What a relief to have finally left the open sea to enter the southerly path of the Elbe River Narrows.This gateway to historic, Hamburg Germany functions as a maritime highway, with a noticeable gridlock of oil tankers, fishing boats and recreational yachts. It seems improbable that a large, cruise ship, such as ours could even traverse this busy waterway.

There is a plethora of action in the cold air over the Elbe as well. Overhead, helicopters buzz our boat as hungry sea birds hover for a free meal. German flags fly gloriously in their struggle with gusty conditions aboard ship. White trails of jet exhaust disperse into smoky clouds that partition the blue sky above.

Our cruise ship will now be guided by pilot boat for the remaining 37 miles to Hamburg through increasingly urban environs. This journey will seemingly give me a decent look at German wind and petrochemical power interspersed with fairy tale, town settlements of its medieval past. Nothing flashy, but certainly a testament to German efficiency.

With great enthusiasm, I hear that we dock near downtown Hamburg a day early. Amazingly, Hamburg celebrates a national holiday this weekend and the riverfront is choked with sea vessels of past and present. A carnival atmosphere of excitement develops as thousands of people make their way to the riverfront now to watch the great parade of ships

Realizing that my visit today would be a perfect time to obtain firsthand knowledge about the Elbe’s importance, I make my way to the downtown docks for a view of this maritime celebration. German sailors in spotless, white caps and uniforms stand proudly aboard their respective, military vessels. A young, Russian sailor smiles broadly at the crowd as he performs the tedious task of polishing his ship’s insignia. I make my around a long queue of avid, tour seekers nearest a modern, Polish vessel and realize that the Elbe is truly an international gateway for many countries around the world.

I return to my cruise ship now as the river parade ends. I stand on board the largest vessel on the river that day and wave back below at those who gaze in awe at the immensity of our presence ashore. It seems surreal that a massive city such as Hamburg could virtually shut down for the day to pay homage to its maritime glories. Home is where this welcoming spirit resides in me today on a sunny day above the Elbe River.

L

The first Saturday in June is a special day in a small, Nebraska town. USFman is in for a rare treat as he eagerly awaits his first visit to Val Days, a special gathering of family and friends on Town Square tonight. He imagines having a good time tonight at the invitation of his farming friend from the State Capitol.

“Hop aboard the Hillbilly Limousine as your wagon whisks you through the farmlands of America’s heartland to the highlight of tonight’s festivities: the barbecue competition. As always, there are three, home cooked categories to choose from – ribs, pork, and chicken. Fill your plate as high as you can and don’t worry about the calories. Pay close attention to your meal tickets and place them in the cardboard voting boxes of your choice as we dutifully do every June.”

“For extra entertainment, check out the nifty tractor and hot rods parked across the field. Don’t worry about the kids as the hayride wagon ride will keep them busy. Tonight would also be a great night to challenge a beer drinking buddy to a fierce contest of horseshoes or ring toss. If you’re still hungry, the snow cone stand is just around the corner. They even have root beer tonight.”

“Your Hawaiian shirt and urban sunglasses will definitely attract notice. So turn off your device and talk with some of the friendliest people you have ever met before. Slow down your pace for once and savor the beauty of the vast fields of gold beyond tonight. And most certainly you wouldn’t want to miss the grand finale: our legendary, awards ceremony for the first place, barbecue winner in town.”

Thoughts of reality creep into USFman’s mind now as he settles in to devour the immense plate of food he has selected. “Oh my God, someone just fainted in the barbecue tent. I would have called an ambulance immediately. Wait a minute, there are probably no hospitals for miles around here. Why do these people appear so disinterested and continue to eat? Oh well, chalk it up to the hard life on the prairie. Just remember that country people work hard, attend church, and by all means stay honest and humble.”

Our first stop after a solid week of sea days landed us in Beatleland, or Liverpool if you prefer. It’s not difficult to realize that the Beatles experience is the primary attraction here. Stepping off the cruise boat, a walk to the right along the Mersey River and my wife and I arrived at the tourist friendly, “Beatles Story Museum.” Deciding to skip this show of tour bus madness, we alternatively headed downtown to Matthew Street, where it all began for the Fab. Four.

Descending down steep stairs to the basement of the dark and dingy Cavern Club, we became immersed in authentic, Beatle history. Picture the blue shaded glasses of John Lennon and old guitars interspersed with famous concert photos taken of the Fab Four in these early, rock and roll times. Feel the cool vibe of memorable performances in this renowned venue like the Who, the Yardbirds, and Paul McCartney’s brother, who played regular “gigs” into the late night there.

Further along Matthew Street, we gazed with interest at the famous Music Wall where early British rock figures are memorialized in red brick partitions. Beatles memory shops lined the street to allow us ample time to purchase our obligatory souvenirs of the late 1960s era. Paying our respects to the John Lennon and Eleanor Rigby statue, we ended our return down Beatles memory lane in Liverpool. Returning to the cruise terminal, we admired surrounding yachts and tugboats painted in full psychedelic display. I regret that we lacked the time to venture out into the Liverpool suburbs to view the real Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane. Interestingly, cruising on our vessel today would be Pete Best, the original drummer of the Beatles. This mystery celebrity would talk live on board about his memories of crazed, 1960s Beatlemania.

Returning to Liverpool today was nostalgically memorable. Twenty five years ago, my wife and I attended a live concert in Liverpool with Paul McCartney and Wings. We stood for the entire concert screaming among throngs of Beatle lovers that day. Liverpool remains a very hip place to appreciate that time when five, unknown musicians- Paul, John, George, Ringo, and Pete began a legacy to become the greatest rock and roll band of all time.

I had originally foreseen that Bermuda would represent merely a brief, pit stop along our transcontinental cruise path to Europe. Having read of this country’s reputation as an opulent paradise of seaside, golf courses, and pricey, estate residences, I expected that a prerequisite to any pleasures indulged there would not go cheaply.

Having purchased an off-line, sightseeing app for the island, we set out in mid-morning with an abundant supply of U.S. money to explore on our own. The itinerary would require us to take the more expensive ferry option directly to Hamilton, the capital city. For the morning leg of this excursion, we would walk a little, shop a lot and indulge in a seaside lunch. In the afternoon, we would board a local bus to see how the rich live along the road to the famous pink sands of Horseshoe Bay.

Upon coming ashore in Hamilton, we entered a world that paid homage to Britain’s colonial past. Walking through the neatly manicured lawns of Queen Elizabeth Gardens, and the imposing, white columns of The National Museum, the rigid, class-based feel of English Imperial rule was in full display. Stopping for a outdoor seating lunch at the “Pickled Onion”, fish and chips became he order of the day. At $25.00 per plate, this most certainly though was not casual dining.

Hopping on a local bus now, we headed for Horseshoe Bay. At some point along this winding road, I became curiously drawn to the azure purity of the ocean in the distance.The appearance of blue water and pink sand amidst rocky coves seemed to calm my mind now from the “small talk” conversations of cruise passengers of this crowded bus.

As our bus driver routinely announced our arrival at Horseshoe Bay, we exited to the island sounds of reggae beyond. How was it possible that snobby Bermuda would allow this indigenous feel now? A steep walk down to the public beach continued to captivate my senses as we soon entered a pristinely sheltered cove of horizontally slanted boulders overlooking crystal clear waters.

A childish urge to climb to a rocky overlook become became too strong to resist. From this vantage point, A lone, parrotfish swam aimlessly near the shoreline, oblivious to the humans surrounding it. The pinkish granules of sand seemed to provide a “red carpet” entrance for each gentle wave ashore. The smooth firmness of my rocky foothold on this ground crowned me as King of this exalted land now.

I return to the easy life of my cruise vessel with new wisdom gained about my traveling mind. The positive energy that had been gained from my brief visit to these mesmerizing sands of Bermuda meant much more to me than any aspiration to live my life in decadent pursuit of wealth and property. Skipping the art auction and timeshare presentation today, I savored the new island of internal paradise that resided now in my soul.

I rarely get excited about South Florida, having lived my life there in suburban isolation for over 40 years. However, from the perspective of a snow – weary tourist, I often imagine the desire to escape to the sun-kissed shores of beachlike paradise. If only I could have one day to remove myself from the myopia of urban survival there to become an eager visitor on my own turf.

Thus, I was curiously interested to know that one of our destinations on the 21 day transatlantic cruise from Houston to London would be Fort Lauderdale.For the first time, I would be able to walk off this boat to become a visiting, South Floridian tourist in my hometown.

How perfect my world seemed to be now. Joining the throngs of cruise walkers from the ship, an atmosphere of casual pleasure surrounded me in all directions. The thought of buying tacky sunglasses and cheap souvenirs filled my head now and the abundance of eateries at every corner seemed exotically new to me,   although I had regularly eaten at many of them before.

In this atmosphere of overindulgence, Fort Lauderdale was well prepared to take my money. I could step into one of many yacht dealers nearby and imagine sailing the high seas. Perhaps my whims would entice me to rent the exotic car of my dreams and whisk away to a tropical hideaway. Amid the towering glamour of high rises along the Inter coastal Waterway, a new, winter home might soon be in my future.

Returning to reality, I hesitantly reached for my phone. As I checked my unwieldy email and social media postings, family, finances, and health, now returned me to the familiar script of middle class, survival. Perhaps, I have learned today that that living in the Margaritaville milieu of South Florida is possible at any time in my life now. Enjoy each day of my life unburdened by the neurotic obsession of human distractions.

My wife and I patiently waited in the terminal to board the Caribbean Princess in Houston on our 21 day transcontinental cruise. Scanning the departing crowd of largely 60 or older, I became convinced that this cruise would most appeal to the sedentary needs of this “over the hill” set. I logically reasoned that they were the age group who had more time each day to seek rest and pampered, easy living. With an abundance of long, sea days and a plethora of “eager to please” service attendants on board this ship, the opportunities for being doted on would certainly not be lacking. I would thus assume that our need for staying physically active in travel might not be easily accommodated.

A penchant for restless pacing of the ship, however, convinced me to take another look at these assumptions. Classic rock blasted from the top deck stage as hippie-like couples got up to dance. Walking paths filled with sporty garbed passengers, intently completing their scheduled laps. The spa buzzed with golden aged men and women, busily inquiring about fitness and strength training packages available. A tennis court for a game called Pickleball teemed with competitively interested seniors. It soon became obvious to me that there would be plenty of opportunity for us to stay in shape on those long, sea days, in the company of similarly minded individuals.

For many on board, then, I sensed that transcontinental cruising had been viewed as a lifestyle commitment to active, world travel. Talking with strangers aboard would become a chance to become educated about new places to visit. Planning a self-excursion off the boat fulfilled a need to escape from the “cattle car” atmosphere of a tour bus. Inevitably then, we would settle in and learn to enjoy our well-deserved freedom in long distance cruising.

The expected departure in Houston of our 21 day cruise never came on the expected day. The captain’s decision to wait for sixty eight, late cruise passengers had resulted in the delay of our late afternoon departure. By the time of their arrival at 8:00 pm., a severe weather pattern of gusty winds emerged from the Great Plains to scrub the entire mission this day. An atmosphere of foggy desolation pervaded the cruise port as we awaited in limbo for a break in the weather. It seemed fitting then that the captain would inform the passengers that we would be leaving on the last cruise boat to be docked at this inland location.

To make the best of these uncertain times, my wife and I took advantage of the extra Internet time available from the Texas shore. At these times, we were often distracted by the synergy of wind swooping gulls and pelicans with the mother ship that remained silently still. Settling into my soggy lounge chair, I envisioned the reappearance of Noah’s Ark to carry me away from the great flood beyond the Texas shore.

It appeared to me that the impulsive solution to dredge this waterway to make way for the passage of Houston oil tankers in this inland waterway had not fared well as a location for a busy cruise port. Our point of debarkation nearby the ugliness of burning oil wells did not please the eye while the long and winding passageway to the Gulf of Mexico ahead seemed ill suited for the modern era of colossal sized ocean liners in today’s times. Any kind of movement from this inauspicious place seemed to be sorely overdue.

I regretted the long term costs of this ill-fated passenger terminal. Hungry pelicans intently landed near our ship now as time passed more slowly. In their desperate plunge to the sea to find fish, I pondered their future loneliness at the impending abandonment of this location. In addition, it seemed wasteful that so many trees had to be uprooted, to make way for this colossal failure of man-made construction in the name of profit. Perhaps, the windswept destruction of a hurricane here would provide a better solution for the use of this land.

A sign of optimism now appeared on our second morning on the ship. Tugboats begin to circle our vessel as wind and rain diminished. Black smoke rose into the air now as the ground began to rumble. At last, the stern voice of the captain from the intercom gave the “all clear” for us to proceed. The experience of nearly two days in a place of unknown idleness had been a test of my patience for sure. Bon voyage Houston.

It’s time for a welcome change of scenery again from sunny but overcrowded South Florida as usfman and his wife make final preparations to spend the next 4 months in our newly retired life as wandering fools. Our first leg of this journey will begin on April 17, when we embark on a 21 day cruise from Houston, Texas to Southampton, England.

Looking at the travel schedule, an immediate challenge for me arises with the fact that twelve of these cruise days will be spent at sea. Slow days are not my norm for sure given I spend so much of my time at home paying homage to the sensory overload of my digital devices, social media connections and middle class survival ideals. Clearly, a new thinking paradigm will be needed if I am to gear down to this slower pace of long distance cruising.

Imagine myself then enraptured in the uninterrupted awareness of the present moment, concentrating my sight, sound, smell … more fully now. Ponder the mere presence of blue skies or the refreshing smell of the seaside as a way to engender my creative juices. Or perhaps consider the brief glimpse of a dorsal fin amidst foamy waters as evidence of a great monster in the depths below. Will this danger spark new courage in the face of my deepest fears? Do not ever underestimate the nothingness of open sea, as I sink into meditative mindfulness of each passing wave.

There is no logic to waste time though in endless thought without according action. Game on then with the following rules. For every day of my three week voyage, I must perform a corresponding, quality experience to stay in the unobstructed now” moment of time.

 1. Find non – threatening situations to converse in a new language.
2. Draw something to your heart’s content without judging its personal or practical value.
3. Blog write in different sites around the ship to foster emotional connection.
4. Play a long game of chess to exercise your analytical mind.
5. Feel free to “pace like a cat” on the top deck when restlessness
overtakes your mind.
6. Hang out inside a jazz club and feel the creative spirit of improvisation.
7. Enjoy the nostalgic feel of writing an intimate, paper letter again to a loved one.
8. Discard a watch and learn to tell time by the position of the passing sun.
9. Wear a new kind of clothing fashion to coincide with a new self-image intention.
10. Watch an entire movie with no interruption.
11. Wake up your meditative spirit with yoga mat time.
12. Walk off the boat at a scheduled port of call with an unplanned excursion strategy.
13. Nap in silence without guilt in the ship library.
14. Walk the stairs to remedy “cabin fever” and to gain exercise.
15. Be mindful about new cultures you encounter and reciprocate with them in a respectfully similar way.
16. Complete a long, crossword or jigsaw puzzle in its entirety.
17. Take observational notes for an upcoming travel novel you plan to write.
18. Learn to drink tea rather than coffee. Experiment with
different leaf flavors.
19. Carrying my I Pod for musical concentration, exhibit new behaviors of patience to accompany my wife on shopping binge moments.
20. Talk to a “cool” musician about a favorite gig.
21. Shoot some hoops with no desire to re-awaken my competitive nature.

MY EARTH TODAY – AN ISLAND OF SCIENCE FICTION DELIGHT

Seeking new adventure, this curious world traveler, usfman, has enrolled in a science fiction simulation game to enhance his curious traveling mind. You have chosen to imagine boarding the Starship Enterprise of Star Trek TV fame interact and  to intensely study the words/behaviors of various Star Trek characters  as they proceed on various intergalactic missions. 

I. MY WELCOME TO THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE

“Welcome aboard, usfman. My esteemed colleagues aboard this vessel will assist you to prepare for your upcoming journeys. Say goodbye to the suburban comforts of your South Florida home and join me in our quest to find intelligent life and obtain new knowledge of our universe. You must realize that there is much at stake in this stern test of your Traveling Spirit. Yet with each problem faced, you will learn to never act from fear or indecision. I’m honored to be on board, today, Captain.”

“Let me introduce you to your fellow comrades now. I am Captain Kirk, a curious man like yourself, who will fill your head with enough travel memories to last a lifetime. Meet Mr. Spock, my first officer. In spite of his pointed ears, you will most assuredly be impressed by the logic of his actions. Say hello as well to Dr. McCoy. You might hear him rant to others occasionally, but he cares very much for the health of his patients. The younger fellow you see is our navigator, Mr. Checkov. Do not be deceived if he mispronounces words in his Russian dialect. This young man will always give you an honest effort no matter how dire the circumstance.

I would also like to introduce Scotty, our dedicated engineer. He may not make the greatest diplomat in times of crisis, but there is no matter of technology that Scotty cannot master,To his right, there is Sulu, our primary navigator. Don’t underestimate him by his small stature. His fierce, karate chop could knock you dead with one blow. Sitting at our computer panel in the back, please greet our communications officer, Uhura.You can be assured that this woman is the equal of any man in times of crisis.” How amazing that all of you appear exactly like I remember in the TV show.

“As you already know, we will need to properly prepare you for this mission. Scotty will provide you with a memory retrieval device, that will provide taping of our methods for coping with interstellar, space travel in four of our previous missions. We trust you will carefully watch them on our bridge monitor and give us your written feedback on what you have learned. For we are honored to give you this opportunity as you attempt to  traveling mind

II. GAME PLAY PROCEEDINGS 

“Return to Tomorrow– February 9, 1968

“How will the presence of emotion and logic influence me?”

USFMAN ANSWER TO CREW

“I should appreciate that I am uniquely human and should showcase my ability to express emotion of the present moment as well as devise logical ways to make practical use of this knowledge. As I follow the path of an independent traveler, use both of these mental tools to weigh the risks and benefits involved in unknown travel.”

“Trouble With Tribbles”– December 29, 1967

“What actions might I take as a traveler to preserve the natural order of life that exists today?”

USFMAN ANSWER TO CREW

“There exists an abundance of life and death interconnections for all forms of life on earth. As a human traveler, do not be tempted to exploit the interesting appearance and behaviors of flora or fauna for your personal gain. When possible, contribute your time and effort to natural places of refuge that preserve the natural ecosystems of plants and animals that exist there.”

“The Ultimate Computer”  – March 8, 1968

“How can I make appropriate use of technology to insure an authentic, travel, experience?”

USFMAN ANSWER TO CREW

“The devices I surround myself with in travel can never replace the intuitive powers of my mind. Trust my own senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and sound to guide me when my GPS guidance system fails me, the Internet is down , or there is dissatisfaction with the privacy limitations of social media.
Engage in human forms of interconnection with more face to face interactions with strangers. Enjoy the simplicity of camping again in the natural world.

“Devil in the Dark”– March 9, 1967

“How might I promote myself as a messenger of peace in my visits amidst the violent world that surrounds me?”

USFMAN ANSWER TO CREW

“Do not make rashly, negative opinions about the intentions of others you visit in your travels. Choose to become a role model for non-aggression in the hope that you attract others who have similar pacifist ways. Do not “buy in” to extremist religions or political philosophies that cater to violent actions against others.
Be more secure with your possessions and more vigilant about where you travel.”

A MESSAGE TO MY STAR TREK ENTERPRISE HOSTS

The opportunity for usfman to simulate the world of Star Trek today has truly transformed his traveling mind. As captain of his own ship, he will cast a more “critical” eye toward the emotion and logic of his vacations now. He will not allow his devices to think for him. He will embrace but not control the mystery of life that surrounds him now. He will realize that any thoughts of perpetuating his own violence will only encourage more of the same. I truly understand Mr. Spock’s explanation for “Live Long and Prosper”. I must now engage my traveling mind for the betterment of mankind.

USFMAN – it is our mission to accept this challenge for the sake of knowledge. We will proceed with the indoctrination.) Kirk). Sulu, prepare the necessary details for our guest. Yes sir, captain, screen on. Pay particular attention, usfman, to a series of questions for each of the following TV episodes. We ask you to thoughtfully answer each of them as you of these simulations to provide insight to us about how you will view your future travels.(Kirk). No sweat! Make it so. Ha ha, I even know some Star Trek quotes.

It amazes me how many moments in my travels have no corresponding English word to describe them. As a result of my research, I came across a useful list of words of foreign origin that would allow me to express my insights with greater precision. My newest feature of “Snippets for the Traveling Mind”, then, will attempt to make practical use of selected words from this list that clearly have relevance to a particular time and place in my wandering life.

My topic for March is “Vacilando”- a Spanish term for the act of wandering when the experience of travel is more important than reaching the specific destination. The closest English word meaning is the verb vacillate, which means to waver in one’s decision -making. In 1962, John Steinbeck used this word in his novel “Travels With Charley” to describe a long journey made from Siberia to Mongolia. More recently,Vacilando Films, based in Rhode Island, has created a website of eclectic film offerings and streamed music for wedding celebrations.

In early Fall of 2015, my wife and I took the opportunity to book a one bedroom studio in Lisbon, Portugal. Our centrally located flat in the historic Baixa District offered access to the nearby Tagus River shoreline and proximity to the seven hills that this city is famous for. Traveling by foot or tram, our days were filled with random sight encounters and unexpected human interactions. Clearly, Lisbon was an ideal choice for us, in our efforts to enjoy this spirit of vacilando. Here then are five snippet experiences to consider in Lisbon for the wanderlust traveler.

1. Watch the sunset as you sit quietly along to the gentle flowing waters of the Tagus River. Observe your spiritual connection to the Cristo Rei, (The Christ Statue) in the distance. As night settles in, take a relaxing walk along the Tagus Boardwalk and realize the peaceful coexistence of so many cultures that congregate there in these shared moments.

2. Immerse yourself in the Portuguese love of food by browsing the assortment of cuisines and wine offerings at the Mercado da Ribeira (Central Market) for lunch or dinner. Find a spot to eat along a bench to find non-threatening opportunities to practice your Portuguese speaking abilities with the local crowd. In your morning visits to the market, make time to chat with local food vendors about life in Lisbon as you fill your own grocery bag with fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Amble up the cobblestone maze of streets in the Alfama district to explore the diversity of cultures who settled in Lisbon’s past. As you proceed toward the highest point, among  brightly colored, tiled houses with wrought iron balconies, you realize you are witnessing the strong sense of peaceful community that has survived there amidst the area’s Roman, Moorish, and Visigoth past. At the top of the hill the fortifications of the São Jorge Castle surrounds you. Skip the crowded, castle tour and head for the courtyard as you find a cool spot under a shaded tree for a well- deserved rest. On your descent from the Alfama heights, visit a medieval tavern for a glass of wine and feel the Portuguese nostalgia for Fado Music. Listening to the mandolins and guitars now might inspire you to comfort someone who feels sad from the black and beautiful sorrow that this music stands for. Stand and up and dance to these soulful rhythms if you desire.

4. The Portuguese have known their share of political tragedy. As memories of the dictatorial abuses of the Antonio Salazar regime slowly fade, vacilando thrives in the spirit of protest. Challenge your mind. Strike up a conversation with a stranger in Rossio Square about women’s rights, gay liberation, or the ecology crisis. Stroll through the Rua Garrett and you might find the perfect coffeehouse to talk with strangers as you dare to try a strong cup of Portuguese “Bica” Coffee.

5. Hop aboard Tram 28for a roller coaster “fly” up a steep hilltop overlooking Lisbon. Play the “musical chairs game” to obtain a treasured window seat for maximum photography options. Feel the exhilaration at each screeching turn as you grab on to the nearest rail. Let your intuition guide you as you get off and on at will in order to obtain best views downriver to the Tagus.