PhotoHunt: Thankful

Very thankful to their family and friends for joining them in celebrating their new life together, a newly married couple in Vernazza, Italy throws special treats to them from their balcony.
I'd like to say a special congratulations to blogging pal Maria as she recently celebrated her son's marriage to his lovely new wife. New beginnings are always something to be very thankful for.


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SMILE . . .

I just felt like smiling today! Happy Friday everyone!

And if you're thinking you got away without my AI Recap, think again . . .

AI Recap: Group # 3 . . . .

A big AI shout out to Group 2's Top Three: Allison, Adam and Kris. And as Menehune mentioned, 2 out of 3 ain't bad. :) I thought that Meagan and possibly Kai would make the third spot but it went to Kris (who totally reminds me of David Archuleta from last season). But I can't say that I'm entirely disappointed because truth be told I did like him.

I really think that Alison and Adam will give Alexis and Danny stiff competition in the final 12. They are awesome! And if I was to rate the Group Performance I thought Group 2 blew Group 1 out of the water. Great Group performance. I'm really hoping that Jasmine, Piano Player Matt, Kai and Megan have another shot in the Wild Card show, but we'll see because Simon only said two might be selected for the Wild Card.

Let's hope next week's show will be more entertaining!

And that's my recap! Keep on Rocking AI . . . .

AI Recap: Group two . . .

What was up with the song selections last night! Jasmine, dueling piano player Matt and welder Matt and Janine all picked the wrong songs. I was really disappointed especially for my favorites (Jasmine and dueling piano player Matt).

Kris, Jesse, Mishavonna and Kai. Their performances were good, but a little ordinary for this point in the competition. Of this group, I really hope that Kai makes the wild card show.

Meagan (tattoo girl) didn't blow me away, but I liked her and I'm hoping that she either makes top three or one of the wild card picks.

Tonight's stand outs: Allison Iraheta, the 16 year old from LA totally rocked! She was so awesome and I loved her performance! She was definitely the top female performer of the night and deserves to be in the top three. Adam, the 27 year old has some serious vocals and I think he was the top male performer by (as Simon would say) a mile!

And last but not least, let's talk about Norman Gentle! I must admit that I sort of liked his performances in the earlier rounds because he was different and entertaining. But the humor thing has gotten old for me. We need an Idol like Fantasia or David Cook and not like Carrot Top! Sorry . . . .

My top three picks: Allison, Adam and Meagan.

And that's my recap! Keep on rocking AI . . . .

Making friends while traveling . . .

Since I haven't yet found my little Ronda, I thought that I would share some of the very cool four-legged friends that I have met while traveling.

Annie's Lulu look-a-like (aka Lola - and don't get me started on that song again) on the grounds of the Alhambra in Spain . . .


Little cutie I played with while I was lost in Toledo, Spain . . .


As long as the boat isn't in the water, I'm happy . . . .


While my friend slept in, I enjoyed waking up early every morning in Vernazza, Italy. And this little cutie kept me company as I explored the town.

Did you hear it . . .

When traveling, always bring your good sense of humor . . .

In all the trips that I've taken so far I don't think that there is any one time that everything went perfectly as planned. In fact, sometimes these inperfect moments can be a bit embarrassing. One of the most important things that you should bring when traveling is your good sense of humor. Inspired by a couple of entries by blogging pals, Sandra and AnnieNC, I'll share a few more of my own embarrassing moments when traveling...

In 2005 while in Rome, a friend and I decided to visit the Trevi Fountain. Did you know that approximately 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day and that the coins are collected daily each night. The money is used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy. Did you also know that the fountain recieves a thorough cleaning on certain days of the month and when it does they completely drain the fountain?

Well, my friend and I didn't know and it was on one of these days that we decided to visit the fountain.


It was interesting at the beginning, but after about 30 minutes, my friend and I decided to kill some time by admiring the cleaning crew. My friend started teasing me, saying here comes Kathy's Amore. I told her shhhh, but she told me that she was whispering and no one could hear. She then asked how much longer it was going to take. A female voice on my right responded, "maybe only a few 20 minutes more". The Italian lady next to me had the biggest smile. I was so embarrassed and shot a look over to my friend who just shrugged her shoulders as in "oh well." We all started to laugh and the lady actually ended up being really nice. And when they finally turned on the water, it was very cool seeing the fountain fill up. Almost exciting even. Lesson learned: Don't assume that people aren't listening because they are and secondly sometimes what may seem bad at first can end up being great!

By the way, here is a photo of my amore! :)


Moment # 2 - In 2006, I was traveling from Salzburg to Munich. Before hopping on the train, I decided to use the little girls room. After giving the (male) attendant a few coins, he unlocked one of the stalls for me. One of the down sides of traveling solo is you have to carry your luggage every where you go and that includes the restrooms. I roll my luggage in with me which barely had enough room. When I was ready to leave, I open the stall door, I turn back to grab my luggage when I heard this click. The door re-locks! Are you kidding me!

As embarrassed as I was, I called out to the attendant. I said hello, sir, excuse me, help, are you there! I could not remember how to say help in Austrian. And guess where my translation phrase book was? You guessed it, deep at the bottom of my suitcase! I think I was in there for a good 10 minutes before the attendant finally heard me. He unlocked the door and started to laugh. I think he forgot that he still had his lit cigarette in his mouth. Ashes were flying all over the place because he couldn't stop laughing. I was laughing too! I grabbed my things, washed my hands and as I exited the door, the attendant was still laughing. You know, I had never been in a restroom stall that locked someone in like that. Anyway, as I exited I just had to snap a photo of the restroom! My lesson--never travel without my phrase book handy and also memorizing a few important phrases like excuse me and help!



Moment # 3 - Ronda, Spain. Here is a nice video that I shot of the Puente Nuevo on a very cold and wet evening. I braved the freezing cold weather to capture this scene.



After a few minutes of filming, I heard a pleasant "male" voice say hello in Spanish. I turned and it was this guy that I had seen in my hotel earlier at dinner and then again in the lobby before I came across the bridge. I kept snapping photos thinking I could wait him out. Keep in mind that I had mailed back all of my warm clothes in Seville so all I had was a short sleeve thin top and my wind breaker jacket. After a few minutes I came to the realization that I was not going to outlast him here, so I slowly moved towards the street. And then it came, "The pass." Normally I have no problems getting myself out of situations like this, but I think the freezing cold somehow impaired my thought process. I politely said, "No comprende Espanol!" As soon as the words left my lips I knew what a huge mistake it was for me to say that! And why? Because he was speaking to me in English! We both sort of looked at each other and started to laugh. He actually ended up being very cool and let me off the hook. The lesson here! Maybe honesty is the best policy! :)

Kathy needs . . .

I read Anne's blog about a game where you google your name and add the word needs! What she got was pretty cool and funny so I thought I would play too! What I didn't realize is that there's another Kathy (Griffin) out there which totally gave me some pretty interesting results . . .

Kathy needs to give herself some credit . . . (I do?)

Kathy needs more attention . . . (not sure about this one either!)

Kathy needs to be back on the Red Carpet (Hey did anyone catch the Oscars last night!) . . .

Kathy needs to go on a date with BRODY JENNERS . . . . Hmmm, I'd go for that!

Kathy needs a lobotomy and therapy . . . Yikes! Can I go back to Brody Jenners again! :)

Thanks Anne, this was fun!

Travel Experiences: My Best of List

After I returned from my Europe Trip in 2005, I sat down and wrote a "Best of List". I thought it would be fun to re-visit my old list and then write down my current "Best of List" three years and three trips later!
Best Moment: Watching the sunset in Vernazza while sitting on a bench eating my favorite Gelato (Coco)

Most Embarrassing Moment: Accidentally stepping into a lake late at night near our hotel in Fluelen Switzerland. Me and my friend laughed so hard.


Best View: Tie between Cinque Terre Sunsets and the top of Mt. Titlis (and the Swiss Alps).


Best Activity: Hiking the trails in Cinque Terre, Italy - 2nd Best: Eating Gelato.

Best Gelato: Vernazza, Italy Best Flavor: Coco

Saddest Moment: Lighting a Candle and saying a prayer in the Duomo in Florence.

Most Hairy Moment: A tie between lugging our luggage to our apartment in Vernazza and the drama of making our two train changes traveling from Siena to Vernazza.

Most Interesting Person: A local Italian gentleman taking a stroll in Lugano Switzerland who stopped to tell us that the best views for our pictures weren't where we were standing but a few blocks further up the road. When we got there we realized that he was right!

Most Surprising Moment: Renting a SMART car for the day in Siena and driving the Chianti Loop then bumping into a couple and their son whom we had met briefly at a Metro Station in Rome a few days earlier. I remembered them so clearly because I overheard them speaking English and looking just as confused and lost as we were at the Metro station stop. We both immediately recognized each other. What a small world it is!

Best Meal: A French Restaurant in the Theatre District of London!

Most Fun Memory: At the top of Mt. Titlis, Switzerland and having a snow fight with my tour mates! - Second Most Fun Memory: Sitting in St. Marco Square and having a cup of cappuccino while listening to classical music and soaking in the experience of being in Venice, Italy!

Best Historical Monument: Colosseum - Rome, Italy

Best Architectural Building: Duomo, Florence, Italy

Best Visual: Tie between the Swiss Alps and coastline of Cinque Terre.

Best Looking City: Venice, Italy

Best Enjoyed Big City: London, England

Best Stay: Vernazza (Cinque Terre), Italy
Best Moment: Add, watching the Sunset for the first time in Venice, Italy while sipping a nice glass of Prosecco after a wonderful meal.


Most Embarrassing Moment: I have a couple of new moments to add, which I'll have to save for another post! :)

Best View: In addition to watching the Sunset in the Cinque Terre, add the Puente Nueve in Ronda, Spain.


And the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy


And the view of the Prague Castle late at night


Best Activity: Add hanging out in the small Campos and visiting the lessor known churches (Thanks to AnnieNC) in Venice, Italy.

Best Gelato: Add, Venice, Italy Best Flavor: Add, Pistachio

Saddest Moment: Add, leaving Venice, Italy after spending two entire weeks there. I didn't want to leave!

Most Hairy Moment: New, Climbing down the dark and wet stairs down to the Tajo Gorge in Ronda, Spain.

Most Interesting Person: New, meeting a local who lectured me in Seville Spain because I was drinking a cup of Coffee Americano Grande instead of their delicious Spanish Coffee! I loved that local for taking the time to teach me a good lesson.

Most Surprising Moment: Add, experiencing "High Waters" in Venice, Italy .

Best Meal: Add, my first dinner (and glass of prosecco) in Venice, Italy in 2007.


Most Fun Memory: New, watching my first live Flamenco Show in Seville, Spain, Sitting in Campo Santa Margherita in Venice, Italy, going tapa bar hoping in Madrid, Spain and taking the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, Austria.

Best Historical Monument: Same Colosseum, Rome

Best Architectural Building: Add, The Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

Best Visual: Add, seeing the beautiful mosaics in Ravenna, Italy and the beautiful art in the churches in Venice, Italy.


Best Looking City: Same, Venice, Italy (what can I say, I love Venice)

Best Enjoyed Big City: New, Prague, Czech Republic & Madrid, Spain

Best Stay: In addition to my stay in the Cinque Terre, Italy, Add Venice, Italy; Prague, Czech Republic; Salzburg, Austria; Seville and Ronda, Spain.

PhotoHunt: Warm

"All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile." ~ Chris Hart



Happy Photo Hunting Everyone!

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The Alhambra, Granada, Spain-Nasrid Palace & the General Life Gardens

Until this day, I find it difficult to describe what it was like to see and experience the Alhambra in person. The incredible history, the detailed architecture, the great use of space which allowed for some incredible views of the City below and the creative use of flowing and reflecting water and gardens throughout the grounds is simply amazing. I would say that my visit here is probably one of the best experiences that I have had during my travels and something I will never forget.

When going through the Alhambra you should know that Islamic art does not use representations of living beings, but uses geometric patterns, especially symmetric (repeating) patterns. With this in mind you'll find that the palace is decorated with stone and wood carvings and tile patterns on most of the ceilings, walls, and floors. The design and structure in the Nasrid Palace is considered to be the finest examples of Islamic architectural art to be found outside of the Islamic world.

Nasrid Palace consists of several different palaces connected together. The first room that you enter is called the Hall of the Mexuar and it is the place where the administration of justice was performed



The Mexuar court stands out for the magnificent facade of the Comares Palace.


The Courtyard of the Mexuar, Fountain – The central fountain is a copy of that located in the Garden of Lindaraja.


Here in the oratory room, you'll find that the tiling is of a decorative glazed ceramic, used in the Nasrid Architecture.


Comares Court and Tower


The lions court is the most well-known part of the Alhambra. Its name comes from the 12 lions of the fountain located in the center of the courtyard. The lion sculptures are one of the rare representations in the Alhambra of living beings in all Muslim art. Unfortunately during my visit the lions were removed and the fountain enclosed.


Palace of the Lions – Columns - The gallery of the courtyard is supported by 124 columns in white marble. Each column is decorated with calligraphic inscriptions.

Dome of the Hall of the Two Sisters – Most impressive and recognizable architecture element of the hall is the dome of mocarabes, a decorative element present throughout the monument.


The Portico Palace with the Torre de las Damas (Ladies Tower) is the oldest palace in the Alhambra. It is surrounded by gardens and a reflecting pool.


The General Life Gardens was the recreational place for the Nasrid Kings.

The Acequia Real



The Mirador with some awesome view


Patio of the Sultan


I hope to create a photo Album on the Slow Travel Site for the Alhambra which will include these photos, the photos I posted earlier of the Alcazaba and others...

For Information on the Alhambra: Click here on the World Heritage Site or on the Wikipedia Site HERE.

AI Recap: The first three are IN . . . .

Say it isn’t so! Anoop didn’t make the top three last night! I’m totally surprised and bummed! On the brighter side, Alexis and Danny are IN! Whoo hoo!

I have to say that pairing poor Tatiana and shoe in Danny was a little over the top AI! Come on. Keep it real and cool. You don’t need to create drama for drama sake!

I really have to give credit to the contestants who didn’t make it. To sit on stage and not show how crushed they really are must be tough. On the other hand there is Tatiana who just can’t help herself and cried in the background. I didn’t think it was fair that AI producers decided to put her up with Danny, but at the same time you need to be cool when you don’t make it. It is a competition after all. At least her behavior didn’t seem to ruin Danny’s moment. He closed the show with a great performance of Hero. I totally love Alexis too! I like Michael, but I think Anoop is way better and should’ve been in the top three. Sorry, but I have to keep it real too!

I’m so thrilled that Alexis and Danny made it and I am totally crossing my fingers that Anoop makes it in the Wild Card Show! Only 20,000 votes separate him from Michael so maybe that will guarantee him a spot in that Wild Card show.

Next week’s group will be also be competitive as well and should be really good!

It was great seeing Carly and especially Michael Johns! I can't say that I liked their music choice though. . . . oh wait they're not being judged any longer! :) Never mind!

And that’s my recap! Keep on Rocking AI . . . .

AI Recap: First 12 perform . . .

Last night the first 12 contestants performed live in front of the four judges, a live audience and the voting public. The top 36 contestants have been divided into three groups of 12 and only the top 3 singers will move on to the final 12. The final 3 contestants will be selected in their wild card show. The theme was Billboard's top 100 and here's how it went:

Jackie Tohn – Although I liked her from her auditions, I didn’t like her performance last night and I sort of agree with Simon.

Ricky Braddy – Where was this guy the past two weeks? Simon wasn’t jumping out of his seat and said that he had good vocals but no star quality! I thought he was pretty good!

Alexis Grace - With a whole new “dirtier and naughtier” look, Alexis tackled a soulful song by Aretha Franklin and nailed it. I totally loved it!

Brent Keith – First Country singer to perform. I really liked him, but he had mixed reviews from the judges. Simon said his performance was forgettable.

Stevie Wright - It was not very good. Sorry!

Anoop Desai - AnnieNC's fellow Tar Heel sang Angel of Mine by Monica and he was fantastic! I was surprised that the judges didn't like Anoop's performance. However, Simon did say that he has extreme likability! Hopefully the voters will put him in the top three!

Casey Carlson - I think she picked the wrong song!

Michael Sarvar - I thought he was pretty good and I do think he has that likability factor that could get the votes if not in this round but maybe in the Wild Card Show.

Anne Marie Boskovich - From the very beginning, she was one of my favorite female singers. She wasn't as good as Alexis, but I thought she was pretty good. I don't think she'll make the top three in this group but I do hope she gets a shot in the wild card show.

Stephen Fowler - I wasn't a fan of his song choice and his arrangement. And it's too bad because I think he's pretty talented. Can't say that the judges didn't give him a chance though.

Tatiana Del Toro - I didn't expect to like her performance, but I actually did! She was definitely way better than Casey, Stevie and Jackie all put together.

Danny Gokey - Saving the best for last! Singing Hero by Mariah Carey was fitting. Totally awesome! I think he is still the one to beat in this competition.

So here are my top three: Danny, Anoop and Alexis!

And that’s my recap! Keep on rocking AI . . . .

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain : The Alcazaba

The Alcazaba or citadel, is the fortress and oldest section of the Alhambra which dominates the skyline of Granada. The construction of the fortress started in the 9th century and was massively expanded during the 14th century. It acted as a military headquarters for the Nasrid dynasty and as such was built on the highest point of the hill to defend the royal family. Originally it was built with 24 Towers, but only a few remain today.

I first enter through the Puerta del Vino (the Wine Gate). During the time of the Nasrid Dynasty, this is where traders were stopped because this is the place where the taxes were levied on all the merchandise entering the city (or Medina). The exterior facade of the gate is the oldest part with it's appointed horseshoe arch.


View once you pass through the gate


The view from the Alcazaba walls towards the Palace of Carlos V and the Nasrid palaces.


The inner precinct and view of the Cracked Tower


The Arms Square


The Torre de la Vela (the highest tower in the fortress)


View of one of the fortress walls overlooking the city below.


Next up the Nasrid Palace and General Life...

Granada, Spain: The Alhambra . . .

In the next couple of days, I'll post a couple of entries on the Jewel of Andalusia, "The Alhambra". In my opinion, there are a select number of things and/or places on this earth that one must experience in order to really get the full understanding of their appeal! I would definitely say that the magnificent Alhambra is one of them . . .

LA Travel Show: Samantha Brown & Travel Ideas . . .

Over the weekend, my friends and I checked out the Los Angeles Times Travel Show.

They had this really cool exhibit . . .


They had a couple of interesting workshops. I totally enjoyed this one workshop given by Peter Potterfield on the Classic Hikes of the World. That was really, really cool . . . as in Machu Picchu and Patagonia idea cool!


And then there was Samantha Brown. She is exactly like she is on the show. And she really does seem very sweet and genuinely nice!


There was a huge line to get her autograph and picture, so I just snuck a few photos from the crowd. Now if it had been Anthony Bourdain, I would've been patient and waited in that long line! :)

PhotoHunt: Nautical

While riding my bike along the coast, I happened upon this class of young seamen and sea women learning how to sail.




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