Travels — Cindy Bradford, Ph.D., Author

I Miss My Parents Most When I Travel

February 18, 2010 By cindy 3 Comments

I miss my parents the most when I travel, because I know how they would have liked to hear of my adventures. I hadn’t traveled a great deal when they both died, but when I did it was an equal adventure for them. They couldn’t wait for my calls and for me to relate what I had done each day.

I realize now they were living that part of their lives through me, and enjoying what they were never really able to do. They did travel in the States, Mexico and Canada, but never ventured further than that. I get my “go” gene from my dad who would have taken off to lands unknown, but mother was most comfortable at home. Dad always dreamed of going to see the Holy Land; Mother couldn’t imagine being on an airplane that long, (actually she hated flying anywhere) and when they were finally financially able to go, they were past the age where they would attempt it.

It’s just as well. I know now that Mother would have hijacked the plane after the first four hours and demanded the pilot land somewhere, anywhere fast, so she could get on the first bus home.

No, they were best at home, waiting for my calls, anticipating what my next place would be, living vicariously through me. And that’s okay because I never travel that they are not on my mind. I take pictures of the scenery and think of them. I eat a new dish in a foreign country and know Daddy would not have agreed that it was good—after all it wasn’t “Momma’s cooking. I drag my bags behind me looking for someone who speaks English to tell me the right direction to go, and know that would have made them uncomfortable.

But, I thank them for giving me a sense of adventure, of courage to go to new places and see new things, most of the time as an independent traveler. And I know they are watching over me when I veer off my path.

Filed Under: my life, Travels Tagged With: Cindy Bradford, courage, parents, travel

Amsterdam–A Strange & Intriguing Place

February 16, 2010 By cindy 5 Comments

Cindy in Amsterdam

In the school business we are all about inclusion, acceptance and diversity. So is Amsterdam!! It gets an “A” for this, albeit a “Scarlet Letter A.” What a strange and intriguing place, and quite pretty in an old way with its many canals and beautiful architecture. Although I had been here briefly before, it was with a tour group, so that visit was structured, which is not all bad, but it limits spontaneity. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Travels Tagged With: Amsterdam, Cindy Bradford, Edam cheese, Indian food

Stinky Cheese Up Close

February 14, 2010 By cindy 6 Comments

Limburger "Stinky" Cheese

The school where I was chairing the accreditation visit is in the Limburg section of The Netherlands, where “stinky cheese” is a proud part of the culture and an everyday commodity. As a nice gesture, the leadership provided each of us on the accreditation team with a beautiful basket filled with fruits, chocolates, wine (can you believe a school included wine?), cheeses and crackers. The teachers had also placed vases of fresh tulips in our rooms. When I walked into the hotel room, I thought something had either molded or someone had died. It never occurred to me that the stench might be coming from the beautiful gift, but out of curiosity for the contents I tore into my basket and soon found the culprit—Limburger cheese!!!!

Now, I know why this smelly stuff is the brunt of jokes on the Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello. And I certainly understand why Mark Twain asked if the guy was dead? I remember when I was in high school somebody smeared some Limburger on the classroom door knobs so when anyone touched the knob, they would smell really bad. Weren’t we terribly clever in those days??

But one of the assistant principals serving on the team wanted everyone’s cheese so we all gladly handed over ours. I can only imagine how her car smelled carrying seven cartons of stinky cheese. That four hour drive back to her home in Germany could not have been pleasant, and the snowy roads were not the worst of her problems. But the good news is, if she forgot her deodorant, I don’t think anyone would know the difference.

Now, the school review is over, and I am taking in the sites in Amsterdam! Stay tuned for the next report on my ongoing adventure.

Filed Under: Travels Tagged With: Cindy Bradford, limburger cheese, The Netherlands

Snowing at The Golf Hotel

February 12, 2010 By cindy 1 Comment

Hotel Golf Residentie Brunssummerheide

It has been snowing here in The Netherlands since Tuesday. It appears that the white stuff is determined to follow me this winter, dusting my path and making my shoulders look like I have a bad case of dandruff. I’m beginning to wish it were dandruff.

Monday, there were golfers on the golf course at my hotel. Not that it was warm; it wasn’t, but at least at that point there was no snow. Apparently, Dutch golfers are a hearty bunch because none that I saw even wore coats. Me, I’m a fair weather golfer so playing in 25 degree weather makes little sense. It’s on par with playing tennis in South Texas in the middle of July. There are just better activities to choose from when Mother Nature rears her ugly head—like reading a good book in front of a crackling fire with a cup of hot chocolate or in the opposite case enjoying the coolness of air-conditioning when the sun bares down unmercifully.

But I must admit, my hotel is a golfer’s heaven on earth. What a treat to be here in late spring or early summer. It must be gorgeous because even now in the dead of winter, the grounds are a lush green—that is when they are not covered in this white stuff. I can only imagine the beauty of these rolling hills, lined with hundreds of conifers and young pine trees, once the colors of spring are revealed and the tulips begin to pop up all over.

The Golf Hotel (what a clever name, don’t you think?) is about all things golf. The huge patio off the living room area of my hotel room looks out over the sprawling expanse of one of the several courses carved out of the 272 acres. There is a 27-hole championship course, which I wouldn’t even attempt, but also a 9-hole course and 9-hole par three course that wait the less skilled such as yours truly. But even more than golf, this would be a wonderful place to sit outside in the spring with a glass of German wine, trocken of course, and take in the scenery of the southern Dutch countryside. But right now I’ll have to settle for the amenities offered in this little part of Europe. Did I mention the schnitzel? Yummy.

Filed Under: Travels Tagged With: Cindy Bradford, The Golf Hotel, The Netherlands

Next Adventure–The Netherlands

February 6, 2010 By cindy 2 Comments

Hope To See a Few Windmills

Today I leave for Europe, first to serve as chair of a quality assurance review (accreditation visit) for a Department of Defense international school in Brunssum, The Netherlands, and then to play a few days in Amsterdam and the surrounding area. The school serves children of the Joint Command NATO forces which include a representative group from the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

I fly into Dusseldorf, Germany, and will be picked up by a colleague who will be serving as my vice chair. We will then drive about an hour and a half to Brunssum which is located in the southern part of what used to be called Holland. From what I have read, it promises to be a pretty drive, and we will have time to stop along the way if we choose.

On Monday, we will meet with the commander and other officials, and then late in the day, meet members of the school team who join us from different Department of Defense schools throughout Europe. I always enjoy meeting these educators who have led extremely interesting lives, often living in many different parts of the world.

The next three days, I’ll be quite busy in the school, evaluating its programs and processes, talking to administrators, teachers, students, and parents and reviewing all matter of paperwork, etc. I’ll also spend time in classrooms.

Then, I’m off to play. I’ll either leave for Amsterdam Thursday afternoon or early Friday morning. Although I have been there before, it has been eight years. The last time I was there I had an incredible opportunity to see the Floriada, which is a gigantic international floral festival held only once every ten years.

For acres and acres, there are flowers growing representing different nations, all beautifully landscaping the hills and valleys that surround lakes and ponds. I will miss the tulips this trip, but there will be plenty of other things to see; hopefully a few windmills. I loved the canal last trip so I know I will take another boat ride.

One day I plan to visit The Hague on the North Sea, home of the International Criminal Court and the de facto judicial capital of the United Nations.

After a short visit, I’ll probably catch the train to Delft, known for its blue porcelain that is synonymous with The Netherlands. At this point, “play plans” are not carved in stone, because I always get good suggestions when I meet people in the schools. These recommendations often cause me to change my mind anyway, so who knows? I only know I will fly out of Amsterdam to come back home, but the in between is still in limbo, therefore, watch for blogs and I’ll keep you posted.

Filed Under: Travels Tagged With: Cindy Bradford, Delft, Floriada, Netherlands, school accreditation, The Hague, travel, windmills