Today’s photo proves that you can find opportunities anywhere without really trying. We were on our way back to our rental in Honolulu, Hawaii when we happened upon five men who were kayak racing down a canal.

The canal just happened to be parallel to Pinky’s Pupu Bar where we were enjoying an Aloha plate, which is a traditional Hawaiian plate meal that consisted of pork wrapped in taro leaves, salmon, bbq pork, rice, & macaroni salad. But I digress…..

You could tell that they were having a lot of fun because we could hear their boisterous taunts as they tried to best each other. It was a brilliant scene watching them sail with glee between palm trees and native flora oblivious to two strangers who would capture them forever through the lens of a camera.

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The rain brought with it silence and solitude as we walked along the massive pathways that guided us past a menagerie of trees, shrubs and perennials.

It was the cusp of late winter dawning in to early spring and the gardens took on an interesting profile.

The deciduous trees had long been bare and there was some evidence that flowers were awakening from their deep slumber. The sky was overcast and provided a grey backdrop to the illustrious palette that lay before us.

The quiet was unsettling. We were the only patrons that morning and we’d silently hoped that it would remain that way. There was a mystical quality that surround us and as crazy as it sounds we didn’t want it to end. We wanted to remain suspended in it for as long as we could.

Each turn or bend brought us to something more fascinating or compelling as the next. There was something captivating about the sparseness of the gardens. The skeletal homages to the beauty that would come in a matter of months; the pink vibrancy of a field of heather that bathed a nearby gazebo.

We came across a bank of black rocks that were softened by various plants disbursed throughout. We soon found ourselves following a trail that led us to a footbridge that overlooked a stream of brilliantly colored koi cascading through a forest of hosta and fern on either side.

As I stood in the center of Van Dusen Gardens taking in this scene that could only be described as a fairytale, I felt a twinge of guilt.

Naturally, most people would visit a garden when its at its showcase best; when most plants are a panoramic bloom-fest and vying for the visitor’s attention. Yet, here I stood taking in a transformative process that few are fortunate enough to witness that ‘nature’s first green is gold”.

There are brief moments in our lifetime where we get to experience a calmness that envelopes our entire being. Where your body and soul are synergic with nature. It’s the best evidence that we are here because we are meant to be. It is our destiny. So do the unexpected, spend a rainy afternoon exploring the beauty of a botanical garden, you will be glad you did.

The VanDusen Botanical Garden is located at:
5251 Oak Street (37th & Oak St.)
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6M 4H1
http://vancouver.ca/vandusen/

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Everybody has a story.  Each story is a mix of varying parts of happiness, sadness, hope and regret.  It’s rare to find anyone who is completely happy with their lot in life, but the smart ones know that complaining never helps nor does it make anything better.  If they are dissatisfied with the path they’re on, they’ll strive to make changes that will take them on a different route. But some folks worry about what others might say in response to the new attitude that seems counter the way that they’ve always known them to be.

For the same reason that pencils have erasers, you can decide to change anything about your life that doesn’t mesh with the person that you presently see yourself as…..or even want to be. Even though a pencil can erase, you can still see the vestiges of what was underneath.

It doesn’t negate what has gone on before; it just allows you to move beyond it….to clean the slate…..to redirect your path.  You can change the storyline; remembering that just because it happened doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve a rewrite.

Sometimes, you will have to ask yourself how much of your life is genuine versus how much is simply living up to other’s expectations?  Who’s really pulling the strings? How many times have we caved into the pressures of society, family and friends?  How many times have we pushed down into obscurity our heart’s true desires to appease others? I think one of the main reasons we fail to pursue what we truly want is that we don’t want to be perceived as acting out of character.  People are usually uncomfortable when you hit them with aspects of your personality that they may not have been privy to.  Some do not do well with change and prefer the familiar. Ask any brave soul who has come out of the closet if the task was easy?

Or it can be something as simple as changing course when it comes to your career.  Take Myron Rolle, a former All-American at Florida State who was by-passed by many teams during the draft in 2010.  Why?  Probably because he decided to delay participating in the draft in order to attend Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

One would wonder why a football team would eschew a player simply because he placed a higher value on education? My guess is that from a corporate point of view, not much currency is placed on the lives of men who aspire to do more than just kicking around a pigskin.

His reality didn’t match up to their perception of who he should be; maybe their concern was that he wouldn’t stick around to make them money like the others. I will never forget comedian Chris Rock’s stern observation about the perceived ‘wealth’ of such ballplayers by young men who are striving to make it big on the field:

There is a big difference between the two.  A. Big.  Difference.  If the team owner can afford to pay each player millions, you’d better believe it’s because he can afford to.

I suppose that the now twenty-six year old, Mr. Rolle  has proven them right after all.  He’s retiring from football to attend medical school.   It’s to his credit that his desire to want more out of life wasn’t dampened, especially since these young men aren’t usually encouraged to succeed beyond athletic aspirations.

The ‘lucky’ few who do manage to make a career out of it will find out quickly that they will need a Plan B as many are forced to retire due to severe injuries and few are left financially solvent when they do.

In the end, we are all given lives to live as we so desire.  The trick is to be brave enough to have a heart to heart with your conscience and decide what it is that you want and then set about achieving it.  Just remember…..what may be best for someone else may not be best for you.  It’s up to each of us to find what our passions are and to pursue it abundantly, without apology.

Usually, the best way to deal with people who aren’t on board with your plans is to surround yourself with others who can lend support and encouragement.  Ultimately, that will help you to pursue realistic goals that will lead to you achieving your dream.

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If you are a true nature lover at heart and can think of nothing being more exhilarating than spending your time surrounded by the snowy white chills of winter, then you should listen up.

Whether you are into snowboarding, back country or alpine skiing, sledding, snowshoe-ing or ice-fishing, nothing is quite as novel as winding down your day by spending your nights camping out in a genuine Igloo!

This unique form of lodging is the perfect way to top off your trip to the snowy mountains of Quebec, Canada.

For more information, check out: Parqcs Quebec’s Sepaq Igloo Accommodations!

”Spending the night in an igloo is a one-of-a-kind winter experience! Spend part of your evening under the starry sky, in front of the campfire, and then enjoy a good night’s sleep nestled in your sleeping bag. Igloos can hold 2-4 people. All necessary equipment is available for rent on-site.”

Now what will the pleasure of such an experience cost you?  Would you believe that the prices start at only $24.25 (before taxes) per night, per person?  If you will be camping on the grounds of a national park, please factor in the price of admission too.

You can place your reservations now by calling 1-800-665-6527.

More info:

*  An outdoor fire pit with firewood is provided, and a pit toilet is located nearby.

* A minimum of 2 adults per igloo is required for safety purposes.

* Igloos may be scattered throughout the campground, or be more or less close to the activities and services available. They are accessible on foot, skis or by snowshoes.

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To the untrained eye, it seemed like the Canadian Provincial government had their priorities straight.    However, closer examination yields that like most governments, they have broken their promise.  Small wonder that Governments rarely survive such a catastrophe!  Which one you ask?  The Zombie Apocalypse which could totally happen, by the way! Ask the CDC!

I think there’s a great possibility that people could wake up one day with a thirst for someone else’s flesh and brain matter. Before you laugh, have you seen the way our own (American) Congress has been acting up lately?  Scary, huh?   Or………. I could be watching too many episodes of The Walking Dead.   So, there’s that.

It’s strange that no one has been able to explain why people would start feeding on one another.   I am going to have to take a guess at what may have happened and say it was an environmental disaster (or maybe sabotage?) that rendered the populace into zombies and spared a select few.  Naturally the assumption is that I will be amongst the latter or this exercise is a complete waste of our time.

This is really not the time for riddles. When giving warnings that can mean the difference between life and death, clarity is a must!!

I think it goes without saying that Zombiedom essentially condemns you to the most god-awful living (or undead) conditions.  Watch any zombie movie and you would be hard pressed to find anything but unsanitary, dilapidated, inhumane conditions….but enough about my last hostel stay.

One would have to surmise that there was a dreaded chemically-induced genesis to this catastrophic event because it looks as if an atomic bomb was dropped on the entire globe.   The Walking Dead gives me a little hope in that most structures are still rendered stable and livable provided you build a bonfire to eliminate the less fortunate victims who always seem to be left behind in their beds, on their sofas, etc.  I’m often left wondering if they decided to stay and see what happens or accepted their fate?

Selecting the right house for safety and shelter can be problematic at times, but the good news is that no one will be giving you sass.

Alright, let’s get serious for a moment and ponder about what I would do and where I would go if by some cosmic miracle I could find a living and breathing pilot to get me away from this hell on earth on short notice?   I would pack up as much food and water as I could as I battled fellow survivors for any canned goods left behind at the grocery store.  I would thank the stars above that I won’t have to deal with ridiculous baggage fees or worse worry about having to abandon said luggage due to weight restrictions.

I’m not sure if the apocalypse would noticeably change anything related to the TSA.  But any issues with them (real or imagined) would no longer be a problem because I am sure karma would render most of those agents as useful as they are today, but they would never be able to clock out.  Muaaaah—-ha—ha—-ha!!!

I’ve got your job security for you!

I would bring a few clothes and sensible shoes because I would hate to get bit because my feet hurt and I couldn’t outrun the dead.  I would be able to freely carry weapons to protect myself.  On general principle, I would find a Katana sword just like the one that Michonne brandishes on The Walking Dead.  I can attack from a safe distance and avoid alerting the others as I whittle their numbers down.

No one can wield this sword like Michonne who prior to the apocalypse had only been trained in fencing. Guess, I’d better get busy.

I would surely stay away from the cities.  I would probably just stay away from the entire USA and the city of London period since that seems to be where zombies like to congregate, at least according to Hollywood.  It never seems to end well.  And as discussed above, no government will exist, much less come to save you.

Big cities can be problematic.  Especially if the catastrophe manages to destroy all living things like in the book, “The Road” by Cormack McCarthy.  All vegetation would wither at the root and collapse, animals would die and cannibalism would be the new nouvelle cuisine for those who managed to survive.  In that case, all hope would be seemingly lost, but I would like to think that I would still attempt to fight my way through it all.

It’s probably best not to fraternize with the undead, no matter how affable they may seem to be.

I would probably end up on an island, after doing a thorough sweep, of course.  I know for a fact that zombies can’t swim nor operate machinery so I should be relatively safe.  They’re fairly slow but can become quite dangerous as a herd.

Now what island would be the best candidate for my daring escape?  I will go with Easter Island.  It’s the world’s most remote island but if by some chance zombies showed up…..probably because a ship that has become infected, shipwrecks there…..maybe they will feast on the Moai because let’s face it, they’re not that smart.

This would be me, chilling like a villain and hoping that the Moai take a few for the team while I make my getaway. Of course, I would have to take a pic first!

I’ll just sneak up on them, katana in hand and take them out one by one.   Now, some would say that since Easter Island has been deforested, my cover would be blown in no time (I think Cormack had a hand in this!).  Despite all of their failings, the walkers eyesight is excellent.  So, don’t let their sunken eye sockets and bloodshot eyes fool you.  They can see and smell you without much effort, so it probably wouldn’t be wise to tempt fate.   I think that would work to my advantage because I would be able to see them easily too.

There would be a plentiful supply of tropical fruits, beautiful landscape and a smaller populace (if they’re infected, there will be fewer to fight).  The negatives would be fewer resources due to its distance from the main-land so that would make life  just a little tougher.

If things work out the way that I hope, maybe I will have a happy ending (mostly) like these folks:

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I have always believed that you can find little hidden treasures close to home. I think Gatlinburg Falls Resort is one such treasure. It is located approximately six miles from the little town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with only the Smoky Mountains National Park separating the two. We decided to take a long weekend break to visit Gatlinburg which is a little over a four hour drive from Atlanta.

I hate to admit that I got lost the first time trying to find the resort. Once you pass the Park, you will come upon the first traffic light in Gatlinburg. It is literally marked with the number “1”. You will need to turn left at that light. We had gotten to stoplight number 10 when we finally decided to call the resort for directions. Luckily, the lights are in close proximity, otherwise I would have been upset.

This is the entrance to the Conference Center which can be used for free. A public swimming pool is on site for guest use as well.

Once you make the left turn, keep driving up a steep hill until you get to the stop sign. Bear right at the stop sign and keep going until you see the resort on your left. I wish that they would install a sign indicating that you should turn left to get to them. However, there is a lot of sign porn going on, so you may miss it anyway.

The Welcome Center is where you come to check in. You will be given codes that will allow you to open your cabin’s front door via keyless entry.

We realized that we were early….very early. We left Atlanta around 5 am, so it was now 10ish. The front desk clerk was a little terse with us. He didn’t ask if he could help us. He said something like, “What can I do for you?” without looking at us. I told him that we had reservations for the Rainbow’s End cabin. He quickly offered that they only guarantee that rooms are ready by 4 pm and he didn’t think it was cleaned yet.

That wasn’t a problem for us. We knew we were super early, but we were a little tired and had crossed our fingers for an early check in. I sent an email three days prior to let them know that we would probably be arriving by noon, but I guess they couldn’t accommodate us. The fact that they weren’t ready for us was quite alright. I was a little put off by the disengaged attitude of the clerk who after checking his phone (their internet was down) verified that the room wasn’t ready.

Taking a breather in the Welcome Center before having to hit the road again. Our room wasn’t quite ready yet.

He was ready to take my payment however. I asked him to give me an estimate of when it would be ready; he repeated that it would be around 4. He said he could call me if it was ready before then. I gave him my number and started to leave. I didn’t know there was anyone else who’d come in behind me. THAT gentleman was greeted with a cheery, “Hello!” and was asked “How may I help you?”. I took note that it was markedly different from the way that we were approached, so it wasn’t that the clerk wasn’t trained, it was telling that there was such a glaring difference.

We visited Gatlinburg and got back to the Welcome Center offices a little after 4 pm. He said “Let me see if the cabin is ready”. I was thinking it’s after four, it should be! He confirmed that it was and again asked for payment. I told him that there was no payment that it was gratis; that I had been invited to stay. As if by magic, his tone changed and he suddenly became engaged and interested in us as guests.

I took a shot of the row of cabins to my left. Each cabin is poetically named, mine was Rainbow’s End. How could you not feel welcomed when you see that?

I purposely didn’t reveal why I was there in the beginning because I didn’t want to influence his true ‘service’ technique. I wanted him to treat me like any other paying customer. I know people’s eyes glaze over when you bring up the fact that not all humans are treated equally, but I can say that I FELT like I was treated with less concern than the other patron.

Other than that brief interlude, my stay was perfection. I can’t praise their cabins enough. Rainbow’s End was a two-bedroom respite with a huge eat-in kitchen on the left that sat eight and a spacious living room on the right as you entered the cabin. The kitchen had all the comforts of home: Dishes, pots and pans, silverware, cooking utensils, cups….literally everything that you needed to cook sans the food.

Carisa waving hello as she searches for the dishes. “Psst….top left cabinet!”

There was a coffee maker, microwave, mixer, can opener, chef knives in addition to the dishwasher, stove and fridge. All necessary chemicals and supplies were provided for the guest’s convenience.

On the right, the living room was outfitted with whimsical lodge type sleeper sofa, loveseat and chair with a large wooden storage chest standing in nicely as the cocktail table in the center. A 32” tv is anchored on the stone covered wall right over the electric fireplace with a dvd player encased below.

The living room was massive and the sofas were very comfortable; it was difficult to get up off of them.

One quick note about all of the furniture in the cabin; I have to say that it’s been years since I’ve seen such high quality, well-made furniture. It was definitely built to last for decades and is very kid-friendly.

Carisa checking her email using the resort’s free wi-fi service. She said that while there were some slow moments, she was able to do everything that she needed to do.

Right behind the living room is a full bath with an extended countertop. Again, all of the creature comforts like towels, washcloths, shampoo, soap, lotion and conditioner are provided.

The master bathroom was much larger than I expected. Heck, it was larger than my own bathroom at home! A girl can get spoiled here.

Across from the bath was a closet that housed a stacked washer/dryer unit and an iron and ironing board. If you are planning a long getaway, this alone is worth the rent!

Connected to the bathroom is the first of two bedrooms in the unit. It has a king sized bed with a dresser, nightstand and tv ensconced on the wall right across from it. A small closet was in the back of the room and there was a beautiful balcony outside the master bedroom.

The Master bedroom had vaulted ceilings, a king sized, firm bed and the ubiquitous pine notched walls that gave the room a cozy feel.

Opposite the king bed in the master bedroom was a chest of drawers, closet and a small flat screen tv.

My balcony outside my bedroom was spacious and featured two Amish crafted rocking chairs and side table that beckoned me to sit and enjoy the view.

I stood outside the master bedroom to get a shot of the neighboring cabins and the nearby woodland.

Right past the laundry room were the steps that lead you to the second bedroom with an ensuite bath. As you descend the staircase, you will see a game room with a table and two barstools surrounding it. There were two old fashioned, manual video game consoles (one of the consoles had eight pages of games!!) and an air hockey table. Right outside the bedroom was another queen sleeper sofa.

This is the second bedroom located on the lower level of the cabin. It was king sized too with an attached bath.

Carisa playing Ms. PacMan….she kept winning and I lost.

When the description said the cabin sleeps eight, they meant it! There is a second balcony outside the game room. This is where the hot tub (a necessity in the cabin community) is located and is a true blessing after a long day of sightseeing.

On the last day of our stay, the skies decided to open up and the clouds quickly descended upon Mount LeConte in the distance. The result was an ethereally haunting view from my balcony.

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Beautiful art figures from the First Nations People at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

I’ve noticed that one of the things that I tend to do while I travel is to snap photos for no good reason.  Usually, I am on a tour bus or casually walking along a city street that I decide to immortalize my surroundings by capturing random scenes through my camera lens.

It doesn’t have to be something massive or particularly significant; I’m usually moved to do so because of how I am feeling at the moment.  I’m usually overwhelmed by the people, a particular circumstance, an unusual building….something that captures my attention that compels me to document it.

Of course, those pictures usually turn out to be a blurry mess and sometimes in rarer moments, they become unforgettable treasures.  I decided to share a few with you dear reader in the hopes that you could appreciate the method to my madness: “Sometimes the best photos are the unplanned ones”.

We were on a tour bus that departed Santiago, Chile, destined for Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. It was early in the day and I thought I was seeing things but took the pic anyway. It looked like a cardboard house sitting on the hillside with a distinctive Mondrian palette. I have no explanation for this. This is not…..I repeat….this is not photoshopped and I am glad that I was able to capture it as the tour bus whizzed by.

I confess. I am a subway art aficionado. I fell in love with the sparkling mosaics at Cluny La Sorbonne subway station in the latin quarter of Paris, France. It’s more than beautiful, it’s historic. The names of legendary Parisienne luminaries are displayed around the perimeter of the larger mosaic called Les Olseaux. It’s a sight to behold.

We’d just stepped off the funicular after leaving Sacre Coeur in Paris when we passed this backpacker. He was headed toward the Church but took the steps instead of the funicular. I don’t know why his body and clothes were painted silver, but he sure got our attention!!

The Unclaimed Baggage Center is one of my favorite places to shop. It’s located in the small town of Scottsboro, Alabama and is where a large percentage of lost luggage and its contents end up. I get the best deals here but it’s a four hour drive so I can’t go as often as I would like.

We took a cruise down the canals of Amsterdam and came across this overturned boat. There were lots of boats docked along the canals so it’s an important form of transportation. We wondered why the owners hadn’t noticed that they were about to lose it. Judging from the algae that had began to form on the other side, it had to have been like that for awhile.

I happened to see a Friar walking across the street as we were leaving a church in downtown, Lima, Peru. I wanted to wave, but thought it would prove to be awkward.

This entryway of Elk antlers at the George Washington Memorial park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming certainly makes a statement.      I spotted a second set at the exit. I was a little surprised to see so many antlers being used as decorative accouterments.

Another pic from Lima, Peru on the same day. We happened upon this religious procession honoring the 50th anniversary of the canonization of St. Martin de Porres (1579-1639).  He was canonized in Rome by Pope John XXIII, on May 6, 1962.  We were honored to have witnessed that historic and solemn procession.

I’ve commented on this before, but it’s still memorable. We were visiting Miami in prep for our cruise the next day. I was visiting the Vizcaya Museum and happened upon this young lady being photographed for her Quincinera. Her proud mother stood beaming on the sidelines taking it all in.

Now, it’s your turn to share!  What unique scenes have you stumbled upon that made you take a second look?  Feel free to share them with us in the comments!

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Neighborhood dogs relax like a boss on the street corners of Santiago unencumbered by meddling humans. We witnessed packs of roaming dogs throughout South America where most were left to their own devices. Rumor has it that they are not spayed or neutered due to strong Roman Catholic influences in the continent. I can neither prove nor disprove that rumor, but there is no refuting that anyone or anything could feel at home here.  

There are some places where you never feel as if you are a stranger.  Even though, you’ve never seen the place before, you feel some kinship….some familiarity.  You can find yourself walking down avenues and boulevards that you may have once dreamt about, but it was never real until now.  

Nestled in the background of this open courtyard is the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago. One of the things that I found to be most welcoming were the random greenspaces that allowed you to sit and take in your surroundings.

Some places, instantly make you feel at home.

I have never been a fan of graffiti; usually because I’ve always viewed it as ‘angry splatters of black spray paint’. Somehow, it became art on the streets of Santiago.

I felt that way about Santiago, Chile.  It is a magnificent city that was a complex combination of the best of several centuries.  One of the things that I noticed is that it is bustling and business centric much like New York City.

We passed the Basilica de La Merced in Santiago every morning after leaving our downtown apartment. It was always a delight to see the unusual as you are taking a stroll.

While Santiago is roughly half the size of New York City and boasts two-thirds of its population, I never felt quite as claustrophobic in Santiago as I do in New York.  

Who wouldn’t love looking at these beauties every day?

I think it’s because the city’s grid system makes more sense, city blocks are massive which allows for more free-flowing pedestrian traffic as well as an improved and cohesive vehicular traffic, both public and private.

Lovely residential area of Santiago.

Today – Santiago, Chile is one of the major financial centers in the world.  Bolstered by the presence of several multi-national corporations, a thriving middle class, a solid infrastructure including a top-notch subway system that acts as the blood through the city’s vast arteries. 

Comforting to know that no matter what city you find yourself in there will always be a “Civic Center” somewhere.

So, yes, it is like most metropolitan cities.  It has a little bit to offer anyone no matter their particular proclivities.  We decided to rent a lovely apartment during our stay and got to experience the city as the locals do. 

A businessman takes time out for a shoe shine during lunchtime.

One thing that we noticed while watching television that we could easily master fluent Spanish within three months if we fully immersed ourselves by speaking Spanish only to our neighbors.

Santiago….where even the benches become pieces of art.

The food is great, the environment is exceptional, the people friendly, the infrastructure constantly improving…..why wouldn’t anyone find this appealing?  

What city has similarly moved you?  Is there another place that you would move to in a heartbeat, if you could?  Feel free to share your dream destination in the comments section.

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It doesn’t take long to figure out that fine art is not in short supply in Sedona. As you drive through the city’s main thoroughfare on State Route 89A, it becomes quite evident that there is a profound respect not only for nature’s creations but also for those that are meticulously crafted by the hands of men.

One of the first things that you notice, besides the beautiful red rock formations (of course), is the inordinate number of art pieces sitting in full view for everyone’s enjoyment on the city’s street corners and side streets. Usually, these pieces can be found right outside either one of Sedona’s massive number of art galleries.

It’s the perfect blend of aesthetics that makes the city that much more wondrous if that’s even possible.  Yet, somehow it is.  The city boasts at least 50 fantastic galleries which house an amazing array of sculptures, paintings and southwestern artifacts.

I decided to take a walk outside of my hotel room to pay a visit to an art gallery that was literally steps away on the right.   Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art was more like a 3 dimensional fantasy where every thing that you loved about art was staring back at you in living color. I was literally on sensory overload.  There were so many things vying for my attention that I had to stand still for a moment and get it together.  It was overwhelming and dramatic and uplifting.

I spent a good two hours taking in every shape, color and meaning that this showcase offered its visitor. There was ample seating for those who wanted to sit and ponder on the rather high price tags that went upward in the million dollar range.  There were sculptures made out of various media, glass art that shone like the morning sunrise, intricate jewelry that honored indigenous cultures, Oil Paintings that told stories of the old Southwest that you couldn’t wait to listen to. This is just a small sampling what I got to experience.

Sunriser 2 by Sculptor Bobbie Carlyle is a study in dramatic poise.

All  three of these Wind sculptures are by the artist Mark White.  On the left is Flame 3 Blade, the center one is the only one of his sculptures I couldn’t identify and the one on the right is called Wind Ripples.

The winding pathway of the outdoor courtyard of Exposures. It looked like a festive cantina.

“Forever”, a romantic ode to Roman mythology and sensuality by Daniel Newman.

Another piece by Bobbie Carlyle titled very appropriately, “Self Made Man”. And like all of us, he is still a work in progress.

The bronze work by Marianne Caroselli was usually of gleeful children at play like this one of a boy and girl watering the family garden.

My favorite sculpture was “Windsong” by Susanne Vertel. I love the fluid, yet graceful lines that emanated from the bronze piece.

Orb Verdigris Patina, one of Mark White’s Wind Sculptures

A bronze work by Marianne Caroselli with two children bathing the family pet.

This majestic, expansive eagle was created by Bronze sculpture artist, Chester Fields and is entitled “Splashdown”.

This solemn figure wedged between the two wind sculptures is Susanne Vertel’s “Wish Upon An Angel”.

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Nothing makes the heart sink faster than seeing long lines at airports, especially when those long lines resemble a cesspool of copper headed snakes and are just as pleasant.  You know the drill….whether it’s waiting to go through the tiring TSA lines or through passport control/immigration, we have been conditioned to the art of the wait.

In a rare show of common sense, the government has developed a program to alleviate this inhuman form of torture.  Originally created to target frequent international travelers, the U.S. Global Entry program has been a virtual god-send for travelers who want a fast and secure way of skipping the lines altogether when re-entering the United States.

What is it exactly?

When coming back to the USA after visiting a foreign country, you will have to go through Customs.   Usually the lines are long because at any given time there are many flights re-entering the USA at the same time that your flight arrives.  This compounds the number of people who have to go through customs and usually end up creating interminable lines as a result.  The Global Entry program is a Trusted Traveler pre-screening program that allows you to go to a computer kiosk instead of a Customs officer when you are returning home.  This will significantly expedite your re-entry into the country because there will be virtually no wait since you can just walk up to the kiosk, scan your passport, let the camera scan your face and then your fingers to identify you biometrically.

A screenshot of your flight details will pop up and you will need to verify whether or not you have something to declare.  If you are cleared through, a piece of paper will print out that you will need to hand over to the customs officer on your way out to baggage claim or ground transportation.  Time elapse?  Less than three minutes.

Is it really that easy?  Surely, I can still be searched at this stage of the game.

That is correct.  You know that little piece of paper that I just mentioned?  If it has an X on it, you will have to see a customs official.  You do not have to stand in line, just go straight to the nearest officer and they will determine why you were flagged.  It could be something very simple like not declaring something that you have brought back from your travels.  That officer will determine if you need to go through a secondary and more hands on screening.

Who’s eligible to sign up for this program?

Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, South Korean citizens and Mexican nationals. Canadian citizens and residents may enjoy Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program.  Applicants must be over 18 or if under the age of 18, must have parental or legal guardian’s consent. 

How do I apply?

All applications must be submitted online.  During the application process, you will be assessed a $100.00 non-refundable application fee.  Caution: be sure to follow all instructions to the letter.  Someone inputted his birthday incorrectly, so his application was denied.  He could reapply, but would have to pay the fee again.

Next, you will have to submit to an in-person interview.  After your application has been reviewed, you will receive a notification in your G.E. account that you need to schedule an interview at one of their Global Entry Enrollment Centers.  All of the centers are located close to or within airports.  If they are located inside the airport, you will never have to worry about going through TSA to get there.  The offices are located outside the security area.

The actual interview consists of pointed questions (i.e. to ascertain any criminal history) and watching a short video on how to use the kiosk or they will simply demonstrate how while you are there.  The interviewer (A U.S. Customs Officer) will take your picture and scan your fingerprints.  Both biometric measures must match when you go to the computer kiosk when re-entering the country.  All applicants must bring with them a machine readable passport or a U.S. permanent residency card.  Typically, you will be done in less than 15 minutes.

Are there any conditions that may disqualify me?

According to the Global Entry site, here is their list of reasons for ineligibility for their program:

Applicants may not qualify for participation in the Global Entry program if they:

• Provide false or incomplete information on the application;
• Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants;
• Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
• Are subjects of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency;
• Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation;
• Cannot satisfy the Customs and Border Protection department (CBP) of their low-risk status (e.g. CBP has intelligence that indicates that the applicant is not low risk; CBP cannot determine an applicant’s criminal, residence or employment history).

When does my ‘membership’ expire?

Your $100.00 non-refundable fee gives you five years’ access to the Global Entry program.

Are there any additional benefits that I should know about?

U.S. citizens who are members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI Trusted Traveler programs are eligible to participate in the TSA Pre program.  Canadian citizens who are members of the NEXUS program are also eligible for the TSA Pre program.  You will not be assessed any additional fees in order to participate.

This means that if you are traveling on participating airlines, after check in, you can skip the long TSA lines and head straight for the TSA Pre- approved line with your Global Entry card.  At this point, you can walk through with your shoes, belt and coat on and you will not need to take any electronics out for x-ray scans.  Naturally, the government reserves the right to search you anyway, for whatever reason.

Currently, the participating airlines are Delta, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United and US Airways but only at specific airports.  Be sure to check to see which airports offer this service here.

Upon approval to the Global Entry program, you will receive an invitation to the TSA Pre program.  Each airline will have to separately approve your participation.  This program is still in the early stages and will become more valuable as more airlines sign on board and more airports accommodate the program.

Another bonus is that your $100 Global Entry fee allows you to use the Mexican government’s SENTRI program and the US government’s ReadyLane programs for free.  Each will give you expedited entry through the Mexican or Canadian border if you are traveling via car.

How long will I have to wait before I know if I am accepted or not?

Typically, it will take about a week for your application to be approved.  You will then be able to schedule your appointment online.

What if my passport expires during the five year membership?  Can I transfer the time left to the new passport?

Yes!  All you will need to do is go into your online Global Entry account and update your information.

Other tips:

• If you travel extensively for a living, your employer may want to invest the $100.00 if time is a big factor in your job.  It will save an incredible amount of time for a paltry $20.00 per year.

• If you are an American Express Platinum cardholder, they will reimburse members $100.00 in fees annually.  The Global Entry program would be a great way to use that benefit.

UPDATE: On May 6, 2013, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that beginning May 7, 2013, in addition to domestic travel, TSA Pre✓™ participants will be eligible for expedited screening on select international travel itineraries.

Eligible passengers traveling on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways will be allowed to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case, and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on.

John Pistole, head of the Transportation Security Administration, stated: “We reached an agreement with the European Union, Canada and Australia for them to accept PreCheck passengers from the United States.”

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