What's on my mind
In the June Atlantic there is an article by Mathew Stewart, “The Birth of a New American Aristocracy." Stewart points out that the popular description of our society as split between the super rich and the rest of us is missing an important point. A large and very wealthy group of people, 9.9% of the… Continue reading The 9.9
"Our" apartment on the Avenue Duquesne is in a very quiet neighborhood, but close to many attractions, including Les Invalides, the Eiffel Tower and the Rue Cler. It is a very livable area. There is a convenient supermarket right next to the École Militaire Metro station. There are many cafés, such as the Central, along the Rue Cler.… Continue reading Paris and Normandy, 2014
We first visited London in 1990, our first trip abroad. Up until 2014, we had not returned, despite having a wonderful time. We decided to go back and see more of London, and then go on by train to Paris, with a final destination in Normandy, where I planned to leave some of my mother's… Continue reading London 2014
In 2015 we went for a January vacation at a rental house with two friends on Sullivan's Island, near Charleston, South Carolina. We had good weather, although it was not very warm. Our friends Fran and Mike were at the house when we arrived by taxi. The house was built on stilts to protect the living quarters from high seas… Continue reading Reminiscences of Sullivan’s Island
Our tour was called "A Taste of Costa Rica." Our agenda for our first day in the Arenal area was full. We went on a short bird walk with William. He spotted a collared tanager and a yellow faced grassquit. Here are some pictures from the internet. We could not get close enough to take… Continue reading Arenal Area
The first objective of our trip was to take in the wild life of Costa Rica. Now, even in Costa Rica, this is easier said than done. No problem seeing the plants. They cannot help it. But the animals - their lives depend on being well concealed, and they are very good at it. Before… Continue reading Sarapiqui
The day after white water rafting on the Sarapiqui, we checked out of the Selva Verde Lodge and rode to Porto Viejo to board a small cruise boat. William pointed out anhinga, turtles, iguana, snowy egrets, cecropia, fig trees, howler monkeys, black vultures, blue heron, and chilamate trees. There was evidence of recent flooding –… Continue reading River Cruise at Porto Viejo, Pineapple Farm Tour, and a Hotel Near a Volcano
Naturally, from the outset we had a certain idea about Costa Rica as a country rich in wildlife, a site for ecotourism. We were about to learn it is more than that. The next day, Sunday, we had a buffet breakfast - which included rice and beans - and then met for an 8 AM lecture… Continue reading From San José to Sarapiqui
A number of friends, as well as our son and his wife, traveled to Costa Rica, all giving very favorable reports. We decided to take a Road Scholar tour “A Taste of Costa Rica” in January. Our early morning plane out of Albany was a little twin engine jet, but it only took about half an… Continue reading A Trip to Costa Rica
Hello everyone, We celebrate each year, a bit after the solstice, a tradition of long standing. I look forward to seeing friends and family! I hope all of you can do the same in this season. Those of you in the Southern Hemisphere are experiencing summer, while we here have short days and lots of precipitation. Cheers… Continue reading Happy Holidays
