I Dreamed a Dream

Yes, the song sung by Susan Boyle on Britain, You've Got Talent. A rather frumpy woman in her late 40's, single, lives alone with her cat, never been married or romantically involved. Up until her death a few years past, she cared for her mother. Sounds familiar?
To an extent, her life parallels a lot of gay men's lives, except for the not being kissed or romantically involved. But there are a lot of single gay men out there that pushing 50 and wondering where there youth has gone.
Growing up every child has dreams and aspiration of how they will be as adults. Changing the world for the better through science or medicine, being happily married with children and grandchildren.
Then comes reality. Career paths take detours and never get back on track, marriages or relationships falter, health fails. Sexuality changes. Outside forces alter the options forever. But time marches on, slowly ticking away from youth to middle age.
That is what makes the song I Dreamed a Dream so poignant. The words are very cutting to core of many people's lives, whether gay or straight, married or single. Life has lost most of its excitement and has become routine. Days flow into weeks, then months and eventually years. We have become our parents, something we swore we would never do.
But all is not hopeless, life is still alive. Susan Boyle always wanted to be a professional singer, but never had the chance until almost 48. After the first few notes of her song, it looks like her dream might come true, probably long after she gave up hope. The same holds true for people everywhere. Maybe it has become too late to study medicine, or discover a renewable non polluting power source, but there are other ways to change the world and make a lasting impression. Volunteering for a cause, every locale has an AIDs hotline or fundraising committee. There are possibilities everywhere to help the less fortunate. Even when you think you life has been wasted, remember somewhere there is at least one person that smiles when they think of you.
Maybe a career change is in order? If you are bored and unfulfilled at your current position, try job.travel for opportunities in the travel and hospitality industry. Jobs in travel and hospitality are world wide and encompasses many talents. Perhaps a trip to a place you have always dreamed of visiting? Damron Vacations can help with the planning. So do not let the rest of your life pass you by, make some changes to spice it up and enjoy.

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living,
So different now from what it seemed...
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed...

City of Light

Yes, we have returned to Paris, the city of light. Though there is no definitive origin for the name, it thought to be from it being a center of learning and ideas, or possibly from its early introduction of street lights. Where ever it was derived from the name is fitting.
Monuments are meant to be seen, both night and day. With advancements in technology, designers are no longer confined to spot lights pointed at a structure. Halogen and ribbon lighting are two options to highlight features.
The Eiffel Tower originally erected as a temporary structure, is still standing with pride over the left bank of the Seine. Work has replaced weakened elements and light have been installed. When in Paris a trip to the top is a definite MUST. The view is amazing with the Seine winding past the base and the large boulevards designed by Haussmann stretching off into the distance.
A little up river and on the opposite bank is the Louvre, one of the most famous museums in the world. It started as a small hunting lodge and was transformed by various kings into a monumental palace. After the French Revolution, it was turned into a museum by Napoleon Bonaparte. Its most famous current resident is the Mona Lisa, La Giaconda.
Further up river, but this time on an island is Notre Dame. A massive Gothic cathedral on the Ile de la Cite. Construction lasted almost 200 years beginning in 1160 at the bidding of Bishop Maurice de Sully. During its lifetime, it has been blundered, altered and restored. It has also been home to one hunchback.
To the west of the city lies Versailles, Palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV. He moved the government of France to the palace in the late 17th Century and expanded the building. Lavish spending on the construction nearly bankrupt the country(sound familiar). Later occupants were known for their love of cake, and loosing their heads.
Besides the main landmarks of Paris, there is plethora of smaller less known sights. Museums run the gamut from antiquities to Impressionism. There are monuments to former leaders, historic homes, and more churches than one can pray in. Quaint streets offer cafes to while away an afternoon sipping cafe au lait and munching on pastries. In the Marais section there is a very active alternative community with bars, clubs and cafes catering to its niche clientele.
Let the experienced agents at Damron Vacations help plan you visit to the City of Light. It is a definite Bucket List city.

The 'Good Old Days' of Travel

I remember traveling as a child. Back in the 1960s middle America would load up the station wagon and drive off to vacation. Ours was a green 1963 Chevrolet Belair with green interior, luggage rack, AM radio, and NO seat belts. Living in New Jersey, summer vacations were spent in a rented apartment or house in Seaside Heights, NJ.
My parents would go shopping for supplies, mom would make tomato sauce and a lasagna, 'Grandma' Poplopski across the street would make us stuffed cabbage to take, and off we would go. I think mom traded another lasagna for the cabbage. The next week or two would be spent going to the beach during the day and the boardwalk at night. Amazing how much fun a child could have with $2 in those days.
I had never been to and airport until August 1968. My father had a business trip to Los Angeles and my mother could go too. We dropped her off a few days before hand so she could spend some time with her brother who lived there. I remember mom got dressed up to fly, heels, hose, and dress. At the end of the gateway, we were mesmerized as we watched her and similarly attired individuals boarding the flight. WOW!!
My first flight was in 1973 from San Francisco to Charlotte. It was at the end of a cross country trip when the family explored the West. Mom, my little brother and I flew home while dad and two older brothers drove home. We got dressed with ironed shirts and khakis, since we were on vacation, we had no ties to wear. We obeyed mom's directions and sat quietly in our seats. Even though it was a VERY long flight we never acted up, we knew the consequences.
Flash forward 30 years. Air travel is no longer for only the wealthy. With discount prices, more people have taken to the skies. Though with the discounting also comes a cheapening of the experience. People no longer look at a plane flight as anything special. No more getting dressed up, I've seen people in outfits I wouldn't sit around the house in. Children are not controlled by parents, guess the figure the flight attendants are baby sitters. Last year a family was removed off a flight because the children were too unruly and the mother was not controlling them.
Of course many groups chimed in that it was unfair. But then, what about the other passengers on the plane? Should they be subjected to loud children playing in the aisles? Besides being annoying, they are a safety hazard. A responsible parent would bring enough things to keep their children occupied during a flight.
Maybe this is why I have taken to cruises. I usually sail on Celebrity, which is mostly an older crowd. On the last cruise there were less than 20 children on a ship of 2,000, not bad odds. And on most cruise lines, dressing for dinner is the norm. Whether khakis and a nice shirt, or a tuxedo, it hearkens back to an era when travel was a special treat, not a routine event.
If the return to glamorous vacations interests you, Damron Vacations can book First or Business Class airfare, and many high end hotels. Maybe a room overlooking the Eiffel Tower to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or just because. Life is too short to fly coach!

Birthplace of Democracy

Athens, capital of modern Greece, original site for the Olympics, birthplace of democracy. Athens is one of the oldest still inhabited cities in the world. The original habitation occurred well before 1500 BC and was an important settlement for the Mycenaean culture. After surviving the Doric invasion around 1200 BC, it lost much of the power it previously held and the population dwindled. In the 9th Century Athens again rose as a powerful city whose influence was felt over a vast region. Social unrest in the 7th Century led to reforms, first by Draco with strict regulations(hence draconian), then to a new set of laws by Solon around 600 BC.
This revised system divided society into classes based on wealth and ability for military service. A first was the right to vote for all members, though only the higher classes could hold office. While it was a good idea, class tensions remained. After Solon was overthrown by his cousin, Athens entered its Golden Period. The city became more powerful with the establishment of a navy, and tribute began to pour into the city.
It was during this period that many of the monuments in ancient Athens were built. The Acropolis was crowned by the Parthenon, a temple to the Goddess Athena. It replaced an older structure that had been destroyed during one of the many wars that Athens was involved. remember homosexuality was preferred in the Greek army, lovers fought harder to save the other. It is considered one of the last examples of the Doric style and featured a towering statue of Athena. If you want to see the temple in its original condition, travel to Nashville, TN where it is recreated. Yes, I know this seems strange, but it is true.
The view from the Acropolis is breathtaking. The metropolis of Athens spreads out all directions. And just a s a note, all Greek cities had an acropolis, Athen's is just the most famous. The view includes many ancient ruins from both Greek and Roman times.
Also in view is the original stadium from the modern Olympics. Built for the games in 1896, it still stands, the first great stadium of modern times. Also in Athens, but more towards the outskirts are the facilities for the centennial Olympics in 1996. The games are a recreation of competition in ancient times between the city states. Though unlike their modern version, the original athletes competed in the nude. Now that would make me a definite sports lover.
At the base of the Acropolis is the Platka. It is a neighborhood that is vibrant and alive with many side walk cafes, shops and bars. Just be careful to stay on the main streets and be alert to pick-pockets. One of the shady cafe patios is a wonderful way to pass an afternoon eating Greek specialties and your favorite adult beverage, but watch out for ouzo, it sneaks up on you.
If the spectacle of ancient athletes competing in the nude(I think I have seen that video), stuffed grape leaves and ouzo, and ancient monuments sounds like a great vacation, call Damron Vacations and have one of the agents plan your Hellenic Escapade.

Cool blondes, spies, thieves and a casino

Where do all of these occur? In a Hollywood movie? A best selling novel? The coast of France? The answer is all three, with Monaco being the actual location. There have been a few spy novels and movies set in this Mediterranean country, Bond, James Bond. To Catch a Thief with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly was filmed here. And Grace Kelly was the epitome of a cool blond is there ever was one.
During the filming of the movie is when Miss Kelly met Prince Rainier of Monaco. Their subsequent marriage was covered in the popular press. A princess from Hollywood becoming a true Princess. They led a storybook life until tragedy took Grace's life after an accident on the hill behind the city. Princess Stephanie, sister of the current ruler, resides not to far from the Royal Palace, where the changing of the guards occurs every afternoon. Though not as impressive as the English version, still a spectacle to observe.
The small country is nestled on the Mediterranean coast of France not far from the Italian border. Originally settled on a rock promontory jutting out into the sea, it now encompasses the surrounding countryside. Though the average person would take less than an hour to walk its width. The main source of income is tourism, since there is no income tax on personal income.
The main draw is the Grand Casino in the Monte Carlo district. Built to attract wealthy tourists it has succeeded quite well. Built in the Beaux Arts style is it quite an impressive building. With its purpose to attract tourism, it is off limits to local residents.
Along with the casino there is the Jacques Cousteau Center. It features a large aquarium and many displays from the famed diver's life and explorations. With a marina area formed with the reclaimed seabed, it boast a large collection of yachts, from the small up to the mega yachts. Life in Monaco is not for those of the small bank account. It has officially been deemed a tax haven by many watchdog agencies.
If rubbing elbows with the rich and famous(lots of race car drivers) sounds like a nice way to spend a vacation, consider Monaco. With its polished atmosphere, Grand Casino, wealthy people and mega-yachts, what more could a gay man want? Try Damron Vacations' expert agents to help plan your trip, and say good bye to middle America, and hello to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

A little to the left......

Pisa, once a thriving port, entry to Tuscany, naval power. Now the city with the bell tower. Having been settled long before the birth of Christ, Pisa was the only port between Genoa and Ostia. Genoa was still just a small, sleepy seaside town, its rise in stature still several centuries in the future. Ostia was the port city for Imperial Rome. Archaeological digs have recovered evidence of trade with the Greeks and the Gauls.
It rose in power until the 11th century when it reached its peak in power and influence. At this point it was a major port for Mediterranean trade. By this time the city of Genoa had risen in power and rivaled Pisa in trade and naval strength. Along with competition from Venice, Pisa slowly lost its position as a power in the Mediterranean. Another factor was the silting up of the harbor. One of the important factors, positioned at the mouths of two rivers, was to doom it in the long run. The constant erosion eventually caused the city to become land locked and several miles from the cost.
But by this point, it had grown in favor with the Roman Catholic Church and a magnificent cathedral was to be constructed. The compound would include the cathedral, a baptistery and a bell tower as was the common arrangement at the time. Construction on the bell tower began in 1173 and continued for almost 200 years. Almost immediately the tower began to tilt. The massive weight of the marble caused the foundation to sink into the soft soil. During construction, the builders tried to correct the tilt, by making the columns on the lower side slightly longer. Though this corrected the lean for one level, it continued to sink.
Various pieces of the tower had been replaced due to the abnormal stress on the structure. Attempts were made in recent times to halt the tilt and return the tower to stability. Eventually by enlarging the foundation and removing some soil from the high side. After being closed for a few years, the tower was reopened for the public to climb.
Climbing the tower is accomplished by a staircase built into the outer wall. Light is provided by doors onto the balconies circling the tower. Once a climber reaches the last balcony, they must exit the tower and a small spiral staircase provides access to the open colonnade on the top of the tower. And even narrower stair provides access to a narrow path on top of the last colonnade. The view from the top offers a panorama of the surrounding river valley and the cathedral grounds.
The area round the cathedral is mostly souvenir shops with everything from miniatures of the tower to leather goods, to local handicrafts(Pinocchio is from Pisa). I usually lean towards locally produced items, since they are more authentic to the region and benefit the locals, not a large factory in China.
Damron Vacations can assist in planning your trip to Tuscany and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. From flights directly into Pisa, or maybe into Rome and a rental car, they agents can help your Tuscan experience be all it can be.

Valencia, not just aonther orange

Yes, most of the population has seen the old commercial touting juice from Valencia Oranges. So what is a Valencia Orange anyway? Actually it was developed in California but named after a region in Spain known for its oranges. But they are not even native to the area, trees were brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Moorish invaders.
Originally settled by the Romans around 150 B.C., those Romans were EVERYWHERE!!!, it was a small settlement that did not develop until the Moors invaded in the 8th Century. It became a major port for the shipment of leather, glass, silk and silver. Possession of the city was traded back and forth with the Moors generally in control until the end of the 15th Century when Ferdinand and Isabella united Spain and drove out the Moors.
In modern times the city remains an import port on the Mediterranean and is Spain's 3rd largest city. Having been founded at the mouth of the Turia River, which provided the great port, it also suffered from occasional flooding. The most severe of which occurred in 1957, with up to 16 feet of water in some areas. It was decided to change the course of the river to the west and south of the city to prevent future disasters. The drained riverbed became a park bisecting the city. Bridges span the open space allowing traffic to continue with out interrupting strollers, rollerbladers or cyclists.
Also along this prime real estate, the City of Arts & Sciences was built. This series of building encompass and opera house, IMAX theater, Exhibition Hall and aquarium. The striking architecture blends well with the surrounding offices and apartments. This is a definite stop on a city tour.
Not too far away is the old city with remains of the original city wall to fend off attackers. Medieval buildings line narrow streets that open into large squares with the prerequisite church and fountain. With its blending of cultures and religions over the centuries, there are some unusual combinations, like the stained glass window of a church in the shape of the Star of David.
As with all cities in Europe, Valencia is easily accessed by flights or by train. And for the brave, you can always rent a car can drive from Madrid or Barcelona, just brush up on your Spanish to ask directions. Valencia is also a popular port for the major cruise lines.
With all the options available on how to visit Valencia, why not contact Damrom Vacations and plan your trip. Whether as a port of call on a cruise ship, or a stopover on rail exploration of Iberia, the trained agents will help you with making the arrangements.

Like a Rock.....

And no, I'm not referring to a singer, an insurance company or a ....... Though the insurance company does use it as a symbol. The Rock of Gibraltar, lonely English outpost on the southern tip of Spain. Across the Straits from Morocco and its own Atlas Mountains.
The Rock has belonged to many countries, but the English have rights to it until the famed monkeys no longer reside there. The are actually the only monkeys that live on the European continent. While on the cute side, they can get mean and are very good at stealing. Shining objects, camera and food are favorites. Most seem oblivious the to hordes of tourists taking their pictures.
To reach the top of the pinnacle, there is a cable car that makes for an easy ascent, though people afraid of heights might want to close their eyes. The line at the bottom can be very daunting, especially since almost shore excursion offered included the ride. Our guide gave us the choice of waiting in line for an hour, or reverse the order of the tour, we opted for #2.
After a ride along the lower ramparts of the monolith, we exited the tour bus and entered the St Michael's Caves. These natural formations are breathtaking. Limestone formations hang from the ceiling and reach up from the floor, impressive columns are formed when they meet. Colored lights add a spectral quality, with the sound of dripping water breaking the silence. Deep inside the mountain is a large cavern that has been converted to theater where concerts and plays are performed.
After another short bus ride, we entered the Rock on the western flank. Tunneled into the granite itself was a fortification built by the British in the 18th century. The gun positions inside the mountain were protected from enemy fire, as opposed to the former installations that were outside on ledges. Recreated scenes illustrated life during the siege of the fortress.
After exploring the inside of Gibraltar, we took the cable car to the peak. The area was the home for a few more monkeys, had a great terrace for viewing and a gift shop/cafe. Though afraid of heights, I did venture to peer of the railing and get a few pictures. With a shortage of land, the runway was bisected with a road. Traffic lights and barriers controlled ground traffic for airplane arrivals and departures. The view below was of ships entering and leaving the Mediterranean. The port of Gibraltar is known as one of the busiest gas stations on the world. Ships arriving from across the Atlantic, refill their tanks, while those heading out top off theirs since it its 1000s of mile to the next stop.
Taking a cruise is a great way to see the Rock of Gibraltar, or a stop on an Iberian Peninsula trip. It is an easy drive from Malaga and a bit farther from Madrid or Lisbon in Portugal. Let the experienced agents at Damron Vacations help you explore this southern most point in Europe, and one of Britain's few remaining outposts.

Memories......

One of the few things that can never be taken away from us by another person. Time my dim them, some diseases will make you live in them, but they are always yours. There are things from my early childhood I remember as if they happened yesterday. Memories of my mother are circa 1966 and a birthday party where she decorated cupcakes with colored coconut, ice cream was in individual cups with wooden paddles for spoons, and we played games like pin the tail on the donkey.
There were the trips into New York City to visit my maternal grandparents and the Museum of Natural History. The enormous blue whale is still vivid in my mind. The smell of Italian food cooking at my grandparent's apartment. My grandmother in her wheelchair, a harbinger of my own mom's fate. Summers were spent at Seaside Heights in a rented apartment or house, the nights spent on the boardwalk.
After the move to North Carolina, the vacations to Daytona Beach, my parent's favorite place to visit, the Blue Ridge Mountains. 1973, we were the Griswalds years before Chevy Chase and Company. Mom's Country Squire, yellow with wood siding, Charlotte to San Francisco, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Death Valley(with broken A/C), Bristlecone pine trees, Yosemite. Then the loop through Tahoe, Grand Teton, Yellwstone and the Pacific Coast Highway. My first plane flight.
Senior year in high school was my first taste of international travel. Madrid and Seville with Mrs Cassale. College spring breaks at the beach and Bermuda for my senior year. Tips to Europe after graduation and cruises. Yes, I love to travel.
Along the way I have owned cars, a condo, watches, etc. Most of which are gone, lost or just worn out. But the memories of all those trips and many more will always be with me and are mine to keep. They include the sights and sounds of the destinations, but also the people I with who I traveled. Some are still good friends, some lost to the years. In a way they will always be with me, whether as a high school senior or as they are today.
There was a conference recently where Ryan Howell of San Francisco State University announced the findings of his latest research. Experiences provided more happiness than possessions. The glamor of a purchase might last for three months, but experiences provided happiness long after the actual event. The experiences provided more of a feeling of being alive, and involved social interaction and bonding. By the way, I have no idea what I got at that birthday party.
Let Damron Vacations help you create some memories to keep forever. Maybe a trip to Europe or teh Caribbean, or maybe a trip home to attend a reunion, remember living well is the best revenge. The knowledgeable agents can help make a trip you will remember for a long long time.

Birthplace of the Renaissance

The Renaissance, the Great Awakening. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the late 5th Century, civilization in western Europe fell into the Middle Ages, also referred to as the Dark Ages. During the first few centuries after the sack of Rome, knowledge and society slipped backwards. Under the barbarian's control, Rome fell into ruins, libraries were sacked, and schools ceased to function. Meanwhile the Eastern Empire continues to thrive and advance.
During this period the cities of northern and eastern Europe grew in population. Many of the boundaries in modern Europe were formed in this time period, due to military actions or consolidation of power through marriage. Tales of the riches of the East began to circulate, and attempts to find a quick trade route spurred exploration.
Within Italy, families had once again established fortunes and thirsted for knowledge and art. One famed family was the Medici clan. Thought to be the precursor to modern banks, the Medicis began as money lenders and their wealth grew. Several men were elected Pope, Catherine became Queen of France and is credited with starting French cuisine, but their patronage of the arts is one of the most famous accomplishments.
The wealthy families would support artists to create masterpieces for their homes and estate. Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello, da Vinci, Titian. Names that even non art lovers have heard. These works of these early masters are among the most collected and valued today by art connoisseurs.
Along with artwork, churches were built and decorated. Private funds embellished the newly built structures. Santa Maria del Fiori, il Duomo, was the largest cathedral in Europe at the time it was built. Its bell tower and soaring dome still monopolize the sky line of the city. The Baptistery in the middle of Cathedral Square featured bronze doors that inspired awe, even in Michelangelo, and are considered the first masterpieces of the Renaissance.
The Medicis and other wealthy families built large houses in towns that still survive. Older homes feature a rusticated style that display hand hewn stone blocks. Later structures are clad in finished blocks or marble. In l'Academie, David stands for all to admire. Originally meant to adorn the exterior of a Medici city home, it was moved inside to protect it and a replica was erected on its original site. Many other statures still grace the squares, fair maidens, wild animals and warriors(the best ones) lurk around corners. The sculptors of old appreciated the human form and seem to bring the marble to life with bodies carved to perfection.
Also in the larger square are the houses of the growing middle class and smaller neighborhood churches. These are small than the cathedral but no less impressive in their decoration. At Christmas, these square are filled with stall selling decorations, religious items and food. A great way to experience a cities holiday traditions.
The River Arno flows through the southern part of the city, crossed by many bridges. The Ponte Vecchio is the most well known. It was originally constructed by the Romans, they built half of Europe I think. After it was destroyed in 1333 due to flooding it was reconstructed and lined with shops. Originally food stall and butchers, it now features jewelry, leather and other high end items. There is also a hidden passage way installed by the Medicis so they could cross the river unseen.
Florence, just a short ride from Rome or Pisa. Too many sites to list all of them, and gateway to Tuscany. Artwork, food and wine, what more could you want in a vacation? Damron Vacations can help make your Under the Tuscan Sun adventure come true. So call today and start practicing your Italian. Ciao bella!!

Frozen in time

August 24, 79, the day the world ended for Pompeii, Italy. Mt Vesuvius less than 10 miles north of town erupted, sending hot gas, mud and lava towards the doomed city. When the ash cloud first appeared, residents too to the streets with the valuable they could travel. Thinking the beach would be a safe haven, many awaited their fate. The only known survivor was Pliny the Younger, who took to sea, escaping the nearly 900 degree gas cloud. Death came quick to the mountain's victim.
When the eruption finally ended, the lavish villas of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under almost 10 feet of ash and lava. Their secret remained hidden for almost 1700 years. Excavations began around 1748 and continue today. The city was a retreat for Rome's wealthy. Villas were heated with warm air passing through cavities it walls and floors. Water was brought to the city with aqueducts to provide a drinking source and provide for sanitation. Frescoes covered walls and mosaics decorated the floors, sculpture adorned courtyard gardens.
Since most of the destruction came a result of the ash cloud's collapse, the majority of the damage was to the roofs giving way under the weight.
With the excavations, the upright walls, columns and remains of daily life were uncovered. Tracks for sliding doors on markets were uncovered, the remains of the water system revealed themselves, grand villas that occupied entire blocks saw sunlight after almost 2 millennium. A few of the structures have been restored to their pre-eruption state. One a small villa, the other, one of the brothels. Modern man seems as obsessed with sex as much as the ancient Romans. On the tour, the brothel definitely had a longer line to get in that the villa.
The streets were also part of the sewer system, water flowed continuously down the gutters. To keep the population from having to step in the dirty effluent, large stones were placed for stepping stones. The stones were spaced to allow animal pulled carts to pass, necessitating a standard axle length. The groves from so many whens passing between the stones is evident by the grooves worn between the blocks.
Street signs were not as we know them today. They consisted of various mosaic shapes placed at corners. Geometric sunburst of various colors and number of rays, defined the street's identity.
Damron Vacations can help in planning your exploration of the ancient world frozen in time. The Naples/Pompeii area is an easy drive or train ride from Rome for a day trip. Or stay on the dramatic Amalfi Coast and visit the Isle of Capri with its famed Blue Grotto too.