aikdo

Provincia

[Peruvian]

Chachapoyas

The Amazonas of Peru

[From Chicago to Kuelap]

By Dennis L. Siluk

1

We caught a plane from St. Paul, Minnesota to Chicago, an early morning flight, one day in late February 2006. We were trying to set up our move to South America, Peru, and had to see the Consul General of Peru in Chicago, we had seen him a few years prior to this, when he was visiting Minnesota, but our move was to take place in mid March (kind of a semi retirement move), and we had to sign our marriage papers from six years prior, thus, making it legal in Peru, since I would be seeking duel citizenship. I slept briefly on the plane, and we landed at O'Hare, around 8:00 AM, second class. Somewhere near the airport was the train station, we found our way to it, and my wife Rosa bought roundtrip tickets to downtown Chicago, we'd return after seeing the Consul, having late lunch and perhaps a walk around the windy city's Michigan Avenue area. It was a special day you could say, not only in that we would sign all this documentation, but also it was Valentines Day, and the Consul General gave Rosa a suggestion where to take me, and she did, to a fine Italian Restaurant, and the food was great, I had lasagna. It was her gift to me; she always takes me to the best restaurants in town when we go on trips though.

We headed right into the main building of the Consul General's second floor office, he had moved about a block away from where his previous address was, so Rosa had told me, she was down to see him twice before, to vote and pay some kind of miserable small tax, for not voting in Peru think: it is next to a minor crime not to vote there. This time I was with her, as she had made an attempt before to have me go to Chicago, I suppose I was hoping we could do all the paperwork needed without me going, but it was impossible, I had to be there to sign the papers. So we caught the elevator to the second or third floor, and walked up to the window in the office of the Consul General, told the secretary who we were and to our surprise, or at least to mine, they had all the paper work already made up; next, they called us, and took us into the back room, sat us down, and we started filling in the blank spaces necessary.

The Consul General was a warm sort of fellow, cross-legged as he sat behind his desk, a nice looking older man, sound, healthy looking; after we had done all the signing, he invited us into his personal office, we didn't have to wait like the others out in the small cramped hall area. His father was a poet, and so we got talking about poetry and I think special treatment, for meeting a poet he appreciated--as I was known to be, or at least showed his appreciation in the only way he could at the time, that is, allowing us the comfort of his soft office seats, until we had to go anyway; and being Poet Laureate of San Jeronimo de Peru at that, made things a little better between us. In the short-term of our meeting and free conversations he talked about his home in the Amazonas (in a few words adding bits and pieces of his childhood), and poetry of course. Rosa and I gave him the last three books I had written, two on Peru, one on Minnesota, all poetry ('Last Autumn and Winter,' 'Poetic Images Out of Peru,' and 'Peruvian Poems'.)

"I'm from the Amazonas," he said to Rosa, and they carried on a short conversation, then gave us a poster of Kuelap, it was the first time I had seen this location in the Andean-jungles of Peru, about 1000-miles from Lima. As I looked over the poster, I was quite impressed; it had a picture of a fortress I'd soon find out was called, "The Hidden Fortress," or Kuelap.

He liked poetry so much he read out loud to us (my wife and I, and the secretary who stood behind us for that moment) my poem called, "The Ice Maiden," in the book, 'Peruvian Poems;' I thought at the time he could have been a second Dylan Thomas, he sounded quite dramatic and powerful, a good reader of poetry, a lot of emotion, but then Peruvians have an extra dose of that for some God given reason. (In a short time I'd find out more about Kuelap, and its 9th Century fortress; its wild warriors of antiquity--the Chachapoyas, and their warring with the Incas. All in due time, and as I looked more and more into this area I got more excited about Kuelap and its ancient walled ruins (discovered less than a half century ago); by the research I had done on Kuelap, it seemed, or reminded me of, compare to or with: 'The Great Enclosure,' of Zimbabwe in Africa. Of course that was just a mindset. I then had visions of grassy slopes, by the Navahos, as I've told my wife, time and again first you hear about a location of interest, then you dream about it ((find out things)) then you see it, and it become part of you.

An Afternoon in Chicago

The sun, like a deer trail--bit my brow,

Industriously, as my wife and I took the train

Back to O'Hare from downtown Chicago, --

Windy city, with stretched-up eyebrows

In its winter sleep.

We walked around, downtown: busy city--

From Washington Street to Michigan; across

The bridge, there on East Ontario, we

Ate at 'Bice,' Italian Restaurant (my wife

Paid the bill) her treat, Valentine's Day.

I'm waiting for the plane now; it's 5:00 PM;

It has been one of those happier days, moments,

In my life: strange, even with Northwest being late.

It is pale, to dark now (6:00 PM)

Sitting on these worn-out seats...!

Thinking of nothing, like when you're a little boy,

Spending the whole day rambling through the

City, on your high, two wheel bike!...

Whistling away a sunny day,

With nothing much to do or say.

My wife, sitting next me fell to sleep, hat on:

Holding my jacket in her two hands, sleeping;

Had to remove her coffee cup, in case it fell:

She's in some joyful lofty solitude;

While I'm sniffling away like hell.

It was nice, just being we today

Before having to go back home, to St. Paul,

Go back to the kitchen--fixing things.

As I look about, everyone's on cell phones.

Hurry-up--flight: NW 145!

Now that I think of it, one can smell the lake

The Great Lake Michigan; feel its pulse, its

Wind like tides in the air all about.

Soft dust, swirling along the cities streets;

Street people blowing brass horns for a meal.

Rhythmic packs, misplaced men and women:

Everywhere: like undergrowth, weeds not growing.

Drunks, and derelicts, eyes staring at your every move,

An endless forest of a city, with boulders,

Towering bricks, next to an unforgiving lake:

Chicago!...

Semi prose/ 2/14/06 #1208

It was a about five o' clock (in the PM) when we caught our plane back to Minnesota, and within the following month, March 19, we caught our plane to Peru, once we landed in Lima, I got word it had snowed 11-inches in Minnesota, I was not surprised, but more than happy to have avoided the snow storm, I had my fill of them. It was within the following two weeks where I had bought tickets to fly to Chiclayo (on the 27th of March); from there we'd take a bus to the surrounding area of Kuelap: a four day trip. And this is where we stop for moment (for I am writing this in advance of that four day trip), for I will be taking that journey in a few days, tickets in hand. (Written March 25, 2006.)

2

The Kuelap Bum

[Of the Amazonas]

Come; share a wild Kuelap Bum's sunny afternoon--

I sit here, sipping my coffee and coke waiting for my pollo saltado

[Chicken with potatoes and rice),

And hear voices, cars pass: sounds, coming from iron motors
Like purring cats and roaring mice, with squeaky feet for tires, race

Racing around the café (El Parquetito, in Miraflores)) Lima)), Around the streets and park--; the sun boiling overhead, as I'm

Reading Jack Kerouac's: "The Dharma Bums,"--I feel like one.

My date to return back into the Amazonian region--this time to the

Andean-jungle--is in five days. My mind is excited, here is
Where come my beautiful visions of grassy slopes, by the Nevados,

And there ahead in front of me, are the ancient ruins of Kuelap
I can even see the wild warriors of antiquity: the Chachapoyas,

Fight the Incas in the wild deep, deep Andean-jungles of Peru.

I like the incredible peace here, lost in a maze of thoughts, looking for

No certain highway I can sweat, drink my coke and coffee in peace, while I write and dream...and get ready for my next journey.

#1283 3/23/2006 Note by the author: I have been to the Andes and to the Amazon, and even to the Amazonas as they are known for their sections, ranging from Equator to Peru, and Brazil and Venezuela, of which I have been to all these regions or sections except one, the one I am dreaming about, and will go in five days to, to what is known as the Andean-Amazonian region, where elevation is part of the jungle equation, not so in the other regions. Thus, here is where the "Forgotten Fortress," is located, similar to the 'Great Enclosure,' in Zimbabwe. The Forgotten Fortress dates back to about 800 AD.

The Chachapoya's

[and 'The Forgotten Fortress]

Advance: I don't even know these people I talk about, I've seen the landscape they've live on only in books, rushed through, gritting their ivory teeth before they warred with the Inca's in the 16th century (this pre-Inca civilization). But the more one studies this great civilization, the more one admires its fantastic powers of visualization, its psychic rulers, and wild bull like hearts, and the great fortress (labyrinth) they built in the middle of the Andean-jungles of Peru (walking through it one can only hold their breath in awe: breath in its life-death patriarchal society.

Today, the Chachapoya still carry on in this area, with its pottery, and tapestry, garments, all highly prized; at onetime they worked for the Incas, and like today, gave them high quality. In a few more days, let's say seven to be exact I shall be among them.

The Poem:

In the Andean-jungle--the Chachapoya's (the tree-cloud people)
Of the 'Forgotten Fortress,' of Kuelap (Amazonas de Peru) once

lived here--twelve-hundred years ago--perhaps 2000- or more
Lived in this straddled low-land jungle citadel --; bold and free:

cadaverous war like people, spirit filled: more fierce than the Inca.

Here is where they lived--in Kuelap, in limestone houses: under

conical thatched roofs--;
Houses of limestone masonry, in mud mortar plaster like tombs:

painted in rainbow colors; few if any windows.

The ravages of time have sadly, seen the looting of the detailed:

elaborate funerary architecture of the Chachapoya race--;
Once decorated in rainbow shades, zigzag friezes, in cliff like caves.

#1287 3/20/2006 [Written before my trip to the Amazonas]

3

Introduction to Chachapoya

(The following is taken from notes on my trip; only slightly modified for spelling errors, etc.)

It is funny how one thing leads into another. Someone gives you a poster; you hang it in your home; remember what he had to say about such historical sites as Kuelap, dating back to about 700 AD, with walls as thick as Troy's, and legends as potent. Then you look a little deeper into this area the person has mentioned briefly, but enthusiastically, and find other sites that open your eyes to the bountiful, and most beautiful region known as the Amazonas of Peru, and find Carajia [also spelled with a 'K'], dating back to the 13th Century. And on the journey you find much, much more. In Chapter #3, and the following chapters, we shall take a quick trip to the region, with some poetic verse to help us drift along its watery roads, up its banks, through its small towns, and so forth and on, I am writing this on pieces of paper, in my pocket, and my wife has a pad of paper she bought a few days ago, I'll use it when I get back to the hotel.

(Talking to my friend the Archeologist) Kuelap, is called, The Forgotten City, discovered only forty-years ago, in the Amazonas of Northern Peru. The area is wide open for and to new discoveries; I am sure there will be many also. (Added later on in the following evening: in villages you can still find mummies in homes, and local mud built museums, and see them within caves on ledges of mountains. It is an archeological paradise, and one of the last frontiers for such discoveries in the world.)

Kuelap is cuddled in an odd way, cuddled over looking the Kuelap Valley, cuddled I say by the mist that surrounds her, as if she didn't exist, and all of a sudden: there she is. The mist drifts and descends into the valley fully allowing Kuelap to be seen then, and once on top of her great walls, you can see on a clear afternoon, you can see a hundred-miles in all directions, East, West, and North South.

Kuelap is a sacred city to many in the region, a temple of or for the dead; yet some sprits still live there and are restless about the excavations going on here, I talked to two of them, one in particular who wanted to know what I wanted. And I asked him what bothered him? And he said: desecration (defilement); so there is fear in the shadowy corners of these cyclopean stones walls I do believe. In addition to being a temple of sorts, Kuelap is also a fortress, and surely at one time used as a city, for it has 400-stone houses in its small hilltop complex. The Inca Empire did dominate it, at its very end, by request of the Conquistadors, because Spain couldn't.

Thus, the white cotton canopy that descends, also ascends above the luscious multi shaded green valley; above the wild berries my friend and leader of this group: Maria, loved to eat; and there must exist every kind of plant a person can think of in this Amazonas' Valley. (From notes on the trip: 3/30/06; #1295)

Julio Rodriguez, our Archeologist: while driving around the city, on a city tour, we talked about Carajia, had some coffee in the small city of Chachapoya; tomorrow we'd go to see Carajia; anyhow, when we got talking about the Inca Empire then, and he got talking about Huayna Capac, he called him the Last Inca, the Father to Atahualpa, the Inca king that is so well known; he was killed by the Conquistadors for not becoming a Christian; I have a statue of him in my library. Carajia is where the six sarcophagi are entrenched into a mountain cave.

After lunch and coffee, I quickly jotted down the information he gave me in a poem, I call:

"The Last Inca" (Huayna Capac)

Tall and handsome, built like a bull,

A warrior among warriors with long blond hair

Eyes like emeralds, tears of gold,

He was the King's son--

(Atahualpa) now ruler of all Northern Peru;

And so it was, when the last Inca King died,

The kingdom was split, like Alexander's,

Between two half brothers...!

#1294 3/29/06

4

[Walking around Chachapoyas] While looking for a place to have coffee, and a light lunch, we [Maria, Rosa, myself, and Julio] walked past a church, there was a lady sitting there on the steps, head lowered, her daughter along side of her, dirty faced, flowers laying along side of her. It was a hot day, a moist day, and we walked past her, and after a hundred feet or so I asked my wife to go back and buy the flowers, all of them, then I joined her. Now writing this out, it is evening in our Spanish hotel (three Stars***: La Casona), and here is my poem:

The Flower Lady of Chachapoyas

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You can find everything that can make you fall in love with a large, elongated country in the southern part of South America. Of course, I'm talking about Argentina, the beautiful country of Gauchos, Mate, Asado, Tango, Pampas, and Dulce de leche. It is one of the beautiful jewels of Latin America.

One of top travel destinations of South America, Argentina is known for its treasures of pleasures, stunning natural marvels, elegant capital offering European-flavored sophistication, fantastic culture, and typical Argentinean cuisine that dishes out big steaks of the best meat of the world. It is the country where both Europeans and North Americans feel home. Certainly, there are numerous reasons to visit Argentina, but here are top 10 reasons for you.
Reason Number 1 - Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Buenos Aires is famous for its cultural & architectural heritage, urban life, shopping centers café society, clubs, vibrant nightlife, and Tango, which was born in the neighborhood of San Telmo and La Boca. The highlights of the city include the old bohemian neighborhood of San Telmo with its cobblestone streets and Recoleta Cemetery with its ornate mausoleums, among which is the burial place of Evita.

Reason Number 2 - Iguazu Falls is one of the natural wonders of the world. Often featured in Bond movies, the endless waterfalls on the border of Argentina and Brazil are the major attraction of Northern Argentina. Physically situated in Argentina, but Iguazu Falls is major attraction from the Brazilian side too. You can enjoy the beautiful panoramic views on the Brazilian side, but don't forget to enjoy a boat ride underneath the falls and explore the National Park next to the waterfall.

Reason Number 3 - The Recoleta Cemetery, located in the elite neighborhood of Recoleta, brings to life the history of the country. The cemetery bosoms many the legends of Argentina including past dictators, scoundrels, heroes, and the most famous woman of South America, Eva Peron (Evita). The Recoleta Cemetery is a 13-acre labyrinth of concrete, sculptures and architectural masterpieces.

Reason Number 4 - Buenos Aires Tango is one of the most unique cultural contributions of Argentina to the world culture. You can enjoy touring different areas, such as the neighborhood of San Telmo and La Boca that narrates the tales of the origin of Tango. You get a Tango lessons, Tango shopping, Tango restaurants and the best Tango shows. You can go to a Tango milonga for late night entertainment.

Reason Number 5 - Glaciers National Park, situated in the Province of Santa Cruz in the Argentina Patagonia, is a UNESCO Natural Heritage site. It has a gorgeous landscape that covers up over 1,482,000 acres of land. Its main attraction is the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier that stands 262 ft tall and is 3.1miles long. Other glaciers include Spegazzini, Upsala and Onelli, surrounded by the Onelli and Bertrand mountains. The park also includes Lake Argentino, Lake Viedma, and the Fitz Roy Mountain.

Reason Number 6 - Estancias on the pampas - Surrounding the city of Buenos Aires is the pampas, the vast plain where the country's legendary cattle graze. The Argentine equivalent of cowboys, gauchos, can be found working the many estancias (ranches) that dot the pampas. Many of these estancias are now open for tourism and feature beautiful nineteenth-century homes for spending a relaxing few nights.

Reason Number 7 - Mendoza and Argentina's Wine Country is vaguely reminiscent of the Chianti region of Italy or perhaps of Bordeaux in southern France, but the highest peaks in the Americas loom over the vineyards makes the difference. You can scale the Aconcagua, if wine tasting is not attraction enough for you. Stop long enough to see the Puente del Inca which, at over 12,000 feet, is a natural bridge over a rock chasm which the Peruvian Incas often used for silver mining expeditions in the southern parts of the Andes.

Reason Number 8 - Argentinean beef has become world famous specialty. It comes from the cows that graze on nutrient rich river basin soil from the Rio De Plate. The beef is tasty and succulent because the climate of the Pampas region is mild and moist all year round. You can find the beef at almost all Argentinean restaurants.

Reason Number 9 - Colón Theatre (Spanish: Teatro Colón) in Buenos Aires is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Located in 9 de Julio Avenue, has hosted some of the most famous performances. Opened in 1908, Teatro Colón has 2,367 seats, standing room for 1,000 and a stage which is 20 m wide, 15 m high and 20 m deep. It houses one of the most extensive costume collections on the planet.

Reason Number 10 - Salta Argentina, located in an arid region in Northern Argentina, is an exotic city steeped in history. You can see the famous train called "The Train In The Clouds" here. The train offers panoramic mountainous views of the area. Salta is known for its rolling hills, historic sights, excellent fishing sites, and relaxed atmosphere.

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Oklahoma City clubs are beehives of activity, buzzing with entertainment, games and beers. One of these is Citywalk, a well designed 30,000 square foot club that features 7 Dance Clubs in 1, Dueling Piano Bar, Small Tequila Bar, Discotheque, Country Dance Club, Techno Dance Club, Cigar Bar, and Safari Lounge. Rane is a popular dance club that attracts people of all ages. Its tropical rainforest theme is quite an attraction. Green Door is another all-ages club with a full service bar, pool tables, video games, music, and live bands from around the world. If you are looking for great techno mixes and an opportunity to meet new friends, LIT is the place to be in. The walls here have great art styles as well.

One of the most important clubs in Oklahoma City is the Bricktown Brewery Restaurant and Pub. Located in the downtown warehouse district, it was the first brewpub in the state of Oklahoma when it was opened in 1992. Now it is one of the most well-known hangout destinations. Entertainment is the norm on Friday and Saturday nights. Many national and local bands have played here including the Dixie Chicks, Creed, The Doobie Brothers, Wakeland, Banana Seat and Molly's Yes. Gaming is also big here, with 13 billiards tables, 4 big screen TVs, over 20 interactive video games, electronic darts and shuffleboard.

To stimulate those taste buds, visit the Bricktown Brewery Restaurant and Pub that lives up to its name and offers a great beer selection including signature beers such as Copperhead Amber Ale, Bison American Wheat and Red Brick Ale. Other beers include Land Run Lager, Black Gold Stout, Rock Island Rail Ale and India Pale Ale.

When at Oklahoma City, you just cannot ignore the vibes from the Oklahoma City clubs. It is always party time here!

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Castles, Monasteries, Pyramids, Forts & Ruins! We live in a world where each country has an interesting tale of the past of how man evolved from cave dwellers to maharajas, of civilizations that are now extinct, of great loves, of warriors of old, of rites and rituals and more.

When you travel to India, you can visit palaces and forts that tell a tale of maharajas, princedoms and freedom struggles. If you head to South America, you will see the remains of the Aztec and Incas civilizations that are now extinct; in Egypt, the pharos and mummies; in Greece, the pantheon; and in Italy, the coliseum.

Each palace, pyramid and pantheon with their amazing architecture and detailed art represents the civilizations that shouldn't be forgotten. There are thousands of places across the world that are steeped in rich history and are awe-inspiring. Selecting a place to visit is not easy, so here are some must see historic destinations from across the world. Please keep in mind each country has numerous places of historic significance and this article just lists few.

Parthenon, Greece
Parthenon is one of the four greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art situated at the Acropolis in Greece. Built in the 5th century BC by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates under the supervision of the sculptor Phidias, this ancient temple is dedicated to the Goddess Athena. It is a rectangular shape structure that is generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order. It made of brilliant white marble, surrounded by 46 great columns, roofed with tiles, and housed a nearly 40 foot tall statue of the goddess Athena. The statue, known as Athena Promachos, Athena the Champion, was made of wood, gold and ivory and could be seen from a distance of many miles.

Today, the Parthenon is a testament of the civilizations, myths and religions that flourished for over 1, 000 years.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza are over 3,000 years old. There are 3 pyramids of varying sizes. The largest pyramid is known as the Great Pyramid was originally 146 meters (438 feet) high but time and weather has worn it down by 10 meters (30 feet). It is made up of approximately two million blocks of limestone with each weighing more than two tons, each of its sides are carefully positioned to point north, south, east, and west and the bottom of the pyramid has sides that measure 227 meters (681 feet) in length. Te Great Pyramid was built by the Pharaoh Khufu and once held his body.

The Second Pyramid belongs to the Pharaoh Khafre. It is 3 meters shorter then Khufu's and stands on the northern side of the Giza Plateau. The Third Pyramid (Menkaure) is the smallest of the three pyramids. It is not as detailed as the other two pyramids and stands 66 meters high.

The pyramids are a marvel of human engineering. They are aligned to the stars and the solstices and contain vast chambers that still haven't been opened.

Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island or the Isla de Pascua is located out in the Pacific Ocean and special territory of Chile. The island is surrounded by monumental statues, known as Moai statues, which were symbols of the spiritual and political power of Peruvian civilization. These gigantic and amazingly carved heads are the only thing left of culture that once lived here.

Taj Mahal, India
In the 1600s, Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This white marble tomb is located in Agra, India and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles.

Manchu Pirochu, Peru
Located in Southern Peru, Machu Picchu was a sacred place of Inca civilization. It is known as the "Lost City of the Incas." It lies on top of a mountain and is only accessible by train or 4-day trek.. The Machu Picchu ruins reveal a self contained city with temples, baths, houses etc. Many of these structures were carved from the mountain granite and are still in great form. One such structure is the Intihuatana stone, which was used as an astronomical observatory and is an extremely precise marker of dates and celestial periods.

Statue of Christ Redeemer, Brazil
Brazil's most recognizable landmark is the statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). This statue is located at Rio de Janeiro and rises almost 130 feet from the ground.

Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal is a Mayan city-state located in northern Guatemala. It was one of the largest urban centres of the Maya civilization and today, is one of the best-preserved historical sites. The amazing and monumental architecture reflects the glory that the Maya kingdom had in the past.

Stonehenge, United Kingdom
The Stonehenge is located near Salisbury in England. The stones of this 3,000 plus year old megalithic structure come all the way from Wales.

Great Wall of China, China
The Great Wall of China also known as "long Wall of 10,000 Li" in China extends about 8,850 kilometers (5,500 miles). It is not a continuous wall but is a collection of short walls that often follow the crest of hills on the southern edge of the Mongolian plain.

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John Hillaby got it right when he said;

"Few things are more pleasant than a village graced with a good church, a good priest and a good pub."

Of course Leeds is hardly a village and being Jewish I have no idea how good the priests are but if anyone is looking for a good pub, then you have come to the right place.

1. The Lord Darcy

Alwoodley Leeds

'The Darcy' is a home from home for residents of Alwoodley. Popular and long standing the Darcy is the anchor of the local population, not out of tradition but out of quality. A family and friends pub, networking, socialising or just relaxing after a hard day's work in the city are all done within these mahogany panelled walls. The Darcy serves the kind of food you would expect to find in a traditional pub. Nothing spectacular and no gastro-pretentiousness - expect Betty's hotpot and chips instead. Quiet window seats tucked away in private corners of the pub let you sit to suit whatever atmosphere you want, the pub is as popular with the young and fashionable as it is with the old and traditional. On balmy summer evenings you will find the pub's front beer garden busy and lively and since Leeds dropped out of the first division, much less rowdy when the football is on.

2. Roundhay Fox

Roundhay Leeds

Situated opposite the tropical gardens, this pub made regular appearances in my life while I was growing up. An afternoons dog-walking in Roundhay Park, a pre-fireworks drink on bonfire night and the romantic setting of my first date after strolling round the butterfly gardens. The pub is as cosy on the outside as it is on the inside and the food is traditional fish and chips steak and ale pie fare. The menu is not huge but everything on it is done with care and attention to detail. The condiment plate is massive and holds everything from tomato ketchup to apple sauce. For lunch sandwiches and salads or vegetable lasagna the Roundhay Fox is an excellent place to take the family or meet friends after an afternoon at the park.

3. The Dexter

Slade Hill, Wigton Lane, Shadwell.

The Dexter enjoys a similar crown to that of The Lord Darcy. Relatively close in proximity to the Lord Darcy the Dexter is similar in feel but without the panelled mahogany. In summer the front beer garden is overflowing with 20 something's smoking, drinking and socialising in summer gives Slade Hill most of its buzz. A quieter suburb than Alwoodley, Shadwell enjoys more countryside and has a more 'village' feel. The Dexter serves lunch and dinner but food is not its speciality, beer however certainly is.

4. The Angel Inn

Leeds City Centre, The Headrow

A great city centre pub the Angel Inn is almost a well kept secret. Hidden down a ginnel the pub is sometimes walked past without a second glance, hence it's popularity with students and locals. The beer is notoriously cheap (hence the popularity with 'indie' students) and the staff friendly if often a little distracted in their own conversations. Decorated like an unashamed gentlemen's club you almost feel that you should be smoking a cigar when sitting down on one of the high backed leather chairs. The Angel serves food but don't expect Michelin stars, lasagne and wedges are typical offerings leaving no room at the Inn for fancy food fans.

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Maine is known for its 17 million acres of forest, 711 mountains, 3500 miles of coastline, and 6000 lakes and ponds. This nature abundance makes Maine a destination for outdoor recreational activities all year round. Activities that can be enjoyed in the summer are hunting, fishing, biking, canoeing and kayaking, hiking as well as whitewater rafting, windjammer cruising and golf. Skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling are winter adventures.

Fishing in Maine

Fishing opportunities are abundant because of its many coastlines, rivers, lakes and ponds. A wide variety of species inhabit Maine's waters. Freshwater fishes are categorized into living in cold and warm waters. Cold freshwater fishes identified are the landlocked salmon, splake, arctic charr and the trouts- brown, brook, lake and rainbow.

Warm freshwater fishes are those that prefer shallower waters. Examples are the northern pike, chain pickerel, bass- largemouth and the smallmouth along with the perch- white and yellow. The latter types of fish are easier to catch and therefore preferred by fishing beginners.

Freshwater Fishing versus Saltwater Fishing

Freshwater fishing requires a license from residents and non-Maine residents. Saltwater fishing, on the other hand, requires no license. Both types of fishing activities have set limits in the number of fishes that can be caught. Saltwater fishing is also strict with the fish size. Most common fishes in Maine's coastal waters are the mackerel, striped bass, pollock, bluefin tuna and the pollock.

Open water fishing season usually starts in April and ends in September. However, there are some exceptions. A handbook containing details of fishing regulations and licensing fees are sold at information centers near fishing areas.

Among the most famous fishing locations in Maine are the Sebago Lake and Rangeley. Sebago Lake is the second largest in the city. Both are excellent fishing destinations in North America. Another recommended fishing location here is Belgrade in Kennebec with six island-dotted lakes. The Belgrade lakes are prominent for its notable species of bass, trout and northern pike.

Hunting in Maine

Maine's richly forested land along with its embellished waters makes the state a main place for hunting. It is one of the most populous areas in small and big game species. The demographics of deer, bear, moose, waterfowls and birds are ranked higher than most of the other states. Hunting requires specific permits for each species, whether it is for a small or big game.

The state is strict in implementing the hunting season and the bag limit to avoid abuse of the resources. They are also particular with the type of hunting method to be used as well as the type of bait or if the hunter is accompanied with a dog. Beginners are usually required to undergo a hunting course.

Big game hunts seek bigger species like bears, deer and moose which can be found throughout the state. Bears are found near their food source such as trees and grass. The deer is located in wet areas like swamps. The moose can be hunted out of the woods. The waterfowl, birds and other small game are abundant in the Kennebec Valley and Mooseriver area.

The hunting season is mostly implemented from October to December. Sunday is considered a non-hunting day. License fees vary according to the type of residence, type of wildlife to be hunted, type of weapon to be used and the age of the hunter. They also offer a combination of hunting and fishing licenses. This type of license costs $38 for residents, $137 for non-residents and $178 for aliens.

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Find the cheapest flight to Vancouver and experience your dream vacation! Vancouver British Columbia is one of the finest destinations among tourist who wish to spend their vacation in one of the safest place in the North American Continent. Although Vancouver is situated at a higher altitude of the northern hemisphere, it still does have a much warmer climate in contrast to other adjacent Canadian Cities. During the cold months, the temperatures in this highly urbanize city ranges from -12°C-9°C (14.5°F). And on warmer days the mercury rises at significantly higher readings of -6.3°C (20.6°F).

Vancouver is the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, a prestigious and worldwide highly anticipated sports event. It also has a very challenging yet fascinating bike trail that are very popular among avid mountain bikers. In addition to their vast mountain ranges, this exceptional metropolis also has something to offer to those people who want to spend their leisure time by the bay.

But for those groups who prefer the sights and serenity of a botanical garden, Stanley Park is the best place to relax and be with nature. A park that is being managed by the municipality could be considered as one of the great jewel of the capital. This wooded recreational space is also an excellent area for your kids to enjoy. To be with the family in close proximity with nature is a priceless moment that each one of us who value our folks the most should take pleasure in. That's the essence of good life and probably a good reason why we should have a family of our own.

Another place to visit with your kid's enjoyment in mind is the Science World. This kid friendly museum offers a variety of educational information for the whole family. Not to mention their ingenious and creative way in introducing the complicated world of science to the temperate but curious young minds of our children.

One more adventure to compliment your nature stopover is the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. This masterfully crafted piece of landscape is a very astonishing sanctuary in the middle of a very busy and highly strung district of China Town. After doing your usual shopping, this place is a very good break in to your journey for you to regain your lost energy of the day.

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is another interesting site to visit. This marine sanctuary brings you to a close encounter with the species of the underworld. What sets this Aquarium Centre apart from other marine inspired theme park is the variety of sea creatures that they have as part of their attraction that you will not find in most oceanic recreational area.

Overall, Vancouver is a very nice city to be in. Not to mention that it has been recognized and voted as one of the safest and liveable city in the world. There is one caveat though, if you live in another country. There is a need for you to travel by plane, you might need to shop and avail for Vancouver cheapest flights to reach this wonderful destination. Finding the most affordable flight is just a matter of turning your computer and spending a few minutes finding the cheap Vancouver flights that you will find online. For sure, there is a Plethora of cheap flight offers to Vancouver that you can find in the internet. You just have to make sure that you are dealing with a legitimate site that would provide for all your travel needs. It may be challenging to scrutinize the entire offer on Vancouver cheap flights. But rest assured that finding the best deal for your vacation is worthy of your time.

Why not find the cheap Vancouver flights, save some money for the ticket and accommodation, and have more cash to spend for your wardrobe at the finest ski resort that you like?

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Peru is regarded as an epic fantasyland. Here, you can let your imagine run wild and imagine cobwebbed imperial tombs, forgotten temples, entangled jungle vines as well as ancient bejeweled treasures. From shaman rituals to Inca warriors and steamy rainforests, Peru will continue to surprise you. As the perfect launch pad, traveling to Peru is your two adjoining points to adventure. It features panoramic train rides to the Andes, beachfront cafes, luxury lodges in the Amazon, countless indigenous people, varieties of wildlife and world class to cheap Peru hotels.

Peru has so many attractions and places of interest to offer. There is Lima - the vivacious capital that offers superb colonial museums, architecture, nightlife and cuisines. Arequipa - a colonial city near smoldering volcanoes and the deepest canyons in the world. Nazca and Huacachina, on the other hand, features condor's eye views of the Nazca lines along with huge sandboarding dines. When it comes to Cuzco, it showcases steep Inca-walled cobblestone streets having museums and artisan shops mixed with vibrant festivities. Lastly, for Lake Titicaca - it features a breathtaking high elevation along with unique cultures and storybook isles.

Cheap Peru Hotels

Ramada Lima Airport - This cheap Peru hotel is situated by the Main Square - the city's historic center. It features silver covered altars, carved stalls, mosaics, fine woodwork and lots of business establishments. It is also near cinemas, nightclubs and the Jockey Plaza Shopping Center. Other amenities include wheel chair access, meeting rooms, a restaurant and non-smoking rooms.

El Condado MirafloresHotel and Suites - This cheap hotel in Peru has 90 elegantly furnished rooms. It is equipped with air conditioning units, Cable TVs, mini bars, international dial phones, saunas, hydro massage bathtubs, Internet access and electronic safety boxes among others. Other amenities include family rooms, a fitness center, restaurant, business center, wheelchair accessible facilities, laundry/dry cleaning services and more

This first class hotel is noted for giving excellent value for your money in both informal and friendly atmospheres. It is suitable for both business and leisure travelers. Check in time is at 3pm while check out is at 12nn.

Best Western Embajadores - This is one of the elegant yet cheap Peru hotels you can find. It is definitely the economical alternative to those traveling to Lima, Peru. It lies along Miraflores in the center of financial and entertainment areas of the city. They offer a pool, mini gym, spa and well equipped rooms.

Guestrooms of this hotel are equipped with mini refrigerators, direct dial phone, cable TVs and data ports among others. Other amenities are family rooms, airport shuttle services, a fitness center, complimentary breakfast, pool, non-smoking rooms, business center and more.

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Cusco is nothing short of a charming and irritably beautiful city. Tucked in the depths of the Andes, this is truly one of the world´s gems. Infamous for once being the heart of the Incan Empire then taken over as a Spanish colony this city is rich with culture, history and delicious cuisine. It is recommended that all tourists spend at least a few days here to wander the streets and check out some of the great museums here before going on to visit Machu Picchu, the rainforest, Puno the western shore.

If you only have two or three days in Cusco, it is recommended you spend your first day on a Cusco city tour. These guided tours in your mother tongue will take you through the Plaza de Armas, or the main square where you will see the main Cathedral and the central meeting place for locals to hang out in. You will then wind up the mountain to the sites of Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Each site had a different logistical reason for construction and you will learn a little bit about each one before descending back into the valley to return to your hotel.

During the evening if you are not too tired, you can head into the main area of the city to try some of the restaurants, coffee shops, bars and night clubs, all within a few minutes walk of the Plaza de Armas. But be forewarned, at this altitude one drink is not equal to a drink at sea level, so be careful if you decide to drink alcohol in your first few days.

On days two and three, get up slightly early and jump onto a tour through the Sacred Valley. There are a number of trips, some cover the market of Pisac and the infamous military outpost of Ollantaytambo where Manco Inca Yupanqui and his men made the Inca´s final attempts to defeat the Spanish.

Other tours include a visit to Chinchero, Maras Moray and the Salt Mines. Chinchero is a cute little village with its own Inca terraces, a quaint but beautiful church and a good informational tour about the weaving techniques of the local handicrafts. They will show you the process of spinning the llama and alpaca wool, cleaning it, dying it and then of course weaving it. You will continue on to see the agricultural wonder of Maras Moray. This coliseum like structure has numerous microclimates for agriculture within it giving the chance for the Inca to produce a large variety of supplies in each location. Finally you will visit the Salt Mines where natural springs bring salt from inside the mountain onto a cascade of 'pans' for the salt to then be harvested under the strong sun.

Your other option is a little further but includes visiting the archeological site of Tipon with a stunning backdrop of the Andes. You will then visit the Wari city of Piquillajta, which was in the first century the capital of the Wari Empire. The distinct architecture is still well preserved and retains much of its original structures. Before returning back to Cusco you will stop in the small village of Andahuaylillas, where the 'Sistine Chapel of the Andes' stands. A chapel built with a mix of Christian and Quechua symbols, this chapel´s intricate detail and amazing frescos rated in line with the works of the European masters.

If venturing into the Sacred Valley isn't your cup of tea, there are hundreds of things to do within the city. Whatever you choose, you will not be disappointed with the endless activities you can participate in while visiting Cusco.

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Every year millions of tourists from all over the world flock to the Yucatan Peninsula to enjoy the sandy beaches and beautiful warm, blue seas. The heavy tourist season is from December to April. The weather during this time is mostly dry, hot and sunny.

September is the best time of year to vacation in the Yucatan if you don´t enjoy crowds. Summer vacations are over in most parts of the world, the majority of the people have returned home and the prices are lower. The beaches of the Yucatan can still be enjoyed because the weather continues to be warm, and sunbathing is still possible.

Resort Town Beaches

The two main resort towns are Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. Most of the beaches in these areas have lifeguards on duty and warning flags posted where there is danger. Cleanliness is important and daily the staffs from the different hotels remove the garbage and sea weed from the beaches.

The International Airport is in Cancun along with the most luxurious hotels. Add that to the miles of beach and Cancun becomes the most popular resort in the Yucatan. Although the east side beaches draw the largest crowds, interestingly enough, the northern beaches are the best ones for swimmers because the ocean waves and winds are buffered by the Isla Mujeres (Women´s Island) just off the coast.

In the last 10 years or so Playa Del Carmen has grown and become a popular resort. It has all of the amenities Cancun has to offer, but without the rush or the high cost. Playa Del Carmen has miles and miles of the beautiful beaches of the Yucatan. Many people prefer these beaches because there are fewer tourists.

Smaller Secluded Beaches

If you don´t care for the well-known beaches because of the multitude of people and higher costs, there are a number of smaller, secluded beaches in the Yucatan.

o Isla Mujeres is a small island to the northeast of Cancun that can be reached by a short ferry ride. Many people go to Isla Mujeres just for the day, but there are hotels if you prefer to stay on the island. The beaches here are beautiful.

o Costa Maya is where those who want total seclusion go to enjoy the beach. Many of the beaches are swimmable. The advantage in this area is the abundance of wildlife and fauna.

o Puerta Aventura is an excellent place for diving. The main beach here is one of the most beautiful beaches of the Yucatan. There are restaurants and general services available.

o Akumal is a thriving place for divers, fishermen, beach lovers and boaters. Many of the beaches are natural in this area, but there are some sandy beaches that are safe for children. There are many sea turtles in this area and it is a great place to snorkel. The main beach is beautiful with lots of palm trees for cover.

Whether you choose the beach in a resort city like Cancun or one of the small secluded beaches, you will quickly discover why the beaches of the Yucatan are popular with people from all over the world.

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There was always an important role in ritual and tradition for tattoos. Women in Borneo used to tattoo symbols on their forearm indicating their particular skill. If a woman was to wear a symbol showing she was a skilled weaver, her status was then considered as prime marriageable material. To ward away illness tattoos were place around the wrist and fingers. All throughout the history of tattoos, they have signified membership in a clan or society. Even groups today, like the Hells Angels, tattoo their group symbol. It has sometimes been believed that the wearer of an image that was tattooed calls the spirit of that particular image. If that belief holds true, the ferocity of a tiger would belong to a person with a tiger tattoo. That tradition seems holds true even today shown by the images of tigers, snakes and bird of prey tattoo on a person's body.

The word tattoo is said to come from the Tahitian word "tatu" which means "to mark something". Tattooing has arguably been claimed to have existed since 12,000 years BC.

Tattooing's purpose has varied from culture to culture and its place on the time line. The earliest tattoos can be found in Egypt during the time of the construction of the great pyramids (It probably started much earlier) but this is the earliest recorded history. After the Egyptians expanded their empire, the art of tattooing began to spread as well. The ancient civilizations of Crete, Greece, Persia and Arabia picked up tattooing and expanded the art form. Around 2000 BC tattooing was then spread to China. For communications among spies, the Greeks used tattooing. Certain marking identified the spies and showed their rank. The Romans used tattoos to mark their criminals and slaves. This tradition continues even today. In western Asia girls coming of age were tattooed to show social standing, as were the married women.

The Ainu people of western Asia were known to show the Japanese the art of tattooing. It Japan tattooing was developed to be used in a religious and ceremonial rites. The women of Borneo were the tattooists. They were the one to produce designs that showed indications of the owner's station in life and what tribe he belonged to. New Zealand developed a facial style of tattooing that is still used today. It is called Moko. There are even tribes found in Alaska that practiced tattooing. Their style indicated that it was learned from the Ainu. There is even evidence that the Incas, Mayans and Aztecs used tattooing on rituals.

William Dampher is the one who is responsible for re-introducing tattoos to the west. He was once a sailor and an explorer who traveled the South Seas. In 1691 he brought a heavily tattooed Polynesian named Prince Giolo to London. He was known as the Painted Prince. He would later put on exhibition, a money making attraction showing off his tattoos and became the rage of London. Before that it had been 600 years since tattoos had been seen in Europe. It would be another 100 years before tattoos would make it's mark in the West.

Chatham Square in New York City was the birthplace of the American style tattoo. At the turn of the century, Chatham Square was a seaport and an entertainment center that attracted working-class people with money. Samuel O'Reily came from Boston and set up shop there. Samuel O'Reily was the first one to patent the first electric tattooing machine. The machine was based on Edison's electric pen which punctured paper with a needle point. The basic design of this machine was with moving coils, a tube and a needle bar, are the components of today's tattoo gun. The electric tattoo machine allowed anyone to get a reasonably priced and readily available tattoo. As the average person could easily get a tattoo but it was the upper classes that turned away from it. He took on an apprentice named Charlie Wagner and when O'Reily died in 1908, Wagner opened a supply business with Lew Alberts. Lew Alberts had trained as a wallpaper designer. He then transferred those skills to the design of tattoos. He was noted for redesigning a portion of early tattoo flash art.

It wasn't until the late 1960s that the attitude towards tattooing changed. A lot of the credit should go to Lyle Tuttle. He then tattooed celebrities, particularly women. Television and magazines went to him to get information about tattooing. Tattooing has made a strong comeback. It is more popular than ever.

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Overseas adventure travel is all about seeing jaw dropping sights and having unforgettable experiences. It's no wonder that more and more people are getting drawn into the exciting world. But if you've never done any adventure travel and want to know what you're missing, this really is the crème de la crème: 7 Adventure holiday trips you need to take before you die...

The Antarctic Circle

Amongst the least travelled places on the planet, The Antarctic Circle is the perfect place to start your overseas adventure travel. For nature lovers, this is particularly brilliant with some beautiful and unique wildlife and some truly breathtaking sights. Penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses can all be spotted during your trip.

Galapagos Islands

The islands that inspired Darwin, unique wildlife found nowhere else on the planet makes the Galapagos Islands a must visit for the adventure travel enthusiast. Amongst the wildlife you can expect to see are giant tortoises, lava lizards, and land iguanas. The region has a fascinating history and some incredible sights and sounds - the essentials of any adventure holiday.

Great Wall of China

Walking along the Great Wall of China is an amazing experience - as man made structures go, it just constantly amazes with its sense of scale and grandeur. Adventure travellers will find visiting this most famous of Chinese icons an unforgettable experience.

The Trans-Siberian Railway

The Trans Siberian Railway may sound a less gruelling trip than some of the others because you're not walking, but it still presents its own challenges. An epic railway trip that takes you all the way from Moscow to Siberia and on to Beijing, the real beauty here is that you get to take in sights that would normally be well off the tourist track. It's an experience like no other, and one that anyone interested in overseas adventure travel should make sure they enjoy before they die.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Sure, this one is going to be exhausting and it only for experienced trekkers, but if you manage to reach the snow covered peak of Africa's tallest mountain on an adventure holiday, you can actually see the curvature of the planet. That's something that you never, ever forget.

The Grand Canyon

If you're looking for adventure travel in America, you really cannot beat hiking along the Grand Canyon. The stunning landscapes mean that even after two day's hiking, you're unlikely to be bored of the sights. You may have seen pictures, but actually walking along it is the kind of unforgettable experience you will be recounting for years to come...

Machu Picchu

The lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful ancient sites in the world. Clinging to the steep hillside, and surrounded by jungle covered mountains, it's no wonder this site took quite so long to find. Suffice it to say that photos, website, travel brochures, and indeed, these words cannot do the site justice - you cannot fail to feel inspired when surrounded by the beautiful ruins.

Whichever of these adventure holidays you wish to take first will not disappoint. Just remember to take your camera so you can showcase the amazing sights you saw to your friends and family!

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The Maya Indian Civilization flourished from 250AD to 900AD; this is known as history's Classic Period; there were as many as one-million Maya Indians in Belize.

Between the Classic Period and Post-Classic Period the Maya Empire split into separate conflicting "City States," just like the Roman Empire, lasting until the Spanish Colonial Period in the early 1600's. Though not known why, there are many different reasons this split could have happened, such as, over population, a revolt, disease or drought. However, there is evidence that there was over population.

Unlike the Inca or the Aztecs, the Maya did not have one capital city that the Spanish could overthrow and cripple the entire Empire. The Spanish had many separate "City States" to conquer because the empire had split 700 years prior. The last Mayan city state of Zacpeten was finally overthrown by the Spanish in 1697.

The Maya had mathematics with a base 20 and base 5 numbering system just like math today. They had a numeral system similar to Morse Code, made of dots and dashes, however, the dots are on top of dashes. One dot was the number One (1), number Five (5) was a dash, number Six (6) would be a dot on top of a dash and the number Ten (10) would be two dashes, one on top of the other, resembling an equal sign.

The Maya had measured the length of the solar year to a high degree of accuracy. It has been discovered this was far more accurate than that used in Europe as the basis of the Gregorian Calender.

Today, in Southern Belize, there remains a little known cave system that stretches deep into the neighboring country of Guatemala. The Mayan Indians used these caves for travel, sacrificial and religious purposes.

To this day old Maya pottery, axes and skeletons can still be found deep in some of the Mayan caves in Belize. There have been reports of Mayan "spirits hauntings" in some caves: cameras and lanterns (even) stop working.

If you are ever in a cave and your lantern goes out, the light of a candle, lighter or match is enough to light the whole cave. Be sure and take a back up light, no matter when or where you explore a cave!

If you ever need help while in a cave 'calling' is ones best option because ones voice can travel more then a mile inside a cave.

When caving, take water, however, one does not need as much once in a cave because it is about 20 degrees cooler inside. It is not recommended to drink cave water because of sanitation purposes.

Sadly, many Mayan caves in Belize have been looted of precious artifacts. The current Government has enacted strict laws to protect Belizes' rich heritage. Anyone caught with Mayan artifacts will be severely prosecuted!

Anything one might find in, on or around the Maya Ruins and caves is for the enjoyment of all, so, please, take nothing but photos.

Modern day Maya Indians do not build temples and palaces like their ancestors. However, they keep traditions alive with their food, art and language. The Mayan people are soft spoken, kind and warm hearted.

Small Mayan Indian villages are scattered throughout Belize. A visit to one of these villages will be a memory of a lifetime!

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Last of the 20th Century's World Fair's/ and those books

I said to myself, Dennis, you love to travel. You got a little business, and a professional job, and your 51-years old. The time is right. This is the last of the world fairs for this century. I sat on that thought for a week or so. Then I said, lets do it; meaning me. And so I took a flight to Lisbon, picked up a few books prior to my departure, one on traveling within Lisbon, and around it, and a book called: "The Night in Lisbon", by Erich Maria Ramarque; very interesting; about WWII. Not that it would have a lot to do with my trip. But I like getting into the mood. And such things help me set the mood for my adventure.

This was not the first time I used books, and great authors to pave my way mentally to visit a once in a life time geographic location in world, such as Lisbon, and a once in a century World's Fair. I guess if the Worlds Fair wasn't going to be there, my interest would not have been as passionate as it was. But being in Seattle Washington in l967, and going out to the Space Needle, helped me make up my mind. The Worlds Fair was their in l961 or l962, I think. Plus, Elvis made that move: "It Happened at the World's Fair", in l963. Put that all together, and along with the thinking period, the ingredients were just right.

Back to the books though, books with such great authors like Hemmingway, who loved Paris, and Mary Renault who loved Greece, I read most all of their books from cover to cover. And Ramarque, who loved to write about Europe and WWII, all inspire me to travel; some to their personal locations. The places they write about in their novels. Their books helped me make up my mind. And everyone needs a little help in such conspiring. And these people I mention, when I visited their locations where they have gone and lived, stayed, or visited, I which I call their cities, I always feel a little more at home, welcome when I arrive. As if I know some one there. I never feel the stranger. If I look up, it is because of something new, not because I feel like a tourist.

I travel a lot, as you may have figured out, and I put a lot of thought, planning into each trip. It's like having a great dinner at each location; if anything, one can due, and the rest, I really don't care about. And in making a comparison, with selecting a trip, vs. a dinner, you don't pick out the wine usually before you select the main course of the dinner. That is to say, you know what kind of dinner you're going to have [city or location] usually before you make all the plans. I like fish, steak, pasta, and Chinese food. And so there are many cities I can go to, and enjoy them. Now it's simply getting the right wine [author and the story] to help with the trip. That is, the wine, I mean. The mood will be set automatically thereafter. For some reason it fuels itself. Like passion. The fuel for Lisbon was the World's Fair. The passion was set probably a long time ago by Elvis, and his movie, in l963. And Ramarque refueled it in l996. And the passion too, was refueled. And when I heard about the Fair, the stage was set. I had the money. Passion is a most interesting thing some times. But you really need the package. And don't expect someone to make the party for you. You make your own happiness. I met a girl in Iceland once that thought like that. Oh, well, that's another story. I best say with Lisbon; anyways, a zebra.

That is to say, some times it is so strong, my desire that is, it is like the stripes on a zebra. You can't get them off, only cover them up. Trying to change is like trying to stop an alcoholic from taking the next drink. As long as there is a will, there will be a way. Or put the opposite, if you have a way, it's hard to counter the will and say no. But it is a good passion I think. It hurts no one, adds to the world economy. I have my bills paid. I do not drink or smoke, and so this passion seems to be in check.

I'm not sure what I would call my city, besides St. Paul, Minnesota; and although I was born there, and have a home their, so did F. Scott Fitzgerald, the great author who wrote: "The Great Gatsby", who, matter-of-fact, lived but 2-miles from my home. And so maybe it is really his home. It was before it was mine anyways. But there are other cities I could live in. Maybe call my own. Such as: Seville, but it was home to Hercules, his birth place, and so it belongs to him. I could say Paris or Lisbon, but we agreed it belonged to two other authors, Hemmingway and Ramarque.

I'd say Kyoto, but my wife would get mad, it is where I went after reading the book: "Memoirs of a Geisha", by Arthur Golden. And so I best allow him to take ownership of the city, and leave well enough alone. Now that were on Kyoto, let me share a moment. I went down to the Goon, district, the area Mr. Golden talks about so much in his Geisha book, and talked to a few Geisha's there. One showed me around her café-of sorts; maybe I should call it a tea house. Another Geisha allowed me to take her picture. Funny thing happened when I got back home from that trip, I discovered the Geisha I met on the main street in the Goon area was in a book I happened to pick up at Barnes and Nobel, in Roseville, Minnesota; small world.

Maybe the Inca city, called Cuzco, at the top of the world, over 12,000 feet high, in Peru, I could call my own. And it is beautiful; but when I was there having dinner one night [gunny pig], a woman from Australia, happened to say to me as I was eating looking out the 2nd story window at the beautiful, Cathedral, "I love this city; I've been here over a dozen times. I'm going to sell everything and move here soon". So it is really her city. I had never been to other city 12-times; New York, 3 times, and Paris 3-times; but a dozen times. In my head, that means she owns the place. It's an astronomical figure to return to a place 12-tiems, unless you had business, or some other ties there. She has probably set up house there already. It was in l999, I went there.

And so I can't comment to any city. Wait a minute, I just thought of one; a city that is. Maybe, just maybe, La Paz, Bolivia, could be my city. But I've yet to return. I've only been there once. About six months ago. Someone said every time I return from a location, a city, to be exact, I say I want to move there. Maybe, more then one person has said that too me. Anyways, the city is grand, and it is higher then Cuzco. It has a beautiful Cathedral like Cuzco. It has an archeological site called Tiwanau, which has the famous: "Gate of the Sun, "and of course, like Cuzco, which has Machu Picchu. But I won't jump the gun. I remember what everyone said, and I need to at least return more then 3-times because I no longer want to live in New York, or Paris.

After traveling 490,000 air miles I've yet to find a place to say it is my city; as others have done. And it doesn't seem to bother me all that much. St. Paul and Lima, Peru are my homes. Family and friends are there. And for now they are great places. Maybe the world is my city. And I will have to live with that. Actually that is not hard to swallow.

Now back to the books. You might be surprised what you find in these books, novels if you will, about the locations you are going to. I started to read the book: Seville, by James A. Machinery, before I took my trip to Spain. I never did finish it. But Seville won my heart. I even went out and bought a car by that name.

After reading these books and then visiting the places I had read about, some of its history seems to fly right out into my face. The paths, city streets all come alive. You will remember them on your trip; and if you forget, you will most likely try to find out what that memory loss was, when within arms reach of it. If you are like me, you will take a few notes after reading the book. Like when I went to Asia Minor, and visited Troy. I took a book with me, although I had read it prior to the trip, three or four times. I'm not sure if I even looked at it while on the journey. But when I got back, I kind of felt the book and I had taken the trip together. And I did a little journaling. Not enough to distract me from my living in the moment though. I don't like to miss too much. That is why I do not take movie cameras. It takes the sport or fun, or whatever it is great, out of a trip. A camera does not seem to do that as much.

It is part of my adventure, the book reading that is. Troy will stay within me forever, as will Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and Virgil's Aeneid; as will as Malta, and its sister island Gozo, where I ventured into Odysseus' cave. Where I was told, it was the very place he lived for seven years after leaving victoriously from the besieged city-fortress of Troy, journeying home, around 1260 BC [but of course not making it for a long spell]. I visited Troy in l996 and Gozo in 2001. In my mind, one is linked to the other; although I never knew I would be going to Gozo, '96. It kind of did a closing on Troy for me. When on Gozo I could visualize Odysseus' long journey home. And in a like manner, when I was at Troy I could visualize the 10-year battle that took place there.

Maybe Malta will be my city-state. There I go again. I have not even booked a second flight there yet. It is a country island. It is about 20-miles long, and 10-miles wide; and has two other small islands belonging to it. One could almost jump to each of the other islands as they are so close. I think the small one is something like 1-miles long, and half of that wide; and Gozo about 10-miles long and 5-miles wide. St. Paul, Minnesota could put all three of them city-states into its city boundaries I think. Yes, I love to travel as you can see.

Anyways, you end up having coffee at the same locations the people do in your books, automatically; or going to the edge of the docks in Lisbon looking out into the ocean and wondering about the great earthquake that took place there a few hundred years back, devastating Lisbon. You hear the romantic and tragic voices of the past. That makes ¼ of my trip. That is, trying to experience a moment of what they did, or what happened. Standing in their foot prints kind of. Not becoming them, just visiting them. I like being Dennis, so I don't take it to the point of trying to be like an Elvis imitator. But I like his music.

When I arrived in Lisbon, I went as usual, to my hotel first. And as usual, I could not really sleep. I figured out my system for jet-leg thought. I usually try to adjust either by taking a 30-minute nap after arrival at my destination, or look at the clock, and adjust to the time of the location, tired or not. If it is 9 PM then I get ready for bed. If it is 3 PM, I go get a cup of coffee. If it is 6 AM, I get another cup of coffee, and if it is 10 AM, I look for a nice location to have brunch. In 36-hours my body will start to shut down; shortly after that, I may sleep 13-hours straight, -- adjusting.

Prior to this, as I have indicated, coffee, a little brunch, and I will have been so wound up thereafter, that there is not way of standing still, and so I usually go and see a site. For instance, the Tower of Belem, in Lisbon, is a reminder I to me that this area of the world was once a world power. It was built around AD 1515.

I think what I liked about Lisbon the most, was that it had a little of everything, at a decent price; that is to say, a little of San Francisco, some of Rio, and a lot of the old winding streets of Paris, or Malta; and a number of grand churches. But this is not why I came, even though it was one of the best hidden secrets in Europe.

Yes, you got it; it was the last World's Fair of the 20th century. About a year after I had attended the Fair, I heard that only about 100,000 Americans had went to visit the fair. Most were Europeans, to my understanding. I am not sure why, but they did very little advertisements on it. I had found two articles on Lisbon's world fair to be, about 6-months prior to it, in some newspaper, and magazine in St. Paul, Minnesota. And the second magazine I found, about 3-months prior to going, in an article while it was taking place. They did a marvelous job in cultivating the land scope for the project. It's clowns, and monitorial, space tower, along with its grand aqueous, many foods made it a success, but not in the advertising department, or in the number of American people that attended. I had heard not too long after the Fair, it fell quite short of a profitable attendance mark.

Although I like the Worlds Fair, what I guess I felt was lacking was the rides; or at list the kid in me felt that. The Midway area for what I am use to seeing a fair, was more of a plaza area for world cultural venders; what happened to the roller coaster, the merry-go-round is what my mind was telling me. No candy frost and very little circus type atmosphere. It was more on the scale of an international United Nations get together I told myself, so clean, too clean. No hot dogs, peanuts, or candy; but some real nice well looking restraints. But maybe that is the American in me. I am glad I went, but it was too conservative for my liking. But maybe that is how it is suppose to be. I guess I was judging it by the movie Elvis put out called: "It happened at the Worlds Fair"; which he acted and sang in during the early l960's.

That day at the fair, I had lost my travelers checks, which were replaced the next day; either someone pick pocketed me, or they simply dropped out of my spot coat sometime during my visit. And I did get to see all I wanted to, for the most part. But I was glad to go back to the hotel that evening. The fair was just something I had to do, like when I went to Japan, I had to go see an International Sumo wrestling tournament. It was costly, but it was great. But after a while it got boring. As in Maui, Alaska, and Iceland, I had to go to such things as whale watching, submarine diving, and exploring a glacier.

But Lisbon would remain one of the great cities I would tell myself I could live in if necessary. And to this writing there are only 5 or 6 locations in the world I could make the claim for; or would put into this category. Along with Lisbon's great scenery, and foods, it has a marvelous history. Portugal's Temple of Diana located in the town of Evora, about 100 + miles from Lisbon, was a grand, site; a monument the Romans were surely proud of, as well as the inhabitants of the area, to this day.

One of the other great features of Lisbon, especially by night is St Georges Castle [Costello de Sao Jorge] which I could see each evening and morning out of my hotel window, was a nice reminder of their beautiful stone work.
But the one thing I loved the most and I don't know why, was the "Elevator de Santa Justas". I went there about 5-times, going to the top of this cast-iron tower having brunch. I loved the view, and the uniqueness of it. I doubt there is another like it in the world. Maybe that was my Lisbon. I always seem to find something I like a little more then anything else. It reminds me of going to San Antonio, in Texas, and going to the Alamo five times. I just never got tired of it: --or Paris, which I've been to three times, and I seem never to get tired of the grand church of Notre Dame and walking along the river front.

There was no real suspense on this trip [which I am happy for], to make it stand out, other then at the World's Fair, when I got a little pushy trying to get ahead of few people, who would not let me to get into see the huge aquarium. The guy got a little resistant, and so I walked over to the police, and told him I needed to get ahead of the line, which consisted of about 3000-people, because of my heart condition [which I have, but for the most part, was not really a question of being in danger at the moment, although standing in line a few hours more could have provoked something, I'm still trying to justify it]. In any case, he put me in front of the line. As I was walking out of the aquarium, after seeing everything, that other trouble maker [me being the first] was just coming in. He looks at me, and didn't say a word. Revenge can be sweet, even if you really don't seek it, but it happens automatically.

Not sure if that makes me a trouble maker, but it didn't get out of had. It was just a nice low key adventure; the dancers on the sidewalks, the hiring a taxi for 4-days to drive me around the city, and country side, the site seeing, the people watching, shopping. And so good night my lazy city, sleep will, and prosper, you have done well.

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