Stephen Ave. Walk Calgary

Got my boots, check, hat, jeans and cowboy shirt, check, check and check, now ready for Calgary. I walked Stephen Ave. after checking into the Marriott and enjoyed watching the excitement build for the start of the Calgary Stampede. Calgary has already impressed me with its vibe it buzzes. It is a young city the average age is 30 and I can tell that it rocks. The cowboy hats are out in full force and the streets are lively, let the games begin!

A Nominator for National Geographic Traveler

I love unique hotels; they do not have to be fancy or big bucks to be great. I was honored with an email from Beth Lizardo from National Geographic Traveler, to see if I would be interested in being a part of a panel of nominators for hotels in the British Isles and Ireland. Indeed my recent trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland provided a few that fit the bill.

The criteria for possible inclusion in the April 2010 issue are:

As a travel professional, you are in a unique position to nominate one or more hotels (with 6 or more rooms) within the British Isles and Ireland that enhance a traveler's "sense of place" experience. And by "sense of place" we mean hotels that wholeheartedly reflect the spirit of their locations both in practice and aesthetic. When thinking about which hotels to nominate, useful questions to ask yourself are: Does the architecture reflect its location? Does it engage in eco-sustainable practices? Serve local food? And most important, does it offer guests good service and a unique experience as opposed to one that could be had anywhere in the world?

"The Week", Heading to the Calgary Stampede

In Calgary it is known simply as, “The Week”. To people everywhere is is known as a city’s celebration of its Wild West roots. It is not just the cattlemen that slick up in their best boots, oilmen, bankers and citizens alike join in a raucous event. It is said that even the most uptight will find themselves screaming Yahoo! It is also said that nine months after the Stampede the birth rate in Calgary rises, dramatically.

These bovine VT beauties pictured above wouldn’t stand a chance up in Calgary during the Stampede. I have also got to wonder how this east coast, milk toast, country boy will handle events in Canada’s biggest cow town. It has been years since I sauntered up to the bar in my old cowboy boots!

Brazil Beats the US in Confederation Cup 2009

As a high school soccer player I remember vividly the huge crowds the football team got to their games. I also recall how when living in Scottsdale every Saturday the local school grounds were packed with kids playing soccer. Hell the term soccer mom was used constantly during the Clinton years.

The final Confederations Cup game in South Africa was a stinging loss for an amazing US Team, 3 to 2. Brazil took the title. The reason is clear if you have ever been to Brazil, the game is played everywhere. From huge stadiums to garbage strewn alleys the game is played. I happened upon this pick up game in Porto de Galinas this spring. The setting was perfect and the play inspirational.

The Blue Eye and Worry Beads

Superstition runs deep in Greece, evil eye and bad wishes can be warded off though. The blue eye protects and just in case you do not believe it, the worry beads relieve the stress.

Fantastic Greek Food

The Greeks like to eat and eat well. Before massive plates come out there is the matter of Meze, little plates of food to go with drinks. Sardines, olives or keftedes (little meatballs seasoned with mint) can be found everywhere. Actually I found more effort put into these little dishes than major meals in other countries.

Feta is the best known cheese but some other great ones are Kasseri and Misithir, both superb. Fish is the king of Greek cuisine and in seafood places you will often get Tarama salta or fish row salad as a starter. Of course the main dishes are varied but two of my favorites were Kalamarakia (squid) and Garides (Shrimp) cooked with olive oil and lemon. Matt Barrett has a wonderful site on all things pertaining to Greek food.

A Quick look at Hydra Harbor, Greece