Is there another such fountain anywhere? Historicall… Read More
2023-07-05 07:17
“The Red Coats are coming! The Red Coats are coming,” said Sukey. “Let ‘em come,” said Ma. Little did these Tories know what they were about to encounter. Chasi… Read More
2023-06-28 05:47
I got into my truck and began driving. I had no idea where I was going. Four and a half months later, I stopped. Today, let me back up and tell you about a part of my favorite travel experie… Read More
2023-06-21 09:08
Somebody had to do it! That somebody was Dr. Johannes Lederer, a German doctor who was also an explorer. Lederer was the first white man to climb the Appalachian Mountains. He was born in or… Read More
2023-06-14 08:06
You have heard of the Great Wall of China, but have you heard of the Great Wall of India? China’s wall at 2,145 miles in length is hard to surpass. India’s great wall at nearly 2… Read More
2023-06-07 06:17
Visiting wineries has become popular with tourists and weekenders. Finding nearby hotels can be arduous and costly. Sleeping in a winery may just be your best bet. A growing number of wineri… Read More
2023-05-31 06:46
An Historical Treasure Savannah, Georgia is known for its vibrant city squares and vibrant history. However, one of its most significant historic sites often goes overlooked by visitor… Read More
2023-05-24 08:49
Karaage Shops The small town of Nakatsu is home to about 50 “karaage” shops. It ranks for the world’s best fried chicken. Karaage is a delicate, fried chicken version that… Read More
2023-05-17 08:34
Would you like to visit a national park this summer, but you don’t have a reservation? Would you prefer not to have to ride the crowded busses? Fortunately, there are national park alt… Read More
2023-05-10 07:13
Retirement should be a time to kick back and enjoy the rewards of your hard work. Unfortunately, for many retirees in America, the high cost of living can put a damper on your plans for an e… Read More
2023-05-03 09:15
The United Nations has a heritage organization known as UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, honors the French baguette. This organization promotes peac… Read More
2023-04-26 09:14
During 2023, you can explore San Francisco’s magic year of festivals. There are more anniversaries this year than you can shake a stick at. Perhaps throw a piece of Ghirardelli chocola… Read More
2023-04-19 10:04
Selecting the ideal camp site is an important part of camping. It will makeall the difference to your enjoyment and comfort. Let’s look at some tips for selecting the ideal campi… Read More
2023-04-12 08:10
Istanbul, Turkey lies on two continents: Europe and Asia. Spanning two continents has its advantages and disadvantages. Getting from one to the other requires crossing the Bosphorus St… Read More
2023-04-05 08:58
Black pearls from Tahiti are among the world’s most valuable and sought-after pearls due to their rarity and deep, lustrous black color – unique among pearls. Black pearls can be… Read More
2023-03-31 11:50
Why can’t travelers to Hawai’i think beyond the beach? The United States’ 50th state is so much more than blue skies, palm trees, and ocean views. If you venture beyond the… Read More
2023-03-22 07:45
Ecuador’s recent earthquake struck last Saturday about 12:15 pm. It measured 6.7 on the Richter Scale affecting both Ecuador and Peru. The latest report, as of this writing, is that 15… Read More
2023-03-15 06:34
Beginning in May 2023, the world’s largest light show, a stunning, fully-immersive sound and light show at Ayers Rock Resort, Australia, will explode as never seen before anywhere in t… Read More
2023-03-08 07:18
Paris, London, Berlin. All well-known capitals in Europe. Others are not so well known but probably should be. Many tourists never explore three of these forgotten capitals because they do n… Read More
2023-03-01 08:59
The Greek island of Hydra, a ferry ride from Athens or other communities along the Peloponnese coast, has banned all wheels on the island. The result is a walkers’ paradise. Hydra is a… Read More
2023-02-22 08:32
Repositioning cruises offer travelers an exciting and cost-effective way to travel around the globe. This happens when cruise ships make a move from one seasonal port to the next, often… Read More
2023-02-14 07:51
Today is Valentine’s Day. But who is St. Valentine? The Roman church recognized three martyred Valentines as saints. One of these, St. Valentine of Rome, was a priest who performed mar… Read More
2023-02-08 08:31
If no one ever visits a house, could you not call it the loneliest house in the world? In this era of noise and congestion, you might dream of getting away from it all and visiting this hous… Read More
2023-02-01 06:09
If and when your traveling days are over, you may want to put down roots in the ground somewhere. But what if your roots stayed on the surface and that surface were water? Yes, you could liv… Read More
2023-01-25 08:47
Getting around Cuenca is fairly simple using 4 wheels, 2 wheels, or 2 feet. Last week, I discussed using cars, taxis, and light rail for daily transportation. Today, I will tell you about us… Read More
2023-01-18 06:04
If you stop in front of a porch in Maine where two old men are sitting in rocking chairs and ask for directions, you will undoubtedly get the answer, “You can’t get there from he… Read More
2023-01-11 08:32
Every year, the world’s most liveable city is ranked by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) which is the research and analysis division of the Economist Group. This London-based grou… Read More
2023-01-04 08:52
Sometimes small is better. This may include where you live. The urban-rural battle has been hit head on by the United Nations World Tourism Organization asking countries to enter a contest n… Read More
2023-01-01 13:40
Feliz Año Nuevo! Happy New Year! Ecuador’s custom to welcome in the New Year is “out with the old”. I’m waiting to see what “in with the new” will… Read More
2022-12-28 08:42
Normally when you move, you have moving expenses. How about being paid to move? The town of Presicee, Italy will pay you €30,000 (about $31,800) to move into one of their central town h… Read More
2022-12-28 05:39
It all began in the 1960s when a statue of the Christ child was blessed by the Pope, brought back to Cuenca from Rome, and a tradition was born. This statue, the Nino Viajero (child traveler… Read More
2022-12-21 08:53
Of some 139 styles of hats today, only one is named for a country – and it’s the wrong country! I refer to the Panamá hat. This hat originated in Ecuador and continues to… Read More
2022-12-14 09:25
How do you define home if you’re an expat? Your definition may differ from other expats, but what’s important is how you define home. If you travel for a short time, home is your… Read More
2022-12-07 09:34
The expat (expatriate) life is incredulous, filled with new wonders, experiences, cultures, and diverse people. I’m an advocate for slow travel, taking the time to get to experience th… Read More
2022-11-30 09:24
One of the worst things about being a traveling nomad is saying Good-bye. If you have spent anytime in a place, you have undoubtedly made friends and become comfortable there; you have come… Read More
2022-11-23 09:11
An entire street of blacksmith shops! Las Herrerias (the blacksmiths) and the Museum of Fire are an under-rated but fascinating neighborhood in the El Vergel sector of Cuenca. In the late 18… Read More
2022-11-16 09:12
I’m pleased to announce that Awesomegang, a book site, selected me for an author interview. You can me at https://awesomegang.com/?p=1052069. I hope you enjoy reading the interview. Th… Read More
2022-11-09 08:34
You will save money when you grocery shop in Ecuador. Prices for local products are often substantially below those in North America. This is a result of the lower cost of living in Ecuador… Read More
2022-11-02 09:54
The cost savings when purchasing food can be great when you know where to shop. As in cities of similar size, Cuenca is blest to have several options for shopping. These include the city mar… Read More
2022-10-26 05:43
Do you need a fish head, a wooden spoon, an exotic herb, a hornado, or a haircut? In Cuenca, you need to head to 10 Agosto Mercado in the El Centro, an authentic Cuenca market, where you wil… Read More
2022-10-19 09:01
Want to go to the moon? Don’t have the time for a long trip? Well, the trip gets shortened if you leave from Ecuador. Yes, Mount Chimborazo in Central Ecuador is closer to the moon tha… Read More
2022-10-12 09:13
Reprinted with permission from Cuenca Highlife, Sep 27, 2022 [edited] By Carrie Dennett Back in August, I wrote about how I wouldn’t promote the Mediterranean diet like I used to… Read More
2022-10-05 08:05
A collection of shrunken heads rests alongside one of Cuenca’s main thoroughfares. They lie in state at the Pumapungo Museum and Archaeological Park, a beautiful edifice housing exhibi… Read More
2022-09-28 09:02
Among the largest cities in Ecuador, Cuenca is considered the safest. Petty theft and vandalism do exist, though. Unfortunately, crime is up from last year. This may be due to the conditions… Read More
2022-09-21 09:33
Contrary to John Milton’s Paradise Lost, paradise can be found in Cuenca’s largest park. Parque El Paradiso is a respite from the nosy city while still being in the cit… Read More
2022-09-14 09:16
Cuenca, Ecuador in the Azuay Province (“rain that falls from the sky”) has an area of 3200 square miles and is full of contrasts. Temperatures, elevations, insects, snakes, and r… Read More
2022-09-07 09:26
Gold has always been sought in Ecuador. The Conquistadors scoured Ecuador for these deposits, as they did throughout South America. Their intent was to extract whatever resources they could… Read More
2022-08-31 06:05
Along with the old in Cuenca is the new. Not long ago, there was a large plot of land on the south side of the city at the junction of two of Cuenca’s four rivers – Yanuncay and… Read More
2022-08-24 09:56
What’s a lover of French Impressionism doing in a contemporary art gallery? Art is art, and I need to continually expose myself to its new forms. I surprised myself recently when I pai… Read More
2022-08-17 09:59
We made it up all those steps! Now we’re at Calle Larga (Long Street). If we head left for about 3 blocks and turn right, we can take an angled street up to the heart of El Centro and… Read More
2022-08-10 09:51
Well, it seems that way. From where I’m living in Cuenca, Ecuador, the El Centro (old historic district) is straight up. Come, walk with me as we head up to El Centro. I live in… Read More
2022-08-03 09:04
I have found that making friends is one of the most important requirements when moving to a new community. I have been blessed to have made new friends who seem to have been just waiting to… Read More
2022-08-01 05:47
Numbeo.com, a collaborative online database, provides cost of living comparisons between cities and countries of the world. It has just released its first six-month index for 2022. From this… Read More
2022-07-27 09:10
Is there a best way to travel? Of course not; it has many individualistic factors to consider. What’s right for you may not be right for me, and I’m beginning to think that what… Read More
2022-07-20 08:13
Up, Up and Away in My Beautiful Balloon – er, plane. I’m off to the world’s third highest capitol city – Quito, Ecuador – at 9,350 feet. From there, I drop down… Read More
2022-07-13 09:17
At the western edge of Panamá lies Chiriqui Province, the second-most developed province in Panamá (after Panamá City’s province). Its diversity means there is som… Read More
2022-07-06 07:27
How you can escape working 9-5 every week, living anywhere, and joining the new rich was a radical idea presented in 2007 by Tim Ferriss. He published what became a cult book, The 4-Hour Wor… Read More
2022-06-29 08:33
Panamá is no exception when it comes to the quirky and quacky. Here are some of the best. After the French gave up trying to build a canal across the isthmus of Panamá, the Uni… Read More
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