Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts

Monday, June 12, 2017

Rainy Days in Okinawa - Go to School in Mexico

Magic of Mexico Specialist Certificate



It Was Virtual Travel




When I departed the house this morning, I told the wife and dog, what I'd be doing.

The weekend was a brutal one and, I'm still recovering from the escapades, which took place.

It looks as if, we're scheduled to have downpours, thunder and lightening for the next few days.

Ideal weather for leaving the cameras locked up and, visiting the Travel Agent Academy.

Mexico is an alright place to visit and, I've been there a few times, over the years.

To get this certificate, I got to see, every nook and cranny of the country.

Geography, culture, history and, all the major tourist attractions, were some of the items.

A little bit of Spanish, is always thrown in the mix because, it's important.

People can't just yell, "Hancho" and, think they'll get a taxicab, like some folks do around here.

Most places, around the world, "Taxi" will get you over. I won't teach you Spanish.

The hardest part of this course, was all the Mayan and Aztec words, I had to memorize.

Then, as soon as, I pass all the tests and get my diploma, you can guess, what I do.

It's a simple as erasing an SD card from my camera. Delete everything !

If, anyone needs information about Mexico, I've got it, stored on an external hard drive.

And, the Mexico Tourism folks, gave me access, to anything else, I may need in the future.

Normally, I wouldn't go out drinking on a Monday night and, I never drink Tequila.

However, I feel it's appropriate, to stop by one of my watering holes tonight.

Order up a round of Jose Cuervo for me and the barkeeper.

And, say Salud !


Friday, April 28, 2017

Up On the Roof Was the Place to Be Today

Scene on a sunny day in Kin Town, GIF

Seven Images GIF



When I left the house, with my gnarly toe, I promised, not to go hiking.

It was a nice warm day and the sunshine was irresistible. What could I do ?

No one was watching so, I took a tripod and camera up on the roof.

It was placed where, I could get a few hours worth of photos to create a time lapse.



Mexico Was Next On the Agenda



There are some classes at the Travel Agent Academy, I figured I try doing.

First, there was this tour leader named Iggy, giving me all sorts of information.

He gave me the Mexican experience I would need to be a Cancun specialist.

This dude was tough. Pop quizzes, no problemo. The final exam was a doozy.

Good thing I had the camera up there, where I could get away, every few minutes.

First time I failed with a 66% and, I thought that was bad.  Cool off.

It takes 31, various-sized steps, to reach the roof from my office. That was good.

They ask if, I would like to review and, start the course over again. Yep. I ain't no quitter.

Well, they had some trick questions. Next time, I only scored 33.  Grr. Yes, I want to test again.


Cancun Mexico certificate, Travel Agent Academy

With all the quizzes and finals, I must have made ten trips, up and down the stairs.

My legs got a little workout and, I guessed enough correct answers, to score 100% !




Part II of Presidente Intercontinental




Estrella led the tour and, she was much more friendly. Her name means, star in Spanish.

That was kind of neat. She reminded me, how to talk in Mexico. That could come in handy.

It might help me, strike up a conversation with the Mexicans someday.

The pop quizzes, weren't too difficult and, I passed the final, first time around.

There's no sense, bragging about my score because it was less than, 100% but, good enough.


Certificate of completion, Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel, Mexico looks like my kind of place to vacation.

The beaches have white sand, just like we have around here only, they have more bars.

In case, you were wondering, why I'm doing Mexico, I'll tell you. Senoritas !

Nah, just kidding. Presidente has some resorts in Japan, as well.

So, I got my foot in the door and, will probably take some more Mexico classes later.

Way back when, I did some travel in Mexico and, even know a sushi chef down there.



Grand Finale

 

 


Every time a Pop Quiz popped up, I got nervous and, ran back upstairs.

Between quizzes, final exams failed and passed finals, I got lots of exercise and photos.




There were twenty images in the camera, when I got through with the academy.

So, I loaded them up to YouTube and found a little tune for this slide show.  Enjoy !

Friday, March 10, 2017

7 Things to Know About Cosmos (コスモス) Flowers

Field of cosmos in Kin Town, Okinawa


The Field Was an Eye-catcher



It was of those days, on a long hike, when  birds weren't cooperating with me and the camera.

 I noticed, women stopping by, jumping out of their cars, to take selfies.

So, when nobody was around, I went over and composed this shot and, figured I'd use it.

My research led to some information, I had never heard of, concerning these flowers.

1. They originated in Mexico and South America

2. There are 20-30 or more varieties. So, I won't give any botanical names

3. Cosmos, are members of the same family as sunflowers

4. They thrive in sunshine, can go without water and bloom in the spring and fall

5. There are some breeds called Chocolate Cosmos

6. Some places, they use these flowers for clothing dyes. Other folks eat them in salads

7. They haven't been approved for usage by the (FDA) Food and Drug Administration

Eat Them at Your Own Risk


Resources:










Sunday, March 5, 2017

Travel Agent Academy Kept Me Busy Today

American Airlines Vacations Specialist, certificate


American Airlines Vacations Specialist




Motivation to complete this course, I owe to a friend of mine, who got upset while traveling.

The Travel Agent Academy had been offering this course but, I wasn't interested.

The main reason being, I don't see any of their planes flying over Okinawa.

But, once I heard complaints from a buddy, I figured these folks needed some looking into.

Now, I can sneak around, places where most people can't go, over there. Hah !



Travel Insurance -  Another Thing Worth Checking



Some of the wicked stories, I've heard about travelers getting stuck, made me wonder.

Wouldn't it be neat if, somebody had to pay for inconveniences that happen while traveling ?

Allianz Global Assistance Specialist, certificate

Suppose you fell off a camel, over in Egypt or, broke your foot in Okinawa.

A vacation could be ruined just because, something cut your trip short. Groan.

In the Global Assistance Program, I learned all kinds of things I never heard of before.

Less than 30% of travelers, buy insurance for their trips 'cuz, they figure they don't need it. 



Along Comes the What If's



Stuff like, what if, you have a medical emergency, while in a foreign country.

Getting medical evacuation or, emergency services could cost thousands of dollars.

Or, what if, somebody back home croaks and, you need to cut vacation short ?

How about, you paid for a cruise and, the company goes bankrupt ?


Allianz Global Assistance Advanced, course, certificate


There's so many things covered by this insurance, I had to learn more.

These folks get you assistance and cash money when you need it so, you don't have to worry.

They have a global network and translators on standby 24/7, to handle your needs.

So, I plan on keeping in contact with them for a couple of reasons.

Once, when I was in Mexico, I got drunk and fell off a donkey. Other stuff, too.

And, should I ever visit the USA again, I want top-notch coverage, just in case.

Supposing they build a wall. I'll visit Mexico and, may have some trouble getting back.

It would be terrible. Maybe, I could ask these folks if, they'd help me buy a ladder !

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

T-shirt of the Day (Photo)

Here's photo of the shirt on my back today.  I'm not sure if they have copyright, trademark infringement, patents, or any laws against anything south of the border, down Mexico way these days.

So I figure it's best to give credit to whoever designed this T-shirt. Somebody in Mexico.

Yep, that's my T-shirt and yup, I was in Mexico when I bought the thing.  But, I only wear it on special occasions, like the day after the wife's dog takes a leak on me.  He didn't actually mean to piss on me. 

He just decided the planter I was focusing on while shooting Lilies needed his attention, too. 


                   Dogs don't know water runs downhill and into the nearest puddle available. 


                                                      At least STUPID DOGS DON'T KNOW.

            If you hurry and take action within the next 24 hours, along with what's available on the
                        
                                                                T-shirt of the Day, I'll throw

                                           A STUPID DOG IN ON THE DEAL ABSOLUTELY FREE !


Visit my Homepage for THE PHOTO OF THE DAY