tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90151845547988774382024-03-13T05:12:25.964-04:00The sun only sets once in a day!The World according to me (Dave) is there anyone else out there?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-34251154245727349082018-07-29T17:01:00.000-04:002018-07-29T17:02:32.524-04:00Back to traveling in Brazil <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well I think it’s been awhile since the last time I wrote but I think it’s time to add a little bit more. I’m still living</div>
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my life half in Brazil and half-time in the United States traveling around Brazil when I can and of course in the U.S. as well. it is July of 2018 and that means it’s winter and I am in Brazil. Louise and I have invited our friends Marly and Eda to join us on a trip to the state of Minas Gerais the southern part of Brazil. Eda takes the bus from minados luiz’s Hometown which is about 4 and 1/2 hours away and</div>
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arrives at 2 in the morning for us to leave early Saturday morning. we load the car with all our stuff and head up to pick up Marly on the way out of town. It’s a beautiful sunny day as we begin our travels heading towards Uberlandia. A pretty</div>
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uneventful travel day through the cerrado filled countryside. There was one highlight in the day as we were looking for a place to have lunch we turned off the main road into a small town. “Tapuirama” The streets of the small town had flags hanging from side to side and we knew that there was a festival going on. It was a little</div>
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late for lunch but we stopped and asked directions to the local restaurant. After driving by a couple times we realized it was closed because of the festival. A couple of people had mentioned there’s a small place that serves Marnamix which is a common traditional place where you can pick up lunch and take it to go.</div>
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We head down the road and spot a small sign on the opening of the fence, the only thing to identify the house and invite us to come in. What a pleasant surprise.</div>
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The aroma of fresh home cooked rice, chicken and beans fill the small kitchen.</div>
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The family of the house seem excited to have us and invite us to eat on the veranda so we did not have to take our food and go. </div>
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The lunch is great and although the conversation is Portuguese I understand most of it. We load back up and continue our journey as we have a little further to go Araxa – our first night stop. Araxa is a
city of about 95000 people in the state of Minas gerais. It is named
after a local native tribe that live there when it was first discovered buy European
settlers and means: place from where the sun is first seen. I can only imagine there are incredible views of the sunrise somewhere. </div>
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We arrive
mid afternoon and head to the central part of the city to find a hotel.
On a boulevard with a newly designed island green space we find the
perfect hotel and check in. Not long after we have our things secure and we are on our way, off to
look around the grounds of the Grande Hotel Araxa.</div>
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Built in 1944 as a casino by local politicians, the grande hotel is a luxury hotel which has hosted many important regional parties since it was built. Today the hotel has some age, but continues to be a destination for families and parties in the area. It stands with a large garden and pond in the back and unfortunately a large parking lot in front. We spend some time looking around, walking and exploring both inside the hotel and the grounds out back. It is truly nice to be out of the car and enjoying the cool afternoon breeze. Our adventures take us down a winding trail to a small overlook where a bougainvillea is currently displaying its purple beauty wrapped around a gazebo overlook where one can gaze on the pond below. Behind the gazebo like overlook is a small building which houses a natural spring. Actually not very eventful as one can get a taste of this natural refreshment but the building is plain and nothing really to see. There is a second floor but since the bougainvillea is so beautiful it is hard to believe there is anything more worth a visit. We enjoy our walk and soon it is time to head back to the hotel, eat some dinner and get some rest. There is a museum (Dona Bejos) we would like to see but it is currently under renovations so we decide to head out in the morning.</div>
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<li style="list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/fim-de-semana-em-uma-fazenda-perto-de-brasilia-weekend-at-an-acreage-near-brasilia/" style="color: #19196a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Fim de semana em uma fazenda perto de Brasilia (Weekend at an acreage near Brasilia</a></li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0Araxá, MG, Brazil-19.5906483 -46.944241199999965-19.7103143 -47.105602699999963 -19.470982300000003 -46.782879699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-64642660971367107092016-09-11T15:43:00.003-04:002016-09-11T15:45:09.228-04:00Eco - Tourism - part 2 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #3d596d; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25.5px;">With our guide Sergio in the car and the rest of the day to explore, we head out of Lencois on the same roads we drove into the quaint little town on. We enter Park National da Chapada Diamantina heading towards our first destination and soon the roads become partially paved and then gravel surrounded by beautiful landscape filled with rock formations, mesas and gorgeous vegetation. Not sure if the tour guide brought us the most direct way but we really do not care as we arrive at Enchanted Well ready to explore. A small welcome center with friendly Brazilians greet us as we find the last spot in the shade to park out car. We prepare to hike into the cavern just a few meters away. We put on our hard hats equipped with headlights and set off following our fearless </span><br />
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<img alt="img_2398" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2635" height="300" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/img_2398.jpg?w=225" style="float: left; height: auto; margin: 16px 16px 16px 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="225" />guide. Into the cave we descent enjoying the beautiful natural wallpaper covering the rocks around. We come to the Enchanted Well which is a giant sunken pool 120 feet deep with water so clear you see the rocks and other items at the bottom of it. When the sun is just right, light coming through the crevices reflects on the water giving it a blue tint. A delicate ecosystem strives way down here so far below the surface. Our time is spent enjoying the quiet hidden away treasure and soon we turn back and return to our car up above. I have to say the hike down was much easier then the return up the winding steps, but I guess that is what one would expect. </div>
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<img alt="img_2430" class=" size-medium wp-image-2646 alignleft" height="300" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/img_2430.jpg?w=216" style="float: left; height: auto; margin: 16px 16px 16px 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="216" />Our time cave exploring is over and after a quick snack it is on to our next destination. Down the dirt roads once again, through color full little towns with their historic churches we travel. We end up in Mucuge Bahia which is the location of our next stop. On the edge of town in front of the "great wall" (a grand embankment) sits Cemetery Santa Izabel. Filled with Byzantine style tombs all stark white standing gloriously against today's blue sky. These artistic tributes to those who have gone before us are primarily from the early 19th <img alt="img_2436" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2648" height="225" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/img_2436.jpg?w=300" style="float: right; height: auto; margin: 16px 0px 16px 16px; max-width: 100%;" width="300" />century when outbreaks of cholera and smallpox came to the town and prompted the citizens to bury their dead outside the city limits. As we stroll through the tombstones, it is easy to identify which years the epidemics were more devastating as the number of deaths are higher. If you have not already figured, I find cemeteries to be calm, quiet and full of great art. The Gothic style tributes of this cemetery do not disappoint me as they are truly an adventure in itself with detail surprises throughout. We spend a little over an hour exploring all these ancient creations. </div>
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<img alt="img_2477" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2653" height="224" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/img_2477.jpg?w=300" style="float: left; height: auto; margin: 16px 16px 16px 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="300" />It is a couple of kilometers from Mucuge and that is where we head next to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the corner of the town square. After lunch, we do a little exploring of the small town and get some great photos. Settle by Portuguese immigrants in the late eighteenth century, traces of indigenous occupation prior to the present day inhabitants have been discovered in recent years. It is one of the oldest settlements in the region filled with outstanding characteristics and <img alt="img_2479" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2654" height="225" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/img_2479.jpg?w=300" style="float: right; height: auto; margin: 16px 0px 16px 16px; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></div>
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historic colonial mansions of Portuguese style. A thriving community of the Brazilian diamond rush era, its population hit approximately thirty thousand and was an important commercial center in the nineteenth century. Diamonds were discovered in the caves around the city which created it as noteworthy city worldwide and it is said that it had and embassy of France within its city walls. (thanks Wikipedia) </div>
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<img alt="img_2512" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2660" height="225" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/img_2512.jpg?w=300" style="float: left; height: auto; margin: 16px 16px 16px 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="300" />Soon it is time to leave Mucuge and to head to our final stop for the day the "musue vivo do Garimpo (Living Museum of Garimpo). It is a short drive and soon we arrive at the museum on the banks of the Mucugê Creek where the first diamonds were found in Bahia according to legend. Hike the short trail to a nice history center filled with artifacts of the diamond era and local traditions. Diamond cutting tools, </div>
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measuring scales, mining tools, and typical clothing of the time are just a few of the artifacts displayed. After our time in the museum we head outside and hike along the creek where the water is red from the minerals. The creek is full of small waterfalls and surrounded by the same amazing landscape and greenery we have enjoyed throughout this reagion. The falls remind me of Sioux Falls although there the rocks are red, not </div>
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the water. It is getting l=to be late afternoon so we head back to Lencois for a good night sleep as tomorrow is another travel day onto Salvador. This area would definitely be an part of Brazil I would visit again to see more of the amazing waterfalls, caves, and other natural wonders still left unexplored by me.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0Mucugê, BA, Brazil-13.0088285 -41.371179900000016-13.0243 -41.391349900000016 -12.993357 -41.351009900000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-51173557722334704512016-08-04T07:50:00.002-04:002016-09-11T15:37:07.016-04:00A Walking I Will Gp - Goiania Brazil <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="IMG_1456" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_1456.jpg?w=300" />Yesterday afternoon I found myself with a little down time so I headed out the door and went for a little walk. Ok - it was a longer walk over 2 hours and according to fit bit over 6000 steps and definitely longer then I first intended. About five blocks from home I began taking note of some of the things I spotted and decided to share my observations. As I walked along I noticed a wall which has been constructed in the past six months or less. It is like other walls along the road creating a boarder between the sidewalk and personal property. What I paid a little more attention to on this day was the tagging which was scribbled across the newly painted structure. The culprits sure did not waste any time before they streaked their black lines across the tan wall. Yes, Goiania is full of graffiti and most of my friends here are not happy about it. I have noticed this before and in other Brazilian cities but on my walk today I pay a little closer attention to it. I notice that some of the graffiti in the city is quite artistic and then there is some which has no artistic value like the one in the first photo. On almost every block there is some sort of graffiti to grab the passerby's attention. I meander a little further and come to a park with a community center or gym located in the center. We have driven by this building before and I have always wanted to take a closer look. It is <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_1531.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_1531.jpg" style="color: #00aadc;"><img alt="IMG_1531" class=" wp-image-57 alignright" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_1531.jpg?w=300" height="222" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_1531.jpg?w=300" style="border: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 16px 0px 16px 16px; max-width: 100%;" width="476" /></a>covered with graffiti but this almost looks as if it has a purpose with some actual art being involved. As I walk up to the structure to take a closer look I think of the murals they are painting under the bridges and underpasses along the beltline bike trails in Atlanta. There is not a lot of difference between what we call art and graffiti. I will continue to scour the city walls of Goiania for more art among the graffiti and share it from time to time. In the meantime enjoy this short video with graffiti from Goiania. I figure this is better then having all the pictures listed below. Let me know what you think...<br />
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A special apology to all my Brazilian friends who would rather not have me show what they consider the ugly side of Brazil but it is truly life in Brazil. I remember a day when cities in the United States were plagued with this vandalism, not sure how they got rid of it but hopefully Brazil will follow suite and it will get better. At least the non artistic part of it.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-42935218964654010312016-07-07T17:38:00.000-04:002016-09-11T15:36:40.131-04:00Landing in Goiania - Winter 2016 (July)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d596d; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 25.5px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">So it has been a while since I posted anything and I hope this catapults me back into spending at least a little bit of time blogging. I have some pieces to finish, some videos to edit and more thoughts to share. In the meantime enjoy this video of my landing flying Azul Airlines into Goiania Brazil.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-71100707719473639212016-04-27T18:24:00.004-04:002016-04-27T18:24:49.758-04:00Brazil's National Anthem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Well the Olympic Games are coming to RIo in a couple of months and what better time to take a look at the Brazilian National Anthem. A symbol of this nation sung with such energy and passion by the home fans. Brazil as a country is a melting pot of people from all over the world, I wanted to know how the lyrics compared to that of the National Anthem of the United States. Thanks </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_National_Anthem" style="background-color: white; color: #be8f00; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Wikipedia</a> for the translation.<br />
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<tr><th>Portuguese lyrics</th><th>English translation</th></tr>
<tr><th bgcolor="coral" colspan="2">First stanza</th></tr>
<tr><td><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Ouviram do Ipiranga as margens plácidas<br />
De um povo heroico o brado retumbante,<br />
E o sol da Liberdade, em raios fúlgidos,<br />
Brilhou no céu da Pátria nesse instante.<br />
<br />
Se o penhor dessa igualdade<br />
Conseguimos conquistar com braço forte,<br />
Em teu seio, ó Liberdade,<br />
Desafia o nosso peito a própria morte!<br />
<br />
Ó Pátria amada,<br />
Idolatrada,<br />
Salve! Salve!<br />
<br />
Brasil, um sonho intenso, um raio vívido,<br />
De amor e de esperança à terra desce,<br />
Se em teu formoso céu, risonho e límpido,<br />
A imagem do Cruzeiro resplandece.<br />
<br />
Gigante pela própria natureza,<br />
És belo, és forte, impávido colosso,<br />
E o teu futuro espelha essa grandeza.<br />
<br />
Terra adorada<br />
Entre outras mil<br />
És tu, Brasil,<br />
Ó Pátria amada!<br />
<br />
Dos filhos deste solo<br />
És mãe gentil,<br />
Pátria amada,<br />
Brasil!</div>
</td><td><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
The placid banks of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipiranga_Brook" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Ipiranga Brook">Ipiranga</a> heard<br />
the resounding cry of a heroic people<br />
and in shining rays, the sun of liberty<br />
shone in our homeland's skies at this very moment.<br />
<br />
If the assurance of this equality<br />
we achieved by our mighty arms,<br />
in thy bosom, O freedom,<br />
our chest shall defy death itself!<br />
<br />
O beloved,<br />
idolized homeland,<br />
Hail, hail!<br />
<br />
Brazil, an intense dream, a vivid ray<br />
of love and hope descends to earth<br />
if in thy lovely, smiling and clear skies<br />
the image of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crux" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Crux">(Southern) Cross</a><br />
shines resplendently.<br />
<br />
Giant by thine own nature,<br />
thou art beautiful, thou art strong, an intrepid colossus,<br />
and thy future mirrors thy greatness.<br />
<br />
Beloved Land<br />
amongst a thousand others<br />
art thou, Brazil,<br />
O beloved homeland!<br />
<br />
To the sons of this land<br />
thou art a gentle mother,<br />
beloved homeland,<br />
Brazil!</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><th bgcolor="coral" colspan="2">Second stanza</th></tr>
<tr><td><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Deitado eternamente em berço esplêndido,<br />
Ao som do mar e à luz do céu profundo,<br />
Fulguras, ó Brasil, florão da América,<br />
Iluminado ao sol do Novo Mundo!<br />
<br />
Do que a terra mais garrida<br />
Teus risonhos, lindos campos têm mais flores,<br />
"Nossos bosques têm mais vida",<br />
"Nossa vida" no teu seio "mais amores". <b>(*)</b><br />
<br />
Ó Pátria amada,<br />
Idolatrada,<br />
Salve! Salve!<br />
<br />
Brasil, de amor eterno seja símbolo<br />
O lábaro que ostentas estrelado,<br />
E diga o verde-louro dessa flâmula<br />
- Paz no futuro e glória no passado.<br />
<br />
Mas se ergues da justiça a clava forte,<br />
Verás que um filho teu não foge à luta,<br />
Nem teme, quem te adora, a própria morte.<br />
<br />
Terra adorada<br />
Entre outras mil<br />
És tu, Brasil,s<br />
Ó Pátria amada!<br />
<br />
Dos filhos deste solo<br />
És mãe gentil,<br />
Pátria amada,<br />
Brasil!</div>
</td><td><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
Eternally laid on a splendid cradle,<br />
by the sound of the sea and the light of the deep sky,<br />
thou shinest, O Brazil, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finial" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Finial">finial</a> of America,<br />
illuminated by the sun of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="New World">New World</a>!<br />
<br />
Than the most elegant land abroad,<br />
thy smiling, pretty prairies have more flowers<br />
"Our meadows have more life",<br />
"our life" in thy bosom "more love". <b>(*)</b><br />
<br />
O beloved,<br />
idolized homeland,<br />
Hail, hail!<br />
<br />
Brazil, of eternal love be the symbol<br />
the starred banner thou showest forth<br />
and proclaim the laurel-green of thy pennant<br />
'Peace in the future and glory in the past.'<br />
<br />
But if thou raisest the strong gavel of Justice,<br />
thou wilt see that a son of thine flees not from battle,<br />
nor does he who loves thee fear his very own death.<br />
<br />
Beloved Land,<br />
amongst a thousand others<br />
art thou, Brazil,<br />
O beloved homeland!<br />
<br />
To the sons of this land<br />
thou art a gentle mother,<br />
beloved homeland,<br />
Brazil!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-10390312810488760662015-06-07T20:08:00.001-04:002015-06-07T20:13:29.427-04:00Scenic Sunday June 2015 - Goiania Brazil <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I apologize as it has been a while since I last blogged but as usual life has gotten in the way. I found myself in downtown Goiania and realized it has been a while so I decided to do a little film of downtown Goiania for you to see. Hope you enjoy.. I will try and do more filming around the city and share. <br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/anShJZJ1utE">Scenic Sunday </a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0Goiânia - State of Goiás, Brazil-16.6868912 -49.264794300000005-16.930239200000003 -49.587517800000008 -16.4435432 -48.9420708tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-78773014029003065602015-02-08T17:26:00.002-05:002015-06-08T19:41:10.813-04:002015 Oscar Nominated Film Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So.. I know I am in the middle of telling of my trip to Salvador but since the Oscars are right around the corner this post is time sensitive so I will sneak it in here. Hope you enjoy. Comment and let me now your thoughts.</div>
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OK.. I have officially finished watching all of the 2015 Oscar nominated movies. I must say that this is the first year that when the nominations were publicized I had not seen any of the movies. Before I spoil my review I will get right to it.<br />
BOYHOOD.. The story of a boy growing up. Just an ordinary boy with with a mom who attracts dead beat men and his sister. It never got deeper then that and I never quite got a purpose for the movie. I did find it interesting how the kid grew up in the movie almost as if they had been filming it for years but <span class="text_exposed_show" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I did not even find the acting believable and . I have no idea why this was nominated.</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />BIRDMAN. This was the first movie of the group I watch and again I have no idea how it got nominated. Although the acting was good I actually never got into the movie, stopping it to go to sleep and reluctantly finishing it the next day. I found it to be depressing and was not impressed with the story. I don’t see a purpose to the film and I am left wondering if I missed something but I will not go back and put myself through it again to see if I did.</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />THE IMITATION GAME.. The third movie in the list I watched and after the first two I began wondering if something was wrong with me. This movie was a little better as it was a good story and one worth telling. However, once again nothing about the knocked my socks off. I think the relationships in the movie were shallow and underdeveloped. At times I found it slow and I just wanted it to end.. I never got into the movie 100%.</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />SELMA ..Finally, I had heard some good things about this film and was excited to watch it as the first three I had not heard of prior to their nomination. Maybe that is what was wrong? Of course a good story about Dr Martin Luther King should be told over and over again. But half way through I realized that I was not impressed with the acting and once again the story line did not grab my attention. I guess in the end I compare it to 12 years a slave and for me it was so inferior to that movie.. again.. isn’t there anything else out there with some wow.</span></div>
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AMERICAN SNIPER. Of course only those who do not watch tv and have no internet have not heard of this film. With so much posturing going on, I was anxious to see what it was all about. In the end the movie was good, very patriotic I guess if you believe war is justified. Not making a comment on my commitment to that issue. I did not think it dove in deep enough to explore the moral struggle the sniper went through. The story toggled between his family and deployments and never really made me understand who he was. I felt like it needed to tell more but I would also not be willing to sit through more. Again, another movie that I just did not see why it got an Oscar nod for best picture.</div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL..quirky and I expected it to be funny from the trailers I had seen. The only suggestion I have about not really loving this move is that maybe I was not in the right mood. I thought it was supposed to be funny and only a couple of time did I catch myself laughing out loud but I had done that in some of the previous movies. I had a hard time following and maybe it was a little to a.d.d. for me. The story was predictable and nothing real earth shattering. </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING ,, again .. nice story.. I felt the main actor did a great job portraying Steven Hawking but again.. something was missing for me. Nothing about the story of the film wowed me. It spent some time developing the relationship between his wife and his caretaker but then that just felt like it dropped into nothing. Again, maybe I have different expectations this year than previous years but the so many movies from previous years so outshine this one. </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />WHIPLASH ..believable story.. again maybe I am just over all the story movies in the group when I saw this one as it was the last one I watched. I found it slow in spots and never really got involved in the story. I ended up turning it off late one night because I was tired and watched the rest the next day. Previous years I would have never done with the other Oscar nominated films as I seemed to get involved and then would not have been able to sleep wondering what was going to happen next. </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />In the end I am not sure it was worth my time to do my Oscar run this year. I was not impressed with the movies the academy has put forward as contenders. This past year there were movies like Big Eyes, Gone Girl, Into the Woods, The Hobbit, Hunger Games.. heck even Maze Runner had a better developed story then some of these films and they all kept my attention better. Honestly, I felt the movies I just listed were more entertaining, better stories, and better movies than any of the films nominated. I guess I am not a member of the academy for some reason. </span></div>
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Comment and let me know what you think.. Did you see any of the movies? Have a different perspective that I missed? Have another movie you would have picked for a nomination?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-58410313427329363792015-01-30T12:22:00.002-05:002015-01-30T12:28:43.730-05:00Eco Tourism Part 1 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So, we wake up in Seabra, have breakfast at the little hotel, and we are on the road by 8:00. Down the same tree lines road with pot holes and oversize trucks to maneuver. As we drive along we get our first views of Chapada Diamantina National Park which our destination Lencious sit on the edge of. A beautiful park approximately 15,000 square miles in size filled with natural beauty just waiting to explore.. OK... time to learn... Chapada means "a region of steep cliffs" in Brazilian Portuguese and soon we begin to see these cliffs with plateaus above as we drive down into the valleys. Unfortunately on our journey we did not encounter any Diamantina which refers to diamonds found here in the mid 19th century. </div>
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Around 8:30 we stop at an abandoned gas station next to Pai Inácio Hill. 1150 meters above sea level this massive rock structure protrudes high above the forest-covered valley. Folklore says it is named for Inacio, a slave who fell in love with a might colonel's wife. When the colonel found out about this love, he contracted hit men to dispose of Inacio and they ended up chasing him through the forest until he was trapped on top of this rock formation. Instead of coming down and being killed, Inacio decided to jump using his lovers umbrella to pass by the hit men. People say he was seen running through the valley after his great leap but he never came back for his love. Well, on today's journey we do not see Inacio, but we do see a peace bus parked at the <br />
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abandoned gas station and its inhabitants walking around enjoying the day. They are traveling through Brazil and invite us to take photos, We ask them about hiking up the Pai Inacio Hill and they inform us we just missed the driveway leading to the path going to top. After a few photos of the landscape with and without the bus. We hop back into the car and retrace our journey the 1/3 mile to the dirt path with a local vendor setting up shop at the point where it connects with the asphalt. We don't get far up the little dirt road and we come to a closed gate. The sign states the path is closed until 9:00 which is actually just right around the corner. Do we wait or do we head out. I guess the view above is simply spectacular, but<br />
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when we ask the vendor about details, he states that you never know when they will come to unlock the gates.. It could be 9 or it could be 11, you just never know. We decide there are other things to see so we move on passing the idle bus once again. In hind site, I wish we would have waited around a while. I have seen photos of the view from the top and I think the day would have been perfect for a climb. It is however, one of those things that cannot be changed now and I have added it to my must do next time list for this area. </div>
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We arrive in Lencois (with an accent under the c and above the o . Len-soys..) and lodging is our first venture of the day, but before I write about this I will learn a little about this city of approximately 10,000 residence. Referred to as the gateway to the Chapada Diamantina because of its location it was once known as the Capital of Diamonds. As you can guess, this region was settled after the discovery of diamonds in the area. People flocked to this small mining town in search of fortune. Once a wealthy area, the economy was stagnant for many years as the diamond boom ended and the soil around was not very rich. Fortunately over the last several years, eco-tourism has brought this area alive again as many visitors from all over the world come to explore the amazing waterfalls, long winding trails, deep canyons, crystal blue water pools and complex of limestone caves. Well, back to our journey. It seems when we travel we do not make advanced reservations and end up sleeping where we can find room. In Lencois we travel up the cobblestone streets where it dead ends into the Hotel de Lencois We stop to take a look and <br />
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although we think it is not in our budget we decide to ask anyway. As we wait for assistance I have to admit that I am hopeful it is something we can manage. A beautiful pool, courtyard and dining area seem to complete the hotel overlooking the town. To our surprise we hear about a wonderful eco room (ceiling fan - no air conditioning) which would fit the budget, but before we are able to book, they needs to see if the current guest who is supposed to check out today will be staying additional time or not. It may be a while so we take the opportunity to look at a couple more hotels and then venture back as we find nothing else to our liking. Excited about the possible room we make our way back only to be disappointed as the current guest has decided to stay. Back on our quest, we travel back down to the main market area where we saw a guide post for tours early and decide to stop. Luiz inquires about cost and ends up booking a guide for the day. His name is Sergio and he will join us for the day. Although we are still searching for our hotel he squeezes into the car and informs us he knows a good hotel. Down the bumpy streets we drive and soon we turn onto a narrow car lined street. Ok, the hotel is not quite as nice as the one we had found but the price is good and we are anxious to get the rest of our day going so we unload our bags and set out for an adventure under the direction of Sergio...</div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">Tour Guide Sergio</dd></dl>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">Peace bus - Brazil</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2372.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2372.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; clear: right; color: #1b8be0; float: right; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_2372" class="wp-image-2481 size-medium" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2372.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2372.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 5px auto 0px !important; max-width: 98%; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">Ants made of rocks.. Hotel of our dream!</dd></dl>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">Old City Hall - Lencois Bahia</dd></dl>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-41915447163438199672015-01-20T17:32:00.001-05:002015-01-20T17:33:16.364-05:00Off .. Off.. and Away.. Where to? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px;">Wow, 5:00 A.M. comes quickly.. Everyone else is already showered and they let me sleep until the </span><br />
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last-minute but it is time to get moving. Feels like 2:00 A.M. to me but hey let's go explore. I understand it will be a long drive today for our first destination but I learn that we are heading to Salvador Bahia with a stop on the way for a day or two of eco-tourism. We have a quick breakfast, load the car and down the empty streets still lit by the street lamps we head. I barely get out of Goiania city limits my eyes slip shut in slumber. I had intended to stay awake and see the land but this part of the drive I have seen before. Past Anapolis and onto Brasilia, Somewhere along the way I wake allowing me to assist Junior (the driver) maneuver his way through the capital city. It is drive.. drive.. drive for us. With occasional stops for gas, restroom, food and for me more sleep then what I had planned. I cannot say the <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2343.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2343.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #1b8be0; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_2343" class="alignleft wp-image-2458 size-thumbnail" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2343.jpg?w=150" height="113" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2343.jpg?w=150" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; display: inline; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px;">food along the way leaves anything to desire. No fast food restaurants here. Just dirty gas stations with restaurants attached. A couple we stop at for restroom breaks I wonder how they can get past any health inspection but then again we are in Brazil. The terrain is a mix of farmland and rolling hills with an occasional river to cross. The roads</span><a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2352.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2352.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #1b8be0; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_2352" class=" size-medium wp-image-2459 alignright" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2352.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2352.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; display: inline; float: right; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px;"> are two lane with lots of traffic coming from the other direction. Brazilians are coming back from Salvador and the beaches along the coast to Brasilia and Goiania. It sure requires more patience when attempting to pass the large number of trucks moving slowly along the path. Not to mention the trucks are extra long. Junior decides to turn and take a less traveled route and soon he regrets this decision. The driving becomes more intense as potholes are added to the stress of passing the trucks as we maneuver the roads. These are not small pot holes either, they are ones that require missing or you may end up ruining your vehicle. Around five or six in the evening we decide to stop and find a hotel in Seabra (only 936 kilometers from Goiania). A small town in the state of Bahia, Seabra has around 40,000 residents and is a stopping point for many travelers making their way to and from the coast and the beaches. </span><a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2353.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2353.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #1b8be0; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_2353" class=" size-medium wp-image-2460 alignleft" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2353.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_2353.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; display: inline; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px;"> Tonight the streets are lined with buses all waiting for the morning and the next leg of their journey. We find a nice hotel and snag their last room with 4 beds, air, and internet. Not sure how good the internet will be as that is always the issue in Brazil, but we don't plan to spend too much time online and if we must head to the reception area to get a signal, we may just do that. Although I slept a large part of the way, I am still feeling tired and ready for a quick bite to eat and then some good dream time. We find a Chinese restaurant down the street (which really means Brazilian food) and enjoy a quick meal. At least it is different then the truck stop food we ate all day. This day saw lots of countryside with little exploring but I hope tomorrow will be a little different. We have made good time and are only an hour from our first destination Lencois. We should get an early start and be there quickly tomorrow. Time to do a little internet surfing and then get some sleep. I am still adjusting to the time change and the night of no sleep.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-68255620647734155002015-01-19T08:46:00.001-05:002015-01-19T08:55:23.045-05:002015.. skipping time.. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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OK.. I am not getting the trip to Europe edited and now it is 2015. I am heading to Brazil again for a few months and wanted to make sure to do some writing while I am there. I will randomly go back and finish some of the posts I have written about Europe. They just require some editing and photo selection but that process does take some time. <br />
For today, I write as January 1, 2015 comes and it is time to head south leaving behind what has been a cold fall/winter thus far in the states. My travel takes me directly from Atlanta to Brasilia and then onward to Goiania. A lift from my neighbor and I arrive at the airport early enough to grab a bite to eat. It includes a diet coke as I will not find those in Brazil. When I get to the gate I am called to the desk to confirm my passport and visa and the agent at the gate recognizes me. She knows my partner's sister and we exchange pleasantries. The world is truly quite small. Soon the boarding process begins, the airplane doors are closed, and we <br />
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are speeding down the runway. I fall asleep quickly which is unusual for me on these overnight flights but I am definitely tired from being up late New Years Eve. A short time into the flight I am awoken by the crew passing out the evening meal. Pretty usual meal and nothing exciting happens on the flight. I struggle to get a little more sleep but I am sure it is less then 3 hours total. 6:30 A.M. comes and once again we are on a runway scurrying around the tarmac in Brasilia. As we land I realize the last time I flew through was early 2014 and I was apprehensive as to whether this airport would be ready for the world cup. The two new concourses were still under heavy construction with what looked like lots of work left to be done. I remember being doubtful it would be finished in time but to my understanding it was primarily ready for the first games played here. I open the sash and see the glass structure which is the new concourse. The plane settles at the gate and soon it is time for customs, luggage retrieval and then wait for my domestic flight. My flight is<br />
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not for almost 7 hours and I am not looking forward to hauling around my three checked bags for 4 hours. In Brazil, passengers cannot check luggage unless it is less then 3 hours prior to their flight. I collect those bags and leave customs and to my surprise there is a new baggage check area right outside the door where international flights can recheck their bags right away. No hauling them around with you, which is definitely a nice surprise and an upgrade. I get in line behind the couple first in line waiting for an agent and soon a line forms behind me. I am fortunately one of the first people to make it through customs so my wait is short. The last time I was in Brasilia they had just introduced free wi-fi so I purchase credit for my Brazilian cell phone and make my way to the upper level where all the restaurants are located and there is plenty of places to sit. To my surprise all the restaurants are boarded up. Well, there are still some local restaurants located there like Giraffe's and a Brazilian Italian one, but those that came right before the world cup last year (-McDonald's, Subway, etc) are no longer there. I guess <br />
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they got in, made their money and are gone. I find a nice quiet place to wait and browse the internet. After about four hours and some lunch from Giraffe's (Brazilian version of fast food) I decide to make my way to my gate, not sure if they will let me. Just like waiting to recheck your luggage you had to wait until 45 minutes before your departure time to head through security. This however, was no longer the case. Oh and on my way to security I noticed a brand new McDonald's on the main floor where passengers check in. I guess they moved to a more prominent location. I pass through security with no issues and head down the long hallway into the vast glass enclosed airport. It is sure more <br />
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luxurious than the previous gates for domestic departures. The old concourse had people practically sitting on each other and was always so hot. The new concourse is spacious and air conditioned with a great view of the planes departing and arriving. If I had known I could come here earlier I would have but I will know next time. Filled with people waiting for their flights, I slowly walk down the aisle taking it all in. There are more restaurants here as well and I am sure that is one reason they let people into the gate area earlier. It is much more functional and less crowded then the circular gates of the old domestic terminal. As I take my seat and wait, I realize that the Brasilia airport is truly more advanced than it was prior to the world cup and has an international feel now. One last upgrade, gone are the days of loading onto a bus which takes you to the stairs at the door of the plane. A modern gate that loads people directly into the plane has replaced this. The boarding process is quick and I am soon in my assigned seat. There is a little confusion in the seat next to me as two guys with the same name have been assigned the seat but it is quickly resolved. The flight is quick (35 minutes quick) and soon I am in Goiania, get my luggage, am greeted by Luiz, and soon we arrive at my home south of the boarder. A few hours later Luiz's brother Junior and friend Eda arrive. The plan is to see more of this vast country with a quick trip as it is summer break here for most and upon their arrival I am informed we are leaving at 4:00 am which to my body is 1:00 with little sleep the night before. But let the adventure being, I am game as I can sleep in the car. Ok.. not very exciting writing but will save the trip for my next post in a few days.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-50893314164186574652014-07-09T14:10:00.001-04:002014-07-09T14:10:48.077-04:00Oh Brazil... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ok, I know I have currently been posting about my trip to Europe in 2013 but I just had to take a minute and share current events here in Brazil. I will get back to editing those posts from last year soon. </div>
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It is a quite day here in Brazil. As many of you probably have seen, there futebol team was totally stunned in their world cup quarter final game against Germany. Leading up to the game yesterday I am sure you could hear air horns being blown and cars honking as citizens made their way to where ever they were watching the game in whichever city you were. You see in Brazil futebol is a huge deal. Since Brazil was named as the <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1283.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1283.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_1283" class="alignleft wp-image-2440 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1283.jpg?w=224" height="300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1283.jpg?w=224" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; display: inline; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="224" /></a>host country the anticipation for this World Cup has increased and reached its maximum early this year. Beating the top seated team Spain and winning the Confederate Cup after rioting in the streets last year set expectation high. Brazilians started to believe they could be days away from their 6th World Cup. June came and the first deflation occurred when they tied <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1330.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1330.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_1330" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2442" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1330.jpg?w=300" height="224" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1330.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; display: inline; float: right; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a>Mexico but after that stumble they made it on to the elimination round and all was moving forward quickly. They surpassed Columbia in the first round but lost two key players. This did not seem to slow the fans as they looked forward to the next match. Then Germany came to town and within a few minutes the score was 3 - 0 then 5 - 0 and finally 7-1 as the Germans obviously came to play. It was like a huge air mattress getting deflated. <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1326.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1326.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="IMG_1326" class="alignleft wp-image-2441 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1326.jpg?w=300" height="224" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1326.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; display: inline; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a>Brazilians really did not know what to think or how to react. Fireworks reserved for victory became outlets for frustrations. No crowd roars could be heard over the community where cheering fans once celebrated victory. Even my friends who wanted Brazil to loose for political reasons were shocked at the result. </div>
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Well today, I went for a w<img alt="IMG_1331" class="alignright wp-image-2443 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1331.jpg?w=300" height="224" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_1331.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); display: inline; float: right; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 1.225em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" />alk here in Goiania and found it interesting that yesterday 1 in every 10 vehicles if not more had Brazilian flags either protruding from their windows or covering the hoods of their cars. Today that ratio was 1 in 100 if not less. Flags that once hung from balconies are no longer to be seen and vendors set up on every street corner peddling those yellow and green jerseys have packed their inventory for another day. I think the loss yesterday made this great country turn inward for reflection! We will see what tomorrow brings!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-21151301386159664572014-07-07T21:49:00.001-04:002014-07-07T21:50:06.168-04:00London... Need I say more? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;">Well, I know this trip was almost a year ago and I do have some more recent drafts written (especially</span><br />
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about being in Brazil during the world cup) so I hope to catch up quickly and finish editing my Europe trip soon. I have decided to lump some of our days together as I am not sure I will be able to fill them all. Ok.. back to traveling.... London, not sure I need to give any internet information about this city. During our stay we get up daily and enjoy breakfast provided by the hostel, one of the benefits of a hostel even if it is not much. This trip is not my first visit to the large city across the pond and on our first day after waiting for a couple of stragglers to finish getting ready, I cannot help but realized I am no longer traveling on my own. I will have to adjust a bit and be flexible on what I want to do or make the decision to head out on my own. Agenda for today is to <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/p8300026.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/p8300026.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="alignleft wp-image-2418 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/p8300026.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/p8300026.jpg?w=300" height="268" style="float: left;" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;">head to the main tourist area and catch one of the double decker bus tours and soon those stragglers join us and we are off. Down to the tube *subway* and before boarding we quickly figure out which direction we need to travel. After a few stops we exit the train and soon emerge into the sunshine above. The day is partly cloudy and I must say perfect for sight seeing. We choose one of the tour companies which has several different routes and we are on our way with cameras poised and headsets on. I always enjoy these bus tours as they give interesting facts as you travel through the streets allowing you to plan what you want to go back to or stop and see in more detail. The next few hours are filled with enjoying the scenery of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and a lot of beautiful English Gardens in </span><a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/p8300068.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/p8300068.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2422" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/p8300068.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/p8300068.jpg?w=300" height="217" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;">between. The bus is a hop on, hop off, so we take advantage of that and find our way to some of the usual spots and of course getting some great photos. Some of my personal highlights are the over sized bronze horse head statue in Hyde Park of central London. There is just something about that statue that draws my attention. My other favorites of London are the gates at Buckingham palace, Big Ben, and just walking through the city streets. Spending a few hours in London and soon it seems so familiar. After two bus tours the day winds down and we find ourselves in Piccadilly Circus with </span><a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/1009862_10201747744633531_21909463_n.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/1009862_10201747744633531_21909463_n.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="1009862_10201747744633531_21909463_n" class="alignleft wp-image-2437 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/1009862_10201747744633531_21909463_n.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/1009862_10201747744633531_21909463_n.jpg?w=300" height="225" style="float: left;" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;">its vibrant lights and crowds a bustling. (OK maybe a little bit of information about Piccadilly Circus from wikipedia ... It is a circle at the intersection of several streets which was constructed in 1819 and has been a filled with people and traffic ever since. Today the area is filled with lit billboards and on the southwestern side stands the statue of Eros on top of a fountain. It is definitely one of the circles trademarks. During all hours of the day and night you can see people sitting on the stairs leading up to the statue. The neighborhoods around the circle are filled with theaters and lots of entertainment opportunities. It is simply a must see when visiting the city.) On this</span><a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_3858.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_3858.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="IMG_3858" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2427" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_3858.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/img_3858.jpg?w=300" height="224" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;"> evening we have decided to enjoy wandering through the streets and our plan is to see a show while in London so we are in the right area. The group comes to a rather quick decision to see "Thriller". We purchase our tickets for the next evenings performance and hang at Piccadilly for a bit. A demonstration is going on so we move a little closer to take a look. As we reach the curb of the street, hundreds of bikers go peddling by with an occasional skate boarder in the mix. It is fun to watch them as the make up of the group is full of characters and tricksters. I can only conclude that they are riding for bike awareness. After a quick visit to China town we head back to the hostel in hopes of a good night sleep.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-22634807275789157102014-06-17T13:27:00.000-04:002014-06-17T13:28:04.511-04:00On To London<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I wake up early and ready to go. I am feeling much better and glad I did not try and do more yesterday. Breakfast, shower and soon Pip and Jack (her son) stop to walk with me to the train station. We have checked the schedule and a quick train ride to Cardiff will get me there with a little time to look around. Arriving at the station it is the end of the route and no one is on the train. I say thank you and good bye to my wonderful Merthyr Tydfil hosts and soon I am on my way. I decide to play some candy crush and don't even notice the short stops along <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3782.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3782.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3782" class="alignleft wp-image-2378 size-thumbnail" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3782.jpg?w=150" height="112" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3782.jpg?w=150" style="float: left;" width="150" /></a>the way and soon we are in Cardiff at the train station. Somewhere in between Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff the skies filled with clouds that turn dark gray and rain began falling. This truly changes my plans to explore the city, although I had realized that I am traveling with my luggage which would have limited my ability to look around. I did take some time while I was resting the day prior to learn a little about this capital of Wales<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3790.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3790.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3790" class="alignright size-full wp-image-2381" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3790.jpg" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3790.jpg" height="225" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a> called Cardiff. With a population of around 350,o00 people it is the largest city in Wales. A port city on the Bristol Chanel, it has played a large part in Welsh exportation of goods for centuries. It is the location of the Welsh government headquarters and has become the top tourist location in the country. Today the rain is falling hard and so I strategically plan my attach, crossing the street to get to a covered entrance or dry spot on the opposite side. I find it ironic that I cross the street to <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3800.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3800.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3800" class="alignleft wp-image-2383 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3800.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3800.jpg?w=300" height="224" style="float: left;" width="300" /></a>one of these first dry spots and end up in front of a Brazilian restaurant which may have ended my wet journey if it had been open. It is closed so I continue my dodging from one canopy to the next with carry on suitcase in tow and backpack attached. The buildings of Cardiff are definitely old and line the streets with a definite pride. Those same hanging tree forms filled with blooming flowers line several of the streets and one can find Welsh flags hanging all over the city center. If only the sun was shining, I would be able to enjoy this feature at its fullest instead of in between sprints. I walk quickly down the sparsely inhabited streets peering down the alley in between in search of sights to see. In the distance I can see a castle like structure and it<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3797.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3797.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3797" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2382" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3797.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3797.jpg?w=300" height="221" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a> becomes my destination. Cardiff Castle, is located near the city center and is simply spectacular even on this less then perfect touring day. When I finally get to the castle the rain has let up a bit and I am able to take a quick look around. Once again I have regrets that I did not get on the bus the day prior but I guess I will just have to put Cardiff on my list of must sees for my next visit. I find my way in through the large front entrance and in the middle of a green grassy areas stands a small castle like structure on top of a mound. Obviously a place I would love to explore more, but my time in Cardiff is running short so I am able to just view it from a distance. I leave the interior of the great walls and walk down the street to the corner where a large tower which once helped protect the interior buildings <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3814.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3814.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3814" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2395" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3814.jpg?w=221" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3814.jpg?w=221" height="300" style="float: left;" width="221" /></a>is located. I observe the great details of the tower and can see by the clock on it that I need to head back to the bus station. At this point I have traveled a little ways and am not sure how far away I am. On my way I come to a covered street which is a nice alternative to dodging from one dry spot to the next and the wet dreary weather outside. Lots of quick window shopping to be done as I meander towards the station. When I arrive, my bus is just pulling up and I realize that I am like a wet dog. Time to get on board and enjoy the ride into London.</div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_38211.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_38211.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3821" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2386" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_38211.jpg?w=225" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_38211.jpg?w=225" height="300" style="float: left;" width="225" /></a>The ride through the countryside to London is nice and soon we are traveling down many different streets of the city. Stop lights, people strolling along the streets, and lots of traffic bring me back to life in the city after my short stay in Wales. I am meeting my travel companions at the place we are staying - a youth hostel. Luiz's brother has made all the travel plans and there are 11 of us for this first stop London. I arrive at the bus station and step into a large patriotic lobby filled with shops and people hustling around. I attempt to get my bearings and soon find my way to the street and look around. It does not take me long to find the street that will take me in the direction of the hostel and after looking around a bit I am off in the direction I need to go. Somewhere along the way I miss a turn or maybe I am just confused by the street signs which way to go. After a short detour and unfortunately a long walk up hill, I realize I am walking in the <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_38221.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_38221.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3822" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2388" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_38221.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_38221.jpg?w=300" height="225" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a>wrong direction and ask a couple of people for help. I find my way and arrive at the hostel safe and sound. Since there are a lot of us in our group we are taking a full room at the hostel which house 12 people so we don't have to have anyone else in the room with us. When I arrive I am greeted by the group who have just finished settling in. They have all flown from Brazil together to meet me here. I join them and settle into our room and since it is evening at this point and we are hungry we set out to find a <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3849.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3849.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3849" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2393" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3849.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3849.jpg?w=300" height="224" style="float: left;" width="300" /></a>place for dinner. On my short detour I saw some places to eat so the group decides to heads up the hill in that direction I was lost in and decide on Jamies Italian restaurant for our evening meal. We plan to start touring pretty early the next morning so after dinner we head back and crawl into our bunk beds and call it a night. </div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin: 4px 0px;">Cardiff Wales - Covered Street</dd></dl>
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<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin: 4px 0px;">Cardiff Wales</dd></dl>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-52245447211194210672014-06-15T22:27:00.002-04:002014-06-15T22:27:11.988-04:00Merthyr Tydfil - The Final Day... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;">Ok - not much to write about today.. I woke up with the sun shining through the bedroom window and plans to take the </span><a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3540.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3540.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="IMG_3540" class="alignright wp-image-2372 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3540.jpg?w=300" height="224" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3540.jpg?w=300" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;">short bus ride and explore Cardiff. Upon waking up I am feeling quite under the weather and not sure if the jet lag has done me in or if it is the go go go I have been doing since arriving. I head downstairs, eat a little breakfast and take a shower but I still feel tired and all I want to do is go back to bed. With plans to meet up with my other European travelers for the next leg our our trip tomorrow, I decide that it is best I take a day and rest and relax. Do a little bit of internet exploring and since Cardiff is a bus layover on the way, maybe I can leave earlier then planned and still see a part of the city. So by mid morning my day has been planned as I will stay at the house and get some well needed rest. By </span><a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3781.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3781.jpg" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="IMG_3781" class="alignleft wp-image-2371 size-thumbnail" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3781.jpg?w=150" height="112" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3781.jpg?w=150" style="float: left;" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 19px;">Mid afternoon I wish I had boarded the bus and headed to Cardiff but maybe I can catch up on some blogging. ( Since the trip was last year I want to share that this day actually allowed me to write all my experiences in Wales. I did not spend time editing and proofing them until now but at least had a rough draft.) So that is all for this post. Hot tea, television, and an early bed is planned for today.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-11290635284506874162014-06-13T07:58:00.000-04:002014-06-13T07:58:02.670-04:00Off to Brecon for the Day! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well, the sun is up and another day has set in. I cannot believe this leg of the trip where I am on my own is almost over. Only<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3735.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3735.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3735" class="alignright wp-image-2318 size-medium" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3735.jpg?w=300" height="273" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3735.jpg?w=300" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a> two more days in Merthyr Tydfil and I will be heading to London to meet up with the rest of my Europe travel group. Since time is running short I have decided to hop on a bus and explore the neighboring town of Brecon on my own. In making plans, Pip's oldest son Nials volunteers to accompany me and so mid morning he swings by Bernard's dads house where I join him on the journey to the downtown bus station.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3729.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3729.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3729" class="alignleft wp-image-2317 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3729.jpg?w=222" height="300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3729.jpg?w=222" style="float: left;" width="222" /></a>Ok... Let's learn a little about my destination - Brecon - This modern day market town was first established as a military base in the early 1100. A castle was constructed on the top of the hill which was strategically positioned near the intersection of the River Handdu and River Usk. Not far away was the only location on the River Usk where one could cross prior to the building of any bridges for a long ways. Soon a fortified community sprung up near by and the town has always had strong military ties. A wall was built surrounding it to protect it from invaders. Those walls were virtually destroyed in the English civil war and the small parts that still exist today are monuments to the towns history. Present day Brecon boasts a population just over 8,000 inhabitants and is an ideal destination for holiday as it sits just on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Thanks wikipedia for the information but it is time to move on and enjoy the ride to Brecon and explore.</div>
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The sky is blue and filled with sunshine as the bus travels through the Welsh countryside <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3736.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3736.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3736" class="alignright wp-image-2319 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3736.jpg?w=300" height="220" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3736.jpg?w=300" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a>towards Brecon. On the edge of town we cross over a bridge spanning the Usk River and immediately I spot a must see destination standing tall on the top of a hill. Yes the castle with all its glory is overlooking the town from above. From this distance it is hard to tell what it exactly is, but I know we will end up there at some point today. A short distance later we exit the bus stepping into the business district and begin our exploration. The narrow streets are filled with flowers from hanging baskets along the store fronts to what seems to be mounds of flowers strategically placed on the sidewalks. It is quite nice and I can tell this is a town ready for tourists. Our first stop is a local pastry shop where we enjoy <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3726.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3726.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3726" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2315" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3726.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3726.jpg?w=225" style="float: left;" width="225" /></a>some local fare. After my mouth waters for a bit, I decide to try several of the treats since I am on vacation: a cream filled doughnut, a custard slice, a mini cream Victorian sponge, and a coffee choux all washed down with a cup of coffee. Good thing Nials is along so I don't have to eat it all myself. After our little breakfast we wandering around the streets and squares of Brecon. Step after step I am impressed with how clean everything is with it brick and mortar facades. I can easily tell this town is old and has a rich history to tell if one listens closely. We use the church steeples which protrude high above the town's rooftops and can easily be see as a guide to explore. They make good landmarks to walk towards and we visit several of them on our journey. St. Mary's church in the heart of the city with its beautiful stain glass windows we can only admire from the exterior as the doors are locked this day. It is easy to see how its bell tower dominated the <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3727.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3727.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3727" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2316" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3727.jpg?w=300" height="223" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3727.jpg?w=300" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a>town skyline for centuries with its castle like top and gold plated clock. Just outside the back of the church is a small concrete square with some of those flowering mounds and benches in front of a large statue of the Duke of Wellington. Across the street is the historic Wellington Hotel. We take a peak inside and are transformed back many decades. A simply elegant travel back in time if one is interested in staying in a setting like that I would suggest checking in. We head back outside and down the narrow streets in the direction of the next church steeple. Exploring the churches as we go, some of them only from the outside and some of them we get to take a peak inside. In between the churches are many little discoveries, like the town market with home made crafts, fresh meats, and many more items The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh which looks to be a military museum of ome sort. In front of the museum is a small yard with some military artifacts we can enjoy, but we decide not to go in the actual museum as we are enjoying being outside and the price to enter is a little more then we want to spend.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3760.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3760.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3760" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2331" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3760.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3760.jpg?w=300" style="float: left;" width="300" /></a>At this point we have been walking a lot and the morning has disappeared quickly. We are now in need of some lunch and I am hungry for traditional fish and chips Welsh style. We begin our search for a nice local restaurant as we cross over a nondescript rock bridge into another part of town. When we get to the opposite side of the river, I notice a plaque on a house wall stating that the bridge was constructed in 1563. It was one of the first bridges constructed over the river and with some structural assistance over the years it still stands today. We continue our walk down the busy street lined with row buildings showcasing shops to explore just beyond the sidewalks along the right had side. On the other side, beyond the sidewalk, is a large open grassy knoll behind a decorative fence. We pass by several little eateries on our <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3756.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3756.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3756" class="alignright wp-image-2329 size-thumbnail" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3756.jpg?w=150" height="109" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3756.jpg?w=150" style="float: right;" width="150" /></a>way but they all seem to be closed or don't have fish and chips. On the opposite side of the street we come to a gate with a driveway that leads through the open grass area to several lovely building nestled not far down the driveway. One of them has a tall steeple which is why we decided to head this way. It is the campus of Christ College, a boarding school for kids. A gorgeous campus just at the edge of town. We decide not to check into the possibility of exploring the campus as we are in search of lunch and now we find ourselves on the edge of town and the only way back is the direction we just came.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3763.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3763.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3763" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2332" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3763.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3763.jpg?w=300" style="float: left;" width="300" /></a>The little detour sure has pushed back our lunchtime and when we are finished revisiting our steps, we come to a small restaurant in a part of town obviously frequented by tourists. Not exactly what we were looking for but by this time we are hungry and fish and chips are on the menu. We devour lunch which is delightful and ask for directions to the fort returning to our quest. At the top of a hill in the direction<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3740.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3740.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3740" class="alignright wp-image-2322 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3740.jpg?w=300" height="221" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3740.jpg?w=300" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a> we are traveling we see steeple which we decide to use as a guide. We wander towards the steeple situated on top of a hill, our hope is that we will be able to find our bearings by looking out from there and that we can see the castle and know which direction to go. Brecon Cathedral, a massive structure looming on top of a steep hill surrounded by well manicured gardens. The views are wonderful and we are encouraged to explore by one of the nuns as we wander through the gardens. At least we think she was a nun. This time we are fortunate as the building is unlocked and we are able to take a look around. Into the sanctuary we step quietly with it empty pews and acoustical chamber. At the front of the church are five spectacular stain glass <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3739.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3739.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3739" class="alignleft wp-image-2321 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3739.jpg?w=221" height="300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3739.jpg?w=221" style="float: left;" width="221" /></a>windows rising above the elaborate alter. When writing this post, I searched for information regarding the amazing alter but was not able to find any story.</div>
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After spending some time enjoying the building and gardens of Brecon Cathedral, we look out over the city and are disappointed as we are unable to see the castle anywhere. We were sure we would be able to see it from up there but no luck. Like before, the only way down the hill was the way we came so we trace our steps back down the steep hillside. At this point I am determined to find the castle although I am starting to feel a little under the weather. We ask for some assistance from some of the locals traveling with us through the streets and after a little over an hour we finally arrive at the entrance of the Castle Hotel. A three star hotel built next to the remains of the original Brecon Castle, we look around for access to the castle but it <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3759.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3759.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3759" class="alignright wp-image-2330 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3759.jpg?w=300" height="247" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3759.jpg?w=300" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">looks like just the outside walls remain. We head through the lobby and dining area into the lavish gardens on the other side. Walking around the side of the hotel we can get close but do not find anyplace to gain entrance. I have seen my first bits of a true castle and look forward to more on this European adventure. By this time it is mid afternoon and I am beginning to drag a little. I think with the jet lag and all the miles of walking, I have wore myself out and may have even caught a bug of some sort. We decide to head back towards the bus stop only stopping for a quick look around the Brecon Canal. I wish we would have found the canal earlier as it offers a cruise which would have been fun to take. But as the evening is approaching we start our journey back to Merythr Tydfil. As I step onto the bus, I am exhausted and cannot help but hope that I am not coming down with anything.</span>. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-2618667259670177722014-06-09T14:23:00.003-04:002014-06-09T14:23:52.472-04:00Europe – Exploring Merthyr Tydfil, Wales<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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OH... wait.. our local meal at Bessemer's Carvery and Grill is delightful, but not quite the exclamation point to this day as we are not done yet.. Since everyone is already in the car and Pip's husband is done working for the day, he decides to take me on a driving tour of some areas around town. Always ready for an adventure let's get this tour started.<br />
We drive through some of the neighborhoods of the town passing by churches, stores and the usual town buildings. We soon decided to stop at a be<img alt="IMG_3652" class="alignleft wp-image-2284 size-thumbnail" data-mce-src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3652.jpg?w=150" height="112" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3652.jpg?w=150" style="float: left;" width="150" />autiful area with walking paths for miles. Although our journey today has included hours and miles of walking we did finish our meal with ice cream so a little more walking seems appropriate. We stroll along the path where steam locomotives once passed which have now been transformed into wonderful recreational paths. Through the beautiful countryside of Wales. About thirty minutes later we come to an old viaduct which used to take trains overhead. I cannot help but think back to the time when this was built. Today it is not as much of a wonder with the machines and advanced technologies, but these structures were put here in a time when moving Earth was definitely a more difficult task. We admire the structure and the vegetation which surround it for a bit. Pip's <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3657.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3657.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3657" class="alignright wp-image-2286 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3657.jpg?w=300" height="224" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3657.jpg?w=300" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a>oldest son Nial finds a dirt path which traverses the hill leading to the top of the ravine. We decided to leave the asphalt and make the hike up the dirt path and partake in the amazing views on top of the viaduct. Rolling hills as far a the eye can see. We cross the viaduct and continue looking around. It is a wonderful evening and we don't want to waste any daylight so we head back towards the car and jump in. Down and up through the winding hills just outside Merthyr Tydfil we travel. Stopping to take a closer looks at an beautiful Spanish influenced home built on the side of the hill. The home was started and has never quite gotten finished but it is truly spectacular and we leave wishing we knew more of the structures story and later I am disappointed I did not take a photo of the home. The hills are filled with old run down Inns, pubs, and homes like this, each with their own story and history.<br />
<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3700.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3700.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3700" class="alignleft wp-image-2291 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3700.jpg?w=300" height="224" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3700.jpg?w=300" style="float: left;" width="300" /></a>When were walking around Merthyr Tydfil earlier in the day, I had spoken of my desire to visit a real castle while in Europe and so it is decided we will try and find our way to the remains of Morlais Castle. Built in 1288 A.D. the once prominent castle sits in ruins not far away so we begin our quest to see it never making it there before getting distracted and the sun setting. Yes distracted by a little plot of land where the congregation at St Gwynno's Church and the haunted Inn sits deserted next to it. The small country church with its rock bell tower is surrounded by overgrown vegetation half covering ancient graves. Stories of rich and poor people being buried here alike, one of them being the great iron master Robert Thompson Crawshay. Manager of the mines and iron works for years and in 1879 he passed away leaving his company and fortune to his son. His tomb is said to weigh over 10 tons and has "God Forgive Me" inscribed on it. <a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3684-2.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3684-2.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3684 2" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2296" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3684-2.jpg?w=221" height="300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3684-2.jpg?w=221" style="float: right;" width="221" /></a> Some say he had these words inscribed on his grave because he was asking repentance for closing Cyfarthfa Works and leaving so many families destitute and others say it is because of the way he behaved towards his own family. I guess no one will ever know.<br />
<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3682-2.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3682-2.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3682 2" class="alignleft wp-image-2297 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3682-2.jpg?w=224" height="300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3682-2.jpg?w=224" style="float: left;" width="224" /></a>We explore some more and soon come across a plaque on the wall of the church building. Although the congregation is called St Gwynno's the actual church is Vaynor Church. Funded by Robert Crawshay after the original church here came close to collapse. The congregation has called this building home for many years. It is said that the bell tower was used as a prison and local legends say a thief once took refuge in the tower and found one hundred plus skulls scattered inside. Today the doors are locked so we will not be looking around inside for any proof of this tale. Speaking of folklore, across the graveyard lies the old vacant Vaynor Pub. Believed to be haunted, this well known structure has a long history in local folklore as many a Welsh man and women have wandered the halls and rooms of the old structure.<a data-mce-href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3662-2.jpg" href="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3662-2.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3662 2" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2298" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3662-2.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_3662-2.jpg?w=300" style="float: right;" width="300" /></a><br />
As we head back to the car, we give up on our quest to visit the castle remains and decide to head back toward Potsarn viaduct. Another of the area's great train bridges where we plan to watch the sun hide behind the horizon. As we drive along we have time for a quick stop at Potsheticill reservoir to enjoy the sound of water and the orange and yellow reflections of the evening sun off the glistening water. But it is a quick stop and soon we arrive at the viaduct, park the car and walk the 1/4 mile to the middle. You can see Cyfarthfa castle from earlier today and other parts of the city. We watch as the sun begins its journey towards the horizon.Enjoying the cool evening breeze and reminiscing about all the walking we have done as we wait for the last light of the evening to approach. The views from atop are simply spectacular and it has been a wonderful journey, but tomorrow will be another day and soon the sun has set behind the horizon. Nothing more to see tonight except the lightning bugs and stars above as we walk back to the car and head back into town.<br />
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I feel like I am getting caught up on my writing as we are almost a year away from this journey. I hope to catch some more writing time to continue this exploration of Europe with you. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-27205726322201406532014-05-30T18:23:00.000-04:002014-06-06T15:47:44.245-04:00Europe – Exploring Merthyr Tydfil, Wales<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3569.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3569" class="alignright wp-image-2247 size-thumbnail" height="238" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3569.jpg?w=150&h=112" style="border: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; max-width: 100%;" width="320" /></a>I decide to get up earlier then I had planned as I just cannot seem to get back to sleep after getting woken by the rumbling of a truck on the street outside. Oh well, Bernard’s dad left early this morning for a cruise so I have the place to myself for the rest of my visit. Pip has invited me up to their house for a traditional Welsh breakfast so after spending a little time on the internet, taking a shower, I begin the mile and a half walk to their place. When I arrive she is finishing up and soon breakfast is served. Eggs, toast, sausage are all pretty regular breakfast fare for me, but then she threw in baked beans and blood sausage. Pip chuckles <a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3570.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3570" class="alignleft wp-image-2248 size-thumbnail" height="238" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3570.jpg?w=150&h=112" style="border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="320" /></a>when I turn down the coffee and requests a diet coke. Her food is spot on but after a taste of the baked beans and blood sausage I realize I am not a fan of these two foods this early in the morning. Okay, maybe I don’t care for blood sausage at all. After we eat and clean up, we head out the front door to begin our journey. At the end of their street we come to a red pebble path which leads us into a lush wooded area. The path takes us up and down hills through the large grove. After about forty five minutes we <a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3606.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3606" class="size-medium wp-image-2252 alignright" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3606.jpg?w=300&h=224" height="224" style="border: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a>come to a clearing in the trees and walk onto one of the grassy fields of Cyfarthfa Park. Peaking through another group of trees in the distance I get my first view of the Cyfarthfa Castle. Although it looks like a fortified building from medieval times, it was actually built in the early 18th century as a home for the Crawshay family. Having acquired great wealth during the prosperous iron works era in southern Wales, William Crawshay wanted a home to proclaim his success. The <span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">castellated mansion overlooks the great gardens, lawns and once successful iron works factory his family owned. Today the castle is owned by the city and houses a museum which we intend to explore and a secondary school scheduled to close after this year is done. Plans are underway to renovate the classrooms to more museum space turning it into a larger tourist attraction. </span></div>
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<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3579.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3579" class="size-medium wp-image-2250 alignleft" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3579.jpg?w=223&h=300" style="border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></a>The house is a wonderful structure with it gray brick towers and two old cannons guarding the front door. We pass through the large front passageway and pay the small stipend to begin our self guided tour of the museum. Down<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3583.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3583" class="alignright wp-image-2251 size-thumbnail" height="108" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3583.jpg?w=150&h=108" style="border: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; max-width: 100%;" width="150" /></a> the narrow stairs we come to a room filled with a wonderful collection of artifacts from the iron age. A great tribute to the time when the wealth of this region created this masterpiece. Memorabilia from the homes, mines, and living quarters of the workers fill the rooms on the lower level. A small area is dedicated to the Merthyr Tydfil rising of 1831. This uprising by the workers was in response to the rise in costs and decrease in quality of products available for purchase. During this period the iron workers were paid in notes known as “truck”. The truck notes could only be used at stores owned by the companies they worked for, so the iron workers had little freedom to find better pricing or quality. 7,000-10,000 workers marched and kept iron-masters under siege for four days. Soldiers were called in and several demonstrators and military where killed. This uprising helped create momentum for the movement which later lead to the Reform act of 1852. I enjoy our time learning about the history, but soon it is time to head upstairs to see what awaits us there. Rooms lit with phenomenal chandeliers, original wallpaper and drapes are filled with Egyptian artifacts once collected by William Crawshay. All in excellent condition and telling the story of his families life. It is simply a wonderful collection and I would encourage anyone to explore it for themselves, but soon it is time to move on.</div>
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We head back out the front passage into the well manicured gardens which surround the mansion. A wonderful fountain with its decorative angels adorning the edges of the <a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3610.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3610" class="alignright wp-image-2253 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3610.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="border: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; max-width: 100%;" width="225" /></a>surrounding pool and its statuary children placed on the top of the column in the middle trickles water as we stop to take a rest before we continue our journey. We head towards the exit and as we leave the property we admire the entrance with it iron gate and the clock which was placed on the tower across the street. This clock was installed by William so he could see if the mines should be operational or closed for the day.</div>
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<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3612.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3612" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2254" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3612.jpg?w=300&h=224" height="224" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3614.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3614" class="alignright wp-image-2255 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3614.jpg?w=300&h=135" height="135" style="border: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a>Down the streets sparsely populated with homes, we come to a small set of row houses with significance to the community. The home on the end is the birthplace of Joseph Parry. Mr Parry was a Welch composer and musician known for writing Myfanwy and Agerystwyth which was later used in the the national anthem of South Africa. Unfortunately the little cottage museum is not open today so we will not be learning more about this composer and I add it to my list for my next visit.</div>
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<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3624.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #278dbc; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="IMG_3624" class="alignleft wp-image-2257 size-thumbnail" src="https://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_3624.jpg?w=111&h=150" style="border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></a>We continue our journey through the village exploring many of its nooks and crannies. It is a wonderful morning and afternoon and our journey takes us past a beautiful little church. We approach front door to peak through window to see if we can see the sanctuary. Inside the church we see two lady’s preparing the sanctuary for the next weeks activities. One of the ladies notice us and soon we are inside looking around. Enjoying the wonderful architecture of the sanctuary. Exploring all aspects from the old retired organ on the back balcony to the detailed ivory alter in the front. All while the lady’s share the stories and history of the church mixed with the stories of their lives. It is a wonderful part of our journey but soon the end comes and we head back up the hill to Pip’s house. We have walked miles as it is now late afternoon and we are hungry so to complete our day, Pip and her family invite me for dinner at one of their favorite local Welsh establishments. What a great exclamation point to a great day.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-63389531479650521832014-04-27T12:51:00.003-04:002014-05-30T18:19:05.937-04:00Europe - Merthyr Tydfil, Wales<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 class="entry-title" style="clear: both; color: #603913; font-family: Vollkorn, Georgia, serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3542.jpg" style="color: #19196a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="IMG_3542" class="alignleft wp-image-2207 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3542.jpg?w=220&h=300" height="300" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 24px !important; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="220" /></a></h2>
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I wake up feeling a bit jet lagged still and I sure hope I can maneuver through this side affect of travel quickly. After a hot shower and breakfast with Bernard’s dad, I decide to explore a little bit on my own this morning. I walk a few blocks down the street towards the little downtown area where I come across a monument on the opposite side of the street. I cross over to take a closer look and find that it commemorates the life of Richard Trevithick who developed the first high-pressure steam engine, and he built the first full-scale working railway steam locomotive. His locomotive traversed this spot on its initial trip in 1804 and a miniature replica of it stands on top of the memorial today. After the brief history lesson (there is only a small plaque on the statue itself, I had to gather more information later thanks to wikipedia) I continue down the paved street past an old abandoned facility covered with intricate details. Once manicured gardens spotted with lovely statues surround the historic shell of a building. I look for some identification to tell me what the building was and find the cornerstone which says the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). One of the town landmark buildings it was built in 1911 as the YMCA, a place for young boys to hang out, exercise and <span style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/wales_2_ymca_merthyr_tydfil.jpg" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="Wales, YMCA Merthyr Tydfil 2" class="alignright wp-image-2239 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/wales_2_ymca_merthyr_tydfil.jpg?w=300&h=193" height="193" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 24px !important; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></span><span style="color: #2c2c2c; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">learn</span>. It has been derelict for decades and when I got back to the house, I checked wikipedia and found more about the building and the efforts to demolish and renovate it over the years. Obviously, none of the efforts have been successful. It stands so proud on on the top of the hill, once known as the crown of the city. In writing this post I found a 2014 news article where a group of folks have announced plans to renovate the building to its premier status. Hopefully that plan will get the green light and restoration will begin soon. Now, on with my travels to the <a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3560.jpg" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="IMG_3560" class="alignleft wp-image-2216 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3560.jpg?w=221&h=300" height="300" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 24px !important; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="221" /></a> business district we had walked through yesterday on our way to the farmers market and the day before on my arrival. Being more observant today, I notice all the flower baskets hanging on the light poles, the flower boxes below almost every window and of course once again the abundance of Chinese restaurants. At the end of the block there is a grand old church and next to that is the old town hall. A beautiful structure that is currently under renovations with a fence protecting it from intruders, or maybe protecting intruders from it?. In front of the building is a sign highlighting the fundraising efforts to restore the building which is actually written in two languages. Welsh and English – I will have to pay attention around town as I believe I have noticed these two<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3563.jpg" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="IMG_3563" class="alignright wp-image-2217 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3563.jpg?w=223&h=300" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 24px !important; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a>languages on many of the signs, but did not realize one of them was Welsh or even a second language. I continue my journey around town for a couple of hours uncovering history in several spots and admiring the quaint details. Before I head back for the rest of today’s adventure, I must mention one of those history finds… the Robert and Lucy Thomas Memorial Drinking Fountain which was a gift to the city in 1906. It commemorates the granting of the town’s charter and honors Robert and Lucy Thomas who were pioneers in the steam coal trade of southern Wales. The black structure has a statue on top of a man with one hand on his head looking down. The eight iron columns support the canopy which provides some shade from the days sun as guests drink from one of the four <span style="color: #4e4e4e; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">projecting arms of the fountain below. Lion heads, ropes, swans and other birds are just some of the </span>intricate details which decorate the structure. I spend quite some time exploring and enjoying it but I don’t actually drink the water. Another reason I come to the conclusion that coal mining and steam engines are a large part of the town’s history and its heyday.</div>
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<dt class="gallery-icon portrait" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/img_3555/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="IMG_3555" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2215" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot A3400 IS","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377324024","copyright":"","focal_length":"9.921","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.0015625","title":""}" data-image-title="IMG_3555" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3555.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3555.jpg?w=224" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3555.jpg" data-orig-size="3448,4602" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3555.jpg?w=112&h=150" height="150" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="112" /></a></dt>
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<dt class="gallery-icon portrait" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/img_3554/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="One of the Chinese Restaurants" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2214" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"7.9","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot A3400 IS","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377323980","copyright":"","focal_length":"5","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.005","title":""}" data-image-title="IMG_3554" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3554.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3554.jpg?w=225" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3554.jpg" data-orig-size="3456,4608" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3554.jpg?w=112&h=150" height="150" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="112" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">One of the Chinese Restaurants</dd></dl>
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<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Artwork by YMCA</dd></dl>
<br style="clear: both; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />
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<dt class="gallery-icon landscape" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/img_3547/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="Sign by town Hall" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2211" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot A3400 IS","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377323640","copyright":"","focal_length":"5","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.002","title":""}" data-image-title="IMG_3547" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3547.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3547.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3547.jpg" data-orig-size="4608,3456" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3547.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Sign by town Hall</dd></dl>
<dl class="gallery-item" style="background-attachment: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-clip: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-color: rgb(233, 233, 232) !important; background-image: url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-right.png); background-origin: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-position: 100% 0%, 0% 0%, 50% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%, 50% 100%, 0% 0%, 100% 0%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, repeat-y, repeat-y; background-size: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; float: left; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 5px 0px; padding: 10px 5px 15px; text-align: center; width: 193.1875px;">
<dt class="gallery-icon portrait" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/img_3544/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="Statue by YMCA" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2208" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4.5","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot A3400 IS","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377323356","copyright":"","focal_length":"12.466","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002","title":""}" data-image-title="IMG_3544" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3544.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3544.jpg?w=224" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3544.jpg" data-orig-size="3446,4602" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3544.jpg?w=112&h=150" height="150" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="112" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Statue by YMCA</dd></dl>
<dl class="gallery-item" style="background-attachment: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-clip: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-color: rgb(233, 233, 232) !important; background-image: url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-right.png); background-origin: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-position: 100% 0%, 0% 0%, 50% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%, 50% 100%, 0% 0%, 100% 0%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, repeat-y, repeat-y; background-size: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; float: left; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 5px 0px; padding: 10px 5px 15px; text-align: center; width: 193.1875px;">
<dt class="gallery-icon portrait" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/img_3545/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="beautiful flowers all around town" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2209" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4.5","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot A3400 IS","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377323450","copyright":"","focal_length":"12.164","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":""}" data-image-title="IMG_3545" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3545.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3545.jpg?w=224" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3545.jpg" data-orig-size="3450,4604" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3545.jpg?w=112&h=150" height="150" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="112" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">beautiful flowers all around town</dd></dl>
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<div style="line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3568.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #19196a; float: left; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="IMG_3568" class="alignleft wp-image-2232 size-thumbnail" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3568.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 24px !important; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a>My morning exploring is coming to an end so I head back up the hill around lunch time as Pip has invited me for a traditional Welch lunch. On my way I stop by the house and take a few minutes to watch a game of boccie ball on the other side of the alley and over the adjacent fence. I had mentioned in a previous post that there is a prestigious boccie ball club directly behind Bernard’s dads house and there is an international tournament taking place there during my visit. I understand the concept of the game but not the rules. I will have to see if I have time to find out more later but it is time to head up the hill for lunch. Pip serves a traditional meal of peas, cauliflower, potatoes, and beef and it is truly delicious. <a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250017.jpg" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="alignright wp-image-2223 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250017.jpg?w=300&h=214" height="214" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 24px !important; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a> Bernard’s dad has made plans for the two of us to take the Breacon Mountain Railway this afternoon. A tourist railway which runs approximately 5 miles between Pant Station, just outside Merthyr Tydfil, and<span style="line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Pontsticill Station</span> traveling through the Brecon Beacons National Park. We arrive at the quaint train station and purchase our tickets to board. Inside the building is a museum of sort filled with historic railway artifacts and a small model train. Its provides a nice distraction as we wait for our train to arrive. Soon the large black steam engine appears on the tracks in the distance and steams towards the station. Passengers exit the train and it is time for us to get on board. As we sit and wait for the little engine to start down the tracks I day dream of a time not that long ago. When this form of transportation was part of life and not just a tourist adventure. I wonder what it would be like and how exciting it must have been for those first adventurers. My day dream is interrupted by the horn of the train announcing the departure from the train <a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250024.jpg" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="alignleft wp-image-2225 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250024.jpg?w=300&h=224" height="224" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 24px !important; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a>station and we are off. Clickety clatch down the old rail line we travel. Surround by the rolling hills of Wales the scenery is simply spectacular. Bernard’s dad and I enjoy the landscape and some good conversation with our fellow passengers. Soon we are at <span style="line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pontsticill station where we will pause for a bit. Not enough time to do a lot of exploring but we do get off the train and walk around a bit. Fortunately it is a the sun peaks through the clouds from time to time and there is no rain. Ok..let’s learn about the Breacon Mountain Railway — Sometime in the 1970′s a search was started to find the perfect place to operate a steam railway using locomotives collected from around the world.<br style="line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />With its strong railway and iron making history as well as its location on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Merthyr Tydfil seemed to be an ideal location. This section of the railway was originally constructed in 1859, but was closed and abandoned in 1964. By 1978 the group of train enthusiast had<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250029.jpg" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="alignright wp-image-2228 size-medium" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250029.jpg?w=300&h=224" height="224" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 24px !important; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a>everything they needed to proceed with building the railway again and commenced. The first section was open in 1980 to passengers again and additional tracks have been added in the years since. But enough with the history as it is time to board the train again and roll back down the tracks in the direction we came. This time we sit on the other side of the train so we can have a different perspective of the countryside. Valley after valley of rolling hills alongside a reservoir we travel. What a great way to spend the afternoon. After the train ride we call it a day as Bernard’s dad is leaving early in the morning for a cruise and I have that jet lag to get over still. Tomorrow the plan is to do some more exploring so better be ready! </span></div>
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<dl class="gallery-item" style="background-attachment: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-clip: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-color: rgb(233, 233, 232) !important; background-image: url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-right.png); background-origin: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-position: 100% 0%, 0% 0%, 50% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%, 50% 100%, 0% 0%, 100% 0%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, repeat-y, repeat-y; background-size: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; float: left; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 5px 0px; padding: 10px 5px 15px; text-align: center; width: 193.1875px;">
<dt class="gallery-icon landscape" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/02/16/europe-day-3-merthyr-tydfil/img_3531/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="View From Train" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2189" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"7.9","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot A3400 IS","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377254184","copyright":"","focal_length":"5","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.003125","title":""}" data-image-title="IMG_3531" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3531.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3531.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3531.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,747" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3531.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">View From Train</dd></dl>
<dl class="gallery-item" style="background-attachment: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-clip: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-color: rgb(233, 233, 232) !important; background-image: url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-right.png); background-origin: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-position: 100% 0%, 0% 0%, 50% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%, 50% 100%, 0% 0%, 100% 0%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, repeat-y, repeat-y; background-size: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; float: left; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 5px 0px; padding: 10px 5px 15px; text-align: center; width: 193.1875px;">
<dt class="gallery-icon portrait" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/img_3546/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="Town Hall Merthyr Tydfil" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2210" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot A3400 IS","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377323634","copyright":"","focal_length":"5","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.0015625","title":""}" data-image-title="IMG_3546" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3546.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3546.jpg?w=214" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3546.jpg" data-orig-size="2093,2922" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3546.jpg?w=107&h=150" height="150" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="107" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Town Hall Merthyr Tydfil</dd></dl>
<dl class="gallery-item" style="background-attachment: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-clip: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-color: rgb(233, 233, 232) !important; background-image: url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-right.png); background-origin: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-position: 100% 0%, 0% 0%, 50% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%, 50% 100%, 0% 0%, 100% 0%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, repeat-y, repeat-y; background-size: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; float: left; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 5px 0px; padding: 10px 5px 15px; text-align: center; width: 193.1875px;">
<dt class="gallery-icon portrait" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/img_3550/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="Beautiful Church Merthyr Tydfil" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2213" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"","camera":"Canon PowerShot A3400 IS","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377323741","copyright":"","focal_length":"5","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.0008","title":""}" data-image-title="IMG_3550" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3550.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3550.jpg?w=218" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3550.jpg" data-orig-size="2618,3594" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_3550.jpg?w=109&h=150" height="150" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="109" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Beautiful Church Merthyr Tydfil</dd></dl>
<br style="clear: both; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />
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<dt class="gallery-icon landscape" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/olympus-digital-camera/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="Traditional Welch Lunch" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2218" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"","camera":"SP560UZ","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377410914","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.68","iso":"125","shutter_speed":"0.1","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"}" data-image-title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250003.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250003.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250003.jpg" data-orig-size="3264,2448" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250003.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption" style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: inherit; margin: -15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Traditional Welch Lunch</dd></dl>
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<dt class="gallery-icon landscape" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/olympus-digital-camera-2/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2219" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"SP560UZ","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377413261","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.68","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.00125","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"}" data-image-title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250005.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250005.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250005.jpg" data-orig-size="3260,2442" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250005.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></dt>
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<dt class="gallery-icon landscape" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/olympus-digital-camera-4/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2221" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4.3","credit":"","camera":"SP560UZ","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377414177","copyright":"","focal_length":"26.15","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.00625","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"}" data-image-title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250011.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250011.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250011.jpg" data-orig-size="3250,2430" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250011.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></dt>
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<dl class="gallery-item" style="background-attachment: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-clip: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-color: rgb(233, 233, 232) !important; background-image: url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-top.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-right.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-bottom.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-left.png), url(http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/adventure-journal/images/sidebar-bg-right.png); background-origin: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; background-position: 100% 0%, 0% 0%, 50% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%, 50% 100%, 0% 0%, 100% 0%; background-repeat: no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, no-repeat, no-repeat, repeat-x, repeat-y, repeat-y; background-size: initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial, initial; float: left; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px 5px 0px; padding: 10px 5px 15px; text-align: center; width: 193.1875px;">
<dt class="gallery-icon landscape" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/olympus-digital-camera-3/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2220" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"","camera":"SP560UZ","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377413587","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.68","iso":"125","shutter_speed":"0.2","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"}" data-image-title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250008.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250008.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250008.jpg" data-orig-size="3264,2448" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250008.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></dt>
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<dt class="gallery-icon landscape" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/olympus-digital-camera-5/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2222" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"","camera":"SP560UZ","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377414339","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.68","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.01","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"}" data-image-title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250013.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250013.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250013.jpg" data-orig-size="3264,2448" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250013.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></dt>
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<dt class="gallery-icon landscape" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://dwoelber2.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/europe-merthyr-tydfil-wales/olympus-digital-camera-7/" style="color: #19196a; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="attachment-thumbnail" data-attachment-id="2224" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4","credit":"","camera":"SP560UZ","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1377415575","copyright":"","focal_length":"10.26","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.01","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA"}" data-image-title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" data-large-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250021.jpg?w=690" data-medium-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250021.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250021.jpg" data-orig-size="2003,1499" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/p8250021.jpg?w=150&h=112" height="112" style="border: 2px solid rgb(207, 207, 207); height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto 6px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></dt>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-86505843567258034532014-02-16T07:13:00.002-05:002014-05-30T19:05:48.963-04:00Europe - Day 3 - Merthyl Tydfil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Wow, a great night sleep as the room was dark and quiet. As I pull up the shades to let some light in I realize it is later then I thought. I am staying at Bernard's (my cousin's husbands) dad's home and I can hear him downstairs scurrying around. I get ready and head down to find he has breakfast of sausage, eggs, cereal, and toast ready for me, what a nice surprise. We have a pleasant conversation as we eat this most important meal of the day. Shortly into the conversation I realize I have to pay close attention to what he is saying or I will not understand him. He has a thick British/Welsh accent and I am not accustom to it. After eating I finish taking a look around the place. The back yard is so quaint with a well trimmed plot of green grass that crawls right up to the rock wall at the back end of the lot. A row of blooming flowers line the sidewalk that takes you to the back gate. Once you step through the gate you are in the alley with another taller rock wall on the other side. Just on the other side of this wall there are people talking so I take a peek. It is a bocce ball court and there are people playing a game this morning. I find out later from Bernard's dad that this is a bocce ball club and they are having an international <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_35071.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_35071.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3507" class=" wp-image-2174 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_35071.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_35071.jpg?w=300" height="188" style="border: 0px; float: left;" width="252" /></a>tournament there the next few days as it is a holiday in the UK. I may have to see if I can watch a game or two and learn something about the sport. After breakfast Pip (Bernard's niece) swings by to collect me on her way downtown to the farmers market. It is a nice short walk through the little village on this partly cloudy day. Little did I know the plan for the day would entail much more walking but I still would have joined her had I known. The market is filled with typical produce, nothing exotic like I often find in<a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3512.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3512.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3512" class=" wp-image-2177 alignright" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3512.jpg?w=225" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3512.jpg?w=225" height="252" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: right;" width="190" /></a> Brazil, but I enjoy it just the same. Of course one of the vendors notice my non British accent and immediately asks where I am from. Pip pipes up and tells him as she purchases the produce she is purchasing from his stand and we are off and walking to her house.</div>
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Up the hill past her grandfathers house, Pip and her family live in another set of row houses built by the iron companies who thrived in the area at one time. A typical neighborhood with kids outside playing on the street and I am soon introduced to her two children (Jack and Nial) and husband as we arrive at their home. It has been decided that we will be heading to Peny E Fan for the day and that everyone will be coming along. We pack a lunch, put on our sneakers and hop into the car. Pen Y Fan you ask? Located approximately 20 miles north of town, it is the highest peak in South Wales at 2,907 feet above sea level. It is part of the Brecon Beacons which is a mountain range in southwest Wales inside the boundaries of Brecon Beacons National Park. Named after the ancient practice of lighting signal fires (beacons) on mountains to warn of attacks by invaders, or more recently to commemorate public and national events such as coronations or the turn of the millennium. <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3513.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3513.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3513" class="size-medium wp-image-2178 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3513.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3513.jpg?w=300" height="224" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: left;" width="300" /></a>Today's hike will be around 6.2 mile one way which I did not know at the beginning of this adventure. Well enough about the mountain range and from Wikipedia, lets get back to today's journey. When we arrive, there are a lot of cars parked on the road side so we end up parking about three quarters of a mile from the starting point which is just beyond the old inn. We exit the car and begin our journey. As we get close I can see the trail that proceeds up the incline into the far distance. There doesn't seem to be many people as there is only one couple ahead of us so maybe all the cars along the road are misleading. We have plenty of water, our lunch and positive attitudes as we walk to the gate at the beginning of <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3514.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3514.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3514" class=" wp-image-2179 alignright" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3514.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3514.jpg?w=300" height="155" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: right;" width="210" /></a>the trail. We pass by the old deserted inn and Pip and her husband share stories of going there for dinner and a few drink as they try to remember how long ago it was. The path is surrounded by rolling hills covered by green grass and if you look close enough you see plenty of little purple flowers filled with butterflies. It is going to be a great day as the air is fresh, the sun is hidden behind some light clouds and soon we begin the hike.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3518.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3518.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3518" class=" wp-image-2181 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3518.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3518.jpg?w=300" height="180" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: left;" width="240" /></a>The journey to the first peak is uneventful, but once we reached the summit I began to realize this adventure was going to take all day and Pen Y Fan may be further then I first expected. I was also glad there were clouds in the sky, because if there were not it would be terribly hot. It was really the perfect day to be hiking through the grassy knoll. The trail winds down the hill to a little creek at the bottom of the valley. We step across the babbling brook using the strategically placed rocks and once <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3520.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3520.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3520" class=" wp-image-2182 alignright" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3520.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3520.jpg?w=300" height="180" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: right;" width="240" /></a>again we begin traveling up hill. This incline was quite a bit steeper then the first and each of us had to take a minute to catch our breath from time to time. (of course except Pip's sons who often ran ahead and are quite a bit younger) . At the second summit I realized fully what this adventure was going to be as the third summit was more of an incline yet after a short little valley. Fortunately we were not in a hurry so as we continued to climb we made plenty of stops to catch our breath. We pass by some horses with colts and take a minute to enjoy their playfulness. I think it was actually a good reason for a minute to relax. I had worn a jacket and at this point I wish I would have left <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3530.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3530.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3530" class=" wp-image-2186 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3530.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3530.jpg?w=300" height="188" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: left;" width="252" /></a>it in the car. On the way to the third summit we are met by a couple guys running down the path. They are obviously in great shape and are wearing race numbers as they traverse the path towards the road below. I am intrigued as they are obviously running some sort of a race but they are traveling too quickly to ask any questions. We arrive at the third summit and the forth summit is in site. There is no valley in between and the path has changed from dirt to rock and is quite steep. Shortly towards the forth summit another runner comes trudging down from above. This one is a little slower as the trail is much steeper and he has to be more cautious. Since he is almost walking on his descent I ask him what the run is all about. He shares that it is a race to raise awareness and funds for three military men's families. These three men died earlier this year in the Brecon Beacons as they performed military drills. After he passed by, Pip proceeded to share that this area is used by the UK Special forces for demanding selection training exercises called the fan dance. Earlier in 2013 three of these trainees died and this run must be raising money for their families and legacies. As a forth runner comes quickly down the mountain, I have to think how dangerous it is and how glad I am that we are walking and not trying to sprint. I am also not even sure how long it has taken to this point but I am happy there are not a whole lot of people around. It sure makes a nice afternoon.<a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3528.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3528.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3528" class="size-medium wp-image-2188 alignright" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3528.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3528.jpg?w=300" height="225" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: right;" width="300" /></a></div>
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We pass the forth peak and to our surprise there is a fifth with the trail continuing along a cliff. As we begin climbing to the top a cooler gust of wind begins to swirl over and around the summit. I had mentioned earlier that the jacket was a hindrance but at this point I am sure glad I brought it along. The wind has gotten cold as the clouds become more gray and we begin to think it may rain.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3526.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3526.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3526" class="size-medium wp-image-2184 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3526.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3526.jpg?w=300" height="225" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: left;" width="300" /></a>Wow- at the top of Pen Y Fan is a spectacular panoramic view. It is just a little hazy today so you can see for miles. Farmland creating a quilt of greens and browns near the horizon where the rolling grass covered hills end and the trees begin. On the top of the mountain is a large rocky area with a plaque at the highest point. We pull out our cameras to commemorate our accomplishment and then proceed to have lunch. The food sure takes on a different flavor at this altitude or maybe I am just a little more hungry after that uphill hike. A simple sandwich has not tasted this good in a long time. After lunch we continue to explore and a short distance from the plaque is a <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3529.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3529.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3529" class=" wp-image-2185 alignright" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3529.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3529.jpg?w=300" height="180" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: right;" width="240" /></a>peculiar pile of rocks. Pip advises me to find a flat rock and a chalk rock to write my name on it. She explains that it is tradition to place a rock with my name on it on the pile commemorating the end of my journey. Well at least my journey up. I spend some quiet time meditating as I explore the horizon of the surrounding area. It is truly a beautiful afternoon.<br />
We begin the long journey down but as one can expect the descend is quite a bit easier then the ascend. In the distance I see a reservoir which I had not noticed on the way up. I understand we had driven by it as we drove from Merthyr Tydfil and if we wanted to, there <a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3531.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3531.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3531" class="size-medium wp-image-2189 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3531.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3531.jpg?w=300" height="224" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; float: left;" width="300" /></a>is a path that brings you there as well. However, that would mean we would need to walk back up the road which would be quite a hike within itself so we opt for a return trip the way we came. After a leisure walk back down we finally reach the Inn where a vendor is selling ice cream alongside the road. We have certainly earned this treat and shortly after devouring the small ice cream treat we are back in the car headed towards town. I believe we are all proud of our accomplishment today and the ride back is a little quiet as everyone is tired. Once we arrive back in town we have dinner and settled in for an early evening. I was happy to get to bed early as I was still feeling a little of the time difference. As my head hit my pillow I was excited for tomorrow adventure! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-84648089113499225362014-02-13T06:50:00.004-05:002014-02-13T06:50:38.043-05:00Europe - Day 2 - Merthyr Tydfil...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The flight across the pond has been uneventful and soon we are on the runway taxiing to the gate. I take a minute to think about how different first class has been with its service and amenities offered. I am not sure it would warrant the price for me but this flight it was a free upgrade so I am happy with it. I exit the plane and head to find where my bus departs from (no need to stop at baggage claim as all my luggage is with me). It is 6:30 A.M. and my reservation to Cardiff is not until 10:30. I plan to find where it leaves from and check into an earlier bus. It doesn’t take long to find the departure point although I must say I am underwhelmed by the airport. It is old and dated and dingy, not what I expected or remember from my last visit. The bus stop is conveniently located right outside the terminal and it is only five Euros to get an earlier bus. I ponder it a while but the largest issue with an earlier bus is that my friends plan to meet me in Cardiff and I have no way of getting in touch with them. It is way too early to call. When I left the first class cabin, the stewardess handed me a voucher for some hotel like sleeping space located in the airport. Another bonus of first class. I guess it is kind of a hotel of sorts and a shower sure sounds good. After looking around a while I stumble <a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/images.jpg" style="color: #19196a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="images" class="size-full wp-image-2158 alignleft" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/images.jpg?w=690" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 24px !important; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a>upon the small space tucked in the corner of the airport. The voucher is a complimentary stay for up to 3 hours. Just enough time to relax, nap, brush my teeth and shower. The room is so small there is hardly enough room to turn around but I am just wanting to close my eyes for a minute so that really doesn’t matter.</div>
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Of course as soon as my head hits the pillow it is time to get up, get read and I am off to catch the bus- I must say this was a wonderful unexpected perk of first class. The bus is not very full and soon we are on our way. The ride through London and adjacent countryside is pleasant but uneventful and to be quite honest I struggle to stay awake. I arrive in Cardiff to see the smiling face of my friend Pip there to greet me. There is a short layover in Cardiff before we head to Merthyr Tydfil my first stop on this long journey so we grab a cup of coffee. After a short bus ride we arrive at terminal in the small city of 30,000 inhabitants. OK, like other posts I need to learn a little about the city I am visiting so lets consult wikipedia and see what we can find out.</div>
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Merthyr Tydfil was once the largest town in Wales but today it holds the honor of being the 14th largest urban area in Wales as it sits in the lower eastern section of the country. According to legend, the town is named after Saint Tydfil, a daughter of King Brychan of Brycheiniog. It is said the princess was slain at Merthyr by pagans around 480 and thus the location was named Merthyr Tydfil in her honour. The village was small with the adjacent land being filled with shepherds and small farms. In the 1700′s during the industrial revolution, the town grew quickly as its proximity to iron ore, coal, and limestone made it ideal for ironworks. Soon railways connected the <a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/998795_10201679420405468_1792113831_n.jpg" style="color: #19196a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="998795_10201679420405468_1792113831_n" class=" wp-image-2156 alignleft" height="157" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/998795_10201679420405468_1792113831_n.jpg?w=210&h=157" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 24px !important; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="210" /></a>growing city with every major city and sea port in the area. In 1861 the city was over 50,000 residence and growing but over the next several decades that growth stopped and the city began to decline as its inland location became cumbersome for the production of iron compared to new iron producing areas in the Ukraine and United States. The city rose to a population of over 80,000 people until post World War I found many unemployed there and a mass migration of thousands away from the city. World War II stabilized this out-migration but the iron works industry in Merthyr Tydfil has never recovered. The last of these iron based companies shut its doors in 1987 ending the 228 years of iron production. Today with several industries leading the employment numbers .</div>
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<a href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3510.jpg" style="color: #19196a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="IMG_3510" class="size-medium wp-image-2161 alignright" height="300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_3510.jpg?w=225&h=300" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin-bottom: 12px !important; margin-left: 24px !important; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="225" /></a>I am excited to get off the bus and see what this city is all about. Of course it is afternoon and it is kind of a gloomy day with gray skies and the threat of rain. We walk up a small hill through the business district of the community. My first impressions are that it is smaller the I expected with a Chinese restaurant on every other corner. I was not expecting that, thought it would be a pub. We pass by a few abandoned buildings which I am sure I will hear the story of at some point during my stay. Soon we arrive at Pip’s grandfathers place where I will be stay. (He is actually the father of my cousin’s husband which is my connection to them). A quaint neighborhood with row houses in grays, whites, and browns. By the time we arrive it is getting later so we have dinner and soon it is time to get some sleep. I am happy to be able to get on line using a neighbors wi-fi, but I am tired and as the jet lag begins to set in it is off to bed.. tomorrow we are planning to hike but I will leave more about that for the next post.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-75225612862118701082014-01-27T11:22:00.001-05:002014-01-27T11:22:54.494-05:00Europe Here we come!! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/europe.gif" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/europe.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="europe" class="size-medium wp-image-1041 alignright" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/europe.gif?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/europe.gif?w=300" height="241" width="251" /></a>Over the past three and a half years we have been talking about a trip to Europe putting away money and buying Euros to make it all affordable. The goal is to have it totally paid for prior to the first trip down the runway. Scheduled for May 2013 but then postponed, I was not sure it would happen at all but as August approached I realized this trip of a life time would actually be coming true. Hotels are researched and deposits are paid as transportation to get us from place to place is booked and an itinerary begins to form. Thanks to Ricardo who is our most seasoned Europe traveler, he spent several hours preparing all of the major plans for us. For me this is a treat as I am normally the planner in the group and I have to keep reminding myself to let go and let Ricardo. The date is set for August 2013 with everyone arriving on the 29<sup>th</sup>. I will be traveling by myself from the United States and meeting up with the rest of my traveling companions. Since I have friend s in Wales, I decide to look for a flight a few days earlier to visit them and check out the Welch countryside. June soon arrives and with the final hotels reserved it is time to find my ticket across the pond. I hold off seeing if there are any deals but they seem far and few in between.<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/travel_with_patti_logo.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/travel_with_patti_logo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel_with_Patti_logo" class="size-medium wp-image-1042 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/travel_with_patti_logo.jpg?w=300" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/travel_with_patti_logo.jpg?w=300" height="240" width="320" /></a>It is July and I finally decide I must just go ahead and use sky miles to get my ticket finalized. August twenty second is my date of departure with an October 2 return date. 38 days – who does that? Although I keep thinking this is too much time away, I continue to learn from my Brazilian friends how to relax a little and be ok with taking the time to enjoy. I move forward with plans and the final purchase of Euro’s is made as the details fall into place. The 22<sup>nd</sup> seems to come quickly and the only obstacle now is packing. We are all attempting to travel with just a backpack and one carry on. Wow – how much can I fit into a carry on for a month away and what do I need to bring? What will the weather be like? At least there will be Laundromats and some of our stays will be in apartments surely allowing us to wash some clothes on our way. <br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/1234780_10201673890587226_151910214_n.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/1234780_10201673890587226_151910214_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1234780_10201673890587226_151910214_n" class="size-medium wp-image-1046 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/1234780_10201673890587226_151910214_n.jpg?w=225" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/1234780_10201673890587226_151910214_n.jpg?w=225" height="180" width="178" /></a><a data-mce-href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/1175609_10201673801625002_1776582575_n.jpg" href="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/1175609_10201673801625002_1776582575_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="1175609_10201673801625002_1776582575_n" class="size-medium wp-image-1044 alignright" data-mce-src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/1175609_10201673801625002_1776582575_n.jpg?w=225" src="http://dwoelber2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/1175609_10201673801625002_1776582575_n.jpg?w=225" height="300" width="225" /></a>I reach out to my friends in Wales and they seem excited to host me. My first stop is Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, for 6 days. The 22<sup>nd</sup> of August arrive, I catch a ride to the airport and settle in as my flight to Boston and then across the pond to London are both first class. I will try and enjoy this as I figure out the rules to my new traveling surroundings. The flight to Boston is quick and first class is not terribly different then coach. Once I arrive I have a few hours to kill on my layover so I seek out the sky lounge and enjoy a snack and some free internet. Since it was a several hour lay over, the sky lounge was a nice perk of first class. The hours with the help of internet pass quickly and soon my flight to London begins boarding. I find my seat "4B" at the front of the plane and store my things in the overhead compartment. A Tumi travel kit awaits me on the seat along with a lovely pillow, a blanket that will probably be too warm for me and plenty of leg room in front. I settle in and soon the stewardess hands me a glass of champagne and a menu for my dinner selection. I could get used to this service but really don’t want to get spoiled. The doors are closed and all passengers are on board. The plane takes off for our five hour flight. The time difference between London and Boston is five hours so soon it is early morning London time and I hope to get some sleep. I want to make the time adjustment as soon as possible as there is a lot of sightseeing to do. … more to come..<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-4518882424557109422013-07-17T16:21:00.000-04:002013-07-17T16:21:32.260-04:00Democracy in Brazil Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well it has been a few days since I posted about Democracy in Brazil and the demonstrations that filled the city streets this past last month. Well, in response to that posting I have had friends in the USA ask questions and some Brazilians wanted me to share more details. I figured I would use this format as well as many others may have the same questions and information to share.<br />
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1) What is the current status of the protests?<br />
Well since winning the Confederation Cup, the mood of the country has changed a little again. You see Brazilian flags pop up all over on cars, hanging from balconies and at the top of residential flag poles. I think this win has taken the edge off the demonstrations and a lot of people have gone back to everyday life. Don't get me wrong, the people are still watching and the frustrations are still there, it has just taken a back seat for now. There are, however, large demonstrations going on daily in cities <br />
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throughout the country. They are not as big as the ones during the Confederation Cup but people are still taking to the streets. For example, many doctors and health care employees are protesting the governments decision to bring doctors from other countries (mainly Cuba) to help improve medical conditions. Seems like a reasonable response to the desired better medical care presented by the original demonstrations. However, the medical staff say it is not the lack of doctors in the country but the facilities they are working in that is the issue. They are also saying that the doctors brought here from other countries will not have to pass the boards to practice in Brazil which undermines their current system and is even unconstitutional. They want FIFA stadium standard hospitals and feel there are plenty of doctors already in the country, just need to improve their working environment. This is just one of the issues that continues to bring citizens to the streets in hopes that the government will listen to their demands.<br />
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2) What is going on there as news reports tell of a soccer official being decapitated. Well, I don't know much about this story, just what I read and to be honest I have not even heard it mentioned in conversation among Brazilians. I do believe it shows some of the battles the country has had in its struggle with leaving its third world status behind. Then again, if you look in the papers in the USA there is always a story about some sports fan killing another one over the game. I don't know the details of this particular occurrence so I don't have much more to add.<br />
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3) If you remember my last post talked about the Brazilian President's promise for oil moneys to be used for education. This promise has sparked some debate as the complications of accessing this oil means there will be no money for several years. To many Brazilians this seems like an empty promise, one they have heard before.<br />
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4) Many of my Brazilian friends have continued to express the frustration that Brazil as a country pays a high taxation rate and they feel like they see little benefit of this. Roads are becoming privatized as companies move in and replace non toll roads with tolls. These changes would seem to reduce the tax burden on the people but it has no affect on the amount of money they pay in taxes. This is just one example of how government works in the country.<br />
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5) There are still a rumblings about the amount of money spent on the upcoming international sporting events, but I recently read about the Winter Olympics in Russia and the escalating costs because of corruption there. I personally think these large sporting organizations need to figure out a way to curb this corruption in order to maintain a good image in the public. It will be interesting to see how the people of Brazil look at the World Cup over the next eleven months. Clinching their fifth world cup could put all this turmoil aside, but then again loosing could erupt into massive unrest. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-52327149171761429842013-07-11T08:06:00.003-04:002013-07-17T16:01:25.972-04:00Democracy in Brazil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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OK, as soon as I published the post about graffiti last week and the quadrilha post this week, I realized I had to finish and share about what is going on in Brazil currently. The world has been watching as Brazilians by the millions have taken to the streets in reaction to the state of current politics. It all started when a small group of people began protesting a 0.10 increase in bus fares in Sao Paulo and Rio and escalated from there. For me the movement gained momentum when two things occurred. Well at least in my eyes and you must remember that frustrations about political progress run deep in the history <br />
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of Brazil. Brazil is a fairly new democracy as they were ruled by military law and dictatorship until the mid to late 1980's. The first President directly elected by the people, Fernando Collar was impeached from office on charges of corruption. All this history plays into the current attitude of the citizens towards politicians and police. <br />
What is this current uprising all about and the two things I believe fueled the fire? Let's start with the the fueling of the fire and the first one has to do with the police. Remember how Brazil was a military state. It is common knowledge that many police and military personnel during this time took advantage of their power and acted violently towards the citizens they were suppose to protect. When a small group of protesters gathered in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to voice their opinion about the hike in public transportation, they were met by <br />
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this same police force who responded to their peaceful demonstration with force. Using tear gas and rubber bullets on the crowds which then ignited the pushed down anger felt towards authority by many Brazilians. The second thing I believe fueled the fire is the opening of the Confederation Cup, the precursor to the 2014 World Cup. When the current President of Brazil was introduced at the stadium for the first game of the tournament, the crowd let off a loud boo which was prominently heard. I think this was a fuel as many Brazilians did not realize how many of them were feeling the same discontent about the current state of affairs. This booing added the power of numbers and to me seemed to encourage the people who may have been reluctant before to now voice their opinions. Realizing there are many other fellow Brazilians feeling the same way they are.<br />
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Now, what is it all about? As the protests grew and people took to the streets many frustrations seemed to fester. It was almost like the perfect storm. With a good economy over the past years many Brazilians were able to travel abroad and see what life is like in other countries. These experiences changed their expectations of what Brazil can be. Many of my friends fit into this group of people. They no longer want to live in a society where things start hours late, cars don't respect pedestrians, garbage litters the streets, and people don't pay attention to things like one way streets or stop signs. They bring back these experiences and quietly wish for change but now they have an opportunity to voice this desire. <br />
Some of the people protesting are doing so because of pending legislation before the government of <br />
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Brazil. Last year the Supreme Court of Brazil convicted some 25 politicians in the largest corruption scandal since the early years of democracy. Politicians and officials paid money for political support using public funds. Although there are many people upset about this revelation they joined the protests because of recent legislation which was introduced in reaction to this trial. If passed it would limit the power of public defenders in such cases making it harder for them to bring these people to justice. To many Brazilians this looked like the same old political doings and corruption they have been frustrated by. Since the protest, the Brazilian Congress voted against the legislation by a strong majority. (*side note - some Brazilians think it is no coincidence that the vote was scheduled to take place the same day Brazil was to play a fotebal game so it could quietly pass. Prior to the protests there was overwhelming support of the legislation in the Congress.) <br />
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Another issue that has stirred in this uprising has to do with the World Cup and Olympics which are both being held here over the next few years. While billions of dollars have been spent preparing for these world sporting events, promises of better infrastructure like roads, schools, hospitals, airports and public transportation have been left unmet. As the World Cup approaches and the amounts spent on getting the stadiums ready skyrockets past projections. Many Brazilians see this as a part of the corrupt system currently in place. They question why so much is being spent on these events and so little is spent on the people of Brazil. They don't want to just be a place to come party but a place to live a good life. Even the most famous Brazilian soccer player Pele has taken criticism for going on television asking people to support the football team and asking them to see the team as who Brazil is. Leaving this turmoil behind, but I believe the supporters of the movement are pushing for the country to be more then just soccer and reaching their true potential.<br />
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The past few weeks have seen the Brazilian President going to the television promising to use the new found oil reserve revenues for schools and education. Bringing doctors from other countries to provide better medical care. All in an attempt to work with the people's frustration and work through the Democratic process. We will have to wait and see how Democracy plays out in this large South American country. <br />
I know some of my friends back in the USA the past couple of weeks have asked just what is going on in Brazil so I thought I must at least give my perception. I believe it is a huge challenge for the government of Brazil to make things happen over the next year or we will see larger protests during the 2014 World Cup. Time will tell.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-20498114752559834982013-07-07T19:34:00.002-04:002013-07-07T19:36:22.441-04:00Scenic Sunday - Quadrilha - Festival of June<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I know it is July but I finally got the video together of the different Quadrilha's I attended this year.. hope you enjoy.. Click on the photos or the link below to watch the video.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015184554798877438.post-21877855695415326832013-06-25T11:51:00.000-04:002013-06-25T11:51:48.774-04:00A Walking I will go... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yesterday afternoon I found myself with a little down time so I headed out the door and went for a little walk. Ok - it was a longer walk then I first intended but about five blocks from home I began taking note of some of the things I spotted and decided to share my observations.<br />
As I walked along I noticed a wall which has been constructed in the past six months or less. It is like other walls along the road creating a boarder between the sidewalk and personal property. What I paid a little more attention to on this day was the tagging which was scribbled across the newly painted structure. The culprits sure did not waste any time before they<br />
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streaked their black lines across the tan wall. Yes, Goiania is full of graffiti and most of my friends here are not happy about it. I have noticed this before and in other Brazilian cities but on my walk today I pay a little closer attention to it. I notice that some of the graffiti in the city is quite artistic and then there is some which are not like the one in the first photo. On almost every block there is some sort of graffiti to grab the passerby's attention.<br />
I meander a little further and come to a park with a community center or gym located in the center. We have driven by this building before and I have always wanted to take a closer look. It is covered with graffiti but this almost looks as if it has a purpose with some actual art being involved. As I walk up to the structure to take a closer look I think of the murals they are painting under the bridges and underpasses along the beltline bike trails in Atlanta. There is not a lot of difference between what we call art and graffiti. I will continue to scour the city walls of Goiania for more art among the graffiti and share it from time to time. <br />
In the meantime enjoy this short video with graffiti from Goiania. I figure this is better then having all the pictures listed below. Let me know what you think... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2JlMNbAjgI&feature=youtu.be"> Goiania Graffiti </a><br />
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A special apology to all my Brazilian friends who would rather not have me show what they consider the ugly side of Brazil but it is truly life in Brazil. I remember a day when cities in the United States were plagued with this vandalism, not sure how they got rid of it but hopefully Brazil will follow suite and it will get better. At least the non artistic part of it. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02594107936776049090noreply@blogger.com0