http://mariadams.com neither here nor there Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:05:55 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The last two weeks of August, I played the role of tourist guide to my sister, brother-in-law and 10-year old nephew for a 12-day European holiday.  Looking at the photographs I have taken (I was also their official photographer, mind you!), I am amazed that we actually covered a lot of places, experienced ... http://mariadams.com/?p=5266 When it rains, it pours!  There was a time I have given up on the hope of seeing Venice in my lifetime. But one day, in 2007, it happened! Then in 2009, it happened again! And this year, next week to be exact, I am going to see it for the ... http://mariadams.com/?p=5262 Half my  joy of travelling is watching the sightseeing habits of tourists.  Architecture interests me a lot; the landscape, the food, the local culture,  moreso, observing  the locals going about their daily fare.  But nothing tickles me most than surveying how tourists behave, how they dress, what they carry with them, who are they travelling with.  Certainly it forms part of my learning ... http://mariadams.com/?p=5241 Did you know that Paris is practically devoid of Parisians in August?  That if you are planning to do business or make an appointment with a Notaire* or even reserve a seat in your favorite restaurant, chances are, you will be disappointed because nobody is there.  Your business contact in the Champs Elysees is off to the ... http://mariadams.com/?p=5216 Ile-de-France is that region surrounding Paris which comprises of 12,000 sq.km of suburbs interspersed with chateaux, farmlands, forests and historic towns and villages. (see website) It's been nearly two months since we made Ile de France our home but we never really had a chance to do serious exploring because H and ... http://mariadams.com/?p=5171