Having sufficient time now to fully reflect on our “Gate One” tour of India from 3/19-3/29, the primary focus of several, upcoming blogs will focus on providing a complete picture of this incomparable experience. I can truly say as an introduction that this journey of New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra could be best described best as a rigorous trip rather than a relaxing vacation given the short amount of time allotted there. Nonetheless, our tour guide challenged us to see “first time India” up close and authentic amidst the bewildering presence of extreme cultural unfamiliarity.

When I taught Gifted Education in Miami, I regularly encouraged my very curious students to “critically examine” new ideas and practical applications about “Social Studies, using several “point of views” The same applies to me in my own travels it seems. Returning to my heavy use of Edward DeBono’s “Thinking Hat” approach to learning mastery in such classes, I feel that I have found a perfect paradigm to reflect deeply about our recent India experience.

What are the most important learnings I have experienced about India to recommended for the curious traveler?

1. Explore the essence of Hindu/Buddhist philosophy in rural areas of India to experience the unique sense of inner serenity.

2. Exhibit kindness toward animals from the perspective of a poverty-stricken, Indian family.

3. Dare to eat spicy food that you have no idea when and how your stomach will react to it.

4. Trust a “Tuk-Tuk”Driver to convey you to non-touristy shops and cafes “off the beaten track.”

5. Rise at sunrise and hear the eerie calls of the Islamic muezzin to daily prayer.

6. Realize your global responsibility to find workable solutions to urban overpopulation, air/ground pollution and “out of control” garbage presence.

As my wife and I conclude the first month of our 2017 Spring travel itinerary, we will now slow down from our day-to- day schedule of traversing vast distances to enjoy a one-month stay in stunningly beautiful Morro Bay, California. I look forward to providing you with a most descriptive written, picture of India accompanied by a multitude of related photographs. Namaste.

Upon wearily arriving in scintillating Las Vegas after enduring a two hour road closure on Route 93 north  from Kingman, Arizona yesterday, I immediately became revitalized. For I sensed the omnipresent aura of human vitality of adesert oasis that has always provided me with stunning, visual stimuli and fun, adult play. While my wife and I would be fortunate to have arrived in the cooler time of late March, this visit to Las Vegas would primarily function as an indoor experience. Hoping to leisurely “hang out” in several casino resorts on or near the strip, I took time to photograph interior scenes from my favorite casino meccas. Accompanying these snapshots are some brief, sensory impressions I experienced in visiting each of them.

“The Bellagio”

On this stay in Las Vegas, we made it a priority to re-experience the floral elegance of the Bellagio Botanical Gardens. The current “Chinese New Year” Exhibition displayed a captivating exhibition of birds, butterflies, and human warriors intricately designed primarily from roses, bromeliads, and orchids. We found this garden sanctuary to be a wonderful respite from the human chaos of the bustling casino area. Gazing upward at the ceiling as we slowly made our way through the lobby, my attention focused intently on the colorful, Chihuly glass sculptures adjacent to the guest registration desk. This short excursion to the Bellagio would end pleasantly as we leisurely made our way to the resort’s man-made lake to await the captivating “Dance of the Water Fountain”show.

“The Rio”

We have opted to stay at the Rio Resort several times in the past due to its location off the chaos of the surrounding strip.So the decision was logically made to book three nights there at a lower weekday rate on our present adventure. Making the long walk from the self-park area through the casino to the Hotel Registration desk, a distinctive atmosphere of “Mardi Gras” carnivality invited us to indulge in hedonistic pleasure. For slot machine diversion, there were scantily clad dancers descending on floats from the ceiling to perform the popular “Masquerade Show in the Sky.” For adult entertainment, the “Chippendales” Club advertised the sexy thrill of watching scantly- clad “hunks” dancing for tourist pleasure. At the romantic “Voodoo Club”, there existed the options of ordering  a popular “Witch Doctor” drink, dancing to pulsating, electronic music, or simply admiring the spectacular view from the rooftop lounge area. Looking forward to a break from our long, road trip travel days, however, we opted for the simple alternative of window shopping and casual lounging in our oversized bedroom suite for now.

“The Luxor”

As we ascended to the second floor lobby area today, this unique pyramid-shaped casino hotel provided a myriad of visual pleasures for us today. For me, there was the illusion that I was entering an ancient Egyptian time of secret passages guarded by towering pharaohs and fierce-looking animals. Scanning the pictorial hieroglyphics of nearby obelisks, I also envisioned learning something interesting about the culture of this ancient era in my brief walkabout today. As we exited the hotel to have a glance at the massive. pyramid exterior, I envisioned this impressive pyramid as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World.”

I’ve traveled to casino sites all over the country but have found none of them able  to duplicate the ultimate escape feeling that a Vegas experience provides. Slot machines frantically ring in the background. Serious roulette/blackjack game enthusiasts crowd smoke-filled tables.Suitcases dizzily come and go by my side. Yet here I stand, gazing at the kaleidoscope of a perfect moment portraying astounding beauty of a desired place and time.

NOTE: I will be in hiatus from Word Press until April 1. My wife and I are taking a ten day tour of India. I am looking forward  to sharing some new blogs about this exciting experience after I return.

Today I take notice of March 12, 1933 as the date when the first “Fireside Chat” of Franklin D. Roosevelt was nationally broadcast by radio into American living rooms across the country. In this telecast, FDR expressed sincere warmth and concern for the American family at a time of great, economic crisis. In honor of this historic event, I imagine myself giving a similar, informal speech as FDR did at that time to discuss the idea of Western land conservation. For this speech, I am inspired by the awe-struck feeling of sitting before dusk in an intimate campfire setting amidst the fading red rock canyons of Sedona, Arizona today.

-My friends, I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about why we should appreciate our Western lands today. As I stand amongst the majestic red rocks of Sedona Arizona today, I see the impressive work of nature that should be dear to every American’s heart. Let me tell you three reasons why.-

-First, turn up the volume on your radio. Do you hear the silence? Imagine a place as I have that allows you to clear your mind from confusions of your modern day life. You might savor a blue bird pass by or hear a brief rustle of wind.You might breathe deeply. then and appreciate the purity of the clean air as I have. You might even savor the crystalline sparkle of a nearby rock.-

-Now imagine you are standing on a sacred land as I am. You must realize that our Native American ancestors worshiped the beauty of their western homelands as a sacred place to survive in the presence of their Gods. How else would they have found food, water, and shelter? They knew no other way. Do we not take our own, natural surroundings for granted beyond our private domain?

-Gaze out your living room window and imagine your yard or nearby street as an artist would. Would shades of color and nuances of shapes astound your mind then? I want you to imagine feeling such artistries of nature in the curvatures of each passing mountain as I do in Sedona today.-

-The urgent call to preserve nature my friends, is not your problem but ours together. As your leader, I can reassure you that I will supply the machinery to help restore conservation of our western lands. Let us work together and carry on with confidence and courage to carry out our plan.-

Visiting my wife’s cousin for two nights in McKinney Texas presented a welcome respite from 500+ mile distances covered in the initial days of our our road trip. While my wife went shopping for the day, I overlooked my left-leaning political biases to visit the nearby George W. Bush Presidential Center this afternoon. The symmetrically brick structure and surrounding lawn on the campus of Southern Methodist University would appear somewhat somber in comparison to the architecture of other Presidential Centers I had visited.

The interior of the museum divided into two, horizontal pathways separated by an entrance hall lined with panels of luxurious gifts presented to President Bush from countries around the world. Along the larger side, I observed the domestic and foreign policy challenges faced by the Bush Presidency. Excellent graphics/video explanation allowed me to learn more about 9/11, the controversial 2000 election and immigration policy in a factual way. As a past educator , I spent considerable time at the exhibition entitled “No Child Left Behind” and enjoyed sharing my opposing views about learning strategies with dedicated museum volunteers who frequented this area. In the smaller opposite corridor, I walked briskly through “Portraits of Courage” displaying a painting exhibition of tragic heroes from the 2003 Iraqi war.

Seeing the human side of President Bush through his daughters words in video seemed to soften my past criticism of him now. They most certainly raised a convincing argument of G.W.B’s devotion to his family, as well as his honest service to his Texan heritage and the country at large. Nor could I find fault with his love of laugh or his avid interest in sports.

I concluded my visit today at a replica of the Bush Oval Office and again recalled my vehement opposition to this President as Executive leader. I certainly could have found something better to do on my free day in Dallas. Yet it seems good to hear the “other side” once in awhile. Take note Donald Trump.

Fond memories of an easy drive through the lazy swamplands of Louisiana ended abruptly as we entered the populous suburbs of Austin,Texas in mid-afternoon rush hour. Massive traffic jams on triple decked expressway systems, however, would not deter us from settling in calmly in North Austin at the Orangewood Inn and Suites. This Motor Inn remnant bore a heavily restored and clean testament to its 1960s past. As it began to rain, we envisioned an indoor weekend in Austin.

The next morning, as expected, promised intermittent downpours all day. Donning light raingear, we slogged our way south to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, on the University of Texas campus. As a sea of school buses soon blocked our entrance to the museum, it soon became clear that we would have to compete with thousands of high school students visiting the campus in our tour of the exhibits today. I enjoyed thinking that at least many of these bright students would learn something authentic about our country’s history today.

Being a Presidential History Buff, myself, the museum did not disappoint. It provided an “up and close” look at a Texan political icon (LBJ), who held executive authority during the Vietnam War protest movements and Civil Right racial backlashes from 1964-1968. The Oval Office reconstruction , letters to key advisors, and impassioned, LBJ speech tapes all provided vivid evidence of the intense pressures surrounding this President maintain domestic peace and pacify his opponents to end the war quickly in this turbulent era. At the 10th floor observation window, the impressive Texas Tower rose in the distance to remind one of the ill-fated shooting spree by a former Marine sharpshooter that killed fourteen people from its Observation Deck in 1966.

The renowned Austin entertainment scene also provided interest for us today as we booked a a show called “Pop-Up Magazine” in the renowned Paramount Theater downtown. Built in 1915 as a live/movie theater, I looked forward to seeing a performance in one of the few remaining examples of “Vaudeville” entertainment era in America. The well-preserved interior of that time would also provide a stunning ambiance of sophisticated elegance to this performance.

The show itself did not disappoint as it included an engaging series of human interest vignettes narrated by nationally-renowned journalists/writers accompanied by live-music and original film. Surprise appearances by key individuals who personally experienced some sort of trauma in these accounts added to the emotionally engaging atmosphere. Picture a blind couple explaining their personal sacrifices in marriage, a homeless opera singer getting one more chance to perform live and a crooked- faced man who refused to endure plastic surgery to retain his inner identity. Who could have anticipated that such drama of such sensitive issues would have taken place tonight?

Austin, then was a charming place to visit on the 4th day of our road trip in spite of its endless urban sprawl. Possessing vital historical landmarks, unique motel icons, and a “trendy ” entertainment scene, it provided a valued lesson of urban preservation in Texas in spite of its endless prairies being encroached upon by oil production and suburban development. To be cognizant of finding new places that mirror Austin’s celebration of both “old and new” seems to be a worthy objective in my future travels.

February 28 marked the first day of my wife and I’s three month road trip. It also signified an emotional parting from family and friends. On the days preceding a trip of this magnitude, apprehension for leaving inevitably settled in. Would my family need me? Was my 2008 Honda good for another run? Did we overpack?

This year, however, my pre-departure jitters diminished as a result of a four day reunion with my wife’s longest friend. In particular, I always have found this woman’s character quite amusing with her unique, high-pitched laugh and propensity to make exaggerated use of her emotions seemingly at will. In addition, she seems fully capable of a spreading her good influence on my wife and I. Noticeably, a basis of trust has been built up over the years between the three of us that always generates open discussion of sensitive issues whether we agree or disagree.

Before dropping her off at the airport today, we thus decided to take her to lunch at Kelly’s Landing in Fort Lauderdale. We would be celebrating our respective departures with a lavish feast of lobster tails and lobster rolls, amidst tourist-popular, New Englander surroundings. Focusing my attention on such interesting company and succulent food in the hours before our trip commencement definitely “did the trick” in calming my departure neurosis.

We drove only a few hours north on the Florida Turnpike today yet at times I sensed the loneliness of distance away from home in our mileage ahead. Positive memories of unforced conversation with our friend today however lingered to somehow make such challenges of isolation on our road trip seem less important. Good friends it seems makes good adventures.

Staying home does not often suit me but today my car lies idle for repairs in the “shop”. Perhaps, I should undertake some positive mind diversion today. On this cloudy and unseasonably cool day in South Florida, I take time then to breathe deeply and ponder the wonders of life outside my lakefront condominium. Gaze thoughtfully at this menagerie of animal wildness surrounding me. As I am deeply troubled by the incessant prophecies of Presidential doom, some light-hearted relief and much needed therapy from animal behavior can surely be obtained.

I rise in early morning as the blue intensity of sunrise appears. From my kitchen window, I watch the pitty-pat movement of little paws as squirrels file down obediently from their palm tree haven. They then scurry up the stairs to our second floor condo overhang to pick up their prized peanuts for the day. Aggression for food sets in at times as an occasional critter climbs up the screen door to attract my attention. Others have learned to extend their skinny hands to frantically grab the precious peanut from me. Even the nearby presence of our resident white cat, it seems, does not discourage their “love of the nut.” I truly admire the trust that they convey in my presence every day to provide the feeding service that they so desperately savor. I only wish our current political climate would inspire similar faith that our politicians would deliver the “fruits of democracy” that our citizenry so fervently desires.

As the sun warms the morning over the lake behind my family apartment, the “Turtle Convention” normally convenes with regularity on the edge of the mucky shoreline. Due to the overcast conditions and lower temperatures today, however, very few turtles surface for my prized, photo opportunity. On a more pleasant weather day, they would tightly mass together ashore, each with their little heads pointing thoughtfully toward the sun rays above. Big or small, each turtle commands equal right to soak up the warmth that their cold -blooded metabolisms so critically need. An occasional iguana arrives to greet the turtles at times and are welcome to lie motionless with them for a spell. If only our Congress could convene in such a cooperative manner, where the voice of both Republicans and Democrats were equally welcomed. ( i.e. Elizabeth Warren comes to mind).

An explosion of bird life settles in along the artificial lake in early afternoon, as I settle in to read on my back patio. Sheer survival in this natural aviary invites vigorous competition for food among a variety of species: Snowy egrets, Muscovy ducks, Egyptian geese, and American coots. A juvenile, male goose, in particular, has caught my attention recently, displaying awkwardly damaged wings and a seemingly unwillingness to swim. Observing Turkey vultures swooping low in anticipation of an easy kill, I have decided to assist the vulnerable goose get stronger in his fight for survival. Fending off his stronger rivals, each day I lay a plentiful portion of birdseed for the needy goose to munch on and sit patiently while he consumes it. In the past week, I have noticed he flaps his wings more. He also braves further from his accustomed spot along the lakeshore and has begun to swim at will. I predict that his healed wings will ultimately allow him to fly again. The resiliency of this lone goose to heal his injury and thrive in this fierce environment of survival thus inspires my human spirit. I can therefore find strength that pursuit of my own healthy body will help me withstand the anticipated stress of our crisis-seeking Presidency.

As arguably the most famous South Florida tourist, Donald Trump also enjoys the warm confines of the outdoors in the our winter season. Today, I imagine him teeing off at one of his wonderful golf courses, escaping from the endless burdens of his Presidency as hard-working taxpayers in his country seethe in anger at how much these weekend escapades cost them. I also visualize his decision to build a formidable wall around his Mar-a Lago estate in Palm Beach. His “self-proclaimed majesty” can now mindlessly “twitter” in privacy, ignoring the daily protest outside his opulent expanse of property. Suddenly, a “Breaking News” animal “twist” occupies my mind. A suspicious flock of seagull will swoop down and lay a fusillade of slimy poop on the top of the President’s head. As “Secret Service” agents amass into defensive position, “fake news” will again save his day. I can hear his opportunistic shouts now. “Where is Steve Bannon? Better yet, call Breitbart.” The inevitable invasion has begun and I begin to laugh.