Rambling the Rambla, Barcelona
We had two days in Barcelona, but we didn’t spend much time in the city. The two Holland America ships, our Volendam and the Zuiderdam were berthed stern to stern where Holland America staged something called the Grand Reunion. I … Continue reading Rambling the Rambla, Barcelona
The Rock, Gibraltar
Gibraltar is one of the Pillars of Hercules, one of two (or three, people can’t decide which mountain on the African side is the second pillar) that guard the entrance to the Mediterranean from the Atlantic. Britain holds one, Gibraltar … Continue reading The Rock, Gibraltar
What Rick Would Not Have Seen
In the last post I talked about what Rick, Ilse and Victor would have seen if they had really been in Casablanca in 1941. This post is about what they would not have seen and what might surprise them today. … Continue reading What Rick Would Not Have Seen
As Time Goes By
What Rick might have really seen in Casablanca. Movie night on Volendam, Casablanca. I have seen it so many times that I “sang along,” quietly, with some of the greatest lines. The film was set in November 1941 and shaped … Continue reading As Time Goes By
Sanitized Souk
The Medina, or old town of Agadir was leveled in the earthquake of 1960. A decade after the quake it was rebuilt, or perhaps reimagined by architect and craftsman Coco Polizzi. His family moved to Rabat, the capital before he … Continue reading Sanitized Souk
Sunday Souk, Berber Market
The Souk in Agadir is huge. Normally it is chaotic, loud and bustling. But we arrived on Sunday morning. Easter Sunday to boot. So it was quiet. Not as atmospheric as it would be later in the day, but there … Continue reading Sunday Souk, Berber Market
Cats Rule the Kasbah, Agadir, Morocco
I first learned about Agadir while browsing a brochure rack in the American Youth Abroad travel agency in Dinkey Town next to the University of Minnesota Campus. As graduate students Suzi and I had just been chaperones leading a group … Continue reading Cats Rule the Kasbah, Agadir, Morocco
The Post I Expected to Make, Arrecife
Our visit to Arrecife, a seaside town on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, was supposed to be just a pleasant stroll along a lagoon, perhaps a coffee in an outdoor café and a visit to the local church and market. … Continue reading The Post I Expected to Make, Arrecife
César Manrique, Canary Islands
When César Manrique returned to his native Canary Islands from New York he didn’t like what he saw. On other islands, tall concrete hotels lined the beaches. His own island of Lanzarote had escaped most of this development, but if … Continue reading César Manrique, Canary Islands
49 Years! Almost Half a Century!
April 23 2021: Forty nine years ago today, Dave Molvik threw a switch at Itasca Community College putting a transmitter on the air. Three miles away Jon Newstrom took some transmitter readings, he had to be there because we discovered, … Continue reading 49 Years! Almost Half a Century!
Behind the Scenes on a Sea Day
One of the advantages of sailing on a half full ship is that we get to do things that we can’t often do and see things that we can’t often see. The Volendam arranged to take us on “Behind the … Continue reading Behind the Scenes on a Sea Day
Serving the Same God, Dakar
I originally thought I would be writing this post from Casablanca comparing the Sacre Coeur, a former French Cathedral built in the Art Deco style with clean lines and a simple style with the Hassan II Grand Mosque, which I … Continue reading Serving the Same God, Dakar
Two Dakar Sidebars…
…and an additional thought. One of our stops on our Dakar tour was at a Sand Painting workshop where the proceeds from sales of sand paintings go to UNESCO, the UN Educational and Cultural Organization. Sand painting, called “souwér” in … Continue reading Two Dakar Sidebars…
Sticker People (Dakar)
Our friend John likes to call people who travel on Holland America tours “Sticker people.” That’s because before we get on the bus, we have a dayglo sticker with a number slapped onto our jackets or shirts. That way each … Continue reading Sticker People (Dakar)
Kubuneh Village Life
I came to Kubunah Village to see Wide Open Walls but came away with a lot more. Modou Lamin, our town guide, provided us with glimpses of different aspects of life in Kubunah. We visited women oyster fishers. They gather … Continue reading Kubuneh Village Life
WOW, The Gambian Art Villages.
When you google Wide Open Walls, Gambia the Village you are most likely to see come up is Galloya. It is close to the airport and easy to get to. It is the center of the Wide Open Walls Project … Continue reading WOW, The Gambian Art Villages.
Here There Be Dragons
Spiritual dragons, but very real. In 2010 the Village of Kubuneh got a proposition from a British resort owner, Lawrence Williams. He had an eco-resort adjacent to the mangroves on the Gambia river. He was also an artist. Williams, along … Continue reading Here There Be Dragons
Welcome to The Gambia!
We heard drumming outside our sliding door. We were getting ready for breakfast to be sure we arrived on time for our 8:45 pickup. We had booked a car for the day (you will read more about that in future … Continue reading Welcome to The Gambia!
Praia Gallery
I wrote about Palm Sunday and music in Paria 202in an earlier post. I don’t have much to add except that the city has spruced up a lot in the last 7 years, with new paint and continued restoration of … Continue reading Praia Gallery
“I Could Live Here”
When we were in Cabo Verde seven years ago I fell in love. I thought “I could live here.” I have agreed to live in places that I had never visited. I visited here, albeit for only a day, but … Continue reading “I Could Live Here”
Africa Starters’ Kit, Cabo Verde
In a strange way Cabo Verde reminds me of Singapore. Singapore is a good place for Americans who think Southeast Asia is outside their comfort zone to begin their exploration. It eases you in. It’s clean, orderly and feels safe. … Continue reading Africa Starters’ Kit, Cabo Verde
A Day Too Early…A Day Too Late. Cabo Verde
The Kriol Jazz Festival in Praia ended last night (Saturday, April 12) and I wasn’t there. Last night we were on Volendam heading from Mindelo on Sao Vincente Island in Cabo Verde to Praia, the capital. Missed it by a … Continue reading A Day Too Early…A Day Too Late. Cabo Verde
Brazilian Memories
Brazil casts a long shadow. I am sitting in the stateroom listening to “Brazilian Memories” from David Amram’s “No More Walls” album. When we first started KAXE it was a real ear opener, with music from different genres and lands … Continue reading Brazilian Memories
The Isles of Salvation
Îles du Salut in Fr2025ench. So called because missionaries from the mainland of South America sought refuge from disease on these three islands, just 11 km (6 nautical miles) from the coast. The three islands are named Isle Royale, St. … Continue reading The Isles of Salvation