by David McGuffin | Nov 6, 2011 | Adventures in Tour Guiding, David's Journal
I’ve always been a little sentimental about memories. When I was a kid, I remember spending hours at my grandparents’ home looking through old black and white family photos. These photos were kept in the “middle room” in the bottom right drawer of a dresser. Back then, in the 1960’s, the collection of photos contained photos of my grandparents and parents taken from the 1930’s and 1940’s. My Uncle Bob, the oldest child of my grandparents, was interested in photography when he was in college and had left quite a collection of photographs in that drawer.
While browsing through those faded black and white photos, I always enjoyed identifying phots of relatives, taken in their younger days. But what really interested me was the locations in which they were taken. I dreamed of distant places and new locales, even if they were just “back home” in South Carolina or at the local zoo.
Later when I was in college, Charlotte and I actually wrote letters to one another, and we still have them today. Those handwritten letters are sometimes fun to look back upon and read. It’s funny, but I can always remember the exact locale, circumstances, or events to which we referred in those letters. I guess that’s why when I was about to depart on a big trip to Europe, I decided to purchase a leather-bound journal to record my thoughts, reflections, and memories.
So in June 1997, I set off on a band performance tour to Europe organized by EF Educational Tours. Now, those of you who have known me for some time, know that EF Tours is the reason I started my tour company, Exploring Europe. But at that time, I did not have the know-how or the resources to set up a tour to Europe, much less a performance tour! So, I relied on a tour company to plan and organize the tour, our accommodations, transportation, dining, and performance venues. Here is an entry from the first pages of my 1997 journal:
“June 5, 1997-
Today, we were up at 7 a.m. in Middleburg (FL) doing the last minute stuff that always makes me late. Why Charlotte picked this day to get her hair cut and frosted is beyond me, but she did! I left for the bank, school, and last minute errands by 8:30 and began my rush to get things done here at home. The most important stop was at our bank to get Traveler’s Checks. I arrived back home at 10 a.m. and met up with my kids and some friends for our trip to the airport. We still had to make a stop at the “hair place” to pick up Charlotte and Brian, and by the time we got there, it was pouring rain. After our first of many “passport and moneybelt checks,” we were on our way.
We arrived at the airport by 11:35 a.m. and found the Continental Airlines check-in desk. Benny, the agent there, was very helpful with getting our group checked in and most importantly, getting all our instruments on free of charge. By 12:30 the whole group had checked in and we all walked down to the gate.
Finally at 2:30 p.m. we departed Jacksonville and were off on our adventure. After about two hours, we arrived at Newark. In transit, we flew over Manhattan and I got my first look at New York City. The Empire State Building, World Trade Center Twin Towers, and Statue of Liberty were pretty darn impressive, especially for a country boy from Middleburg.
To get in the European spirit, we had pasta at “Sabbaro” in Newark airport, then hung out for about two hours. We boarded Flight #56 at 7:25 p.m. and were off the ground by 8:30. The flight was uneventful – I slept most of the time due to my taking two Bayer PM. We also had earplugs and an eye mask which really helped me sleep.”
My Reflections in December 2007:
How I’ve changed in those ten years! Traveler’s Checks, Bayer PM, eye masks, quick airline check-in, and the World Trade Center are things of the past. Nowadays, I use my debit card to get local cash, I have a glass of wine instead of Bayer PM, the World Trade Center is no more, and my cap or hat takes the place of the eye mask.
There is more to come with this trip; we aren’t even in Europe yet! Needless to say, that trip must have had a lasting impression on me. Now nearing the end of 2007, I’ve got a collection of nine leather bound journals chronicling my adventures in Europe and the rest of the world. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about me and my travels.
November 2011 Update:
I am turning my “pen and paper” journal into an online episodic account of my travels. This is the first in a weekly series that will appear over the next few months. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or just want to add more information, I’d love to hear from you. Simply click the {comments} tab below and type away.
-David
link to Episode 2
by David McGuffin | Oct 29, 2011 | Destinations
I came across this video account of the clean up in Vernazza. Although in Italian, the pictures say a lot.
In the beginning, the reporter is speaking with a gentleman digging around the chimney of his home. The sign reads: “This is my home,” and list his name and mobile number.
Later, there is a scene taken from the parking lot, above the station. The river is now small and flowing. Folks are washing in it.
The railway station and stairs are shown next. This station is twenty feet above the ground, notice the stairs are completely covered in mud and debris.
Finally, the reporter moves on down the main street towards the harbor. Notice that mud and debris are almost at the second stories of the houses. This street is lined with businesses that will have a difficult time recovering.
It is reported that water, electricity, and gas are still not available in Vernazza. most locals want to stay in Vernazza to help in the cleanup and protect their belongings. Many elderly, children and infirm have been evacuated.
by David McGuffin | Oct 28, 2011 | Destinations
It appears there is a “semi” orchestrated effort to begin the clean up in Vernazza and Monterosso. My sources say that mobile phone service has been restored, however, phone, electrical, gas, and other utilities are still not working.
Roads leading into the Cinque Terre are closed. The train tracks have been cleared and some intermitting service is running from Monterosso to Corniglia. They say the train is not stopping in Vernazza for fear of it bringing looters to the area. The main mode of transportation, for now, is boat service originating from La Spezia.
Here is some video taken from the breakwaters/harbor in Vernazza. If you have ever visited Vernazza, you will recognize the church (on the left) and Ristorante Gianni on the right. Notice the “harbor” is loaded with mud and debris.
by David McGuffin | Oct 26, 2011 | Destinations
One of my favorite destinations, the Cinque Terre, was devastated by heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides today. Apparently, much of Monterosso is destroyed and Vernazza is in ruins. Here is a link to a video aired on RAI TV in Italy.
Here is a photo of the muddy water rushing down the street in Vernazza. What you see here is the point where the harbor square meets with the beach. Normally, there are brightly colored fishermen boats and several outdoor restaurants (in the upper area in the photo). The red car is actually on the “sandy” beach area.
by David McGuffin | Oct 9, 2011 | Culture & Customs, Destinations
For much of my life, I’ve packed my travels into the summer months. Like many, this is necessary because of vacations, work, and school schedules. There are many positive aspects regarding travel during this time known as the “high season.” Longer days, swimming and beach opportunities, fresh summer foods, maximum opening hours for tourist destinations, fewer things to pack, less chance of rain, fewer travel delays, and extensive tourist resources are just a few. However, given the choice, I’d choose to travel during the spring, fall and winter.
My number one reason for travel between October and May is COOLER temperatures. Here is my annotated list of reasons to travel to Europe in the winter, spring, and fall.
- Cooler Temperatures – click here for a chart of European cities average temps and rainfall.
- Fewer Tourists Crowds – Imaging experience the Louvre without the crowds, get intimate with Mona Lisa, enjoy Castle Neuschwanstein without the ques, and experience Venice’s Piazza San Marco sans people and pigeons.
- Lower Airfares – Great bargains abound on all the airlines. In the past week, I have received discount airfare offers from at least six airlines offering deals to Europe during the “off-season.”
- Seasonal Varieties in Food – Some foods just don’t go down well when it is hot outside. In Italy, I enjoy papardelle pasta with wild boar. It is ok in the summer, but in the cooler months (especially during hunting season), the meat is fresh and the hearty sauce sets well on one’s stomach. The same can be said for the rich and heavy fare served in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
- Unhurried restaurant and hotel staff – Off-season, you are more likely to enjoy a visit with local folks, restaurant staff, and hotel owners. With more time and fewer tourist, these folks actually have the time and desire to invite you into their lives.
- Shorter days and longer nights – click here for a detailed “hours of daylight” table. Enjoy dinner at 7:00 instead of 9:00 p.m. followed by an illuminated stroll in the cool of the evening.
- Orchestras and Opera – The great symphonic orchestras, operas, and ballets are in full concert season. In the summer, the musicians are on holiday and out of town.
- Snow – As a boy from the south, snow is a welcomed change for me.
- Christmas Markets pop up all over the place from December to the New Year! Enjoy local crafts, fine music, skilled artisans, good food and drink, and a festive atmosphere.
Here are some additional links for off-season travel:
- Christmas Markets
- Octoberfest
- Grape Harvesting Season is usually in September and a bit earlier north of the Alps
- St. Patty’s Day Parade
