ec·cen·tric (k-sntrk, k-)
Adjective

  1. Departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern.
  2. Deviating from a circular form or path, as in an elliptical orbit.
  • Not situated at or in the geometric center.
  • Having the axis located elsewhere than at the geometric center.

Noun

  1. One that deviates markedly from an established norm, especially a person of odd or unconventional behavior.

Source:  Merriam-Webster

Welcome to my Web site!  On these pages, I hope to take you to some  locales you may never have considered visiting.  Are you looking for pictures of beautiful Hawaiian sunsets, breathtaking views of New York, delectable images of lovers strolling the Champs Elysees in Paris?  If so, keep on looking because you won't find them here!

First though, allow me a moment to introduce myself...

 

I first developed a taste for travel as a kid while being dragged across America in the family car, notwithstanding the occasional squabble with my parents about which radio station to play.  After finishing college, I studied Spanish at a language institute in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where I had the opportunity to live with a local family and experience life in a different culture.  This was a turning point in my life, as I began to realize just how big and diverse the world in which we live really is.  I wanted more!

Since then, I've traveled to over 70 countries on every continent except Antarctica.  I have a particular interest in those places which are not as frequented by mass tourism, although I of course also enjoy the more sedate pleasures of those Hawaiian sunsets, London views, and Parisian streets just as much as anyone.  I figured a Web site would provide the easiest medium for friends and aquaintenances to view a few of the thousands of photos I've accumulated over the past decade or so of traveling.  So sit back and enjoy the ride to some places you may have never seen (or may not have the desire to ever see for yourself)!

I also used this as an excuse to try my hand at building a first Web site.  Although using a canned application admittedly cuts most of the corners, I only barely mastered elementary word processing a few short years ago -- so keep in mind as you tour this site that I make no claims to be either a writer, design expert, or technology geek.

A few other things to keep in mind while browsing the photos:

  1. I generally avoid taking pictures of people out of respect unless given specific permission.
  2. All photos are my own, taken with a 35mm Nikon One Touch© camera bought in 1987
  3. Photos were scanned using a Hewlett Packard ScanJet 6300C© scanner.
  4. Most pictures are of sites of historical or cultural interest, although there are some great scenery shots as well.
  5. Pictures are presented in thumbnail format to speed download times.  To see the full picture, click on the thumbnail in the text.
  6. Given the nature of this site, it is best viewed with a high-speed connection.  If your home computer is too slow, try using the one where you work, as it's likely to have a faster connection (you're employer won't mind :-)
  7. Each country has a brief introduction to its history and culture, followed by the photos grouped according to region or theme.  The index below shows the organization of this site:

Index

 Thanks again for stopping by, and please leave any comments you care to in my Guest Book.  Alternatively, contact me at martinguilfoyle@yahoo.com.  Otherwise, sit back, choose your destination from the index or the links below, and bring on those photos!

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