Category: Blog

(Rio de Janeiro at night)

As this is a travel site, I have to say right off that this article’s title is more than a little misleading, so in the interests of full disclosure let me set the record straight: no, I haven’t been to Brazil. Not lately, not ever, and I’m not planning on going anytime soon. But…a lot of people are headed there in the next few weeks to experience not only what Brazil offer to travelers all the time – the beaches, the parties, the itsy-bitsy bikinis – but something very particular that only happens every four years. Yes, I’m talking about the soccer World Cup 2014, the biggest sporting event on the planet, the solar system, maybe the whole damn universe for all we know.

(Beaches and futbol, two of Brazil’s most famous attractions)

World Cup 2014 kicks off on June 12 in Sao Paulo with hosts Brazil taking on Croatia, and the tournament will finish one month and one day later on July 13. No one knows now, of course, who will be playing in that championship match, but if one of the two finalists is not Brazil, you can be certain this will constitute a national tragedy of epic proportions for every Brazilian futbol fan, which is basically the entire population of 200 million people.

(The fabled Maracana stadium in Rio, site of 2014 World cup Final)

Continue reading “Journey to Brazil” →

(View along the trail heading to Devil’s Head Lookout)

As avid hikers, one of the main items on the agenda for my wife and I during our recent time in Colorado was to get into the Rockies and hit the trail. We didn’t have the time, unfortunately, for a major backpacking trip but we did want to experience some high country views as best we could on a day hike while not venturing too far afield from our base near Denver. As recommended by Jonathan, our host, trail companion, chauffeur and all around good guy, we opted for the Devil’s Head Trail leading to Devil’s Head Fire Lookout. This is the only fire lookout still functioning and fully staffed by U.S. Park Service in the state of Colorado. The station was established in 1912 and the lookout tower has been in continuous operation since 1919. The current structure was built in 1951 to replace the original.

(The higher you go the better it gets)

(Crazy rocks – am I the only one who sees a dog head here with his tongue hanging out?)

Continue reading “Colorado Part Four: Hiking in the Rockies – Devil’s Head Lookout” →

(Crimean mountain lake)

We’ve all seen, heard, and read the news stories about Ukraine, Crimea and Russia. The headlines have been inescapable for months now to anyone who pays attention to the world. It’s unfortunate that for many Americans the first time they’ve ever taken notice of Ukraine and Crimea in particular is for the worst possible reason. Admittedly I have a much higher stake in events in this corner of the world than does the average American, since my wife, Irina, is Ukrainian. Through her and her family and friends, Ukraine is a country I’ve come to enjoy, admire, and appreciate deeply in my many visits there, both the land and its people.

(Black Sea coastline near Balaklava)

I’ve held off for the last month or so from writing this piece, waiting and hoping that the crisis in Crimea might somehow resolve itself in a way that I could view as positive. Sad to say, but I don’t see any indication of the situation reverting to the pre-invasion status quo. It’s a shame, really, indeed a tragedy for me to see Crimea, this lovely jewel of Ukraine, invaded by Putin’s jack-booted thugs and stolen in broad daylight for all the world to see. The only positive thing is that there has been no large-scale loss of life…so far. But that could change at any moment depending on the whims of Rootin-Tootin-Putin.

(Watch your step! The cave town of Eski-Kermen)

Continue reading “Homage to Crimea” →