Roamin' The World: Europe And Beyond...

My arrival back in the U.S. completed an entire year of my travels abroad, and as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz proclaimed so astutely, "There is no place like home!"  As much as I love to travel, I ALSO love returning home to California. Seeing the wonderful faces of my dear friends Terri and Prem--when they arrived to pick me up at the Sacramento airport--I immediately felt happiness and relief. I have spent SO very much time alone in my travels... though I met many wonderful people everywhere, it just isn't the same as dear old friends!  And... what else can you say about the good ol' U.S. of A.?!  Compared to many other parts of the world, infrastructure is excellent and there is an efficiency of functioning that Americans expect and take for granted, until they venture out and traipse around the world, as I have done.  Most of Europe is pretty clean, true... but the U.S.-- at least in the nicer parts and places--is hyper -hygenic!  There is also a general openness

  Returning to Mexico City via a quick and easy flight from Puerto Escondido (a 1 hour taxi ride from Mazunte) was a breeze...and a great relief to return to 6,000 feet and MUCH dryer and cooler air! Freedom from my 4 showers a day! I visited a Yoga center, a couple parks and the historical center...most especially, the beautiful cathedral. While it cannot compete with the astoundingly gorgeous cathedrals I saw in Rome, it is still quite impressive.  I feel the usual bittersweet sensation I always do when I know that I am about to depart my beloved Mexico... but it's time! Still, it was a nice last few days in CDMX. The  Metropolitan Cathedral   is the largest cathedral in Mexico City and the whole of the Americas. It's on the main   Plaza de la Constitución   (also referred to as the Zócalo). Search Results Main results Featured snippet from the Wandering the streets downtown, I passed by a whole series of shops selling these quinceanera dresses. This is a VERY significant tur

  Coastal jungle... hot, humid, but gorgeous sunrises and sunsets here on the Pacific... and pretty great swimming, too! After a 7 hour journey inside of the "Linneas Unidas" van (a 12-seater, I do believe)--affectionately dubbed the "vomit comet" by all those in the know!-- it was a great relief to arrive on the coast of Oaxaca.  It is actually a pretty comfortable van, overall... for 300 pesos, a pretty good deal. It would have even been pleasant--the scenery along the way was lovely--if not for the ups and downs, twists and turns... and way too many stops. WHY does the van transport have the horrible nickname that it does?! It is because the driver flies--like a bat out of hell-- up and over the the mountain pass between Oaxaca city and the beach. It is full day's journey, and the mountain roads are VERY windy and steep. Furthermore,  the drivers of these extended vans seem to believe they are riding on Harleys!  Taking my friend Steve's advice, I reserve