What Exactly Does Freedom Mean to You?

 I live in the United States.  I've heard about freedom my whole life.  Ironically, I've heard a lot of different definitions of the term.  Here's some thoughts.

I've lived in the USA my entire life, and I'm a traveler.  I've been to the Statue of Liberty, the Old North Church, Gettysburg, Independence Hall, and so many more places that symbolize freedom in my country.  I've spent plenty of time in Washington DC and the area.  I've seen a lot and I appreciate my freedoms.

Lately, freedom has become quite the topic and everything from a rally to a point of contention.  Sometimes I wonder if any of us really know what it means to be free anymore.  I've taken to watching some YouTubers from other countries to get a fresh perspective on my own, and I feel like I've learned a lot; both good and not so good.  

I know that in a polarized society, I feel more uncertain than I used to.  I know I love my country, but I don't necessarily like what I hear and see.  I wonder if I'm alone in that.  I'm a researcher, and I love to learn.  That can be both good and bad as well.  I see and hear the tone of news and wonder what happened to the objectivity that was rigorously trained into me as a young journalism student.  I wonder why there are so many conflicts, wars, crises and other things around the world that we don't talk about.

Are we free?  What symbolizes freedom?  Is it the 9/11 memorial site?  In some ways; yes.  It reminds me of a time when; albeit horrible; it united us as a people.  Is it the Arizona Memorial?  Same thing; different generation.  There are a lot of symbols of freedom in a country along with polarized politics where we're fighting amongst ourselves almost all the time.  

I think that with the holidays upon us, maybe we should consider what means freedom to us.  Is there a place in the United States that says freedom to you?

My spot is an unlikely one in Washington, D. C.  The Library of Congress.  Historically, before Amazon Publishing, every published book in the country had at least one copy in that library.  Did you find it offensive?  It's there.  Did it sound like jibberish?  It's there.  Does it mean something personal to you?  It's there.  If it was published, it was there.  If you wanted to look something up, and you couldn't find it anywhere else; it was there.  That's the first amendment at work.

https://www.loc.gov/

https://www.congress.gov/

https://read.gov/

https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/library-of-congress

https://washington.org/

Now, let's look at some other freedom sites.

Have you ever heard of the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic?  I like this one.  I've been to Prague.  I've been to many monuments and museums that celebrate freedom.  This one has always been special to me.

Czechoslovakia was communist back in 1980 when John Lennon was tragically killed.  Someone, an artist in Prague, saw a connection between his death and the thwarted freedoms that had been taken away by the USSR.  What started as an unknown painting, turned into a place where people could protest in a truly unique way.  The wall stands today as a monument to the will of the Czechs that finally led to them winning their freedom along with others when the Soviet Union Fell.

Statues, monuments, museums are great, but sometimes it's the will of the people that leads to freedom, and the will of those people who continue to honor this perpetual monument.

https://prague.eu/en/objevujte/john-lennon-wall-zed-johna-lennona/

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/czech-republic/prague/mala-strana/attractions/john-lennon-wall/a/poi-sig/401339/1323268

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g274707-d27977908-Reviews-The_John_Lennon_Wall-Prague_Bohemia.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lennon-wall

https://prague.eu/en/

There's a lot of history in France, and a lot of history in Paris.  France is one of the staunchest free societies I've ever seen.  They still protest against policies and rally in the streets when necessary.  But, while you're seeing the history, the romance, the art, and the majesty; sometimes it's what's missing that really says it all.

The French Revolution.  The Bastille, a notorious prison, made it's appearance as a sign to the people.  We've all heard of the storming of the Bastille. The French celebration of freedom is Bastille Day.  It's very important to them.

There's a monument where the prison once stood.  It was destroyed during the revolution, but the French never wanted to forget.  Forgetting is letting yourself open for a repeat.  Never forget.  So, the July Column topped by the Genie de la Liberte is a constant reminder of how important freedom is.

https://parisjetaime.com/eng/transport/place-de-la-bastille-p1985                               

https://hotel-bedford.com/2/explore-bastille-paris/                    

https://frenchmoments.eu/place-de-la-bastille-paris/                  

https://www.parisinsidersguide.com/bastille-paris-france.html                

https://www.visitparisregion.com/en                  

 

Germany has one of the rockiest pasts on Earth, and following the WWII disaster, came Communist occupation and eventually the Wall.  This lead to 28 years of misery and a historic and epic city divided into pieces.  What was once a sign of no freedom at all, has become one of the most amazing monuments to freedom in the world.

You might notice me sitting on top of it.  When the wall opened in 1989, it really spoke to me.  I was at the height of my college educational frenzy, and it was the first place I visited when I left the country for my first international trip.  Parts of the Wall can be found in various locations around the world.  I've seen a few when traveling.

This was something horrid turned hopeful, and if it's not a monument to freedom; I don't know what is.

https://berlin-freedom-week.com/en              

https://www.berlin.de/en/events/9796393-2842498-berlin-freedom-week.en.html                

https://glasstire.com/2022/09/09/in-and-around-berlin-freedom-identity-and-place/                 

https://www.visitberlin.de/en/berlin-wall                

https://www.berlin.de/en/tourism/               

The Great Wall of China is one of those locations.  It's reportedly visible from space.  This marvel is almost 3,000 years old and in its entirety it is around 13,000 miles long.  It's so fascinating that it falls on most people's bucket lists.

In the modern era, most Americans don't really think of freedom when they think of China.  And why with all the monuments, museums, palaces, forbidden cities, and famous squares would the wall be a symbol of freedom?  Isn't it mainly a tourist attraction these days?

Around 200 BC, when the wall was built, it was to fortify and protect the Chinese people from outsiders.  Don't forget, Attila the Hun was in the area at one point ahead of the wall, and after the wall was built, Genghis Khan was around.  There were many invaders; and in ancient times, the Chinese were united and wanted to govern themselves.  An impenetrable wall went a long way to keep from being conquered.

Historically, this wall stands as a testament to time and unity.  Because of its longevity and the very reasons for its construction; it is a symbol of freedom.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/438/               

https://medium.com/@mysteriousfence/the-great-wall-of-china-symbol-of-imperial-power-9fe17ce66142                

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-wall-china/                 

https://www.chinahighlights.com/greatwall/great-wall-importance.htm               

https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china               

So, when you turn on the news, and wonder what freedom means these days; think about it carefully.  It's meant a lot of different things to millions of different peoples over the centuries.  I advise taking a look at other perspectives; and instead of fighting against them; learn something from them.  I'm not saying that you should change how you feel about anything, but learning is always a means of opening minds and making us more tolerant of one another.  At the holidays, I like to reflect on my views and opinions and learn something that broadens my mind about the rest of the world.

This is what I'm pondering.  If you'd like to see what I'm doing; check out my Adventures for Anyone YouTube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025/              

Always keep learning.  Always keep questioning.  Always keep adventuring and enjoy!

Give Me An F! Give Me An M! Now Switch!

 

Here we go!  December 8th; or in less than two weeks, there's gonna be a big change in New York City.  I'm going to try and explain it here.  We'll see how it goes.

The F Line and the M Line are part of the orange subways.  There's also a B and a D that's orange, but this doesn't have anything to do with them.

There are subway tunnels at 53rd Street; used by the M.  It routes it to stop at certain stations back and forth across the East River from Queens to Manhattan and back.  Soon, it will run the route that the F train runs between 6 am and 9:30 pm on weekdays and go through the route set up with the 63rd street tunnel.  That route is currently used by the F line.  The F line will switch the the 53rd Street tunnel during those hours and run the M line route.

Why would anyone do this?  What point could it make?

Here's the thing.  Some routes are busier than others during peak times.  This is when everyone is going to and from work and school all week long.  It's long since been a simple fact that a lot of people work in Manhattan, but live in Queens.  It's an economic thing.  This puts a lot of traffic on certain routes.

This simple switch is designed to ease traffic going between the boroughs.  That's all I know.  M will stop at Roosevelt Island and F won't.  That's a big part of the change.  Stations like Queens Plaza need a break and this supposedly will help.

Some stations will be different during those times.  My advice is to learn the times if you're a regular rider.  That way you only need to consult the map during the switch hours.  Always watch the maps.

Now, how does this affect the rest of those subway lines?  It doesn't.  This switch is very local.  There are a lot of stops that both subways stop at.  There will be no changes in the routes in Brooklyn and most of Manhattan.  It's the area around the East River around that Queensboro Bridge.  That's where the bottle neck in traffic is.  If you've ever been to Queen's Plaza, you'll understand the traffic backup.

There are limited tracks at Queens Plaza and too many lines coming through.  The M is just busier than the F, and this is the place that they're trying to alleviate the backups.  Most people aren't going to that station.  They're going further.  The lesser used F stops on Roosevelt Island, and by making this switch; the traffic should mellow out.  A little more for the F.  A little less for the M.  It could make a huge difference in crowds and delays.

So, remember the switch.  Just wanted to make a note of it for all of you New Yorkers reading.  December 8th.  Watch the station and online maps.  Check the times.  Make that adjustment.

Don't let the switch intimidate you.  It's really not that bad.  Enjoy!

https://www.mta.info/article/f-m-swap

https://secretnyc.co/f-m-trains-route-swap-december/

https://gothamist.com/news/mta-to-swap-f-m-subway-routes-between-manhattan-and-queens                             

https://www.amny.com/nyc-transit/f-and-m-subway-swap-in-manhattan-and-queens/                     

Check out the articles and learn it the way it makes sense to you and Check out my YouTube Channel, Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon for more about New York and getting around!

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025               

Thanks for reading!  Enjoy!  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Hotels, Wells, Islands, and Statues Oh My! This Week's Fast Five!

 Heard some great stuff lately!  Check it out!

1.    Tivoli Carvoeiro Resort Hotel, Algarve Region, Portugal.  At this point, you should all know my fondness for Portugal.  This is the resort hotel that makes luxury travel worth it.  Here's why.

It sits in the southern Algarve Region of the country, where the cliffs are high, the landscape is stunning, the caves are to be explored by boat, and the climate supports all of this most of the year.  Everything you need can be handled through the hotel.  All kinds of boat tours, rental equipment, reservations for everything, transportation to and from everything, and all of the wonderful activities and food on site.  It can't be beat.

But why do I mention this resort and no other?  Here's the thing.  It's one of the most famous hotels in the country.  They've been there forever.  The view is unmatched as is the luxury.  Here's the trick.  During the off season, which doesn't necessarily mean the cold season; it's inexpensive.  Check them out.  Worth the consideration.

https://www.tivolihotels.com/en/tivoli-carvoeiro      

https://www.expedia.com/        

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g189115-d259657-Reviews-Tivoli_Carvoeiro_Algarve_Resort-Carvoeiro_Faro_District_Algarve.html       

https://teneohg.com/member-hotel/tivoli-carvoeiro-algarve-resort/        

https://portugalgetaways.com/en-us/destination/algarve/general-articles/best-area-algarve        

2.    Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal.  Yes, I love Portugal.  This is one of the other castles in Sintra.  Most people have seen a million pictures of the very colorful Palace of Pena, and the Palace of Sintra; however most people don't find out about this one until they're already in the area.  So I thought I'd bring it up now.

This is not an ancient palace; or not as ancient as a lot of them in Portugal;  only constructed in 1900 in a gothic revival style.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It is open to the public.  If you go anywhere near the high tourist season; book your time in advance and buy those tickets ahead too.  There are tours, art exhibits and about a hundred other things going on there.  The perk?  You won't have the exact same pictures as everyone else on Earth of Sintra's delightful castles.

https://www.regaleira.pt/en      

https://visitsintra.travel/en/visit/monuments/palace-and-quinta-da-regaleira        

https://www.visitlisboa.com/en/places/quinta-da-regaleira      

https://www.sintra-portugal.com/Attractions/Quinta-Regaleirais-Sintra.html        

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g189164-d20925568-Sintra_Half_Day_Quinta_da_Regaleira-Sintra_Sintra_Municipality_Lisbon_District_Cen.html        

3.    Caye Caulker, Belize.  Have you ever seen pictures of people in a swing over the sea?  Maybe of a lonely pier heading out to a tiki shelter?  Or maybe you've seen pictures of the Blue Hole in the Caribbean?  Well, if you want to go to any of those theres; this is your spot.

Caye Caulker is the hopping off spot for all such activities.  Caye Caulker Village is its only settlement, but the island has a small airport so you can catch a tiny flight the 5 and a half miles from the mainland of the country.

Bottom line; if you want to see the second biggest coral reef in the world or do any scuba diving; this is where you should start.  It's a beautiful pastel laid back place to stay while you make your plans and go out to do amazing things.

https://yourfriendthenomad.com/things-to-do-in-caye-caulker/        

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/belize/the-northern-cayes/caye-caulker         

https://destinationlesstravel.com/best-things-to-do-in-belize/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22992779406&gbraid=0AAAAACt_Ic-XRCMbxEyyro9hSmecnWyb4&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5uDIBhDAARIsAOxj0CGAv2xR-rt8cQ2c99Vkg-1XNY-_EEaVppQpv3kJbDSsPq7ZPcp88hUaAlZXEALw_wcB       

https://www.vrbo.com/search?regionId=6034920&semcid=VRBO-US.UB.GOOGLE.DT-c-EN.VR&semdtl=a112239497130.b1130736565251.g1aud-1723303823223%3Akwd-321288378.e1c.m1Cj0KCQiA5uDIBhDAARIsAOxj0CG_Uq8CHRi4UHR-QhMTiNVDIvFobXVihJpuYxa0cVKEf3C68g3kRUUaAqYeEALw_wcB.r1a831b244d8445aff14e1fa9352ec4ce1b47579d6e026278ee19c7523a5a9e151.c1RTgAh_I_OnwO1W7zM_gSBw.j19003419.k1.d1535334897947.h1e.i1.l1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1caye%20caulker.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12239497130&gbraid=0AAAAACTxZ9ZQJb0o9cftFRIszrFR8a5aw&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5uDIBhDAARIsAOxj0CG_Uq8CHRi4UHR-QhMTiNVDIvFobXVihJpuYxa0cVKEf3C68g3kRUUaAqYeEALw_wcB&sort=RECOMMENDED&destination=Caye%20Caulker%2C%20Belize%20District%2C%20Belize&theme=&userIntent=&categorySearch=       

https://www.travelbelize.org/         

4.    Skellig Michael, Ireland.  This is also known as Great Skellig, and it's a rock in the Atlantic off the coast of Ireland.  It juts out of the ocean and appears to be impossible to land at and explore, but that's not the case.

This island is named after the Archangel Michael and it should be no surprise that there's an ancient monastery on it.  It's not for the feint of heart, as you can see by the steps along the cliffs, but the views are amazing and it's a once in a lifetime experience.

I highly recommend making arrangements for a tour.  I can't imagine how else you would accomplish this one.

https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/sceilg-mhichil/     

https://skelligislands.com/      

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/757/       

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/destinations/regions/skellig-islands/      

https://www.ireland.com/en-us/     

5.    The Tiny Monuments of Budapest, Hungary.  I absolutely love this!  There are so many amazing things to do and gorgeous sites to see in Budapest; what else could you possible find?

We'll call this an art display.  There are 30 tiny monuments scattered about in obscure places, mostly along the river in Buda.  They represent inspiration, invention, military, art, and even the Rubik's Cube.  It's just a little bit of scavenger hunting fun in the middle of one of central Europe's most amazing cities, and an education in the ingenuity of the Magyar people.

https://budapestflow.com/hidden-mini-statues-budapest/   

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hidden-mini-statues-of-budapest      

https://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/miniature-statues-in-budapest-get-ready-for-a-special-sightseeing-tour     

https://lovefromhungary.com/beautiful-budapest-stories-mini-sculptures-by-kolodko-street-art/    

https://visithungary.com/discover-budapest      

There you have it.  Just another little bunch of interesting things for the inquisitive traveler.  Hope you've enjoyed it.  If you'd like to see what I'm actually doing at this time; check out my YouTube Channel, Adventures for Anyone, with Terri Dixon.

@adventuresforanyone2025   

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466      

This will give you some great insight into traveling throughout New York City!  Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone/    

https://x.com/NinaKindred       

https://www.instagram.com/ninakindred1/       

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Terri-Dixon/author/B06Y1C2MS7