It’s a week since we returned from our two weeks in southern Italy. I feel revitalized, refreshed.The trip was a little bittersweet—an anniversary celebration delayed from May 2012, when we postponed it due to mom’s failing health. I know in my heart my mom would be thrilled that we were going, finally. She was so …
I got my official European Union/Portugal passport today! So it’s all official! I didn’t think I’d be quite so excited and proud, but I am. My aunt sent me a great email congratulating me, and within it a message with deep meaning: Congratulations on being Portuguese; and remember Prince Henry, Vasco da Gama, the Padeira …
I decided that my New Year’s resolution is to climb the ten toughest hikes in the Bay Area. I’ve been researching and I’ve come up with this list. Berry Creek Falls Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park 10.2 miles Mount Sizer (Seizure??) Loop: Henry Coe State Park (Morgan Hill) 15.6 miles Murietta Falls via …
Five best moments Reaching the top of Pico Sunset boat ride with Jill and my cousin Listening to Cory’s Shearwater Every sunset “Dead to me” Five biggest surprises My cousin’s visit to introduce himself The food was even better than I remember The Azorean McMansions Ubiquity of mobile phones How, after 11 years, it still …
“The world is a book; and those who do not travel read only a page. ” St. Augustine We are now back from our whirlwind two weeks in the Azores. Specifically, we were on the island of São Jorge (pop. 10,500), where my family is from. What an incredible trip. We had very limited Internet …
It’s hard to believe it’s been a month since we arrived. There are certain parts that are starting to feel familiar, but it still feels very foreign to me. There are so many things I still wish I could do. When I look at a map of South Africa, it’s shocking to see how little …
One of the most-do activities in Africa is to go on a safari and see animals in their natural environment. THE place to go in South Africa is Kruger National Park. Unfortunately for us, that wasn’t an option because it’s clear across the country and really requires a four- to five-day stay to make it …
World Cup Semi-Final (Netherlands v. Uruguay) Given the “hand of God” of the Uruguyan team that knocked the last African nation (Ghana) out of the World Cup, it is no wonder that for the last World Cup game in Cape Town we saw a sea of orange (or Oranje, as they prefer it). Some were …
Been thinking a lot about our plans for the Acores this fall. Below a few images.