Meet Les Pollock
Author, Traveler, City Planner, Architect
Learning from Travel
Some Images and Experiences....
“One does not travel in order to arrive, but for the sake of travel itself.”
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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While walking in SaPa, Vietnam, a woman with an overloaded motorcycle lost her balance and collided with me. Neither of us were hurt. I couldn't understand her, but her voice was apologetic and embarrassed. We dusted ourselves off, repacked the motorcycle, hugged, and she was off. Human contact is often more memorable than wonderful sights.
Standing at the edge of the arrival platform in Aushwitz-Berkanau Death Camp, I stooped to pick up a piece of the stone track ballast, the same type of stone a person might have seen in 1943. If not for a family member's immigration I might have been here. Life is a chancy thing, make the most of it.
Traveling in Megalaya, India, near the Himalayan foothills, two women emerged from the mist. I was struck by their sense of dignity. The quality of one's life is shown by their person, not their trappings.
Watch an elephant approach and you quickly realize your insignificance!
Addo Elephant Reserve, South Africa.
Approaching Chicago after a 60 mile crossing of Lake Michigan aboard Chuckles, our 36 foot sloop. Sailing is like flying, a pilot once said; 50% boredom, 40% pleasure, 8% adventure and 2% sheer terror. Some things in life are worth the terror!
Some places are interesting. Some places are magic. Luang Prabang, Laos is magic. Go! It could be Shangra La.
Ait Benhaddou kasbah in Morocco's Saharan Atlas Mountain region looks like a movie set, but it's real. Movie sets are created to look like it. Travel teaches the difference.
My ship, the passenger and cargo vessel Esmeralda, unloading at a Village along the Amazon River, Brazil. The lower deck is cargo, the upper decks slung with hammocks for the passengers. Slow travel helps puts one in contact with the people and the country.
Serendipity is often key to surprise, adventure, or learning; sometimes good, interesting or threatening. My visit to the Kiev Maidan in late 2013 occured at the beginning of the protests leading to the Ukrainian Revolution which led to today's war. Not something to plan to do, but a searing memory nevertheless.