My List

The phone rang this afternoon and I answered it expecting it to be Briar.  She usually phones on weekends.  You can imagine my surprise when it was Alison.  She and my brother are spending a couple days in Paris before he flies back to the States tomorrow.  They had stopped for a drink at a place called Café Psycho and phoned to tell me about it. (Ah, the miracle of cell phones.)  Alison will post photos on her blog later.  It's nice to see that Psycho's fame is spreading around the world.  I forgot to ask if there was a photo of him on the wall.  If not, I'll get Psycho to autograph one and I'll mail it to the proprietor.

Allan is going back to France this summer and he and Alison want me to tag along.  It's tempting but, as I told a friend a few days ago, on my list of places I'd like to go before I die, France is near the bottom.  It's got nothing to do with the fact that France is full of French people, or the Iraq war thing.  It's just that there are lots of places ahead of it on my list.  Off-the-beaten-path places like Reykjavick, Iceland; Budapest, Hungary; Vilnius, Lithuania; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Krakow, Poland; the Patagonia region of Argentina; Miyajima ("Shrine Island"), Japan;  Ilha Grande, Brazil; Korčula, Croatia and many, many other "exotic" destinations.  Or places I've been to before and that I'd like to see again because they'll bring back great memories:  driving around the Highlands of Scotland; soaking in the hot springs of western Canada; island-hopping the eastern Caribbean (LIAT's intra-island Twin Otter flights are as thrilling as any amusement park ride).

At the very top of my list is an "un-cruise".  I know that cruises are extremely popular here in the US now (Briar loved the one she went on a couple of years ago) but I don't see the attraction of spending a week or more in a mega-hotel-on-water, complete with Vegas-style entertainment.  Why not go to Vegas instead?  While not as common as they were in Clark Gable's China Seas days, it's still possible to book a cabin (as opposed to a stateroom) on a tramp steamer if you know where to look.  I want to do that.  The only problem is that I'd have to be ready to leave at short notice and I wouldn't know exactly where I'd end up, or when I'd make it back home again.  If I didn't own a house, have bills to pay, and a cat to feed, I'd be out of here on the next cargo ship. Give me time to work out the logistics, find a foster home for Psycho, and I'll be blogging you from some exotic destination. :-)

Comments

[Susan]

Scotland is my favorite place. If I only get one more chance to travel abroad, I would go back there instead of going where I have not been. But I would still like to go to Paris, for the Louvre, if nothing else. I hope you go.

[pops]

Cruises aren't like Vegas - the food on the cruise is a 1000 times better.

You know, it's just like what Steve Martin said, ouf means egg, chapeau means hat - it's like those French have a different word for everything!

[Sallie]

Your destinations sound Divine and off the beat and track. I would love to go to Scotland and most of the places you mentioned.... add Africa and the Greek Islands...Switzerland and maybe Spain. I have never been to Europe. Any place over there would be a treat{or any place other than here}. As for a cruise, I have been on 7. They are fun, if you are on the right ship...boo/hiss. Most are plastic these days. A "Barefoot Cruise" would be my ideal. {I am little... maybe I could fit in your suitcase? ;-}

[Margaret]

I would love to go to any of those places, but still love France and have no problem with the French. They aren't nearly as bad as many Americans I know. (present company excepted of course) And Pops, it's oeuf for egg!

[Monica]

I've had many opportunities to go to some wonderful places but if I had a choice overseas it would be Scotland. A good friend keeps inviting me there--she and I have written each other online for over ten years and never met--maybe I will someday.
My travel dream is right here on US soil and I'm getting closer all the time--going to the East Coast and living by the water. I've lived on the West Coast and the Southern Gulf and when I move to North Carolina I will be perfectly centered to the rest of the places I want to visit.
Everyone should travel to their favorite dream place at least once.

[Teresa]

When you go to Patagonia, I AM THERE!!! I have ALWAYS wanted to see it!

[Mike]

Check my next post, Teresa.

[Susan]

I agree with you on the cruises. I have no desire to go on one. Why spend a week in a crowded floating hotel (I hate crowds) when you could be at your destination, seeing and doing things.

[Alison]

Mike, we only have your well-being in mind, really! I mean, you're a foodie, and man, did we eat -- and cook -- some GOOD stuff.

Besides, there's a Matisse expo (open until July 17th) that Allan was sure you'd love.

You have to come to France before I move to Lexington, hey. ;-)

[Carrie]

There's a Cafe Psycho? Wow. Now that is too cool :-)

I'm with ya on having no desire to do a cruise and on seeing Iceland. Where is it that they believe in fairies and gnomes... I think that's Iceland? Anyway, Scotland too and parts of England. France though, I would love to visit and even live for a while. It's the heritage in me I think. Apparently, our name comes from a village there which is now a preserved tourist attraction so that would be cool.

It will be awesome if you do get some of your travel wishes going and blog from afar. :-)

[Carrie]

Ok I'm back and for one reason. Apparently, even while I was blogging, I failed to read your "About Me". Was just reading Allan's blog (thanks for the link, great blog) and learned he's your brother AND that YOU have a Ph.D. in Horticulture. I had no idea and feel very stupid.

So, I'm going to search now to see if you've ever written anything on Lavender plants. If not, if you have the time and inclination to recommend a site or book on same I would be very grateful. Thanks Mike :-) And very cool About Me list you have. lol I'm such an idiot about reading those things. I go by blog writing I enjoy and often miss those.

[LittleMike]

So many people we know have gone on cruises. 1700 people jammed on to a relativiely small boat. We are going to so something a bit different. For our 10th, LovelyWife and I are going to go on a Barefoot Cruise with Windjammer Cruises. 70 guests. 1 week. Warm Carribean Water!

--LittleMike