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
Pigeon, that at once annoying and endearing vermin, is a common sight wherever you go. In San Juan’s Old Town, though, their presence is particularly hard to tune out: Pigeons are everywhere. There is even an entire park devoted to them, Parque de las Palomas, where they nest in the City Wall, lounge in trees overlooking the … Continue reading
I often think of that day — I was visiting my mother in the Netherlands, and it was cold and grey. Our wanderings seemed to fall perfectly into place. We spent an afternoon in the Hague, my first time there. Mom had three highlights in mind, so the afternoon arranged itself comfortably around them: The Binnenhof, home … Continue reading
After a couple of days in Orlando, we wanted to take a break from amusement park lines and steep entrance fees. Gatorland (Alligator Capital of the World) did not sound entirely like our cup of tea, but, at $26.99 for adults/$18.99 for kids 3-12 (and a $2.50 discount available online), it seemed at least try-worthy. To my … Continue reading
“The air is wild with voices, avian dialects are being spoken from every direction. The sky vibrates with wings.” (Terry Tempest Williams, Refuge) One of the things I love about going to Utah is the inevitable early mornings: I wake up before dawn, otherwise a painful procedure. Last week, such early morning happened to be … Continue reading
My stay in Tokyo was brief but eventful. The brightest memory of that visit, without reservations, was one early morning at the Tsukiji Market, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. The idea to go there came up by chance, as many brilliant ideas do, during a late, alcohol-soaked dinner. A Japanese … Continue reading
A late afternoon at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve was another welcome escape during my busy work week in Gaborone. Only 15 km south of town, the Reserve was a short, beautiful ride away from my hotel. We drove under Botswana’s endless sky, red, rugged earth stretching to infinity, and I felt all my worries, and meetings, … 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
There are places, artists, and musicians you always remember encountering for the first time. Hieronymus Bosch, who died 496 years ago today, definitely makes this list for me: I remember my surprise and wonder when I first saw fragments of Hell from The Garden of Earthly Delights in an old book at my school’s library (thanks … Continue reading
“I’ve had a good life. I wouldn’t want to live it over again. I wouldn’t want to start again. I just don’t think I’d be so lucky next time.” I’d like that. I stumbled upon this quote by William Manchester, an American writer and biographer, as I was browsing through the Orlando Museum of Art … Continue reading
My last day in Orlando turned out to be less leisurely than anticipated. In the end, I had only two hours to spare for sightseeing. Going to any of the amusement parks seemed wasteful, and the last thing I wanted after a busy week was to rush from line to line on a hot afternoon. … Continue reading
My work visit to Orlando is almost over. After today’s last push, I may have some down time tomorrow before I head home. Oh, what shall I do? For inspiration, I thought I’d look over some old pictures from one of my favorite Orlando parks–the Animal Kingdom. I liked how we began our visit there … Continue reading
Another fond Central Florida memory: paddling along the calm, sleepy waters of the Econlockhatchee River, in the Little-Big Econ State Forest–such a serene experience, and, depending on where you are staying, only 30-45 minutes outside of Orlando. Our guide from Adventures In Florida was wonderful. We began our expedition at 8:30 am in the Forest. The kayaks … Continue reading
My memories of Gatorland, got me thinking about other off-the-beaten-path Orlando destinations. Bok Tower Gardens come instantly to mind. About an hour away from Orlando, this place is beautiful, magical even. My visit there deserves a story all of its own, but, as a preview, here are some tidbits from a January visit. Highlights: Wild southern groves, … Continue reading
“I got down from the wagon and beheld the distant view of the beautiful mountain of Stellenbosch, Jonkershoek and Drakenstein; before me lay a spacious valley planted with vineyards and plantations, and in its centre was the village of Stellenbosch. At that distance it looked like Paradise. I felt a surge of nostalgia, I thought … Continue reading
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