On our Caribbean cruise, I expect an unpredictable supply of sun, wind and rain. While my warm-blooded metabolism reacts well to such fickle tropical conditions, I amusingly observe many cruisers today who seem disturbed by anything less than a perfect summer day. Walking around restlessly, there are those who resign themselves to the likelihood of a sudden storm. Others scurry to the nearest overhang at the first drop of rain or possessively grip onto this belongings as if a Kansas twister will soon be in full swing. Would it really be a tragedy if one’s shirt became soaked or a hat blew off their head today? Is that really so bad? Could a passenger realistically be blown off the boat by a sudden gust of wind?

Why fight it? Find a shady spot now to read or rest and expect that these unfortunate moments will eventually pass. When I feel the need to move, use the freedom of mobility on this cruise to relocate my position out of enjoyment not fear. Realize that one of the reasons I took this cruise would be to appreciate each moment of life as an awaiting opportunity.

I typically frequent those areas of the ship which seduce me to “chill” more when the weather turns bad. Moving forward to the bow, I spot the “Sanctuary”, and settle into a canopied lounge chair in reclusive surroundings, relaxing to my heart’s content. Considering lower deck locations , I find the library, with the intention of taking a fulfilling nap overlooking a treasury of books that I so long to read. Taking advantage of my afternoon snack at the stern now, I locate a homey couch facing seaward, calling me to sit for a spell there to merge my mind with the foamy stir of the passing storm beyond.

To “weather the storm” really means that there will always be imperfections to conquer each day as sure as the sun moves toward light and dark across the daily sky. I don’t try to compare myself to those “slim-fit” days of my youth or to the muscular physique I never really had. I sail onward, then, into the approaching darkness with full awareness that my sustained light of self-acceptance should always lead the way.

As weather-weary “snowbirds” arrive to visit the sun- drenched shores of South Florida this winter season, they will endure aggravating flight delays, snarled gridlock traffic, and inflated hotel rates for the sake of fulfilling their tropical dreams. As a longtime resident of this area, I too am not immune to the hassles of tourist invasion. As my wife and I escape from such madness, on this ten-day Caribbean cruise, our daily lives will slow down to appreciate a well-earned peace and tranquility of our seafaring holiday.

After a brief, 15 minute drive from home to Port Everglades, our cruise ship destination, we opt for the convenience of long term parking designated for cruisers only. A friendly valet proceeds to park our car, carry our luggage, and safely point us to the awaiting van, for a brisk conveyance to our departure terminal. So nice to be treated like a guest of honor in your own city it seems.

Our good fortune continues as security lines are light and we are relieved that we can carry our own luggage today onboard the ship. As a sea of smiling hostesses awaits our unceremonious entrance into the boat, it feels like we have returned home again in the welcoming confines of our “floating hotel.”

While we leisurely into our cabin, reminders of the realities of our past life fade away. No wallet or keys needed, the cellphone sits useless, with merely a cruise card to carry now. Sleep remains vital but seem to be a mere respite from the sheer volume of organized activities/excursions offered each day. Thoughts of nutritional moderation fade in the excitement of elegant dining and unlimited buffets. As walls of distrust break down in the likelihood of making conversation with strangers, unforeseen friendships can be borne from the spark of a common interest.

A movie begins on the top deck after the enjoyments of first night dinner. Grab a blanket, pick up a bag of popcorn and feel the cool air now. What a perfect time to hold hands with my wife again in the intimacy of a lonely corner.

As the first day comes to an uneventful close, I feel an opportunity to grow as a person in my water-enveloping cocoon. As my cluttered mind clears from obsessive thoughts of everyday survival, I seem more open to think of others and recognize others who contemplate me. As I gaze into the dark abyss of these silent waters , I also gain humble appreciation of my aliveness in the miracle of life that surrounds me now.

On Saturday, my wife and I embark on a ten-day Caribbean cruise. The most enticing positive for me about this adventure will be the opportunity to explore seven, exciting ports of call on my own. Using the “Princess” Line brochure of excursion options for this cruise as my initial research guide, I will now attempt to utilize the following digital travel tools in completing a manageable number of self- guiding walks for this experience.

Triposo

I typically use Triposo to manage walkable experiences in densely urbanized areas. Initially, I download the place guides available on this app on my I-Phone before setting out on my intended wandering. For each destination of choice, I first click on “Get To Know…” for a practical overview of the area. Using the “See and Do” and “Eat and Drink” information, I then save 5-10 destinations within a five mile area as a self-guided walk of interest. Proceeding to complete an excursion within 2-3 hours, I track my path to the selected destinations for each walk (no internet needed remember) using GPS guidance of each current distance/directional position. The overall value of Triposo to me for day trip exploration I rate as indispensable and feel confident it can be adapted well on my island-hopping adventure.

Maps.me

While offering similar functions of positional reference as Triposo, this app adds information to my walks about the surrounding land in detailed color. Elevation change, extent of natural open space and concentration of commercial activity can be clearly pinpointed on the tracking map although I would more likely use this app in less populated areas on my upcoming cruise. I must again download the desired places before attempting to use the app as an offline tool. An excellent routing feature similar to Google Maps will allows me to plan a “To and From” route from my starting to ending point in striking blue color.

Google Translate

I have been hesitant to use online language converters because the “speak and hear” functions” require Internet on the apps I have investigated. However, I recently discovered that “Google Translate” me a multi-sensory approach offline for my language conversion efforts.For my upcoming cruise, for example, I might start a simple conversation by first typing my intended English phrase, which displays in Spanish. After I enlarge the translation to full screen on my I-Phone, I can show it visually to my recipient followed by pronouncing it out loud to them. Although the conversation pace will most certainly proceed slowly, I foresee potential two-way communication being accomplished.

AFAR

As an Internet-only service with limited place guides, this app appears to most usable as a pre-planning research source for larger city reference. I foresee consulting AFAR to obtain a photographic collage for the most popular tourist places of port cities I will visit, which can then be pinpointed on corresponding maps before each island departure. I love the enlarged font size for city site designations accompanied by its eye-catching icons. Given the limited time ashore for each destination, the “Do” feature on this app will allow me to plan a shorter island visit or select a theme-based excursion ( i.e. romance, summer fun, history…) covering only a few places of most interest.

AllTrails

In our recent travels to Colorado , I discovered “AllTrails” to be an ideal app to find interesting hikes within parks and other natural areas. Offering extensive planning material, I value reading “AllTrails” descriptions of listed walks, ratings of path difficulty, reviews from previous trekkers, and topographic maps of surrounding terrain. On the cruise, I plan to utilize the app “Record” function to allow me to experiment tracking my direction/distance offline during a selected walk for naturally protected places remote from the ship.

In practice, I try to find a balance between embracing new online technology and uplifting my human spirit in traveling independently. For each of my wanderlust outings, I enrich my brain with these digital companions but my heart resonates in meditative silence.

As the annual approach of the holiday spirit settles in my mind, I reflect about what I truly look forward to at this time of the year. Overlooking the shallow exchange of “Seasons Greetings” cards each year, I long for deeper explorations of conversation. Foregoing the addictive shopping blitz for holiday bargains, I seek greater motivation to diminish my lust for material luxuries. Rejecting the nutritional damage done to my body from the sugary atmosphere of holiday feast, I desire to find ways to exercise my will of moderation. Feeling lonely at times from the nostalgic flashbacks of lost love ones, I savor a genuine connection with human empathy in the present moment. Abandoning the obligatory gift-giving ritual out of guilt or duty at holiday time, I search for the spontaneous delight of pleasing others, freely, out of true interest in improving their lives.

Always enjoying the act of reading/writing, Word Press blogging seems to be my perfect tool for resolving these holiday dilemmas. As I have little interest in becoming a social media star by amassing an massive number of admirers, I thus give thanks to my smaller community of interested  blog followers. In particular, I recognize the following connections who have offered sincere guidance to me through our exchange of intelligent ideas this year.

http://beeorganizedwithpamela.com/
Bee Organized With Pamela

I appreciate the timely advice from Pamela about how to rid myself of my packrat tendency to clutter my home with unneeded stuff to live more frugally within my middle class means. I interpret the symbolic meaning of her website to be: “If you are going to be busy as a bee, you might as well be organized.”

http://theinsatiabletraveler.com/
The Insatiable Traveler

The photography tips I receive from this global-minded wanderer help me to be more patient with planning my snapshots in travel. Susan’s extensive knowledge about the fundamentals of travel photography-the right camera, framing facial/panorama shots, helpful app purchases… as well as her willingness to photograph herself immersed in the local culture she visits gives me more confidence to independently travel.

http://thepsyoflifeblog.com/
The Psy of Life

CalicoJack “tells it like it is” boldly with a sprinkling of uncensored language. I appreciate his honesty to say what he feels about politically polarizing issues yet provides factual basis for such rantings. This is an excellent website to generate timely topics for my own blogs.

https://shmaltzandmenudo.wordpress.com/
Shmaltz and Menudo

A true history buff with a passion for word nuance best describes the Schmaltz… blog presence to me. I am always intrigued by the extensive amount of factual research compiled for “News Roundups” and Famous Sayings” postings and can personally identify with such academic rigor as a former college professor.

http://amanpan.com/
BrewNSpew

When reading this blog, I am transformed to the intimate setting of a coffeehouse where random topics of nostalgic interest and trivia banter fill the air with meaningful yet inoffensive conversation. A very unselfishly organized blog, BrewNSpew frequently adds blog space to recognize interesting bloggers she has read and posts links to their corresponding websites.

Produk Anti Rayap Alami Untuk Cegah Datangnya Hama

HarsH ReaLitY

As a more recent addition, to my daily, blog reading collection, HarsH ReaLitY offers me a multitude of ideas about why and how to write an effective blog and generate a suitable market of readers. The concise yet directly written blog entries appeal to my short attention span and are an impressive source of topic ideas to brainstorm for my own blogging efforts.

https://lesleykluchin.wordpress.com/
Lesliekluchin

As an enlightened proponent of restoring quality education to our public schools , the cogent opinions of this veteran ex-teacher help to justify my belief that dedicating my career to teaching disadvantaged students in the past was a worthy choice. Lesley also offers a keen, liberal outlook about the plight of women’s rights in this country, which helps me act to counteract the injustices of sexism in this country.

https://musicteacherlifestyle.wordpress.com/
Music Teacher Lifestyle

I enjoy checking links added to Ioana’s blog periodically that offer extended versions of funky jazz tunes or virtuoso classical performances. I always find her videos relaxing to the spirit and stimulating to my intellect. I can also identify with the instructional challenges she faces to nurture musical talent with children in Romania and my own experiences to promote creative thinking as a Gifted Education Teacher in South Florida.

https://alifelesslivedblog.wordpress.com/
Singledust

Singledust’s blog offer a unique, sensory feel for food, nature, and sense of place in her country that enthralls me to capture the present moment. I embrace her independent spirit to travel freely throughout the world as a motivating force for my own “Wanderlust” attempts to brave visiting new places on my own.

Are you finding a need to be more charitable now? Then don’t consider the TRACK-RECORD FOR NON-GIVING from our newly-elected President as your holiday inspiration. It seems that I have found a new motivation to be altruistic this holiday season as I weigh in about the threats to my country’s future of a Trump Presidency. Sharing holiday goodness with friend or foe seems more important to me now. I seem to be more sensitive to those who lack the material comforts that I can manageably afford. I no longer “buy in” to the idea that my happiness in life directly results from imagining myself as rich with all the “stuff” I can own. In my silent protest for social and economic justice, it seems that I would rather give than get now.

While I fully intend to become more cognizant about helping others at home, much of my future life will be spent satisfying the curiosity to travel. Perhaps it is time to revisit the “backpack mentality” of my youth when intimate conversations with worldly-minded travelers amidst the informal atmosphere of the B&B breakfast table or public train station seemed desirable. Alternatively, I might find satisfaction now in volunteering my time overseas in face-to face situations as a way to maintain a sense of accomplishment in my retirement years.

Being no fan of the divisive rants” of tweeting on social media, I feel there is a critical need to assist people to read and write wisely and regularly. With regard to my blog communications on Word Press, several ideas seem seem helpful to my followers. Carefully selecting topics of global interest could minimize nationalist or isolationist zeal. Committing to research the truthfulness of viewpoints from multiple online sources would set an example for disbelieving lies and biased thinking. Pairing my blogs with captivating pictures and/or music might foster attention to exploring alternative learning styles through the creative arts.

I do not desire to spend the holidays spending money on things that I don’t really need when I have given thanks at the Thanksgiving feast for what I already had. On a larger scale, I refuse to waste my energy in brooding about the potential damages done to my country from a potentially doomed Presidency in the future when I feel fortunate to be happily alive now. It would thus make greater sense for me to understand that my true inspiration for continuing to be benevolent beyond this holiday season stems sincerely from my undeterred embrace of liberal values. Thumbs up to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” for all.

[Touch Wet Softness Of First Falling Snow
Breathe In An Open Mind Becoming Humbled]
[Rest In Peace As Shady Clouds Grow
Stand Proudly Where Walls Have Crumbled]
[Walk Mindfully Near Shore As Tides Recede
Rethink Black Friday Madness No Time For Waste]
[Hug An Ancient Tree Today End Logging Greed
Learn To Think Critically No Time For Haste]
[Make New Trails Be Curious and Brave
Embrace Diversity On Earth With Open Mind]
[Preserve Our Ecosystems As Worthy Save
Admit Your Mistakes Always Try To Be Kind]
[Feel Nature’s Splendor To Sense Life’s Lofty Ends
Restore Honesty And Truth Savor My Psyche Mends]

Today I begin my exploration of the silent moment. I feel invigorated by the unusually cool weather today in South Florida as I make my way west in mid-morning through faceless suburbia to reach the rippling waters of my favorite marshy spot. A stiff wind from the north challenges me to pedal harder on my bike, suggesting that quieting my mind might be a most difficult challenge. The absence of motion it seems, will be a key component for properly experiencing my intended solitude.

At first glance upon arrival, I observe the unstirring environment of subtropical overgrowth. As I pause to snapshot panoramic photos of the low-lying, mangrove shrubbery beyond, spotting wildlife seems paramount. Yet oddly, it would not disappoint if none appeared. Forcing myself to observe without need for entertainment would most assuredly foster greater self-insights about this day.

Overlooking my boardwalk perch, I spot a quartet of red-bellied, river turtles. I relish my good fortune in finding life in these murky waters as they rapidly paddle their impressive limbs toward my human presence. I imagine myself the. “Pied Piper” of the swamp as I lead my faithful following of hungry sea reptiles. However, a dark realization follows that suchy friendly amusement to me merely represents a desperate search for food for them. It seems clear that that I must find a less distracting focus of my attention to clear my overloaded mind.

Gazing in the opposite direction toward the faceless forest beyond now, the sun’s warmth becomes an immediate diversion from my amusement of animal curiosities. Letting myself go still now as I curl into a seated yoga position, I trust that the energy of mere morning’s passing will provide a message of intrinsic meaning unfiltered by my intelligent ego.

Suddenly, I understand that the invisibility of life’s survival in this swamp parallels the underlying truths that I hope to attain by silencing my active mind. My choice today to detach from life’s daily challenges needs no further explanation or judgment as I have simply chosen to divert my perceptions to my aliveness in the present moment. Auras of green or blue, intensities of heartwarming melodies, the contagious energy of a warm smile; the choice is mine to experience any of these qualities in the company of my uncluttered mind.

New ideas from my recent travels to Colorado inspire me to begin a new blog feature each Wednesday titled “Silence Say It So”. Taking the time to observe the  stillness of natural beauty in protected areas surrounding me, I hope to obtain meditative insights about life challenges.

In the next six months, my wife and have planned several journeys that will inspire numerous blog opportunities about my travels. These ventures will include the following itinerary:

a.10 day Southern Caribbean cruise to Aruba, Curaçao, St. Thomas, Grenada, Dominica, and Eleuthera Island.

b. U.S. road-trip from South Florida to California and returning via the Midwest and eastern seaboard featuring a one month stay in Morro Bay, Calif. and return to several national parks.

c. As part of our roadtrip, we booked a 10 day tour of India on “Gate 1 Travel”, I have a particular interest in seeing the Taj Mahal, riding an elephant, and sampling the local cuisine.

I am grateful to Word Press for offering so many wonderful courses to upgrade my blogging skills. I highly recommend the “Branding and Growth Course” as one way to reflect upon the relevancy of blogging  to my audience of readers.

This election has been difficult for me yet I observe that it has ignited fervent interest in discussion of global issues. I hope that future contributions to my blog will bring some “peace of mind” to those who participate in such conversations. Thanks for your continued interest.

USFMan

Election Day has finally arrived as I  focus my thoughts on the future path of  my country. Overlooking the pettiness of finding fault with the much maligned character of our newly elected President, I recognize that at some point, my peace of mind must prevail. As I regain my composure as an independent traveler to accept the inevitability of a Trump Presidency, I pledge to pursue more vigorously the following, general guidelines to counteract the cynicism and distrust that he has spread throughout my country in this contentious, political campaign.

1. FEAR NOT TO EXPLORE OUR SHARED UNDERSTANDINGS

The prospect of right-wing, extremist policies now resonate from the Trump victory now. To ride his political roller coaster agenda accepts a devisively imminent battle of “good” over “bad” to the bitter end. By rejecting such “black and white” dogma, I welcome the challenge of finding common ground of unity rather than building biased walls of rejection with Trump supporters that stand in opposition to my liberal values. As such, I welcome the challenge of opening the lines of communication with gun-toting enthusiasts, Brexit- crazed separatists and machismo-blinded hombres for my future travels.

2.CONTRIBUTE GLOBALLY TO PLANET EARTH’S SURVIVAL

Mr.Trump’s “xenophobic” platform of building Mexican border walls and profiling Islamic-American inhabitants has sent the wrong message of hostility to the world beyond our borders. The fragility of our human species now demands bilateral/ multinational cooperation. Fresh-water, clean air, renewable energy, and avoidance of hunger; these are among the more immediate needs that all peoples share today. While our new President has consistently “Twitterized” his opinions in a defensive display of blame and condemn, I desire to conduct online blogging and social media more positively in my international travels to showcase a broad-based forum of global discussion for these critical issues .

3. SEEK PURPOSEFUL ACTION IN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

The lies and deceptions behind the Donald Trump candidacy appall me now as the “dummying down”of our country’s standards continues. As I do not wish to be part of this “sea of ignorance”, an intensified commitment to critical thinking must be my working guide. First, I will more intensively research unfamiliar places of cruising/road-trip interest before investing my time/money. The threat of terrorism will also require documented proof that a country is safe to visit. In addition, the uncertainty of time/distance to travel overseas will demand focusing my logical attention on a workable itinerary schedule. Furthermore, getting along with a diverse tour group will necessitate a savvy upgrade of my language capacities and multicultural understandings. Finally, a clear message of peaceful co-existence should resonate through honest and sincere affiliation, rather than secretive and arrogant superiority.