As you explore the Big Island, several names keep coming up. Kamehameha the Great, the king who united the Hawaiian archipelago, and Ka’ahumanu, his formidable queen, are the island’s most dominant mortal protagonists. Among gods, two sisters lead the way: Poli’ahu, the goddess of ice and snow, and her perpetual nemesis, Pele, the goddess of fire, a pretty big deal on terrain … Continue reading
I have been gone for far too long from this little page of mine. Ailsa’s weekly challenge is here to the rescue: This week’s theme is Deep. Deep like the tunnels of San Cristóbal in Puerto Rico. Down-down they go to the dungeon, with its walls peeling, grooves for explosives over your head, and–the centerpiece of … Continue reading
Our vacation on Hawaii’s Big Island was a kaleidoscope of impressions. Where to begin? I think I’ll start with our helicopter ride. We took off in Hilo, a town on the island’s rainy side. The helicopter seemed smaller than average, just big enough for four passengers and the pilot — not a bad seat in sight, … Continue reading
The multitude of pigeons in Old San Juan encourages the presence of their inevitable counterparts: legions of feral cats. Like pigeons, cats are a common sight along the Old Town’s narrow streets. They look healthy and seem to get regularly fed by fellow city residents. Many are friendly and curious, but most are watchfully uninterested–like cats … Continue reading
I visit Philadelphia’s art museums several times a year, but only recently, to my embarrassment, got to explore the city’s Historic District. The cradle of the United States, this was where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were written and signed and where five of the country’s first presidents lived, at least temporarily, … Continue reading
I was smitten with San Juan. Traveling there for a conference recently, I was looking for a good place to stay when the conference hotel got full. A friend of a friend recommended we stay in the old town, away from large hotel chains. I am so glad I followed her advice: staying at the … Continue reading
If you find yourself in Old San Juan in time for the sunset, head to the San Juan Gate on the western side of town. For over two centuries, the gate has opened onto Paseo del Morro, a trail nestled between the San Juan Bay and the weather-beaten City Wall. Large rocks face the Bay, warm … Continue reading
Transplanted Tatar 