Haikus
The following haikus are the winning submissions for the noted programs.
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Program: Pilots Advice to Reduce Travel Stress; Jane & Michael Stern's 'Road Food USA' (Airdate: March 6, 2010)
Hometown Haiku
Beautiful city
The U.S. best kept secret
Cleveland, Ohio
— Amy Shuman, Cleveland, Ohio
City on the Lake:
Worldly, artistic, friendly,
Sweet Home Chicago!
Nestled by the sea,
charming historical squares
connect Savannah.
— Barbara Martinez, Savannah, Georgia
San Juan bike touring
Spirit soars high and pulls me
Like a big blue sail
— Mike Michalek from Sequim, Washington
Program: End of the Orient Express; A Summer in Tehran (Airdate: January 9, 2010)
Venice Haiku
Early morning rain
Wet sheen on the cobble stones
A slippery stroll
Dark-eyed Italian
Shows us her citta bella
We hang on each word
High tide floods the square
But music and dance go on
the night is magic.
And...
Birthday in Venice
Prosecco in St. Mark's Square
Makes me grow younger.
— Michael Richardson, Denver, Colorado
Program: A Family Christmas in Wales; Sheep in your Travels (Airdate: December 12, 2009)
"San Diego"
The beach at sunset
Wading in the cool water
So worth the car trip
— Erin Cole, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
"Maui"
vacation dreaming
did you know there's a place called
Haiku, Hawaii?
"Rome"
sticky table top
hot waiter winks and I will
forgive anything
— Kelly Westhoff, Minneapolis
"Visiting the In-Laws"
1600 miles
Good to see you. Ya you too.
Where's the liquor store?
— Clay Schwenn, Mukilteo, Washington
Program: The Whiskey Trail; More British Slang (Airdate: November 14, 2009)
Long road Wyoming
Strong wind and snow buffet us
We take a short cut
— Ira Woyar of Seattle
Knoxville to Memphis
Smokeys, Country music to
Delta Blues: Tennessee
— Nina Vandewater of Nashville, Tennessee
Rafting on river
be ready to bump and bruise
Rather be on cruise
— Kevin Gleason, Hollywood, Florida
Program: The Scent Trail; More Kindness of Strangers (Airdate: September 26, 2009)
Waves and swells subside
Easing to glassy flatness
Look for the wind's breath
Tonight fresh grouper
Caught and cooked in fifteen
Hardly time to die
Watch rhythms overnight
Two people one cat one boat
One asleep soundly
Moonrise on black water
Gaudy cruise ship to starboard
Alone after all
Traveling abroad
Seven months close to the bone
Letting Excess go.
— Gail Cannady at port in Miami, Florida
Program: Budapest (Airdate: August 15, 2009)
"Venice is Sinking"
She Whispers
Venice is sinking
she whispers
as Vivaldi plays
Couples sway
while the earthboat
floats on
water rising
Reaching for a hand
firmly tucked
away
in pockets closed
to a lover's grasp
Palazzos and pigeons
Gondolas in moonlight
Bridges that sigh
She wonders
Is Venice sinking
or
am I?
— Maureen Mullin of Virginia Beach, Virginia
Program: Misadventures of Rolf Potts; Open Phones: Budget Tricks (Airdate: August 8, 2009)
Monterosso rains
Blot out the Ligurian
Quench the thirsty grapes.
Rain in Vernazza
Tourists wielding umbrellas
Poke out both my eyes.
— Kelsey Quiring of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Fly to Italy
with an eleven month-old.
What were we thinking?
— Laura Smith of Portland, Oregon
Program: Visiting Washington DC; More Places to See in the USA & Canada (Airdate: July 4, 2009)
Lured to Italy
To find the hillside villa
Where Mark Twain's wife died
The house on Hill Street
Where young Sam Clemens grew up
I live just uphill
Hannibal - Mecca
The constant on my compass
So now I live here.
— Cindy Lovell of Hannibal, Missouri
Program: Rome — Beneath the Surface (Airdate: May 16, 2009)
July in Florence
Hot like Texas — no shopping
after lunch; just sleep.
The Trevi at night
filled with art, young men's bodies.
World Cup — Italy victorious!
— Anita Barnard of Fort Worth, Texas
Program: Easter in the Holy Land; Footsteps of Saint Paul (Airdate: April 11, 2009)
Arriving in hotel room
Putting luggage down
Looking out the window is
A sight so white and sublime
on the rocky hill
in the darkness of the night
There it is — the Parthenon
Takes my breath away
Worth the journey for THIS view.
— Mary Lou Harris of Kirkland, Washington
Program: Spain and the Spring Festivals of Andalucia (Airdate: April 4, 2009)
We were in Scotland
Splashing our feet in a loch
While seeking Nessie.
— Dave Swarthout of Spokane, Washington
Dubrovnik, the Pearl
Glows in Adriatic dreams
And Croatian suns.
— Rae Wooten of Springtown, Texas
The Hague, Netherlands;
Cozy, elegant, modest;
Low country high living.
— Christopher Lande of Chicago, Illinois
Paris six flights up
A month in spring not enough
I've got to go back.
— Brad Sargeant of Springfield, Oregon
Program: A Brilliant Teacher Around the World; Southern California Sidetrips (Airdate: March 21, 2009)
Rain-hued car rides
into the blind, boiling storm —
lights off, tires singing.
Swath of stars beneath
the cloud-kissed tree-line wink off
as dawn lights North Bend.
Over the wide calm
moments before dawn — flurries
are geese on the wind.
— Sallie Tierney of Burien, Washington
Pines in sun and mist
sentries in rank and file stand
beauty guards my peace.
— Kevin Nguyen of Orange County, California
Land of rain and snow
From mountain to sea
Green upon green upon green.
— Diane Yale-Peabody of Amherst, Ohio
Program: Open Phones: Romantic Travel Destinations (Airdate: February 14, 2009)
The acqua-blue coast
melts with misted green mountains,
dotted with lemons.
— Marie Wright of Champaign, Illinois
Honeymoon in Rome
Had those pesky Travelers' Cheques
They're a waste of time!
— Peter Francev of Big Bear, California
Venice dying —
yet she lives on
in the lovers' kiss.
— Alexis Rotella of Arnold, Maryland
Program: Exploring Sicily & Germany's Black Forest (Airdate: August 23, 2008)
Sunset pink Badlands
from horseback in July look
like cotton candy.
— Mary Henson Saunders of Mission, South Dakota
Tennessee
Bathe me in your sweet
succulental watermelon rain
mist of dark hardwoods lays
in a soul like remembering
a time away
when the music was only in the frogs
your edges are defined
your seasons quintessential
you yield to a sultry syrupy summer
and fold to an austere dark
wombing winter
spring blows birth like
a universe that exist
solely as imagined heaven
drinking the smells of colored mist mornings
and green green growing a million greens
into a shade slicing light
eclipsing the moon with wild rain, passionate thunder
and the falling of crimson, golden, purple umber.
— Sydney Reichman of Fernvale, Tennessee
Program: A Week in Provence (Airdate: July 12, 2008)
Into the towers!
Protected from Viking swords
Not from English lords.
— Blaine Rhodes of Bellevue, Washington
Pubs and the Guinness
Make me sing along with Trad
I don't sound so bad.
— Kathy Shaffer of Bellevue, Washington
Roman ruins in modern city
Like gigantic white breath mints
Scattered across ancient lawn.
— Kristin Machin of West Palm Beach, Florida
Program: America the Beautiful & Route 66 (Airdate: July 5, 2008)
Grandpa, little girls
Digging in sand at the beach
Building memories.
Jumping high, biting
Hiding in sinks and bed sheets
Our vacation curse.
— Jessica McLennan of Cincinnati, Ohio
Other states are fine
Oklahoma is o-k
Some settle for less.
— Joel Stewart of Portland, Oregon
Program: Exploring D-Day Sites + Open Phones (Airdate: May 17, 2008)
Cobblestones to spires,
city aglow with magic,
Oxford remembered.
— Summer Horton of Wasilla, Alaska
Steamy Borneo
Old men love to nap in mosques.
Plush carpet invites.
— Liz Wilson of Cincinnati, Ohio
It's not easy being
Green. Can't fly, can't snorkel.
Thanks for Dramamine!
— Chris Cooley of Olympia, Washington
Program: Paris City Guide (Airdate: April 5, 2008)
Larger than one thinks
Majestic hub of the wheel
Grand Arc de Triomphe.
— Leann O'Connor of Edmonton, Alberta
Fly, walk, run, boat, bike
It is not how you get there
It is what you find
— Maggie Van Dop of Litchfield Park, Arizona
The world seems smaller
Peeking through the wispy clouds
From the plane's window
— Molly Van Dop of Litchfield Park, Arizona
Program: Romance and Authenticity (Airdate: February 9, 2008)
Prague night from aloft
Lights flourish from Karluv Most
Fantast-IT-ski, no?
— Ann Creighton of Sammamish, Washington
autumn in Paris . . .
after leaving the bookstore
loved by Hemingway
I write a poem on a leaf
for the river to read.
— Jeanne Emrich of Edina, Minnesota
Program: Tuscany and Umbria (Airdate: January 12, 2008)
Oregon City
They risked all to reach this place,
their fortune. . .trail's end.
— Phil Wallace of Portland, Oregon
Over the border
Along an ancient trade route
Castles everywhere!
— Ward Silver of Vashon Island, Washington
Mah Dahm . . . suit . . . suit . . . suit,
I make you blouse . . . sexy dress
we go for shopping.
— Susan Young of Redmond, Washington
Venturing the world
Without stepping out my door
Rick's radio show
— Jeremy
P.S. Travel with Rick Steves is the only thing I listen to on my iPod these days. The show is great and thenext best thing to taking actual trips in these hectic days.
Moon threw back her head
Open mouthed gulped the starlight
Languid and content
Moon in the bamboo
White sparks fly among the leaves
Susurrant quiver
Mute and lonely moon
Sails the arc of empty sky
Waiting for a cloud
Pool of calm moonlight
The wan birch bark spirit sips
With moist lips of night
Rain as light mist falls
Clinging droplets on each leaf
A breath an echo
— Peter
A true lit major
I spent my day in Dublin
Reading Beowulf.
— Gabrielle
Mah Dahm suit suit suit
I make you blouse sexy dress
we go for shopping
— Susan
Like the Heartland, yet...
Volcano in my window
Sea Lions barking
— Peggy
O Jerusalem
Holy city, ancient faiths
Perilous discord
— Deborah
Birthday in Venice
Prosecco in St. Mark's Square
Makes me grow younger
Narrow alleyways
Bridges arch over dark canals
What campo is this?
Dark eyed Italian
Shows us her citta bella
We hang on each word
Early morning rain
Wet sheen on the cobble stones
A slippery stroll
High tide floods the square
But music and dance go on
The night is magic
— Mike
Spain and Portugal
Recommended by Rick Steves
Exhilarates Me!
— Lisa
Cabo no loco.
Pick guitar, tan at poolside.
Workmen build ox-cart.
— Larry
Church Bells In Sunlight
My Duomo Is Just In Sight
Smiling Comes After Small Tears.
— Cheryl
It's time to travel
Journeying across the land
With Rick Steve's in hand.
— Stephen
Tacoma misplaced
South of famous Seattle
Hides Point Defiance
— Janet
Scabby branch dangler.
Knotted elbows bend the blue.
Dandilions weed.
— Adriana
People go outside
No more snow, ice is melting
It is spring right now
— Noah
Cheese, wine and great friends
The lovely French countryside
Lifetime memories
— Koko
Flying above clouds
filled with anticipation
I begin my dream.
— Laurie
Rick, thanks to your book
Pompeii bustled and frescos sang
Look, lead pipes back then?
— Amy
Inneon High Tops
Along cobbled roads I tread
in Caesar's footprints.
— Ilana
Travel will make you
A citizen of the world.
So join the party.
Scotland bids me come.
Loch Ness ? Bagpipes? Golf? Who cares!
What's under those kilts?
Rest, weary trav'ler.
It looked like heaven on line,
But my room's from hell.
Bus driver, tour guide,
Eight countries in seven days.
I'm too tired to care.
— Vicky
Traveling with Rick
Is sure to give you a kick
Adventure awaits
— Ellen
Faraway places —
All near to see...when watching
Rick Steves' DVDs.
— Tish
Blossoms before breeze,
In gardens around the world:
Continental drift.
Spring wakes to wonder;
Lust to learn about the world. . .
My neighbor's back door.
— Bill
Europe on Rick's Tour
Gimmelwald and Grand Paris
Oh, so heavenly!
— Greta
Travel around It
Take pleasure in It now
Today is the time
— Jan
First rule of travel
Rick says "Wear your money belt"
Too late! Money's gone!
Forty years I wait
My dream no longer postponed
At last I travel.
A hernia lurks
I thought I needed it all.
Next time, I'll pack light.
The best souvenir —
Pizza, pasta, gelato
Brought home on my hips.
— Vicky
'Cross the continent
Both young and old adventure:
New age pioneers.
— Sean
Slovenia is
Mountains, Seacoast, Rivers, Hills
All in a day's drive
— Dom
Thirty rolls of film,
Two cameras, one outfit.
Wouldn't change a thing.
Cinque Terre days
Hiking the coastal pathway
Don't skimp on sunscreen.
Driving in West Wales
New shades of green at each turn
Relaxes the soul.
Paris in springtime
Rosy-hued skies at sunset
Skip the museums!
London 's pouring rain
Tea and scones by the window
Now I understand.
Iced canals glisten
Amsterdam 's cozy winter
Heineken tour, stat.
Venice: lost treasure
Finding clues without a map
Hidden gelato!
First glimpse of Florence
Late-day sun kisses Duomo
Memory trumps film.
— Amy
A curious mind
What color is the summer
A traveler knows
The night sky I fly
Wonder what the morning brings
I open my eyes
On the forest floor
Which I've never seen before
I can see me more
— Michelle
A change of clothes
An open mind, an easy laugh
The world awaits your journey.
— Ann
Let's see the whole world.
Make your travel dreams come true.
Just get out and GO.
— Linda
In San Marco Square
Carnevale revelers make
Kaleidoscope shapes.
— LeeAnn
If I never see
Another redwood again,
I will not suffer.
— Judy, Daryl, Andy & Philip
Cape Town guitarist
With guitar made of petrol can
Plays perfect old songs
Quaito music on
Radio in the townships rocks
The shanties with jazz beats
Bottle head dolphins
Arcing over waves, wheeling,
Mating, tails up in ecstacy
Black mimes in white face
White arms, white legs, do a ro-
Bot skeleton dance
They hit your face at
Night on the jeep ride —
Kami-kazi dung beetles
Deep in African
bush — a birdsong memory
Of dimestore childhood
The wrong person could
Drive up and down these roads and
Never see a thing
Playing with the waves
You can feel the ocean pulse
With earth's life rhythms
Paper lantern stars
In a galaxy of patterns —
Tropical Christmas
Autorickshaw sword —
Fish pointed heads stick out left,
Tails stick out right side
Shantytown kites fly —
Yesterday purple paper
Today cellophane
— William
Misty rain falling
City of lights twine my soul
Vivid dreams are mine
— Victoria
Lithuania
Your dumplings are so tender
Your buses so slow
— David
Breeze caresses tree
The tree shivers with delight
Leaves dance in the sun
— Dennis
Paris, Tulleries,
Leaning back in garden chair,
Ultimate repose.
Rome , motorbike swarms
Lift dust clouds. Splashing fountains
Clear, refresh my soul.
Cinque Terre towns,
Terraced vineyards climb steep hills,
Stair steps to heaven.
Heathrow layover,
Mad Tube dash to see London
Mind the gap, no Queen.
Lisbon tram, quanto ?
Confusion, stranger pays fare.
Kind souls everywhere.
Aix-en-Provence mass
A cappella, hooded priests.
Kiss of peace, one world.
Amsterdam airport
Smoky haze, cafes downtown
Weed smoke paradise.
Riviera stroll,
Olive grove picnic, delight,
Mid-summer unguent.
Back alley café,
Owner seizes me, dancing.
Frankie croons, I swoon.
— Joan
Scotland had no rain
It was five days of walking
And ended with dance.
Long Interstate ten
We started on an island
The desert was our goal.
A narrow-gauge rail
Durango to Silverton
Happy birthday Dad!
Don't rain Seattle
Left my jacket in Texas
Hotel won't call back.
Swam off Ko Samui
Slept at Cleopatra's Palace
Ate and ate and ate.
While Bound for Thailand
Eight hours in Manila
All in the airport.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Haitian art, Latin dance, coastal cooking
Reeling from one tent to the next.
— Gretchen
Dodging vehicles
On the wrong side of the road,
Exhilarating!
Churches trimmed with lace,
Crocheted from snippets of stone
Don't need ironing.
Gargoyles gurgle
Protecting those inside from . . .
Downpours and demons.
Like noisy children
Bells clamor for attention,
Who can clang loudest?
Tired achy feet
Knees that creak with every step,
Hand me my Aleve.
Unfamiliar words
Swirl past like wind-blown snowflakes,
My tongue catches one.
Who knew there would be
So many ways you could flush?
Keep looking — it's there.
Finding long-lost friends,
Picking up where we left off
20 years ago.
Mountain peaks stand guard,
Silently watching for trains
Threading through tunnels.
Sleeping with strangers
In a snug six-pack couchette,
I try not to snore.
I pictured sunshine
When I thought of Italy . . .
But it rained instead.
Houses perched on hills
Lean like tipsy revelers
Against each other.
Savor the memories
Of unforgettable sights,
Before I grow old.
— Laurie
Nearing the lighthouse,
Just us- but look there's Fungi!
This day is perfect.
— Susan
Turkish Coffee
The Tamburica
Cogitate of Croatia
— Monika
Fourteen thousand feet
Undaunting
clear crisp fresh clean
A breathless wonder
— RJ
Germans have six weeks
Sounds more civilized to me.
We work too hard here!
— Marlene
With careful planning
A summer journey unfolds
My heart pounds within
— Christa