I have had the wildest week.
Last weekend, I performed with the Seattle Men’s Chorus (the biggest gay men’s chorus in the country) at McCaw Hall, the Seattle opera house. We did a fun musical extravaganza about Europe and the value of travel.
Early this week, I was featured in a New York Times editorial by Tim Egan (to see it, Google “Rick Steves Egan”…but skip it if you’re tired of my drug-policy stance).
My little sister’s in town from Rhode Island. It’s extremely rare that all five in my family are in the same place at the same time. We’re remembering my 95-year-old Grandmother Erna, who passed away a couple of months ago. (She came over on a WWI-era boat to homestead in Edmonton, Alberta — living what to me is the classic emigrant’s life and leaving a huge and happy American family.)
My friend David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, was just interviewed on Bill Moyer’s show (airing tonight on PBS). David said that after he suggested Bill have me on to talk the value of travel, my favorite TV journalist said he’d be interested.
My daughter Jackie has been accepted to four great universities (Claremont, Notre Dame, Grinnell, and Whitman) and will hit the road with Anne next week for an in-person look to make the tough decision smartly.
Tomorrow, we are teaching an all-day travel festival that will inundate our little town with travelers.
And the day after tomorrow, I fly to Portugal, kicking off a two-month trip. I’ll be in Portugal for two weeks (researching our guidebook), in Greece and Turkey for three weeks (making TV), and researching in Italy (Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre — I took the good assignments this year), Germany, and Paris. I’ll fly home for Jackie’s graduation in June.
There you have it. A cheap “what’s up with Rick” entry before hopefully blogging some fun travel experiences in the coming weeks.
Next stop: Lisbon!
Rick, I hope you have a great trip, and provide us all with new insights and information for your guidebooks and TV shows; and of course, I’m sure you’ll keep on blogging and keeping us updated on your travels!
A great start for Jackie down a new and exciting road. Can you believe this is the little girl in the stoller from your Classics. Keep us posted on what she picks.
I love newsy family/work postings like this one. Thanks! The best to you, Anne, and Jackie with your upcoming adventures!
See you at the travel festival tomorrow!!!
Rick I agree with Audrey above. This type of blog entry with your personal/family type stuff is my favourite and I really enjoy………….like the great blog you did about the annual party blow out at your house with the red wine …. again…. on the white carpet………I have been all over Europe …..west and much of east I am lucky to be able to say……never been to Lisbon….so especially interested in information about from your trip………Thanks again ……….
Rick, reading updates on jackie and andy takes me too back to those classic travel segments and also when they smiled, handing out travel festival brochures. Also did read the egan article in ny herald tribune this week, appropriately in amsterdam following a scenic river/canal boat trip seeing windmills and tulips. Keukenhoff flowers amazing especially after recent cold and snowy days prior to opening week. Back to egan’s approach on drug policy, he did not dwell so much on you, as on our policy total failure, especially when contrasted (in my view) to the dutch experience. Please keep reminding us how we can do better. Thank you. Larry from springfield. (p.s. forgive any underlining-it is this wurzburg library computer and technology beyond my understanding).
I performed with the Seattle Men’s Chorus (the biggest gay men’s chorus in the country). Huh?
Well, if the car breaks down in Claremont – I am a baseball throw away and happy to help. Beautiful campus, of course. To keep this on topic, although I am headed for the UK, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark in a few weeks – it is off to Death Valley next weekend to watch some wildflowers bloom.
Wow! Rick, who hid the letters of transport in Sam’s piano, and ALMOST got on that plane with Ilse is finally going to Lisbon! Are you going with Louie?
Seattle Men’s Chorus was founded in 1979 in Seattle, Washington. It bills itself as the largest community chorus in America, and the largest gay men’s chorus in the world. It is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA Choruses).
I’d go with Yale since Tony Blair is teaching there now…what an education she would have
As a person with a college age daughter, I’d chose Notre Dame for the name recognition (I’ve never heard of the others). It can help later with getting a job. Just my 2 cents.
Avere un viaggio buono, Rick…looks like I’ll just miss you in Cinque Terre…there on 4/21 for a week for the fourth time to Vernazza. Hope the twins are still at Il Pirate–the place was closed tight in September.
Brilliant show with the Seattle Men’s Chorus last weekend! My mom & I laughed a lot and really enjoyed every minute of it. I’m a season subscriber and this was one of the best shows of theirs I’ve been to (even better than Miss Manners! :). Good luck in the college decision process — they are great schools with different strengths.
Rick, I will be in Greece at the same time. My friend and I will give a wave if we see you along the way! Hint! I think some of your readers might find Lesvos a great destination.
Steve, Four very good schools for your daughter to choose from. I wish her all the best in her academic endeavors. F. M. Coley, Ph.D.
Hey Rick! I flew in from Texas last year on March 10th to Edmonds. I wish I could have been there again for your classes this year. Because the dollar is so week, I have to save up $$ for Milan and Venice this November. You said not to miss Milan, so I chose that with a trip to Venice and Switzerland. Can’t wait! I got a good deal for this trip since it will be low season. Your Italy 2008 guide book is the best! You give such detail. Even the small details I often want to know about. I wouldn’t know what to do without you! Love Ya’, Lisa P.
I’m the mom of an 11th grader and am obviously very interested in the college search process. Were you featured or mentioned in any of your daughter’s essays? I can’t imagine that she didn’t write about travel.
Rick, Thank you for you concerns and advocacy for Bread for the World in D.C. Watching the news, reading the postings from Heifers International, CARE, and BFW make me wonder why more Americans do not care for their fellow man. Thank you for doing that. I’m unsure if I will travel with ETBD in 2008, but do know that I think that ETBD has all its ducks in a row and needn’t wonder about Judgment day. Thanks for your conscience. EMK
Rick – you were fantastic with the Seattle Men’s Chorus! What a wonderful show and great message. I loved your humor and wisdom. Thank you for doing the show; it shows the world your wonderful stance for inclusiveness and “the opposite of fear” — understanding. I’ve seen almost every SMC show since the late 80s and this was one of my all-time favorites.
Hi, Rick, With the Presidential election heating up this summer, it will be interesting to see the Europeans voice their opinions and concerns, given the unpopular war in Iraq, global warming and our economy….. Give us some of the feedback from there, would you? Happy travels.
Rick, It’s been 5 days! I’m going into withdrawal!
Hey Rick, if you stop through Atrani, say hello to Luigi, Massimo and Angela @ Bar Birecto in the piazza. As well as Gabriele and Philipo @ Scalinatella hostel. I’ve stayed in Atrani 11 times now, in all the seasons for a combined 100+ days on the coast. Good people, like James who rents umbrellas and chairs on the left of Atranis’ beach. Alba, at the end of Amalfis’ water promenade, hsa a few boats, including some fast ones for flying over to Capri on your own! I’ve WWOOF’ed in Italy for the last five years. Rick, any job openings?… Ciao for now – ethan may ethan31880@hotmail.com http://www.myspace.com/ethan31880
Rick Don’t know if you ever have the time to read the posts but I saw this as a chance to contact you. When home in sSeattle do you listen to Air America on 1090 AM Is when Thomm Hartman is on . If you haven’t met him please do I think the two of you are on the same wave length and need to share ideas together. Could be powerfull.