Ricardo Trelles

This blog is much better viewed in a computer, not necessarily on a small phone screen.

…   Cheers, friends!  Welcome to my blog!  

I am Ricardo Trelles, Teacher, Writer, Traveler, Dreamer.  And a Salesman.  About 10 years ago, I left my teaching job in Miami, and moved back to the world of Sales.  The way teachers are treated in Florida, I realize it was a good move.  Teachers don’t get much respect, or a decent pay.  Oh, no.  Sad but true.

In the last few years, we moved to beautiful Tampa Bay, Florida, where I now happily sell mattresses, lifestyles adjustable bases, and fine furniture at Fine Furniture, in Pinellas Park in the Saint Petersburg area.

As you can see, I am and I do other colorful things too, but you’ll have to give me some time to write these ideas.  If you are between the ages of 7 and 970, like Old Matusalén* (Methuselah), I’m sure we’ve got to have something in common.  So keep on reading, because this blog is for you.

I believe in the free world.  I know Socialism, and no, I don’t want any more of it.  Thanks anyway.  Capitalism is not perfect either, and yes, I do criticize it, a whole lot.  But boy, do I love it!  I’ve learned to live with this imperfect Capitalism and, well, hey, if I can’t change it, at least I’ve also learned to love it, just the way it is.  In the end, while life isn’t always fair, shall we never forget that we do get what we pay for.

I am passionate about writing, the world of travel, and photography, although I am not a professional photographer.  I also love Sales, and I am now selling furniture in Florida.  Then you ask: what have you published so far? To that, I say: a gorgeous book is coming soon.  A volume full of anecdotes and amazing stories from the road.  But you’ll have to wait a bit.

In fact, my world as a writer is anything but orthodox.  I am in no hurry to publish this or that.  I opted out of the crazy rat race a long time ago, always running against the clock, always stressed out to get here or there before the next guy, that is, to publish this or that right now, I don’t know, put out one book every year.  Or lose sleep over how many thousands of followers you can grab in your blog or your Twitter counter, or how many millions of friends you can collect on Facebook.

Oh, no, no, no, no.  NO!    Look, this is a very simple equation.  Whenever you don’t read me, or don’t see me writing new blogs, it doesn’t mean that I’m not writing: it means that I am trying to take advantage of the opportunity that Life gives us, and therefore, I am trying to occupy my time in meaningful things.  As to the writings, you’ll see and read them, but please, hurry me not.  The soup is cooking… now grab a chair, sip another cup of wine, and let’s chat a bit.

I also love technology, photography, web design, but what I love the most in this world is the world itself, all societies, old and new, with their governments and history, and anything that smells like culture, travel, and society.   You can “breathe this from my articles.  Once you’ve read them, if you wish to leave a comment, tell me what you think.  In my blog, I also include lots of pictures from diverse and wonderful places.  I’ve been fortunate enough to visit so many magnificent historical sites.  Though not a professional photographer, I aim at capturing the essence of the moment, the spirit of a place, a person, Nature, and the energy of the good and the beautiful in Life.

As a (future) PhD student, my interest in Cultural Studies, Languages and Cultures (Latin American and Hispanic Studies, specifically), History and Art History, Global Issues, and International Relations, has taken me to diverse corners of the world for graduate school seminars, or just on vacation.  We Americans tend to live life on the fast lane, way too much on the ‘work-o-holic’ side.

Time off is healthy, my friends.  Travel is not just a luxury, it’s also medicine for your mind.  It is indeed, a human necessity for both, a healthy body and a health mind, actually, a happy mind.  So, taking time off now and then, for you and your family, means spending quality time together.

My website has a 2-prong purpose:

• inform, orient, and guide potential buyers of mattresses, beds, furniture, and home furnishings, about the features and benefits of certain brands and products depending on each individual family or customer’s needs and budget
• inform, orient, entertain, and help potential travelers, like me, like you, with practical advice so that they too can do some of those fantastic trips of a lifetime that we all dream about, but that only a few dare to pursue. This is essential, valuable advice that all travelers need before arriving, from budgeting for your trip, to airfare, hotels/hostels, money matters, culture, beaches, historical sites, tours, photography, etc., even incredible travel stories.

On this second point, my blog combines, through a series of articles in English and Spanish, an amalgam of thoughts and aspirations, hopes and dreams, and my travels and tribulations around the world, a world that’s tumbling down among greedy oil wars and territorial expansion, but still crowded with decent people who hope for a better future.

I’d like to think that I’m a positive and optimistic person.  Some, though, may not see me like that.  Fidel Castro, for example, because of my long hair and my dissenting points of view about Socialism, saw me as an enemy of the Socialist Revolution.  It earned me their vindictive hatred, and they almost expulsed me from the university.  And you know, History somehow proved me right: Socialism was a rotund failure.

Now, about the long hair, even if Socialism hates it, I will keep my long hair.  Thank you!

Although most of what I’ve posted so far is written content–which eventually will include more posts, essays, poems, short stories, tales, and whole chapters to be published later in book or e-book format–a great component of my happiness is Travel Photography. Check out these thumbnail pictures which relate to a previous post.

Some of the photographs I’ve taken around the world may well merit a second look, for the sake of artistic appreciation.  Look again at the header image* (top of this page).  Is that a gorgeous photograph or what!  If you want to see another image displayed, REFRESH the browser page (or hit F5).  Then, sit back, and enjoy the culture and the beauty of your world.  Of course, since I live in a world of letters, the comments I’ve made on these pictures make them special in their own way.  They are, after all, unique, unrepeatable moments of this life.

A complete catalog of these images will be available for purchase one of these days, when I finish writing the nice book of my travels and tribulations around the world.  In an increasingly difficult, highly competitive, and cash-thirsty educational environment, this would be a way to finance my PhD studies.  Of course, it’d be better if a rich guy or a super wealthy queen or king somewhere helped me, but then again, wake up, this is reality, and in the real world, we have to work hard.

Always exploring the secrets of ancient bazaars, magnificent mirrors, and potent fragrances…  Who wouldn’t want to enjoy walking around all that jewelry, pottery, accoutrement, and hanging gear?  It’s part of your gypsy soul, brother, you can’t deny it. And of course, this movie couldn’t be complete without a good hat for your roles of Orient Voyager and Anatolian shepherd.

By the way, all images and photographs displayed in the header, posts, pages, and in any and all other areas of this website, have been taken by, and are original works by the author, Ricardo Trelles.  Read more.

Anyway, since I am a pluralistic guy, I like giving everyone the opportunity to express their ideas, without fear of being punished, prosecuted or banned, like they did to us under Socialism.  So, if you have an opinion, as long as you behave respectfully and peacefully, I will listen to your opinions.

In any case, I hope you can see, through my writings, the magnificent experiences I’ve had on the road as a traveler, a teacher, a writer, and a dreamer.  Above all, I’d like you to see that I am a happy man.  I hope that for you too.

So welcome to my blog.  I hope you have fun browsing through my pictures and reading my articles about travel, living, culture, politics, society, and experiences in this life.  And mattresses and furniture!

And don’t forget: Life is a beautiful journey.  But oh, so short.  So we have to take advantage of every opportunity.  Enjoy the ride! 

Oh, wait, before you go, if you are in the Tampa Bay area, stop by and say hi, if only for a brief informal introduction.  I am selling bedding and mattresses, along with their power bases, fine furniture, and home furnishings at Fine Furniture, in Pinellas Park, FL.

If you are thinking of changing your mattress, or expanding your bed options with a top-quality sleep system, allow me to say that we carry all market-leading brands, like TEMPUR-pedic, along with all adjustable bases and motorized foundations, the fantastic new PURPLE models with their innovative Flex Grid, and many other fine brands.

Come and visit with us.  Let me show you our Mattress Gallery.  You’ll love our wide selection.

Alright.  We’re all set.  You go now.  Enjoy this beautiful day.  And, may we both have a very productive and happy week!  Cheers from my Fine Furniture store!

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Ricardo Trelles 

Bedding & Sleep Expert / Furniture Sales Advisor

Fine Furniture, Pinellas Park, FL

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