Clichés are, by nature, tired and worn out. But the ordinary to some people may be the extraordinary to others. We have lasting images of clothing, food, drinks, professions, activities and buildings that are associated with certain countries. Some people would call these clichés. But seeing these images can be quite exciting. Recently, a friend from Australia was visiting us in Colorado and spotted deer in our back yard. We think nothing of it, and if anything, get annoyed since they eat our juniper trees. However, to our friend, it was amazing, and he couldn’t believe they were so close. Plus, this was a brand new animal for him to see.

In Greece, I wanted to see whitewashed windmills against a brilliant blue sky or sea (photo above). Speaking of windmills, how can you visit Holland and not want to see them along with tulip fields?  So again, the common, mundane and everyday can be extraordinary to a visitor. Finally, no one can say that Flamenco dancing, Legong dancing and Cliff diving are mundane!

Naxos, Greece: Thinking of how pretty the contrast of the white is on the barren brown landscape.

Kinderdijk, the Netherlands: Getting to see a lineup of windmills.

The Netherlands: Being excited to see tulip fields in full bloom.

Bali, Indonesia. Admiring the beauty of the rice fields and dedication of the workers.

Bali, Indonesia. Strolling by Buddha and Hindu deities statues.

Bali, Indonesia: Being transfixed by beautiful Legong dancers.

Sevilla, Spain: Soaking in the culture of Flamenco dancing.

Acapulco, Mexico. Holding your breath while cliff divers launch in the air.

London, England. Spying punk rockers in the 1980s.

London, England. Riding inside a “black cab” while spotting a double decker bus.

Haight Ashbury, San Francisco: Making a peace sign with a groovy Volkswagen micro minibus

Kiev, Ukraine: Spotting an onion-spired cathedral (St. Andrew’s Church).

Paris, France. Seeing an artist paint Notre Dame.

Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia: Watching hot lifeguards (surf lifesavers) on the beach.

Cleland Wildlife Park, Australia: Petting a kangaroo.

East Berlin, East Germany: Drinking beer and saying “prost!”

Arizona, USA: Chasing a tumbleweed.

Colorado, USA: Watching deer in your neighbor’s yard.