tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:37:02 +0000Other AsiaGeorgiaAfghanistanDjiboutiMisc.SlovakiaOther EuropeJapanUSALet's discuss our experiences with travel and culture.http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)Blogger570125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-3096465852880585493Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:36:00 +00002012-02-06T18:37:02.543-06:00USA I love this library!  I used to study on the eighth floor where my department's (Classics) books were stored.  If I was lucky, I was able to get a seat near the window and look out on the South Quad of the campus.  I plan to return in another five years!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/p_8-gL11tuY/hesburgh-library.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/p_8-gL11tuY" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2012/02/hesburgh-library.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-4798833195059450862Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:08:00 +00002012-01-29T14:08:33.915-06:00USA Another beautiful picture from Notre Dame . . .http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/zL_hYdQrdUw/sacred-heart-basilica.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/zL_hYdQrdUw" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2012/01/sacred-heart-basilica.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-7957006274679326902Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:37:00 +00002012-01-28T11:37:42.777-06:00USA I just took this picture with my IPhone so can't say much about the quality.  Also, the weather isn't cooperating at all.  Anyway, this is the administrative building at my university (taken on my most recent trip) and is commonly referred to as the "Golden Dome."  An interesting fact, the football team's helmets are painted with the same mixture of gold/paint that is used in the dome.  More http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/yBUDturYbtA/golden-dome-university-of-notre-dame.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/yBUDturYbtA" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2012/01/golden-dome-university-of-notre-dame.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-744495164007146064Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:56:00 +00002011-12-25T09:56:21.871-06:00Misc.Happy to be home rather than overseas at this moment.  Although I love to travel, there's a lot to be said for the conveniences we have here in the US.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/iWjz8Ud02QE/merry-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/iWjz8Ud02QE" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/12/merry-christmas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-3411882421168743172Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:19:00 +00002011-12-06T08:19:36.072-06:00USAI lose my enthusiasm for updating this blog when I'm not traveling.  I need to start getting out more and seeing the sights in my local area, right?  What's common for me here in San Antonio might be interesting for those who've never been here.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/YffGQZ3DQUk/i-need-to-start-posting-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/YffGQZ3DQUk" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-need-to-start-posting-more.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-892671848204007024Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:47:00 +00002011-11-13T16:48:52.220-06:00SlovakiaUSA Here is a video with accompanying music that was played at this festival in San Antonio a few weeks ago.  Everyone was hospitable and I had a great time.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/G73ZBNLZRzw/czech-slovak-festival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/G73ZBNLZRzw" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/11/czech-slovak-festival.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-7246511397786709318Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:04:00 +00002011-10-10T15:04:45.415-05:00USA I snapped this picture with my IPhone while on vacation at my family's house in West Virginia. It's amazing how tame these wild animals can be when they're hungry. This fellow was only one of many that regularly visit the deck in the backyard.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/s7nlZ8friVQ/raccoons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/s7nlZ8friVQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/10/raccoons.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-7202143372010329426Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:18:00 +00002011-09-18T18:20:55.794-05:00USAI haven't been able to post the last few weeks due to a lot of events happening in my life.  I flew back safely from Djibouti and was absolutely exhausted upon my return.  After all, I was in transit 40 hours!!!  I also had some difficulties with my house that took a lot of my time.  Finally, I visited Kentucky in order to see family.  I go back to work tomorrow (ugh!) but am glad to be home.  I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/JectovnN150/its-been-too-long.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/JectovnN150" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/09/its-been-too-long.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-117732920512395485Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:08:00 +00002011-08-27T15:05:45.643-05:00DjiboutiWell, I survived Djibouti a second time which few can say.  I am now in Johannesburg awaiting my flight to Atlanta.  I still have more pictures of DJ but will wait to post when I get home.  Too tired now!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/pw4IY4C0RCQ/on-way-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/pw4IY4C0RCQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-way-home.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-1583347350767714230Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:19:00 +00002011-08-23T05:19:10.306-05:00Djibouti I'm taking care of these animals during my last week in Djibouti.  It's very therapeutic after what I've been through.  Now, let me give you some information about each picture. #1 His name is James and he funtions as an alarm clock usually before daylight. #2 I can't remember her name but she's the shy one in the bunch and the sister of James. #3 This dog is called "The Mouse" because of hishttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/CZ2-qS_oRdI/which-one-is-cutest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/CZ2-qS_oRdI" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/08/which-one-is-cutest.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-6451139518428193251Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:28:00 +00002011-08-15T23:31:16.755-05:00Djibouti I visited Lake Assal four years ago during my last assignment here but wanted to see it again this time before I left.  It's reputedly the lowest point in Africa at 509 ft below sea level and the third lowest in the world.  Here are two pictures with the second clearly showing the salt content in the lake.  I dipped my hand in the water and was still scraping salt off my hand a few hours later!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/_5FONP77ZR4/lake-assal-revisted.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)4<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/_5FONP77ZR4" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/08/lake-assal-revisted.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-5868105451258218007Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:41:00 +00002011-08-14T09:44:30.145-05:00Djibouti they put up traffic lights.  These are literally the first traffic lights I've ever seen in Djibouti.  They were working the other day but they had to turn them off.  Why?  The lights caused two accidents because drivers assumed other drivers would stop when they didn't.  I like the old system of every man for himself! Let me add, there are no people on the streets because it's 4pm, Ramadan, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/xKFWUvsMkGY/just-when-im-leaving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/xKFWUvsMkGY" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/08/just-when-im-leaving.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-7051167023462286093Sat, 13 Aug 2011 03:20:00 +00002011-08-12T22:20:02.064-05:00Djibouti I've been passing this sign every day and finally decided to take a picture of it.  The one strong message I get from it is "Don't turn right!" Well, as of today, I have only 12 days remaining in Djibouti.  I can't believe it's almost over.  If I have learned one thing over here, it's that there are many things more important than money!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/ZJHhLVIupvg/follow-directions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/ZJHhLVIupvg" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/08/follow-directions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-3483189880718910415Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:15:00 +00002011-07-31T22:15:54.105-05:00Djibouti. . . in Djibouti.  I've been told the fasting will cause the amount of work to decrease.  How could that be possible?  Does that mean people will cease having a pulse?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/NsFHBypx8YQ/first-day-of-ramadan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/NsFHBypx8YQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/07/first-day-of-ramadan.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-7117481965377423490Sun, 24 Jul 2011 14:32:00 +00002011-07-24T09:32:41.361-05:00Djibouti There's a major sandstorm happening in Djibouti right now!  I took this picture around 5pm but it doesn't convey the seriousness of the storm.  Current temperature is 106 having cooled down because the sun is blocked out by the sand.  The wind sounds like a freight train.  I hope it's over by tomorrow morning because I have a long drive to work.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/YnKBfmJVuTI/major-sandstorm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)1<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/YnKBfmJVuTI" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/07/major-sandstorm.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-4295592111403782923Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:03:00 +00002011-07-23T10:03:10.716-05:00DjiboutiYes, only five weeks to go but this is going to be the longest five weeks of my life!  The temperature ranges from 110-115F every day and doesn't go below 100 at night.  Since the AC in my hotel room isn't the best, I always feel a little warm.  Those who know me, know that I actually like warmer weather and keep the AC on low in my own home.  Imagine how you'd feel if you were here.  And, Augusthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/zXcj0NGtwtY/five-weeks-to-go.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/zXcj0NGtwtY" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/07/five-weeks-to-go.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-5179740320009404381Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:20:00 +00002011-07-07T09:20:32.792-05:00DjiboutiI haven't posted anything in two weeks?  I need to get off my butt and take some pictures and put them up.  The problem is the 110F plus weather.  It makes me not even want to go outside!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/rIEdvGdbXaU/whats-wrong-with-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)8<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/rIEdvGdbXaU" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/07/whats-wrong-with-me.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-8634536735910936763Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:14:00 +00002011-06-23T23:14:26.242-05:00DjiboutiAccording to weather reports, the temperature hit 111 degrees in Djibouti yesterday.  I believe that is the hottest temperature I've ever experienced.  I don't even want to go outside!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/0Vg_kPgXUyk/111-degrees-in-djibouti.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)4<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/0Vg_kPgXUyk" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/06/111-degrees-in-djibouti.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-5026993105028251184Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:47:00 +00002011-06-16T10:47:03.601-05:00DjiboutiI've been miserable this week!  I don't know if it's the heat or the culture finally wearing me down but I've been angry with everyone and overreacting to every event.  I have nine weeks to go but I wonder if I can hold on until then without doing something crazy.  I would kill right now for a good conversation.  I would also pay money to be left alone while walking around in public.  I lay in http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/T6CqKZeYB-Q/tipping-point.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)4<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/T6CqKZeYB-Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/06/tipping-point.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-262441134861311804Fri, 10 Jun 2011 03:19:00 +00002011-06-11T05:56:53.461-05:00DjiboutiWell, I am now over the halfway mark for my time here in Djibouti.  I'm supposed to be here for a total of six months and I only have about two and a half left.  I was hoping the remaining time would pass quickly but then I thought of a mountain I climbed five years ago in Slovakia.  It was only 2,500 meters but the two-hour walk to the base had already tuckered me out.  I really struggled to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/vY_YcShTISo/halfway-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)2<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/vY_YcShTISo" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/06/halfway-home.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-6196614730046059471Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:25:00 +00002011-06-03T05:30:19.035-05:00Djibouti Or, maybe he didn't.  You can see in this picture a shepherd tending his flock.  Actually, you can't see the shepherd very well because he's lying on the ground sound asleep.  Admittedly, I have no experience in this vocation but common sense dictates that a shepherd should stay awake while doing his job, right? Just another day in Djibouti.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/M47hgVDA0bU/boy-who-cried-wolf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)4<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/M47hgVDA0bU" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/06/boy-who-cried-wolf.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-4983550654893182052Fri, 27 May 2011 05:57:00 +00002011-05-27T00:57:48.899-05:00DjiboutiOne week ago, I was invited to the apartment of a Moroccan co-worker for dinner.  Following the American custom, I normally eat my dinner between 5-6pm but waited till 8pm to begin this meal.  It all started with snacks including nuts, dates, and other fruits.  They were tasty but I didn't want to spoil what I knew would be a big dinner so I tried not to eat too many of these.  When the meal was http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/_czdoS9QLT4/delicious-moroccan-food.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/_czdoS9QLT4" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/05/delicious-moroccan-food.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-1559075110096884847Thu, 26 May 2011 12:06:00 +00002011-05-26T07:06:06.514-05:00Djibouti . . . on a Thursday afternoon.  I have no desire to go outside now what with the touts and oppressive heat.  The guys in the picture have the right ideahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/ChNjVr5mchQ/just-monkeying-around.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)3<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/ChNjVr5mchQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/05/just-monkeying-around.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-527988408989170633Wed, 18 May 2011 16:35:00 +00002011-05-18T11:36:47.993-05:00DjiboutiWhat should I do in the following situation? Yesterday, one of the clerks at my hotel asked if he could speak with me. He seemed really upset so I agreed. What a story he told me! He began to speak of the new French manager and how things were changing under her regime. I was aware of her but didn't really know who she was as the hotel has never really seemed to have a manager or, one I ever http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/3ruHFFoCzYc/sos-please-help.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)11<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/3ruHFFoCzYc" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/05/sos-please-help.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516076972678878120.post-2181365306286081612Sat, 14 May 2011 13:09:00 +00002011-05-14T08:09:07.395-05:00DjiboutiThree years ago, I wrote about taxis in Djibouti and how they constantly harrass you when you're walking down the street.  They don't seem to understand when you DON'T need a taxi nor how you could never provide them with a destination when you're exactly where you want to be.  Well, another fact about DJ taxis struck me the other day.  In both my trips to Djibouti, I don't think I've ever seen http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~3/jCg1IdJWldM/of-taxis-and-men.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Russ McCoy)6<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/QlpC/~4/jCg1IdJWldM" height="1" width="1"/>http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2011/05/of-taxis-and-men.html