layyla

On my first vacation in Sedona, we went to the ranger station and asked for maps. We were driving a 4X4 vehicle and asked where we could go exploring. They told of ruined cliff dwellings. We drove as far as we could, they got out and walked the last mile or so. We were able to climb up into ancient native cliff dwellings. It was great! We could see drawings on the walls and where they left their finger prints the mud as they built their walls. It was blackened where the fire pits were. The previous day we had been to the park where we took the tour and then looked at cliff dwellings from a distance. The two experiences didn’t compare.

Oh…if you take my hint and do some exploring yourself, leave it as beautiful and pristine as you found it so that others can enjoy the magic of discovering lost ruins themselves.

The Mona Lisa is the big draw and the most famous painting in the world. Naturally the lines are long and the room is usually crowded.

One night a week the museum stays open late. You’ll have to check local guides because the day changes. Plan on seeing the Mona Lisa on the late night during dinner hour…say approx. 7 PM. We did it by accident the first time and were able to walk right up to the painting in a nearly empty room. I stood and admired it for as long as I wanted to without being shoved or feeling like I was taking too long because others were waiting. By the way, she is fabulous and seems so alive. While I stood there I had the feeling that if I just waited long enough she would speak to me.

Dubai is the place to buy gold jewelry. The little shops in the souk have walls just lined with gold jewelry. Make your selections and they weigh the pieces. The price is by weight! it’s a bargain. I bought an 18K necklace for $280.00. When I returned home to LA just for fun I had the necklace appraised. The jeweler who appraised it for me tried to buy it from me on the spot for $1,000. I think I got a great deal.

One word of warning though, in the Arab world they prefer 24K gold jewelry. 24K is a very bright yellow gold and not preferred by many westerners. I had to search to find 18K gold; the selection wasn’t as great. You won’t find 14K gold jewelry there.

We had never planned to visit Dubai but the opportunity came through my husband’s job. We had no idea what to expect but headed off from California to Dubai; it was a journey half-way around the world for us.

Dubai is fabulous! We visited there in March of 2001 and the weather was warm but not too warm. Everywhere we visited was luxurious and service is spectacular. Shopping at the souks is fun. I recommend you buy gold and rugs. 24 carat gold is favored but I found it too bright yellow for my taste. I had to ask to find some 18 carat gold necklaces and earrings that I liked better. I bought one necklace there for $400 and it was appraised at $1200 immediately upon my return to California. Dubai is friendly to westerners and very safe. This is one place you don’t worry about crime.

This library is not where Miller lived in Big Sur. It’s a strange collection of his books and paintings (or prints of his paintings) with a hippieish mix of other things. The grounds are a nice place to see performances of visiting artists both famous and not so famous. It’s a small intimate setting.

I’d say it’s worth stopping in at along the side of the highway but don’t expect anything flashy or truly substantial. You won’t learn much about Miller if you don’t know who he is walking in the door.