TRAVEL
 THOUGHTS

Traveling puts so many things into perspective.  We are now able to "shrink" the world and stand in the footprints of history.

I have firmly believed that travel should be mandatory for school children at the elementary or jr. high school level.  The difference in not just studying sites and events purely from a book, but with the addition of personal experience, would greatly enrich a students understanding and development.

Otherwise the concept of great civilizations and cultures are reduced to images of world hunger commercials.  The rest is just printed fairy tales.

If you have traveled early, you know what I mean.  If not, well it's never too late.

When I prepare to travel it is wise to buy stock in Guinness Corp. And to sell just before my return. Trust me on this.

This is Matt. He is an internet viral.  Check out where he's been.

TRAVEL TIPS

I am a firm believer in traveling "on the cheap."  The frugal traveler.  This is evident in photos of some of the dumps I have stayed at.  You will never enrich yourselves culturally in these places by staying at a Sheraton. 

You won't pick up on the customs or local culture in these exorbant priced American hotels.  You will be treated as the grotesque, self-righteous, indignant American that you are.

My travel suggestions are as follows. Pick up a Harvard Press copy of their "Let's Go" series as your travel bible.  This publication is not an paid endorsement book for 3 and 4 star hotels and restaurants that the other well known ones are.

"Let's Go" books start each country or city out with a map of the region, a map of the train and transportation system. A guide to use the phones, emergency numbers, embassy addresses, AmEx offices, exchange rates.

Their lodging listings range from hostels and B&B's to a few of the big name hotels.  As it is written by students who travel, it is chock full of personal observations that are very helpful, as well as the personal tidbits such as the hotel owner dog's name.  These student reporters are not paid for their contributions so they speak the truth.

"Let's Go" series gives you more than the usual museums and abbeys and sites we are all familiar with.  It includes a small history of the region, off-beat cool sites and attractions and cultural knowledge to help you not offend your host country.

I also recommend traveling with a suitable partner or partners. It makes all the difference.

Get a piece of luggage (one) that not only rolls on wheels but can be backpacked as well.

Get a holster or neck strapped wallet-like container to hold your passport and local currency.

Email yourself any AmEx Travelers Check serial numbers in case lost or stolen, along with your passport number and railway pass serial numbers.

And for God sakes please support Guinness every two hours, every single day you travel. It's good for life.
 
 


 

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Notre Dame








 
 
 
Europe 2005
Chris Mark / Keith Cooper

 Germany / France / Ireland / Belgium / Amsterdam

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Spain 2006
Chris Mark / Keith Cooper

Malaga / Seville / Ronda / Andelucia / Bussels, Belgium

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Oxford 2007
Keith Cooper

London / Oxford

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Spain 2007
Chris Mark / Keith Cooper

Andelucia / Ronda 

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Egypt 2008 - 2009
Chris Mark / Keith Cooper

Sharm El Sheik

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Belgium 2008 - 2009
Chris Mark / Keith Cooper

Brussels

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Amsterdam 2009
Chris Mark / Keith Cooper

Holland

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Europe  2005 Extended
 Chris Mark / Keith Cooper

Germany / France / Ireland / Belgium / Amsterdam

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Europe 1991 (Best of)
Dana White / Keith Cooper

Germany / Italy / France / Ireland / Belguim / Amsterdam 

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Europe 1992
Dana White / Keith Cooper

Germany / Scotland / London / France / Ireland / Belguim / Amsterdam 

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Europe 1999
Scott Jones / Keith Cooper

France / Germany / Belgium / Amsterdam / Morocco 

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