Observations & experiences from travel activities
– A Remedy For What Ails You – In a world where politicians and media conspire to overwhelm us with the blues, I turn off the news and find happiness by chasing adventure. It’s my way of rebelling… that, and writing this blog where you will always find good vibes. Here’s a great example of how we escaped the heaviness of Big Media without spending … Continue reading Killing the Blues in Karpacz
– Experiencing the Mystery of Poland’s Frontier – Poland’s border with Belarus and Ukraine is the eastern edge of Europe. It is a sparsely populated wonderland of lakes, forests, and open skies. Geopolitically, however, it is a place of great tension and turmoil… a territory that has been brutally disputed for hundreds of years. Our plan was to travel along the border from the top … Continue reading The Eastern Edge of Europe
Travel doesn’t require extensive time or money; many with limited resources actively seek adventure. Working-class individuals often have more opportunities to explore than wealthy ones, who are constrained by work. Embracing spontaneity and careful budgeting can lead to memorable experiences throughout life. Continue reading Adventure Planning on a Budget
– A New Alpine Experience – Ela and I enjoy long meandering conversations during our road trips. Age doesn’t matter much; we talk and feel and dream like young people when we’re alone together. There’s something about rolling down the open road that stimulates a flow of thoughts and, like the endless scenery, it’s different from the everyday mix. “Where would you go on an … Continue reading Age Doesn’t Matter (Much)
– Two Weeks in Olympic Beach – It was Ela’s idea; a two-week vacation in Greece bracketed by road trips through Central Europe. “We can drive through Serbia,” she said… as though that was something to get excited about. “Is it safe?” I asked. And she laughed. Olympic Beach We booked a couple weeks in an apartment suite a block off the water near the … Continue reading South Through Serbia
– Travel Adventure on the Polish Coast – Part of the adventure of living in Poland is visiting the different ecosystems in this ancient country. There are ancient forests, majestic mountains, rich valleys, and a sea. The entire northern border of Poland is the Baltic Sea, a brackish arm of the Atlantic shared by nine European countries. When Ela suggested we spend a week in … Continue reading South of Scandinavia
– An Expat in Syria Before the Gulf War – On the banks of the Euphrates River near the border with Iraq, there was ancient bedouin village in Syria named Deir ez-Zor. Royal Dutch Shell invested heavily in the development of nearby oilfields, not in the backward city. Historically, it served as a caravan stop on the famous Silk Road trade route. Expats called it … Continue reading The KLIM Epiphany
– 6 Sites in 6 Days; 3830 Kilometres – I’ve been a traveler all my life. Circled the globe 4 or 5 times before my 40th birthday and lived in half a dozen countries. Been through all 50 states; most of them twice, and a handful visited more times than I can count. I’ve been more places with Mileage Club Rewards than most of my … Continue reading Bus Tour Deserves a Mileage Club
– Modern Life in a Medieval City – When Mom decided to come visit us last year, Ela and I assembled a list of places that she might like to see. It’s easy to do: there are so many cool sites to tour in Poland. Central Europe is a region unfamiliar to Americans, so it’s easy to enjoy. Geographically, the country is about the size … Continue reading Kicking Back in Krakow
– Rest & Relaxation in Poland – One of the most refreshing things about Europe is the priority it’s citizens give to rest and relaxation. Americans drive themselves into early graves with long work weeks and short vacations. In Poland, the government actually sponsors stays (for nationals and residents) in one of the many spas located throughout the country. It has become our habit to … Continue reading Polonica Zdroj (Spa)
