Don Pogreba is a current writer and retired teacher of English, Social Studies and Debate, and a loyal, if often sad, fan of the San Diego Padres and Portland Timbers. When he is not traveling, he is working on his classroom web site or dreaming about another adventure.
I’ve made an excellent choice. While I suspect being off in the mountains alone for a few weeks, with limited Internet and contact with others, might not appeal to some, and the idea that I can disconnect may seem quite surprising, I’m already in love with this place. It’s incredibly beautiful: if the photo of the bridge leading to the...
My inclination is to apologize for not writing an update sooner, but as I’m not really sure anyone is following this and apparently every person who walks the Camino has the same experience of starting off writing and photographing extensively only to see both fade. Given that I am attempting to write this on a bus to Santander and the...
My first day on the Camino was arduous and exhilarating all at once—and only slightly interrupted by disaster! When I left St. Jean Pied de Port this morning, the city was covered in a light fog that stretched out for the first hour before the sun burned it away, revealing a verdant, lush set of valleys and hills that I eagerly set out...
Given my extensive knowledge of the Spanish language, I assume that adding -ito to the word Camino conveys the nature of my effort to tackle portions of the Camino de Santiago in two short trips. If not, I doubt any of the poor bastards who tried to teach me Spanish will be surprised by my failure. My first stage starts tomorrow, with a...
I really only had one full day here in Bordeaux, with a late plane arrival last night and an early train departure tomorrow, but really enjoyed spending the day wandering the city with no particular agenda in mind nor even a map in hand. It’s a remarkable city, with so many preserved buildings, very old Cathedrals and churches, a...
As I prepare to leave Bergen, I find myself thinking about losing weight. The initial observation is rather prosaic: seeing a city filled with healthy, slender giants walking all over has reminded me of the importance of committing to a healthy lifestyle. It’s not about vanity; it’s not about wanting to be as stylish as these people...
My home here Bergen from Above Bryggen Bergen from Above Bryggen in Bergen Mediterranean Woman and Viking 1914 Ship in Bergen Hanseatic Buildings, Bergen Giant Crab at Bergen Fish Market Old Fisherman Bryggen Panoramic Bergen Ship at Harbor
Icelandic Volcanic Crater Fjord! Edge of the World Dyndjani Dyndjani Outside Isafjordur Isafjordur with Sun Dairy Farm Near Isafjordur Isafjordur Airport Þingeyri Roadway Between Isafjordur and Þingeyri The Road to Dynjandi Near Flatyeri Icelandic Sheep Fear No Cars Road to Isafjordur Yes, that’s a bridge Turf Shed by the Fjord...
Inspired by some latent memory of Alec Baldwin’s admonition to “always be closing” in Glengarry Glen Ross and the fact that I brought one adapter for European power for three devices on my trip, I had fallen into reminding myself all the time to “Always Be Charging” to make sure that my camera and phone were...