"Every story needs a Picture" Ekaterinburg's Profile

2012 - not a great travel year so far

My husband finally got his way this year and instead of the traditional pre-Christmas trip to northern Europe, we went to LANZAROTE in March. He's been wanting a 'holiday' as opposed to a 'trip' for a long time now so a pact was made before we left: no sightseeing, no getting up at the crack of dawn to catch buses or trains, just a week's rest and relaxation in the sun. Not my idea of travel but I have to admit it was a lot more pleasant then I anticipated. Our hotel in Playa Blanca was right on the edge of the sea, the swimming pools were divine, the loungers inviting and the food delicious. The sun shone all day and at night the sea sang a constant lullaby. I wouldn't say I've been converted to the sun holiday ethos but they do have a certain appeal.

On May 31st I went to BERGAMO in ITALY for Euromeet 2012. No lounging around here and it was a jam-packed few days of sightseeing socialising and 'craic'. Great fun, very well organised. Thanks again to G, J and S for all their hard work.

Mid-June we spent a week in LONDON to attend my nephew's very 'Four-weddings-and-a-funeral-ish' nuptials. At that stage London was post-Jubilee and pre-Olympics and the city was really dressed for one long summer party. I loved the flags fluttering over the double decker buses right along Regent Street and Oxford Street.

At the end of June our house flooded so all other travel plans have been cancelled for the moment. Right now I have really itchy feet.

So what makes a good travel year ?

Evening light in Stockholm

A good travel year for me, would include at least one new destination. New destinations are important because at the heart of my love of travel, is the joy of discovering new places and thrill of waking up in a city or place I've never been before. Hopefully this new place will delight or intrigue in some way. It doesn't necessarily have to be beautiful but it does have to engage your imagination or senses and make being there a memorable experience. This could be because of the different culture/way of life, the architecture or the history, the galleries, the street-life, or just the buzz you get from wandering aimlessly and savouring the discoveries you make along the way.

Notching up new destinations doesn't mean abandoning the places you've already grown to love, so a perfect travel year for me would be one that would combine visits to old favourites, along with the new kids on the block. In recent years, this is exactly the way my travels have worked out , so 2012 needs to measure up soon.

To be there you have to get there...

In the sardine can at Dublin airport

... and even though the sound of my wheelie-bag's wheels whirring along beside me is my favourite sound in the world, I absolutely hate the logistics of getting there. It would be different if I was setting off by train or ferry but in the interests of economy and time, most of my journeys involve low-cost airlines. The whole airport experience, being harried and jostled through security, the long trek to the gate and the ultimate herding into a sardine can with wings, is my idea of hell. And that's before you settle in to several hours of inhaling endlessly recycled germs and overpriced, plastic sandwiches. Yes, getting there can be quite an endurance test but as the alternative is not travelling at all, it must be regarded as a means to an end.

Shank's mare or public transport...

A very rural Scandinavian bus stop

... are my preferred means of getting around when I reach my destination. Walking is definitely my favourite although meandering would probably be a more accurate word to describe my progress. I will walk forever as long as the terrain is flat but with less then perfect lungs, hills are a major problem. In recent years I've needed to put a lot of thought into plotting routes that avoid uphill climbs and trams and buses have become my best friends. On city visits, I always buy a transport card so that I can ride to the top and stroll downhill at leisure. The only form of transport I will not use is anything drawn by horses, mules or any other beasts of burden. The sight of fat, lazy tourists riding on undernourished, exhausted animals is one that I really find hard to stomach.

The person behind the page

Sunshine reflected on the river

When I'm at home, along with planning my next trip, I like to enjoy what Cork has to offer. As it's a great city for culture-vulture/nerdy types you can look for me where ever there's a reading, art exhibition or live music. Or alternatively, out and about with my camera.

You can also find me in restaurants and cafes but more as places to socialise then in pursuit of the perfect meal. I'm not a foodie and have zero interest in cooking.

I love being out of doors and walk a lot but don't play any sports.

I am married and my husband and sons are my number one priority. They take up a lot of my time but as they are also my greatest pleasure in life, I forgive them.

I travel with my husband and sometimes with groups but am quite happy to travel solo as well. Nowadays my solo travel is confined to VT meets but in the past I've taken lots of short trips by myself. When travelling with others I usually take at least one day off and some time each day, to explore on my own. This is when I really connect with the place I'm visiting.

Wherever I am, I take a lot of photos but those I take at home tend to be more interesting because I devote more time and attention to them.

I work when I need to supplement my funds but it's becoming less and less appealing to me every year. There are more important things I should be doing and one of these days I will actually do them.

Like everybody else on VT, I wish I could travel more but at the same time I realise that if I could get away more then four or five times a year, I might not get as much pleasure from it as I do now. So learning to appreciate what's available to me on my own doorstep, is something I'm constantly working on.

Why Virtual Tourist ?

Flying the VT flag in Macedonia

VT is way more then a website to me. Unlike any other site I frequent, this one goes beyond the page, directly to the people and the places. Lots and lots of places ! Since joining VT in 2006, I've visited Austria, Germany, Portugal, Israel, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia and Italy, to take part in VT meets. On side trips from these meets, I've been to Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary. Kosovo and Albania. For someone like me whose partner isn't keen on trips that involve a lot of sightseeing and moving from place to place, VT is an invaluable travel resource. Without VT , I would certainly not have made it to Israel or to the Balkans, or to Ukraine or Romania.

The places are made possible by the people and as people go, VT members, - especially the ones I meet every year in different locations all over Europe - are the best. VT staff are also members and regular attendees at meetings. so really we are talking about a community of friends and fellow travellers here. In other words - the people behind the places.

Intro Updated Jun 4, 2013
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Comments (452)

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SONG Jun 15, 2013 at 3:21 PM

Forgot to mention that I HAVE been to Cork, when I lived in Europe for three years.
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  Ekaterinburg Jun 16, 2013 at 11:57 AM
  
  I'm impressed ! Not that many people make it all the way to Cork, so consider yourself a very discerning traveller :)
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SONG Jun 15, 2013 at 3:19 PM

I like your description of the sardine can.....I heartily agree!!!
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  Ekaterinburg Jun 16, 2013 at 11:59 AM
  
  Oh yes, bracing myself for Thursday's two sardine can sessions but will be worth it to get to Sibiu.
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Maurizioago Jun 4, 2013 at 8:58 AM

Hello!

I am sorry we won't meet in Sibiu. I have problems finding suitable flights!!!!

I hope to meet you somewhere soon!

Hugs!
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  Ekaterinburg Jun 4, 2013 at 9:03 AM
  
  Really sorry to hear that Maurizio. Hope we get to see you soon !
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Maurizioago May 31, 2013 at 1:14 PM

I am really happy you are able to attend the meeting in Sibiu. See you there!
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  Ekaterinburg May 31, 2013 at 1:35 PM
  
  Thanks Maurizio, see you in Sibiu !
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LoriPori May 31, 2013 at 1:12 PM

Yay! WooHoo! Katherine is coming to Sibiu! Hans and I are thrilled that you are able to make it and the time is coming fast now. xxx Lori
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  Ekaterinburg May 31, 2013 at 1:39 PM
  
  Thanks Lori ! You have no idea how thrilled and excited I am. As the time was coming closer, I was just gutted at missing out on getting together with my VT friends and the opportunity to visit lovely Sibiu again.
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  LoriPori Jun 1, 2013 at 3:16 AM
  
  Well, I am glad you are able to make it happen. See you in Sibiu!
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- One month in Ireland<\/a>\'. You\'ve been a huge help." data-reportAbuseItemOnPageDetails="Comment #6, ID=10060705" data-anchorFragment="?showComment=10060705#comments" data-reportURL="http://members.virtualtourist.com/members/reportAbuse/" data-contentTitle="Thanks for your answer to \'One month in Ireland<\/a>\'. You\'ve been a huge help." data-photoURL="" data-commentAuthor="Flyme2thestars http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/174026/" data-authorName="Flyme2thestars" data-authorProfileURL="http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/174026/">Report abuse
Flyme2thestars May 15, 2013 at 5:05 AM

Thanks for your answer to 'One month in Ireland'. You've been a huge help.
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Gillybob May 13, 2013 at 11:39 PM

Nice to see you coming along to Buxton! Look forward to hooking up again - it's been a while. Here's hoping we catch it!
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  Gillybob May 14, 2013 at 4:32 AM
  
  The bus is quite a winding route - through the small towns and villages that rest between Manchester and Buxton from the Airport outwards but it's probably as long as it's short than taking the train from the Airport and changing.
  
  I still have a good bit to work up on my Buxton page. Don't forget to check out The Ooop North Crew's Buxton page for details around the meet.
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  Ekaterinburg May 14, 2013 at 5:50 AM
  
  As long as it's direct, that's fine with me. Much less hassle then changing trains.. Will keep up to date with the plans as they're posted.
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KShezz Apr 14, 2013 at 1:51 AM

I wa told that Mr Shanks had a pony not a mare....I was jealous iof him when I was little because all I ever wanted was a pony....took me ages to work it out....then again my Mum and my Grandma used to promise me faithfully I could have a pony as soon as we moved to the country...I was 14 before I realised we were never going to move to the counry!
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  Ekaterinburg Apr 14, 2013 at 2:48 AM
  
  Sounds like my disappointment when I finally discovered our house didn't have any secret passages behind the walls. Children's books have a lot to answer for.
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evaanna Mar 17, 2013 at 4:21 AM

Happy St Patrick's Day to you and Denis! All the best!
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  Ekaterinburg Mar 18, 2013 at 4:12 PM
  
  Thank you Eva ! It was a chilly but bright day and we enjoyed all the craic in town.
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songlines Feb 15, 2013 at 7:51 AM

Hi Katherine, I like you new (to me) profile write up. It's been ages since I did anything on my VT pages, yet I still intend to bring it all up to date with many travels. Maybe soon I will do so. As far as getting to Cork is concerned, it won't be for a while, but when I do I hope to meet up and catch up with you. Will keep an eye on those cultural events! Greetings ~