The Fountain At Carini
Have you ever thought what it would be like without a fountain? I’m sure you haven’t if your fountain is not a life saver. Some fountains are. The fountain in Carini, Sicily is a life saver in my opinion as it’s a necessity. You may think there is not a water shortage in places in Europe, but you may have to rethink your opinion.
Unless there has been a significant improvement since I was last in Carini which was approximately 2006, Carini did not have plentiful water coming out of the taps whenever the faucets were turned on. Long story short – the fountain was where you had to go to fill up your containers in case your water ran out. People would walk, drive or go on their motor bikes to get the water they needed to drink, bathe in and do the dishes. Most residences had to instal a water storage tank on their rooftops to maintain a steady supply of water. Here is a picture of the fountain in Carini. I am supplying two as one is better than the other as it shows a wider area as in my original print.
Carini Plaza Fountain
By the way, Carini is a wonderful place. I have been there at least five times, and have stayed there for 5 weeks one time, another two times I was there for three weeks each time, and the other two times, just a couple of weeks.
I had this picture enlarged and in a frame. It was hanging in an Italian restaurant for at least ten years, and then it went missing. Good job I still have the prints. I took pictures of my picture to bring you these images. I hope you enjoyed seeing a little bit of Carini.
Don’t ever forget to be thankful when you turn on your tap, and you are lucky enough to get running water. Be grateful that you don’t have to go to a local fountain (even if it’s a beautiful fountain) to get your supply of water.
Also, sorry I haven’t written in such a long time, life has been so very busy. Does it ever get less busy? Until next time.
A little bit of Italy, or a lot of Italy
When I need a little bit of Italy – I go to Little Italy in San Diego.
Little Italy, San Diego
and when I need a bit more of Italy, then it’s off to Las Vegas, where I can get a little more of Italy at the Venetian
The Venetian, Las Vegas
and when I need a lot of Italy, I have to go to the real place – the one and only Italy!
Venice, Italy
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Cefalu – A Picture Postcard Just For You
I went to Cefalu, which is in Sicily, probably back in 2004 or 2005. I took many pictures in Sicily and have no idea where they are now. One picture that I took and enlarged was just returned to me by someone who took it – but fortunately I got it back. I love this picture, and right now this picture is my only visual memory of the picture postcard place that I would love to return to or at least find more of my pictures of.
Below is the picture that took of Cefalu and framed. The picture above is a picture I took of it as I still have to locate the negative or even the smaller print so that I can perhaps scan it in the future. Taking a picture of a picture is sometimes such a pain, shadows can creep into it or the flash light or the room light shines into the picture. Oh well, I still hope you can see how picturesque Cefalu is.
Cefalu, Sicily
When In Rome
When in Rome, you won’t forget to do the usual touristy things like visit the Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain, Rome
First you’ll want to photograph just about any part of it with other people in it
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Then you’ll probably want to pick on an Italian-looking person to be in the picture
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Then you’ll want to photograph the top of the structure
Trevi Fountain, Rome
The middle of the structure
Trevi Fountain, Rome
And other people taking better pictures of it
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Don’t forget to take pictures that include the bottom of the structure showing the water.
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Now, you’ll want to go elsewhere, and take more pictures
Rome, Italy
And somewhere else again
Rome, Italy
Take a picture from another angle
Rome, Italy
And then walk around the corner
Rome, Italy
Don’t forget to just take pictures of people, any people – don’t even ask them.
Rome, Italy
Don’t forget the street scenes
Rome, Italy
Don’t forget to get the Italian flag in your pictures
Rome, Italy
Did I mention that you are supposed to get the numerous statues too that are all over the place?
Bridge of Angels, Rome, Italy
Can’t resist throwing in one more picture of the Trevi Fountain.
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Did I also tell you that you should just about take pictures of everything?
Also, one more thing……..when in Rome, forget about home!
Italy is Entrenched in Culture – You’ve Got to Love It!
There is a place that I could go to again and again, and never get bored of visiting, and that is Italy. I have been there numerous times. On this occasion, back in 2006, it was right after the MSC Musica cruise. The cruise started in Venice and finished in Venice, but a trip to Italy is not complete without visiting some of it’s other beautiful cities. We chose Pisa, and were not disappointed. We also went to Florence, and San Gimignano, but I can’t remember if some of these pictures were taken there or not. I have decided to label most of the other pictures Tuscany, Italy just to be on the safe side.
First, the most famous place in Pisa – the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Leaning Tower of Pisa
and here, it looks like it’s not leaning so much, but it’s just a different angle
Then here are an assortment of pictures taken in Tuscany which is the region where Pisa is.
Tuscany, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
What can I say about Italy other than I love the architecture, the fashion, the language, the food, the place and the people. Italy, it has it all, and you can get a big taste of what Italy is about just in Pisa.
Social Media and My New Pinterest
I just had to add a new interest, or should I say Pinterest? Pardon the pun………if my kids knew that I just said that, they would get mad at me. I am always having fun with word play, much to their consternation. Well, to go back to Pinterest – I don’t know what took me so long to get into it. All, I can say is it’s a lot of fun. All the pictures don’t have to be your own, you can like other people’s pictures and pin them on your board, and others will hopefully like what you pin, and re-pin. It’s a bit like retweeting on Twitter, and you can like pins too – now you’ll be reminded of Facebook. You can also pin videos, so hence YouTube can be brought in……now you have all your social media played out just in Pinterest.
I like to divide up my travel or my interests (such as on empowerment, or the British Royal Family, especially Princess Diana) into boards, it’s a little like having photo albums all sorted out, and not lumped together. I have one album, more appropriately called “board” on Pinterest for London, one for Izmir, one for Istanbul, one for Italy, one for San Diego, and one that I named Travel Repins when I didn’t really know what I was doing, and still don’t quite know what to call it. This board is where I just put pictures that I like taken by other people into one big collection, and this one isn’t at all organized – it has pictures from all over the world in it.
I still have to do more on Pinterest, I can’t just leave only mostly my pictures on my boards for instance – like the ones on Izmir or Istanbul. My board on London has many pictures from others who have taken pictures of that amazing city. Just like with all social media, it’s about sharing. After all, there are so many other pictures to discover out there in the world, we have to go beyond ourselves, and share the work of others.
I have to find more time, and have been lacking time lately…..life has caught up with me. Now just living day to day leaves hardly any spare moments to even dabble in social media, unfortunately. However, my emails from Pinterest even when I’m not active myself, have shown me what people are interested in, and I’ve noted with much curiousity, that people are really into London, and why not? London is one of the best cities in the world, if not the very best. However, I would like to add some interest for San Diego, especially since I now live here. So, I will work on my board on San Diego, and on some of the other boards, where I might only have my pictures.
Lastly, you know I like to have pictures in my posts…..so here are three pictures taken by me in three of my favorite cities and of course on Pinterest.
First, one of my favorite destinations….beautiful Venice in tantalizing Italy.
Venice, Italy
Then, lovely London in enchanting England.
Tower Bridge, London
Lastly, Paradise on Earth in Coronado, San Diego, in sunny California, USA.
Coronado, San Diego
I think you ought to give Pinterest a try, you just might find it Pinteresting!
Follow me on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/luchanik/
Very Picturesque Venice
I didn’t know what to call my post on Venice, so just came up with “Very Picturesque Venice” – I guess that will work. I have been to Venice at least three times now, and it is a very beautiful place. I love Venice, in fact I love Italy! Here are some pictures.
Gondola – Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Got to have myself photographed in Venice!
Venice, Italy
Just a street scene in Venice
Venice, Italy
There are so many bridges in Venice, and of course so much water – it wouldn’t be Venice without either one of these.
Venice, Italy
Don’t come back from Venice without one of these Venetian masks – they are so beautiful!
Venetian Masks, Venice, Italy
Some more pictures:
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
St. Marks Square, Venice, Italy
St. Marks Square, Venice, Italy
St. Marks Square, Venice, Italy
St. Marks Square, Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
I guess you can say I couldn’t help myself….I just could not stop taking photos in Venice, and have so many more. However, if I share any more now, I think that would be an overload. I hope you enjoyed seeing my pictures of beautiful Venice.
Social Media and my Whirlwind Life
I have been busy lately. Very busy. I figured I might as well give you a brief explanation of what has kept me so busy. Well, after spending two years full-time from home as a travel agent, and making videos – some great, and some just mediocre, as well as venturing out on Twitter and trying my best on Facebook (never really liked Facebook), I had a wake-up call – I really needed to earn enough to support my three children. Besides, I didn’t sell as many cruises as I should have, or would have liked to.
So guess what, I have now got a job! A job that pays! I am not ready to tell you yet where my new job is – let’s just say it’s still in Hospitality and Tourism – that’s what I love, and where my heart is. It is so nice to have a steady paycheck, and not to rely on just commission. Of course, I will always continue to always promote travel – I put so much effort into it. So whereby my heart might yearn to make a video, or I might ache to get on Twitter, or even do a post here, sometimes, I may not be able to do it as much as I did in the past couple of years.
However, please don’t despair, I will still try to post and respond, and perhaps make a video or two and take photos, but I might just not be as active as before, and I might not respond as quickly as before.
I don’t like posting without including pictures, and what kind of pictures do you include when you do a post like this? I could only think of cappuccino to keep me awake because I’m going to be tired, a picture of London where I yearn to go when I next get a holiday (England is where I was born, and I have family there), and a picture of Italy, which also happens to be one of my favorite destinations.
Cappuccino – Harrod’s, London
Tower Bridge, London
Venice, Italy
Happy New Year to you all! May this year be good to us all.
Want a Free Calendar? It Makes For A Nice Holiday Present!
CruiseOne Calendar for 2013 from your Cruise Agent Davinder Kaur
Davinder Kaur – San Diego Travel Agent
I have a new calendar to keep you on track in 2013. If you are like me, you’ll want to be organized and always know what today’s date is. You can be the owner of one of these calendar’s by doing just a few simple things.
What You Have To Do:
1) Like my page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/luchaniktravelandcruises (if you haven’t already done so).
Why am I encouraging you to like my page? Simple answer…..I need more likes!
2) Get another four more people to like the page too.
When there is a total of five (you and another four) – you’ve hit the jackpot! That is the jackpot for my calendar.
3) Send me a Facebook message or an email to dkaur@cruiseone.com and let me know that you are the referrer of a total of five likes on my page, and mention who you referred, and include your address.
What I Will Do:
I will send you my calendar for 2013 (one calendar only per five likes on my page once you’ve met the criteria described under What You Have To Do).
What Can You Do With My Calendar?
1) Use it for yourself
2) Give it away as a holiday present!
What Pictures Does It Contain for Each Month?
This is the exciting part! I can’t show you all the pictures here, but some of these places are included: Australia & New Zealand; Cozumel & Yucatan, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; Venice, Italy; The Greek Isles; Alaska; The Hawaiian Islands; Curacao; Rhine River of Europe; Islands of French Polynesia; and Hong Kong. Where Do You Wanna Go?
Deadline for Giveaway:
You and the four you refer must like my page (http://www.facebook.com/luchaniktravelandcruises) by December 24th, 2012, it only takes a second or so to do this.
Why Would You Not Want To Do This?
Beats me – it’s free, it won’t hurt you, and remember – no one will come knocking on your door asking you why you liked my page (at least they shouldn’t)!
So go ahead, and do it right now, don’t stress it out….press that like button, you’ve done it so many times before…..it’s easy. A calendar might be heading your way, and then you can decide “Where Do You Wanna Go?”
I wish you Happy Holidays, and also…..an early Happy 2013!
Treats From Around The World
I don’t like tricks much at all, but I certainly like treats! Today, I will share some virtual treats with you, and I hope you will enjoy them.
Treats from USA: I love chocolate, so here is a picture of a great chocolate factory that produces terrific chocolate. Enjoy!
Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, San Francisco, CA
Treats from Italy: I love tea, but can’t produce any great pictures of tea, and since I also love cappuccino, here is one for you (let’s pretend this picture was taken in Italy, but it really was taken in England). Enjoy!
Cappuccino – Harrod’s, London
Treats from England: This is a picture that was taken by my son Luca, and he won a prize for it at his school in a photography competition. I am so proud of him! I know that a lot of kids the world over will be eating this type of candy on Halloween. Enjoy!
Harrods of London Candy Shop
Treats from India: Okay, so this next one….I didn’t go to India to take the picture, I took it closer to home in Artesia, CA (close to Los Angeles), but still….these are sweets of India, and they’re delicious! Enjoy!
Sweets of India
I can’t share any more treats with you, as I think that’s enough treats for one day. Also, as I looked through my pictures, I couldn’t help but think that I should have taken more pictures of food from my travels around the world, why didn’t I take pictures of fish and chips when I lived in England, or pasta when I was in Italy, or Indian food when I was in India a long time ago, or even a picture of any type of food in Jamaica? That could be a reminder for us all – you never know when you might need those pictures or the virtual treats. Enjoy your treats everyone!
luchanik 