“The one constant throughout the years, Ray, has always been baseball.” (Field of Dreams)

Football junkies be aware. I know there are many of you now who are suffering from a serious case of post – Super Bowl depression. No more NFL excitement until July and the groundhog predicts a prolonged winter .On this dreary Sunday, we frantically search in vain for the any kind of gridiron action .Sadly, there is no escape from the thought that the American football experience lies dormant in our mind.

While this void in our life persists now, let us nostalgically turn to the game of our youth. Remember the crack of the bat as it resonated on a glistening veil of green grass. Swallow the caramel taste of Crackerjacks as it teased your tongue while you eagerly searched within the box for a hidden surprise. Your senses have now reawakened to the anticipation of a new, baseball summer.

It seems that baseball continues as America’s pastime for a sound reason. Let us be confident that the “grand old game” will always be there for us. Our baseball cards will continue to gather dust in the closet but we will oddly refuse to part with them .New stars in baseball will ceremoniously arrive, but the game’s heroes of our childhood will never be forgotten. Opening Day is surely on the horizon again as our fantasy of youth lives on. Play Ball and smile.

As a former educator, I found blogging an excellent way to connect with my students in a non -threatening way. Since I left teaching two years ago, weekly blogs have helped me transition to a non-academic life. Typically, my weekly blogs combine text and photos that center around unusual or unexpected sightings.  I encountered in travel. My best blogs yield some statement about the human condition in the 21st century. I would love to connect with those who have had similar travel experiences. I also value feedback on my writing style to avoid excessive word use and use of flowery, academic jargon. My one year blogging goal is to compile my blogs in a travel book of a non – fiction or historical fiction nature.

A ghost had spoken to me today as I arrived at the Virginia White House of the Confederacy. On this cold, December morning in Richmond,Virginia, a black servant led me through a great door and I entered a time of Confederate glory. In my imagination, this gray-bearded host had been patiently awaited for my presence today. His name was Robert E. Lee.

“Thank you for visiting our beautiful capital in Richmond. I appreciate that you took the time to understand how difficult it was for me to leave my Virginia home to remain true to the Southern cause in 1861. You might have been experiencing a similar confusion about your allegiances as you left friends and family in your travels. Imagine how it felt in my time to see the anguished eyes of a rebel soldier as he realized he might never return home to his beloved family homeland.”

“How could the loss of these brave warriors in this war ever be understood? In your time, such bitterly contested battlegrounds as Petersburg, Shiloh, and Antietam were distant curiosities.To the men in gray, however, I watched in horror as our chosen path of secession brought unspeakable bloodshed upon our people”.

“So many times on the battlefield I doubted my decisions to fight on for the Confederate cause. The determination of my loyal soldiers to fight on, however, gave me no choice but to inspire them to victory. Do the leaders in your own time find the will to similarly serve country and state for the good of their constituents?”

“I truly appreciate that you have chosen me to experience the reality of our antebellum existence. You must understand then that honor and principle must prevail in all life circumstances.Travel in peace, sir.”

The immense power of critical thinking has reawakened me today On a recent visit to Universal Studios in Orlando , I entered the world of Harry Potter sorcery , where possessing a magic wand provided the illusion of moving objects , opening doors and defying the effect of gravity. As I exited this land of Hogwarts fantasy , I reflect upon how the power of deception associated with tourist “hot spots” has influenced me as an itinerant traveler.

I begin by reassessing the tourist appeal of a ” Fountain of Youth” in St, Augustine, Florida. It seems odd that such an important monument in American History , is surrounded by tacky mermaid statues, celebrity wax museums , and exotic animal exhibits .The fountain’s timeless legacy of immortality makes a nice , marketing theme if you are willing to spend your money and time indulging in overpriced , “tourist trap” activities.

As I continue to reflect on the critical capacity of my mind , I am standing at the entrance of a popular , Natural History Museum , in Kentucky , that has decided to depict Biblical images amidst ancient , prehistoric animals as evidence of life’s evolutionary past. What would be a museum’s motive to show a dinosaur feeding nearby the sacred ark of Noah? I suspect that religious propaganda was used here as an emotional call to raise money for

The immense power of critical thinking has reawakened me today. On a recent visit to Universal Studios in Orlando, I entered the world of Harry Potter sorcery, where possessing a magic wand provided the illusion of moving objects, opening doors and defying the effect of gravity. As I exited this land of Hogwarts fantasy, I reflect upon how the power of deception associated with tourist “hot spots” has influenced me as an itinerant traveler.

I begin by reassessing the tourist appeal of a” Fountain of Youth” in St, Augustine, Florida. It seems odd that such an important monument in American History , is surrounded by tacky mermaid statues, celebrity wax museums , and exotic animal exhibits .The fountain’s legacy of agelessness makes a nice, marketing theme if you are willing to spend your money and time indulging in overpriced, “tourist trap” activities.

As I continue to reflect on the critical capacity of my mind, I am standing at the entrance of a popular , Natural History Museum, in Kentucky, that has decided to depict Biblical images amidst ancient , prehistoric animals as evidence of life’s evolutionary past. What would be a museum’s motive to show a dinosaur feeding nearby the sacred ark of Noah? I suspect that religious propaganda was used here as an emotional call to raise money for the Christian cause.

It is difficult to ignore the fantasy of opulence along the famous, Las Vegas strip. I often imagine becoming a multi – millionaire tycoon there, with the mere flick of a blackjack- playing wrist or possessing a lucky card combination. I am also well aware of this city’s tolerance of forbidden sins as made famous by the phrase “what goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. As I turn my head beyond the neon glamour of the strip , to the barren desert beyond , however , I realize my modest , personal income and ordinary , social status, have not changed as a result of my vacations there. A more relevant question might be, has Sin City helped me be become a better person, in view of its notorious reputation?

My mind-probing journey ends in Southern California as the alluring decadence of a Hollywood movie past awaits me. My celebrity tour begins in Beverly Hills, as I saunter along Rodeo Drive and count the number of Rolls Royce sightings and who might be their famous owners. What would it be like to see my own cast of footprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater along Hollywood Boulevard or star in my own movie there? More likely though, my dream of reliving Hollywood, cinematic glories will now seem absurd as I increasingly experience traffic gridlock, smoggy air, and high crime slum conditions in the surrounding Los Angeles area.

There are no magic wands available for humans to conquer our imperfect world. Making the right choice to be prudent about “fairy tale” descriptions of travel is our own responsibility. Enjoy your holiday vacation but don’t forget the true magic lies in your brain as a critical thinker.

I walked my friend’s dog this week with reminders of how I make the most of my travels. It was enlightening that a short stroll with my obedient canine often led me unexpectedly to gain positive virtues from my surroundings. An ancient iguana posing in solitude along a canal, a family of butterflies hovering aimlessly amidst an old pine tree, a swarm of bees hypnotized in pollinated bliss.my senses came alive then and realized the need to appreciate the sheer beauty of nature.

I recognize similar moments in my life as a curious globetrotter. I usually find it enjoyable to compile research about a travel destination ahead of time However, I feel it is equally important for me to be observant of what I am seeing along the way. In the spirit of the Celestine Prophecy, an unplanned moment of discovery can give me the power to act upon any positive energy that surrounds me.

Consider a recent visit to the much maligned city of Cleveland. Although I have not lived in Northern Ohio for over 50 years, I continue to return here for several reasons. First, the presence of seasons captivates my attention on every occasion I visit. A simple walk through crackling leaves along Lake Erie enlivens me with a feeling of aliveness. Second, the city’s industrial past reminds me to appreciate the simple virtue of working hard to succeed in life. Gazing at the decayed factories along the Cuyahoga River, I get a glimpse at myself, working overtime for my students as an unappreciated educator.

Most importantly, there is a uniting force that the city of Cleveland reminds me to believe in. My joy at journeying there stems from a feeling that the downtown remains for all to enjoy at a reasonable cost. The endless search for a championship in Browns football, Indians baseball, and Cavs basketball for example, brings people across generations to downtown. It has always been fun to travel downtown by rapid transit on game days to join these dedicated fans in support of these sports franchises win or lose.

When I was a child, I imagined myself walking along the “Yellow Brick Road” to an Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz. I now realize that my fairy-tale will continue if I perceive beauty in the present moment along all roads that I travel. The tears that I wish to shed then will always be happy ones.

One of the challenges of being a committed traveler is the difficulty of having an authentic holiday experience. Given the absence of family and friends while visiting a faraway land \, commemorative traditions from my home country often seem meaningless. How could I watch American football in a soccer – crazed Irish pub? How could I cook a turkey along the route of a frozen Alpine trail? Why would I shop for bulky gifts at Heathrow Airport if carrying them in my backpack would load me down more? What sense would there be in shooting fireworks in a Paris neighborhood that is on high alert about terrorism?

As Thanksgiving draws nearer, my bags are predictably packed but my mind will not follow. I recollect fond memories of this holiday in various stages of my life. As a child, I recall giving my seat up politely for elderly family members at the long, eating table. From my teen years, there was the time when my mother was too sick to make the traditional turkey dinner, so I helped my father nervously prepare a tasteless soufflé for the awaiting family. As a working adult, when fiery discussions ensued following meaningless football games, new friendships were made and old ones solidified. On the days leading to Thanksgiving this year, I distributed free turkeys to homeless individuals at a local food bank in the spirit of volunteering.

It is apparent to that Thanksgiving has always been for me a search for benevolent action rather than a lavish feast of celebration. Find a new friend, feed a starving child , and accept the challenge to support a worthy cause are the real messages that I wish to continue on this All – American holiday. It seems right to find my way home on Thanksgiving in this time of global uncertainty

The world became a scarier place for travel as the 11/13 tragedy in Paris unfolded. The obvious intention of ISIS terrorists to attack the values of those who simply seek the freedom to enjoy life in travel weighs heavily. While staying home will never fit my adventurous character, I realize there is a need for me to change. In the mind of this committed world trekker then, I describe the following actions that make sense to follow in an evolving world of extremist violence.

1. Appearance – Avoid flaunting your country of origin .Blend in with your surroundings. Dress casually in a non-colorful way and avoid excessive body ornaments/jewelry. Emblems on hats and tee shirts should not stand out with hip slogans or pop images. Camouflage your use of personal devices when possible

2. Route Planning – Realize that mass gatherings of people invite prime terroristic targets. Do not linger at overcrowded entryways. Experiment with routes that avoid congested streets. Take advantage of early and extended opening hours in stores/attractions to avoid crowd rush. Anticipate a time/place to use the WC that allows maximum privacy. Use a cellphone camera to take pictures of street names and landmarks for later reference.

3. Lodging – Open windows make inviting targets when facing crowded streets. Do not linger near them. Avoid clutter in an apartment to allow maximum mobility when needed. Scan this facility for multiple exit possibilities. Stairs should be accompanied by an elevator option. Consider storing extra water and food in case of impending curfews.

4. Language – Observe both words and actions in interpersonal encounters. If you have difficulty understanding someone’s language, consider how both their body and facial movements may provide clarity. Realize the threat potential of unnatural eye contact and narrowing body distance in conversational exchanges. Word translations obtained by cellphone are useless when wifi is unavailable.

5. Stress Relief – Focus on the present moments of travel to pre – assess any dangers surrounding you. How long you stay at a scheduled destination should not consume your mind. Avoid answering questions that reveal personal opinions about religion, politics, or moral values. Have exact change ready to minimize

   overcharge on mass transit routes. Avoid queues to major attractions by purchasing tickets online ahead of time

6. Shopping – Understand that what you buy may attract unneeded attention in a terrorist driven situation. Souvenirs like flags, banners and sports memorabilia that cannot be stored inconspicuously should be avoided. Store items purchased in a backpack when possible. Realize that shopping malls can introduce congested points of entry and exit. Avoid lingering in narrow corridors of outdoor shopping bazaars.

7. Gender Roles – Never assume you are traveling in a country where woman and men are treated equally. Consider the impression you give for an alluring appearance (i.e. jewelry, cosmetics , show of skin ) in places where Islamic culture is evident. Negative humor and sarcasm are to be the avoided when reference is given to male/female differences.

8. Entertainment – Alcohol is not a prerequisite to enjoyment in social gathering situations. Obtain a seat in crowded arenas to avoid standing in mass on the floor. Consider a time of entry and exit to an event that will avoid crowd congestion. Arrive early for a concert or sporting event to observe the security procedures for exiting an arena and placement of ushers. Use a simple compass to orient direction to nearest exit.

Freedom of travel is a privilege of this Democracy. Since there are many who seek to destroy our cherished freedoms, it is vital that I weigh the risks involved in making travel choices with a cautious attitude. My personal battle to frustrate the terrorism cause is only beginning yet I remain committed to a world of multicultural co-existence. I wish you safe travels abroad in this extraordinary time of global uncertainty.

One of the enduring role models in my life is James Bond. His confident coolness under pressure with a slight twist of British humor has always appealed to me. As a world traveler, my “inner James Bond” allots time to approach new experiences abroad from a deeper perspective.

In understanding 007’s personal appeal, it is important to distinguish between a trip and a vacation. A trip involves an obligation to visit strictly for pleasure as an outside visitor while a vacation additionally allows one to learn and grow internally as a person. In Bond’s new movie, Spectre, 007 prepares for a Mexico City journey by disguising himself in a white suit and skull mask on the “Day of the Dead.” His vacation attire shows a keen awareness of the Mexican reverence for the deceased on this sacred holiday. In my life, an African Safari trip transformed into a vacation as a result of a similar cultural insight. By joining a Masaai Tribe dance ritual in Kenya, my actions led to a subsequent exchange of ideas about tech devices with a tribal chief. Without question, Africa came alive to me then.

Any Bond movie displays technology at its cutting edge. In Spectre, as the plane Bond courageously pilots explodes in the sky, 007 miraculously lands it by activating its hidden snowmobile apparatus. As Bond surrounds himself with such advanced gadgetry, a feeling of invincibility cannot be denied .Having an iPhone for travel has similarly improved my attitude about survival in a strange country. Walking to dinner in the confusing maze of Lisbon’s Alfama District, my ability to utilize my phone GPS Tracking system made finding my way in the dark possible. My “inner Bond” won again. When I feel lost in a strange land, a short Skype call to my family restores a semblance of protection.

Is spite of Bond’s confidence to prevail in all situations, it is ironic that he begins to question his violent ways in Spectre. In a closing scene, he is asked how he justifies killing a human life. With deep regret, 007 humbly replies that he has learned the value of not pulling the trigger when possible now. People may interpret this thought as the end of the Bond era but I see it more as a plea to stop glorifying guns today. Would a pacifist Bond character in the future makes sense?

The hypocrisies of violence appall me in my travels. How could the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany offer a pastoral park impression? Why are Russian Medals for military glory sold as cheap souvenirs at the former site of the Berlin Wall? How is it possible to build towering monuments for ruthless Portuguese conquistadors in Lisbon? As 007 sips contentedly on his perfect vodka martini, I desire his explanation for such lies. His answer would truly inspire me: My character of James Bond was mere movie fiction just as these lies you described could never be truly believed. It is up to you to create your own script in your travels as a message of peace.

 I walk quietly along the Seine with no destination in mind. I crunch along the fallen leaves and gaze starry. -eyed at the sheer elegance of an earlier time. Stately buildings surround my view inscribed with illustrious names from French past. A royal chandelier shines brightly from a passing window with ghosts of sumptuous feasts of emperors. I continue along this stony path of Kings and As the French flag flies proudly on a passing barge, I feel truly fortunate to be in the presence of such undying grandeur now.

In the distance, I hear the eerie call of Notre Dame. It reminds me to consider my spiritual connection to the tragedies that have befallen this great city. Many followers of faith have been persecuted in the presence of this revered cathedral. The spirit of lost such souls speak to me in hope that such intolerance of difference will not be repeated in my own life.

The geometry of shape mesmerize me now as a grand footbridge draws closer. Gilded bronze decorations of gods and goddesses reveal a time when Rome ruled the Western world. Ornate cast iron streetlights remain as a vestige of Beau Arts gas lighting in the late 19th century. A perfect symmetry of arch is formed as a tourist boat quietly emerges from mysterious shadows.

The Parisian landscape that I have observed today on this simple walk along the Seine reveals a moment of truth. I desire to find my fate in the natural beauty that surrounds me. An autumn leaf rustles in the wind. I now see an energy to experience my life more fully.

 My mother’s living room is lined with paintings of nostalgic Parisian living in the early 20th century. In these grand scenes, gentlemen and ladies are often depicted lounging in formal elegance. While appreciating the beauty of such art, these moments always seemed oddly out of place to me in casual South Florida. Why bother with social graces when your life here is typified by noisy tourist traps, impatient city drivers, and petty, condo rules interference.

A turning point in my life came however on a recent vacation to Paris. Why would two people take the time to greet each other with intimate kisses on both cheeks? Why did cars give way to pedestrians in crowded intersections! How did landlord and tenant friendliness become the norm in cases of inspection violations? Could this attitude of French gentility work for me?

As I returned home, it now occurred to me that being polite to others would improve the quality of my life. Take the time to meet and greet strangers and you would make more friends. Lay off the horn and enjoy the freedom of driving. Respect the rules of my condo and learn to live with less. It is truly noble to accept this challenge of being a modern day gentleman.