With our daughter Jackie blogging about her adventures in Spain and Portugal, I’m taking a break from my blogging. I’ll be blogging from Norway later in July. But for now…let’s stow away for some teen travel fun in Spain with Jackie. I’ll see you there.
Comments
Rick, thanks again for recounting your clear views of iran in the seattle times article. Each person forms opinion by experience, self-filtered by beliefs, self-edited by preferences, among other influences. Your depth of education and experience, tempered by thoughtful listening, always considering your words before speaking, gives you a valid place in helping my own opinion formation. This traveler sees leadership in all the above characteristics. Your words do make a difference, as the many blogbacks here consistently validate. Enjoy the break, come back refreshed, relish every travel second. Larry from springfield.
Rick is the kind of individual you enjoy having for dinner. He is knowledgeable, thoughtful, and perceptive. More importantly, he adds spice to the conversation because some of his positions conflict with that conservative, staid exterior look that he has. A liberal is the most tolerant person in the world as long as you think like him/her. One of the great fallacies of a US college education at a liberal arts college is that an individual gets a broad spectrum of exposure…NOT. They get spoon-fed (if they are docile) and if not they get force-fed a steady diet of only liberal ideas, concepts, beliefs, and doctrines. It is very unfortunate when liberal institutions are so terrified they don’t even teach conservative ideas or when they do it is not with ridicule and so narrowly focused as to be an exaggeration. I am eager for Rick to return to us. I enjoy this thoughtful blog entries and I enjoy the conversations here. Of course, he is not all-knowing or has all the answers, but one thing is certain, Rick will share his thoughts with anyone. More importantly, he still enjoys learning and has a healthy degree of humility. Come back soon.
Rick, my points regarding how we each form opinion, and my finding personal value from your views is, to me, evidence based on nearly 20 years of reading, hearing and talking to you. This traveler has never seen you as “intolerant” or lacking understanding of countering viewpoints. You, as do those of opposite persuasion, bring enthusiasum and conviction to your own viewpoint. Mean spirts or personal putdowns are, however, weak arguments in debate/discussion. This blogbacker choses not to battle in such a fixed fight. I would welcome those with counter opinions to provide quotes or writings in evidence. But hostile buzz words or personal attacks do not open or continue discussion. Larry from springfield who always enjoys true discussion.
I had the great good fortune to have a drink with Rick Steves about 10 years ago when he came through Cambridge, MA and stopped by the Let’s Go offices. I remember him as a warm, impressive and insightful person (and completely unpretentions — being willing to trade stories with a competitor guide says a lot). This came up in discussion with some old friends recently, http://www.pandalous.com/nodes/is_it_a_good_thing_that on whether all cities are becoming alike; it’s really the place of great travel writers to show us the subtlety of diversity which remains.
Bill, glad to see your email reached the right spot. I too would give helen the fun task of guiding my daughter through spain. Especially after reading jackie’s adventures, some of which curl this old dad’s hair. After my last april tour of barcelona and madrid, helen tops my etbd guide list. Well, to be sure, all my etbd guides, now counting 16, were number one, but that is how rick’s guides are always. Larry from springfield hopes to catch up to your email address soon bill.
We’re planning a honeymoon in Italy for October,from Tampa, Fl. for 2 weeks. We would like to visit, Venice, Florence, Rome, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Capri Positano and ? On our own, train from town to town. Looking for your recommendations of where to stay (old castle, farmhouse ?) and how to allocate staying a couple of days in main cities as a base. Should we fly into Venice and back from Rome? Reasonably priced, comfortable but not expensive. Thanks and love your whole concept ! Vince Mazzara
Vince, I think you are mistaking the purpose of this blog. Rick doesn’t give personal travel advice here–consult the professional folks at the ETBD offices for the kind of guidance you are seeking.