DO YOU HAVE YOUR BUCKET LISTS READY MY FELLOW VAGABONDS?

My fellow travelers, Christmas is just around the corner. If you don't have your Bucket List of places you have always dreamed of going with your significant other, your current lover, your  family, etc. etc. etc., then you best get busy. Just as Christmas is a mere five-six weeks away. April and May will be here before you can say andiamo (let's go). April-May and September-October are the best times of year to travel, particularly in Europe. Fewer crowds, good temps and cheaper rates.

Travel planning requires a lot of research and time to get it right, unless you have a lot of money and you're lazy. I have an ongoing discussion with some close family members about cruises. If you want to get on a boat with 3,000 of your closest friends, sleep in a room designed for Wizard of Oz extras, land in a port and go shopping for chachi that you could probably get at Walmart or in Gatlinburg, then get on. I must say, in all honesty, I have never been on a cruise. However, I have spent many hours studying that method of travel and every single time I say absolutely NO!!!

My preference has always been to go where Vagabond Souls must go to see the beautiful, the real and the unknown places. Places I have never been or places I fell in love with before and have a need to see them again. And, of course, critical to the success of any travel plan is finding those places to relax and lay your weary head after you've gotten lost numerous times. Taking the road less traveled is always the best policy, even with numerous U-turns. As one anonymous traveler said - Travel is the joy of never actually getting there. That was paraphrased, but you get the point.. This blog will always be about helping you, my fearless reader, figure out where to sleep, where to eat and what to see in your Vagabond searching for meaning. Really, when you get down to it, that's what travel is. It's not just about having a good trip. It's also about seeing different cultures and allowing those cultures, their traditions and their people to change your thinking about the world and life.

So, I thought it would be a good idea to start this little RANDOM BUCKET LIST thing with some places I, along with my wife and soul mate, Susie, and my family have been in the good old USA and across the pond.

FIRST UP - FRANCE
Let's start with the joys, the food, the people and the amazing beauty of the most visited country in the world - France. I must say right up front, do NOT believe all those Ugly Americans that say Paris is a horrible place and Parisians hate Americans. We found Paris, its museums, its architecture and its people to be utterly amazing.

Most travelers to France focus on the great city of Paris. With its history, its museums, its architecture, ancient and modern, its food and its people, it is a city that must be experienced. I would recommend at least three days and nights just to see the big things like the Eiffel Tower, which was built for the 1889 World's Fair, and was supposed to be torn down after the exposition. It was viewed as the ugliest building in Paris when built, but, became the symbol of this great city.

Other places to see in Paris will allow you to see some of the greatest and most famous artwork ever created. First up - The Louvre. The museum has one of the most priceless paintings by the master Leonardo da Vinci - The Mona Lisa. This painting is considered to be one of the most valuable paintings ever created by the renown Leonardo. And, as you would expect, it has had an existence of controversy and intrigue. Of  course the Louvre has so many great works of art you could spend many days there and never take it all in.

There are many museums to see in this amazing city of great architecture and art. I would highly recommend The Centre Pompidou. Spending a day in the Pompidou, which displays mostly modern works, will be a completely pleasurable experience.

We flew into Charles De Gaulle Airport, the second busiest airport in Europe, and, in my humble opinion, the most poorly designed and confusing. But, once you're out of the maze of the airport, the beauty of Paris will unfold. It is truly an amazing city. Unlike other big cities, it does not have tall buildings in its center, which makes it a unique place to walk or stop at a sidewalk cafe for coffee or a light snack. The romance of this great city is around every corner. We have a vivid memory of going for a walk after an early evening meal, turning a corner and seeing the brilliantly lighted Eiffel before us - Amazing! Once you walk the famed Champs Elysees and see its monumental Arc de Triumphe you will get some  idea of the artistic influence of this great city.

There are hundreds of small boutique hotels to choose from all over Paris. We stayed at the Hotel Mayet within easy walking distance of The Eiffel Tower and many other attractions. While there, we had the pleasure of eating next door at a small restaurant and sat next to an American pilot who lives in Paris. His take on Paris was fascinating and his love of this great city was evident. This particular hotel only has twenty four rooms. Perfect size for this vagabond. The staff was always friendly and helpful in their recommendations on how to get around and the best restaurants. And, best of all, you can get a room for between 125-180 euro per night. 

That's my take on Paris. If you have never been, add it to your Bucket List today and make your reservations soon. Just to get yourself motivated to visit this fabulous world class city, enjoy an excellent video on the top ten things to do in Paris. Juste Aller! And of course, the rest of France and the always beautiful region of Provence must be experienced as well. In future posts, I will bring you some thoughts on the rest of this magnificent country.

And one last thing, it's only eleven days until December 1, the beginning of this year's Top 25 2019 Christmas Countdown. I have searched high and low to find many new tunes for your enjoyment. In the meantime, GET BUSY - PARIS IS WAITING!!

Bon Voyage!

D.L.Stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

SOME VERY GOOD ADVICE FOR VAGABONDS WHO WANT SIMPLE

Since we are heading into serious travel time, I thought my fellow Nomads might want some good advice on what, how and why to use only a Carry- On Bag when you travel afar. This is an excellent article on how to do that and avoid long check in lines and the worrisome trip to pick up your checked bag. If you have ever landed and your checked bag is nowhere to be found, like my bag on our trip to Greece, you know of what I speak. It was really not fun and very stressful. And it costs me about fifty dollars in cab fares to go pick up my bag at the Athens Airport. 

This traveler/writer used only a Carry-On for a trip that included nine countries. In any book, that's impressive. She tells you how to do it from buying the right luggage, what to carry and how to pack all your clothes and other important stuff the modern Vagabond must have.  My guess, it's probably much simpler for men. As usual, the females in our lives have more to deal with. But that's a long and complicated subject for another day. 

So just click below to read one well informed opinion on the simpler way to travel with only a Carry On Bag:

I TRAVELED THROUGH NINE COUNTRIES WITH JUST A CARRY-ON - AND I'M NEVER CHECKING A BAG AGAIN

Happy Trails To You and Pack Light

d.l.tafford
thenomadARCHITECT

And just a quick packing lesson from the one and only Mr. Bean. Enjoy.

A QUICK RANDOM VAGABOND ALERT TODAY - SOME ADVICE FROM A TRAVEL PRO

OK. Travel Season is heating up. So, I found this interesting article with advice from a seasoned veteran of the skies. Checking luggage, reading material, checking into your room? He covers these things and some other itemsfor Vagabonds that carry way too much stuff, etc., etc. etc.!! From Travel & Leisure Magazine in an interview with Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson some things to think about before and during your next trip around the world or down the road.

So just click on the link to get some simple, quality advice from a guy that travels over 200 days a year -

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/marriott-ceo-arne-sorenson-tips?did=357935-20190401&utm_campaign=just-in_newsletter&utm_source=travelandleisure.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=040119&cid=357935&mid=19810731261

In the mean time -  "Don't listen to what they say. Go see." - Anonymous

And for a humorous take on International Travel, here's a clip of Jim Gaffigan doing his thing.



Happy Trails & Pack Light

d.l.stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

RANDOM VAGABOND ALERT - FOR SERIOUS VAGABONDS AND NOMADS ONLY - A LITTLE HELP GETTING ALL YOUR STUFF IN

OK - If you travel a good bit, you know and I know that you can't ever fit EVERYTHING you need in your Carry On or your Checked Bag. So today's important information is delivered to you courtesy of  Travel & Leisure Magazine entitled You've Been Rolling Your Clothes All Wrong. Here's the Correct Way to Do It.  Just click and watch the video and you will become an overnight packing expert.

It may take a little extra time to roll everything the way the T&L experts say, but, think about how cool it will be if you can get it all in and, when you get to your room, your stuff isn't wrinkled.

We are getting to Springtime, so it's time to get out the Bucket List, plan and just go. We've already planned a three day sojourn to a winery/hotel/spa only four hours  from God's Country in late March. I'll report on what appears to be an amazing winery, hotel and spa in North Georgia when we return. So, in the meantime, get packing and save yourself some time and wrinkles using the expert advice from T&L. Otherwise you may end up like this guy - Non-Vagabond Way To Pack.

Happy Trails and Remember - Travel To New Places Makes It All Better!

d.l.stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! - MAKE A PLAN

Today is January 29, 2019 - National Plan For Vacation Day. I'm running a bit late. But, its never too late to motivate my fellow vagabonds to get off that couch and get going. A brand new year. Bills to pay. Still gotta  return or exchange those Christmas gifts that didn't fit or were the wrong color or that made you wonder "what were they thinking?". It's still really cold in most places. What better time than now to plan your Travel Bucket List?

Because I am obsessed with travel and the discovery of places not yet seen, I spend ridiculous amounts of time researching hotels that are high design and affordable, as well as places I haven't seen or places I long to see again. I have been researching a place I have always wanted to see and experience since the middle of 2018. The ancient land of the Italian Heel, Puglia, goes back seven thousand years. They have hotels in caves. And, for now, it's pretty cheap. My guess is that it will become very expensive in a few years much like Croatia is today. If you are of the Money is No Object Crowd then you will probably leave the planning to an expert, travel agent or someone that knows where people go who have more money than time. However, if you want great places that don't necessarily cost what you might spend on your child's education, then stay tuned to THE NOMAD ARCHITECT for ideas and opinions on travel.

To motivate you to travel and understand better the benefits of travel, I recommend reading the following article from FODOR'S TRAVEL - One American Vacation Behavior That Simply Has To Stop . In a nutshell this read gives some startling statistics and other benefits of travel, as well as the bad things that can happen to you if you don't. So read - then plan - then go. Over the course of this new year, I will be giving you places to go and stay that won't break the bank. And I will throw in the occasional place that will take you to another level.

So, once again - HAPPY NEW YEAR!! May the wind always be at your back, may the places you go change your view of the world and may your credit limit never be reached - LOL!!! And remember - The First Thing True Vagabonds Do Is Plan.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

HAPPY NEW YEAR FELLOW VAGABONDS - GET PACKIN'

2018 is here. 2017 was a very strange year. A new president. Strange elections. The best economic growth we  have had in the US in 17 years. So far so good. Well - 2018 gives us a brave new world that we must see while it's all still standing. So get busy on your bucket list. In the world of international finance, the EURO is down considerably against the DOLLAR as compared to five years ago so you can get more bang for your buck, especially if you go to the right places at the right time.

In the interest of assisting Vagabonds who want to, need to, absolutely must get out of the house for awhile, I have compiled a TOP TEN RANDOM LIST of things to consider when planning and going where no Vagabond has gone before. Keep in mind, this is all based on my own experiences and opinions. I hold myself harmless for any misinformation, bad advice or general screw ups. So here goes.

1) Be Safe - Unfortunately, we live in a world that can be dangerous and threatening. If you just watch the evening news, you see bad people doing bad things all over the world. While you cannot allow fear to control you and your travels, just pay attention and, you've heard it a thousand times - IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING. 

2) USA -  We live in a BIG country. Unless you want to break the bank, head to Southern Oregon. It's as beautiful as Central California and a whole lot less expensive. Besides, California's Central Coast is difficult to access right now because of massive land slides. Recommend you stay at Wild Springs Guest Habitat. With only five well appointed cabins in old growth woods and a 1,000 gallon hot tub overlooking the Pacific, this family run place will satisfy all of your R & R needs. 

3) Europe - If there is one city that must be on your bucket list it is Venice. Most romantic big city - Paris. We arrived late, checked in and decided to take a walk. We turned the corner and there it was - the Eiffel Tower in all of its shining glory. It just doesn't get any better. And a bucket list city you must see before you die - Barcelona. This beautiful city boasts some of the greatest art and architecture in the world.  The Sagrada Familia is worth the trip in itself.

4) Cheap, Cheap Cheap - If you want to keep money in your pocket then you must commit to spending some time on the internet to find places that offer five star deals at three star prices. In Europe, Spain is, by far, the least expensive in terms of hotels, AIRBNB's and food. In the good old USA, head to the Southwest. Even in the art filled mecca of Santa Fe, you can find really great places under $200 a night. 

5) AIRBNB - If you really want great and cheap, then I highly recommend AIRBNB. You have to search and read reviews, but, I have found AIRBNB's that were fabulous for under $100 a night.

6) Best Food - Italy, France, Spain. 'Nuff said.

7) Planes, Trains & Automobiles - Unfortunately you have to fly and it all sucks, so, just go to sleep once you're on board. Trains, in Europe, are the best and the cheapest. And when they say high speed, they mean high speed. It's like riding on a cloud. Keep car rentals to a minimum and use UBER when you can.

8) TEXAS - It is, in fact, a whole 'nother country. Austin is one of the most fascinating fun cities in the state. And if you really want a truly unique experience, head south of El Paso to Cibilo Creek Ranch to see South Texas in a very small five star resort just 40 miles from the art enclave of Marfa. Amazing! 

9) New York at Christmas - The Big Apple at Christmas time should be on every Vagabond's Bucket List. The lights, the theatre, the museums and the shopping, if you must. Times Square and Manhattan is sheer delight at Christmas. And New York does have great hotels at reasonable prices.

10) Bentonville - This one is not on most people's list of places they just gotta see. In addition to Walmart's first store, this small town has a world class museum, Crystal Bridges Museum, a great hotel, The 21C Art Hotel, and one of the most elegant modern glass chapels by renown Arkansas architect Fay Jones, The Thorncrown Chapel,  less than an hour away in Eureka.

So Get Goin' - This world has so many fascinating places, people and cultures to see you can't just sit there and watch it go by. And, if you approach it like a true Vagabond, you will find and experience things that will amaze you and scare you, maybe at the same time. Happy New Year and Good Travels to you all.

Random thoughts for sure. But - I have enjoyed every second. Peace to you and yours and pack your bags and just go! It will change you, I promise.

d.l.stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

HAPPY NEW YEAR - AND WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS YEAR?

START WITH YOUR BUCKET LIST - THAT'S WHAT I SAY

Let's be honest. Unless you have unlimited funds and unfettered time, you have to look at those things that you have always dreamed of doing or places to which you have always dreamed of traveling with a discerning eye to planning and budgeting. But - and this is very important - do not forsake your responsibility as a wild and crazy NOMAD to write down your very own list for you and yours of the places, best hotels and ultimate vacays you just gotta take in 2017.
 

Nothing Changes You Like Travel
 

Whether you go to your favorite place at the beach just down the road or you make that long awaited trip  to a faraway place, nothing will have the impact on you that travel does. Travel allows you to unfetter your head and your soul. When you see other cultures, other people living their lives in another part of the world or a landscape you have never experienced, travel makes indelible marks that you will always go back to throughout out your life.

 

You may even have a "Damascus Road Moment" when something is so amazing or unexpected that it changes your entire reference point about life. That happened to me when we went to Italy. America, in my humble opinion, is the greatest country on earth, but, I saw things and people in Italy that changed my outlook on people and culture in other parts of the world. And don't get me started on the food!

 

And For All of You Cheapies - There Is Good News

 

The Dollar is very strong against the Euro and the Pound for 2017. That means you can go a lot cheaper than you could five years ago. The dollar is at record highs against foreign currencies right now. You could save up to twenty five percent on flights, hotels, food and other travel expenditures. So, get on line and make those reservations today! There's nothing that warms the cockles of your travel heart like staying in a five star at three star prices. That admonition does not include the west coast of the US, which hasn't seen three star prices in years.

 

For the budget conscious among my friendly NOMADS, here are some thoughts on places to go and places to sleep  for a song:

 

Hola Espana!

 

If you are one of those travelers that have a need to get the most bang for your buck, then it never rains on the plain in Spain. The weather is good and the prices are low. You can find amazing boutique hotels and some of the best AIRBNB places to lay your head for pennies compared to similar joints in the UK, France or Italy. And Spain has it all - great architecture and art, friendly people, excellent rail travel and fabulous food. Do not miss The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

 

Web Sites With Cool Places To Sleep

 

I highly recommend the following hotel web site links for well priced, upscale boutique hotels.

 

I-Escape - Excellent place for poor and rich NOMADS to choose a choice hotel. If you are going to Paris, try The Hotel Mayet. It's easy walking distance to the Eiffel Tower and its latest rate is $71.00 per night. We stayed there. Great little place. And have dinner at the little café next door. You'll thank me.

 

Epoque Hotels - Same as I-Escape, except edgier. You can find a great place to sleep for a song with excellent, cutting edge design.

 

Avante Garde Hotels - Its name says it all. This site features hotels that have cutting edge design features at reasonable prices.

 

Tablet Hotels - Great web site with great places to lay your weary head from low price to high. All hotels are high end designed with great beds and amenities.

 

Design Hotels - Another hotels web site featuring high end designed hotels by some of the most innovative architects and designers.

 

And Then There Is AIRBNB

 

I have sung the praises of this peer to peer vacation rental service since we stayed in our first AIRBNB in Eugene, Oregon several years ago. If you are budget conscious then AIRBNB is the place to look. That is especially true if you have a family or a larger group that needs a great place to stay. The web site has improved exponentially and provides one of the most sophisticated search engines for locating that perfect spot. The only caveat is this - With over 800,000 properties to choose from, you must do your homework with time spent searching for the perfect place. And read the reviews. I was told by an AIRBNB owner that reviews cannot be removed. That means that you are reading unedited reviews and thoughts on each place. From Seattle to Barcelona, we have never had a bad experience or disappointment with this great service.

 

So there you have it. Get busy planning and dreaming and going to that place or places you have always dreamed about. And go in the knowledge and assurance that it will be life affirming and possibly life changing. Watching old men play bocce ball in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower or seeing the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City or attending a real Flamenco dance in Andalucia, the place of its birth, will give you memories and points of reference you will always cherish.

Happy Trails / Buen Camino / Bonne Randonnee / Buon Viaggio  - In any language it is my fervent hope that your 2017 travels will take you far and wide to places yet unseen for new experiences that will last a lifetime.

d.l.stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

 

 

 

OK - ONCE AGAIN WITH FEELING - THE NOMAD'S RANDOM LIST OF IMPORTANT TRAVEL STUFF

STAPLE TODAY'S MUSINGS TO YOUR BUCKET LIST

Again - Happy New Year One & All. Before the travel season kicks into high gear, a little house keeping is in order. As someone who has devoted his very existence to the intricacies and joys of travel for longer than I am willing to admit, I have pondered the many side roads that make travel important. I have broached this subject before in various posts, but, today, I offer up my thoughts, right or wrong, with renewed passion that memorable travel involves planning and serendipity, the familiar and the unexpected, the common and the bizarre and a willingness to embrace every single experience into your very own travel heart and soul. Only then can a true Nomad say, with conviction - JUST GO!

MAKE THAT BUCKET LIST

From dreams we come and to dreams we can go. But you can't get there if you don't know what you want to do. Of course, if you are like me, your Bucket List will constantly change. The point is - Write it down! And then go and go and go before they put your ashes in a Choc Full O'nuts Can - Just kidding!

HAVE NO FEAR

Let's be honest. If you watch the news or read the newspaper, the world has elements that can make one  hesitant to travel due to the constant fear of some insane jihadist pulling the plug in the seat next to you. Don't buy into that feeling. Even with all of the crazies in full bloom, the chances of you being vaporized by a terrorist is about 1 in 3 million, making air and train travel ridiculously safe. Over four million people fly every day without incident.  So don't worry, you can take that plane, train or automobile  to your dream spot with no fear- You are good to go!

TO EVERY SEASON - PLAN, PLAN, PLAN

With the ubiquitous existence of the internet, travel planning has been taken away from the travel agents and tour companies that want to corral you into a bus or a cruise liner and charge you a fortune to go where everyone else has gone before. So, get out your laptop, your iPad or your cell phone and get very, very busy. There is so much available for the savvy Nomad, rich and poor.

ONLY SMALL WILL DO THANK YOU

IMHO - If it's over fifty beds, skip it. If you are a big hotel kind of person, if you demand a concierge to suck up to you when you get out of the limo, if you really think that the $25 room service Bubba Burger is for you then by all means - enjoy. But if you really want to experience the enjoyment and pleasure of staying in a unique environment, small is the thing. And just to show that I am not just talking, check out the following web sites for small places to lay your head where design, comfort and value comfortably coexist.

I-ESCAPE      

TABLET    

HIP HOTELS     

AIRBNB       

EPOQUE     

AVANTE GARDE 

MR & MRS. SMITH     

BOUTIQUE HOMES     

JET SETTER

SLOW DOWN, YOU MOVE TOO FAST

You got to make the morning last - So wrote Paul Simon back in the day. In the warp speed world of today you have to quit looking at your phone, Ipad, whatever and focus on kickin' down those cobble stones and feelin' groovy. You know - the whole stop and smell the roses thing. Twelve countries, cities, holiday spots, beaches or mountain ranges seen in twelve days will leave any Nomad tired and unfulfilled. So, pick a few spots and hang out for awhile. We try to keep our minimum time in any one place to three days. The longer you stay in one spot, the more you feel  a part of the local culture and will better understand the people and all the interesting things they do in their world. You find out where all the best places are for a morning coffee or tea, not to mention places to eat. After all, Nomads do not travel well at all on quick or bad food. One of the most interesting things we noticed in Italy is the Italian's love of meal time. You have to beg for the check. They really don't want you to leave. Very un-American wouldn't you say? And I mean that in a good way.

So, when you plan your next trip, pick some really cool places that are centered near other things you can do. Day trips are the thing. La Mancha is only 90 minutes from Madrid, after all.

AND A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT AIRBNB

That's right. This Nomad loves AIRBNB! Why you ask? First and foremost, you can choose from over 850,000 rooms, houses, condos, cabins, hostels and intimate hotels featuring an amazing array of bunking accommodations in virtually every country on earth. Second, if you do your homework, you can find places that delight the senses with cutting edge design, comfortable beds, rain showers, etc. etc. etc.. And third, your wallet and your bank account will love you for it. Our last adventure with AIRBNB was just outside of Carmel in an 850 square foot tricked out private guest house with a stunning view of the Pacific over Point Lobos State Park, considered to be the "Crown Jewel" of the California State Park System, for substantially less compared to other places in the area. The Post Ranch Inn, at $1,200 a night, is just down the road. So, if you are desirous of hard to find design quality for a romantic getaway or a family place with all the fixins', for a song - AIRBNB is worth a look.

THINK AND TRAVEL RICH YOU SAY - HOW YOU ASK?

HOMEWORK! Travel planning is a unique blend of vision, art, science and wit. If money is no object - cool. If, however, you don't want to get letters offering you a way to pay off your debt in three years or less, you have to work at creating the perfect sojourn. Of course, I spend countless hours researching and trying to spread the word so your life experiences on the road will be the best that they can be. You CAN have your cake and eat it too. And you won't be depressed when the bill arrives.

THE WORLD VS THE GOOD OLE USA
That's a tough one, isn't it? In my travel experiences, I can say, without hesitation, travel in Europe is always a transformative experience for me and mine. Visiting Europe makes you see the world and its people as never before. Watching old men playing bocce ball in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower or sitting in the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and hearing your son express that he has never seen anything like this, knowing that he will take this imagery and moment with him forever, or hearing your daughter talk to a cabbie as if she were a native Spaniard, makes you have a better understanding of "that other world". I am constantly intrigued by the many places in the world  I want to experience. I just hope I can get to half of them before I take the ultimate trip.

Of course, when it comes to The New World, the places you will discover in the greatest country on earth are really unequaled. Whether, it's the artful, ancient towns of Santa Fe and Taos, the Great White Way of New York or the bucolic beauty of the Pacific Coast,  America is the place that must be seen to be believed. So - Whether it's The States, Europe or other points north, south, east or west, your Bucket List will become your daily reminder to get on the road to the places that will expand your mind and open your heart.

MEMENTOS & ARTIFACTS

We have a Picasso inspired glass sculpture we purchased on the isle of Murano, a short boat ride from Venice. I never see that sculpture that it doesn't make me smile and think about our time in one of the truly great places on our dwindling planet. We have so many artifacts that remind us of places we have visited. When I visit someone's house, the stories behind the things they display are always fascinating because of the meaning those things have. So, make sure you bring back something that will make you remember and smile when the memory has faded.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Somebody, somewhere in your crew MUST keep a journal of your travels. It does take some discipline. I mean its hard to stop and write while your having fun or doing nothing on your favorite beach. But, write you must. I still drag my always less than complete journals out to remind myself of what we did, where we went and other expeiences and emotions that are not fit to print. A travel journal serves the same purpose as photographs - it can bring back floods of joy, laughter and emotions that are buried way back in your consciousness. And a final word on photographs. I have just rediscovered recently that an old box of photographs can take you back to places that you forgot even existed AND it can help you fill otherwise slack time with meaning.

And for those who need a little humor with their travel, here is a quick look at comedian Jim Gaffigan's take on the ultimate vacation for all Nomads with kids -  DISNEY.

SO FELLOW NOMADS - MAY YOUR TRAILS BE HAPPY AND YOUR PILLOWS BE SOFT.

See you on the road sometime!

d.l.stafford

THENOMADarchitect


P.S. It's back. That's right, Nomads. BLOGGER has decided to make the VIDEO BAR function again. It was down for it seemed like forever. But no more. I have renamed it TRAVEL MUSIC and this week's artist is Harry Connick Jr. with his latest killer project - That Would Be Me. Fantastico! Just click on the link at the top of the right margin to hear and see some great tunes from the man that plays like Monk and sings like Frank

HAPPY NEW YEAR - GET BUSY VAGABONDS!!!

That's right. Now that you have spent all the money and returned half the stuff you got from Santa, it's time to get serious. Revise that Bucket List and resolve to head for the four corners. Time does indeed move faster and faster. I will be sharing with you throughout the year what, I hope, will be erudite, urbane and witty commentaries on places to sleep, eat and just be - where design and uniqueness are at the top of  your list of criteria for such places. Somebody, probably a guy that was very lost, said that half the fun is getting there. But, once you get there, you want to be sure that there is, in fact, a there there.

That's what this blog, now entering its fifth year, is all about. Cool places and cool spaces do not happen by accident folks. It's like a song by Connick or a sketch by Matisse. Great design comes from a unique combination of vision, talent and hard work. And when its done right, you get to sit back and take it all in.

So repeat after me:

Design is good.
Small is better.
Different is even better.
Unique is really outstanding.
Serendipity is fantastic.
Travel to the unknown is utterly, absolutely life changing.

It may sound random, but, if you put all those thoughts in a TRAVEL MUG and stir it up - Well,  I  get goose bumps just thinking about it. Other than my lover, best friend, wife and travel muse for forty plus years and my amazing kids, nothing and no one has changed me like travel. So, get busy, get out the map and log on - you have work to do fellow vagabonds.

May your dreams come true in a place you never thought they would.

To kick off 2016 on a personal note, check out a photograph taken by my daughter from her seat on American Airlines coming home to God's Country for Christmas, with her cell phone no less! She's a born vagabond just like her old man.

Happy 2016 Travels To All Nomads, Vagabonds and Dreamers

d.l.stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

P.S.
New Year - New Header - No Charge

ALERTA de VAGABUNDO - WAITIN' ON A PLANE TO THE PLAIN IN SPAIN

Preflight Thoughts

 

Journal Entry while sitting in the World's Worst Airport waiting to board the World's Worst Airline to España:

"Dateline 5/2/15 - Atlanta Airport - On the underground tram from terminal to Delta Gate there is a relatively attractive young woman across from us leaning nonchalantly against the side rail - push up bra - very tight t-shirt - stretch pants/leggings - funky calf high boots - sucking down an iced latte with a golf ball sized wad of gum in her mouth & a water bottle cavalierly "hooked" on her arm - a small leather purse draped over her shoulder & the piece de moda - a tie died hair/head band. And I am thinking - 1) In her own head she knows she is a happening chick - You can tell this from her "worldly" condescending sneer/frown & 2) Seeing an attractive 24 year old (I'm guessing) in the bowels of Hartsfield Airport somehow makes the Atlanta Airport seem better - Well, not really! Oh & she is texting without ceasing like any good Millennial! Goodbye America - Hello La Mancha!"

 

Just an example from my journal to prove that I am NOT a tourist just looking for a good time, but, an observant, erudite chronicler of world culture and its many varied aspects. I am, in a word, a NOMAD, in search of meaning in life and places to sleep that make you feel good AND make you think. We have returned from an amazing trip to one of the most enchanted lands in Europe. The land of ancient religions, ancient architecture, modern design, insane art, conquistadors and enough legends and myths to keep historians blogging well into the next millennium.

 

I will be chronicling our sojourn to the land of Picasso and Gaudi in the coming months. There are so many things I never expected. Every time I go abroad, I return with a renewed sense that the world is truly an amazing place, if you will just take the time to look, see, listen and taste the beauty, debauchery, history and people of other places. America is my home and I love her with every fiber of my being, but, we all need to get out more!

 

So pull up a chair and set a spell. Spain is on the way. The Random Topics will cover all things great and small in the Land of Iberia.

 

D.L. Stafford

THENOMADARCHITECT

 

Travel Quote of The Week - Never go on trips with anyone you do not love. - Ernest Hemingway. They don't call him one of the greats for nothing!

 

Video Artist of The Week - Janice Joplin - After seeing this R & B Rocker in 1968, I knew I would never listen to Rock Music the same way again. And, along with dozens of other American Artists, she can be heard in every bar, café and hotel in Spain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIVIN' LARGE IN TEXAS PART II

FOUR DAYS IN HIPSTERVILLE - JUST IGNORE THE GUY WITH ALL THE "KIDS" IN THE MINIVAN

That's right, a minivan! When I pulled up to the Marriot in Dallas to pick up "the kids", my son - the first one out the door - exclaimed in his best high pitched Leave It To Beaver voice - HI! DAD!! Then the rest of the crew piled in and discussed, ad nauseam, our mode of transportation for our days in Big D and our subsequent trip south to the tattoo capital of the world, Austin. You know how kids are. Wow dad, what a cool ride said the daughter snarkily. Was this an upgrade? asked the daughter-in-law laughingly. Well, at least we won't get a ticket for speeding said the mom admonishingly. And on and on. However, no one complained about having their very own seat. We just put the 5'2" daughter-in-law, the one who queried me about the upgrade, in the little seat in the back and all was very cool. Perfect ride I say.

 

As we made our way south on Interstate 35 from Big D to Austin, I was happy as a tipped cow to have all of the family headed for some good times in the Live Music Capital Of The World. After hours of searching dozens of web sites, I found a place  that would sleep five  just off South Congress Avenue (SOCO), which is THE happening area in Austin. A 1926 bungalow had been repurposed with some serious funk to create a very cool landing spot for the four days/three nights we were in the place that boasts many favorite offspring, including Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughn and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Complete with old doors,  corrugated tin ceilings and a very funky paint job, in and out, The Red Bungalow proved to be a real find. It had all the basics, including a nice outdoor patio for socializing with your morning coffee and it was within easy walking distance of the clubs, restaurants, museums and ridiculously high priced boutiques of every ilk on South Congress Avenue. The bathrooms could have been a bit bigger and the furniture was somewhat sparse, but, other than that, it was good quality space for our familial coalition of five vagabonds in search of a happening in a city where residents boastfully proclaim - KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD! And, based on the sights and sounds of this unique town, residents and nomads alike nurture that admonishment 24-7.

BAT**** CRAZY IS NOT JUST ANOTHER ADJECTIVE IN AUSTIN

That's right, locals and visitors alike go crazy over bats in this town. Observing the short migration of 1.5 million bats every night at dusk is truly an unforgettable experience. According to local legend, when the bridge was renovated in 1980, the bats found the cracks and crevices built into the bridge a perfect place to call home. Presto! Lots and lots and lots of bats call The South Congress Avenue Bridge over Lady Bird Lake home.     Although in residence as early as March, the best time to witness this man assisted natural phenomenon is in August, which is when we were there. Perfect planning by you know who. They apparently winter in Mexico. I am sure they are included in the latest version of The Dream Act - just kidding.

I also highly recommend paying ten bucks for an open top boat for viewing from the lake. You don't have to fight the crowds on the bridge and the little lady that captained our launch was very knowledgeable about the bats and the Austin skyline. And no need to worry about bugs, since the bats eat 10,000 to 30,00 pounds of insects on their nightly flight. Watching the sky turn black with over a million bats, as they take to the countryside, is a great way to enjoy an early evening with family and friends. And don't forget to bring along a cheap merlot or pinot and some Dixie cups. Good time, indeed.

AUSTIN LOVES TATTOOS, GREAT MUSIC AND KILLER FOOD

Apparently tattoos   generate   some  form of street cred in ultra hip Austin. Every size, color, style and theme can be found on bodies, ankle to neck, along with mega piercings of every lip, nose and ear. I cannot attest to other parts unseen. The GEN Y generation apparently has an almost obsessive need to express their individuality with tattoos. One day, in a galaxy far far away, when the inevitable drooping, dropping and sagging sets in with age, the old Millennials will lament the foibles of their youth. As a friend once noticed about a lady friend who had put on a few pounds - It used to be a butterfly on that cheek, but now it's a California condor. Austin locals, from pizza joint waiters to hotel concierges, wear their body art with intense pride. And that attitude is pervasive all up and down SOCO.

If you are a music lover, then Austin is, indeed, where you need to be. Specifically, live music is around every corner and in every venue from barbecue joints to the famed Austin City Limits. Unfortunately ACL had no performances while we were there. In addition, I have read that you need a special dispensation from the Pope to score tickets or be best buds with Willie Nelson. One very cool place we went to enjoy barbecue and some good live R&B was Salt Lick Barbecue. You can also pick up some Texas wine at Salt Lick Cellars next door. Our friend for life, Paula, a transplanted  Floridian took us to this great little spread in Texas Hill Country. It's nice to know we have a friend in one of the coolest town's in America who knows their way around the place.  It's a must visit for hungry vagabonds where great food and music can be had with a view. And having a true Austinite show you around doesn't hurt.

Tex-Mex, Fried Chicken, All of The Above - you name it - is available in the culinary haunts in every corner of this great city of just under a million. It may be left of center politically, but Austin is pure right all the time when it comes to food. Whether it's Lucy's Fried Chicken, which manages to turn comfort food into something sexy or Torchy's Tacos for serious Mexican with that undeniable Texas Touch and bottled cokes. Oh yeah baby!

I would be remiss, as an architect and nomad, if I did not mention one place to sleep in Austin that has been on my Vagabond radar for years. Hotel San Hose' is a repurposed, updated motel right on South Congress. Unfortunately, the place was booked and it is pretty pricey. However, I did take the time to walk its zen like environs and public areas. With its minimalist aesthetic and blend of natural materials laid over the bones of an old motor inn, it seems to live up to its billing. Very retro eco. So, when in Austin, its worth checking out.

Austin should be on every Nomad's list of places to see before you die. It is as All American in a Texas style kind of way as you will find. Like Lyle Lovett says in the song of the same name "That's right - your not from Texas, but, Texas wants you anyway". As we boarded the plain for good old Tallahassee, that song kept playing in my head. I am not from Texas but every time I go, I feel like maybe they do want me. With the right jeans and the right hat, who knows?

Head Em' Up Move 'Em Out!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

Travel Quote of The Week - "Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called walking" - George W. Bush

Video Artist of The Week - Norah Jones & The Little Willies - Born in Brooklyn, raised  in Texas, Norah Jones is the daughter of concert promoter Sue Jones and Ravi Shankar, master sitar player (Yes - The guy that taught Beatle George Harrison). The multi-award winning artist formed an ad hoc group of players and singers - The Little Willies - who turn out some amazing music that you will NEVER hear on the radio. One of the most compelling recordings by this group is a little ditty called "Lou Reed" with Norah Jones on piano & vocals, Richard Julian on vocals, Jim Capilongo on guitar, Lee Alexander on bass and Dan Rieser on drums. Just picture it - Mr. Velvet Underground tipping a bovine. Now that's something to ponder!

 

NOW I KNOW WHY HEMINGWAY ALWAYS WROTE STANDING UP

Now I am no Hemingway, but, you have to admit, the title got your attention. No sireee, I would never, ever compare myself to the man who's writing caused my first major paradigm shift. Tenth grade - Leon High - Mrs. Mooney - English Lit -The Sun Also Rises. After that, I realized the world could be experienced on my own terms. And even though I was a slacker during most of my high school years and deep into my college academic journey as well, the writing by a man of such excess and brilliance changed everything. Not all good, some bad, but very much different. 

And Hemingway was no slouch when it came to travel either. If not for Hemingway, most of the world would not know about the famous running of the bulls in Pamplona. His graphic, eloquent descriptions of the running of the bulls and bullfighting in The Sun Also Rises literally put Pamplona's Festival of San Fermin on the world's cultural map. For better or worse, Pamplona has never been the same.

But what, you may ask, does any of this have to do with the urbane, witty writings of a wandering architect in search of heaven on earth? Good question.

The fact that Hemingway stood up while writing speaks to the need for some sort of  device or trick for writers to "keep at it". I mean, I have not written anything since December 25, 2014. Pathetic! Obviously, I need something - anything to motivate me to write. After all, I have a ton of things to write about. Trips to Big D and Hipster Heaven, Austin. An amazing Christmas Trip to The Big Apple and a very cool little hotel just off Times Square. And, I have spent the last three months planning yet another  trip of a life time for the Nomad and his brood. We are going to the land of Picasso, Gaudi, Dali and Tapas. That's right, fellow vagabonds, Espana beckons.I will not run with the bulls, but I will see the famed Guernica, the Sagrada Familia and the land of Don Quixote.

And we have put this trip together like any true Nomad should, with hours and hours of reading, googling and planning. Yes sir, this trip is custom designed by me and mine. No tours or crusies for my crew. No need to "Spend More Time Being There Than Getting There". Getting there is half the fun!

Just as a side note, I have been actually working, designing a uniquely original  and natural house for a trail blazing couple in the flat country of North Central Florida. It has brought back all those things about architecture that make it The Mother Art. I am truly at my best when I am sketching and doing something for open minded clients that will be a part of there lives for a very long time.

I apologize if all of this seemingly random rambling has no apparent point. Blame it on Papa. The point is, I am now back, sitting, standing, pacing, whatever at my laptop to render writings great and small about places in the world that can force your very own paradigm shift. As a matter of fact, I just downloaded The Sun Also Rises to my Iphone for reading before the big sojourn to the land of Hemingway and Cervantes. Chasing Windmills is a worthy pursuit, if you have a great place to stay when you're done.

Ole', Ole', Ole'

D.L. Stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

P.S. I have redesigned and updated the blog/web site. In addition to a new header, the sidebar now includes updated Social Media Links for vagabonds who just can't get enough. I have also added Popular Nomad Posts for quick access to subjects that other readers have followed. And finally, I have updated the ABOUT, SLEEP, EAT and DESIGN pages. These pages and the other side bar links will help you design and plan your own travel to the best places you want to be.

This Week's Video Artist - KEB MO is a serious blues man that needs to be heard. His tune, I LIKED THE OLD ME BETTER, shown here, will give you some insight into his talents.