I ate at restaurants which ranged from luxurious to basic, to eating food from the street vendors. As with prices for other items and services, the prices of food at restaurants generally becomes more expensive moving from the south to the north. The exception to this was food in eastern Europe, which was a bit cheaper than the rest of Europe. Most restaurants charge for every little item. The only thing I don't think I was charged for was for … [Read more...]
Europe – The Locals
I think that whatever country you are traveling in you will meet the bad apples as well as the good oranges. On my first journey through Europe I met some very helpful people who went out of their way to give me advice, show me certain areas, or give me help. Then I met some overly stressed people who all they had to say was "stick it between your teeth". I could definitely tell a general difference in personality between different cultures … [Read more...]
Europe – Thieves
I put myself in a certain "stay away from people" - "trust absolutely no one" zone when I was in train stations or crowded areas. I would keep a good distance from other people and not let anyone get very close to me. My awareness of what was going on around me was extremely heightened to the point of paranoia when I had my backpack with me. If I stopped in a crowded area to look at a map or for some other reason I would always try to make sure … [Read more...]
Reno, NV
Long billed as the "biggest little city in the world" - today's population is over 250,000 and the city is somewhat spread out now but for a city of this size, it still perhaps feels bigger then the actual population. Reno is located in the high desert east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains north and slightly east of the great Lake Tahoe. Reno offers numerous non stop gambling opportunities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The city boasts a … [Read more...]
Reno, NV – Lodging
Accommodation in Reno is diverse and varied from the larger casinos to many vintage "one-star" motels - usually one or two stories and often in a state of various decay. Reno is lacking in boutique hotels. Prices for hotel rooms tend to be fairly affordable, perhaps somewhat subsidized or supported by the gambling industry. All Phone Numbers are in the 775 area code. Please also visit our Reno Casino page for additional information about … [Read more...]
Guadalajara, Mexico
This is the 3rd in a series of five travel articles written about select locations in Mexico. These select locations are Oaxaca, Manzanillo, Guadalajara, and Colima. More recently we have written an article on Xcalak, located in the Yucatan Peninsula, near the border of Belize. Guadalajara has approximately 1.5 million residents, with estimates of up to 4.5 million including the suburbs. Even with such a sizable population, I did not get the … [Read more...]
Guadalajara, Mexico – Plaza Tapatia
This prominent and massive plaza located along Avenida Hidalgo is one of only a few plazas in Mexico with a footprint that extends in all four directions (similar to the shape of a thick cross). A cathedral is located in the center of the plaza. Plaza Tapatia is seven blocks long with Teatro Degollado at the west end and Cabanas Cultural Institute at the east end. Numerous shops and stores surround the plaza - anchoring all of its sides. This … [Read more...]
Guadalajara, Mexico – Attractions
Barranca and Zoologico Guadalajara . Both attractions are located about a 20 minute ride from the center of the city. Zoologico Guadalajara is located on the edge of the Barranca - a 2000+ foot gorge cut deep into the heart of the earth by centuries of river erosion. Slightly similar looking to parts of the Grand Canyon in the United States, minus the bold colors. As one descends to the bottom, the climate becomes more tropical and fruits such … [Read more...]
Guadalajara, Mexico – Tlaquepaque
Located about 20 minutes by car from the center of Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque offers some of Mexico's best shopping (this used to be a suburb of the city, but with urban sprawl has been incorporated into the city limits). Most of the stores sell crafts made by local artists. A number specialize in antiques. During our visit we saw some large antiquities being sold for $100,000 or more USD. This town features a number of excellent silver and … [Read more...]
Guadalajara, Mexico – Lake Chapala
The town of Chapala is located on the shores of Mexico's largest freshwater lake, Lake Chapala. This lake is 53 miles long and 17 miles wide. Walking to the shoreline one will see a type of weed (water hyacinth) that has proved to be a voracious pest in recent years. This weed is multiplying rapidly and clogging waterways of the lake. Unfortunately this weed has gained a foothold due to the dropping water levels of the lake, because of the … [Read more...]
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