Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 354

Keepin’ the Faith at the Ruins in Macau

Walking straight straight ahead amidst the busy people and streets of Senado Square area in Macau lies a breathtaking and impeccable “Ruins of St. Paul.”

People from different walks of life, busy merchants selling their own goods and products,  very friendly vendors that offers free taste of their fresh delicacies, simultaneous performances in Senado Square area that promotes Macau’s rich culture and traditions, and happy travellers taking photos at every beautiful and historical spots in the place.

It was actually my third time to visit Macau, but it was only my first time to visit the Ruins. And people are right that seeing that perfect architectural statue in personal will really melt your heart.  It’s indeed Majestic!

Since Macau became a colony of Portugal way back 1600 up to 1999, it’s not impossible that most of the beautiful atmosphere in the country that suggests Catholicism were all inherited from them.  I myself, as a born Catholic, was really amazed with those churches and statues.

Being with my family during this trip, We were able to enjoy our whole day visiting the city of Macau, and the most charming Ruins of St. Paul has become our point of interest besides shopping around to get some souvenirs and delicacies from the beautiful city.

We would take photos of the Ruins, climb up until reaching the great statue, and stay there as if we were not running out of time.

One thing that surprised me was while going up the stairs to reach the perfect statue.  I felt that It’s as if I’m going up to the stairs of heaven! It was terrifying since it’s quite high but upon reaching the top, I felt glorified!  Seeing the heavenly statue made me feel as if I already reached the top of the world and it was really heavenly.

A simple realization came to my mind that maybe, before reaching heaven’s door, a lot of challenges will come our way and it would also be very hard for us at first, but when we persevere to do good and follow all His will, it will be very easy for us  reaching the top as He will always be our guide.

As to keeping my faith, Seeing the beautiful city has made me more faithful to my religion.  I was not expecting to feel that way cause our only purpose in visitng the place was to go shopping and sight seeing since going to Macau was only part of our Hongkong trip.  We just took a ferry for an hour trip to Macau and as planned, we will just have a day tour at the city and will go take photos and grab some souvenirs.

We believed that we are really destined to be in the place for some reasons.  And it’s to realize that a lot of good and beautiful places around the globe still awaits all of us to visit them and know their culture and traditions, as well as their history.

Every place we go, every country we visit, every people we meet always leave a special mark in our hearts.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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Paris GOODfood+wine On World Radio Paris

by Paige Donner

Paris is a world capital. It’s also one of the world’s top travel destinations. Last year France logged over 83 million foreign tourists, placing it at the #1 spot for world tourism destinations, according to France Diplomatie.

Not only are those numbers staggering but equally impressive is the revenue this tourism sector generates for France: €13 billion in 2012, up from €7.5 billion in 2011.

And the visitors are certainly international with the greatest increases coming from Russia and Brazil but also from China who registered a total of 1.5 million visitors to France in 2013.

So, the question we here at Paris GOODfood+wine asked was: Where and what are all of these people going to eat?

 

 

Paris Goodfood+wine, the very first long format radio show in English about food broadcast from Paris,  is produced for World Radio Paris. World Radio Paris, launched September 2013, just celebrated its first year anniversary milestone. Milestone because this is the very first English-language radio station – ever! – to be licensed by the state for broadcast from Paris. It took the WRP team, led by station manager David Blanc, ten years of lobbying to secure the necessary licenses and permits from the French government that allow us to broadcast from our antenna on the Montmartre Hill, in central Paris.

And as it is a community radio station, not-for-profit, we are staffed by all volunteers. I am one of those volunteers.

To mark an evolution at our one year anniversary, the team decided to embrace growth and initialize several long form radio programs. I pitched Paris GOODfood+wine, an outgrowth of my weekly World of Wine program I have hosted and produced this past year for WRP.  Paris GOODfood+wine is the first of these to take shape.

Which takes us back to our initial question: Where are 83 million visitors to France, most of whom spend their principal vacation in Paris, going to eat while they’re here?

And what are they going to eat?!

Paris GOODfood+wine The first ever long form radio show broadcast from Paris in English about French food and wine. Find us at World Radio Paris. Fund us at Beacon Reader.

 

Paris GOODfood+wine is the answer to that question, radio style. Yes there are lots of good guidebooks available, several of which I’ve written for myself, including Fodor’s, and currently write for, like USA Today’s 10BEST.com. But with an ever-increasing smartphone equipped population, our  DAB (digital audio broadcast) is available easily with the just-launched WRP Android APP for download onto your mobile device.

So, if it’s your first (or even second or 10th!) time visiting Paris and you want to know, and you want to know NOW, where a few good dining choices are in the city where you are sure to get a good meal, look no further than our restaurant review segments on Paris GOODfood+wine, with guest restaurant critic, Alec Lobrano.  Or, perhaps you would like to visit a few fresh markets while in town, pick up some lovely cheeses, fresh baguettes, maybe a few sausages and some fruit? Our Paris Market Report journalist, Emily Dilling, introduces you to some of the best Parisian fresh markets and talks with some of their superstar fresh produce providers. To round out the program, Gabrielle Mondesire offers insights into some of the more unique aspects of Parisian culinary culture and I, well, I will tell you all about French wines and lead you to some of the city’s best wine bars, wine cellars and wine events and also provide you with in-person interviews of some of Paris’s culinary personalities and people of note.

With Paris GOODfood+wine we hope to share with you our passion for French food and wine as we find it existing uniquely here in the City of Lights, aka the World’s Top Tourism Destination for Food And Wine.

And your support of this tasty radio project is greatly appreciated!

 

To find out more about Paige and to contact her go to About.me/PaigeDonner

 

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Gratitude, a Lingua Franca, France

Gratitude opens the world—it is the lingua franca of our species. Even if we grasp no other words in a foreign tongue, we will always strive to master please, thank you and where is the bathroom? the last of which implies the very definition of gratitude in its hoped-for relief of urgency. Once removed from the safety of familiar landmarks and customs, we come to value kindnesses of all size, but particularly small ones: the tip of a hat or the words buon giorno offered on the quiet streets of Verona in the early morning hours.

When we plan for travel, we study how to communicate our gratitude for exchanges both large and small, most especially for these moments when a stranger’s altruism brightens our sense of a nation. In Venice, a passing businessman notes our struggle and lifts my friend’s gargantuan red suitcases without a word, one in each hand, at the foot of a steep arch. The cases weigh over fifty pounds each. He carries them up and over to the bus station for us, departing with a quick wave goodbye.

 Pulling out of Rome, my mobile phone is dead. I cannot reach our host to inform him of our arrival in Orvieto, where he is to meet us that evening. I appeal to a woman on the train, who hands over her cell phone without the slightest hesitation that I might steal it. When I thank her profusely, she shrugs as if it happens all the time.

In Paris, we discover that our bank cards will not allow us to withdraw cash. At the end of dinner at a tiny brasserie in the Rue Cler, the owner informs us that he does not accept credit cards. For the first time in our lives, we cannot pay the bill. We panic. Will the owner call the police? The couple next to us, overhearing our plight, offers to pay for our meal, insisting that we can mail them a check when we return home.

A passing shower in Glasgow sends me dashing into a dark pub, my legs exhausted from walking all day on hard stone streets. As I settle into the high-backed bar stool, the damp afternoon sojourn has me missing loved ones back home. I say something to this effect when the bartender slides a pint of ale across the mahogany counter. When I request the tab, he smiles and says it’s on him.

With every trip, there is kindness. It need not be monumental to matter. Passersby in Seville lend directions to my hotel when I appear lost; in London, a man in a dapper blue suit holds the doors to the Tube when he sees me running to catch the train; en route to Amsterdam, a flight attendant moves me to the front row so that I’m first off the plane. Our flight is an hour late leaving Seattle, and there are hundreds of passengers to care for, but she watches out for me. My heart swells with gratitude when I make my connection, just barely, thanks to her. 

What good do I do in exchange for these gifts? At first, I cannot conjure grand evidence of my own compassion, at least, not enough to warrant the host of charmed adventures I’ve had. Then I reflect on the kindnesses I’ve learned to practice, inspired by those who have been generous to me on the road. At my regular coffee shop near King Street Station, I buy pay-it-forward drinks for strangers I will never meet. When visitors forget mittens and bumbershoots on the bus, I chase them down to return them. When walking downtown, I meet the searching eyes of tourists who inevitably want to inquire about the direction of Pike Place Market.

The more we travel, the more we see humanity in each other’s eyes. Our journeys not only reveal new customs and languages, they make us more obvious to each other. In exploring the world, we are granted the opportunity to be kind, and the opportunity to receive kindness from others. We are bound to each other by nothing but the human race, and somehow, despite all the ill in the world, this connection triumphs.

Years after an adventure, our struggles recede and gratitude remains. Our memories narrow to the moments when we overcame a challenge, often with the aid of a native—we were safely ferried, arm in arm, through the twisting labyrinth of an ancient city; a conductor lifted us by the hand aboard the train as it pulled away; we were invited to dine upstairs with a family just as their restaurant closed for the evening. Aid arrives when it is needed most, as if someone is watching out for us, and so our greatest adventures are fed with human kindness, and they end, if we’re fortunate, with eternal gratitude.

About the Author:  Gabriela Denise Frank is the author of CivitaVeritas: An Italian Fellowship Journey. Her work appears in The Wolf Skin, ARCADE and Behind the Yellow Wallpaper: New Tales of Madness, an anthology by New Lit Salon Press. Her next trip, which can’t arrive soon enough, is to Australia and New Zealand.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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USA Today: The Nice Guy West Hollywood

USA Today: The Nice Guy West Hollywood

Looking for a new spot to relax and enjoy dinner in Los Angeles? The living room-style low tables and ambient lighting make the atmosphere at The Nice Guy a perfect choice.

The Nice Guy is the latest bar-lounge hybrid experience from John Terzian, Brian Toll, Markus Molinari and Adam Koral of The h.wood Group.

“This is [The h.wood Group’s] first venture into a restaurant/lounge concept; it was an organic step for our brand,” says Terzian. “We created a fun and upscale lounge atmosphere that has been lacking in Los Angeles.”

The Nice Guy lounge

Photo courtesy of The Nice Guy

The Nice Guy is a cozy Italian-inspired lounge that is a reservation-only destination. The grand opening was in August 2014.

Guests rave about the lounge’s ingenious creation “The Punch Bowl.” Kris and Cameron — the top-notch, friendly bartenders — suggest that it can serve up to 15! Perfect for your next party.

Enjoy many types of specialty pizza, including the Duck Bahn Mi with duck confit, fontina, pickled carrots, Thai basil and Sriracha sauce. Other recommended specialties are the meatballs with spicy tomato sauce and crispy basil, the Brussels sprouts and the truffle fries.

Maddie, one of the exceptional servers recommends tasting three of their tempting dessert creations. The fresh baked chocolate chip cookies appear still warm from the oven. The affogato with hazelnut ice cream and the made-to-order donuts with chocolate and hazelnut glaze are also winners. (While almost no one can resist fresh chocolate chip cookies, for a unique and tempting treat, you gotta taste these donuts!)

Spicy meatballs are fantastic!

Photo courtesy of Lisa Ellen Niver

Sit in the flower-patterned comfy booth right next to the sultry sounds of live piano playing and singing. Come here to swoon with the ’50s-inspired décor and discover new friends at the traditional chef’s table.

You might need your phone flashlight at the bar to read all the mixology drink creations, but other than that, the low lighting and the overall atmosphere of the lounge work with the singing and piano playing. Call now for your reservation, or otherwise you might have to wait until after Christmas!

“Guests will enjoy a full menu ranging from healthy to the unexpected,” says Chef John Carlos Kuramoto (formerly of Michaels in Santa Monica).

Drinks by Mixologist Brian Stewart of Soho House LA will inspire you and keep you coming back for more and more each visit.

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Instafriend in California

Instafriend

At thirty-thousand feet, I was reading about destruction. I admit: it’s not the most pleasant subject matter for someone who’s facing her fear by confronting it. But I needed a plan, before landing, for how I could burn away everything that had been holding me back: frustrated relationships, insecurity about my career path, a temporary creative block.

With nothing but atmosphere between me and the Earth, I was studying Awakening Shakti, a book that introduces readers to female Hindu goddess. Kali, I was learning, is a goddess who represents creation and renewal, which can only happen when a person destroys whatever is keeping her from growth. In New Jersey, my origin, my heart and creative energy had become as lifeless and cold as the mid-January freeze.

When I landed at Los Angeles International Airport, where the temperature was about 40 degrees warmer than in Newark, I picked up a rented Hyundai Sonata and anticipated spending the next few days like a child’s lost and forgotten summer toy – a miniature water gun, perhaps – captured in a block of ice, waiting for the heat to melt it into being. I could go anywhere and be anything without answering to anyone.

I peeled off the layers – a scarf, a sweater, and heavy socks – that had kept me warm that morning and on the air-conditioned plane, and I considered what to do with my new sense of weightlessness. Hungry, I decided my first stop would be Veggie Grill, a plant-based fast food chain with locations throughout California, Oregon, and Washington. As a vegan, I wanted to take this trip partly so that I could indulge in all the best vegan food that Los Angeles has to offer. I wanted to celebrate, in abundance, my decision to be vegan, a choice that many assumed was limiting.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I couldn’t believe how many people were eating lunch at a restaurant with a meatless menu; all tables were occupied. After ordering a “quinoa power salad,” I sat down at a table that had just cleared and waited.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. In the moment before I turned around, I guessed that the person tapping me might be another solo diner, hoping to share my table in the crowded space. Or had I forgotten to take my change from the cashier? I faced the stranger.

“Are you Laryssa?”

I squinted at the dark-haired young man. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt

and jeans. I tried so hard to place him in my memory that I could almost feel my hippocampus groan.

“Yes, that’s me,” I said.

Who, so far away from my home, would recognize me? I was trying to be something different here, to shed my East Coast identity. Obviously I was still carrying its weight.

“Do I know you?”

“We follow each other on Instagram,” he said.

Instagram is a social media community where I post photos of vegan food and other miscellany. To myself, I call it “Veganland” because nearly every one of the 1,000 users I follow is vegan. Whenever I feel alone, I can open the iPhone app and, as I scroll through photo after photo of vegan dishes, can pretend that our planet is a cruelty-free utopia.

But I didn’t recognize his face from any of the 110×110 pixel profile photos I had associated with people’s Instagram handles.

“What’s your username?”

“Spencer – “

“Oh!” I interrupted.

We chatted for a few minutes, and he hugged me: the perfect welcome. I learned that my Instafriend Spencer was visiting Los Angeles for the day to protest with an animal rights activist group from San Diego.

When he left, his absence made me feel as if my cover had been blown – what are the chances that someone would recognize me from my own square profile photo? I wouldn’t be to begin this trip as someone completely new, removed from my past failures and frustrations. But I realized, between bites of my quinoa salad at Veggie Grill, where I was surrounded by people who were actively making the same ethical choices I make, that I’m in good company, not only in a vegan fast-food establishment but wherever I am.

I wouldn’t have to be alone to burn away my past identities. Instead, I would soften myself to allow connection, which is the only way I’d be able to learn about new possibilities and opportunities, to gain insight into the person I am and who I want to be. When I stepped into the parking lot, I felt a dampness above my upper lip. The sun was at its highest point, and I was sweating.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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France: Seven Letters from Paris

TWENTY YEARS, SEVEN LETTERS, AND ONE LONG-LOST LOVE OF A LIFETIME 

Fall in love with Samantha Vérant’s SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS

Preface from the book:

Tonight I’m cooking from the heart, choosing self-belief over fear.

Although I’ve always been a culinary adventuress, experimenting with recipes ripped from the pages ofBon Appétit and Gourmet since the age of twelve, Jean-Luc and I usually prepare this particular meal together—him manning the stove, me the eager sous-chef, slicing and dicing the parsley, shallots, and garlic. Now, thanks to his gentle coaching, I’m a little more confident when it comes to the art of preparing flammable French cuisine. And I can’t let a little heat scare me out of my own kitchen.

The time has finally come to conquer my anxiety of flambéing—on my own.

On the first strike, the match hisses to life, trailing a wisp of smoke. I take a step back, reach out my arm, and touch the lit tip into the Pastis with a steady hand. Flames flare up and the aroma of the anise-flavored liqueur permeates the kitchen. The blaze settles into a simmer, and I let out the breath I’ve been holding in. My technique is still not flawless though; to the cat’s delight, one plump shrimp tumbles onto the floor. Bella lifts her haunches and pounces on her prey. I may not have the pan flip down, but I have one very happy, pint-sized panther.

VIDEO BOOK TRAILER

After setting the timer, I twist the knob on the burner to low, which will allow the flavors of the Pastis to infuse the shrimp just a bit more. Jean-Luc has already set the table outside, and I step out into the garden to join him. “Wine?” he asks.

I nod and take my seat within earshot of the kitchen, noting my husband’s handsome profile, his manicured sideburns, and his chiseled jaw with the five o’clock shadow as he uncorks the bottle of Cabernet d’Anjou.

I am just as attracted to him as I’d been when we first met over twenty years ago.

Right as we’re about to clink glasses, the timer in the kitchen buzzes. Before I can move a muscle, Jean-Luc says, “Stay. Stay.” He flies out of his chair and into the house. A few seconds later, he rushes back to the deck and places a glossy black paper bag on my dinner plate. I can make out the name of a jeweler: 18k, Montres et Bijoux.

I point, my mouth dropping open. “But you weren’t supposed to get me anything—”

“I wanted to.” He shrugs and blows air between his lips like only a Frenchman can do without looking silly.

“But the shrimp—”

“Can wait a minute. I turned the burner off.” He motions to the bag. “Ouvre-le.”

He doesn’t need to translate his words into English. With a shake of my head, I reach through layers of hot pink tissue paper to discover a bracelet resting in a satin-lined box. The clasp is delicate, but Jean-Luc manages to hitch it in seconds. The strand twists on my wrist and a small amethyst heart rests on my pulse, its facets glittering in the candlelight. Something about the way the light flickers on the jewel, almost beating, brings on a moment of complete clarity. I look to the starlit sky before meeting Jean-Luc’s gaze, trying to find my breath. I can only whisper, “Thank you.”

Jean-Luc’s hands clasp onto mine. “Sam, you never, ever have to thank me.”

Oh, but I do.

Three years ago, when I left a loveless marriage, filed for bankruptcy, became a dog walker, and moved back in with my parents in Southern California, I thought things couldn’t get any worse. But then, in a moment of longing and memory, I used the Internet to track down Jean-Luc and rekindle an unfinished romance from decades before. Tonight is our second wedding anniversary.

This is the story of how I rebooted my life and restarted my heart.

 Ready to read the whole book?
Click here for SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS 

 

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Southern Sunrise in South Africa

Is there a moment more inspiring, a time or a place more appropriate for feeling hopeful than at sunrise? There is always the sunrise, no matter what the day before has brought to each of us, and that light brings hope and inspiration with its multicoloured hues. For me there is no better moment for gratitude than at sunrise upon the ocean. It is absolutely incredible to witness and yet so many of us miss sunrise as we slumber in our beds. When the sun begins its steady journey towards the jagged mountain tops each day many are sleeping but I am already at sea, hopeful and waiting on cold winter mornings for the heat of the day to begin. I watch the sky turn into a watercolour painting as the stars fade into the background, dimmed by the beginnings of dawn in the southern hemisphere. I rub my gloved hands together and glance at my watch, knowing there will be a patient wait before the sun rises above the mountains. I can time it to the minute and know where to position myself on the boat for that moment of warmth.

It never ceases to amaze me, as the dawn light begins to show, that every single sunrise is different and equally as spectacular. I never know what to expect and there are days when the ocean and the seal colony where I work are turned orange with diffuse light and flat calm seas. Those days are restful, calm and utterly silent. Then there are days when the bitter wind blows up from the Antarctic and the sky turns a deep, rich pink with thick grey clouds streaked across the sky like charcoal. The scene looks angry with its strength and the power of the elements. There are gentle sunrises when fluffy clouds turn pale pink and delicate oranges and warm golden hues skip across the sky. The light of each sunrise surrounds my watery office in beauty that is far beyond that which humans can create. It is awe inspiring and I cannot help but offer up my thanks to the dawn for giving me another day, another chance to explore this world.

I lean against the cabin of the boat as dawn continues and the horizon glows with brighter light and the beginnings of a blue sky. It won’t be long now until I feel the warmth of the sun, a balm to my soul, when that globe of light finally shows itself above the mountains. I move to the side of the boat to prepare. As I close my eyes and lift my head I hear the wind whipping gently around me and the seals on the colony begin to rise and call to one another. The sun is slowly waking us all. Just a moment longer; the boat rocks below me and the wind continues to blow. Just one moment more and there is a hint of warmth and light through my closed eyes. As the seconds pass and I stand silently, the light intensifies the heat and hope shining upon my cheeks. The world brightens, picks up pace and I open my eyes to see the bay stretched far and wide around me. Another day has truly begun, it is ready to begin and there is no trace of the sunrise. The ocean turns vivid blue and my day at sea truly begins.

About the Author: Kathryn is a passionate marine conservationist, freelance writer and blogger. She is using her voice one day at a time to inspire others to explore, travel and create a better future for the oceans and sharks.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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Thanksgiving: FALL 2014 GRATITUDE TRAVEL WRITING CONTEST

FALL 2014 GRATITUDE TRAVEL WRITING CONTEST

submit your entry here

WeSaidGoTravel.com invites you to enter its Travel Writing Contest with CASH prizes and no fee for entry. The theme for the Fall 2014 contest is “Gratitude: A Place That Inspires You to Feel Strong and Hopeful.” We hope your article will inspire others to travel more and find their inner hero!  Enter from September 11, 2014 to November 27, 2014

We are looking for an article about your act of gratitude–a place you chose or that allows you to stand up for yourself. Be inspired by ‘s character, Elizabeth, in the Broadway sensation, If/Then, with her song, ,

No more wasted time

No more time for doubt

You say you’re not sure you’re a hero?

It’s time you should find out

So say you’ve made a few mistakes

Heroes know that’s what it takes

To find their way

No more wasted time

Not one more day

Where are you most able to be your true self? Your place of freedom might be far across the globe or in your own backyard.

THEME:  Gratitude: A Place that Allows You to Feel Strong, Hopeful and Free.

DEADLINE:  Enter by midnight PST on November 27, 2014, American Thanksgiving Day.

To Enter: Click here 

PRIZES:  1st Prize – $500 usd cash 2nd Prize – $100 usd cash 3rd Prize – $50 usd cash

Winners will be selected by our judges, Richard Bangs, Annelise Sorensen and the We Said Go Travel Team.  Cash prizes will be paid through PayPal in United States Dollars.  All winning entries will be promoted on We Said Go Travel.

RULES: Publication is dependent on proper use of English language and grammar, appropriateness of theme topic, and being family friendly (G rated). If your post is written in a language other than English, please also send an English translation. Travelers of all ages and from all countries are encouraged to participate. Each individual may send up to 5 entries that are 500-800 words with 1 photo. Your article must be an original and previously unpublished piece. All posts, which meet the requirements, will appear on WeSaidGoTravel.com.

JUDGING:  Richard Bangs, AnneLise Sorensen and the We Said Go Travel Team

Richard Bangs, the father of modern adventure travel, is a pioneer in travel that makes a difference, travel with a purpose. He has spent 30 years as an explorer and communicator, and along the way led first descents of 35 rivers around the globe, he is currently producing and hosting the new PBS series, Richard Bangs: Adventure Without End

AnneLise Sorensen is a travel writer, editor, photographer, and TV/radio host who has penned – and wine-tasted – her way across four continents, reporting for multiple media outlets, including New York Magazine, MSN, Time Out, Yahoo Travel, Rough Guides, Gourmet, and Galavante. AnneLise regularly appears as a travel expert on NBC and CNN and she teaches popular travel writing classes and workshops at Mediabistro and travel events and shows.

 Other Contests, Courses and Books about Travel Writing

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The Boathouse in the USA

I have always appreciated a good metaphor, and when I need to reflect, it only seems fitting to be near a body of water. It was May 7th of 2012, possibly one of the worst days I have ever lived. Yet it was beauteous outside. I couldn’t go to work, not with the realization that I was getting divorced so fresh in my heart and head. No, more than anything I needed to be by that ragged little boathouse behind Hawthorne’s Old Manse, looking deep into the Concord River for some clarity and solace.

 

The way there is unassuming, a wildish grassy path borders the historic house, revealing a line of taciturn stones and a spacious yard dotted with trees. It smells like May, the air is fresh and not yet humid, fragrances of flowers travel on the breeze like bands of gypsies. Past the yard, the ground grows bumpy. Stones imbedded in the dirt make me unsteady, like walking on sand rippled by water. It grows damper and I can taste the earth with each breath. There is a canopy of trees that ends in one majestic specimen rooted by the edge of the water. A guardian of the dock, his silent message is “Come forth only if you will respect this place, sit in quiet meditation, and do not linger beyond your need.” At least, this is what I imagine he would say if ever a mouth were to form in his cracked bark.

The boathouse itself is a plain, wooden building, but that’s not why I go there. I slip off my shoes and old planks are rough against my soles, the threat of a splinter always close. I sit with feet dangling over the edge and stare at the divine view, as that is the only word I can think of to describe it. Across the water, rests the Old North Bridge, beyond it another trail with meadows that leads to the Buttrick Mansion. That such a serene place was once the scene of so much violence and death never ceases to amaze me, but you wouldn’t know it sitting there, listening to birdsong and the laughter of tourists as they interact with the colonial actors. It is this cyclical resilience that makes life worth living, that something can evolve from bad to good over time, that new memories can coax pain into a smaller and smaller version of itself until something altogether different emerges. It is the same way that the seasons turn over and nature resurrects itself each year.  A calmness seeps into me as I watch the scene before me mirrored in the water. It is all blue, green, sun-filled and alive.

It is my life turned upside down, but still beautiful.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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Driving to Greece’s Monasteries in The Sky

Photo Credit: SonOfJordan via Compfight cc

Meteora literally means “suspended in the air” or “in the heavens above.” Along with Mount Athos, it is one of the most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in Greece. Due to the outstanding geography of the area, the feeling you get when you arrive is surreal; as if the place was specially created to make you feel close to God.

There are six monasteries which can be visited. Some of them require a tiny entry fee (1 euro or 2 euros) and you can always make a donation. Remember to cover your shoulders and knees. Yes, all Orthodox Monasteries require visitors to abide to a dress code.

The monasteries date from the 14th -16th centuries and have been renovated over the years. Unfortunately, tourism has also impacted them and sometimes you may not exactly feel very contemplative here (and this happens in pretty much any church / monastery which has been opened for mass tourism).

Kalampaka (alt spelling: Kalambaka) is located at the foot of Meteora. If you are looking for an overnight to explore the area better, then this is the place to look for a place to stay. Plus, the city in itself is filled with history and there are interesting places to see: from the ruins of an ancient Greek temple to old churches.

Tip: should you want to come here to any Orthodox major holiday (Easter being the most important), make plans way in advance!

Meteora is located closer to Thessaloniki then Athens. So if you are looking for the easiest way to get here, then you’d want to fly into Thessaloniki. Sure, there are buses and travel agencies which organize trips to Meteora but to fully grasp the magnificent area, it’s better to be driving on your own.

Attention: if you are not used to driving in hectic European towns, you’d want to let someone more experienced to do the driving for you. Plan breaks and stop when you feel tired.

The winding roads and the backdrop of the mountains make it an interesting and beautiful drive. And since there are areas along the way where you can park, take advantage of them to both stretch your legs and take photos.

The drive from Thessaloniki takes about 3-4 hours, depend on how often you stop, of course.

The drive from Athens is about twice as long. However, there is a very interesting stop along the way which would totally be worth it. Do plan to break the trip though. Drive from Athens to Delphi , visit the sanctuary, then spend a night in the coastal village of Glaxidi before driving further to Meteora.

Make sure to leave Athens in the morning – especially if you drive during summer. By the time you reach Delphi it would be noon and hot.

The archeological site of Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In ancient times, it was the home to the most important oracle of the God Apollo. The archeological site and the museum are located within walking distance of modern Delphi, so you can easily find a parking spot and cover the rest of the distance on foot.

Depend on how long you spend visiting the site and the museum, you’d want to stop for an overnight rather than continue to Meteora.

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