WHAT DOES TRAVEL REALLY MEAN TO A WANDERING NOMAD?
That was my first thought when I wrote the first post on this travel blog - March 5, 2011 - Stop the World, I do NOT want to get off!I decided to go where I had never gone before - the blogosphere. The real idea behind this blog is still actually twofold: 1) We have enjoyed a fair amount of travel and shared those experiences as Wandering Vagabonds and 2) Here's what makes this blog different - Some people think where they stay when they travel isn't important as long as it's clean, has a good bed, good water pressure and a decent price. If you subscribe to that philosophy, then this blog is probably not for you. I believe that where you stay, the uniqueness of a place and the quality of the environment can actually change your mindset, even your reality of a country, its people and its culture. And I am not just talking about 300 count Egyptian cotton bedsheets! I am talking about places that have a unique architectural and even artistic quality that makes traveling transcend the idea of a vacation.
So - here I am still writing
about experiences to help all Nomads plan their travel to interesting places without breaking the bank. I must stress the importance of travel with people that you really like and love. I have always travelled with my wife and best friend, Susie, who loves experiencing interesting things and interacting with people. She also accepts the sometimes weirdness of travel with an architect. She just smiles quietly, understands me and accepts my obsession with things most people couldn't care less about. BTW - Castello di Tornano pictured above in the romantic wine country of Tuscany is under $200 a night in early spring or Fall.
Our first trip to Italy was in 2005. I was completely smitten at the tender young age of 56! LOL! I fell in love with its people, its food, its architecture, old and new, its art and its culture. When I saw the 17-foot-high Statue of David by Michaelangelo in the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence / Firenze, I realized the world can teach us plenty about the beauty of life.
From the five villages of Cinque Terre in the North to the romance of Central Tuscany to the hills and history of Umbria to the ancient architecture of Italy's largest city Rome, this ancient yet modern country is a place for all Vagabonds to see and feel.
Next week, we'll discuss some more specific places and "To Do Things" in the country that invented the Calendar as well as many other things we use and enjoy today.
Travel Quote of the Day:
To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries - Aldous Huxley
From the daughter of the great sitar player Ravi Shakarand winner of multiple Grammies and other awards is a song perfect for thinking about and enjoying wandering with the one you love - Norah Jones performs Come Away With Me.
There are some places - hotels & restaurants - that must be applauded when you travel. I write this blog to further the cause of excellent travel that does not require a second mortgage. Then, there are those places on the other side of town, or down the street that make such an impact that they must be praised in the manner of "We're Not Worthy!" from the film Wayne'sWorld. Places that just knock your socks off. Here, in God's Country, the venerable mid-sized university town of Tallahassee, Florida, there are so many restaurants from cheap and delicious to amazingly delicious and worth every penny.
If you are a Tallahassean, you should go out to eat with friends and family. I promise you will not regret it. All you have to do is take a seat and eat great food. You can also order great food for pickup and/or delivery. The list of restaurants on today's post are listed only if we have actually enjoyed the food from each restaurant.
CHEAP & GOOD
Best place for delicious sandwiches, salads and soups. Reasonable prices with excellent service will ensure great food from their diverse menu with locations on Monroe Street, Capital Circle SE and Market Street. Just order Online and pick it up or eat in - HOPKINSEATERY.
We have pizza at least once a week. The pizza from this place never fails to make you feel good. With a great menu with every topping you can imagine, this place will fill you up and make you smile. Order Online and pick it up or have it delivered -BRICKARD PIZZERIA.
When you want a great breakfast, the best place to go is Uptown Cafe on Miccosukee Road. IMHO - This restaurant has the best omelet I have ever tasted. They also have a diverse menu for brunch or lunch. You can pick up or eat in. I recommend eating in. It has a nice environment and great service - UPTOWN CAFE.
If you're after some simply prepared tasty seafood, then head to The Wharf with two locations in our Capital City on Bannerman Road and Lagniappe Way just off Mahan (US 90). They have a diverse menu of seafood, salads and other delights. They even have Shrimp & Grits! Both locations have Pickup and Door Dash Delivery. You can order Online or at their place - WHARF CASUAL SEAFOOD.
GREAT FOOD WORTH EVERY PENNY!
First on this list is a very small, intimate Bistro on Miccosukee Road. Their menu includes an array of Italian, Seafood, Chicken, Filet Mignon and choices that will satisfy the most demanding pallet. They also have delicious Appetizers. This is a place for the perfect romantic dinner for two. Their wine offerings are excellent and diverse as well. Their dessertS include Tiramisu, Creme Brulee and a few other desirable choices. Great service with delicious food - MIMI'S TABLE BISTRO & WINE BAR.
For over 25 years, this funky restaurant has been serving great food. It has been listed as one of Florida's Top 400 Restaurants by Florida Trend Magazine. Even the New York Times calls it "A great little restaurant". As their web site says - "We serve Amazing Meals Funky and Eclectic". The menu has it all - great Seafood, Linguini, Shrimp, Italian Pasta and on and on. Great wine and deserts will compliment your choice of lunch or dinner. As they love to say - "Eat, Drink & Talk Loud, You're Among Friends". Great philosophy - KOOL BEANZ CAFE.
This innovative eatery has a Five Star rating on Trip Advisor. Small Plates, Salads, Large Plates, Wine and Desserts - All Good. This small, intimate place has great service and amazing food that includes, IMHO, the best Shrimp & Grits I have ever tasted. Located on East Lafayette Street about a mile from downtown I highly recommend reservations. They are always busy. It's not cheap but you will nor regret a single penny you spend for food this great - LUCILLA.
"Everything you see, I owe to pasta" - Sophia Loren. 'Nuff said. Pasta will accept virtually anything to make it taste great. Red sauce, white sauce, shrimp, sausage - it really doesn't matter. Great Italian food is the culinary equivalent of a beautiful woman like Sophia! LOL!! The first place I go to for great Italian is on the corner of North Monroe and East 5th Avenue. Bubble Bread, Lasagna, Shrimp Scampi are just a few examples of a long diverse list of great Italian dishes they serve - Enjoy - BELLA BELLA.
Another Italian Restaurant that all fans of great Italian must enjoy is located just inside the entrance to Killearn Lakes. Providing the "fine dining experience" for lovers of great Italian food from pizza to pasta it's all great. They offer indoor seating or alfresco dining on their patio. So, take your significant other and enjoy some great Italian food - Z BARDHI's ITALIAN CUISINE.
That's it for this week. Next week - more thoughts on cuisine in our fair city.
Like all people, I have a list of things I regret not doing. I never went to the next level as a pianist. I did win a Talent Show in the 9th grade playing The Boogie Woogie Blues with a good friend, a drummer, Jack Hayward. We blew the roof off the place. It was the most thrilling 5-10 minutes of my life. There are a million reasons I quit playing far beyond this erudite article on regrets. I also never learned to dance. When I see a Reel on Facebook showing some modern insane dancer, I tell myself "I wish I could do that". Today's videos show the best of the best from performers who followed their dreams.
I must say, however, I checked the most important boxes - I married the most amazing woman who loves music like me, and I have two kids that have never disappointed their parents as kids or adults, and they love great music old and new. I joke all the time - In my next life I want to be a rock star. There's just something extraordinary about singing to a crowd, large or small, that is in rhythm with what you are singing, playing or dancing.
So, today's post features the best dancers past and present.
First up - Very Old meets Very New - A roster of some of the greatest dancers in history in rhythm with a multi award winningtune, released in 2014, written by British Record Producer Mark Ronson and featuring Bruno Mars delivering the funk in this great tune -UPTOWNFUNK.
If you like pop and if you like jazz - this one's for you
This guy impresses as the current old school/new school singer that combines pop with jazz. He started out as a Wedding Singer. Like they say - things are different now. He has won five Grammies and a slew of other awards. This tune has great singing and some insane dancing by a crew of red clad dancers -MichaelBubléperforming HIGHER!
Here's one of the greatest doing his thing - 1962
I saw this great dancer, actor, singer, performer on Broadway in 1964 in the hit GOLDEN BOY with my family. It was an eye opener indeed for a Southern boy from tiny Tallahassee at the age of 15 enjoying a great performance in the Big City on The Great White Way. Enjoy some of the most amazing dancing you will ever see as Sammy taps his way into the hearts of Italians during a tour of Italy - Sammy Davis Jr. Tap Dancing - Italy 1962.
THE KING OF POP - A talented unique artist
I never had the pleasure of seeing this amazing talent live. This phenomenal pop star, winner of fifteen Grammies, redefined Pop Music every time he recorded or stepped on a stage. Here is a short clip showing moves like no other. IMHO - One of the coolest videos ever performed and recorded - Michael Jackson - Live in Bucharest 1992 - SMOOTH CRIMINAL!
Another Singular Talent - IN THE RAIN
This singer, actor, dancer, choreographer, performer danced, choreographed and directed over forty films from 1942 to 1997. He was old school perfect with smooth moves like no other. Here is a nice clip as he performs the title song - GENE KELLY - SINGIN' IN THE RAIN 1952.
They say she's the greatest Female Dancer in Hollywood History
This video shows us how it was done when art and emotion combined to show us the beauty of the human spirit through dance. This talented hoofer does it right with some of the greatest dancers in history. CYD CHARISSE - THE BEST FEMALE DANCER IN HOLLYWOOD HISTORY!
Another Great One from 1951
This clip is one of the most creative dance numbers ever performed. I was a mere two years old when this was recorded! But - my parents made sure I listened and watched this kind of music and dance growing up. I still have my very own WHITE CHRISTMAS album by the great Bing Crosby given to me when I was around ten! Anyway, here is the great Fred Astaire who won too many awards in film to count. From the movie Royal Wedding Astaire does some crazy dance steps with an unusual partner - FRED ASTAIRE - DANCING WITH A HAT RACK - 1951!
And Last But Not Least - THE KING
I think most Nomads can agree that ELVIS was, indeed, the King of Rock & Roll. Most of his movies never made it to the Oscar nominating list. However, one movie has one of his greatest tunes with some serious dancing. Released in 1957, this tune is one of the greatest rock and roll songs ever recorded. It quickly became No. 1. Elvis sold over a billion records. Not too bad for a boy from Tupelo. I never got to see this artist that changed modern music like no one else. This great video has had 264,742,896 views as of December 2007 - ELVIS, THE KING OF ROCK & ROLL - JAILHOUSE ROCK!
ELVIS THE MOVIE - 2022
And just to show that great dancing is still with us, enjoy the first concert scene from the 2022 movie ELVIS. Like his band mates said - They wanna' see you wiggle! Starring Australian actor Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker, the popular film won multiple awards. This scene captures the essence of Elvis from the fifties and the dancing ain't bad either - ELVIS - FIRST CONCERT SCENE!
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR - GETTING COLDER, LEAVES ARE FALLING, PRICES ARE UP, THANGSGIVING, THE ELECTION, ETC., ETC, ETC. SO, TODAY THE NOMAD ARCHITECT IS GOING TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD WITH A FEW MOVIE SCENES ALONG WITH SOME CLASSIC TV.
Classic movie scenes and entertaining TV shows give all Wanderers what they need just hanging out or on their way to that special place. Here are some great scenes from classic films and Television with romance, emotion, humor and truth.
Released in 1977, starring John Travolta, when he still had hair, this great film tells the story of a young Italian American who spends his time dancing and enjoying life at his favorite disco in Brooklyn. One of the greatest opening scenes in film history was created with the multi-award-winning Travolta, carrying a paint can, walking in rhythm to The Bee Gees singing Stayin' Alive.
Saturday Night Live
Back when SNL, started October '75, was actually funny, here are Dan Akroyd and John Belushi as The Blues Brothersgiving their audience and TV Land some great soul music with some crazy dancing as well. Performing this classic soul tune on SNL in 1978, these two funny, creative comics/actors give us their version of Soul Man. Aykroyd ain't a bad harmonica player either.
Two multi-award-winning actors are featured in one of the most compelling fight scenes ever made. A smart aleck teenager and three buddies think they are in charge but realize pretty quickly that they are not in charge. This truth telling film, features Robert Duvall as Uncle Hub and Michael Caine as Uncle Garth and Haley Joel Osment as Walter, who has been sent to live with Hub and Garth on their farm. This scene shows the acting skills of all the characters as the fight scene goes from bad to worse.
I have never been a horror film fanatic. I saw the Exorcist back in the day and slept with the lights on for a week! Most movie aficionados have seen the classics like Psycho, The Silence of The Lambs or Rosemary's Baby. I even liked the film Scream with its action and humor. Goblins, bogeymen and slashers make us squirm in our seats as we "enjoy" any horror movie. Today, you can watch a scene from one of the greatest psychological horror films ever made - The great Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall take fear to a terrifying level in THE SHINING with one of the greatest lines ever uttered in a film - HERE'S JOHNNY!
All he wanted was a simple breakfast. This early morning restaurant scene shows what can happen when things don't go right. Jack Nicholson solves the problem - Hold the Chicken says he!
One of the many Classics from SEINFELD- THE CAR RESERVATION
This classic TV Sitcom changed everything about comedy in the big world of television. All travelers can relate to this clip from SEINFELD - THE CAR RESERVATION!
Steve Martin and John Candy, two distinctly different travelers, find out what life can be when things go upside down. This classic scene from one of the funniest films ever made with an amazing take on life in the fast and slow lanes. Planes, Trains & Automobiles - MY DOGS ARE BARKING!
Romance in the Movie Capital of the World - The Good Rich Guy gets the Gorgeous Bad Girl!
Richard Gere, a really rich guy, hires Julia Roberts, a really gorgeous hooker, to be his escort for some parties and events he must attend. Then, Cupid comes a'-callin' and they fall in love. And the rest is a great romantic film. This final scene comes after a lot of twists and turns between this unlikely couple - The Ladder Scene - PRETTY WOMAN!
Back in the day nobody imagined that Rawhide's Rowdy Yates would redefine the American Western with an Italian Director. And, of course, there's Dirty Harry. Clint Eastwood made movies that redefined the whole movie watching experience. From A Fist Full of Dollars as The Man with No Name - 1964 to Juror No. 2 - 2024 directed by Eastwood at the age of 94, his films make you realize why films are made - to tell great stories and entertain. The scene shown below is the final scene of what has become a classic with Eastwood (The Good), Lee Van Cleef (The Bad) and Eli Wallach (The Ugly). I've probably watched this great film over twenty times. It never gets old - THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY.
TOM HANKS on Eastwood
Award winning actor Tom Hanks gives a unique assessment of Clint Eastwood's methods as a director.
Released in 1939, this film received ten Oscars including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awarded to the first Oscar honoring an African American. This film checked all the boxes - Great story based on a classic American novel that won a Pulitzer in 1937, Beautiful actors - Vivian Leigh as Scarlet Ohara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler and a host of great supporting players/characters that made this very long film, at almost four hours, a classic. The setting during the Civil War, a great director, great music and unparalleled color filming makes this film stand out as one of the greatest ever made. I never noticed the time watching this amazing film. This scene shows the final scene in the movie including the first curse word ever uttered in a film. Times have indeed changed!
IN A CAR, ON A PLANE, ON A SHIP, OR ON A TRAIN - ALL WANDERERS NEED MUSIC TO GET THROUGH THE LONG DRIVE, THE NINE OUR FLIGHT, THE SLOW BOAT TO WHEREVER OR THE QUICK TRAIN RIDE FROM PARIS TO AVIGNON.
Today, The Nomad Architect is taking a break from the unrelenting thoughts, suggestions and experiences of finding the perfect hotel, restaurant, ancient city or building to tour. Today is all about the music that will make all Nomadic trips better, long or short.
First up - A group of innovative, creative players, singers and dancersthat will improve your mood as you travel to the hinterland or your favorite city - POST MODERN JUKEBOX.
ALL ABOUT THE BASS
Innovation Is Queen in My World of Music - From three ladies that invented swing boogie woogie - THE ANDREWS SISTERS.
BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY - 1941
LOUD & PROUD - It's late - you're tired - it's been a long drive - Crank this one up - Wake Up! I had the pleasure of seeing one of America's greatest rock bands, performing for over 65 years, about nine years ago in Amalie Arena Tampa - THE ROLLING STONES.
START ME UP
NOTHIN' LIKE JAZZ - Here's another innovator in one of the most demanding genres of modern music. Since 1937 this amazing drummer has played all over the world with his band until his death in 1987. We saw him with his band in the early seventies when I was in Architecture School at Auburn University - BUDDY RICH.
BIRDLAND - Written by Weather Report
THE VOICE CAPTURES THE SOUL OF EVERY LISTENER - The great soul/blues singer from Texas was an incomparable talent that died tragically at the age of 27. When I saw her perform at the First Atlanta International Pop Festival - July 1969, six weeks before Woodstock with a 150 thousand of my closest friends and my future bride - I became a lifelong fan. I still have her last album. Listen to one of her most compelling songs written by the great Kris Kristofferson - JANICE JOPLIN.
ME AND BOBBY McGEE
AMAZING TALENT - SINGER, COMPOSER, GUITARIST, PERFORMER WITH FEW EQUALS - I saw this astonishing rock/pop artist at The Amalie Arena Tampa a few years ago. Three hours of an unprecedented, mesmerizing performance with his band New Power Generation included a thirty-minute acoustic performance of many of his hits - He left us way too soon - the one and only PRINCE!
ACOUSTIC CREAM
A ROCK CLASSIC IN PARIS - Je t’aime Garou! Bravo!
I am a lover of virtually every genre of music if it's good. Rock, pop, country, jazz, classical - I love all great music written and performed well. This tune, written by the Great Randy Newman, was sung by the gritty Joe Cocker in the movie 9 1/2 Weeks. The master of blues and rock, for unknowable reasons, is still not in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! I found this performance by an amazing Canadian singer, actor and performer, who sings in English and French, performing this classic with power and soul in Paris - GAROU!
YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON
THE GREATEST TEXAS SINGER, SONGWRITER, PERFORMER - No music list of mine would be complete without this multi-award-winning Texas Troubadour. I've seen this incredible artist five times live. Just saw him and his Large Band at Florida State University for Opening Nights with my two kids - They were blown away- I was Mesmerized for 2 1/2 hours -LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND.
THAT'S RIGHT YOU'RE NOT FROM TEXAS
AFTER A LONG TRIP ALL VAGABONDS NEED MUSIC - Here is a very cool piece by a group I just found on You Tube - With over five thousand performances behind them, this Canadian duo with supporting players/singers gives us a soft romantic tune to relax Nomads at the end of the day- MUSIC TRAVEL LOVE.
THAT'S THE WAY IT IS
"Nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people. - Mark Twain
Happy Trails to all Nomads while you travel and listen.
CALIFORNIA COAST - FOOD, WINE and CLINT'S PLACE - CARMEL
Some time ago I raised a few points about one of the most unique west coast environments in Central California -Carmel By The Sea. With its very dense, almost zero lot line homes built by artists, writers, actors and other famous and not so famous creative types from 1929 on, it is truly an environment that must be seen to be appreciated. Its restaurants, artisan shops, small museums and small "downtown" area will provide any visitor with a perspective on how people of means and artistic bent have managed to create a place of intense, small urban quality that is like no other place you will experience. Carmel always has great weather. Late Fall has temperatures in the high sixties to low seventies.
DO NOT MISS EASTWOOD'S PLACE - AMAZING!
First, Clint was not there the night we ate at this very old, well-appointed simple restaurant. However, if you go to Carmel, this place is a must. Great food and an amazing setting make The Mission Ranch Restaurant a place that must not be missed. I highly recommend eating outside on the terrace overlooking a rolling pasture and a few sheep with the Pacific beyond. Vegans need not apply. The specialty is Slow Roasted Prime Rib - GO AHEAD MAKE MY DAY!! The food, the service, the wine. All those ingredients combine to generate this acclaimed restaurant's high ratings by people who rate such things. What a gig - huh?
And nothing goes better with great cuisine than a very, very good jazz pianist. We sat right next to the keyboardist as he played some great classics and new stuff while we waited for our table. We are both jazz lovers and hearing this great jazz pianist gives this place that sense of old school and new day vibe combined. So, when in Carmel, check out this restaurant located on the original twenty-two acres along with the thirty-one room Mission Ranch Hotel. The place was rescued and saved from the condo developers by none other than the former mayor Clint Eastwood, who, we were told, shows up unannounced on a regular basis.
CARMEL IS A SMALL TOWN WITH A BEACHFRONT HOUSE DESIGNED BY AMERICA'S BEST
Because Carmel is not very big, it is one of the most feet friendly towns you can visit. Around every corner is a bistro, a brunch place or a bakery with great food - not to mention many small and expensive art galleries and small shops. And, of course, there is Carmel Beach, where you can hang out and dip your toes in the Pacific. The architectural flavor of the town is old school to the max with mostly wood siding bungalows and no large buildings. It is intimate and cozy. You get the feeling that you are a local, even if you're only there for a few days. One interesting architectural masterpiece on the Pacific is theWalker House - Cabin On the Rocks, designed by Frank LLoyd Wright and built in 1949. It was featured in the movie A Summer Place. This small 1,400 square foot house recently sold for $22 million! California is indeed pricey. It's the only beachfront home the master architect ever designed.
AND A SCENIC DRIVE TO A REALLY COOL RESTAURANT
In addition to walking the town and enjoying the food and the vibe, you must hop in your car and take a nice drive down California 1 to a culinary institution -Nepenthe Restaurant. In Greek it means "Isle of No Care". Make absolutely certain you grab a seat on a waterfront front bench/table about 200 feet above the Pacific. Serving hungry locals and visitors from all over the world since 1949, in a building designed by Architect Rowen Maiden, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, this is a great day trip to the heart of Big Sur for a great meal, great atmosphere and killer views. And the leisurely drive down California's Coast Road (CA 1) with magnificent coastal views around every bend - a little over an hour - ain't too shabby either.
One final suggestion- If you want to impress your significant other, reserve a view table atSierra Mar Restaurant, which is on the property ofThe Post Ranch Innboutique hotel. If you have a little bit of extra cash and you really want to impress your travel partner, reserve a Tree House Room in the woods for $2,375 a night or a Castro Room with direct views of the Pacific complete with everything you would ever need for a luxurious romantic experience for a mere $4,800! This amazing hotel is the 2024 winner of Andrew Harper Members' Choice Award as The No. 1 Hotel in the World. It's a tad rich for this Nomad, but, if you can pay the freight - don't hesitate.
We landed in a very cool and intimate AIRBNB with panoramic ocean views over Pebble Beach, Carmel - Epic Ocean View Private Lil Cottage. This place has it all - gorgeous views in a natural setting, large shower, comfortable bed, fireplace and a large deck to relax with a nice glass in the afternoon with a price of $250-$300 a night - worth every penny.
AND LET US NOT FORGET THE WINE - AAH YES, THE WINE!
Since California produces 90% of the wine in the United States, you really can't go to this part of the country without spending at least a day or two touring and tasting some of the best wine in the world. Just get aCarmel Valley Mapand go man go. The Bernardus Wineryis a great place to start. If you want to pick up some delicious lemon olive oil, in addition to some great wine, check outJoullian Vineyards & Winery. And there are at least twenty other, mostly small, boutique wineries that will quench your thirst and delight your taste buds.
So, if you need a few days getaway or something longer, Carmel by the Sea, along with Big Sur and other Central California must sees, is a place you should add to your bucket list.
“It was here in Big Sur that I first learned to say ‘amen.’” – Henry Miller.
This week's video is from The Ed Sullivan Show September 24, 1967 - The Grammy Award winning Mamas & the Papas perform one of their biggest hits - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN! A quintessential tune from the sixties.
