GEOGRAPHY : Class 2 : Around the World

TO BE CONTINUED...

1. Bandera, Texas -- The Mayan Dude Ranch.


June 15

Well, it's the second day of my trip around the world, and here I am in good old Texas! The local radio stations are all playing country music--how fantastic is that? But anyway, I haven't even had that much time to listen to the radio, except in the evening when we're all just trying to relax our muscles that are sore from riding all day. Oh, and I get to wear my cowboy boots and hat all day long, and nobody thinks I'm odd! I love this place!

It's so wonderful to be around horses and cowboys all day long. If I win the lottery, I'll buy a ranch. No doubt about it. Meanwhile, I'll just have to keep visiting. The horse in the picture is Sammy. He's such a sweetheart. I took this pic in the morning before we headed out on the trail, and Sammy was taking a long drink before it was his turn to be saddled up for a day's riding.

2. Cancun, Mexico


June 22

When I saw the white sand and gorgeous, clear sea I just had to drop everything I was carrying and go running towards it, waving my arms and cheering. I dropped into the water with a huge splash, and when I looked up, blinking the water out of my eyes, a total hottie was glaring at me. Tan skin, dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, and he did NOT look happy. After some interrogation in Spanish (by him) and squeaky muttering (by me--I don't know that much Spanish) he understood that I had not in fact seen someone drowning and I was not in fact having a seizure.

Turns out he was some sort of lifeguard. How was I to know I wasn't allowed to shriek on the beach? Anyway, when I apologized and offered to buy him a drink, he cheered up considerably. His broken English was so adorable, and let's face it, I've never been able to resist anyone with an accent. As soon as he was off duty he showed me the best swimming spots on the beach...

3. Big Island, Hawaii (Pololu Valley and Black Beach)


June 28

Hawaii! U.S.A.'s paradise! Still can't believe I'm here. When I look out at the view, I feel like I've been dumped smack into the middle of a glossy postcard...it's so gorgeous. What the postcards do NOT tell you is that this place is swarming with flies, mosquitoes, and various other buzzing, annoying creatures. And most of them bite. >.< Today I made sure to load up with bug spray, so I wasn't bothered so much with trying to swat the mosquitoes before they feasted on me, and was able to enjoy the trail.

I feel like I can almost touch the sky if I just stretch a bit more...and the whole valley has a dreamy, ethereal feel. Of course, I had to hike to reach the 'black beach' -- no roads here! And I was just slightly regretting being lazy in Cancun, because all those muscles I had so nicely developed in Texas had to be worked out all over again. It was fascinating, and I was glad I had braved the hike down. Dark sand, bordering an angry beach...the perfect setting for a horror novel or something similar. I was strangely riveted and just stood there for a while, soaking in the sound of rushing, pounding waves and worriedly eying the people who had been foolish enough to risk the killer currents.

4.Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Tijuca Forest)


July 8

I look out at the emerald mountains and am amazed by the amount of good we can do if we are determined to do so. This forest was hand planted in the late 1800's, after the original forest was destroyed to make way for coffee farms. I think it's brilliant that because people in the 19th century cared, so many plants and animals that would have been extinct have survived, and I have lived to witness that. Oh, and did I mention it's an urban forest? Yeah, the largest urban rain forest in the world. Smack dab in the middle of South Rio, but it's so huge that you can't tell.

As I lower my camera after attempting to capture the forest on film, I can hear the faint sound of a rushing waterfall...and a monkey is chattering in the branches above. I'm still waiting to see one--the monkeys have been shy so far. But it would be completely awesome to see a monkey in its natural habitat, so I'm keeping a sharp lookout...I breath in the cool, rain-scented air and close my eyes, letting the forest sweep me away for a moment as I store the memory.

5. Cape Peninsula, South Africa (Boulders Beach)


July 17

Though I had always planned on someday going to South Africa, I hadn't planned on going THIS far south. Still, the second I heard that they had PENGUINS here I knew I had to travel down. No way was I gonna go all the way to Antarctica--I really don't like the cold. But this far south I can manage.

It's really cool today, about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is refreshing after all the hot places I've been to lately. It's also raining almost nonstop--not the most ideal weather, but honestly, it was worth it just to see these adorable little black and white guys. They're just hanging out at the beach, as if they were common seagulls! And when they waddle across the sand...they just make me laugh. I love them. I'm gonna head along the coast next, because I hear whale sightings are frequent this time of year. I can't wait to see my first whale...

6. Tuscany, Italy (Ponte Vecchio, Florence)


July 26

When I walked along the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, earlier today I could just feel all the history soaked into it. It's been around for ages--the last time it was rebuilt was in 1345, after a flood. 1345! Can you even imagine that century? Whenever I tried to conjure an image of the 12th century, I'd usually end up blank. But walking along the bridge, I could almost hear the cry of fishmongers and my nose crinkles up in reaction to the imagined smell of freshly slaughtered meat from the butchers. Little boys run barefoot across the stones and a cloaked woman stands by an arch, looking out the Arno river...

Then it all vanishes and I am jostling for room amid jewelers and tourist shops. I took this pic from a distance awhile after, as I headed to the center of Florence to search for the perfect gelato. Mmm. I think I want chocolate-maple-strawberry.

7. Cordoba, Spain (Statue of Maimonides, Jewish Quarter)


August 3

Why Cordoba? Because I've learned about this place for years and years. It was glowing with Jewish life in like, the 10th century. In 1013 the Berbers lay siege to Cordoba and ever since then it was never really the same. Sure, there were some more bright spots along the way, like the great Maimonides who was born and lived there, but even he had to flee eventually. In the 15th century, the Inquisition tribunal in Cordoba was especially cruel...

But anyway, enough about that. I had to stop for a moment, on my way to the Ancient Synagogue (we're talking built in 1315!) at the statue of Miamonides, in the Plaza de Tiberiades. The Rambam, (Hebrew acronym for Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) was undeniably a hero. His brilliant works on Jewish law are still studied today by all manner of religious Jews, from the most eminent scholars to the simplest children. Besides for that, he was physician to the sultan of Egypt and wrote many medical books. (There's even a hospital right in my hometown of Brooklyn, NY named Maimonides! Tribute, of course, to the great Rabbi...) Oh and yeah, he was also leader of the Jewish community in Cairo, which is where he fled to from Cordoba. So when I stood there looking up at the statue dedicated to him, yeah, you could say I got a bit misty-eyed...


8. Limerick, Ireland (Peter Clohessy's Bar, though I will insist on calling it pub)


I must say I was very disappointed at first. After all, I didn't come all the way to Ireland to spend my time in a BAR! We have those in New York, for Merlin's sake! Was it asking to much to want a pub? When I voiced my complaints to the bar manager (Peter Clohessy himself, though I didn't know it at the time--how was I supposed to? He was sitting on the barstool next to me! Just sitting there!) he laughed, and in a very Irish accent, said that only the tourists called it 'pub' and offered to buy me a pint.

I was flattered, of course, but had to decline, not wanting to owe a stranger a drink. Though this stranger did have really cute freckles dancing across his nose and cheekbones... I was slightly mollified though by the thought that though there are bars in New York, I don't often find anyone speaking with such a heavy Irish accent at the bars I frequent, nor anyone looking so adorably Irish. And the lilting accents washing over me were really quite wonderful...sighing, I ordered another glass of Harp, deliberately ignoring the guy beside me with the light chestnut hair who smirked as he drank his dark Guinness.

Extra Credit--King John's Castle, Limerick


Extra Credit--Golden Vale, County Limerick


9. Paris, France (Hotel la Perle)


Extra Credit--Arc de Triomphe, Paris


Extra Credit--Louvre Museum


10. Queensland, Australia (Green Sea Turtle, Great Barrier Reef)


TO BE CONTINUED...

Wiltshire County - Stonehenge



My long journey around the world had to start in one of the most important and influential countries of the word, England!
My first stop in this beautiful country was Stonehenge. This is perhaps one of the most known and old monuments in existence. For years these strange groups of rocks have attracted the curiosity of thousands. Many theories surround the purpose of this monument and how it came to existence.
I arrived there early but was so fascinated by the place that when I noticed it was already sunset! And what a sunset! Look at the clouds in its reddish tone, it’s something I’ll never forget!


London – Big Ben




On that same day I managed to get to London. It was night. First thing I noticed was the famous ‘Big Ben’, the largest four-faced chiming turrent clock, rising itself above from the buildings around.


The London Eye





Also not difficult to spot was the London Eye! What a ride it was! The view of London from up there is just overwhelming, especially at night. I’ll be definitely coming back, though next time I might apparate inside an empty cabinet that was a way too expensive trip.






Going down on my journey next country was France! No, I was not dying to see the Eiffel tower. More important to me was Notre Dame! The symmetrical proportions of this cathedral never cease to impress me.

I wish I had been there at night to see how the lights would affect its shapes and what shadows would appear but I had to keep moving.





Italy! Land with great past history! Also land with too many tourists! You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to take a picture with my magical camera!

Finally I did it! I tell you walking inside of a monument which such a profound and also violent history is a rush of adrenaline for history lover freaks!




Parthenon



Finally, one of the most important stops in my world travel. Greece! Look at that. The Parthenon. Such perfection. If I had a time machine I’d definitely go to the times when Greece was the most influent and developed country in the world.

While taking pictures of this I found myself imagining it in perfect conditions, the sun hitting the white stone and looking like it’s glowing! With difficulty I force myself to move to other place.

Erechtheum



When you think you can’t be amazed by Greeks ancient culture and architecture you get surprised. Look at that. Perfect beauty. No words can describe the magnificence of such works.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus



Magic! Just magical! No wizard magic can compare to the sensation of being sitting there watching a play.





Is this real or a dream? My eyes cannot believe humans with no magic could build such an amazing and fairy telling structure.

I was right some local wizards told me the Mosque was built with the help of the mots notable muslins wizards of that time and that they all gave their life to imprint such beauty to the place.





The immensities of this place crush our soul. So sterile but also so vibrant and alive. I take a photo of those people far away and wonder how can they live in such a hostile place.

This is too hypnotic for me to stay much long I need to move before I stay stuck here forever wandering in the vast sands that time cannot touch.





This trip is a series of dreams all linked together. Now I see the world’s most beautiful posthumous honor and a sign of what love can inspire.

Walking through these gardens and looking at that white amazedness I wish that someday I can inspire such beauty in the eyes of someone.





Nothing better than Japan to make us feel like we’re living in a doll world. Everything is so tiny and cute and ‘perfect’!

Amazing how even nature makes all look so tiny and colorful. There’s no way someone wouldn’t just feel peaceful around here. I think I’ll take a while around here.





Apparating thousands of feet above the sea level ISNT FUNNY! I almost suffocated! Besides COLD!

Anyway look at this picture. Serenity… it echoes through glacial and immemorial mountains. Time to reflect on all I’ve seen now. My next and final stops awaits me.




And my journey comes to an end at last. You see that island in the sea over there? That’s where I’m going to live, without muggles around to bother me surrounded my all of Ireland’s coastline beauty.

Even after all the beauty I saw around the world there’s no other place I’d chose to live. Forever in my heart has the Emerald country held a special place. Come join me one of these days!

This class is now closed, and your points are below.

Raistlin the Wizard: 550

streams of silver: 360

Herbaceoustraitorous: 300

Elana: 150