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shuel2002 65F
5104 posts
2/17/2015 12:00 pm
Pictures from my 2014 European trip

I have to admit that I am scared to death of flying. I don't know how to swim either so boats aren't my thing, though I have been on some short 2 hour tours. Basically I had avoided any and all such activities (plane or ship or anything adventurous) for a good 25 years. Last year, I was thinking about some of my friends that died and realized that there were places I wanted to get to see while I can. You never know what life has in store. I told my sister and she didn't believe me at first. Same with my boyfriend. I can't blame them because the last time I had a trip of any kind was 15 years and I went into shock the last time I took a plane. Once I make up my mind to do something, I do it.

My sister and I went on my dream trip. My sister had been to Europe but I had never been past the USA. I had always wanted to go to Paris and London. She wanted Barcelona, Spain. We ended up going away for 25 days May 2014. That was the perfect time to go. The weather was excellent. We went to Paris, Barcelona and then took a Mediterranean cruise and then ended with London, England. We had the time of our lives and sharing it with my sister, made it all the more special. I can't afford another trip like this but it was worth every cent. The memories will last a lifetime.

Please let me know if it's alright to post vacation pictures on our blogs.

Picture 1: Florence, Italy. Gates of Paradise depicting scenes from the Old Testament.

Pic 2: Coming into Venice, as seen from our cruise ship

Pic 3: Windsor Castle

Pic 4: Buckingham Palace

Pic 5: Nice, France overlooking the French Riviera

Pic 6: Venice from our vaporetto. It's their transportation system for the water.







Elaine Shuel


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/17/2015 4:01 pm

    Quoting  :

Thanks MrsJoe. Part of our cruise included going to Athens and Mykonos. We did love the latter. I have to admit that my favorite stop was Venice. It's magical. I've never been to the Isle of Ischia but if it's like the rest of Italy, it must be beautiful.

I'm sorry about your physical limitations affecting your ability to travel. That is why I wanted to go while I was still able to. One never knows.

Elaine Shuel


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/17/2015 4:06 pm

    Quoting  :

Oh,by the way, this blog post didn't come on right away. Finally it came on and disappeared ever since. The only way anyone could see it at this moment (I hope that changes) is if they look up my blog. I am letting you know this since you have that post about how long it takes for a blog post to show up.

Right after I posted this, I saw this post just went back on the list of recent posts. I deleted my post and gave this update.

Elaine Shuel


Rocketship 80F
18582 posts
2/17/2015 4:33 pm

Great photos!!

We're never too old to work on getting rid of some of our fears.

My husband was in his 40's before he decided to take learn to swim lessons. It was daunting for him.... but he did it.... not that he could swim the length of the pool, but he could manage short distances.

What's the worst that could happen....LOLOL.


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/17/2015 5:34 pm

    Quoting Rocketship:
    Great photos!!

    We're never too old to work on getting rid of some of our fears.

    My husband was in his 40's before he decided to take learn to swim lessons. It was daunting for him.... but he did it.... not that he could swim the length of the pool, but he could manage short distances.

    What's the worst that could happen....LOLOL.

Excellent!!! First I'd have to conquer my fear of wearing a bathing suit to learn how to swim. lol Thanks Rocket.

Elaine Shuel


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/17/2015 5:35 pm

    Quoting  :

Thanks very much, MySeek2day. I will never forget my trip and I'm so glad I went.

Elaine Shuel


frenchsalsa2 77F
7809 posts
2/17/2015 5:48 pm

Yes, Elaine, of course it's to post vacation pictures here. Yours are great, thanks so much for sharing. It brought back so many memories...I spent 4 years in Europe and saw all those places, including the UK. Definitely take care of your bucket list first.. go to wherever you feel you might not have gone for some crazy reason.. now is the time to go!! Bon voyage!!


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/17/2015 6:06 pm

    Quoting frenchsalsa2:
    Yes, Elaine, of course it's to post vacation pictures here. Yours are great, thanks so much for sharing. It brought back so many memories...I spent 4 years in Europe and saw all those places, including the UK. Definitely take care of your bucket list first.. go to wherever you feel you might not have gone for some crazy reason.. now is the time to go!! Bon voyage!!
Thanks Salsa. I went to all the places that I felt I ever wanted to see. That's why it was 25 days. That said, I feel like going back to some of those places and other places I hadn't considered. For example, I saw the town of Amalfi and the Amalfi Coast. I didn't get to see Capri and Positano. Italy is so breathtakingly beautiful.

Elaine Shuel


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/17/2015 8:41 pm

    Quoting  :

Thanks Lyn. I knew if I didn't, there might come a day that I would regret not going to those cities. It would be too late to change things.

I'm pretty lucky to have a wonderful sister who wanted my dreams to come true and came with me. She's my best friend.

Elaine Shuel


Rocketship 80F
18582 posts
2/17/2015 9:09 pm

LOLOL Elaine!!!

I soooo get the bathing suit thing!! I love the two piece kind of tank top types they make now.


bijou624

2/18/2015 12:21 am

What amazing sights you got to see and loved seeing all the pics. Please feel free to post any pics you like.


Maudie1 74F
8151 posts
2/18/2015 9:09 am

Great photos Elaine. My husband and I have been fortunate to have been to all of those wonderful places. We were in Barcelona in January. What a beautiful city it is. So glad you and your sister had such an enjoyable time.


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/18/2015 9:48 am

    Quoting Rocketship:
    LOLOL Elaine!!!

    I soooo get the bathing suit thing!! I love the two piece kind of tank top types they make now.


I haven't worn a bathing suit since I was a kid. I'd probably go into shock. lol

Elaine Shuel


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/18/2015 9:50 am

    Quoting bijou624:
    What amazing sights you got to see and loved seeing all the pics. Please feel free to post any pics you like.
Thanks bijou. You might be sorry you wrote that. I have a ton of pictures.

Elaine Shuel


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/18/2015 10:06 am

    Quoting Maudie1:
    Great photos Elaine. My husband and I have been fortunate to have been to all of those wonderful places. We were in Barcelona in January. What a beautiful city it is. So glad you and your sister had such an enjoyable time.
Thanks very much, Maudie1. Of all the places we went to, Barcelona had the friendliest people. We went to a flamenco show and for tapas afterwards. It was one of the best nights we had. Did you see a flamenco show?

Elaine Shuel


Maudie1 74F
8151 posts
2/18/2015 1:39 pm

Sadly no, Elaine. Unfortunately hubby is not into shows or dancing. Now had I gone with friends or my sister I guess I would have gone to a show or two, lol.


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/18/2015 6:22 pm

    Quoting Maudie1:
    Sadly no, Elaine. Unfortunately hubby is not into shows or dancing. Now had I gone with friends or my sister I guess I would have gone to a show or two, lol.
That's too bad. I hope you get to see one in the future.

Elaine Shuel


shuel2002 65F
5537 posts
2/19/2015 2:31 pm

    Quoting  :

Thanks again, thatbillguy. We saw our show at Palau Dalmases and it was wonderful. Tapeo was right near it and the tapas were fabulous. It was one of the best nights of our trip. We loved it.

I'd love to see your pictures so I hope you do put up a post.

Elaine Shuel