Barry Day – Page 6 – Barry's Adventures Following Retirement

Ancient Roman Encounters in Pula, Croatia

When I was in high school I was fascinated by “ancient” history. At the time, my classes were focused on numerous facts about people who were difficult to relate to such as Athenians, Romans, Trojans, Carthaginians, and others. But even though I was fascinated, ancient history really didn’t come “alive.” In fact, in the larger scheme of things, history 2000 years ago really isn’t that “ancient” considering the age of mankind.

However, in my recent explorations history has come alive as I have explored remains of once-great civilizations. Such it was a few months ago when I made a journey to Pula in Croatia.

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Discovering More Dragons in Ljubljana

Dragons, along with St. George slaying them, are a common theme for statues in the Central European countries I have visited. I have previously written about my observations in “Slaying Dragons in Zagreb” and I have discovered additional fierce dragon statues in Austria and Romania. So, I wasn’t particularly surprised to find dragon images in Ljubljana, Slovenia. However, what surprised me was the extent of the emphasis on dragons and the absence of George.

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My Visit Home – Somerset, Pennsylvania USA

A few days ago I returned to Ljubljana, Slovenia from a visit to the USA and my hometown, Somerset in Pennsylvania. Although several meaningful things happened during this journey, my adventures to Somerset were nostalgic and I easily lost track of time.

I am presently helping with the planning for a reunion weekend of my high school class. This event is a special one as it marks the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation. Even though my travel involves quite a distance traversing six time zones, it is worth it to me to contribute to the event and help make it memorable. Meanwhile, my journey reminds me of the time growing from childhood into being the person I am today.

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My Piran Adventure in Slovenia

FullSizeRender (1) — Mist Lifts in Piran at Dawn

My plan to visit Piran was by chance and it turned out to be one of the most beautiful and exciting locations I have explored. My tastes in places to explore are not limited to historical sites like those found in Rome, the party locations like Barcelona, or the postcard cities like Paris or Budapest.

It isn’t that I dislike these places, but rather that I tend to enjoy places that are sometimes considered to be off the beaten trail where one can enjoy natural and man-made beauty in harmony together. These become some of my favorite spots. Such is what I found in Piran, Slovenia.

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Finding Your Spot!

I bet your imagination wandered when you read the story title! You probably thought to yourself about what spot I am referring to! After all, I have been known to ask similar questions in my blog stories like “Are You Regular?” and also to get a bit provocative as in “Nude in the Sauna.” But this story isn’t like that. However, I hope the title captured your attention so you read on!

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An Unfulfilled Love in Ljubljana, Slovenia

By chance one day in 1833 France Prešeren and Julija Primic met at church. France, who led a fairly unhappy life, was infatuated with her and quickly knew that he loved this young, female vision.

France thought he would surely win Julija’s love. But her feelings and his were not mutual. There were complications including their economic status… he was a modest poet and aspiring lawyer and Julija’s family was wealthy. Even more problematic was that he was 33 and she 16.

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Peeing to Sounds of The Blue Danube Waltz

FullSizeRender (20) — Paintings representing Ballet, Comic Opera and Tragic Opera above the Grand Staircase at the Opera House in Vienna

My blog exploration adventures are presently followed by people in 56 countries. During the past two and a half years, my regular readers know that I like to write about interesting aspects of my life during my travels. Sometimes my topics get a bit personal. Even though I have readers, I remind myself that I write this blog for myself and I try hard to not offend anyone.

In past stories I have reflected on the effects of apricots in “Are You Regular?” and the potency of wines while lamenting in “One Too Many.” In the spirit of the song “Dance to the Music,” I present my story, “Peeing to Sounds of The Blue Danube Waltz.”

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Holocaust Remembered at Mauthausen and in Vienna

How do I write a story with a theme that is intensely horrific? How can I grapple with remnants of history and do it in a way that makes sense of an extremely painful period of human existence?

Holocaust Memorial in Vienna’s Judenplatz

How can I write a story with full knowledge that it will be incomplete, inadequate, and certainly more deserving than the feeble words I present?

It is with these questions that I write a story that I have avoided for two years even though I knew I wanted to write it. This story is about my exploration of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp in Austria and Vienna’s “Nameless Library” Memorial to its 65,000 Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

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Creaky Floors in Vienna Remind Me of Home

Johann Strauss in beautiful Stadtplaz in Vienna

A few days ago I moved into my apartment in beautiful Vienna. Not only do I love Vienna (having blogged several times) but also the apartment is quite nice.

A beautiful stairway leads to the third floor of my apartment. The apartment has interesting uniqueness such as the beautiful 19th century parquet flooring which makes wonderful creaking sounds as you walk on it.

Just as the snowfall in Brno reminded me of home, hearing the creaking also reminds me of growing up in Somerset, my hometown in the USA.

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Ħaġar Qim and Discovering Mysteries in Malta

FullSizeRender (12) — Venus of Malta from Hagar Qim Temple

In my travels throughout the world I have found several mysteries. Many times they become part of the fabric of the society as they are handed down between generations. Often there is some foundation in truth in the mysteries (even if very small). But many times the mysteries are not explainable except in the imagination someone conjures up.

From times without written history, through Homer’s writing about Odysseus and Cyclops, to more recent recorded times of ancient Romans, each culture in Malta has left mysteries.

This blog story is about a few of the mysteries I have discovered in Malta. Each has, in my opinion, more than a sliver upon which they have fermented. You can judge for yourself as I recall island mysteries from my adventures in Malta.

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