TravelStream™ news feed for member scjaime on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/scjaime en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:46:56 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1188932160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1188932160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1188932160/tpod.html Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:46:56 -0400 The time has come to live one day at a time, everyday different than the last.

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Los Angeles, California, United States

I have definitely been putting this off. Seems like this entry is the last piece of my trip before its really all over. Well, it's hard to begin but I'll start with some basic observations gained from my travels. Mainly, I feel truly fortunate and blessed to have had this opportunity to see and experience so much of the world.

First, I really had no idea what traveling for an extended period of time would be like, but I did go in with the expectation that at least everyday would be different. This was not only the case, but the feeling I had everyday living everyday differently was a feeling of freedom that is hard to describe. Everyday I experienced something new, ate something different, met new people, making time somewhat timeless. I lost a sense of time, and essentially a sense of reality. Things were that good. I tried not to take it for granted, and I really do not think I did, as I would often sit back and remind myself several times a day of where I was and how amazing the moment was. That feeling of timelessness, of living and enjoying the moment to its maximum is something I know I take for granted here in my real life.

Second, the world is not only a truly amazing place, it's safe. Every country I visited had so many things to offer, whether the country was more corrupt, poorer, and/or small. Every country was beautiful with kind people. It is however unfortunate how some of those countries could be better off if it wasn't for the corruption of their governments. Nonetheless, I found people to be optimistic and I got the sense everywhere I visited that things were progressing for the better. People ask me which place(s) I liked the most and/or did not like, and honestly I loved every country I visited and would go back to all of them in a heartbeat. Of course, there are two places that were out of this world, the first being the Galapagos. Which was truly amazing and by far the best place I visited. The second was Santorini with a beauty so amazing that it truly an experience. Like I mentioned, during my travels I always felt safe and never felt threatened and/or at risk at anytime. Of course I was always alert and aware, well maybe not always, but overall, I felt safe walking by myself, at night, etc.

Before I left and upon my returned I have been asked if this trip was about learning something about myself or for personal growth. Honestly, I am sure I have and will grow from this experience, but that was not the main reason for this endeavor. First, I am too old to find myself, and I like(d) who I am. I think the trip was mainly a way of seizing an opportunity that I did not take adavantage of when I was younger, which was to see and experience more of the world. At first I had some anxieties about taking off for three months of my life at this point in my career and life, but now that I came back, I realize that I didn't miss a thing. Life simply kept moving along, the universe maintained its orbit, and I came right back from where I left off. Which may explain my reservations for finishing this blog. I have not enjoyed coming back to the routine, or I should say, it's taking some time adjusting back to my life. Everyday I wish I was still out there, traveling, meeting new people, worrying only about finding an internet cafe and what new and cool things I would see and learn about each day. As I now see that life didn't miss me (don't get me wrong, I know people missed me, I am just saying everything is the same), I really didn't miss my real life.

I miss walking all day and night. I am begrudginly back to driving the SUV, and feeling lazy because my only exercise was a 30 min run. I miss living out of a small suitcase, wearing the same clothes day after day. I miss so many things, more than I missed my real life while I was traveling. I guess that is to be expected.

A few more observations. 1. We truly live in a society that is overly accomodated, we are so comfortable here, our standard of living here is all about having all of the comforts, which spoils the hell out of us. I traveled in many poor countries where literally clean water is a comfort. I guess I learn not to take so many simple things for granted.

2. Everywhere I visited, people are knowledgable and aware of their own politics, and global politics. Also, everyone spoke or understood english, even in the poorest countries like Cambodia. It was amazing how everyone spoke highly of the clinton administration, and so negatively of the current adminsitration. I also got the sense that people's perceptions of America was less favorable. Speaking of less favorable, the value of the dollar is on a decline which I suspect may be a a partial result of this as well.

3. Everyone is concerned with the environment and commented on how the local environment had changed dramatically in the past few years. I noticed this everywhere, no exceptions.

Some of you have asked what the total travel consisted of. Well, I don't know all the numbers, but it was a total of 16 countries, countless cities and towns, I don't know how many flights, boats, trains, taxis etc, I traveled on, but it was a lot. All I know is that after all is said and done, it has been a truly amazing experience, an experience indescribable by adjectives. Thank you for sharing the experience with me, thank you for the emails and comments. And if you ever get the urge to put life on hold and live it to its fullest through travel, Godspeed. I promise you will have no regrets.

Jaime
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187679600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187679600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187679600/tpod.html Tue, 21 Aug 2007 03:08:13 -0400 The time has come to live one day at a time, everyday different than the last.

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Madrid, Spain

Can you believe it? I really can't. I don't want this to be over. It seems like I've been gone forever, but I do not miss my life back home. This has been a pretty good lifestyle I must admit. I wanted to write some thoughts regarding my trip before i left but it will have to wait for me to get back. The last couple of days have been real mellow, getting up late, some last minute souvenir shopping, walking in the vast parks and city streets, and of course, tapas, wine, paella, ice cream, basically putting back all the weight i lost on the trip.

Although I will write more when I get home I will leave with this. I set out with an expectation to live everyday different than the last. Done.

thanks again for checking in, it's meant a lot to see so many hits! Last thing on the itinerary, about 15 hours of flight and a 22 hour day! I'll write later from eternally sunny LOS ANGELES where my Trojans await me to begin what will once again be a championship run season! Fight on!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187515560/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187515560/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187515560/tpod.html Sun, 19 Aug 2007 05:51:41 -0400 The time has come to live one day at a time, everyday different than the last.

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Madrid, Spain

No worries friends, we have our tickets for tonight's friendly match between Real and Sevilla. Yesterday we toured the stadium and trophy room and to our surprise the entrance fee was 15 euro. This is a suprise when you consider that the fee for the prado is only 6euro. mmm....

Anyway, the stadium tour was pretty cool, and since we bought the Madrid Culture card 35 euro for 72 hours, our entrance was covered. The trophy room was quite impressive and it was pretty cool seeing so many pictures of my twin Roberto Carlos. However, I doubt I will be mistakenly identified as RC tonight.

Madrid had been a real kick back stop for us, with yesterday visiting the stadium and the day before spending most of the day at the prado. Today we are going to the palacio real and then the game tonight which starts at 10pm.

With only a couple days of the trip left I will try to wrap up some thoughts and observations from my trip overall. For now, enjoy the pics.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187339220/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187339220/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187339220/tpod.html Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:11:35 -0400 The time has come to live one day at a time, everyday different than the last.

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Madrid, Spain

Well we made it to our last destination. We arrived in Madrid yesterday after taking the AVE or fast train from Sevilla. Our last day and night in Sevilla was a busy one, spending the day in Cordoba where we saw the mezquita, or a mosque with a catholic church built around it. Apparently when the muslims ruled spain a lot of mosques were built and most were cathedrals were built on top of them . however, as i understand it, the mosque in cordoba was spared because of its beauty. It truly was amazing and even contained arabian bath rooms and some spectacular arches that seemed endless.

At night we went to the bullfight or corrida de toros in sevilla. The bullfight was lightly attended which was somewhat of a surprise since august 15 is a fiesta day in sevilla, which we realized when we were walking at 7 am and droves of people were out walking toward the cathedral. The fights themselves were interesting with 2 out of the three bullfighters providing good performances. the first guy was ok but had a real hard time killing the bull and attempted at least 6 or 7 times with no avail. of course people whistled as to boo, and some even booed because clearly the bull was suffering. the other two were much better and were cheered with oles and applause.

Celia was really great at the fights and by the end of the night i think she had become desensitized that she seemd to be watching and enjoying them. Bullfights are filled with a lot of fanfare and there are even two bands that provide music throughout. there is much pomp and circumstance at the beginning with a procession of horses, bullfighters, bandilleros *they stick the bull with the small pointed flags to weaken the bull* and others who give a greeting to President of the Maestraza and take a momentg of silence.

The fight itself consists of three parts, the first is when the bull comes out and men with capes make the bull chase them toward the partitions, basically having the bull run all aournd. then the main torrero enters the ring and makes the bull charge the cape, this round is basically to ensure that the bull is strong and worthy or noble enough to fight. the second round is basically to weaken the bull where men on hourses with spears make the bull charge as they poke the bull with the spears. Then they are three men on foot with speared colored flags that get close to the bull and then place the flags on the bull as the animal charges. The third stage the matador comes out again, with the bull charging his cape for a while until he is sufficeintly tired and then the matador summons his sword and attempts to kill him. basically they try to place the sword in the bulls back as he charges and if successful other men come in with capes and wave them around the bull until the bull drops. Usually still alive once the bull drops, another man with a small dagger like knife sticks the bull in the back of the neck, if successful the bull drops immediately as it appears to sever the spinal cord. if not successful, he keeps trying and of course people whistle as to boo.

Once the bull is dead, music calls in the adorned mules with men whipping them, the bull is attached to the harness of the mules and the men run the mules out of the arena.

Yesterday we arrived in Madrid and walked around mostly, but we also did a guided tour of the footsteps of Don Quixote. The tour included actors that portrayed characters of don quixote, but the tour also gave us information of the literary writers of the time as we walked through different neighborhoods.

We are staying at a hotel with laptops and unlimited internet access, so i will have ample opportunity to write and share these last few experiences with you. Take care, jaime
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187130360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187130360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187130360/tpod.html Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:51:03 -0400 The time has come to live one day at a time, everyday different than the last.

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Seville, Spain

Let me start by saying that Sevilla is very cool. Sevilla is known for its Flamenco and Bull fighting, which we will hopefully be able to experience both. Tonight we are hopping to catch a flamenco show and tomorrow night a bullfight. This is something since CElia loves animals and is so anti cruelty to animals that i reckon she is only going because she knows i really want to. I dont have a problem with the outcome, as i see it as a cultural tradition and a sport. Anyway, today we toured the plaza and we will soon go buy the tickets.

As I was saying sevilla is a city with somuch history, quiant cobblestone streets and moorish architecture. Today we visited the Real Alcazar which is group of palaces built with lavish decorations, gardens and pools. It was truly amazing as the work is so detailed and intricate with arabic writings, geometric patterns in both the walls and ceilings.

Yesterday we visited the Cathedral and Giraldi which is the largest gothic cathedral in europe andthe grialdi is teh tower,wich we were able to climb and have veiws of the city. Of course we have had more tapas and an actual meal last night at a very nice restuarant that is an old mansion.

Ok, there is much more to tell but when i dont write often i forget and right now i am tired so i willleave you all with pictures.

One more thing, I have a week left ofmy trip, and believe it or not i am already dreading the thought of going back to reality. This trip has been everything and more than I could have expected and dreamed of, and despite moving around often, wearing the same two pair of shorts and pants, and same 6 or so shirts, life has been simple, full of new things every day, new food, people, drink, lots of exercise, learning, walking, just plain living! Which I guess its fitting to end in spain since it seems this is what they do best, and smoke of course.

Well, Irambled, but I guess I am kind of sad knowing its almost over. for now I´ll live it up,in case you had any doubts!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187126820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187126820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1187126820/tpod.html Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:12:44 -0400 The time has come to live one day at a time, everyday different than the last.

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Málaga, Spain

Ok,we made it out of Paris and it only took us 12hours to make a three hour flight. We are now in Spain, Sevilla but I was unable to write from Malaga where we did and saw so much.

In Malaga we stayed at one of my parents friends Apartments in Arroyo del Miel,Malaga. Arroyo is away from the city center but near the beaches which are heavily visited by Brits. Anyway, upon our arrival we were met by my Parents friend's nephew and girlfriend, Andres and Judith. Andres and Judith were both very gracious hosts and took us for tapas and cervezas our first night. The second day Celia and I took a bus to Granada in hopes to see the Alhambra, a very impressive Moors Castle that sits on top of a hill. Unfortunatley, we needed to have reservations to goin but we did have a nice day in the town and were able to appreciate its beauty from a lookout opposite the castle. The castle beyond its impressive size, is ornately decorated inside which we were able to appreciate in the guide book.

The next day Andres and Judith took us to the town of Ronda where we went to see the New Bridge built in the 18th century and is part of the enlightment period. Of course the day included many stops for tapas, and drinks, and for our guides about 4 cigarretes each stop. Sidenote, Spanairds all smoke alot and more than what we saw in Italy and France , but probably equal to what we saw in Greece.

Our fourth day in Malaga our wonderful hosts left and we were on our own and decided to spend the day at the beach. we pretty much rented a couple beach lounge chairs and umbrella, drank beer, and watched people and topless woman sunbath and walk by all day. And at night, more yummy tapas.

I already have enjoyed spain a great deal, the atmosphere is very mellow, people seem to eat and drink every three hours,when the are not napping of course. Everything around here closes from about 2-3 pm to 6-7pm as it is siesta time, yet you still find plenty of tourons walking around. Anyway, like I said we are now in Sevilla, and this place is pretty amazing but i will start another entry for that.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1186655580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1186655580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1186655580/tpod.html Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:01:00 -0400 The time has come to live one day at a time, everyday different than the last.

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Paris, France

Hello,

I am now in Dusseldorf with an extended layover due to who knows what. Anyway, Celia and I spent five days in the city of lights and spent them rather busy. It rained for two days so we were somewhat slowed down but nonetheless we visited lots of museums like the louvre (venus de milo and Mona Lisa), Musee D orsay (Huge galleries of van gogh, renoir, monet, etc), Rodin Museum(Thinker and Kiss), Picasso Museum, and a few more. We also saw all the sights like the notre dame cathedral, arc de triumphe and eiffel tower. Yesterday we visited Versailles and toured the chateau but unforutanely didnt get to alk the extensive gardens due to the bad weather.

Paris was really wonderful with so many sights and history all around us at any given time. One of the nice things of our stay was celia was able to connect with an distant aunt that lives in paris and we were able to meet up with them for two of our evenings.

The people in Paris are really nice, and we didnt run into anyone rude. We actually even had one older lady stop and help us as we were looking at the big map near a bus stop, although she didnt speak english she was able to guide us to the arc de triomphe.

As you may suspect Paris is loaded with tourist right now and places like the louvre were so packed with people that we really didnt get to enjoy the museum. The thing about the museums here is they may have signs that say no pictures or no flash, but everyone takes them and staff dont really seem to care. People were pushing each other and generally being tourons which again made the experience less enjoyable.

One thing, if you make it Paris buy the museum card whcih allows you to skip most lines for tickets and typically you have a separate entrance from all the tourons.

Today we are on our way to Malaga spain and this begins the last 10 days of the trip. In spain we will visit malaga, granada, sevilla, ronda, and madrid. I am sure there is more but celia made all these plans and i forget. One thing, although everyone spoke either spanish and or english in france itll be nice to be in spain where language will no longer be an issue!!

Enjoy the pics.
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Brussels, Belgium

Hello all, well i am actually in Paris but i get so behind with writing. Again, thanks toi all for keeping up with my blog, it really is amazing to see the number of hits and motivates me to share more. well, like i said, in paris, extermely sad to say goodbye to the happiest place on earth, yet i assure you, in the words of our famous governator who was all over the news and media in austria becuase of his recent birthday, I'll be back.

We made one quick stop in brussels to break up the train ride to paris. it was a three hour ride and naturally included getting lost, stressing out a bit about making the train, since we waited for a tram thatwas never coming because of the pride festivties had closed off the plaza. anyway, we were both a bit grumpy by the time we got there, oh yeah, the room was flooded so the hotel sent us to their sister hotel, after we had been walking alot and were nice and sweaty, but once we got settled in and went out we found a nice restaurant where we enjoyed mussels and fries which is a typical belgium meal, and then we bought some marvelous chocolates at a shop and sat in this huge plaza where the town hall (i forget, damn amsterdam) and the hotel deville (museum) is. this palace is so impressive and huge, the guide book calls it one of the most impressive in europe. anyway, it must of been near midnight and the plaza was filled with locals and tourons sitting on the cobblestone either drinking and eating, and of course smoking. btw, i need to invest in tobacco stock, causeevery country ive been too, they love their tobacco. today we visited the royal palace some gardens and the mannekin pis, which i will include the pics. IUf you dont know that is the statue of the baby taking a leak. of course, baby boy alex has a new t shirt coming with a baby boy taking a leak. I want to encourage all to piss outdoors like my baby boy likes too!!

Anyway, today we hopped on the train, and in 1 1/2 hours, were in PAris. Visited notre dame, oh, ill tell you more later. LaterS!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1186160760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1186160760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/scjaime/rtw_2007/1186160760/tpod.html Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:40:04 -0400 The time has come to live one day at a time, everyday different than the last.

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Amsterdam, Netherlands

I don't know what took me so long to come to the most beautiful place on earth. There is no other city in the world like this i imagine, and to begin to decribe how amazing this place is beyond my abilities. Let's start by its natural beauty, it is so beautiful, from the architecture, to the tree lined canals, to the houseboats and bicylces everywhere. Everyone here and everywhere else i have been, speak english, are quite attractive and are so nice and calm its amazing. The motto of amsterdam is something like do no harm onto others, and the rest is fair game. and yes, fair game is absolutely amazing way to live. yes i walked by the redlight district, and it is somewhat exiciting but by no means defines this town. Which i didnt mention earlier, unfortunately was so pervasive in my visits to vietnam and cambodia, where everyone i met eventually offered to take you to a massage parlour and to see girls. here no one flaunts its less virtuous side, as us puritan tainted westerners would see it. here, if you want to you do, again as long as you dont hurt anyone.

That being said, there are amazing museums here, churhces, palaces or royal homes, and most of all, simply beautfil buildings and lanscapes. yesterday we walked around for 11 hours, maybe went in to one or two museums, but the rest was just enjoying the people and scenery. we did do a acanal ride which was lovely.

ok, for all of you that know me, you can imagine that i have been beckoned home, here in amsterdam. the city lives up to its promises we here from a far, and the freedom is remarkably entrenched into the dutch culture. the have a word here, and its gellezich, or something like that that means live and l;et live a good vibe. and good vibes are what amsterdam is about. all you need to do is enter an establishment, get a menu, order what you wish, enjoy a refrfeshing diet coke or nice coffee, chat with folks, leave when yuo like and take your leftovers in a small containers which comes with your stick. after an entertaining 3-4 hour walk, you slip into another reputable establishment, order a coke and enjoy your leftovers or better yet, order a different flav. then you are on your way to more beauty, museums, excellent food until the next stop. for you early risers, these establishemnts open at 7am, not that i was there at this time. anyway, it truly is to good to be true, and the peacefulness and kindness of the city makes you wonder how completely misdirected we are. anyway, today, we started our day at the anne frank house, a fair somber and sad visit, then went to the museum of amsterdam and the heiniken museum, and if we can make it to the van gogh musuem tooinught if not tomorrow.

this is pride week and there is a festival tonight near our place so we may just hangout, have some coffee and wathc the pride festivities.

oh, one more thing, the food here is phenomenal, our first night we had indonesian food that is called a rice table where you get rice, and 25 small plaTES OF some of the best spiciest food ever. try this after a white widow stick and you will be in another world. anyway we even had lunch duitch style, french fries with falvored mayonaises, again, read above, its all yummy.


Well, i can say that this is one city that eveyrone must visit, but i have felt that abvout every place ive been to. anyway, i cant post pics here but i will try later for both here and vienna.
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Salzburg, Austria

Ok, i wrote this entry a couple days back, but i have gotten smarter and emailed them to myself instead something happens, which naturally did. I am now in amsterdam, or as i would call it, heavan on earth. enjoy


As you may know this is the birthplace of Mozart and also the setting of the Von trapp Family adventure we know from the Suond of music. No worries Ivonne, I got you something and took pictures where they sang "do rei mi". Salzburg is beyond beautiful and the landscapes we saw during the three hour train ride to and from are breathtaking. Everything is so green, with fields of corn and lush rolling hills with castles or beautiful steeples highlighting the landscape. Salzburg is situated near the base of the alps and as you will see makes a quite impressive backdrop for the fabulous fortress they have on the hill. Although it was a bit of travel today, the trip was well worth it as we enjoyed a nice lunch on top of the fortress overlooking the alps and the beautiful landscape below. After our visited the fort we also visited Mozarts museum, and went to the palace which i cant recall its name where they filmed part of the sound of music.
Salburg is a small town located near a river and in such a small area has many churches, monastery, cobblestone streets and musicians playing to the public.
Anyway, its late so ill post some pics and hope you enjoy. tomorrow,we make the pilgrimage to the promise land and i want to be well rested.
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