tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68230767977886351062024-03-14T15:11:19.484+01:00 Trisha Ray - Log of a Travel Artist Watercolors - Wandering - Wine
Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-71896492590376320202023-10-12T10:44:00.007+02:002023-10-29T16:22:17.540+01:00Back to Nature in Connemara<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was the time of the "back to the land" movement. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Living with less". </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Whole Earth catalog era.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> I loved the idea of a "self-sufficient" lifestyle. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2AaEWbpBwzzPa5UK78eshdtzpdzd9YHZraQMGmtGUqF0zh7pO_jfgM80PfuQfZe7f6fx1cmcvHwX1IsB_EisCss1Gvp_L9V21G7-N513tL_No_E9ZMc3CwrGtKUvMU3aYOkNWRsDvvfgULWtGFjAquY77knylZoidIeeVyqSnGZhuPc3Z_cNDB7fsEo/s1799/76%20Donegal%20(14)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2AaEWbpBwzzPa5UK78eshdtzpdzd9YHZraQMGmtGUqF0zh7pO_jfgM80PfuQfZe7f6fx1cmcvHwX1IsB_EisCss1Gvp_L9V21G7-N513tL_No_E9ZMc3CwrGtKUvMU3aYOkNWRsDvvfgULWtGFjAquY77knylZoidIeeVyqSnGZhuPc3Z_cNDB7fsEo/w454-h640/76%20Donegal%20(14)%20copy.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So - back in the 1970's, I lived out in the West of Ireland, in Connemara. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In a stone cottage on a hill. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P6fmYd_hy_JnTezgdIEDyJ6XVUzlgeJOZ-3zaGlfCTkuPFiWMoasefY19bdOcD68WVhEeg6rigHwGeI7PQxlZnZgHecDDIMu-eLTT1979xl_kn6J9A5JyUF1nx8MYOgVv1RjfPoelv8sfuDE9y3bYioc2Xi9glvQvaMQ-L3S1YgDb4Qe-veXDY4BQ3E/s1460/76%20Knock%20(7a)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="894" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P6fmYd_hy_JnTezgdIEDyJ6XVUzlgeJOZ-3zaGlfCTkuPFiWMoasefY19bdOcD68WVhEeg6rigHwGeI7PQxlZnZgHecDDIMu-eLTT1979xl_kn6J9A5JyUF1nx8MYOgVv1RjfPoelv8sfuDE9y3bYioc2Xi9glvQvaMQ-L3S1YgDb4Qe-veXDY4BQ3E/w392-h640/76%20Knock%20(7a)%20copy.jpg" width="392" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Overlooking Galway Bay. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">900 acres, with 2 lakes and plenty of bog. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cnoc-dhá-Locha, "Hill of Two Lakes". </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-a-60D7NYV2OlDLFPo1GMnsLon2u-ddF5LqZ45HymUcoVv3wnijHlG4kSQG3i3S_WGYc8tEP7Udf7q6I9-yCBFAtjAp8wJ1q3DPLLlZ7mk50FSg1Cf76Fybb5koH8KmdGwH__kvYWXK6VNiPk2LgjGG9NtegcRiP3VwEkk3CTUQujmN0XGzx4v1cu_0/s1552/76%20Knock%20(1)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1552" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-a-60D7NYV2OlDLFPo1GMnsLon2u-ddF5LqZ45HymUcoVv3wnijHlG4kSQG3i3S_WGYc8tEP7Udf7q6I9-yCBFAtjAp8wJ1q3DPLLlZ7mk50FSg1Cf76Fybb5koH8KmdGwH__kvYWXK6VNiPk2LgjGG9NtegcRiP3VwEkk3CTUQujmN0XGzx4v1cu_0/w640-h398/76%20Knock%20(1)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Or Knocka-Lough, as we called it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSQz3Mu9F-2P44ZucTob3ryfddEa8AJ7Zx1gfhrOQXkLNpbkrlVdmTp_ZixAHo9bbQpSNmLfZ0AuxGhpi99zr6X2MBLjdNyk73jng8GOF-XZaejUOf0tJBHIkPQu0xjY8rRfByd9H23cwrzsWjkQ2PLU1NPnjcpE7YHojMmD_A7W-cjP6sIlgsZHWyrU/s1563/76%20Knock%20(19)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1563" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSQz3Mu9F-2P44ZucTob3ryfddEa8AJ7Zx1gfhrOQXkLNpbkrlVdmTp_ZixAHo9bbQpSNmLfZ0AuxGhpi99zr6X2MBLjdNyk73jng8GOF-XZaejUOf0tJBHIkPQu0xjY8rRfByd9H23cwrzsWjkQ2PLU1NPnjcpE7YHojMmD_A7W-cjP6sIlgsZHWyrU/w640-h394/76%20Knock%20(19)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was joined by my boyfriend Wolfgang, who I later married. He loved it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4HkteubnOkvufdn18edSu_SaE4v28RkxXKDBGhI41H6xkYD60UltZ7Y0m7QIb3_sDwlVCQtM7BONgQ0B0Rr7THpi7o0CevLgSOnj1Sfucnnc85B-bF3IJC5r4LLGgSm4UIBWP8FqdqF-VWCMhJ-zE2cqmr0S3W7dZwaml584F-EWHZXUjEWLjOVn9JI/s5615/75%20Knock%20(24a)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5615" data-original-width="4368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4HkteubnOkvufdn18edSu_SaE4v28RkxXKDBGhI41H6xkYD60UltZ7Y0m7QIb3_sDwlVCQtM7BONgQ0B0Rr7THpi7o0CevLgSOnj1Sfucnnc85B-bF3IJC5r4LLGgSm4UIBWP8FqdqF-VWCMhJ-zE2cqmr0S3W7dZwaml584F-EWHZXUjEWLjOVn9JI/w311-h400/75%20Knock%20(24a)%20copy.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The house had no electricity. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were gas mantles, like a Coleman lanteern, that ran off a propane bottle. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One light in each room. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoeO5b2dOekLz5gnMI7Ctv2WShgE_6MwlGkSFSWXSql_YOPyNSe5zjOaMWx2RurOsAcjHtnAbeiCwUb0q6YDQzWav8M_vY2m6F7JIlyGofxCdid81qQnAPGyFULX2f0tIZazxI0RShYJ6f_Jq_4G0FiLsYIzcZ75dOIvZJLPywuEJ0mcbSPqFwVsNVnc/s1516/76%20Knock%20(52)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="963" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoeO5b2dOekLz5gnMI7Ctv2WShgE_6MwlGkSFSWXSql_YOPyNSe5zjOaMWx2RurOsAcjHtnAbeiCwUb0q6YDQzWav8M_vY2m6F7JIlyGofxCdid81qQnAPGyFULX2f0tIZazxI0RShYJ6f_Jq_4G0FiLsYIzcZ75dOIvZJLPywuEJ0mcbSPqFwVsNVnc/w406-h640/76%20Knock%20(52)%20copy.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The heat was from the big kitchen stove, which was fed with turf. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Turf was dug out of the bogs around the house. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Dug with a special tool, a sleán. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was heavy work. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Laid out to dry. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Then stacked, and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">dried some more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CP1ATSTcWkug7_f383xFDbky0hURXjn2cO2-JOTW8oyOXkHG_py6O-mzPpbHLnblNoIOpZfZRm6sLRkWqXyhpuws4_A4ho3Quo6DaTC0iEcBMosF_y6XcPGPFtxepv2b7dGEPdwD1arAKo2KUXfzO-AUaK8GkzfmB74xnVuFLsbZv7DasKOQVpoCBWk/s1402/75%20Knock%20Turf%20cutting%20(5)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1402" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CP1ATSTcWkug7_f383xFDbky0hURXjn2cO2-JOTW8oyOXkHG_py6O-mzPpbHLnblNoIOpZfZRm6sLRkWqXyhpuws4_A4ho3Quo6DaTC0iEcBMosF_y6XcPGPFtxepv2b7dGEPdwD1arAKo2KUXfzO-AUaK8GkzfmB74xnVuFLsbZv7DasKOQVpoCBWk/w640-h464/75%20Knock%20Turf%20cutting%20(5)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maírtín shows Wolfgang and Big Jim how the sleán works.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> Eventually, you have something that could be burned in the stove. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC82xORp3V4c6bSxjhyphenhyphenAS95GvPl2p9FuLWeivs-Tt2CSapuSKaPVKUNNmo7F9XLlV0xfnjunlAuaHWsLDGA48OWrsePg8eSH_yEURyg-cd0f6mpGlirIcn-tsNdxZ4ez4-rfNs4keuHk1PocKUAo5n-U8rac0zSWx0k8wCvSgyufAWx1ylbMghTOG3pE/s1547/75%20Ireland%20(9)%20copy%202.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1547" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC82xORp3V4c6bSxjhyphenhyphenAS95GvPl2p9FuLWeivs-Tt2CSapuSKaPVKUNNmo7F9XLlV0xfnjunlAuaHWsLDGA48OWrsePg8eSH_yEURyg-cd0f6mpGlirIcn-tsNdxZ4ez4-rfNs4keuHk1PocKUAo5n-U8rac0zSWx0k8wCvSgyufAWx1ylbMghTOG3pE/w640-h426/75%20Ireland%20(9)%20copy%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Loading the dried turf onto the cart.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It burns beautifully, and gives off a lovely smell. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Often these days, it's pressed into briquettes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">But back then, it was just rough-shaped turf clods.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxr0SUUw2GFSBCkVHUEHAw8cr5m6Mh_wBZmbdGwh_ybJn5XTufDPdYI4WAtYG_Q17pmDzy5Q__cDUOem4uc9hxHMl3zFRKdWfWDS1H2kkxHUZxMAwhl0Qdm7c8gGWkXO8QgPNbMxYBET37X6T9Mnh9GNHEOLEDILRatv9_3PKs_OYdyToCoLy4ImCi28/s1560/76%20Knock%20(12)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1011" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxr0SUUw2GFSBCkVHUEHAw8cr5m6Mh_wBZmbdGwh_ybJn5XTufDPdYI4WAtYG_Q17pmDzy5Q__cDUOem4uc9hxHMl3zFRKdWfWDS1H2kkxHUZxMAwhl0Qdm7c8gGWkXO8QgPNbMxYBET37X6T9Mnh9GNHEOLEDILRatv9_3PKs_OYdyToCoLy4ImCi28/w414-h640/76%20Knock%20(12)%20copy.jpg" width="414" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">There were 2 lakes, where you could catch trout.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">But we weren't much good at fishing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J3BLW1I2rLEwCd7994NmZgG7BHvA3vG9__IUBBkiXm16qjyG2IVXrxKE-F_jQT_SFMFbiC4Izvljh3tP6t1V7bFtpZnE78bNez4oJ3CDJTukAxq7OmyBNVuBwwlRLELxzVsrKHUEX0IoPbhzB9QxF6Zae-WQhdcPmilcQIESgfcmR3eO5A_dh3T4sSs/s1516/76%20Knock%20(74)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="963" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J3BLW1I2rLEwCd7994NmZgG7BHvA3vG9__IUBBkiXm16qjyG2IVXrxKE-F_jQT_SFMFbiC4Izvljh3tP6t1V7bFtpZnE78bNez4oJ3CDJTukAxq7OmyBNVuBwwlRLELxzVsrKHUEX0IoPbhzB9QxF6Zae-WQhdcPmilcQIESgfcmR3eO5A_dh3T4sSs/w406-h640/76%20Knock%20(74)%20copy.jpg" width="406" /></a></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There was no running water, but there was a well with a pump. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYothMs5DBTcOF9OdKe9bjBP0tJkMuWFGzIgkQ02ZswzWl6TEsvjy1lmboBVR2e-xTbv4xwOU6Gt1p7f-DbtFSnkXXhugq9Geo5JvHJhliQhhX-7zukTQcU9hieZsvvAwFZ_k6m1ConG7wsWsKbnUl3hY5QAy3M2O8TqaBLbX6Rtp3Y4iWXji9Wh3iKI/s1537/75%20Brown%20Album%20(75)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1537" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYothMs5DBTcOF9OdKe9bjBP0tJkMuWFGzIgkQ02ZswzWl6TEsvjy1lmboBVR2e-xTbv4xwOU6Gt1p7f-DbtFSnkXXhugq9Geo5JvHJhliQhhX-7zukTQcU9hieZsvvAwFZ_k6m1ConG7wsWsKbnUl3hY5QAy3M2O8TqaBLbX6Rtp3Y4iWXji9Wh3iKI/w640-h426/75%20Brown%20Album%20(75)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kind of like an outboard motor, and just as hard to start. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It pumped water from the well into a tank on the roof. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From there - "running" water. Heated by the turf stove.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXF7Uf836UZ0vJK9SenFNjwqZLaw6lAXjYZO2B65R8GukYJx4ElD_Ek32wpq9FqGcv5WxZPRszaPIUzGX-ymf4t1vJuqbZaOdDw-0lZoA8C7v80sxhrL-rZ_mdXO3WNnbNTTcijxY4F1TzrrG6cJyIYukHhveRZKkp02oLwDnkC49acSkuFzSF4l9TOw/s1516/76%20Knock%20(5)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1015" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXF7Uf836UZ0vJK9SenFNjwqZLaw6lAXjYZO2B65R8GukYJx4ElD_Ek32wpq9FqGcv5WxZPRszaPIUzGX-ymf4t1vJuqbZaOdDw-0lZoA8C7v80sxhrL-rZ_mdXO3WNnbNTTcijxY4F1TzrrG6cJyIYukHhveRZKkp02oLwDnkC49acSkuFzSF4l9TOw/w428-h640/76%20Knock%20(5)%20copy.jpg" width="428" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With a cow that I milked every day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyV8tcs78x1CSZDp3HJO08VyoqoEhPYhGp3Ic5omPaJuBbctgg7D61V9UigVnmNue-x8hNVlSCt9hyUgESTLkVQ_-4LthlaBQXh9a0NgOYb58ayDhPpNagbuUbU_lc00eJnklLeRM8ZrCuev4ZsKllakm6S7Fi2AGNAoXF4dS2Hs6rsTcNH9WfGxxgKg/s1516/76%20Knock%20(55)%20copy%202.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1516" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyV8tcs78x1CSZDp3HJO08VyoqoEhPYhGp3Ic5omPaJuBbctgg7D61V9UigVnmNue-x8hNVlSCt9hyUgESTLkVQ_-4LthlaBQXh9a0NgOYb58ayDhPpNagbuUbU_lc00eJnklLeRM8ZrCuev4ZsKllakm6S7Fi2AGNAoXF4dS2Hs6rsTcNH9WfGxxgKg/w640-h436/76%20Knock%20(55)%20copy%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were rabbits, which we occasionally scared to death, then skinned and ate. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But we weren't much good at trapping, either. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Besides, they were awfully cute.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSiTEHKFk2dUtuHPUW-IUa1dYoYALLxi-aCZyPrTwl_mV2fTy04GeOj-BOdVxwv6FhXdSIgfKYgeFlZmYUFihJkXF1arcJENajRTjr4-VkNN8k7Q4V7RYDC3RrKfUZ6kkhEIOlRvkX8xgvqmaErCImEO7CvojSfLynPJvv_F3B8A3lvM694cXeAxriyg/s1675/76%20Donegal%20(8)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1675" data-original-width="1271" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSiTEHKFk2dUtuHPUW-IUa1dYoYALLxi-aCZyPrTwl_mV2fTy04GeOj-BOdVxwv6FhXdSIgfKYgeFlZmYUFihJkXF1arcJENajRTjr4-VkNN8k7Q4V7RYDC3RrKfUZ6kkhEIOlRvkX8xgvqmaErCImEO7CvojSfLynPJvv_F3B8A3lvM694cXeAxriyg/w304-h400/76%20Donegal%20(8)%20copy.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We prised mussels off the rocks at the seashore near Spiddéal, (not easy!). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I baked Irish soda bread daily, using the buttermilk from the cow. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And made cheese. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cKS024zQOo3dabL6DYDHUze0ItTMMvwbG7XIu7orHRLhidDu5GunQGWq70nep1iGTuBeivQc8d1DJe9fRKWG9WZQySEy6LGvN1hv-vWM4qe7M8Tem1M_fS9s_S0pELWF5ZQ-LJnyoDHTKzDeJbHSE1zUrdtUMvxvfMMHtswiREZUK5xKdUabYiwG850/s1765/75%20Knock%20(8)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1765" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cKS024zQOo3dabL6DYDHUze0ItTMMvwbG7XIu7orHRLhidDu5GunQGWq70nep1iGTuBeivQc8d1DJe9fRKWG9WZQySEy6LGvN1hv-vWM4qe7M8Tem1M_fS9s_S0pELWF5ZQ-LJnyoDHTKzDeJbHSE1zUrdtUMvxvfMMHtswiREZUK5xKdUabYiwG850/w640-h456/75%20Knock%20(8)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Planted potatoes, carrots, onions, and tomatoes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had 2 hens, Gisela and Gerturde. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They laid eggs regularly - when we could find them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wolfgang built a hen-house for them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Plus a cat, Wellington, and a dog, Cara. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8ZyDGyIL-GY3Okx2LN68kqgykZgFMRu4o0gn8WbuPjBp-wY1FeogdTxv-aGdaZqN-HLNk8W6ocEs3ePRX9o3qUf0Rl3hhfiydWS8A20QLVENgvUPdnsicm5O5_OoOASG6TxiiczOihMeKfO_KnCM4kJqMtzz1wG6tLiPuUzOvayeEoAspcj618c8_8k/s1798/76%20Knock%20(3)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1798" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8ZyDGyIL-GY3Okx2LN68kqgykZgFMRu4o0gn8WbuPjBp-wY1FeogdTxv-aGdaZqN-HLNk8W6ocEs3ePRX9o3qUf0Rl3hhfiydWS8A20QLVENgvUPdnsicm5O5_OoOASG6TxiiczOihMeKfO_KnCM4kJqMtzz1wG6tLiPuUzOvayeEoAspcj618c8_8k/w640-h432/76%20Knock%20(3)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The winds roared across the bogs in winter. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxG7yIwNTfdlo3_M5BhrqPW4UBLUlVKDkOS5iSTzcnFNZxJjUq_dP4v5qGZbplD9bJmmf7EQ8i9NhArcH_Uj4YGYoCHsoXI_C6_cOUzv54k0ZKbm0ML7Xj5nHs-u4aw3_cYIe7Lzi251K_fSdkunB0BWGS_5OkRHsXlemwHtu-dMDZviu6GARirmTq_I/s4320/20190718_145006%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="4320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxG7yIwNTfdlo3_M5BhrqPW4UBLUlVKDkOS5iSTzcnFNZxJjUq_dP4v5qGZbplD9bJmmf7EQ8i9NhArcH_Uj4YGYoCHsoXI_C6_cOUzv54k0ZKbm0ML7Xj5nHs-u4aw3_cYIe7Lzi251K_fSdkunB0BWGS_5OkRHsXlemwHtu-dMDZviu6GARirmTq_I/w640-h200/20190718_145006%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was fierce - but also beautiful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOGrwWFmfszeuGjQDOLwNX3aSGodnYc6-cExe_zzcn4vFKXpnoiIGXD3qx5aN7DYUH1CetnXAtoQJb5IF_ku-7TpB2zX9HDqsho4GYt430YIyE5LTY0OSh8vDt5pm5v-qsP_zMTnUuVWUdm8E_V5qIzBZta1TLrAg-QYkEy2bU5OZcRlT02KS1LefiPA/s1560/76%20Donegal%20(2)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1560" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOGrwWFmfszeuGjQDOLwNX3aSGodnYc6-cExe_zzcn4vFKXpnoiIGXD3qx5aN7DYUH1CetnXAtoQJb5IF_ku-7TpB2zX9HDqsho4GYt430YIyE5LTY0OSh8vDt5pm5v-qsP_zMTnUuVWUdm8E_V5qIzBZta1TLrAg-QYkEy2bU5OZcRlT02KS1LefiPA/w640-h418/76%20Donegal%20(2)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In fact, I've always thought Ireland has some of Europe's most beautiful beaches. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-DBjdcvL1JP84iMiPf14QRk6DVrxROrpDSUGRWUMtmlgN1rHyFqqK2OK_9xQZhV03JLo_CKDa1iBfICcuEAUPxbo4bP9dvM6zbZV5jjfCs2vbRMePFc8BaBo-TJjYdf7-qHY7xkab0Ny6b1nhhr64Mrg_A9xSEmYyBr_53kHU3_mLXs0U6UmfAoBc9E/s1568/75%20Ireland%20(37)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1568" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-DBjdcvL1JP84iMiPf14QRk6DVrxROrpDSUGRWUMtmlgN1rHyFqqK2OK_9xQZhV03JLo_CKDa1iBfICcuEAUPxbo4bP9dvM6zbZV5jjfCs2vbRMePFc8BaBo-TJjYdf7-qHY7xkab0Ny6b1nhhr64Mrg_A9xSEmYyBr_53kHU3_mLXs0U6UmfAoBc9E/w640-h420/75%20Ireland%20(37)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When the postman had something for us, he came up on his bicycle. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He would wait while I opened the post. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In case there was "good news" or a "bit of money" in it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Otherwise, he'd be content with a cup of tea. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ow5vkN6nmBslkiVjnUUomrZqsby3ejERL4lbQsKRw20Mtcba_NXVcndSw3jQksnC7t64uYO9M5kV3c_7L7EtOc9o3aAMUIFGOj00yVB_SbDjft3Qg3W5Q83sarF2t4BAPOb-XGlz1Te1bfD1RiTUbUAjPR8cOSd9o9oIDz4tip1sIFJ5YgBZecm0x_Y/s1516/76%20Knock%20(51)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ow5vkN6nmBslkiVjnUUomrZqsby3ejERL4lbQsKRw20Mtcba_NXVcndSw3jQksnC7t64uYO9M5kV3c_7L7EtOc9o3aAMUIFGOj00yVB_SbDjft3Qg3W5Q83sarF2t4BAPOb-XGlz1Te1bfD1RiTUbUAjPR8cOSd9o9oIDz4tip1sIFJ5YgBZecm0x_Y/w432-h640/76%20Knock%20(51)%20copy.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We lived there until after we married.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We married in Ireland. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Had a fine wedding party at Knocka-Lough with the neighbors, friends - and loads of music. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBN7aismcHISwZZcEmqodOlk3F9Y8IK6dGsLAzH3oQqbsC5YA6-1SdwUFzfQWoGmywppNgxMfyliIQ06av1V4K6zpDP-Jc8PwLr1d4uARao1EL6dyqLXB5_BLBhjz0pWmDUKDBQ5OuoMHeDaSNbkV227VfbA8t6QYRscKHSvcx_ZwxSUgBoN3rLvaJm8/s1234/76%20Knock%20June%20(2)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1234" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBN7aismcHISwZZcEmqodOlk3F9Y8IK6dGsLAzH3oQqbsC5YA6-1SdwUFzfQWoGmywppNgxMfyliIQ06av1V4K6zpDP-Jc8PwLr1d4uARao1EL6dyqLXB5_BLBhjz0pWmDUKDBQ5OuoMHeDaSNbkV227VfbA8t6QYRscKHSvcx_ZwxSUgBoN3rLvaJm8/w640-h428/76%20Knock%20June%20(2)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the warmest summer that Ireland had experienced in memory, 1976. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyoS-zu_pqoSPKksz33sc9KMotDfsxu4MbxYAMx_Rd323tYATQ-L0WQWSpZDKiSYfsZidjQjjcODhAgDv6Mftzt-RKRbKJlxPtCSU9ANqpszcq68QktAC-q4Fi0fSJMoSOQqIJF7KR-y10BCh2_2Ni2XZqG6IpYo7xt-DySnDIrMBTqb03U1PMXCCabc/s1556/76%20Knock%20June%20(4)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1556" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyoS-zu_pqoSPKksz33sc9KMotDfsxu4MbxYAMx_Rd323tYATQ-L0WQWSpZDKiSYfsZidjQjjcODhAgDv6Mftzt-RKRbKJlxPtCSU9ANqpszcq68QktAC-q4Fi0fSJMoSOQqIJF7KR-y10BCh2_2Ni2XZqG6IpYo7xt-DySnDIrMBTqb03U1PMXCCabc/w640-h396/76%20Knock%20June%20(4)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even a bit of dancing. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The houses were simple, and the neighbors kind. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N6AprDTEkUGkIsyJIcLPpJOHYldjQqbVzn0UeSTN48hyphenhyphenP79mVXIUOyy1cG69cdWcV4CQS8JeFvI02Gc-qdXKkeCWDGrWiF3a6EeUO_0GCG5Zh8h8ZVxDZkvOxvZWJIEymsbKjJJW_l6Q7b1lrKTYwwjqAzfahvKbEUN_Y_uFe2O_LS5JmGEMRk3_mIA/s1413/75%20Ireland%20(5)%20copy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1413" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N6AprDTEkUGkIsyJIcLPpJOHYldjQqbVzn0UeSTN48hyphenhyphenP79mVXIUOyy1cG69cdWcV4CQS8JeFvI02Gc-qdXKkeCWDGrWiF3a6EeUO_0GCG5Zh8h8ZVxDZkvOxvZWJIEymsbKjJJW_l6Q7b1lrKTYwwjqAzfahvKbEUN_Y_uFe2O_LS5JmGEMRk3_mIA/w640-h412/75%20Ireland%20(5)%20copy%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KhKhFLOoyCeNQfN-hubtvgETIF0S7B_Yz4jSG-VKVUK8Twy9qZzJ0jVIy-nhXfNuTZxoFN3WLoqBMHQsqBKW9an6LxeM3u5k3gz6cspUHf30CdHssGq3rtCiOqfpJWTq7zTPIVJI07hh11aKk3Z2nA8AtPNtwnxdFoteNHtMVFdwM4aiBLKsgVtuU2U/s1799/75%20Ireland%20(17)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1799" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KhKhFLOoyCeNQfN-hubtvgETIF0S7B_Yz4jSG-VKVUK8Twy9qZzJ0jVIy-nhXfNuTZxoFN3WLoqBMHQsqBKW9an6LxeM3u5k3gz6cspUHf30CdHssGq3rtCiOqfpJWTq7zTPIVJI07hh11aKk3Z2nA8AtPNtwnxdFoteNHtMVFdwM4aiBLKsgVtuU2U/w640-h438/75%20Ireland%20(17)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(I once asked Sonny, "Why do you still ride the donkey?" </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His reply, "Ah, I never could learn the bicycle.")</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRCH8FaSxALwWdm3nZzdD-XLdbzCJyVCvnZfWNPleuMutN4JAML_UU_NKC-bFgOVzf0jbskWPuobYA48Y6UUZ2BUhTeShVC5qfJ4PNITpF2IBR83SLa4969Ha5a61CFrGIhAlk7azwlkSo9ZLUDXiE43q_A0mWKSKJkoLFlIulsJ8SgFC6kmfNeSKeVU/s1899/Sonny%20(1)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="1899" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRCH8FaSxALwWdm3nZzdD-XLdbzCJyVCvnZfWNPleuMutN4JAML_UU_NKC-bFgOVzf0jbskWPuobYA48Y6UUZ2BUhTeShVC5qfJ4PNITpF2IBR83SLa4969Ha5a61CFrGIhAlk7azwlkSo9ZLUDXiE43q_A0mWKSKJkoLFlIulsJ8SgFC6kmfNeSKeVU/w640-h502/Sonny%20(1)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These two neighbors were making poítín, homebrew liquor. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">-That's why they're looking a bit guilty.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlWB98I4sgNKCkrzacXox96zCmowK9-cs_tmenzj1NrEUFiO5s49SNFLb8RrPUtG3ohYgC60XV59H4qZVuvg9vHLU_F5tD8JP-XO7thdhmjqgm-aNtf5tp-bNBnL6n7vKzjXqIStIMZn7SaAqFT5hWKp9uk3ZEV2hCzzFekBeSa6RhrU3ofZHa7CRpas/s1866/75%20Knock%20(30a)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="1392" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlWB98I4sgNKCkrzacXox96zCmowK9-cs_tmenzj1NrEUFiO5s49SNFLb8RrPUtG3ohYgC60XV59H4qZVuvg9vHLU_F5tD8JP-XO7thdhmjqgm-aNtf5tp-bNBnL6n7vKzjXqIStIMZn7SaAqFT5hWKp9uk3ZEV2hCzzFekBeSa6RhrU3ofZHa7CRpas/w478-h640/75%20Knock%20(30a)%20copy.jpg" width="478" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Business - of all sorts - was conducted in the pubs. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was a very modern establishment. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA9gF6WBQB_CREacM0Y5cjnov1XX21XktYbrGgLo4tfImC6k2UPcmir_Bp8bWRM4oFpMSKYmu8cIB-g8RC2JX6D_33w7nD_cL1HuKTMHYOG0EtIrFAphNNiKzrgJv11faMJM-udL-C-QwUo2o7hnQfY-TsO2Zjse8W7qqzqFnB0ksrKzVh1f__lVnonM/s1547/75%20Ireland%20(40a)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1547" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA9gF6WBQB_CREacM0Y5cjnov1XX21XktYbrGgLo4tfImC6k2UPcmir_Bp8bWRM4oFpMSKYmu8cIB-g8RC2JX6D_33w7nD_cL1HuKTMHYOG0EtIrFAphNNiKzrgJv11faMJM-udL-C-QwUo2o7hnQfY-TsO2Zjse8W7qqzqFnB0ksrKzVh1f__lVnonM/w640-h418/75%20Ireland%20(40a)%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This one a bit more traditional. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqERhyGMx2qvLX8cNjrC4maCx5UIIH4CKo0Ki3aqnCsOgzI7kXC-U0CNHmx9-PAoYc94BlahPkiRyBMI4Z59s_iuEKqh_RcsPQVh7IrGFpv5vWKlwysx9V2ur9ZQC-d7nBcBxhP5FK8tt3sQOs61hDG9JhVXN0hpYYaY5MOeWaZaArIHKHAgQrEKkxjyU/s1568/75%20Ireland%20(7)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1027" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqERhyGMx2qvLX8cNjrC4maCx5UIIH4CKo0Ki3aqnCsOgzI7kXC-U0CNHmx9-PAoYc94BlahPkiRyBMI4Z59s_iuEKqh_RcsPQVh7IrGFpv5vWKlwysx9V2ur9ZQC-d7nBcBxhP5FK8tt3sQOs61hDG9JhVXN0hpYYaY5MOeWaZaArIHKHAgQrEKkxjyU/w420-h640/75%20Ireland%20(7)%20copy.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There was another pub, Hurney's - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I remember a gang of us waking up in their hayloft. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a particularly memorable music session...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeoVymM3CekHCdpbouQJdw4oXk0UdfL_F9dBVCsAAsES9DMhowZNWlCWsJn4Tw5xYkikMKN33axkMc9d2OqXH0WMl8sLPaA5KkNOsFU16rlpLswAxkah7XaPmk4BCsdpOpQL3tR03sBL_N6wDkhKBBLfN46-6VlqqaBF91psnVurDlNOI0lWMu1mEYmI/s1516/75%20Ireland%20(32)%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="963" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeoVymM3CekHCdpbouQJdw4oXk0UdfL_F9dBVCsAAsES9DMhowZNWlCWsJn4Tw5xYkikMKN33axkMc9d2OqXH0WMl8sLPaA5KkNOsFU16rlpLswAxkah7XaPmk4BCsdpOpQL3tR03sBL_N6wDkhKBBLfN46-6VlqqaBF91psnVurDlNOI0lWMu1mEYmI/w406-h640/75%20Ireland%20(32)%20copy.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Those were different times. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm glad we got to experience them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIMMUxWyjdFSp8C1Ae7JN8AXmN_1DXHg9sSjkwN1wKTvTNFAqI-nxwfYtZKEQtQ6dFbglPWFC9Q_CLT6234vq83mmbgc6VtI2Xghz5qC02H86YQau2kFuF2EjqQIgA2bFWR1yWM7a4v3aPQuOpmF9F-WjCu9EKsp0aiB6XP4kuMq1X4cEB7JrJXqKyAk/s1533/75%20Brown%20Album%20(77)%20copy.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1029" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIMMUxWyjdFSp8C1Ae7JN8AXmN_1DXHg9sSjkwN1wKTvTNFAqI-nxwfYtZKEQtQ6dFbglPWFC9Q_CLT6234vq83mmbgc6VtI2Xghz5qC02H86YQau2kFuF2EjqQIgA2bFWR1yWM7a4v3aPQuOpmF9F-WjCu9EKsp0aiB6XP4kuMq1X4cEB7JrJXqKyAk/w430-h640/75%20Brown%20Album%20(77)%20copy.jpg" width="430" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2019, I took the whole family to Ireland. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The next generations.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Rented a castle. Walked the bogs. Drank Guinness. <br />Even - watched pigs racing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">That story, Ireland recently - is - <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2019/11/our-castle-in-ireland.html" target="_blank">here. </a></span></div></div>Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-88291484337906903402023-08-18T08:33:00.004+02:002023-08-18T08:33:59.317+02:00Grape Picking in the Corbières <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> In 1974, I thought it would be a good experience to take part in the wine harvest in France.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Without overthinking it, I signed up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ferry to France from Ireland. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Train down to the Corbières region of southern France. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn't realize it was SO far. Or that the work would be SO hard. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK4EsR5xSVPUyCcmzV6CzIdSzmLtE4WvXX4VRKdwn1yiaThopKIpV2l2lsTkFivXOskUBWfRN_48TT2Ss_5d2GgTQES2Rrw3dg5Y9p0JfZB03FT0RfW3g9cRIk9mCkRhn02KEQHPNpm9hCb6e_9-V3A9o6u0LPSzYtQYwVOF4QaaOZcTmcyjSpdqkvt4/s1522/75%20France%20(2)-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1522" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK4EsR5xSVPUyCcmzV6CzIdSzmLtE4WvXX4VRKdwn1yiaThopKIpV2l2lsTkFivXOskUBWfRN_48TT2Ss_5d2GgTQES2Rrw3dg5Y9p0JfZB03FT0RfW3g9cRIk9mCkRhn02KEQHPNpm9hCb6e_9-V3A9o6u0LPSzYtQYwVOF4QaaOZcTmcyjSpdqkvt4/w640-h436/75%20France%20(2)-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">To the small town of St.Laurent de la Cabrerisse. Southwest of Narbonne.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSC3k-_Y0D8hWKy9D_4wkL5f3mSIgBwzdYi5GnYl3cAAsmQDaOUWgQKqHwZHij_RJ6CDimHZJ1YLweWtZlXWYaGMTIEmggYrwqhFBPn7bJcljevj9FAWLy-zeCHIb2Lq20KKk22cybwouevIQg6ddSIzyinXsg3PXiBFQvpu6nzMVMIjBTXMG7NimehM/s1799/75%20France%20(6)-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1246" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSC3k-_Y0D8hWKy9D_4wkL5f3mSIgBwzdYi5GnYl3cAAsmQDaOUWgQKqHwZHij_RJ6CDimHZJ1YLweWtZlXWYaGMTIEmggYrwqhFBPn7bJcljevj9FAWLy-zeCHIb2Lq20KKk22cybwouevIQg6ddSIzyinXsg3PXiBFQvpu6nzMVMIjBTXMG7NimehM/w278-h400/75%20France%20(6)-8.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZeZGE8fdUa0C0R_vh6G881tE0TBwhIiBGb7e59EwOK4vrY_KAUj4O9MjlZFW0eVZJQl26F2WNdgw2PLUkCQVHfLU4jaVW-ElKmjmxHXPaDxcOafmdirSmqY3t-nFaJn_4YSBnTXHnNQKFq0F8rGMmHC4FofBk7BSAjmhydOUtvUnej4cwLFR9s5SaoQ/s1800/75%20France%20(34a)-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1800" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZeZGE8fdUa0C0R_vh6G881tE0TBwhIiBGb7e59EwOK4vrY_KAUj4O9MjlZFW0eVZJQl26F2WNdgw2PLUkCQVHfLU4jaVW-ElKmjmxHXPaDxcOafmdirSmqY3t-nFaJn_4YSBnTXHnNQKFq0F8rGMmHC4FofBk7BSAjmhydOUtvUnej4cwLFR9s5SaoQ/w640-h436/75%20France%20(34a)-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Our 'patron' was a lively fellow a good 6 inches shorter than I was. </div><div style="text-align: center;">His wife was even shorter. His daughter, who picked with us, was also small. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt enormous in comparison.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGieschGakiHz_cW6pX6THsnBBH7AgeeitLRCHW9IQZbjhJVyxAfFF4h5dERFypIj13aadA_ldaVOWyhPSJz5wTYPGvRP_LcLIfgzignc2z9dzN4nZJYoWxGI2sDzbUenlfDoYEZ6-B27v5jYwSZ5ZfWFpn_OAbexGBbrcytVeFBKGM4aDN_AE57vwvy4/s1206/75%20France%20(20a)-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1206" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGieschGakiHz_cW6pX6THsnBBH7AgeeitLRCHW9IQZbjhJVyxAfFF4h5dERFypIj13aadA_ldaVOWyhPSJz5wTYPGvRP_LcLIfgzignc2z9dzN4nZJYoWxGI2sDzbUenlfDoYEZ6-B27v5jYwSZ5ZfWFpn_OAbexGBbrcytVeFBKGM4aDN_AE57vwvy4/w400-h389/75%20France%20(20a)-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Suddenly, their son Jean-Luc appeared. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He towered in the doorway to the kitchen! Huge! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaG7EHomqh_NfFUYrpZmEjMEO7EwtyxFm1QLiRHSZBKnNvCFWBfMgPBE_oF8Bycw76_mFN8GqYZKdoOSQ1fktPfy1pWgf1NC9yid35Gj4b29Bl4uR2O83xZki-lXznBYN19gHSd30ijz-qAUKTPmf9uzHgR2p_Ts_OtsizIRes1qf5BieyfpKC10qkEs/s1792/75%20France%20(31a)-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1792" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaG7EHomqh_NfFUYrpZmEjMEO7EwtyxFm1QLiRHSZBKnNvCFWBfMgPBE_oF8Bycw76_mFN8GqYZKdoOSQ1fktPfy1pWgf1NC9yid35Gj4b29Bl4uR2O83xZki-lXznBYN19gHSd30ijz-qAUKTPmf9uzHgR2p_Ts_OtsizIRes1qf5BieyfpKC10qkEs/w640-h390/75%20France%20(31a)-52.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I later discovered Jean-Luc and I were roughly the same size. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No wonder they called me Monsieur Muscles. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-family: arial;">I shared a shack outside the patron's house with another student, Danielle from Toulouse. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-eEOBUQ02cn8_dnQq7FrZFkZ2sHWFvVWiZukW4f-ioAcDlpw48vNPLGMSoMq2zPfAXn3lrPwrwkz3t4HG_m6-J3qXtEg7ULpN1c12YHIrwHZ1tXT9HOQOBYpm78b_Gvrgl7tTicDy0dtdM3LjKIvHGj6Dvxz0xAUww7u9b0U_VAahEozN-kZliuKARM/s1662/75%20France%20(29a)-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="1098" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-eEOBUQ02cn8_dnQq7FrZFkZ2sHWFvVWiZukW4f-ioAcDlpw48vNPLGMSoMq2zPfAXn3lrPwrwkz3t4HG_m6-J3qXtEg7ULpN1c12YHIrwHZ1tXT9HOQOBYpm78b_Gvrgl7tTicDy0dtdM3LjKIvHGj6Dvxz0xAUww7u9b0U_VAahEozN-kZliuKARM/w264-h400/75%20France%20(29a)-21.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It had no running water. The pump was in the street. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The toilet facilities, basically a hole in the ground, were across the street. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyr4l6VXdi6RamehQBiIWA9jj0Fdv7ta977cTfigf3gN4r44p3wZjlX9rIqyX6rouD2tI9sPzSh5NbjvncY7ohgcTv8OAE8G5kqDggdF66xDNgR0-hwS1zZhos3Yp7lCrIGLZJzgiZ4-EPK1dVc89wdIm5WCDGohPKd0oipzMnV0JITiKaUVII0Ip4Qk/s1799/75%20France%20(26)-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyr4l6VXdi6RamehQBiIWA9jj0Fdv7ta977cTfigf3gN4r44p3wZjlX9rIqyX6rouD2tI9sPzSh5NbjvncY7ohgcTv8OAE8G5kqDggdF66xDNgR0-hwS1zZhos3Yp7lCrIGLZJzgiZ4-EPK1dVc89wdIm5WCDGohPKd0oipzMnV0JITiKaUVII0Ip4Qk/w266-h400/75%20France%20(26)-17.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was young and strong, but holy cow, the work was exhausting. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2syvTx67Wg5LUEu_HXPYVzOxFajam1FOfli0VsCceeONlwTV6maq600wedS820xvHTkLkMJQ_vfpi47a-ydsaxzbL4JkwSKbfOApxbOfQmVKWeTlh89KZ2RKuQ6G3BXC_CVapc6RwSKAhXx_b4KnyJI6MpZWOEaIOvxrCEaJMFzZ2GcYu1-q0q99srT8/s1341/75%20France%20(13a)-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="835" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2syvTx67Wg5LUEu_HXPYVzOxFajam1FOfli0VsCceeONlwTV6maq600wedS820xvHTkLkMJQ_vfpi47a-ydsaxzbL4JkwSKbfOApxbOfQmVKWeTlh89KZ2RKuQ6G3BXC_CVapc6RwSKAhXx_b4KnyJI6MpZWOEaIOvxrCEaJMFzZ2GcYu1-q0q99srT8/w398-h640/75%20France%20(13a)-58.jpg" width="398" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hot. Sticky. Hard. Long. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">My muscles ached. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All we could do at the end of the day was fall off the truck and onto our cots. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Danielle and I really struggled with the work. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Other pickers in our group were members of the same family. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Three generations. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmJ45nYfsfX-1kAR27S1Rr-Yso9eNk0Tcw95hKy_W1NJ9N7VGpVcFG6U4a0jYORTWXOHTDp48RJYzZRiqZzq-15lAPL8prethcU4HQ7SfaqIA26Q-szfWQIHeSBW8P-WIp6dRm_WGAJzhFfrjDspGmrQiO8bcowxv4UKmp3UzfidUGkcqvF5Z1O0x7gg/s1800/75%20France%20(36a)-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmJ45nYfsfX-1kAR27S1Rr-Yso9eNk0Tcw95hKy_W1NJ9N7VGpVcFG6U4a0jYORTWXOHTDp48RJYzZRiqZzq-15lAPL8prethcU4HQ7SfaqIA26Q-szfWQIHeSBW8P-WIp6dRm_WGAJzhFfrjDspGmrQiO8bcowxv4UKmp3UzfidUGkcqvF5Z1O0x7gg/w640-h428/75%20France%20(36a)-54.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was amazed at how the older women kept going, talking, telling jokes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They helped us finish our rows when we were slower than they were. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35HcYv6tC5tV0_eWK7Muf9bTO3JYJZxY506ov56e8LDznYIwxupuxJD7gA8k6Bg8Dp5oh-TniVfGOXDl1MyBpi4ZfQAVULCY9Fp4qODuqg9Xwolbo1P04Uzmd6zYu51_b9OytndEbCAeKcOteOjMhlXIa_8mqAt3uoROfprsIExq_7OKztVMUl4b6X4g/s1800/75%20France%20(39a)-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1800" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35HcYv6tC5tV0_eWK7Muf9bTO3JYJZxY506ov56e8LDznYIwxupuxJD7gA8k6Bg8Dp5oh-TniVfGOXDl1MyBpi4ZfQAVULCY9Fp4qODuqg9Xwolbo1P04Uzmd6zYu51_b9OytndEbCAeKcOteOjMhlXIa_8mqAt3uoROfprsIExq_7OKztVMUl4b6X4g/w640-h398/75%20France%20(39a)-55.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We clipped the bunches of grapes with sharp secateurs, and filled our buckets. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They were heavy. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We hoisted the heavy buckets of grapes into the pannier. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The pannier was then carried to the wagon, usually by Jean-Luc. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVtVx_w-fRhExGMNxzbLpEsy--i28oSsddNy5Er81T7krr-ac3YXmSTSdzO0al4tZvvOkf1o4l1ehjoGrI9n2GajqoyA6Q595KffxA4WSuFYMg3Po4AxenfIpPlglG5aPu3jpXlLycsefcmsrtC79MfFh1RrBxg1jHoJZ0bOiFN09HfzXQ7R_OKhFscc/s1792/75%20France%20(17).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1792" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVtVx_w-fRhExGMNxzbLpEsy--i28oSsddNy5Er81T7krr-ac3YXmSTSdzO0al4tZvvOkf1o4l1ehjoGrI9n2GajqoyA6Q595KffxA4WSuFYMg3Po4AxenfIpPlglG5aPu3jpXlLycsefcmsrtC79MfFh1RrBxg1jHoJZ0bOiFN09HfzXQ7R_OKhFscc/w640-h406/75%20France%20(17).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I figured we hoisted over a ton of grapes EACH, every day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQgarFRyo3Kny1KiLNc9Vzql8S_C_kruDi5hlHQCIrLiBTIzxln8FAHYYJST1mIWsaMpNaJ9-nbPzTnCSVG133-_EYQO215HMkM_6nC5wrpBl_BhYBu1jmQltqNuZ7yvJYHgqe0hUIC6BCRUWvisiTmAFccdSb95NgC2_wmjeUBqNZBBxUhkbyY41Ga8/s1799/75%20France%20(18).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1149" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQgarFRyo3Kny1KiLNc9Vzql8S_C_kruDi5hlHQCIrLiBTIzxln8FAHYYJST1mIWsaMpNaJ9-nbPzTnCSVG133-_EYQO215HMkM_6nC5wrpBl_BhYBu1jmQltqNuZ7yvJYHgqe0hUIC6BCRUWvisiTmAFccdSb95NgC2_wmjeUBqNZBBxUhkbyY41Ga8/w408-h640/75%20France%20(18).jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While we picked, we gathered the vineyard snails. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The little granddaughter ran about, crying excitedly, "Scargo! Scargo!" while </span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Mme Escargot", cooked them up in the evenings, using various recipes. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpHv7R943CYG3vORktitFQF-sOj1zb72cwgdY9NphOW1Ko-VbM_8d-F8zrq2s8CrikzQumAw-DQ_CJu50Md_FVj5ZWaiQh7sK5B3PAmXxmILjw6rODQe_EnSPHAMem2CTNLWRDusRGzNrU95bIYvYVEjxhwkT0Qf8ZZhJlk7A830W_qyJ2waB0Ghzgv4/s1760/75%20France%20(22).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1760" data-original-width="1144" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpHv7R943CYG3vORktitFQF-sOj1zb72cwgdY9NphOW1Ko-VbM_8d-F8zrq2s8CrikzQumAw-DQ_CJu50Md_FVj5ZWaiQh7sK5B3PAmXxmILjw6rODQe_EnSPHAMem2CTNLWRDusRGzNrU95bIYvYVEjxhwkT0Qf8ZZhJlk7A830W_qyJ2waB0Ghzgv4/w416-h640/75%20France%20(22).jpg" width="416" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We started very early, and took a break a couple hours later for breakfast. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Breakfast was bread and wine with water. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9bCsSrF9PghwB45uaeIUVGxOuVHyFv_3ptNJoZ8SAWWVinSSLneGgBaS-Dd6SjJsXL3WgaXD4sj4SoMsC2HRseuQ8pqRXP7MlV3Al5elL4lwmKklOfNQG77yTOi0kLDEjL5ALtf3iW4ezTBsPTlZlqdwYBtSiw2lDD3ajk8r4ry2CyGq6pO2R58tCh0/s1684/75%20France%20(21a)-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="1254" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9bCsSrF9PghwB45uaeIUVGxOuVHyFv_3ptNJoZ8SAWWVinSSLneGgBaS-Dd6SjJsXL3WgaXD4sj4SoMsC2HRseuQ8pqRXP7MlV3Al5elL4lwmKklOfNQG77yTOi0kLDEjL5ALtf3iW4ezTBsPTlZlqdwYBtSiw2lDD3ajk8r4ry2CyGq6pO2R58tCh0/w298-h400/75%20France%20(21a)-15.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We stayed in the fields for lunch, trying to find a bit of shade. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Also with wine. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharZWYVbLIKNf_MqlxIUaME2soE3uHoATshl5X6x5Fs1FLfre0-KQ_xIsHhE8YcWSSUDGCsQ5b3zqv9uWyrQVHG8tllB9z5kSxlEycJI-IWlN47PYbv2UUARTLZOvylvCFeWUhaOZceC3i_0sTP00tU-ieVu9oZNPrkGOUr6lBFIW9WynyWnlqLeajpIo/s1254/75%20France%20(24a).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1144" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharZWYVbLIKNf_MqlxIUaME2soE3uHoATshl5X6x5Fs1FLfre0-KQ_xIsHhE8YcWSSUDGCsQ5b3zqv9uWyrQVHG8tllB9z5kSxlEycJI-IWlN47PYbv2UUARTLZOvylvCFeWUhaOZceC3i_0sTP00tU-ieVu9oZNPrkGOUr6lBFIW9WynyWnlqLeajpIo/w365-h400/75%20France%20(24a).jpg" width="365" /></a></div></div><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For dinner, we ate with the patron's family in their kitchen. Maman cooked.</span> <span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once or twice, we all dined with Mme Escargot, who lived nearby.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRu1tucOTvj52ygjXy9sOTOWIjHmzaq23L1HoWM-h4r9ohMHijICN33zysnf1bIkOv9P7MbE_SQUoUea5mLITZGZZWJ-qas82suOoYFQhBUMHBkYTxZEd-GPXfkvdI1RhpVZ_9OthwFt-ImDZ6rCEYjgSdFUgEu-rqM6vCV4GxE6n6vTakQuuxXXIYmk/s1792/75%20France%20(16a).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1792" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRu1tucOTvj52ygjXy9sOTOWIjHmzaq23L1HoWM-h4r9ohMHijICN33zysnf1bIkOv9P7MbE_SQUoUea5mLITZGZZWJ-qas82suOoYFQhBUMHBkYTxZEd-GPXfkvdI1RhpVZ_9OthwFt-ImDZ6rCEYjgSdFUgEu-rqM6vCV4GxE6n6vTakQuuxXXIYmk/w640-h426/75%20France%20(16a).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Ah, don't take a photo with my cap on!" </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All the farmers brought their grapes to the co-op at the end of the day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They were paid according to the weight and the sugar content of the grapes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35ZkqBp_vlCXJL6awClIh1Kf94XosYqBXEl-mgid9X5NSf2BNonthWtdrGiJi-H0F3XVn8vue0UAZEq0dj4FY1AjMqNHVe0kH4ViPdPgQeBEw0ALEk3y-IkODye7SM9WaEKGQ2Av3LyxAy_k1FTHMW4oKucj5-M5x01XL6omwAMN3GqOvMCyyEIQL0d8/s1800/75%20France%20(23)-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1800" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35ZkqBp_vlCXJL6awClIh1Kf94XosYqBXEl-mgid9X5NSf2BNonthWtdrGiJi-H0F3XVn8vue0UAZEq0dj4FY1AjMqNHVe0kH4ViPdPgQeBEw0ALEk3y-IkODye7SM9WaEKGQ2Av3LyxAy_k1FTHMW4oKucj5-M5x01XL6omwAMN3GqOvMCyyEIQL0d8/w640-h370/75%20France%20(23)-32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Everything was done by hand.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOdtSUYza6BOYRy6TsBS5zQC-iVo1MDMRwGvh-MNucCEn3nM9ix4R62OoLzxLanIV22lK0kLkw35LPtoYPr9GR39qRLqiZSJlr9gMGMdDI4Mtcx9s5VOxwHA3WKQVuLd9FA_dD4xD7QqciKduuBADG7YBWb3LqXxAb6yV4sPCfd3jxIcJ8tOzvNDcjyM/s1800/75%20France%20(43a)-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1800" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOdtSUYza6BOYRy6TsBS5zQC-iVo1MDMRwGvh-MNucCEn3nM9ix4R62OoLzxLanIV22lK0kLkw35LPtoYPr9GR39qRLqiZSJlr9gMGMdDI4Mtcx9s5VOxwHA3WKQVuLd9FA_dD4xD7QqciKduuBADG7YBWb3LqXxAb6yV4sPCfd3jxIcJ8tOzvNDcjyM/w640-h406/75%20France%20(43a)-56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I tried to explain where I lived, but Ireland meant nothing to them. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Where they have the wooden shoes?" No, that's Holland. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Where they have the glaciers?" No, that's Iceland. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"Oh, where </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the men wear skirts!" No, that's Scotland.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, I just told them I came from north of Paris. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">They were terribly impressed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6Qkg1Kq1i8Zv-2JIxwFo5mftKXB3-mHYhsscp6zCr2Q1ULrLAuksRUw3N82ffQIEOTHLIwAkunufrD2FthKeSZ5aEN3BHdc_BSn2jETl919goiZScRz8Y3-uu2utxIN8VFoadqDR7g7Nq6Pm7J8fgVdCf7zC5EetYm_xom4r2BuqmpzJtGiVAiuc3Ns/s1560/75%20France%20(44a)-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1560" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6Qkg1Kq1i8Zv-2JIxwFo5mftKXB3-mHYhsscp6zCr2Q1ULrLAuksRUw3N82ffQIEOTHLIwAkunufrD2FthKeSZ5aEN3BHdc_BSn2jETl919goiZScRz8Y3-uu2utxIN8VFoadqDR7g7Nq6Pm7J8fgVdCf7zC5EetYm_xom4r2BuqmpzJtGiVAiuc3Ns/w400-h266/75%20France%20(44a)-57.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(I didn't actually drive the tractor.)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We worked about 3 weeks, and got paid in cash and in wine, which of course, was impossible to take back. It was the most physically demanding job I ever had. (And that includes working one summer in Bavaria as a lumberjack helper.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KhMhDx3qtLUlHKNm7_zvlcnjrY2O38L0u-oenNO5Vm4vmvK0genrmnKu3E_F4tGGlusWFTsUMPNRDpvBBwGSBj_sG64VyR5k7LL0q74NYMe6gTLqg66oDyOa6hw03_TjPWCJGAhERaLQ6EBlv45i5iFy3Rc4n5Yd1AIAlIq6wDq0MKupgJ578f786-Y/s1799/75%20France%20(5)-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1799" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KhMhDx3qtLUlHKNm7_zvlcnjrY2O38L0u-oenNO5Vm4vmvK0genrmnKu3E_F4tGGlusWFTsUMPNRDpvBBwGSBj_sG64VyR5k7LL0q74NYMe6gTLqg66oDyOa6hw03_TjPWCJGAhERaLQ6EBlv45i5iFy3Rc4n5Yd1AIAlIq6wDq0MKupgJ578f786-Y/w640-h408/75%20France%20(5)-43.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I kept in touch with Therese, the patron's daughter, for years, until her marriage. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJjb8sanhIj1WqmhDbQdJdQ2QL8SG9hhIl3FmiYhD3hG3oHtP4cCfQ1BWj1fM0OTxzCOlKRqZnzR2O5NMykuahxnA7YxH45hP4lo6F2TYO_j_Z8-pUgZTH8ZKPgyaqBjf8ZUrRnSnBjHNXkLUSTvuBEhmB1CFN-h4qPDLOmkN_kr6rccq8n3nYntgDE4/s1578/75%20France%20(3)-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJjb8sanhIj1WqmhDbQdJdQ2QL8SG9hhIl3FmiYhD3hG3oHtP4cCfQ1BWj1fM0OTxzCOlKRqZnzR2O5NMykuahxnA7YxH45hP4lo6F2TYO_j_Z8-pUgZTH8ZKPgyaqBjf8ZUrRnSnBjHNXkLUSTvuBEhmB1CFN-h4qPDLOmkN_kr6rccq8n3nYntgDE4/w434-h640/75%20France%20(3)-23.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who'd have thought we'd wind up living - 50 years later - less than 50 km from where I picked grapes when I was a teenager? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Visiting the town in 2014, I found it hadn't changed all that much. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Better roads. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Probably more plumbing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHx9OUbH31JDCjd4Zguy2vqSsg1r68oul16xidrAMzK4wzzPGmf3TxpGgBWeEtLvx3EFsN4Z56a0fk1v7EAVAcqDMfSh-R1u8BXsPJISvcpLLkGMTAzdE75ijXvWVDCAcYm8kPI2RugWPf2LMJ626VSBaCk6ZecyjaTXOgmCZMksBoGB6yv7-OCMsW6w/s3557/14%20St%20Laurent%20(3)%20copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2371" data-original-width="3557" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHx9OUbH31JDCjd4Zguy2vqSsg1r68oul16xidrAMzK4wzzPGmf3TxpGgBWeEtLvx3EFsN4Z56a0fk1v7EAVAcqDMfSh-R1u8BXsPJISvcpLLkGMTAzdE75ijXvWVDCAcYm8kPI2RugWPf2LMJ626VSBaCk6ZecyjaTXOgmCZMksBoGB6yv7-OCMsW6w/w640-h426/14%20St%20Laurent%20(3)%20copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nowadays, they have machines that pick the grapes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RF0MHY5dfAjglZqyEVfd2V1twq6ShmNjI9K0euJXH4MWyLVVTfOKEVy-exgqcVClFQ4-02VE1pex66bbttU_-r-boDm_zdC4SG-obTyQ38_DNZ2YHTDtVY73jfWk2m57vvHo_I9JdjyySw3RFSK-sp50yiX020cJEJCk9ksPbzpMzbqx9O8b5bgjrBw/s3264/20170831_115730.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RF0MHY5dfAjglZqyEVfd2V1twq6ShmNjI9K0euJXH4MWyLVVTfOKEVy-exgqcVClFQ4-02VE1pex66bbttU_-r-boDm_zdC4SG-obTyQ38_DNZ2YHTDtVY73jfWk2m57vvHo_I9JdjyySw3RFSK-sp50yiX020cJEJCk9ksPbzpMzbqx9O8b5bgjrBw/w640-h360/20170831_115730.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They're huge, a true specialty vehicle. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They sail down the narrow rows of vines with incredible precision. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NLmKXrUcElmGcW0RWH3vNNwnGY-1whUfvYA33PM-V1XrAMby84zVBQy-3TfIWQ9i5V6h1dJFlA5oK7pbmQRTRjKJDTnMZIb6XgwgO3wS1pEW7viw5SjtV_Wx634qioBkO9gY4hbdwrkjWiZ_KqF55D5TvmRG7cBeZCTtv1FrE2bwwMPQpqm0E_uHUxw/s3264/20170831_115822.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NLmKXrUcElmGcW0RWH3vNNwnGY-1whUfvYA33PM-V1XrAMby84zVBQy-3TfIWQ9i5V6h1dJFlA5oK7pbmQRTRjKJDTnMZIb6XgwgO3wS1pEW7viw5SjtV_Wx634qioBkO9gY4hbdwrkjWiZ_KqF55D5TvmRG7cBeZCTtv1FrE2bwwMPQpqm0E_uHUxw/w225-h400/20170831_115822.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The wine is better these days, too. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dozens of new winemakers and wineries, with all sorts of variety. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm glad I got to experience it back then.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I certainly wouldn't do it a second time. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Holy s**t.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh--CIrLgflfK-jHq0U4TxNOuCgO-m0r_KIFJ8bdSicBSSCaLJP5fzNRvZc1bQY5WSKjvuNQIiq-uBsyZ8ZYY4tRsrP0Fb-iZV-OU90_DfHOg8gafLWFcFKJd7uBEmDCICaK14O4ZkS65Om6dYF-DAAcTUNIzLag66qHXg7AHfgLffnriQUGDILjWUsWkI/s1799/75%20France%20(19).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh--CIrLgflfK-jHq0U4TxNOuCgO-m0r_KIFJ8bdSicBSSCaLJP5fzNRvZc1bQY5WSKjvuNQIiq-uBsyZ8ZYY4tRsrP0Fb-iZV-OU90_DfHOg8gafLWFcFKJd7uBEmDCICaK14O4ZkS65Om6dYF-DAAcTUNIzLag66qHXg7AHfgLffnriQUGDILjWUsWkI/w400-h640/75%20France%20(19).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-53714154837107360222023-04-04T10:29:00.002+02:002023-04-19T21:00:28.093+02:00Thailand - Islands and Jungles<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBebDOPsHKbFetKPFwIl3BtM90Qo9lUEr6BoITcBKbSjke6oVxh9B115meWBs6AGKJih-tfEoWZMfPvtZrolIyC-sH68SZplcCYU3YVSAMNUDmyl-RCDSKEU8ExLFQ9vT3dV03PkX_yFXCgdD7_YRdnqFupSYm8kUM1X1DZ3MknufdFU3Bmd9PQFBr/s4032/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%2019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBebDOPsHKbFetKPFwIl3BtM90Qo9lUEr6BoITcBKbSjke6oVxh9B115meWBs6AGKJih-tfEoWZMfPvtZrolIyC-sH68SZplcCYU3YVSAMNUDmyl-RCDSKEU8ExLFQ9vT3dV03PkX_yFXCgdD7_YRdnqFupSYm8kUM1X1DZ3MknufdFU3Bmd9PQFBr/w640-h360/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%2019.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thailand wasn't ALL beaches and islands - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILkD902pqbXORXI9I35d_rgMtft2-48oXxUwnCmkDX8OKWuk6tiiS3q_1XNxGEsYVJoHN88s2ex3sTe0m2IhZZrjKcNPccMfRxw1weZIqnuf3CNYlZnqRlc6uY2L_dVzWykO0EdahN_FE9syVaPIdNNQ1DNH2nnay5-pRVJYdqmNgO3eAfXrEuoVZ/s4032/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%2044.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILkD902pqbXORXI9I35d_rgMtft2-48oXxUwnCmkDX8OKWuk6tiiS3q_1XNxGEsYVJoHN88s2ex3sTe0m2IhZZrjKcNPccMfRxw1weZIqnuf3CNYlZnqRlc6uY2L_dVzWykO0EdahN_FE9syVaPIdNNQ1DNH2nnay5-pRVJYdqmNgO3eAfXrEuoVZ/w640-h360/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%2044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were jungle adventures, too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliOdspXoQlZOtun8dicYM_PbRf2iMO1Uq09GiKjBO2u_wM2nvDChbPlndQs9MXwvikjGrnw-IIcDKQP9cR1swDIrEp7ZhBTTjQ3VSu9_w5Zcj5Hfjv02hg_2rUhHGzDowVblcxqKjKD2K3XuxJQ55h2LjphwvIZE8tftGmv-sRedvdMlGN7zLfJnZ/s4032/Khao%20Yai%2039.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliOdspXoQlZOtun8dicYM_PbRf2iMO1Uq09GiKjBO2u_wM2nvDChbPlndQs9MXwvikjGrnw-IIcDKQP9cR1swDIrEp7ZhBTTjQ3VSu9_w5Zcj5Hfjv02hg_2rUhHGzDowVblcxqKjKD2K3XuxJQ55h2LjphwvIZE8tftGmv-sRedvdMlGN7zLfJnZ/w640-h360/Khao%20Yai%2039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was right after Erik and Ray's </span><a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2023/03/wedding-on-thai-island.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">wedding</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> on Koh Munnork. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXmbirfi9l4ndnNXKtz1BxNvc3sbLc-l9U9mxVSGnJs8sSTfhOMRzODmvElRfPKNwZhpM7fbfsrOoBI5XO9UcKVwljs0q1dd2humsARcgOSSjut6ttP5umx9sjN1_0h6fk6IE7NeWJxzIf2-AOP1aleng-yer7JeBXX18TTD6qoCYUInvDvm6GKAd/s4032/Friends%20&%20Family%204.jpg" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXmbirfi9l4ndnNXKtz1BxNvc3sbLc-l9U9mxVSGnJs8sSTfhOMRzODmvElRfPKNwZhpM7fbfsrOoBI5XO9UcKVwljs0q1dd2humsARcgOSSjut6ttP5umx9sjN1_0h6fk6IE7NeWJxzIf2-AOP1aleng-yer7JeBXX18TTD6qoCYUInvDvm6GKAd/w640-h360/Friends%20&%20Family%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><br /></div><div>Khao Yai National Park. Up in the hills. </div><div>Totally different. </div><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />I didn't really know what to expect.</div><div>It's a very popular region, mostly with Thai visitors. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHFn0UtaHbryXfAGN9TfbWcyNmFVEr97Zlm12YUKW0puGB-LpYRm8toN7plx-9UHigsXcnM5_tXrKD0SkvhPmpJPM7nTPAfxbmzEh7GEffMG9j4dwr1IB5BUS-SV-y7PffUa_xyhI_pSvx1N3dMdXr3TBv6tp4QzbQzhHbIGIrArtDk4xZomvg_Zm/s4032/Khao%20Yai%20Restaurants%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHFn0UtaHbryXfAGN9TfbWcyNmFVEr97Zlm12YUKW0puGB-LpYRm8toN7plx-9UHigsXcnM5_tXrKD0SkvhPmpJPM7nTPAfxbmzEh7GEffMG9j4dwr1IB5BUS-SV-y7PffUa_xyhI_pSvx1N3dMdXr3TBv6tp4QzbQzhHbIGIrArtDk4xZomvg_Zm/w640-h360/Khao%20Yai%20Restaurants%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div>With good reason. It's cooler. </div><div>Higher elevation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Monkeys.</div><div>Elephants. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeDj6tNhaJn9OzQoCTQ8VPD11Lj5LtCPFJ-xZ3k71sAtC6rgNxOSEJ1QtH4V9nK-q0t0TrbO4x_at4u6VBRuF1afItOlj8qOKc_lJkPu3EknIHge7ukSyMYIWjW2JX0NPkZ45iUam-2Pc_97Hi3aLT3BN5vD0t9tZDpw6k_tjnbjONLWRsbMsy5I8/s3984/Khao%20Yai%20Elephants%207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="3984" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeDj6tNhaJn9OzQoCTQ8VPD11Lj5LtCPFJ-xZ3k71sAtC6rgNxOSEJ1QtH4V9nK-q0t0TrbO4x_at4u6VBRuF1afItOlj8qOKc_lJkPu3EknIHge7ukSyMYIWjW2JX0NPkZ45iUam-2Pc_97Hi3aLT3BN5vD0t9tZDpw6k_tjnbjONLWRsbMsy5I8/w640-h426/Khao%20Yai%20Elephants%207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Snakes.</div><div>Frogs at night. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Flowers. Landscaping. </div><div>Ponds and pools! </div></div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYvWFSSB3WD10sPnuR4ag_xGbZgRYhT81e5y74aeZXKPfV0u-KXm1MxG08q2G0_AksB2ougPfxfHlSwh0dqO8GWN1ppRhNVH-LAeHoO9SWYav6HdPgoILEFco46ARaI1ndq6KEEiq_lqTHigRQcd5v1HCWRs7YubJ-_OLnIUv_-I5AHwjtM1es2i0/s4032/Khao%20Yai%20Hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYvWFSSB3WD10sPnuR4ag_xGbZgRYhT81e5y74aeZXKPfV0u-KXm1MxG08q2G0_AksB2ougPfxfHlSwh0dqO8GWN1ppRhNVH-LAeHoO9SWYav6HdPgoILEFco46ARaI1ndq6KEEiq_lqTHigRQcd5v1HCWRs7YubJ-_OLnIUv_-I5AHwjtM1es2i0/w640-h360/Khao%20Yai%20Hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> One evening, we headed into the jungle just after sunset. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Quietly. Across a wooden bridge. </span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdkb1uYZQtmuspLzoIezgrkzgr8GGTrHShh78cxwdJeUv0xXp6sfBLdYtahoUHEXex87a-oTN_vqrel3nNgxrhMYxu9n8ftRnde_csSMTFopJxQ-EJ_9895a8menoNMBUGgJz3rQjO5PQXU6uuVBJqC1jJAYQt0nTg6lwxzIzQMclNe7kOTWHsEzt/s4032/Khao%20Yai%20Jungle%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdkb1uYZQtmuspLzoIezgrkzgr8GGTrHShh78cxwdJeUv0xXp6sfBLdYtahoUHEXex87a-oTN_vqrel3nNgxrhMYxu9n8ftRnde_csSMTFopJxQ-EJ_9895a8menoNMBUGgJz3rQjO5PQXU6uuVBJqC1jJAYQt0nTg6lwxzIzQMclNe7kOTWHsEzt/w640-h360/Khao%20Yai%20Jungle%203.jpg" width="640" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Erik and Ray testing the bridge strength</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Suddenly, something came charging down the jungle path toward us. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We couldn't see it, but it was coming. Fast.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We RAN back across the bridge in the dark. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A monkey? An angry elephant? A wild boar? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Turns out - it was a fairly large porcupine. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Trundling down the path at us. We tiptoed back to investigate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo8-KzYBT3gacE1Vg4guS9rusTcP9YmYvY4qZ0ATXnt0FXOGs0fmdbGH7pHGNqIce9r8HVfZtwpAXWs-svz8VAtadM1mHm_ZB5MwXRx9DrfWTA4HzqMvnjiYr78Ws6XBTGj7RizlT1ew2TT8ZQBLZmxCLfW4qvns5ffmJVz3AC8UDMpT-tbGTXVAu/s1600/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-22%20at%2010.51.25%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo8-KzYBT3gacE1Vg4guS9rusTcP9YmYvY4qZ0ATXnt0FXOGs0fmdbGH7pHGNqIce9r8HVfZtwpAXWs-svz8VAtadM1mHm_ZB5MwXRx9DrfWTA4HzqMvnjiYr78Ws6XBTGj7RizlT1ew2TT8ZQBLZmxCLfW4qvns5ffmJVz3AC8UDMpT-tbGTXVAu/w400-h265/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-22%20at%2010.51.25%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Okay, at night it sounded MUCH larger and scarier-!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">But still - didn't want to get too close. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlqeoT25Xse_tLWbo7QjHtAofu2lMgwdrQd9EorUbzO_Oh3ZCWIx-JiQjVF2BjbDmklfCTiLQthUB9NxKyC_uV_ZEYHMzWSFAwQWtt5T2U81XnvqDZouhX6eSqkDJ5C5Qm7qzU1RHRMSKDYNghH--QUClgY6_dqoYSKaaEAzwUgIdygnHRe4saWlc/s4032/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%2046.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlqeoT25Xse_tLWbo7QjHtAofu2lMgwdrQd9EorUbzO_Oh3ZCWIx-JiQjVF2BjbDmklfCTiLQthUB9NxKyC_uV_ZEYHMzWSFAwQWtt5T2U81XnvqDZouhX6eSqkDJ5C5Qm7qzU1RHRMSKDYNghH--QUClgY6_dqoYSKaaEAzwUgIdygnHRe4saWlc/w225-h400/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%2046.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(More my kind of wildlife-)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anything was possible. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When we booked this place, the site said "villas with private pool". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4aCEgsjmnp2D8QriQObDVDlSqjxeZT0VUUGxHBmucceAv5PudPbL4sg8vbkeJINzndgCg0-uD94F0y219oll2yjPbpsogHfKYmON8uqS8rl9ElouqPAHeFCp8t2W-2CTvj_NYfq4Gm6X4Ua10VEyIkn6kwQd7Jo_aash5R4oQL_I6V38wI-c0Fgf/s4032/Khao%20Yai%20Pools%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4aCEgsjmnp2D8QriQObDVDlSqjxeZT0VUUGxHBmucceAv5PudPbL4sg8vbkeJINzndgCg0-uD94F0y219oll2yjPbpsogHfKYmON8uqS8rl9ElouqPAHeFCp8t2W-2CTvj_NYfq4Gm6X4Ua10VEyIkn6kwQd7Jo_aash5R4oQL_I6V38wI-c0Fgf/w640-h360/Khao%20Yai%20Pools%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I didn't think EACH villa would have it's OWN private pool-! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauk4pNcWSXYcBHICkxYQl-h1cgp26IjVnLQn_DnS7FPFCJGJ8zNadGMdf2KQ0TDPs7iyx-1DTAYDncsiJFal6UXO1MV5_JM5DTKYGgXcr0FQnbhyFGL6Eg47ckKEUcg2-V4I641TaC9j1-F4st9CkLVqunavOh1RFvBKVoodU2a4TtLqQDFq1WFyB/s4032/Khao%20Yai%20Restaurants%201.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauk4pNcWSXYcBHICkxYQl-h1cgp26IjVnLQn_DnS7FPFCJGJ8zNadGMdf2KQ0TDPs7iyx-1DTAYDncsiJFal6UXO1MV5_JM5DTKYGgXcr0FQnbhyFGL6Eg47ckKEUcg2-V4I641TaC9j1-F4st9CkLVqunavOh1RFvBKVoodU2a4TtLqQDFq1WFyB/w640-h480/Khao%20Yai%20Restaurants%201.HEIC" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A golf course - ball courts - outdoor movie theatre. </div>Excellent restaurants, Japanese, Italian, Thai. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Massages, yoga. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Fresh fruit smoothies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadeAzxGSHHK-ExyGHmR0PWZ-TCCP-bOb5CH-P2hYaWzo762K7Df0qPwZgGIENsS7QjR2oqiWBdtQZK5ISh0ty9PZKJDyfmD8ejrafUxfM7AzCKgDggMW_OUKjQrnChIk6XLZttLovIzCpyayritvHh8mNzyWYpcAZKeMGkzeknWWrCfraWRaaQHVd/s4032/Khao%20Yai%20Restaurants%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadeAzxGSHHK-ExyGHmR0PWZ-TCCP-bOb5CH-P2hYaWzo762K7Df0qPwZgGIENsS7QjR2oqiWBdtQZK5ISh0ty9PZKJDyfmD8ejrafUxfM7AzCKgDggMW_OUKjQrnChIk6XLZttLovIzCpyayritvHh8mNzyWYpcAZKeMGkzeknWWrCfraWRaaQHVd/w300-h400/Khao%20Yai%20Restaurants%209.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I could get used to this.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(It was hard to leave - to go out and explore the national park-)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirojre9VnIb_Aed38Y80mVu_9lzKcZf7iUVcBUuFGHtCqwkVAMXZ8-peIxhgMgmKz0v83gApXgHTGnGh0tWoIUJ6Mpky2B27JzoUqfy81HgVopHs9k1sKUWPxQ0C3qx550umbZqiHOxaPnzKXJTPIflzzFEnOrtzVCiVlIbCThBeDDfjUwJBGpBvDJ/s3433/Khao%20Yai%20Stan%20and%20Trish%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3433" data-original-width="2900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirojre9VnIb_Aed38Y80mVu_9lzKcZf7iUVcBUuFGHtCqwkVAMXZ8-peIxhgMgmKz0v83gApXgHTGnGh0tWoIUJ6Mpky2B27JzoUqfy81HgVopHs9k1sKUWPxQ0C3qx550umbZqiHOxaPnzKXJTPIflzzFEnOrtzVCiVlIbCThBeDDfjUwJBGpBvDJ/w338-h400/Khao%20Yai%20Stan%20and%20Trish%20.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even had a nearby "Speed Kart" track. <br />(These things went FAST!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No instructions except, "Left foot - stop. Right foot GO!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No liability waivers. No signatures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course we went.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMyGA-Hv5ne8lwplYTZ2wOc-rjDVdIRMpyHDgpOTYLDWl5RfYeLZ7APhHoaptmkmvfV1R7j2dwPI5oydoAjDusqMpNG07OhgoVeA5mHsW0gGew4wZAxzQjMgVJvHigks9M1uMuflk0baeYNswlRoQBARgar2mz7ueGfE63ZSBeFJlUuiqrHRCUXuo/s1480/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-22%20at%201.12.06%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1480" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMyGA-Hv5ne8lwplYTZ2wOc-rjDVdIRMpyHDgpOTYLDWl5RfYeLZ7APhHoaptmkmvfV1R7j2dwPI5oydoAjDusqMpNG07OhgoVeA5mHsW0gGew4wZAxzQjMgVJvHigks9M1uMuflk0baeYNswlRoQBARgar2mz7ueGfE63ZSBeFJlUuiqrHRCUXuo/w640-h286/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-22%20at%201.12.06%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Have to admit, it was pretty darn fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of the kids went twice. Including Stan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They also played golf. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrbE77YFclsuzOx0e1h4J3nOgcBRmiNC9bg1dZQA8qYNasc3oTswqO0RPDLM5Jxw86JE5hHyv3NQYhRsUHbMz-OSlBwchlmCHrBd0RMkGqBOF9WuQHK2BUCkv2aOqRBvQTX7zjEk9dLIIk7GGP__qouvyBmvU-E5toyEl5HvLdz3_piEAJjPy3VeL/s2048/Khao%20Yai%20Golfing%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrbE77YFclsuzOx0e1h4J3nOgcBRmiNC9bg1dZQA8qYNasc3oTswqO0RPDLM5Jxw86JE5hHyv3NQYhRsUHbMz-OSlBwchlmCHrBd0RMkGqBOF9WuQHK2BUCkv2aOqRBvQTX7zjEk9dLIIk7GGP__qouvyBmvU-E5toyEl5HvLdz3_piEAJjPy3VeL/w300-h400/Khao%20Yai%20Golfing%202.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Each player got his/her own caddy, neatly attired in an orange uniform, and their own cart. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since some of our group had never played golf before, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the caddies tried valiantly to help. "Madam, hit the BALL!" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or when the shots went up and over the trees, they waved sadly, "Bye bye ball!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGTvuUGTMD_U0nZX7SVMz15_4TqdYMPxWxtrjpLgwPcK-pODJTufOnpZ40hGfyDSFAv9CVQPXSozM6FbJFZQ8ZkN_NoKGLACDwF4lIHyuLWZuy58_r6coj-Z7PqUSugLRWtgb0lO9V50arMbTR6aEgpmm6YKNr0x8-f4MUP6TKLW3DGw5ZPNJdGnj/s1600/Khao%20Yai%20Golfing%203.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGTvuUGTMD_U0nZX7SVMz15_4TqdYMPxWxtrjpLgwPcK-pODJTufOnpZ40hGfyDSFAv9CVQPXSozM6FbJFZQ8ZkN_NoKGLACDwF4lIHyuLWZuy58_r6coj-Z7PqUSugLRWtgb0lO9V50arMbTR6aEgpmm6YKNr0x8-f4MUP6TKLW3DGw5ZPNJdGnj/w640-h480/Khao%20Yai%20Golfing%203.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>Aside from all the cool times spent with the family, what really impressed me on this trip was the vegetation. The gardens. Plants. The flowers. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNIb4IcJDkMRQhVSbIrnsAx62q6ffgX5QpliFrJt0BArG65-HEk9ZdnfJ14vFCpIvKWeuKCpMjrt0OafdNEO6hKscxXC_s21rtMuNN4eI_trRfS9UAS8710jdRp-jWNjG9ackf-H5mPWORYmZk253YHNqo3_4VE-lISkwY7b6XZIJncb6bsEoLzm1/s1492/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-22%20at%201.40.53%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1492" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNIb4IcJDkMRQhVSbIrnsAx62q6ffgX5QpliFrJt0BArG65-HEk9ZdnfJ14vFCpIvKWeuKCpMjrt0OafdNEO6hKscxXC_s21rtMuNN4eI_trRfS9UAS8710jdRp-jWNjG9ackf-H5mPWORYmZk253YHNqo3_4VE-lISkwY7b6XZIJncb6bsEoLzm1/w640-h358/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-22%20at%201.40.53%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Papaya trees. Mango trees. Ginger flowers. Orchids. Bird of paradise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jackfruit. Pineapple plants. Bananas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV5_J3XlzwS7d9GyVqbFsGnUSDLyLRB1I7SXkuJYcrve6kyDKvJudCNPP8Gc53CjN5Gy53qFPFUeOqUhnG_6alBqJm23EQW7jbOuiyN3krRTiWNyc5pKOno44aO4I_TGB403zJ-8Ak1SaOfkQaGvdVj0Rt4qwO3DU1Hp7riJJMIaMR3WIVuCpyFZv/s4032/Ko%20Samed%2019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV5_J3XlzwS7d9GyVqbFsGnUSDLyLRB1I7SXkuJYcrve6kyDKvJudCNPP8Gc53CjN5Gy53qFPFUeOqUhnG_6alBqJm23EQW7jbOuiyN3krRTiWNyc5pKOno44aO4I_TGB403zJ-8Ak1SaOfkQaGvdVj0Rt4qwO3DU1Hp7riJJMIaMR3WIVuCpyFZv/w400-h225/Ko%20Samed%2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Totally inspiring.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />One day, we met up with Wolfgang, Monica and Carlene for a boat trip in Ayutthaya. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz7xNHHTTDY8NGvOmJ5850Q_23gnm2_fxxtBEmNRiZ0MKSXEF0l0RXsYqOzLtZNmuZY1iDvh-xNrB5XOHXkslFaaycBFCZUt_Ma1oCMw5pm7ruavmT6oU1gsJHUYilEDl0NBTnQ9GIuLeFX6fdQFgvm9wt6NK9w3NQeSnVhKSn1KKpMetRLRcooC-/s4032/River%20-%20Ayutthaya%2065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz7xNHHTTDY8NGvOmJ5850Q_23gnm2_fxxtBEmNRiZ0MKSXEF0l0RXsYqOzLtZNmuZY1iDvh-xNrB5XOHXkslFaaycBFCZUt_Ma1oCMw5pm7ruavmT6oU1gsJHUYilEDl0NBTnQ9GIuLeFX6fdQFgvm9wt6NK9w3NQeSnVhKSn1KKpMetRLRcooC-/w640-h360/River%20-%20Ayutthaya%2065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They played music on the traditional wooden boat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Cruising down a Thai river to the strains of "Rhinestone Cowboy". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It just - made my day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_EhJFcSwAPTDTq92GWQe-V31Tk_4dIyzOZWLwq4h0QYMnEaxUrV-ZWRfhAjrPz748CYRr_YTT2zwDe5NTG1jdWfk0XQ-kH8jzjCuVOmiOWSnwu8otGIx6QDI9ch0n62P4Pl6FwIrZAKDbbkDHLsS6AngUlTcarYUQH00O__eImzIb2efUDg_x7p8/s1600/River%20-%20Ayutthaya%203.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_EhJFcSwAPTDTq92GWQe-V31Tk_4dIyzOZWLwq4h0QYMnEaxUrV-ZWRfhAjrPz748CYRr_YTT2zwDe5NTG1jdWfk0XQ-kH8jzjCuVOmiOWSnwu8otGIx6QDI9ch0n62P4Pl6FwIrZAKDbbkDHLsS6AngUlTcarYUQH00O__eImzIb2efUDg_x7p8/w640-h480/River%20-%20Ayutthaya%203.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>They really know how to do lunch here. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great place to hang out with family - good choice - and killer cool memories. </div></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Including the wild porcupines.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbKXiklsnhiJugxHLoNX4oY0axqkBjA5D5QKNIHJjL0zRGwyT1-T3ZvN_vZcxvUqqZr8c2nbEMMx3db3A2bhs346blDCDHQVwQ1DQ-gL1LTbgJjbXFcdaksN3yQMEhfeJkt1cTbSms4jCPkmz6StZu8U7YMmBVGsh0z2ynYvj83ObkCQN2jpYRZM5/s1997/Khao%20Yai%20Gang.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="1997" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbKXiklsnhiJugxHLoNX4oY0axqkBjA5D5QKNIHJjL0zRGwyT1-T3ZvN_vZcxvUqqZr8c2nbEMMx3db3A2bhs346blDCDHQVwQ1DQ-gL1LTbgJjbXFcdaksN3yQMEhfeJkt1cTbSms4jCPkmz6StZu8U7YMmBVGsh0z2ynYvj83ObkCQN2jpYRZM5/w640-h574/Khao%20Yai%20Gang.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>3 sons, 3 partners, one grandkid. And Stan and Trish.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The extended family went their separate ways - </div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">some to Manila, others to Berlin.</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">The younger gang back to Bangkok's big city life. </div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6JX0O4QnLsMso6PhJ7EuNy91Yq9b_2FdpkLDHZI4tNxnbuDjqwRusqr-FQGy0iNKfPFH45rbZTciCbOMgOxD6z58LH4Bzuv9LMNoUwVsspzv2Pije7olWyfianCKMFaGReQoVwfjVrFaoFLQOfLiSSM0-Z7eybeug5kdiGd6975E75IBFR2vB48e/s3699/Bangkok%20kids.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3699" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6JX0O4QnLsMso6PhJ7EuNy91Yq9b_2FdpkLDHZI4tNxnbuDjqwRusqr-FQGy0iNKfPFH45rbZTciCbOMgOxD6z58LH4Bzuv9LMNoUwVsspzv2Pije7olWyfianCKMFaGReQoVwfjVrFaoFLQOfLiSSM0-Z7eybeug5kdiGd6975E75IBFR2vB48e/w524-h640/Bangkok%20kids.jpg" width="524" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kilian, Aidan, Erik and Ray - nightlife in Bangkok.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div>And those Thai islands? </div><div>Stan and I hit a few more before heading back to France. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUJsiuXOkPAyx6a-XZWtbemzgvNjuHVhbjzQLkR8Spaa-l_VXyKdmPgoL4mcnhZq8ENjRfvTuIdajSMK9XtMyUlo0mMBb355CWJ9lwB_Bf0olM9MiAdQZ_sEWKYV7CJgj95LEowbcX8NYEX3XTZBDZU5Cqa_M2Exp8PfhC-BhQRtvVVVxqCt0HHEu/s4032/Ko%20Samed%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUJsiuXOkPAyx6a-XZWtbemzgvNjuHVhbjzQLkR8Spaa-l_VXyKdmPgoL4mcnhZq8ENjRfvTuIdajSMK9XtMyUlo0mMBb355CWJ9lwB_Bf0olM9MiAdQZ_sEWKYV7CJgj95LEowbcX8NYEX3XTZBDZU5Cqa_M2Exp8PfhC-BhQRtvVVVxqCt0HHEu/w640-h360/Ko%20Samed%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A variety of ferries, fishing boats and speedboats.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7uYTjUYGLUMm2DAbmFUsmjpzrlHlbk5VUkNu9Xnt8Ja_A_f2o79R4XngBwmI11en6ch4haF7Lbsl5xvOcXurQQdm5JYfnmJu1qCBUNGgGCFdomA-Da_PoszHBHoLjBJbS6iitw3YK6BLAg73lOhaDnkcjSgu5ML3iQH0jPy7TBfvXm0yvOjbSHOD/s1833/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%203b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="1484" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7uYTjUYGLUMm2DAbmFUsmjpzrlHlbk5VUkNu9Xnt8Ja_A_f2o79R4XngBwmI11en6ch4haF7Lbsl5xvOcXurQQdm5JYfnmJu1qCBUNGgGCFdomA-Da_PoszHBHoLjBJbS6iitw3YK6BLAg73lOhaDnkcjSgu5ML3iQH0jPy7TBfvXm0yvOjbSHOD/w324-h400/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%203b.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpGSGzym3JTI4uBTuppi9UnnkEdV7_53XzNBIpbQIgqK1Pkk5BssulIDArEbuvNCW_JWRmCUUXJ6pc5-A4ODYDNArNM13N1n2r1UOexpgjGxuGH-FyPVH0a0iXP7xI8gQXtUUTcfTlyFyL-ysUovgkR6iH7sPctZoyDI-U739fDmeLsw9JSmhG3em/s4032/Ko%20Samed%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpGSGzym3JTI4uBTuppi9UnnkEdV7_53XzNBIpbQIgqK1Pkk5BssulIDArEbuvNCW_JWRmCUUXJ6pc5-A4ODYDNArNM13N1n2r1UOexpgjGxuGH-FyPVH0a0iXP7xI8gQXtUUTcfTlyFyL-ysUovgkR6iH7sPctZoyDI-U739fDmeLsw9JSmhG3em/w640-h360/Ko%20Samed%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunrise, sunset. Both good times on a beach.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvU6azq7PaED2syZ14boFuQwgylgYpaaI0e29Ru03KZzMEHrYlg0OHwaEJV7YslN1aVT_1Dz1m1d9-vbUITjqAYoFkXcURKoDYMbtg5BBnaHf17UPdnZQcWsQ07QNQjTVibUsD3uS6U0gMPpUI8Qpm8gyN-d8Qfs7lI0Y6VJvlSNWd3Rmt6QO9gCk/s4032/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvU6azq7PaED2syZ14boFuQwgylgYpaaI0e29Ru03KZzMEHrYlg0OHwaEJV7YslN1aVT_1Dz1m1d9-vbUITjqAYoFkXcURKoDYMbtg5BBnaHf17UPdnZQcWsQ07QNQjTVibUsD3uS6U0gMPpUI8Qpm8gyN-d8Qfs7lI0Y6VJvlSNWd3Rmt6QO9gCk/w640-h360/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stan finds his 'spot' on Koh Yao Yai. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTd5aRPaDgZ2pMaPe47PBmY7n1CETNQLYA7JbAkWXnn9bTiODxJneOTCNBeDX1HWTAuoWiRb6FmOalSm-VYfhAWquC6KIL1p_ws6VFYIRE7BBPlhn2y3UmvJXCYEbvlMp-POoDdP8WmCiXCucc7cMsnoPXNqzvW2aC2lcZlnB__Xlfysv33f7E_Uk9/s4032/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTd5aRPaDgZ2pMaPe47PBmY7n1CETNQLYA7JbAkWXnn9bTiODxJneOTCNBeDX1HWTAuoWiRb6FmOalSm-VYfhAWquC6KIL1p_ws6VFYIRE7BBPlhn2y3UmvJXCYEbvlMp-POoDdP8WmCiXCucc7cMsnoPXNqzvW2aC2lcZlnB__Xlfysv33f7E_Uk9/w640-h360/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">This time, we didn't do much exploring. </div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWz35GdPNOnMsnV0cQyTqSWcksQnByW6Ga17elfrm4oZIBvQijriBzAuPh6jPGFRheXBLe0r8Rxs6lV2m-OVDwclEgi76TKuJeNH8lYw9iVtHDbRy3MPhLfqPajLTzquN6HCTuwv6cVuFnoOzNgLRTnZAkhd11qcMTFfkfIit-5VH5RUvrLCl3QPM/s4032/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%2045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWz35GdPNOnMsnV0cQyTqSWcksQnByW6Ga17elfrm4oZIBvQijriBzAuPh6jPGFRheXBLe0r8Rxs6lV2m-OVDwclEgi76TKuJeNH8lYw9iVtHDbRy3MPhLfqPajLTzquN6HCTuwv6cVuFnoOzNgLRTnZAkhd11qcMTFfkfIit-5VH5RUvrLCl3QPM/w640-h360/Koh%20Yao%20Yai%2045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">This trip was about family - and enjoying a little luxury. </div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHeLg-umBJyRVj2XLwnM7N26-qUzWDxbz_6QPblGDpOsZZiVZDWhdt7KASPpwNc0eWcwNLUMDxJBod_GwLBOW8W46zdN9Qo0T-JeZzaRXS5ax6k3x1HQJ3CKicKofSvKOBBu0X2ZyqT0OrDXESnRMvaQDOON0QRav6YDdoF6XjoUxQM8rB3FI536h/s4032/Phuket%20-%20Andaman%20Beach%2016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHeLg-umBJyRVj2XLwnM7N26-qUzWDxbz_6QPblGDpOsZZiVZDWhdt7KASPpwNc0eWcwNLUMDxJBod_GwLBOW8W46zdN9Qo0T-JeZzaRXS5ax6k3x1HQJ3CKicKofSvKOBBu0X2ZyqT0OrDXESnRMvaQDOON0QRav6YDdoF6XjoUxQM8rB3FI536h/w640-h360/Phuket%20-%20Andaman%20Beach%2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pineapple, papaya, and mango. With fresh lime. And chilled white wine.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRuKbQFLWojrdRFfu3Cyu13ms8JBPZBBaQz23NYm_RDYSwMacSc72lfWcGky8STHDRq8lY2hSzMy_LtfHhxfzZDjknZ8yf1kbvWysnlZlKVPgMCibRI4d2XRNMyB6BqJpuNZgK6wRP_vRH_d-O410QdmjMxRLr1IaYy03lW_M2zgMF7R_KikKtt4C/s4032/Phuket%20-%20Andaman%20Beach%2046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRuKbQFLWojrdRFfu3Cyu13ms8JBPZBBaQz23NYm_RDYSwMacSc72lfWcGky8STHDRq8lY2hSzMy_LtfHhxfzZDjknZ8yf1kbvWysnlZlKVPgMCibRI4d2XRNMyB6BqJpuNZgK6wRP_vRH_d-O410QdmjMxRLr1IaYy03lW_M2zgMF7R_KikKtt4C/w640-h360/Phuket%20-%20Andaman%20Beach%2046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><i><br /></i></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-What a FINE way to spend a February. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD684FxUrN0Nm7WfMw2DGAsQJ39h8pQwu5iwePWjb6FoeAwATHK-xrgcDdo2iFYCJVkPMOhCoj9kruxOIzblZxRJ7QMRJZuGjS5K8HhL99QhTdvPEtj5JZSSn9u8PGs-xiPokecukSjKVc3lHMb8D2zzFy6E1o4VvTXGeYXTe2bjKnOFip3aLdWJb/s4032/River%20-%20Ayutthaya%2038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD684FxUrN0Nm7WfMw2DGAsQJ39h8pQwu5iwePWjb6FoeAwATHK-xrgcDdo2iFYCJVkPMOhCoj9kruxOIzblZxRJ7QMRJZuGjS5K8HhL99QhTdvPEtj5JZSSn9u8PGs-xiPokecukSjKVc3lHMb8D2zzFy6E1o4VvTXGeYXTe2bjKnOFip3aLdWJb/w360-h640/River%20-%20Ayutthaya%2038.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;">"Be careful going in search of adventure - it's ridiculously easy to find." </span></i></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Some other posts about cool times in Southeast Asia: </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><div>Laos - <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/02/living-in-luang-prabang-and-where-heck.html" target="_blank"> Living in Luang Prabang & Weighing the Laundry</a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></div><div>Myanmar - <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/01/the-vanishing-sea-gypsies.html" target="_blank">The Vanishing Sea Gypsies - Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago</a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Indonesia - <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2021/07/gili-air-mushrooms-and-monitor-lizards.html" target="_blank">Gili Air - Mushrooms and Monitor Lizards</a></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">Cambodia - <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/02/bamboo-trains-tuk-tuks-and-taxis.html" target="_blank">Bamboo Trains, Tuk tuks and Taxis</a></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">And a bit more about <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/01/spirit-houses-of-thailand.html" target="_blank">Thailand</a>.</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div></div></span></div>Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-69361678471631183222023-03-19T09:38:00.008+01:002023-03-23T17:29:08.947+01:00Wedding on a Thai Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are some INCREDIBLY beautiful islands in Thailand! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06sUKrC50Cw-JS4v9APY3IO8N-QSwKzIYDJjQdT1NScAgIgmQfP5iCQMMHXqW4evrNX6LnAXTZpdEzuQUkecVj16VFQu8nYNmEcLevilFIXD9Fm7ajaKcCM2UUHjl49lLF67EtFRBUdzlmOcHlI7HdYzye4e9dxr5VfjtB6qUZZ9hgHALJNVtCMX6/s3899/Koh%20Munnork%2035a.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2193" data-original-width="3899" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06sUKrC50Cw-JS4v9APY3IO8N-QSwKzIYDJjQdT1NScAgIgmQfP5iCQMMHXqW4evrNX6LnAXTZpdEzuQUkecVj16VFQu8nYNmEcLevilFIXD9Fm7ajaKcCM2UUHjl49lLF67EtFRBUdzlmOcHlI7HdYzye4e9dxr5VfjtB6qUZZ9hgHALJNVtCMX6/w640-h360/Koh%20Munnork%2035a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Son Erik and his wife Ray chose one of the best for their wedding celebration. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Koh Munnork. Tiny. Private. Beautiful. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_xHuko8bN9lKoO2kwlmSIxABp_teqe0AeVbtlw3HYN4gBfIBr5SXnHI0CmFePhQ96CrmfTOa6AHyvw2g9R5GSUncat_vAQpiaTUZClHUEVnDpGKhrXe75_F_4fof6fyCPhZ8R4m1NNg0JV9FdmMxD0CiFK34QLvwdr8JK1ab3pzrTnVLV6V9mfWX/s1024/Koh%20Munnork%202.jpeg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_xHuko8bN9lKoO2kwlmSIxABp_teqe0AeVbtlw3HYN4gBfIBr5SXnHI0CmFePhQ96CrmfTOa6AHyvw2g9R5GSUncat_vAQpiaTUZClHUEVnDpGKhrXe75_F_4fof6fyCPhZ8R4m1NNg0JV9FdmMxD0CiFK34QLvwdr8JK1ab3pzrTnVLV6V9mfWX/w640-h480/Koh%20Munnork%202.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It sounds pretty wild to say, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"We had the entire island to ourselves for the wedding," </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">but - </span><span style="font-family: arial;">it's a VERY small island. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO4iJErod528ARJeYKQEUV7LkkJAj-IOcEOeTgxovUMANP7GZsFY3_Ck5w_cUMnR_CWvdW0KI-i9GNcFoEDQzT69IWQPG2Zfk1TEM6sxqUgSGP6onB3AcdZXAC4uTsX_Rav_agmlOFTAe0EZrRkVIEouyJb96hX_RW_piGEzNLXJ7VBuKgRB5vvlD/s4032/Koh%20Munnork%2017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO4iJErod528ARJeYKQEUV7LkkJAj-IOcEOeTgxovUMANP7GZsFY3_Ck5w_cUMnR_CWvdW0KI-i9GNcFoEDQzT69IWQPG2Zfk1TEM6sxqUgSGP6onB3AcdZXAC4uTsX_Rav_agmlOFTAe0EZrRkVIEouyJb96hX_RW_piGEzNLXJ7VBuKgRB5vvlD/w640-h360/Koh%20Munnork%2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One resort. 22 villas. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can walk around the whole island in no time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVDSOYp6g2JbRGZQUG56a2LQTugpqNI2Wfmx-u1gjuR24ElMOXNF2GLZqOtSJ-f90UCXV1HD6gkk-yDFnKDz7uUf-jHZYSw344ugd4rgeWRe1EZYAhmQh_4mhpxSut4ckol8nBMpvBKNeVil15pal1vmvDclCJNDQWxfKAPnk87m0RFPjSQ223GTh/s4032/Koh%20Munnork%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVDSOYp6g2JbRGZQUG56a2LQTugpqNI2Wfmx-u1gjuR24ElMOXNF2GLZqOtSJ-f90UCXV1HD6gkk-yDFnKDz7uUf-jHZYSw344ugd4rgeWRe1EZYAhmQh_4mhpxSut4ckol8nBMpvBKNeVil15pal1vmvDclCJNDQWxfKAPnk87m0RFPjSQ223GTh/w640-h480/Koh%20Munnork%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had it for the entire weekend. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And we filled it with some GREAT times!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLxVuY0u4VkAo3ozBi8-IlJO68ZKBlF0XKGKJgJe0w1bBRnUS7UKwzQGV5A_ybpN0JQeMlnMxNO6l1I5G9tWzD-bBwFafH6wOqjsL9P0ScjEDOzoSKygmw_-YvlRR5o5sRM73P_IwfGjNWouQNKPCbIv-J3E5ggCWSIdEIDcICKml-ECrtSQqbqfG/s4032/Friends%20&%20Family%2028.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLxVuY0u4VkAo3ozBi8-IlJO68ZKBlF0XKGKJgJe0w1bBRnUS7UKwzQGV5A_ybpN0JQeMlnMxNO6l1I5G9tWzD-bBwFafH6wOqjsL9P0ScjEDOzoSKygmw_-YvlRR5o5sRM73P_IwfGjNWouQNKPCbIv-J3E5ggCWSIdEIDcICKml-ECrtSQqbqfG/w300-h400/Friends%20&%20Family%2028.HEIC" width="300" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kilian, Erik & Mikey tuning up dance moves.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ray's family comes from the east of Thailand. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We hadn't met them before. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And a few friends from Bangkok.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF1hDirU6RGKeeVeqPrM0fsvpZALhLjDQX3-dT6BnHZvLM_3rFA9_ZlERpDjjk3WyEPiw3Nud8OWfPc6z18TOISrNcC5rhEDOZEwxJ-5Y5wbp-Iz5dAEUpS6CCZFEWD0hx-3BkZ5kuTkuTQO7RuDkJjFIBxXW6v1ovBXomPvTOmhdxSAOp5B7sjYY/s1752/Ray's%20Gang%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1752" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF1hDirU6RGKeeVeqPrM0fsvpZALhLjDQX3-dT6BnHZvLM_3rFA9_ZlERpDjjk3WyEPiw3Nud8OWfPc6z18TOISrNcC5rhEDOZEwxJ-5Y5wbp-Iz5dAEUpS6CCZFEWD0hx-3BkZ5kuTkuTQO7RuDkJjFIBxXW6v1ovBXomPvTOmhdxSAOp5B7sjYY/w640-h372/Ray's%20Gang%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The rest of the family - ours - came from New Mexico, Germany, France. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All of us came across together on a cool old wooden ex-fishing boat...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhQ2fw-rBdQ09pnnY_AtRaxQJOzr3QlKCUilkdVG23h8wX5_3okC6a2MtpsLvJBPmimN9apkgyZrWhdTYdW5ffc9rafApLOp9G79vYrd333uTAmjOxTq_nNKq6oc94eCTbuVMfL7iV7RpiZPv1ln23wgVhdsd9d9A-t-qxYzXH4blp1ZB1JNBLGiY/s3849/boats.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="3849" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhQ2fw-rBdQ09pnnY_AtRaxQJOzr3QlKCUilkdVG23h8wX5_3okC6a2MtpsLvJBPmimN9apkgyZrWhdTYdW5ffc9rafApLOp9G79vYrd333uTAmjOxTq_nNKq6oc94eCTbuVMfL7iV7RpiZPv1ln23wgVhdsd9d9A-t-qxYzXH4blp1ZB1JNBLGiY/w640-h442/boats.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Erik joins Wolfgang, Carlene and Monica</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- and began exploring the island, where wild peacocks roam between the villas. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaw9z9ewp0mfTSJ6SHhDhT0C5qXI4_aMcJASaJFhEzGNwImrlbrQVCFvjs5vFH5fbtQxy6LwHaAGu3kKT2kXgIUMhxrQP_UR75tm5UMRTWW3tDhNS-GX-20R3UK4T8SbMZof00oBSdTGmY32Q1U4yU2FMXRMPqNBz-vY6rWp-aBgUfbTyPyyrw2F5R/s2930/Koh%20Munnork%2047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="2930" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaw9z9ewp0mfTSJ6SHhDhT0C5qXI4_aMcJASaJFhEzGNwImrlbrQVCFvjs5vFH5fbtQxy6LwHaAGu3kKT2kXgIUMhxrQP_UR75tm5UMRTWW3tDhNS-GX-20R3UK4T8SbMZof00oBSdTGmY32Q1U4yU2FMXRMPqNBz-vY6rWp-aBgUfbTyPyyrw2F5R/w640-h286/Koh%20Munnork%2047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We find kayaks and snorkels and paddleboards.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVY1-_h7zFz0O89rjY4C4UeD4cUC3mFKvO8TLEkNlI1Oh4w-puSJuu4lBdeDtX5DBRnvJKfy45tdffuEEyyKQQohztIdkH9hMMRAMcLP1CzgYKDkdtqS2QvXUDeag_r-JZElKIwlUrEWekE9QgH7NSu_uD67IqH8e9W8ihTZwv2fGT2oQvgpg8MjT/s3711/Carlene%20-%20Ko%20Samed%20&%20Munnork%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="3711" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVY1-_h7zFz0O89rjY4C4UeD4cUC3mFKvO8TLEkNlI1Oh4w-puSJuu4lBdeDtX5DBRnvJKfy45tdffuEEyyKQQohztIdkH9hMMRAMcLP1CzgYKDkdtqS2QvXUDeag_r-JZElKIwlUrEWekE9QgH7NSu_uD67IqH8e9W8ihTZwv2fGT2oQvgpg8MjT/w640-h480/Carlene%20-%20Ko%20Samed%20&%20Munnork%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Thai family are a great bunch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Actually, everyone there was fun!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZR0ElO8JUKZL9nBaQD8zZ3Fytl5pdluoaOgxrv6vP0ZjLr_MP7Cc0DrWyD4bmHjde2KSpY4K5YfnJTy0JO-J4SfTvcxxf52GqOE2hWp0VN97hm75QtcbPHrTMiqdj0n1X4jumiWsw9Fc3SxIYsC3lAK4J-xlkHeti8twz-ogDrbrRb0Mex3j4tNL/s1555/Whole%20Family%201.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1555" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZR0ElO8JUKZL9nBaQD8zZ3Fytl5pdluoaOgxrv6vP0ZjLr_MP7Cc0DrWyD4bmHjde2KSpY4K5YfnJTy0JO-J4SfTvcxxf52GqOE2hWp0VN97hm75QtcbPHrTMiqdj0n1X4jumiWsw9Fc3SxIYsC3lAK4J-xlkHeti8twz-ogDrbrRb0Mex3j4tNL/w640-h406/Whole%20Family%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In fact, the whole wedding was more fun than I expect most weddings are. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was casual, but - there were definite traditional steps. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclT3AQcW6zzBD9Xkknq-n9RoVeQWHzAyiQX1EHwpxYdEqGoRmQIVN6ocUW1RDT2iyBmWqhiTSO8pJ8nGyrDWBWr17syV7k1mhz3SIxdP3pc8l2LA7pdB_GA-X-lyF9FqHTccy0SQe-eYwja1hIW4fVkkE8pjWg5dHSDQj3rZRCbKQ17EUEyLk6ujN/s1762/Wedding%20-%20A1.png" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1762" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclT3AQcW6zzBD9Xkknq-n9RoVeQWHzAyiQX1EHwpxYdEqGoRmQIVN6ocUW1RDT2iyBmWqhiTSO8pJ8nGyrDWBWr17syV7k1mhz3SIxdP3pc8l2LA7pdB_GA-X-lyF9FqHTccy0SQe-eYwja1hIW4fVkkE8pjWg5dHSDQj3rZRCbKQ17EUEyLk6ujN/w640-h364/Wedding%20-%20A1.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During the ceremony, the 4 parents sit behind the couple. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The table is covered with fruits and flowers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFqJycoYA3ABXbnf8G_W1JKp4xsLlqlTF9D_Ai4BPRhhXYYVASRHPZAhsj2CswMDMEwSoXEaJtP-LsmcCfc7GCkE6zCJ_o85yUQyu2qIs4a0Ebpzsk2hI7drOIwg-2NTJlChDH-JB4XevsIWzsUP-LxHE6q1F-ZQM53yFm2PVap68-IxBH6kZAz4_/s1786/Wedding%20-%20challenges%202%20.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1786" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFqJycoYA3ABXbnf8G_W1JKp4xsLlqlTF9D_Ai4BPRhhXYYVASRHPZAhsj2CswMDMEwSoXEaJtP-LsmcCfc7GCkE6zCJ_o85yUQyu2qIs4a0Ebpzsk2hI7drOIwg-2NTJlChDH-JB4XevsIWzsUP-LxHE6q1F-ZQM53yFm2PVap68-IxBH6kZAz4_/w640-h362/Wedding%20-%20challenges%202%20.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were "challenges" for Erik:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> - including doing 10 pushups - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqOfpuMe0gahUAwFyJ6lixUcd4emqV2tcIvVumQ7z4sc6am9rkSrkgIocTDBlbF09OoPDQjQUoNJb_Uf91ciB4qOzZRIvsp4Ley8cILx9OGfa2mFTPhQasB5nG65X-17PHOSVcPAeSD-wqfDOFlzaC34silG2MZWjX0rmH8NqjLfDpU86El5V2WyQ/s2508/Wedding%20-%20challenges%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="2508" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqOfpuMe0gahUAwFyJ6lixUcd4emqV2tcIvVumQ7z4sc6am9rkSrkgIocTDBlbF09OoPDQjQUoNJb_Uf91ciB4qOzZRIvsp4Ley8cILx9OGfa2mFTPhQasB5nG65X-17PHOSVcPAeSD-wqfDOFlzaC34silG2MZWjX0rmH8NqjLfDpU86El5V2WyQ/w400-h266/Wedding%20-%20challenges%203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- and showing that he can dance - and sing - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- and do the limbo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-mXbZ3fvSPKDzrJ4SqbzVeYzCaKfZthHdAq4bv49DD1d4nnzw7U3hurBeczfmxokKEzS0fnBM-rpDiUGIGu1sdDTL_ofQeoQIKmHJdSPKXLgC4d-FY3ll0y9jVDQUmbKrohzFXfbk7t4v4ke2fqmIvDz4C94iuFmNpXzRs0K42R56Jf_VgKjXhBi/s1776/Wedding%20-%20challenges%203.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1776" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-mXbZ3fvSPKDzrJ4SqbzVeYzCaKfZthHdAq4bv49DD1d4nnzw7U3hurBeczfmxokKEzS0fnBM-rpDiUGIGu1sdDTL_ofQeoQIKmHJdSPKXLgC4d-FY3ll0y9jVDQUmbKrohzFXfbk7t4v4ke2fqmIvDz4C94iuFmNpXzRs0K42R56Jf_VgKjXhBi/w640-h364/Wedding%20-%20challenges%203.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Calling to Ray in Essarn, the language of her region in Thailand. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lots of laughing - and hugs. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There was a lot of string-typing - </span><span style="font-family: arial;">each string representing a good wish. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTa-kVA0NNdWiRyUwc5nFo50trmAE5fNjrF35TorCuGHF0yDWBj_VdlgHlT1oLsTdsaTVOJXvc21_cxpoQTfCMzzGLdGnSMawudOSF9qf_sHMPL3CS3eA9fVjSqPZSHMvRVpbjYd2r7tMuUx-L-HL1lErWdOuysSb18Y2k-i23IkBiguToEOs1mSA/s1519/Wedding%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1519" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTa-kVA0NNdWiRyUwc5nFo50trmAE5fNjrF35TorCuGHF0yDWBj_VdlgHlT1oLsTdsaTVOJXvc21_cxpoQTfCMzzGLdGnSMawudOSF9qf_sHMPL3CS3eA9fVjSqPZSHMvRVpbjYd2r7tMuUx-L-HL1lErWdOuysSb18Y2k-i23IkBiguToEOs1mSA/w640-h494/Wedding%201.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Very relaxed and fun - with lots of picture-taking - </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ioB3iQKak8ssBP83xTbya3m-DcfBddHFTHkGUDRJhtpp7Fdeg-jUWJMzbT44vcWlxAJF8OEIq3SwAm9x3Q7AT5CMjstQNexVXl9FTdhHvV0jkdDR7T4esD6o0DYDJs26CHfYICT-neysaAwp6Lgobn6q7z3PbTQNzXHoCUqBnxWEh1MR9bqCGHMr/s1249/Wedding%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1249" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ioB3iQKak8ssBP83xTbya3m-DcfBddHFTHkGUDRJhtpp7Fdeg-jUWJMzbT44vcWlxAJF8OEIq3SwAm9x3Q7AT5CMjstQNexVXl9FTdhHvV0jkdDR7T4esD6o0DYDJs26CHfYICT-neysaAwp6Lgobn6q7z3PbTQNzXHoCUqBnxWEh1MR9bqCGHMr/w640-h486/Wedding%204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- and of course dancing and singing later.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSL_BgAbPIuHz7eu0wIVa_zxIxSZ2DddeHqriMDwGJkRTnmS95gwkXBzYh_J8kiTzmVsa9B4D3SR0ejbI4aFetzUV88jum431T_TTwKW8Jsa_es4HDtBerka52Dz0bvCJ6cREP9d4V66taoqX6AXvdehJjGrgeVV3ilorXV304BgsxXVypdH6rYlm/s3578/Party%2015.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3578" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSL_BgAbPIuHz7eu0wIVa_zxIxSZ2DddeHqriMDwGJkRTnmS95gwkXBzYh_J8kiTzmVsa9B4D3SR0ejbI4aFetzUV88jum431T_TTwKW8Jsa_es4HDtBerka52Dz0bvCJ6cREP9d4V66taoqX6AXvdehJjGrgeVV3ilorXV304BgsxXVypdH6rYlm/w640-h406/Party%2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- and excellent Thai seafood. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokZIc7dO0LM91aMy3DdzYM0HsGxRG6U_jSuP5q1B4nRT9uiW9s-yzQ2bpgA0wQjitAu_IhARULp9AvFjdteT07zvbcHZOlw768HfbJxN3rery2ZLwcaeBKkj7mJTK9JPcUyE-6Y9BunJQlsvtiOI8EnJtx7vGw37jOQVTk1Ivfa-BtUozUddPBqeq/s4032/Party%204.HEIC" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokZIc7dO0LM91aMy3DdzYM0HsGxRG6U_jSuP5q1B4nRT9uiW9s-yzQ2bpgA0wQjitAu_IhARULp9AvFjdteT07zvbcHZOlw768HfbJxN3rery2ZLwcaeBKkj7mJTK9JPcUyE-6Y9BunJQlsvtiOI8EnJtx7vGw37jOQVTk1Ivfa-BtUozUddPBqeq/w640-h480/Party%204.HEIC" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Homemade liquor from upcountry, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">plenty of Thai beer - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7IC6CxKqyhzt6F_NoCj_ozT7TjYuQEeX1w3mbhz04t9tCTXVdEhV1YwjCqu3xBirb_-R4VGZ5eqzFFcha6uEPktV7FuUA_0oQu6-p7Qr5yaftksxkNVD1-5vCjXbJKmKK9Ir1yupQAC1xBskDZC2kDz39kH88ZaNDN9ork7lsc94xsM_9r7ndZ-a/s2159/Party%206.JPG" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2159" data-original-width="1341" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7IC6CxKqyhzt6F_NoCj_ozT7TjYuQEeX1w3mbhz04t9tCTXVdEhV1YwjCqu3xBirb_-R4VGZ5eqzFFcha6uEPktV7FuUA_0oQu6-p7Qr5yaftksxkNVD1-5vCjXbJKmKK9Ir1yupQAC1xBskDZC2kDz39kH88ZaNDN9ork7lsc94xsM_9r7ndZ-a/w249-h400/Party%206.JPG" width="249" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grandson Noah gets daring with a sparkler.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sparklers - games - pool playing - </span><span style="font-family: arial;">speeches -</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMweVpRO6UvU71kRdXeMSdCWVxc-2Ro7QkFU9iS-fu6VqI4vFNYe5_hsRjto6wVqX6m_osddQZ4v6An3-4f22_fBOq-2A92kEUj0KY7WxDeb78WVDhfPBX88qeepWLq35ZQ8H6GVcURQyEXv3CgKQhZQxS979vnIkez-X2ET7GZgCUH5utOwcvAJW/s4032/Party%2014a.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMweVpRO6UvU71kRdXeMSdCWVxc-2Ro7QkFU9iS-fu6VqI4vFNYe5_hsRjto6wVqX6m_osddQZ4v6An3-4f22_fBOq-2A92kEUj0KY7WxDeb78WVDhfPBX88qeepWLq35ZQ8H6GVcURQyEXv3CgKQhZQxS979vnIkez-X2ET7GZgCUH5utOwcvAJW/w640-h360/Party%2014a.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Some were not expecting to give a speech, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">but gave it their best -)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNxni9fuL_zxmhWD5U6hLluCygLdW8kdgJCGjtgjNnb7JZDfRXbX0wUODdJhnJ5elrYGOLtSupjgUIFuijURCU3s1eUBMDFzspEW9gOMDOdbQ7T93NCAsp6vUVpK_Nm0j6xUQ0M31LcfznEGh2NCI2WudRqesc7PXVZg1imWEgFEkqLnO3qNRY1ts/s2965/Party%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2965" data-original-width="1867" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNxni9fuL_zxmhWD5U6hLluCygLdW8kdgJCGjtgjNnb7JZDfRXbX0wUODdJhnJ5elrYGOLtSupjgUIFuijURCU3s1eUBMDFzspEW9gOMDOdbQ7T93NCAsp6vUVpK_Nm0j6xUQ0M31LcfznEGh2NCI2WudRqesc7PXVZg1imWEgFEkqLnO3qNRY1ts/w251-h400/Party%2011.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kilian and Mikey give speeches</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I hear the party continued until sometime after 3 am.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(Not that either Stan or I made it up that late-)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlWBvL0yD9jEyZvBKLmyeILO5sUzNnuu6YCoJnm3HK_v9jrjOf6-Va40SsytFzGB02mFiJkZqtm0Tv9nWXp47EaosT0UfrMwEL4uOPCU6cbhOJ_LFMPl8wjtTesf8YLDYHZtzp5ryYgKPVAR1twtO8_dzmPcqVuLcYRHYEl28JtDIrjuejCtQicx3/s4032/Party%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlWBvL0yD9jEyZvBKLmyeILO5sUzNnuu6YCoJnm3HK_v9jrjOf6-Va40SsytFzGB02mFiJkZqtm0Tv9nWXp47EaosT0UfrMwEL4uOPCU6cbhOJ_LFMPl8wjtTesf8YLDYHZtzp5ryYgKPVAR1twtO8_dzmPcqVuLcYRHYEl28JtDIrjuejCtQicx3/w640-h480/Party%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The tables were covered in white silk, courtesy of one of the guests, whose family's silk business had an extra bolt of the fabric around-! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Everyone helped out, which was fun. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqKqwW96JpcjnefSSSoCNiAIPn2HI3ak9STSUGTrGqSDgG_eOl48gPtodwQAAAdCp47ebWfiDj2iojB_-IcuSXBvowqZxKWxWrPChdL3ff818JxohqmKDjVauobbrIZ4lsNJ_e8R2ADkh1i7yk-Ox9eMucvEog1M3EjcPoFxPSFbO3ZRjSF9SlRui/s4032/Party%208.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqKqwW96JpcjnefSSSoCNiAIPn2HI3ak9STSUGTrGqSDgG_eOl48gPtodwQAAAdCp47ebWfiDj2iojB_-IcuSXBvowqZxKWxWrPChdL3ff818JxohqmKDjVauobbrIZ4lsNJ_e8R2ADkh1i7yk-Ox9eMucvEog1M3EjcPoFxPSFbO3ZRjSF9SlRui/w640-h360/Party%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even wrapped a few trees in Thai silk. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qGnpbv2WAeXFX13FPnjfPqvBww4z70xSwCsAq3wqKDNnmBoiYLjYl5WfXhd4coh4F2_c0ojb7ZtPuDsY8pdAxmvOA4rE_67AWW2O0mYCyxBwJYHSadhjHUfPcFDgSlrsg14ZcdaFWaLw9u_2yiM5HYlVNuM-hrE0A00yzmPCV_wqfnnBDGptBZAL/s3290/Friends%20&%20Family%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="3290" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qGnpbv2WAeXFX13FPnjfPqvBww4z70xSwCsAq3wqKDNnmBoiYLjYl5WfXhd4coh4F2_c0ojb7ZtPuDsY8pdAxmvOA4rE_67AWW2O0mYCyxBwJYHSadhjHUfPcFDgSlrsg14ZcdaFWaLw9u_2yiM5HYlVNuM-hrE0A00yzmPCV_wqfnnBDGptBZAL/w640-h376/Friends%20&%20Family%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm 68 years old. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the second of my 3 sons to get married. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All 3 are with women I like.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That's pretty cool.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyjz_94QXJPFWGmFygsy6PhcJfPyXnoRNJvinDKxCUF8Pd2ZwQvJRHemm16JzxhNpcg4qCDWvYLPAUX2-CwrriHMbTmiumXG0jfIpf03_xA2RsWpKNI3EgIucr9Bo-VyxYpZU6r4b-6f41EXGTYp3eJdiRyYZDi2WmyvLBkjc0MchU6ccWDuKcdHQ/s3088/Friends%20&%20Family%205.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyjz_94QXJPFWGmFygsy6PhcJfPyXnoRNJvinDKxCUF8Pd2ZwQvJRHemm16JzxhNpcg4qCDWvYLPAUX2-CwrriHMbTmiumXG0jfIpf03_xA2RsWpKNI3EgIucr9Bo-VyxYpZU6r4b-6f41EXGTYp3eJdiRyYZDi2WmyvLBkjc0MchU6ccWDuKcdHQ/s320/Friends%20&%20Family%205.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mikey and Iris</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJh9-CpSTp1fih1MQKs-TEnbUCuynopd3OKdv_b4lLzvhc_3vYRsPNEMM_2NbX0-PR3jEDEQJ2chCDHGZw8tFLrYFoHMa8hZy5HV_O_LkGBvH1J1lWl2hltNbnNLMDHlnWyFqOSLiwk6FnxzvjWtOzrGn-Z1UKJONpPybdrf38AyTkqWYHEirhMHB/s3620/Friends%20&%20Family%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3620" data-original-width="2186" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJh9-CpSTp1fih1MQKs-TEnbUCuynopd3OKdv_b4lLzvhc_3vYRsPNEMM_2NbX0-PR3jEDEQJ2chCDHGZw8tFLrYFoHMa8hZy5HV_O_LkGBvH1J1lWl2hltNbnNLMDHlnWyFqOSLiwk6FnxzvjWtOzrGn-Z1UKJONpPybdrf38AyTkqWYHEirhMHB/w241-h400/Friends%20&%20Family%2011.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kilian and Aidan</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's awfully easy to get emotional about it all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They're so young - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBaUZhGmx0lhMdbknDxuN5O98hdDcj8zFYv6fBdnsvkBEbiuTaYfa-Pe-BDlxUPPyGo6Cc0kGRIOPYHZdytHuRozYgpvM1NFVXShrL7J87k7dcpoRXgEUDbVoMECWKWyllKiQ4v37aKN1hrIHr6agBHKIx0eQKNYNwkNu6CHQbvkuJiQnM1IIx_mF/s4032/Wedding%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBaUZhGmx0lhMdbknDxuN5O98hdDcj8zFYv6fBdnsvkBEbiuTaYfa-Pe-BDlxUPPyGo6Cc0kGRIOPYHZdytHuRozYgpvM1NFVXShrL7J87k7dcpoRXgEUDbVoMECWKWyllKiQ4v37aKN1hrIHr6agBHKIx0eQKNYNwkNu6CHQbvkuJiQnM1IIx_mF/w360-h640/Wedding%2014.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Hak Lai Der"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- I love you - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRuUYIv4pQo3aCLoKKlVbJ6P2wsAzbrsOAmXzOIzbeHOwEb50-MPOA_d062CijMtsxwy5dNQrx8ul64qnpOfy7V_pe_n__v65s7Ew_6xqxAbk4VCPkC6yRS3CvL0mLGPVuFDKHWUfqP05S1UaGshcc9hLWXLWDH9EAN6RWb2xqzpXvG0bTMkiC9f-/s4032/Koh%20Munnork%205.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRuUYIv4pQo3aCLoKKlVbJ6P2wsAzbrsOAmXzOIzbeHOwEb50-MPOA_d062CijMtsxwy5dNQrx8ul64qnpOfy7V_pe_n__v65s7Ew_6xqxAbk4VCPkC6yRS3CvL0mLGPVuFDKHWUfqP05S1UaGshcc9hLWXLWDH9EAN6RWb2xqzpXvG0bTMkiC9f-/w640-h360/Koh%20Munnork%205.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dawn on Koh Munnork<br /><br /><br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IpNVh-T3K3YXhAhRtpK6Sr-1DXCWKkoT41AqeWeDlOsReceY5ka_86aGPWmU66EOpEn91ElzZk6Obv30MezaxZht68tKAFxm-qsaXN1N6s8vf5dz0IbCLTYSHKPTaUOHQNJ_Y8NZ337B9Lfz1UbnPFI8zh7RAZUZEUz2Xlx0q-1Oy8TLurP-vJ92/s1625/Wedding%20-%20success.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1625" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IpNVh-T3K3YXhAhRtpK6Sr-1DXCWKkoT41AqeWeDlOsReceY5ka_86aGPWmU66EOpEn91ElzZk6Obv30MezaxZht68tKAFxm-qsaXN1N6s8vf5dz0IbCLTYSHKPTaUOHQNJ_Y8NZ337B9Lfz1UbnPFI8zh7RAZUZEUz2Xlx0q-1Oy8TLurP-vJ92/w640-h390/Wedding%20-%20success.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-65549363659252001962022-02-09T10:15:00.000+01:002023-03-19T12:14:55.975+01:00Skiing in Austria!<div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />SKIING in AUSTRIA!</span></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With - ALL the kids and family.</span></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How cool and rare is THAT?</span></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-GuMlWEx3STpqGAJoSvorIjbtUv8xnYDCMhGmf_IJk3__mY5V2ZgQ1V4cAqmTY_opxeXOKj17doENKZAbXwj4hsIp5sdQv9SkfbcyAv-n-ihnpJzzRvUkQQc36Y-DzFf1PC4DoTiTmkeWSogCPdG-7rmjG2vOFTTLLDx-8bffdaMjsndbGbT7vQmV=s1897" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1897" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-GuMlWEx3STpqGAJoSvorIjbtUv8xnYDCMhGmf_IJk3__mY5V2ZgQ1V4cAqmTY_opxeXOKj17doENKZAbXwj4hsIp5sdQv9SkfbcyAv-n-ihnpJzzRvUkQQc36Y-DzFf1PC4DoTiTmkeWSogCPdG-7rmjG2vOFTTLLDx-8bffdaMjsndbGbT7vQmV=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aidan - Kilian - Mikey - Noah - Iris - Trish - Ray - Erik</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">First trip ANYWHERE for us outside Languedoc in 2 YEARS-! </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">(I don't think I've spent a whole year in one country in my entire LIFE before.)</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">And - it was AWESOME. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDLd5LB4-GtgNjdO_muOF2UOovPSi2gURrzYcvqOg_poHn4Tbi2UVik6ruQ-7upLdMOlyXxYWuyZqcLDFdeJiAaLvYvdi48sxfqDT1mBg6I1sdZMM-uLCgjsHARQ5p5JSErBdDfsnTWCZ68I9Z3mL5CY3QiXfbrTYMqjrGtyeo0Pk4O10KCqzbTOYm=s2560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDLd5LB4-GtgNjdO_muOF2UOovPSi2gURrzYcvqOg_poHn4Tbi2UVik6ruQ-7upLdMOlyXxYWuyZqcLDFdeJiAaLvYvdi48sxfqDT1mBg6I1sdZMM-uLCgjsHARQ5p5JSErBdDfsnTWCZ68I9Z3mL5CY3QiXfbrTYMqjrGtyeo0Pk4O10KCqzbTOYm=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #420158; font-family: Tahoma;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the kids made it - from Berlin, from the US. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In spite of the threat of cancelled flights, new restrictions. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though Austria had just come out of full lockdown. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguiZstHb64SUzzaWjvxW6QIDrvqj3YbVzxUv9hD3vMTWiaVBgkrKQ2__u6tJLpj52JnBD4J9QAR-CrF__br9BBnNb18H_aPZuhVhUEkKP4FDVslCxUIMCzm76k0ynDDByT-4qZRNjSwZ3JK0Wrn1GFXrI3Bm-NB72foPGG7qI1AMfaHLTnWmphQVr-=s5968" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="5968" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguiZstHb64SUzzaWjvxW6QIDrvqj3YbVzxUv9hD3vMTWiaVBgkrKQ2__u6tJLpj52JnBD4J9QAR-CrF__br9BBnNb18H_aPZuhVhUEkKP4FDVslCxUIMCzm76k0ynDDByT-4qZRNjSwZ3JK0Wrn1GFXrI3Bm-NB72foPGG7qI1AMfaHLTnWmphQVr-=w640-h232" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And: We had the slopes to ourselves. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQR9YY8Tx7_o6fwKfwzLSoUpnnjndeXFQEH0aXxA9vq1QgLr4diQVaU5X2tXuWgJU0chCGiBcE2tfTv58LFRu4j_SlW_Ly4lXCnat7Uz-59SCHJJn_6dmw2GjRgqrbbAExkt_SAr-LsmrytQjjaS3IkIjQGg12X7xoPndRlwrJ3jTCbAjPEnXq9Ado=s2560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQR9YY8Tx7_o6fwKfwzLSoUpnnjndeXFQEH0aXxA9vq1QgLr4diQVaU5X2tXuWgJU0chCGiBcE2tfTv58LFRu4j_SlW_Ly4lXCnat7Uz-59SCHJJn_6dmw2GjRgqrbbAExkt_SAr-LsmrytQjjaS3IkIjQGg12X7xoPndRlwrJ3jTCbAjPEnXq9Ado=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kilian and Aidan at the top of a lift, above the clouds, Innsbruck below.<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes we were the ONLY people on the entire lift - or the slopes. </div><div>No lines, no waiting. Parking lots empty.</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhieAUasOvb3LVoJl1HlwiQE_hNMFBka9dTbDX6R-CPmeP5IEcENN9NHBBhuuuS83jUeeYLkj2gIj3iPvBNtZB_H5sid2GPC1y_FRA4RDra9PcZFFf6Q9Xr4rr6d9lbg3hx7j_YpcXY_6dP311NYlowFIEdcsGdYOgK9sOt8afC7bQHG0mwHbBFWQ_h=s2560" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhieAUasOvb3LVoJl1HlwiQE_hNMFBka9dTbDX6R-CPmeP5IEcENN9NHBBhuuuS83jUeeYLkj2gIj3iPvBNtZB_H5sid2GPC1y_FRA4RDra9PcZFFf6Q9Xr4rr6d9lbg3hx7j_YpcXY_6dP311NYlowFIEdcsGdYOgK9sOt8afC7bQHG0mwHbBFWQ_h=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ray following Erik down the hill. No one else around.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHfBVV7mBS2M1T0K0u-eqeWIqvPBOZmnUqnk7hmh6QnNMMEwlFeBI-x2gze873XtuanC44SjtfflJw1x4yc4hUkJsx8VaRowm538KDyFfyW76D8_0Xj2-TntaDZCFYwZZ8537MtBvFqpOdfivvZRgJMtXj96KJ7R4K-6ZY8WtjsytRVDVjPhpGdsms=s7888" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2192" data-original-width="7888" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHfBVV7mBS2M1T0K0u-eqeWIqvPBOZmnUqnk7hmh6QnNMMEwlFeBI-x2gze873XtuanC44SjtfflJw1x4yc4hUkJsx8VaRowm538KDyFfyW76D8_0Xj2-TntaDZCFYwZZ8537MtBvFqpOdfivvZRgJMtXj96KJ7R4K-6ZY8WtjsytRVDVjPhpGdsms=w640-h178" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Almost eerie. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjePaDoNad5oB8Yq12h3ZdIJzcZ3AIjtR9E8cf2sTkllQKInAEU9NYi-EutieYMpeRuJfVChs-AJ4SlxGivoKlAE6XLgCG6_VBqQuHkor2p3Yopji9rja2GYEbDXhketRlZAf-YpkjBOtd6Mprsq3jaYjxvNlm3zX8pDxfg7Je_0KIH-oQ3LPejEZ7x=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjePaDoNad5oB8Yq12h3ZdIJzcZ3AIjtR9E8cf2sTkllQKInAEU9NYi-EutieYMpeRuJfVChs-AJ4SlxGivoKlAE6XLgCG6_VBqQuHkor2p3Yopji9rja2GYEbDXhketRlZAf-YpkjBOtd6Mprsq3jaYjxvNlm3zX8pDxfg7Je_0KIH-oQ3LPejEZ7x=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Erik and I enjoy the sun while the others catch up</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">We rented a big house in Igls, just outside Innsbruck. </div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">Where my family used to go when we were kids.</div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">And found a big VW van that fit all 9 of us - plus skis.</div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6xba79EV3QPUZBzyrRatG6xz1dkUBrOX7_JF6VVdNahCSiqXiz6gfECUAqjQ0OhNlE7VEaUMe9qTvSEy4qGnkgHAVT0GlfWP0Zr3ffO-mqbil_kLmteLNMwKI6YYaCSpaqcRr3GJlP_OxFtATWdK_vz19jX4G60Uojd0wHeCE7BQPcTRFyv8YIPNo=s2560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6xba79EV3QPUZBzyrRatG6xz1dkUBrOX7_JF6VVdNahCSiqXiz6gfECUAqjQ0OhNlE7VEaUMe9qTvSEy4qGnkgHAVT0GlfWP0Zr3ffO-mqbil_kLmteLNMwKI6YYaCSpaqcRr3GJlP_OxFtATWdK_vz19jX4G60Uojd0wHeCE7BQPcTRFyv8YIPNo=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Noah (5) learned to ski quickly. And fast. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">His parents are both good skiers. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4giuOHG6wQOeHgXHtpQXW1_t7dfWFfOEQvtXUpR2V2bhC6wiEMigXDsBWK4XrESUHE_9pcscDV-8mhwhtlVjyHIjgBD6ZyYXKiyr6MP9OO0cOdzIKwbAGlbnGR1-pUJbEeYc-vY5kmbv-KU4Ad9SG_bCbeBVg2T-tKhxPU7sfKmJEzcu2RHMxkLGU=s3974" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2967" data-original-width="3974" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4giuOHG6wQOeHgXHtpQXW1_t7dfWFfOEQvtXUpR2V2bhC6wiEMigXDsBWK4XrESUHE_9pcscDV-8mhwhtlVjyHIjgBD6ZyYXKiyr6MP9OO0cOdzIKwbAGlbnGR1-pUJbEeYc-vY5kmbv-KU4Ad9SG_bCbeBVg2T-tKhxPU7sfKmJEzcu2RHMxkLGU=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mikey, Noah, and Iris in the gondola</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6UjbJEhLIVoTmZUIV9wqmYFWJZ9UE0O7aSTpIaIWKVgVD0pWdfHDmoaCLnAzwVdmb8ZrviVpKpAtgZ7l2TlLRUPTg32JT7VVAIAV1UGwT5SNlq35f8So40q57Wr3Qrhzxs1cZ2mgHhtjK7KKJaLDIqVFu13WkrRRzHmcIKdRWtptKGUqzryFlEojb=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6UjbJEhLIVoTmZUIV9wqmYFWJZ9UE0O7aSTpIaIWKVgVD0pWdfHDmoaCLnAzwVdmb8ZrviVpKpAtgZ7l2TlLRUPTg32JT7VVAIAV1UGwT5SNlq35f8So40q57Wr3Qrhzxs1cZ2mgHhtjK7KKJaLDIqVFu13WkrRRzHmcIKdRWtptKGUqzryFlEojb=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Noah was pretty darn excited about the whole ski thing.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br style="color: black;" /></div></div></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Ray was a first time skier too. (Not much snow in Thailand-) </span></div><div style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">She also learned quickly, with Erik's help.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsDCjS_HS6E6rQfkt1xkrCxpW1C3YQK5RiFjO2iWJSlbx0boMGkfxStIo6jqT340zgiR766wk112zF48AX7v_JXCcS2EVrHlBiupmSdofzSg_fdedvc0uBe_VTRohftmk9yQ7ieBh1vy54Hke3Fvaksv3zDlwTubEhYwvJQO2IVxlxXpK970EynHAu=s3454" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2595" data-original-width="3454" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsDCjS_HS6E6rQfkt1xkrCxpW1C3YQK5RiFjO2iWJSlbx0boMGkfxStIo6jqT340zgiR766wk112zF48AX7v_JXCcS2EVrHlBiupmSdofzSg_fdedvc0uBe_VTRohftmk9yQ7ieBh1vy54Hke3Fvaksv3zDlwTubEhYwvJQO2IVxlxXpK970EynHAu=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9GU_emDxrOu2FBOr5vHLV0gT2Q328RPS9zc-7d6C1s4Osjkqe74sYMcPf9CEq-Ywth_rZlOwTp-bJJa2bdg11-Zw9_hC0EzXhkCbpz6qG6VguNPvZ6xKoBVaAOsk5B0C73GhPOrENRK3sdQqIaGiLE1jfeEU3eHQbhdavYZwP5WYKqWr1DlsMgFoA=s1477" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1477" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9GU_emDxrOu2FBOr5vHLV0gT2Q328RPS9zc-7d6C1s4Osjkqe74sYMcPf9CEq-Ywth_rZlOwTp-bJJa2bdg11-Zw9_hC0EzXhkCbpz6qG6VguNPvZ6xKoBVaAOsk5B0C73GhPOrENRK3sdQqIaGiLE1jfeEU3eHQbhdavYZwP5WYKqWr1DlsMgFoA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ray, bravely tackling the steep slopes -</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbq5cL206rMjjpycXhI7XQxc42dlDitn4GFM0hRfVmtE8GOozfiJ0O-vQNkkfGTDrFci9pE8HY4CddJRWBKvJNKZlQ58GUwyzKnqCHeBqbAbcKj-jlgOcG29Lsxw471dwqwvKeeKYnjVh7Fm8DMHzaekARTBeNXLG5yC9OuG_gduYUgfO6NVJIAxN0=s2560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbq5cL206rMjjpycXhI7XQxc42dlDitn4GFM0hRfVmtE8GOozfiJ0O-vQNkkfGTDrFci9pE8HY4CddJRWBKvJNKZlQ58GUwyzKnqCHeBqbAbcKj-jlgOcG29Lsxw471dwqwvKeeKYnjVh7Fm8DMHzaekARTBeNXLG5yC9OuG_gduYUgfO6NVJIAxN0=w225-h400" width="225" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Erik, sporting cool hat from Tbilisi, Georgia</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Kilian is the only one who's been skiing regularly, in Taos, New Mexico. </div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">He was also pretty excited. He's been teaching Aidan - another quick learner.</div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjYqktIH4LoCLYG_cWers5vJ_dEi6DpJv3-splPByoJixegHaXFP-Lvf7_ALoNMZnwTab7_CYtCBS7bQugtL83RMVpqbZDeOlCzX9b32DAfmOQg1bHMuc5KJvGICF7vKF2g57Ox-aXaRbI8FeQbGyip_WiFAGrKgrrhEji1qdOPdD5fDH9i5wFUPbo=s1147" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1147" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjYqktIH4LoCLYG_cWers5vJ_dEi6DpJv3-splPByoJixegHaXFP-Lvf7_ALoNMZnwTab7_CYtCBS7bQugtL83RMVpqbZDeOlCzX9b32DAfmOQg1bHMuc5KJvGICF7vKF2g57Ox-aXaRbI8FeQbGyip_WiFAGrKgrrhEji1qdOPdD5fDH9i5wFUPbo=w640-h454" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Meanwhile, Stan had the house to himself all day, while we were skiing. </div><div style="color: #420158; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Which - was just fine with Stan, who was working on a big music project.</div></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">This is more his style: </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFYnB-H_cTT1-r91Id9096_Sa2IuFp1O3kvLVddhaOplHxv1NVnykQDNQhp_or3er0jot4z2X-5GrobC-uGtT4uwI5JD59uMkWsC6ee5-Ih6TavTjc_KxzkotJ-Adu0B7jaFxJhO3rze_4vUbM1e4NZqumx86lbsbOfikmy3GSfw0CSKmhoeK5Qg9O=s2381" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFYnB-H_cTT1-r91Id9096_Sa2IuFp1O3kvLVddhaOplHxv1NVnykQDNQhp_or3er0jot4z2X-5GrobC-uGtT4uwI5JD59uMkWsC6ee5-Ih6TavTjc_KxzkotJ-Adu0B7jaFxJhO3rze_4vUbM1e4NZqumx86lbsbOfikmy3GSfw0CSKmhoeK5Qg9O=w388-h640" width="388" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /><span style="color: #420158;">We did plenty of that, too. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">He and I took the train from Narbonne to Innsbruck, through Switzerland.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Spent time in Alsace and Burgundy and Zürich, staying in cozy hotels, eating and drinking well. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiAqvtPFWg4qCL1vSw0G95je4R9k0nSkFKMUtJwWgtuOqYSGOz0TuHc_PIqPMC6jrXe5qUgRGP-2Rsreu-xqsTmWAQollKwdPIxatMT-qK0V46kiksZOIiBEj-PjWcHTCU0ESnaTXfOSwE-ZGR4xeiwmZQpKQ5eStmne7CU7_H50fA9pC3KolTQN-U=s2560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiAqvtPFWg4qCL1vSw0G95je4R9k0nSkFKMUtJwWgtuOqYSGOz0TuHc_PIqPMC6jrXe5qUgRGP-2Rsreu-xqsTmWAQollKwdPIxatMT-qK0V46kiksZOIiBEj-PjWcHTCU0ESnaTXfOSwE-ZGR4xeiwmZQpKQ5eStmne7CU7_H50fA9pC3KolTQN-U=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me? I haven't been skiing much in the past 10-15 years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe a half dozen times, usually with Kilian.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wasn't sure how it would go. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But - after a day or two, it felt comfortable again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9QvqXXH5G3XvfrGGNYin-HLfkOeIlFtLWGxV_jEFAEUkeyT1EWbJimSoa-zdOIVIC-1mdpHKmDpkfNzF8g6uB3xMoKF0Ujsl_k6KAJa52OsN4UmdGeNMx7jHjYUIQj1p12ptJvpIKOXOEbORFBghwVlttj_1vSrGV8I_RMnm7AKTymkTQkTAmmhc0=s3854" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3854" data-original-width="2782" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9QvqXXH5G3XvfrGGNYin-HLfkOeIlFtLWGxV_jEFAEUkeyT1EWbJimSoa-zdOIVIC-1mdpHKmDpkfNzF8g6uB3xMoKF0Ujsl_k6KAJa52OsN4UmdGeNMx7jHjYUIQj1p12ptJvpIKOXOEbORFBghwVlttj_1vSrGV8I_RMnm7AKTymkTQkTAmmhc0=w462-h640" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And - I'm STILL wearing the same ski suit - the now "retro"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> onesie - that I taught the kids to ski in decades ago!</div></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinitUXnjqAkrY2sD2u3BvOqEk0SkZGNM2JxI2S4V1KS3HhLftKxUrDGRfyfHYpENgiTgLC8pqG1VSzolwA9ho6Gb1R3B6_qweJ6yl_7WUaWH7VAi1F1sp7LC9jfYpp05BbTn60Ysdc_uLZ_hFDwKx6g-BU5O2_cmat1R_1PklFiRSK_WCQ7SXmXs1x=s1471" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinitUXnjqAkrY2sD2u3BvOqEk0SkZGNM2JxI2S4V1KS3HhLftKxUrDGRfyfHYpENgiTgLC8pqG1VSzolwA9ho6Gb1R3B6_qweJ6yl_7WUaWH7VAi1F1sp7LC9jfYpp05BbTn60Ysdc_uLZ_hFDwKx6g-BU5O2_cmat1R_1PklFiRSK_WCQ7SXmXs1x=w326-h400" width="326" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Teaching Mikey - 1989 Albuquerque Journal front page<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Okay, if you go back even FURTHER:</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Here I am, in Igls, at the top of Patscherkofel, in 1966. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Exactly where we are now.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">With cable ski bindings and leather lace-up boots. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4roq9q_9I97wwN9wZyytBHzJweZBOGYBjMD5tAROFbal_6qKRGMK1OlWpTNqyr5Q2FbPQEcJu4XP6TpxBjTcTDZzmwLRuaZMCguGWMYwPXoxWSJfIMoIb2Zt029sOBRrpuQ2fPgzwoYD9bmgqoJuHd7jZGM7wnU31wvjk_Nzfnv7DMGsmdrQm9TiW=s984" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="957" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4roq9q_9I97wwN9wZyytBHzJweZBOGYBjMD5tAROFbal_6qKRGMK1OlWpTNqyr5Q2FbPQEcJu4XP6TpxBjTcTDZzmwLRuaZMCguGWMYwPXoxWSJfIMoIb2Zt029sOBRrpuQ2fPgzwoYD9bmgqoJuHd7jZGM7wnU31wvjk_Nzfnv7DMGsmdrQm9TiW=w389-h400" width="389" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">And yes, I think that's a St. Bernard beside me. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Probably wearing the requisite cask of brandy, too.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Totally old style.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">We skied every day but one, when we explored Innsbruck. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Different mountains, including ones used for Olympic downhill and slalom events. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">Some trails had neat</span><span style="color: #420158;"> little huts located strategically for hot spiced wine.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf4tKPpe4XAqFp8YDfK4mfC6i7uj52NJ8PdVpKKOrw1xtdbnO2FSstWDL3dp6FX7j9NmH7_2gjj0Y0Zh9-dDIoteFhUGzo095e1nmORSwsijh1qIq37aySkDNVyFRMEULBXxT-S1Dqzgl11jsKq6k0iS6ItdH59ueA7y2EQKbA_0nngwRbvaS-DpB_=s3366" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3366" data-original-width="2590" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf4tKPpe4XAqFp8YDfK4mfC6i7uj52NJ8PdVpKKOrw1xtdbnO2FSstWDL3dp6FX7j9NmH7_2gjj0Y0Zh9-dDIoteFhUGzo095e1nmORSwsijh1qIq37aySkDNVyFRMEULBXxT-S1Dqzgl11jsKq6k0iS6ItdH59ueA7y2EQKbA_0nngwRbvaS-DpB_=w492-h640" width="492" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kilian, Mikey and Erik make a quick stop.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"> Or a picnic and a bit of ski slope yoga in the sun.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpwIEfiELFt5AxDYXRkG3REPVeSPcSWh3Vw0udWe-J74CAttvVu-4BoVc_4Q0EN9tyPnGm1Ur4pivnh7pEao4eRTVPiChHBmlMsNP6rqAgSz8BC6dLdlAVXUfXEVPNLiYv877ahclEqOq-jMpKzPhLQdDPOu7LSc4xvL8phds-xboKGEuqRp4gQMhs=s2099" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="2099" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpwIEfiELFt5AxDYXRkG3REPVeSPcSWh3Vw0udWe-J74CAttvVu-4BoVc_4Q0EN9tyPnGm1Ur4pivnh7pEao4eRTVPiChHBmlMsNP6rqAgSz8BC6dLdlAVXUfXEVPNLiYv877ahclEqOq-jMpKzPhLQdDPOu7LSc4xvL8phds-xboKGEuqRp4gQMhs=w640-h428" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">So how was the official part -? Covid and paperwork?</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #420158;">This Itchy Feet Comic pretty much says it all:</span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhykWL9oyH0Yxa2bslFhwokW2i7W8USdj8iqlw2rq7x1jHUwy2VjRptb-QKgewRqti-yU0HVsHo0pXXHWnNkkBfYPhmsZuvfxO5nlm3Ek1lxU2VD_lkQcjHzrsqcKJk0X3XKsvEkXwAXaCaSig7kOFhniBSF5tjdZPdyl8n67COJO7z0KcrqkgWcrO=s2700" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="2700" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhykWL9oyH0Yxa2bslFhwokW2i7W8USdj8iqlw2rq7x1jHUwy2VjRptb-QKgewRqti-yU0HVsHo0pXXHWnNkkBfYPhmsZuvfxO5nlm3Ek1lxU2VD_lkQcjHzrsqcKJk0X3XKsvEkXwAXaCaSig7kOFhniBSF5tjdZPdyl8n67COJO7z0KcrqkgWcrO=w640-h498" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="color: #420158;"><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Not the Swiss - not the French - not the Austrians - even the train people never checked our Senior Pass Cards. Or the negative tests. Or the entry forms.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">NO ONE was interested in all their required paperwork. * sigh *</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, we're all triple-vaxxed. (And Noah already had covid-)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, we have to show proof - the QR code on our phones - to enter public buildings. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, we have to wear masks, even on the ski lifts, which - is kinda difficult! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Under the goggles and the helmet, over the neck warmer or scarf? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But - at least there's a system, and - we could go skiing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0x32KpYTLjnH5zDzkRPwYcL0JD2yxpgct_Cl9iSP3YwlTAbuM6RypzgMpLz-tV1q4UMevqQtpy6RYzan9FPY4AtCs4NSWJfOI4azNrm3xwp5EBpajDGCKqRheWH4eq_51rrMm6zclKRPTyTr_RgFsmqdE6mtnwhEMRBzex-J7yslG6r41KRpTAuWs=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0x32KpYTLjnH5zDzkRPwYcL0JD2yxpgct_Cl9iSP3YwlTAbuM6RypzgMpLz-tV1q4UMevqQtpy6RYzan9FPY4AtCs4NSWJfOI4azNrm3xwp5EBpajDGCKqRheWH4eq_51rrMm6zclKRPTyTr_RgFsmqdE6mtnwhEMRBzex-J7yslG6r41KRpTAuWs=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Innsbruck</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxUNH_pp5lCc1080AaFrn9Pe3H3SLnS3QrnRHD40h5FVlR236XRpKAwcN_QJWzOuu1FdOK6PlkgQkbUMw_HYdjCBuMpRbNrZxlNCVxXdivJrk9R_iFekhTqjKEzz9VSNu3h0ZTy0UuN8t5zWyWv3GdAX2uyWLjl4FWvuAHNQzoP0UDCRqoVNnhPZD_=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxUNH_pp5lCc1080AaFrn9Pe3H3SLnS3QrnRHD40h5FVlR236XRpKAwcN_QJWzOuu1FdOK6PlkgQkbUMw_HYdjCBuMpRbNrZxlNCVxXdivJrk9R_iFekhTqjKEzz9VSNu3h0ZTy0UuN8t5zWyWv3GdAX2uyWLjl4FWvuAHNQzoP0UDCRqoVNnhPZD_=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">The other half of the covid part-? NO ONE WAS ANYWHERE.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG3QQyGmQCtsnXvWTj9VrevKqpcydJoW-bXtciJcyUMX5VKmERe8NPs771Bf7wZ5r-E7z2sQU2lyAnu_DcTJDtHzZ3p-KYUTkKAuChHBy2mKwzOSV3qICE-jlb9r2upMRK_XUUId38Ym4U-QOyTzgGEX_4HgGKQlyzjQnsU1V7FmkDXKciVYY1THzN=s6401" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="6401" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG3QQyGmQCtsnXvWTj9VrevKqpcydJoW-bXtciJcyUMX5VKmERe8NPs771Bf7wZ5r-E7z2sQU2lyAnu_DcTJDtHzZ3p-KYUTkKAuChHBy2mKwzOSV3qICE-jlb9r2upMRK_XUUId38Ym4U-QOyTzgGEX_4HgGKQlyzjQnsU1V7FmkDXKciVYY1THzN=w640-h220" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dijon - in Burgundy</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">Not in the cities. Not on the trains. Not in the restaurants.</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Ok, it was January. It was cold. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJN10VqzlIsl7zK9MXH_yxHEIenfLX0B2oNpV8VXybPWl9JBPW4Y4OVEvMcnj-WFE-5H8VjqejRgLVLpRLPI6uQCMzvpfv_7mvshozYOxDKbd2nla7vmbZgTfpOkTLrGR4xmDNsMZZqA4tJluzPBVhPwUdWq9cVjWffPEjt-4X1NznrB8-gg2vJo36=s2560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJN10VqzlIsl7zK9MXH_yxHEIenfLX0B2oNpV8VXybPWl9JBPW4Y4OVEvMcnj-WFE-5H8VjqejRgLVLpRLPI6uQCMzvpfv_7mvshozYOxDKbd2nla7vmbZgTfpOkTLrGR4xmDNsMZZqA4tJluzPBVhPwUdWq9cVjWffPEjt-4X1NznrB8-gg2vJo36=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">But - still. Kind of eerie. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIwj2lA38rU26UauxDLadSI_zir02Rx9GvPz0CdW3s76fbiB82GawYKQJ1xw3f1Apklzx38cIjWBXPldHXpX9X6R-KLkSzoK7jeYGVfwm3CoFU7MGdMAeHIMv50U3BBUPpmZT77xXjC9gAduUnW_8xN5Elw_U6noxkalxf9vrGTlk-uB_CbZ6jKoAi=s2427" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="2427" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIwj2lA38rU26UauxDLadSI_zir02Rx9GvPz0CdW3s76fbiB82GawYKQJ1xw3f1Apklzx38cIjWBXPldHXpX9X6R-KLkSzoK7jeYGVfwm3CoFU7MGdMAeHIMv50U3BBUPpmZT77xXjC9gAduUnW_8xN5Elw_U6noxkalxf9vrGTlk-uB_CbZ6jKoAi=w640-h338" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">We took turns cooking. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Everything from New Mexican green chile stew and homemade posole</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> - to Thai ramen and Italian pasta. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">And plenty of hot spiced Glühwein.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1xlruWwPZ5kg0X6zLcz5qGUwgA0mfDEgdfk9_kvOzlzz4g6v6de8zBXp8M1Q9f7_Y-sMWBOc8SNq1D0o7KsI5RKGNgjH1T7RcYkgEV8_sBxic_iU2BipjvwBQC0SlGuNYK9NzdeadUBcxVS_cZKhmwzEoH6MzOdthftsIFxuo4mK71lA9tgDvwjEj=s1477" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1477" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1xlruWwPZ5kg0X6zLcz5qGUwgA0mfDEgdfk9_kvOzlzz4g6v6de8zBXp8M1Q9f7_Y-sMWBOc8SNq1D0o7KsI5RKGNgjH1T7RcYkgEV8_sBxic_iU2BipjvwBQC0SlGuNYK9NzdeadUBcxVS_cZKhmwzEoH6MzOdthftsIFxuo4mK71lA9tgDvwjEj=w640-h468" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">So good to all get together again. And - skiing! </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> It's been a long time. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia8eigZHp0YDIQgSmbyiTra4fTrmEGrQDy53UhZqkJVP4Re4WJCapW9c0cYAcnfXPwNVbpUp5tywum7D3Ge92Rqp1PTLNgbZNHCkvfXnbVabrGDr-XU08NKT_uW5Q7wsU9bfsulIhez2NjQIBRc8DkZ2ALlVI4mx9uVgR4BEvX83AvVz82D4n20S-n=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2501" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia8eigZHp0YDIQgSmbyiTra4fTrmEGrQDy53UhZqkJVP4Re4WJCapW9c0cYAcnfXPwNVbpUp5tywum7D3Ge92Rqp1PTLNgbZNHCkvfXnbVabrGDr-XU08NKT_uW5Q7wsU9bfsulIhez2NjQIBRc8DkZ2ALlVI4mx9uVgR4BEvX83AvVz82D4n20S-n=w396-h640" width="396" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">SO glad it all worked out-!</p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's what Igls looked like, back in 1966:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwF34WFFyagsfqi0tjrzsX10wPiCCSKxSsLXGjL59ev26HKg5zDyJzYfYw8tPF0BbC9wyXy7WXJGBX1q1jUcl5DonrT3sSF7IbpEazEImHiy_p56OhMdwRhoOC0D8CnVLHjdBTcb8HwD9Dt4nOyMoNr2WWTf0O2k-bwZXzsWxVRlq0dMrXaOaWBZqQ=s1724" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1724" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwF34WFFyagsfqi0tjrzsX10wPiCCSKxSsLXGjL59ev26HKg5zDyJzYfYw8tPF0BbC9wyXy7WXJGBX1q1jUcl5DonrT3sSF7IbpEazEImHiy_p56OhMdwRhoOC0D8CnVLHjdBTcb8HwD9Dt4nOyMoNr2WWTf0O2k-bwZXzsWxVRlq0dMrXaOaWBZqQ=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not too much different now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's still - kind of magic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimILbpS5-wnyDGtiB9HOBTElNZWaV1Sqe6ArtH20_8o0_YmDqCju2Ukny7jMomMqN9MSxWyLEKEKn7hnSnTemCpUbyMAk1JqY989L0LSfnAKCBq2HJ325uYRWro6qBC8S39ov5d47vh7L61xt49xJ4293IlqndUviT_HYCUq9lAce7MUOoNkMU6EKn=s3872" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2288" data-original-width="3872" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimILbpS5-wnyDGtiB9HOBTElNZWaV1Sqe6ArtH20_8o0_YmDqCju2Ukny7jMomMqN9MSxWyLEKEKn7hnSnTemCpUbyMAk1JqY989L0LSfnAKCBq2HJ325uYRWro6qBC8S39ov5d47vh7L61xt49xJ4293IlqndUviT_HYCUq9lAce7MUOoNkMU6EKn=w640-h378" width="640" /></a><br /><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_Coenrk_fwgMIIIqtSNIpG91u1Z-oi43mvVtW7A646QZ_e0NGmORp47OFLkXsgGed1p-jGPj_vQHC_0Ut-ZiAUTF35ybkhJnFAJgT_TzC89ThePIWeRX7jp0BPmacLHJDavVy73MPIJqfVNdsCe1-Hgq0wyjNjrJijWiYkKyTXN9UT7iP6eRrxejB=s2560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_Coenrk_fwgMIIIqtSNIpG91u1Z-oi43mvVtW7A646QZ_e0NGmORp47OFLkXsgGed1p-jGPj_vQHC_0Ut-ZiAUTF35ybkhJnFAJgT_TzC89ThePIWeRX7jp0BPmacLHJDavVy73MPIJqfVNdsCe1-Hgq0wyjNjrJijWiYkKyTXN9UT7iP6eRrxejB=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1NuNxdENI_pwOSu7wGFqd-J1UTSSao86KkXO5zDFn3wH5ZKzDKdHcN5vluRR-ON2MddMvsk9j3u8Uy4ZWU54PQL01-GPude5gt54Gb6bYuBNMCa04FaCMQfaRM8IxZvGvzm0QxOOO-3kuXzCPLnGPOeNSmti9UzW8Vs2WjN5WOdA0P-xnlaMB4yz9=s2560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1NuNxdENI_pwOSu7wGFqd-J1UTSSao86KkXO5zDFn3wH5ZKzDKdHcN5vluRR-ON2MddMvsk9j3u8Uy4ZWU54PQL01-GPude5gt54Gb6bYuBNMCa04FaCMQfaRM8IxZvGvzm0QxOOO-3kuXzCPLnGPOeNSmti9UzW8Vs2WjN5WOdA0P-xnlaMB4yz9=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></p></div></div></div></span><br /></div>Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-21163861613432304622021-11-14T00:30:00.000+01:002023-03-20T15:19:24.959+01:00Why I love India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgWKQrau7ag-cs08jWFOIKcw9fLNemlUuApxW_gy1xGCFmaHFprQqX2EwLhqCTtpHavdCrcbp7BSwf5uRzM8KAlZQnUaI3aMSrBAmpMSglj8Y4wsHudrOZ7g6TNy6UZhTyxU5dc7Fvks/s1600/12+Raj+%252823%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgWKQrau7ag-cs08jWFOIKcw9fLNemlUuApxW_gy1xGCFmaHFprQqX2EwLhqCTtpHavdCrcbp7BSwf5uRzM8KAlZQnUaI3aMSrBAmpMSglj8Y4wsHudrOZ7g6TNy6UZhTyxU5dc7Fvks/s640/12+Raj+%252823%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<br />
Did I ever mention how much I love India? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's the <i>best </i>travel destination.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not the easiest.<br />
<br />
In fact - it's pretty crazy.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjVG5_vdPjDegy7YYov8veevl9vkY8ZHcZ4sy3J_US702oLUoYfZaVsNV331UUVPCdIDKQzec4qu1Vr-mKqzvhIJabywdTI99kT1vHMHXAEmWhWw9_WKS9lqRCgm1r_H34fRrh1pUy-g/s1600/12+Raj+%2528440%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjVG5_vdPjDegy7YYov8veevl9vkY8ZHcZ4sy3J_US702oLUoYfZaVsNV331UUVPCdIDKQzec4qu1Vr-mKqzvhIJabywdTI99kT1vHMHXAEmWhWw9_WKS9lqRCgm1r_H34fRrh1pUy-g/s640/12+Raj+%2528440%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is their everyday attire. At the Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's exhausting, exasperating, energizing.<br />
But it is certainly - the most rewarding.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy7PdncebGOMYGqOTHfpRNSOinT0H255z60TlHabn-CgYvntR8vUF4otnTW8iV0Qty8IREPIPJVkZAd5WQWXQtnn7WZAcz3VakYABRbnRqN5Rh-ZPJ6ycPr98_Iw6LZh7ZGFifjvzZw0/s1600/12+Raj+%2528356%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy7PdncebGOMYGqOTHfpRNSOinT0H255z60TlHabn-CgYvntR8vUF4otnTW8iV0Qty8IREPIPJVkZAd5WQWXQtnn7WZAcz3VakYABRbnRqN5Rh-ZPJ6ycPr98_Iw6LZh7ZGFifjvzZw0/s640/12+Raj+%2528356%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's colorful and chaotic and totally over the top. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A complete feast for the senses.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmknMo1WeEygxC5jnwzwWpcPCkUuU-3VBiV5u1gihvEN5ubpFUFt2rGsOuOwZ2-Jxtdk0fA_8V1T-VB1-lvR8WmP8bFCOyqTPQ2deB-YiR3WxMSpCpN7fdJQCWAPF2mXstQupDMbCdCr8/s1600/12+Raj+%252845%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1114" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmknMo1WeEygxC5jnwzwWpcPCkUuU-3VBiV5u1gihvEN5ubpFUFt2rGsOuOwZ2-Jxtdk0fA_8V1T-VB1-lvR8WmP8bFCOyqTPQ2deB-YiR3WxMSpCpN7fdJQCWAPF2mXstQupDMbCdCr8/s640/12+Raj+%252845%2529.JPG" width="443" /></a></div>
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The flowers - the fabrics - the food.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The sounds, the smells - the spices. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
And the COLORS -!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBy2Sjef7gcijAv2MgeEnRqABc-tQEE-iaJ-bUNHVfTZnon2GvZ9csQ1iarVoo7uZ-8Tf6bzxu-g99vXnsnt3y-uWgBBuLpMsXDttrfBzUej5COb5o5pIZet3tksI8gL40m6vz5Co5XA/s1600/12+Raj+%2528170%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1266" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBy2Sjef7gcijAv2MgeEnRqABc-tQEE-iaJ-bUNHVfTZnon2GvZ9csQ1iarVoo7uZ-8Tf6bzxu-g99vXnsnt3y-uWgBBuLpMsXDttrfBzUej5COb5o5pIZet3tksI8gL40m6vz5Co5XA/s640/12+Raj+%2528170%2529.JPG" width="506" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
But what impresses me most is - the people.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They pay attention to everything going on around them. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2KpTHS6T2dAIOvFMye1JzRWmkw16eVbv5MmXjtAbQiom9f9g6frl7TvY9ZdAKGKycpVw1CScYzIumguyxbZTEcXcnQiBVyGA6EqmRMffESkzlZRBlwoASnaBcXgqBwcBAi48680oYyY/s1600/12+Raj+%2528109%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2KpTHS6T2dAIOvFMye1JzRWmkw16eVbv5MmXjtAbQiom9f9g6frl7TvY9ZdAKGKycpVw1CScYzIumguyxbZTEcXcnQiBVyGA6EqmRMffESkzlZRBlwoASnaBcXgqBwcBAi48680oYyY/s640/12+Raj+%2528109%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
And those smiles -<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs2jtl8_-Svzfqstr6s6Kkd0tPOPNtS1LV5vnf_BYytfQpKNEeda559k2M63ssNsXgQ6Hb3YP-KOFELfm_5EJDsBfiv0vaOelPH5wiBZEGN6pBLG2KCi8W7Fw3MkTlwteCtLt_uVCzAY/s1600/12+Raj+%2528247%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs2jtl8_-Svzfqstr6s6Kkd0tPOPNtS1LV5vnf_BYytfQpKNEeda559k2M63ssNsXgQ6Hb3YP-KOFELfm_5EJDsBfiv0vaOelPH5wiBZEGN6pBLG2KCi8W7Fw3MkTlwteCtLt_uVCzAY/s640/12+Raj+%2528247%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
The fellow with the red turban is just holding back a huge smile that erupted just after I took his photo. So many Indians are so surprised that we'd want to take their photographs.<br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_lUjEAdKcysaVz2uphoJfSiQu68xGdgwSE79J8r99QDQSWqV7Rl8EnYCnL5GA6r-6UnJwuT4nK2v5wXlJiZ2vjcH8hyZEObviLFzz3jgkmLvcXpQggShVjjsJxjfKGu73Nc1JVjbUlI/s1600/12+Raj++Turbans.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_lUjEAdKcysaVz2uphoJfSiQu68xGdgwSE79J8r99QDQSWqV7Rl8EnYCnL5GA6r-6UnJwuT4nK2v5wXlJiZ2vjcH8hyZEObviLFzz3jgkmLvcXpQggShVjjsJxjfKGu73Nc1JVjbUlI/s640/12+Raj++Turbans.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Hard to believe, but - we seem exotic to them.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMfuDgxOqWHJsrEkWPsjU6SSXTfNxRQy_PaRsO87TcpkG_FUyEnachbYNZtFlQLBGdnggm9pSIYKjHCBMVBJbkddTxIjdROgY3FzUGsilBBM5Cf-oN_zwcnCV9v-Vj90e7lF948QoBfA/s1600/12+Raj+turbans+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMfuDgxOqWHJsrEkWPsjU6SSXTfNxRQy_PaRsO87TcpkG_FUyEnachbYNZtFlQLBGdnggm9pSIYKjHCBMVBJbkddTxIjdROgY3FzUGsilBBM5Cf-oN_zwcnCV9v-Vj90e7lF948QoBfA/s640/12+Raj+turbans+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
India is just so FULL of LIFE.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhd5oDuMkf6FG45AF2M-SfwOYFIiqe9UMWV8ev1wI-_IQ89-daYfnCPNraE6a-6K2uV_2GDdlba7hD0nwgji2Lzk8WvLEfTE0_xQbH6J4oIP54o6amLnmLj6pybtr8aKVJjIwaBCwFOpM/s1600/12+Raj+%252827%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhd5oDuMkf6FG45AF2M-SfwOYFIiqe9UMWV8ev1wI-_IQ89-daYfnCPNraE6a-6K2uV_2GDdlba7hD0nwgji2Lzk8WvLEfTE0_xQbH6J4oIP54o6amLnmLj6pybtr8aKVJjIwaBCwFOpM/s640/12+Raj+%252827%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes I wonder why we travel.<br />
<br />
It's challenging, uncomfortable, uncertain.<br />
Things are beyond your control - or even your understanding.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAquoGfnFjoyqY_ZpfjSHqnpD1bXJ2G-mY0_-Ag6aKKzGoPhE7EgmSjQ0U7KX1y0YPQ8TiE3i1lIWVo8QKfCmY0G809vjC74fHcBvG1pJmcNEgJbAInXnDdqMbpIdNnUf_abFxEo79gT8/s1600/12+Raj+%2528475%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAquoGfnFjoyqY_ZpfjSHqnpD1bXJ2G-mY0_-Ag6aKKzGoPhE7EgmSjQ0U7KX1y0YPQ8TiE3i1lIWVo8QKfCmY0G809vjC74fHcBvG1pJmcNEgJbAInXnDdqMbpIdNnUf_abFxEo79gT8/s640/12+Raj+%2528475%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Often, you can't read anything (India has 22 official languages, with 13 different scripts)<br />
<br />
And you only have a basic idea of how things work.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPoJ-MS3YzRxmUH-3f5LtQibYSqXQNkv8UcewY7kCmiNn6-mAK9JrH2046xlSKzaWSyEj-YZpLEpUSVxMHcUPMW2R2motO5Iliif0C8RBKNi-ZuDpPDZ7b7VVa-0_KiBR1ZiKqKuoV2o/s1600/12+Raj+%2528244%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPoJ-MS3YzRxmUH-3f5LtQibYSqXQNkv8UcewY7kCmiNn6-mAK9JrH2046xlSKzaWSyEj-YZpLEpUSVxMHcUPMW2R2motO5Iliif0C8RBKNi-ZuDpPDZ7b7VVa-0_KiBR1ZiKqKuoV2o/s640/12+Raj+%2528244%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Everything has to be constantly figured out.<br />
<br />
In some places, you really don't even trust yourself to cross a street.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJVUQWUzErflaH0ApKDnqsxM28Cmej7Jj2UzDt0mS1EKviN-zSHKXT6D_aD7KXMiRt0VZB0N7xVeWeL6ECIxv0GxR6qiWmebTIUEQR6VBoW3RYf8VMoiB1OluMbV-i1AvDbWh1OHUwTY/s1600/12+Raj+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1053" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJVUQWUzErflaH0ApKDnqsxM28Cmej7Jj2UzDt0mS1EKviN-zSHKXT6D_aD7KXMiRt0VZB0N7xVeWeL6ECIxv0GxR6qiWmebTIUEQR6VBoW3RYf8VMoiB1OluMbV-i1AvDbWh1OHUwTY/s640/12+Raj+%25281%2529.JPG" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
It's dirty and confusing and - the noise!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Barreling through chaotic Delhi traffic in a decrepit tuk-tuk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The decibel level is amazing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And yet - I remember thinking: there's no place I'd rather be.<br />
(At least for a while.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYjHGbj92sPNRvyf2v9SnpdZz5ApWMgfwFw5mT_zPqfpifdA9VQiNxAECQ0G90nlX0vLmbCxmW6LNljq8sl9BR1trjwVX51Hq_EYre0WGSiJzgCBPqAjNhnO-0n_dcVh3FgajPy1L1so/s1600/12+Raj+%2528253%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1175" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYjHGbj92sPNRvyf2v9SnpdZz5ApWMgfwFw5mT_zPqfpifdA9VQiNxAECQ0G90nlX0vLmbCxmW6LNljq8sl9BR1trjwVX51Hq_EYre0WGSiJzgCBPqAjNhnO-0n_dcVh3FgajPy1L1so/s640/12+Raj+%2528253%2529.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Even in incredible traffic, there's a rhythm and an awareness of those around them.<br />
<br />
It's almost like a dance. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It feels totally chaotic.<br />
<br />
Yet - everything (including the odd camel or cow or elephant) weaves in and out. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No road rage. Nobody bumps into you. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
They're all in it together.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxQYyGnpeftyXzDxClsLYm_v7MoAhI6NygsMTpg_FsI1e53g_Tdhh3iibsaH33J1zvmxXr6JI6xNiHN32JNGS3yWN_wExUMwRmIAxIGM2dnha3uGdbQJqMoNySlQFCROQsnw7JEp9LNo/s1600/12+Raj+%2528354%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1128" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxQYyGnpeftyXzDxClsLYm_v7MoAhI6NygsMTpg_FsI1e53g_Tdhh3iibsaH33J1zvmxXr6JI6xNiHN32JNGS3yWN_wExUMwRmIAxIGM2dnha3uGdbQJqMoNySlQFCROQsnw7JEp9LNo/s640/12+Raj+%2528354%2529.JPG" width="450" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The women - are so beautifully dressed.<br />
<br />
Even in small villages, they wear necklaces.<br />
Bracelets. Scarves. Saris.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivFhB7qKow1GhL-l46szT48m_OuBdwHjYsNOmfg6-mKRA3eSRlsPd3tk-ilXHrgS2ABy86COLzDDlhxG_JIowZU2ytvnB9fxSPc_dDWpgQHRbpqw6Ia9e6TwSUwzjUVTo9reM93eS-3g/s1600/12+Raj+%252875%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivFhB7qKow1GhL-l46szT48m_OuBdwHjYsNOmfg6-mKRA3eSRlsPd3tk-ilXHrgS2ABy86COLzDDlhxG_JIowZU2ytvnB9fxSPc_dDWpgQHRbpqw6Ia9e6TwSUwzjUVTo9reM93eS-3g/s640/12+Raj+%252875%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />On a public bus, a woman beside me was traveling with her 2 young daughters. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Of course, we stirred a bit of attention, riding on a local bus.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">She leaned over and said kindly,<br />
<br />
"Excuse me, but - you really should decorate yourself a bit more."<br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Times; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NsG6lmYEOaU6VfO2HHichQ84ywi9H5e40h0fnAXKS-JWh3GyF7S6oRI8ofoX73M5VvTfuU7-822fZxMR519sGk39nN_V0Ga6mGbPU0wDhBQhvLOkcDsAqEI7U0tPm7EDH_HeBYI9G2o/s1600/12+Raj+%2528122%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NsG6lmYEOaU6VfO2HHichQ84ywi9H5e40h0fnAXKS-JWh3GyF7S6oRI8ofoX73M5VvTfuU7-822fZxMR519sGk39nN_V0Ga6mGbPU0wDhBQhvLOkcDsAqEI7U0tPm7EDH_HeBYI9G2o/s640/12+Raj+%2528122%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<i>The lady making the bangles - which I bought.</i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
She reached into her purse and gave me a dot on my forehead.<br />
A string of jasmine for my hair.<br />
<br />
Her daughters looked pleased.<br />
Then she told me to buy some colorful bangles in the next town.<br />
<br />
Which I did, from the woman above.<br />
Who made the bangles there by hand. From scratch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once, someone handed me a goat as I walked through a village. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nobody ever handed me a goat before.<br />
<br />
At least, before we were introduced.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0MxWyqXOBg7kPuX_Ut2ftKfjeaRZa0soez1qJc2sexSsjbLDD4wQUQVgJI6pH3RqpVOp84QjyyX3Yop-w7p0Jhn8nI-UPJnrmh5xYaPucN-jjZGBjwMUR6ruiRICVzAuTWdAFDhdKmg/s1600/12+Raj+Goat+Lady.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0MxWyqXOBg7kPuX_Ut2ftKfjeaRZa0soez1qJc2sexSsjbLDD4wQUQVgJI6pH3RqpVOp84QjyyX3Yop-w7p0Jhn8nI-UPJnrmh5xYaPucN-jjZGBjwMUR6ruiRICVzAuTWdAFDhdKmg/s640/12+Raj+Goat+Lady.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Like women all over, she asks me how many children I have. </div>
<br />
Another fellow invited us to eat his fresh pakoras.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_EOcrXfJwdD5i7YOY6jhh_xWJgxrrmNIXGQxb_QsUTB0FD4S8m79T4eELZOO9pDFY_vqk2iU98D98GdkYfe0PVuWminQRnvPOpmGtjmwMlpqTGIxEOTLXqUEb8MBKA90XH8czQmozOQ/s1600/12+Raj+%252894%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_EOcrXfJwdD5i7YOY6jhh_xWJgxrrmNIXGQxb_QsUTB0FD4S8m79T4eELZOO9pDFY_vqk2iU98D98GdkYfe0PVuWminQRnvPOpmGtjmwMlpqTGIxEOTLXqUEb8MBKA90XH8czQmozOQ/s640/12+Raj+%252894%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
(We did. They were super delicious.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-XjiYvkJq7Dwzjk_iLz5JAW-rZBfhCVqlBwbTwbVDiYiF2xZymvilFv4pyQ-a9RbHeUN5qqNhc7c-HeDPlyeYE6w7X5MFk91oOXeOZsfcS-muDJMwkdx5aDjU1EJnfWMQqTEUbum034/s1600/12+Raj+%2528102%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-XjiYvkJq7Dwzjk_iLz5JAW-rZBfhCVqlBwbTwbVDiYiF2xZymvilFv4pyQ-a9RbHeUN5qqNhc7c-HeDPlyeYE6w7X5MFk91oOXeOZsfcS-muDJMwkdx5aDjU1EJnfWMQqTEUbum034/s640/12+Raj+%2528102%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The odd discussions we had.<br />
The abstract conversations.<br />
<br />
The brief connections with people who normally never meet foreigners.<br />
<br />
It's magic.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTw_oK6OnOnnguHDSkGVP2tkCE7rnUmyIMRojMrN0hpMrpa_pK2HM_y4FtRxM3erPapJ1cgkqfIg2nT7cB7-ZO9BWLM1I7-B-JLytdt16VrXD7VI3AVL1ne0Us9HJvfYDXzslTwOCTqTE/s1600/12+Raj+%2528338%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTw_oK6OnOnnguHDSkGVP2tkCE7rnUmyIMRojMrN0hpMrpa_pK2HM_y4FtRxM3erPapJ1cgkqfIg2nT7cB7-ZO9BWLM1I7-B-JLytdt16VrXD7VI3AVL1ne0Us9HJvfYDXzslTwOCTqTE/s640/12+Raj+%2528338%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
A dentist waiting for patients explains his tools.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFgKTTaeRqq1sMKq1nXaw0RT4YYKWrGfc2BKlz-vPBbmXigBosTuKLyHVEi4lwK1azoKDeRa1ZF_rvuHTv7RsTbGzpoP7zHExAC55EmMxWbXO1_G6iaz3hC3ImftEsqxWrSyHBPEM1H0/s1600/12+Raj+%2528217%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1147" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFgKTTaeRqq1sMKq1nXaw0RT4YYKWrGfc2BKlz-vPBbmXigBosTuKLyHVEi4lwK1azoKDeRa1ZF_rvuHTv7RsTbGzpoP7zHExAC55EmMxWbXO1_G6iaz3hC3ImftEsqxWrSyHBPEM1H0/s640/12+Raj+%2528217%2529.JPG" width="458" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The markets!<br />
<br />
How can you resist - all this color and incredible attention to detail?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ3vZthasrzSIJ3uBTvXOEafwKkWEkWW9R4ndyFAyG7TPb4qYbM5dHREMHx5r-fLjc2ktQ8JDSGztEkg_K8x6uBlIyLjrjhQ-dlVsQ_ieyToKcar8RprawgWJc_9h1aqrOZt3WdgdGN4/s1600/India+Mysore+%252869%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ3vZthasrzSIJ3uBTvXOEafwKkWEkWW9R4ndyFAyG7TPb4qYbM5dHREMHx5r-fLjc2ktQ8JDSGztEkg_K8x6uBlIyLjrjhQ-dlVsQ_ieyToKcar8RprawgWJc_9h1aqrOZt3WdgdGN4/s640/India+Mysore+%252869%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And the vehicles-?<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHF8pqpKuDWuBWq4Lsk1w4NamQO2VWsgzYWwEWuDdducckDsPeF2QuUpPOGdCobukpQLW8Uzvue9ebtkQpBiUQ_TVB8IGW4jhYOzSsZ7CmgJ2zyUULD_1zBpONWk7F_jc-_fTobbOK7c/s1600/12+Raj+%2528204%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHF8pqpKuDWuBWq4Lsk1w4NamQO2VWsgzYWwEWuDdducckDsPeF2QuUpPOGdCobukpQLW8Uzvue9ebtkQpBiUQ_TVB8IGW4jhYOzSsZ7CmgJ2zyUULD_1zBpONWk7F_jc-_fTobbOK7c/s640/12+Raj+%2528204%2529.JPG" width="510" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
All the myriad weird and wonderful ways things and people are transported in India.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZSyT5WBd5lRy2D83E-sJ5cKxeVVg9DT9d6zHoKXanSb6y3zD05nKavCGE1vRgMEq4tPBingKuvVG8VrREnU5N8sA-XO0YrYNcWhe9YLp_zU7pUTHec_Q4Ov2qvNhrjwIuc5lpefz1E4/s1600/12+Raj+%2528178%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZSyT5WBd5lRy2D83E-sJ5cKxeVVg9DT9d6zHoKXanSb6y3zD05nKavCGE1vRgMEq4tPBingKuvVG8VrREnU5N8sA-XO0YrYNcWhe9YLp_zU7pUTHec_Q4Ov2qvNhrjwIuc5lpefz1E4/s640/12+Raj+%2528178%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Handpainted trucks.<br />
Handcrafted tuk-tuks.<br />
Motorcycles with sidecars.<br />
<br />
Buses and bikes and oxcarts and "head transport".<br />
<br />
(That's when people carry thing on their heads.<br />
They even have their own union.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNSMuIrqBX9E4oILqZTQnzboUMu6TLKvTsKpRNCNHrqpicijRr2JfhCyQpqoxchsmXnIiAqyPSa24iAK9ZJN7_wnFZ9PzxQ7b6ZDgQMGtL_OAgIW_XuxLUSnzZGv0lVweJMVeAk519fQ/s1600/12+Raj+%2528201%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNSMuIrqBX9E4oILqZTQnzboUMu6TLKvTsKpRNCNHrqpicijRr2JfhCyQpqoxchsmXnIiAqyPSa24iAK9ZJN7_wnFZ9PzxQ7b6ZDgQMGtL_OAgIW_XuxLUSnzZGv0lVweJMVeAk519fQ/s640/12+Raj+%2528201%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
It can be very creative.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkVjGANBUYBfs5c6gZvx-1F-GXmD6qHs7xCu_udzan4T7kJI1OIUc2iME12DVXJ2LWnfqTdjNOUJamgY5zJCu-RGpUTzup2gEzCCk9FW4noLIKlZchtlf0ePUsqbWWmb8Cmgeg1FhPj0/s1600/12+Raj+%252878%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkVjGANBUYBfs5c6gZvx-1F-GXmD6qHs7xCu_udzan4T7kJI1OIUc2iME12DVXJ2LWnfqTdjNOUJamgY5zJCu-RGpUTzup2gEzCCk9FW4noLIKlZchtlf0ePUsqbWWmb8Cmgeg1FhPj0/s640/12+Raj+%252878%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade truck. Completely - handmade. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<br />
I didn't mention all the animals.<br />
<br />
Monkeys walking along city walls.<br />
Oxen pulling carts.<br />
Elephants and camels in the streets.<br />
Peacocks and piglets.<br />
Eagles, kingfishers, crocodiles and cobras.<br />
<br />
Like this wonderful camel at the Pushkar Fair.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTZhv-AOx4e_HVYZN6VPZb2AbNwPNNx3MS6wB6CP5bMQ_WjP-vICO_5SIDH3fBQZhHO0jalUoZZ0EEB1ft81ieR8bRdGyiuFMk_-FNmuAEM_VzSBQuVAuPh8dO309i5iNq-WysXcLn2A/s1600/12+Raj+%2528420%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTZhv-AOx4e_HVYZN6VPZb2AbNwPNNx3MS6wB6CP5bMQ_WjP-vICO_5SIDH3fBQZhHO0jalUoZZ0EEB1ft81ieR8bRdGyiuFMk_-FNmuAEM_VzSBQuVAuPh8dO309i5iNq-WysXcLn2A/s640/12+Raj+%2528420%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There were another 30,000 camels there.<br />
Although I'm not sure who counted them.<br />
<div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Are we in India now? No. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're still in the south of France, on the boat. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But - I spent over 20 years working with weavers in India.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNOQ6O6f4Pd_TWxB1nPSSeogeVFRuACvnn9yyJ2MTu3eCtiSt6YA-HlzJGO30i9az-ihIVp5mFnTNNJCkD36-2xPpDbIAK2qN-_u58Fymwf-rmUFua3DECW6FM_ZBP8OJkHH3SImcFe4/s1600/DSC00682.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNOQ6O6f4Pd_TWxB1nPSSeogeVFRuACvnn9yyJ2MTu3eCtiSt6YA-HlzJGO30i9az-ihIVp5mFnTNNJCkD36-2xPpDbIAK2qN-_u58Fymwf-rmUFua3DECW6FM_ZBP8OJkHH3SImcFe4/s640/DSC00682.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
It was often frustrating, maddening, difficult. Like India.<br />
But still.<br />
<br />
And after a business trip, there was usually time for a bit of exploration. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a huge country.<br />
<br />
I've only visited a few corners of it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEzZyv0HaulZU9iR1XVzMyW3A5cYStY0W7hV_uzChWj1mFPfS8kQ3lO013YByinVNZP9oa4Ntk8FrG5T9rrDgv681xb3tUbqFyIKIinxpdYIwfa131CKdtPu_1qEhFnqDwaZNiJt5uhc/s1600/DSC00664.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEzZyv0HaulZU9iR1XVzMyW3A5cYStY0W7hV_uzChWj1mFPfS8kQ3lO013YByinVNZP9oa4Ntk8FrG5T9rrDgv681xb3tUbqFyIKIinxpdYIwfa131CKdtPu_1qEhFnqDwaZNiJt5uhc/s640/DSC00664.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Stan and I were sitting on the aft deck of "Maggie May" last night.<br />
Here in the south of France, on the Canal du Midi.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pulled out the photos of one of those trips.<br />
Over a glass of wine, we went through the folder.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">From the northern border with Nepal - down to the tip of Tamil Nadu.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkJl-VJf6r_NlqOj_ONLDR9IfoH6FrCHX2InQVBFzBNc8drs_zO8xR9RtKz3x-BP52rx4m2rx9X6zjo_uSJSyA0OburUVRPuTxKVZeYkKKX4thG68YMgMv5ia5v3Wwm1N5T2nOEIDe_k/s1600/12+Raj+%252861%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkJl-VJf6r_NlqOj_ONLDR9IfoH6FrCHX2InQVBFzBNc8drs_zO8xR9RtKz3x-BP52rx4m2rx9X6zjo_uSJSyA0OburUVRPuTxKVZeYkKKX4thG68YMgMv5ia5v3Wwm1N5T2nOEIDe_k/s640/12+Raj+%252861%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I've only ever done one small blog post about India - <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/10/camel-racing-in-pushkar-india.html" target="_blank">this one.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">About the Pushkar Camel Fair. And it's pretty minimal.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean - where do you even start on the stories?<br />
Or the thousands of colorful photos? The many experiences?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkODuLKfkEVhAha0Une4O8c7Hn7SMmE-i_exrOAkF5p3-spO5i661OahLksM_V6XUk9Eczu6ZA9GLU8KLMGLQeIASIENV1nsBikL8rq56AI7HK0Je6pSnmAQ3AQNJk0SjKDApr-HWiSqU/s1600/12+Raj+%252844%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkODuLKfkEVhAha0Une4O8c7Hn7SMmE-i_exrOAkF5p3-spO5i661OahLksM_V6XUk9Eczu6ZA9GLU8KLMGLQeIASIENV1nsBikL8rq56AI7HK0Je6pSnmAQ3AQNJk0SjKDApr-HWiSqU/s640/12+Raj+%252844%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
It always seems impossible to explain.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKHRClo7K_zI6gEztMsRN8BNlKyNxJ6aBaMu4xBjO-lByl-HtKTUGx2OwFgmIu-lBdFVstWLB6NPtrEUeM5NjmYW5bQZhNJUniMxlM7WT1A2IXKZixniG-BRk41C51_ukZ7eNlkqj7CQ/s1600/12+Raj+%252824%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKHRClo7K_zI6gEztMsRN8BNlKyNxJ6aBaMu4xBjO-lByl-HtKTUGx2OwFgmIu-lBdFVstWLB6NPtrEUeM5NjmYW5bQZhNJUniMxlM7WT1A2IXKZixniG-BRk41C51_ukZ7eNlkqj7CQ/s640/12+Raj+%252824%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
What impressed me was - how happy I felt there. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, it was exasperating. Exhausting. And yet - so exotic, so different.<br />
<br />
Truly another world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m4C8uc9Xv_pKf9XxylnXVIgSVYYjGpBqgrna5f52DKK-epoJitVPbQntlAYXGgX5ZQscnvFh-B1RfoO8qyhJKYOaaRNV7BPN1xIZ-aULxsquKGpv9_8tswuLdAq3AGJIuWt409Gaf0o/s1600/12+Raj+%252839%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m4C8uc9Xv_pKf9XxylnXVIgSVYYjGpBqgrna5f52DKK-epoJitVPbQntlAYXGgX5ZQscnvFh-B1RfoO8qyhJKYOaaRNV7BPN1xIZ-aULxsquKGpv9_8tswuLdAq3AGJIuWt409Gaf0o/s640/12+Raj+%252839%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Surrounded by ancient culture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gods and spirits and cows and camels.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Music and musicians.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The crazy electrical wiring and such confusion.<br />
And in the photos - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I look just - delighted - to be in the midst of this whirlwind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZKgRVa8qXHigjkGaX3YVkLcePE1ZZG8JfgQRv1GGtTWBjZ1Hecaqok0VM1sZovXVDO9VOfga3hEtQ9Gm7SPxUkie0fwrw-0z0iYpvZzdvxKC9MGFNhjHZuszubFQ-nJ2Yb2BFOLBWuM/s1600/12+Raj+%252812%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZKgRVa8qXHigjkGaX3YVkLcePE1ZZG8JfgQRv1GGtTWBjZ1Hecaqok0VM1sZovXVDO9VOfga3hEtQ9Gm7SPxUkie0fwrw-0z0iYpvZzdvxKC9MGFNhjHZuszubFQ-nJ2Yb2BFOLBWuM/s640/12+Raj+%252812%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There's something odd and wonderful about travel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It keeps you marvelously off balance. </div>
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The world feels fresh and new.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCPdxCEzh25Od_iYo-IeeLQye1Dsns7S9OGuoNPqqub6PD7HeMUP3MO2spBYr9pQuWkqJZ_ygqUtv5kxdMq6B5sm62yAR7QuWfithUGIRTv9lwQTB_BVtm4utGbQAop86XNnSwsDDQZs/s1600/12+Raj+%252855%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCPdxCEzh25Od_iYo-IeeLQye1Dsns7S9OGuoNPqqub6PD7HeMUP3MO2spBYr9pQuWkqJZ_ygqUtv5kxdMq6B5sm62yAR7QuWfithUGIRTv9lwQTB_BVtm4utGbQAop86XNnSwsDDQZs/s640/12+Raj+%252855%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There's just no better way to gain perspective. </div>
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Empty your mind. Learn about the world. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Maybe just learn to appreciate our fortune at being born into the lives we lead. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegW1pcgFASLfGflIN1bxZrrLvRLta1F-lItneliDOwYZw_FYKW9uKiQeFvubNzu2l-Jo4Pc9-bxQl7m_ihdxLLFU2yLVml5Jhieew3ezmwtrlWws4xeca-J9_kRQlTodC0E4LA_KrdB0/s1600/12+Raj+%252890%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1134" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegW1pcgFASLfGflIN1bxZrrLvRLta1F-lItneliDOwYZw_FYKW9uKiQeFvubNzu2l-Jo4Pc9-bxQl7m_ihdxLLFU2yLVml5Jhieew3ezmwtrlWws4xeca-J9_kRQlTodC0E4LA_KrdB0/s640/12+Raj+%252890%2529.JPG" width="452" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
And - I haven't even mentioned the whole "spiritual" side.<br />
Thousands of temples. Shrines, festivals.<br />
<br />
Or the architecture.<br />
Intricate palaces and unbelievable ancient stonework.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPiGyZHWhpWfK03g2jHBOpqpyZrSfUVG6MjpbNgNhGAOWAl1IDFPS-uhI0qbQrazY_ZFtjvjhhWUTxiz6PxX4M0oZ0IBcrn4OsQX3X1QNQ20tgFkKeu7-RxrZHWZjFJEei2fmPcZfs84/s1600/12+Raj+%252838%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPiGyZHWhpWfK03g2jHBOpqpyZrSfUVG6MjpbNgNhGAOWAl1IDFPS-uhI0qbQrazY_ZFtjvjhhWUTxiz6PxX4M0oZ0IBcrn4OsQX3X1QNQ20tgFkKeu7-RxrZHWZjFJEei2fmPcZfs84/s640/12+Raj+%252838%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
But - that's enough for one post. Another day.<br />
<br />
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<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><i>"And at the end of the day, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><i>your feet should be dirty, your hair messy </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><i>and your eyes sparkling."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1">– Shanti</span></div>
<span class="s1"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kr91xjNZfrGH4Dwtj3ZW27PMCFy664KTezbCldyR2u6FODsYJM7hr31_Tj5sTIAwesRQoDNXpAZbA_9MfmSXbb1dJM-YznMwK0NiqeKAxazW0CUhnXD9t6R7vp0dtEKvZsQ0N68CINs/s1600/12+Raj+%2528254%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kr91xjNZfrGH4Dwtj3ZW27PMCFy664KTezbCldyR2u6FODsYJM7hr31_Tj5sTIAwesRQoDNXpAZbA_9MfmSXbb1dJM-YznMwK0NiqeKAxazW0CUhnXD9t6R7vp0dtEKvZsQ0N68CINs/s400/12+Raj+%2528254%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-70948492494670866382021-10-10T16:30:00.000+02:002023-03-20T15:19:45.134+01:00Baja California - by Small Plane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
I owned a small plane for many years.<br />
<br />
A 1958 Cessna 175.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(4-seater. Tricycle gear. Franklin engine. Good for short runways.)<br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkEho0liJqZEgotvrgDBuaMVp0nuO0rec641Ns0_EHD3F4PXMPYeXknuCmoEWuTb5jP26I0UP88kY-iHHOICBRZJCw_iWzQf5iIA1B4MyIZbBllQgvZtX380WemHStiUk-_WxhsMdTYQ/s1600/03+Baja+%25283a%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkEho0liJqZEgotvrgDBuaMVp0nuO0rec641Ns0_EHD3F4PXMPYeXknuCmoEWuTb5jP26I0UP88kY-iHHOICBRZJCw_iWzQf5iIA1B4MyIZbBllQgvZtX380WemHStiUk-_WxhsMdTYQ/s640/03+Baja+%25283a%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Bought it used in Liberia, West Africa in 1982.<br />I learned to fly there.<br /><br />Built in 1958! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of missionaries flew it to West Africa. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the US. Via Brazil. Yikes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L35D3L6ddSGJj27DX65HDOQ7KgiNgCL97SJ-zl9C8j-NMQw0ySWa2J4Xe64PD7q9AkjslmRND2DiTShDDtndALzPk54_NYji2rr6ldsORe8tMw2UpZwW8N1yWYZHJXUqILbpQoXi42U/s1800/Flying+%252814%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1800" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L35D3L6ddSGJj27DX65HDOQ7KgiNgCL97SJ-zl9C8j-NMQw0ySWa2J4Xe64PD7q9AkjslmRND2DiTShDDtndALzPk54_NYji2rr6ldsORe8tMw2UpZwW8N1yWYZHJXUqILbpQoXi42U/w640-h398/Flying+%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Every landing in Liberia had a welcoming committee of small boys. Especially for a "missy" pilot!<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I learned to fly over the jungles of West Africa.<br />Serious "bush" flying.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrd7eG8iHdO8e-UmK6pJri4bYPRAK8otZOhSz9EJKUDl5uGtXJrs_3TSJFY1tDBPsC5Znh8FIsoVYAns0Cx-voebKs4KdqjkkZMsTjyyZqFfDL49vYEzZ6Zj1FWZF8oU7kOpAG0-xiJg/s1800/Flying+Africa+%252838%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1211" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrd7eG8iHdO8e-UmK6pJri4bYPRAK8otZOhSz9EJKUDl5uGtXJrs_3TSJFY1tDBPsC5Znh8FIsoVYAns0Cx-voebKs4KdqjkkZMsTjyyZqFfDL49vYEzZ6Zj1FWZF8oU7kOpAG0-xiJg/w430-h640/Flying+Africa+%252838%2529.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes, that's the runway. Straight ahead. </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK1liHg03JfekkmAdSgceMHAPSPzdHNXxGMtYntlyKxymR-vpkHLwjx1EiVJimdfqPuXxSipWdac9NwYrmK86DUFgvawL2Ud6N4r0Ey69UgtECIDBUQN8z6wUEj847L-SA1OQhTLWqRQ/s1799/Flying+%252815%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1799" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK1liHg03JfekkmAdSgceMHAPSPzdHNXxGMtYntlyKxymR-vpkHLwjx1EiVJimdfqPuXxSipWdac9NwYrmK86DUFgvawL2Ud6N4r0Ey69UgtECIDBUQN8z6wUEj847L-SA1OQhTLWqRQ/w640-h420/Flying+%252815%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Flying in Africa - is a very cool story. For another day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But it made me comfortable flying into short fields and dirt airstrips.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnMkM8PdESAH_09g8JWts9MUXDvuQX_G4_tnwJAbnpVdbwYe39fTkhqXJkrQ-EPnZJjn2ODVzJLKl33LcqMP7JRKruehYMsL2bShRiYpIsIRnReDzjdZkSam-kZjpOZohlZm8i5tJ0k0/s1600/03+Baja+%252827%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnMkM8PdESAH_09g8JWts9MUXDvuQX_G4_tnwJAbnpVdbwYe39fTkhqXJkrQ-EPnZJjn2ODVzJLKl33LcqMP7JRKruehYMsL2bShRiYpIsIRnReDzjdZkSam-kZjpOZohlZm8i5tJ0k0/s640/03+Baja+%252827%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Landing strip - by the beach. Handy - if that's where you want to set up your tent.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
And - it brings us to to Baja.<br />
It's relevant.<br />
<br />
Because - the best parts of Baja are visited by small plane.<br />I kept that plane from Africa.<br />
<br />
Flew it from Liberia to Switzerland when I worked there.<br />
Then brought it along when we moved to New Mexico.<br />
<br />
(My company, Pan Am, said I could ship a 'vehicle'. <br />They probably didn't expect it to be a plane.)<br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1x68tl_P0SYNrjRQzUODtPrI0HqUjgr-3eN0bXCHRVPOn6xreaI6MRGFj6Cu0D7oKIYBXPZiOZR57znUjgDlxZ_PxwslQS_ckm19GDwEz6AarkVWwquPM5ScGNjeAm2YwAVrJoH-MMs/s1600/89+Baja+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1516" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1x68tl_P0SYNrjRQzUODtPrI0HqUjgr-3eN0bXCHRVPOn6xreaI6MRGFj6Cu0D7oKIYBXPZiOZR57znUjgDlxZ_PxwslQS_ckm19GDwEz6AarkVWwquPM5ScGNjeAm2YwAVrJoH-MMs/s640/89+Baja+%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Where's Baja?<br />
Not everyone knows.<br />
<br />
Baja California is not in California.<br />
It's in Mexico.<br />
<br />
It's the long lean peninsula off the western coast of Mexico.<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial;">Between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JyaNTFw388p9Ri0Rds39JIpfJoX3dks8vm267sTG4CNLO8WW3Q_IoEXl6dMm9tQt3nbpJg1aIe7Smpn0R4outyqIa8cjuA_plGd4IxCWiawV18OEB7XilvLb1902l2tDrznj_Lr9epU/s1600/89+Baja+%252859%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JyaNTFw388p9Ri0Rds39JIpfJoX3dks8vm267sTG4CNLO8WW3Q_IoEXl6dMm9tQt3nbpJg1aIe7Smpn0R4outyqIa8cjuA_plGd4IxCWiawV18OEB7XilvLb1902l2tDrznj_Lr9epU/s640/89+Baja+%252859%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHhDsyFYX79Lzqq4_RJ7Nj6AzGYTNiZinMnAK_gxyy1A6xl9lRzJy-QEp7YCKrdqMG4R4yKXzTTI0J-eVPfqXpCZtpO4l8C-36hFgJDokleoU96011VWa-z7raBx-Jlb-16GpgfNT2oQ/s1600/baja+map.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHhDsyFYX79Lzqq4_RJ7Nj6AzGYTNiZinMnAK_gxyy1A6xl9lRzJy-QEp7YCKrdqMG4R4yKXzTTI0J-eVPfqXpCZtpO4l8C-36hFgJDokleoU96011VWa-z7raBx-Jlb-16GpgfNT2oQ/s1600/baja+map.jpg" /></span></a>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Below California.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Thus the name "Baja".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
"Lower" California.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
But not part of the US.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
(Of course, that doesn't bother us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
We're from New Mexico. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Which is not in Mexico.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmKPewhlEoEkxuevnloYBLB7nCSMQrOHuFucQTjgPyUS-iVCOj7qHwABLi2ea7qOuZQhfpsBkn5g7cAjnhx4VPxmOg5uUQLpUKXiQNjlIUPG4-_pHAy5NjXoeonZG9kjC0DBMecAaaXY/s1600/89+Baja+%252815%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1544" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmKPewhlEoEkxuevnloYBLB7nCSMQrOHuFucQTjgPyUS-iVCOj7qHwABLi2ea7qOuZQhfpsBkn5g7cAjnhx4VPxmOg5uUQLpUKXiQNjlIUPG4-_pHAy5NjXoeonZG9kjC0DBMecAaaXY/s640/89+Baja+%252815%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mulege. The landing strip is to the left. See it?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Baja is remote and crazy beautiful.<br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAjGqSFa8LSA7gFJoo8WVQvNXBWuguHxeJETYsB_lZg_arPDy6mJXIWHI2kiG1As75C0C6Yuy7H-f07Ou48Kn_DLa8v1fEYGFNGkFJV5oMhNmV0VVsRzyAeKOMEeMYdGcsT7brS7FeVc/s1600/14+Baja+%2528157%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAjGqSFa8LSA7gFJoo8WVQvNXBWuguHxeJETYsB_lZg_arPDy6mJXIWHI2kiG1As75C0C6Yuy7H-f07Ou48Kn_DLa8v1fEYGFNGkFJV5oMhNmV0VVsRzyAeKOMEeMYdGcsT7brS7FeVc/s640/14+Baja+%2528157%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Not Cabo San Lucas, down at the far end.<br />
Not Ensenada, up near San Diego.<br />
<br />
But the thousand or so kilometers in between.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScXUg_ZG4NVh1KnJucbfevoA4-3w7V9ZS6Mk0fCltBdseOPQw-DoSTsRJ_oW9ObZrf6xz4e-286-8sq8csU47kuynlcWSr5xgwK0fHyWBw1p88QjRISmlaeO38ukx4YKTp8YTX8J_JO4/s1600/89+Baja+%252824%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1544" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScXUg_ZG4NVh1KnJucbfevoA4-3w7V9ZS6Mk0fCltBdseOPQw-DoSTsRJ_oW9ObZrf6xz4e-286-8sq8csU47kuynlcWSr5xgwK0fHyWBw1p88QjRISmlaeO38ukx4YKTp8YTX8J_JO4/s640/89+Baja+%252824%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Fish Whisperer?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
It's a dry, dramatic, desert peninsula.<br />
Amazing coastline and craggy mountains.<br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv6hhEpqwPHfB6KasEFHDWw-ZMNqZyYiML9aXCmkKngJRcH-3E-rh3T1P_CcO_I4PjtLAmAcSd39lrl_Xfi6PdO1reHfjS9Rzlzo5kLqj2fCsUT6IWXAhcbJ4BIH7oFTA_nHViTgZtQI/s1600/89+Baja+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1544" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv6hhEpqwPHfB6KasEFHDWw-ZMNqZyYiML9aXCmkKngJRcH-3E-rh3T1P_CcO_I4PjtLAmAcSd39lrl_Xfi6PdO1reHfjS9Rzlzo5kLqj2fCsUT6IWXAhcbJ4BIH7oFTA_nHViTgZtQI/s640/89+Baja+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Wonderful for flying.<br />
<br />
And the water is the perfect temperature.<br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRVt2yXt_TNlxupmzC_bDNz1oGudsMpvk7m_zUC5FOcLhf6YyhXx1kEPPzkwFHKd_fSdGFjwYtsMs_dYbiitd-WQHkWFlGpnC0WZgcN0V6D2szIh_RORSYYgxQ_TYhnd1H274ksBfPjI/s1600/14+Baja+%2528156%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRVt2yXt_TNlxupmzC_bDNz1oGudsMpvk7m_zUC5FOcLhf6YyhXx1kEPPzkwFHKd_fSdGFjwYtsMs_dYbiitd-WQHkWFlGpnC0WZgcN0V6D2szIh_RORSYYgxQ_TYhnd1H274ksBfPjI/s640/14+Baja+%2528156%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
There's wildlife:<br />
Birds. Dolphins. Reptiles. Fish. Whales. Corals.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-UxwqFQqbKlibcmNWySR8XpPpL0_voW3ns0JCnH7xr5zbIKAMzAcb565npbIaOQPYuPNBSMWupqy15vQf8fCiRp21Gokg9WZzOBJOZu6z4xn9fR0CdOGlTiaMd8i5ABtKfczt1Y-2WI/s1600/13+Baja+%252815%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-UxwqFQqbKlibcmNWySR8XpPpL0_voW3ns0JCnH7xr5zbIKAMzAcb565npbIaOQPYuPNBSMWupqy15vQf8fCiRp21Gokg9WZzOBJOZu6z4xn9fR0CdOGlTiaMd8i5ABtKfczt1Y-2WI/s640/13+Baja+%252815%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
Amazing plants.<br />
Ocean life.<br />
<br />
With hardly anyone around.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYaKrbnaAdZ-iqv2r27sw4qbYV4pY6SjoJ3mvP_nW4rxP89-jW6R6Gun57YtwYpIuSvaClg8F6ZAK1CWr_Ak3b6yq-ngcXw8TxmuQC-sV-HKHqCbByItqtKNLiihPjAhc-S7yGpu3LOQ/s1600/13+Baja+%2528187%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYaKrbnaAdZ-iqv2r27sw4qbYV4pY6SjoJ3mvP_nW4rxP89-jW6R6Gun57YtwYpIuSvaClg8F6ZAK1CWr_Ak3b6yq-ngcXw8TxmuQC-sV-HKHqCbByItqtKNLiihPjAhc-S7yGpu3LOQ/s640/13+Baja+%2528187%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's not real easy to get to some parts of Baja without a small plane. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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So one time, Stan and I flew down to a tiny airstrip over Christmas.</span></div>
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I'd been there before, and wanted to show it to him.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI50VuhNQWRQIrCxIseXnGNpdZzwo_ydHVId7x9OZZ-YlynEX1fF0P_oqcj94XI541qF_ad4UM4WJwJxvpQ8CUwtc8euteS2fKq6MvA2EHln1vPddwlHgPmgywVrLIRFLb5YSzQxk_Po/s1600/89+Baja+%252811%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="1020" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI50VuhNQWRQIrCxIseXnGNpdZzwo_ydHVId7x9OZZ-YlynEX1fF0P_oqcj94XI541qF_ad4UM4WJwJxvpQ8CUwtc8euteS2fKq6MvA2EHln1vPddwlHgPmgywVrLIRFLb5YSzQxk_Po/w421-h640/89+Baja+%252811%2529.jpg" width="421" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i>Yep - that's the runway. To the left. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We'd brought our tent and a couple of sleeping bags.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLMT46zMWbpXXZHsW-4QnGSta0Ua7JYRfpfJ_zI334nEgfDDtk_FrOkCpe0TqSk7n9-djwyDmhI_Is5M32gFbLJ0HZFxfWnC93HZTkWg-NE6alqlQJPOxQGnUmfufb6tDo1MHs0VZRos/s1600/03+Baja+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1440" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLMT46zMWbpXXZHsW-4QnGSta0Ua7JYRfpfJ_zI334nEgfDDtk_FrOkCpe0TqSk7n9-djwyDmhI_Is5M32gFbLJ0HZFxfWnC93HZTkWg-NE6alqlQJPOxQGnUmfufb6tDo1MHs0VZRos/s640/03+Baja+%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stan always brings his guitar. Even to the beach. In a very small plane.</i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
We set up camp on the beach, under a straw palapa umbrella.<br />
About 100 yards from the airplane.<br />
<br />
It was parked on the sandy airstrip.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_Qf8IHO6J0osgMynAYLjy-JfvdidVAFljEuOPzoUccA_-ymNTzefI6qO2dDTUP6Kn71rixo4rLrPR959de7SAxcVpVYeuEPgiw1JIgj7tF_Wbii6ADMklXlpwXEY31m_S7eaI5LINpA/s1600/03+Baja+%252844%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1018" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_Qf8IHO6J0osgMynAYLjy-JfvdidVAFljEuOPzoUccA_-ymNTzefI6qO2dDTUP6Kn71rixo4rLrPR959de7SAxcVpVYeuEPgiw1JIgj7tF_Wbii6ADMklXlpwXEY31m_S7eaI5LINpA/w403-h640/03+Baja+%252844%2529.jpg" width="403" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The view from our tent.</i></td></tr>
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No one else around.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBY2kWEVx6j5CnbP6CN7nITNmCRuLUtqefHnpmeSu4EvM3A9guwIZsmZNKDv9IU_O3DzZycYvae0hWmgthxkR_6KMnZIYZBPUZ8SDh4Ezv2Uqny5wFvFv891ElPCn0ubhLTqYLyz-dpM/s1600/03+Baja+%25284%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBY2kWEVx6j5CnbP6CN7nITNmCRuLUtqefHnpmeSu4EvM3A9guwIZsmZNKDv9IU_O3DzZycYvae0hWmgthxkR_6KMnZIYZBPUZ8SDh4Ezv2Uqny5wFvFv891ElPCn0ubhLTqYLyz-dpM/s640/03+Baja+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
But there was a place nearby that sold fish tacos and cold beer.<br />
<br />
That'll do.<br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmUkGuk7lnbw5RQSLDwHp0E2cHE6eTlGJp5cxgz6FFtTMFs30vs_FMCGQnEIchlRPscnV4ew1AGnRl8XmoHl4wGGZFMX9mpu6oHz1m1_jJ5MMMOn4926OfYfFZzi_abZiXSzPnFs5O8w/s1600/03+Baja+%252854%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmUkGuk7lnbw5RQSLDwHp0E2cHE6eTlGJp5cxgz6FFtTMFs30vs_FMCGQnEIchlRPscnV4ew1AGnRl8XmoHl4wGGZFMX9mpu6oHz1m1_jJ5MMMOn4926OfYfFZzi_abZiXSzPnFs5O8w/s640/03+Baja+%252854%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
For Christmas, they made pumpkin tamales.<br />
<br />
Perfect.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCn7srxmzkRbK4efTqcH8SLLE8p57UIy2sdJs4HEQYmzc9Dc17VyxYbOgmjG0VtjsX9hlqt6v1aYMLwuyVti60LwPeDWxZ58IpmmW2zJrlldB9pzeeMgKDJ-VMv6_r4Pb6mLTip7mic4/s1600/03+Baja+%252853%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCn7srxmzkRbK4efTqcH8SLLE8p57UIy2sdJs4HEQYmzc9Dc17VyxYbOgmjG0VtjsX9hlqt6v1aYMLwuyVti60LwPeDWxZ58IpmmW2zJrlldB9pzeeMgKDJ-VMv6_r4Pb6mLTip7mic4/s640/03+Baja+%252853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View of our 'home' from an early morning swim in the sea.</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6LWzlUFYMz_2zP6ICZ1YObk63ADuoKC6LiRZkn18WwI-77WeO9hO_lce83wlrUw-kMzW1G51sn0BB6DNQKBqIokPdLB9OCBMkHjjOJTxZ1fV835zbXpjC-eHnh5mRSZK2CdNy1MY_6Y/s1600/94+Baja+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1461" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6LWzlUFYMz_2zP6ICZ1YObk63ADuoKC6LiRZkn18WwI-77WeO9hO_lce83wlrUw-kMzW1G51sn0BB6DNQKBqIokPdLB9OCBMkHjjOJTxZ1fV835zbXpjC-eHnh5mRSZK2CdNy1MY_6Y/s640/94+Baja+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Landing at Punta Chivato. Nearby. Easier than at San Francisquito.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When my kids were small, we'd pack them into the back of the plane. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejrASCw6IdYYSja1p0qXCAZPxCwsMBtrgfzmRwF4ZOtFduTpJxKCbv-hBBXXcHRmEysylBHeRRGRG3XoCOvwDH19ItZOuDOfWBfoW28Q2NBlKvaCBPcm4BV5wJd88GL2sP84whTq3Qm8/s1600/93+Baja+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejrASCw6IdYYSja1p0qXCAZPxCwsMBtrgfzmRwF4ZOtFduTpJxKCbv-hBBXXcHRmEysylBHeRRGRG3XoCOvwDH19ItZOuDOfWBfoW28Q2NBlKvaCBPcm4BV5wJd88GL2sP84whTq3Qm8/s640/93+Baja+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mikey and Erik, collecting shells at Punta Chivato.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Head across the Sea of Cortez - to Baja California Sur.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp4tg8tBzKM9Ejc1eiiP9Ban9dp2Vwb4nR8X7m2ya7frDgFjaA9WnVybUK_vEDVnLj_088mkHbwKriI_FoWJpe8igsQ014Oy61r1v0LCSJeLiCm0NCkfC022B7lg-yAhNsJHF12aQwrk/s1600/89+Baja+%252854%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1552" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp4tg8tBzKM9Ejc1eiiP9Ban9dp2Vwb4nR8X7m2ya7frDgFjaA9WnVybUK_vEDVnLj_088mkHbwKriI_FoWJpe8igsQ014Oy61r1v0LCSJeLiCm0NCkfC022B7lg-yAhNsJHF12aQwrk/s640/89+Baja+%252854%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
We could make it in a day from Albuquerque.<br />
<br />
Crossing the border into Mexico at Nogales.<br />
(You had to stop at both sides of the border to clear customs.)<br /></span>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF-QG1IUVc84WhYXxUm5eJohKMQiE8vSQZiPvjXuVaGs7-a8z2jvlkHirls3FKvOQ5LkK8BgkBfzHjBRu2amXO19NM7fYne1y_mYH60NyN_kvyhNlv97CfORBJ3xO6v8kIUtKKqBmkws/s1600/93+Baja+%252826%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF-QG1IUVc84WhYXxUm5eJohKMQiE8vSQZiPvjXuVaGs7-a8z2jvlkHirls3FKvOQ5LkK8BgkBfzHjBRu2amXO19NM7fYne1y_mYH60NyN_kvyhNlv97CfORBJ3xO6v8kIUtKKqBmkws/s640/93+Baja+%252826%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kilian and Trish</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
The beach - the Sea of Cortez - is calm and shallow.<br />
<br />
Perfect for small children.<br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xla_oNzM_yZPvIFWObgHSRVeqV7XGuFYRqJkMRxMnS9GRIZG32y9ykrY0TWYHFrWzVOH8UT9XuWSGDffl81-F8LIP9UbNSS70IR-v5GJLC_rse1nXs6NO1UpwO8A1UZQHCmIpox0tCU/s1600/89+Baja+%252822%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1535" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xla_oNzM_yZPvIFWObgHSRVeqV7XGuFYRqJkMRxMnS9GRIZG32y9ykrY0TWYHFrWzVOH8UT9XuWSGDffl81-F8LIP9UbNSS70IR-v5GJLC_rse1nXs6NO1UpwO8A1UZQHCmIpox0tCU/s640/89+Baja+%252822%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Someday, they'll finish paving the road.<br />
<br />
Maybe they have already.<br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjROPcs_ISnkigPCVC24ApCg7zsafbkVVpj2NWfpCXpJylj5_Yb8oBHnYdXTLfeE_EFlTXZw1WOGGaWaJtJTdTvTmdYikdLa5l2OZZX7XtErD4Uhugrnl4a9iZRu21vFUE1Bos0igIwM/s1600/89+Baja+%252873%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1552" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjROPcs_ISnkigPCVC24ApCg7zsafbkVVpj2NWfpCXpJylj5_Yb8oBHnYdXTLfeE_EFlTXZw1WOGGaWaJtJTdTvTmdYikdLa5l2OZZX7XtErD4Uhugrnl4a9iZRu21vFUE1Bos0igIwM/s640/89+Baja+%252873%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
The place may become wildly popular.<br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CcIAgHMapKSOKnMRvnYq0tG1QuJTsJZqj8HG8pfF88vEhEhux7rBUgHgkc64l_zif33tTTeCaQcqTyXEaOSF-Tniph4Sw3kxm0_9zLqxHYpJrVwRl6a1dI9QPkp1OEGcJvOc9m1FReo/s1600/89+Baja+%252816%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1552" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CcIAgHMapKSOKnMRvnYq0tG1QuJTsJZqj8HG8pfF88vEhEhux7rBUgHgkc64l_zif33tTTeCaQcqTyXEaOSF-Tniph4Sw3kxm0_9zLqxHYpJrVwRl6a1dI9QPkp1OEGcJvOc9m1FReo/s640/89+Baja+%252816%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Another Cabo San Lucas.<br />
High-rise hotels. Hip bars. Mega malls.<br />
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Who knows?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxRLES-cOOZGRx90uviSl_Ru2yDIHUq6MYpxongoodZPbYb4dv42RFZbHMAUsUpqX7xu7kIrqInDHhaj-lRopzsKCmKeOfWkgw40IkP2Q1FptsPvFhoqzfPglvt_i4ZrIvqklcpyvdJ0/s1600/93+Baja+%252831%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxRLES-cOOZGRx90uviSl_Ru2yDIHUq6MYpxongoodZPbYb4dv42RFZbHMAUsUpqX7xu7kIrqInDHhaj-lRopzsKCmKeOfWkgw40IkP2Q1FptsPvFhoqzfPglvt_i4ZrIvqklcpyvdJ0/s640/93+Baja+%252831%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I'm just glad I had the opportunity to experience it - for many years - like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWf6jW94v_oM9JbT8XksbVQrp2NTQmgYodQePlrYhebZ5eLFI6vAbD3x74vpvdgKk4fGifJNmaSmxieyxYC5IeQDK5H6uVCuXWEXrfSjC38GLZHpZJtiNOrCYb5Ii-kvKWnvbF6xuTNM/s1600/03+Baja+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1051" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWf6jW94v_oM9JbT8XksbVQrp2NTQmgYodQePlrYhebZ5eLFI6vAbD3x74vpvdgKk4fGifJNmaSmxieyxYC5IeQDK5H6uVCuXWEXrfSjC38GLZHpZJtiNOrCYb5Ii-kvKWnvbF6xuTNM/s640/03+Baja+%25281%2529.jpg" width="419" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br />
Welcome to Baja.</span></div>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-88388344203528102312021-09-29T18:28:00.002+02:002023-08-17T17:21:30.647+02:00Art House Summer - and the Tour de France<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">So - here we are - in a HOUSE. <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">In the south of France.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWDDop-RF9HD541_F5SIU8wCNRh1OWbU9cy4gCPcQKRtPoD6ORytvMNxHz5LIfhBMUgwMvg3HcMTllo7PDjc7jXOrNNQamXC1PNoCd9dU80VzIdHSiZkx5tYCoXEEi7csIpWWLkn5qRE/s2048/IMG_7315.jpeg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWDDop-RF9HD541_F5SIU8wCNRh1OWbU9cy4gCPcQKRtPoD6ORytvMNxHz5LIfhBMUgwMvg3HcMTllo7PDjc7jXOrNNQamXC1PNoCd9dU80VzIdHSiZkx5tYCoXEEi7csIpWWLkn5qRE/w480-h640/IMG_7315.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We bought a house in the south of France. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A bit - unexpected. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - cool.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And - in spite of covid, we've even been able to have family visit. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Visitors! Family! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It's been a LONG time. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They get to check out the new place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ30Syv_hyphenhyphenKpz5gEz8CXrZb1P7ryT6hSVsTJu2TFxwZ4ookoMn6GmkQxTFlIfPE9hPzuGuSHB0AEhD9pCwx9DkequylKUMeNpagniY_Z9MrMMNBHVvQ8L53VjuW91II581eGfVb0Vce2w/s2048/20210618_121753.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ30Syv_hyphenhyphenKpz5gEz8CXrZb1P7ryT6hSVsTJu2TFxwZ4ookoMn6GmkQxTFlIfPE9hPzuGuSHB0AEhD9pCwx9DkequylKUMeNpagniY_Z9MrMMNBHVvQ8L53VjuW91II581eGfVb0Vce2w/w640-h360/20210618_121753.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">First, son Erik and his wife Ray arrived from Thailand. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It wasn't all that easy, between visas and documentation, covid tests and cancelled flights.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Obstacles all the way. Stressful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But the day they arrived, France opened up a bit more - restaurants and cafes, venues. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even the curfew was lifted a week later. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That meant:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">oysters-!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb2ubn2e_1y3yt7KsAdE6UM0gcSAQFpubu4cdNbCGH8plvKUtp0gAZcfVkp07HXxANYgdfV3JmIfEyKVa4U6V_Hyzzn0epen4kgdYwICD8Pm4IOQ4HLrLENoEIzWQuubMujQRb-aMoJQ/s960/20210628+%252810%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb2ubn2e_1y3yt7KsAdE6UM0gcSAQFpubu4cdNbCGH8plvKUtp0gAZcfVkp07HXxANYgdfV3JmIfEyKVa4U6V_Hyzzn0epen4kgdYwICD8Pm4IOQ4HLrLENoEIzWQuubMujQRb-aMoJQ/w480-h640/20210628+%252810%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our best food photos are always taken by Ray</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mussels!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqX-qLSb-bXeJphOpj5TPKG__fh-cKVSlIXGHmtQXTtFUmA37mKHyZmxSdo7e9paZsFB6z3Zijom49zSSZG3WNIgmIl1xOrfnyZaCBCrhlF7Wg8HydwZSEbePTU3YpWEpuz0syO24fo8/s960/20210628+%252811%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqX-qLSb-bXeJphOpj5TPKG__fh-cKVSlIXGHmtQXTtFUmA37mKHyZmxSdo7e9paZsFB6z3Zijom49zSSZG3WNIgmIl1xOrfnyZaCBCrhlF7Wg8HydwZSEbePTU3YpWEpuz0syO24fo8/w400-h400/20210628+%252811%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lunch on the Mediterranean.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy04MMC4fME9U4O5kTty5wvLK6248AjoQMGyl0e04TroubuJe37Lfx98Iq1DuOpoEJ_UTmnDExO9or5tb3wr_lIaZTpmBH5rQZrUYvW8N9W8RV9s66-mnUzjm4qPXCtdUzdcO-OWdzlGM/s960/20210628+%25288%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy04MMC4fME9U4O5kTty5wvLK6248AjoQMGyl0e04TroubuJe37Lfx98Iq1DuOpoEJ_UTmnDExO9or5tb3wr_lIaZTpmBH5rQZrUYvW8N9W8RV9s66-mnUzjm4qPXCtdUzdcO-OWdzlGM/w640-h480/20210628+%25288%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Then, Mikey and Noah came from Berlin. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>(Iris stayed in Berlin. She had to work. But she didn't sound too sorry to have the entire place to herself for a while. A good birthday present, she called it.)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDP_5WCdCUR8u37nb4shzQM3UaBxnXhQDawc9u8zsfMXJ1t9EsLzjxlY3Ru2KcK2i1RYNDNJgHubB5Pb9dnmSX686oOnUK0nHrHkyb3rr5mGggq5P-VaZVFjfL9ozrgR1UuKYvEYCtC4/s2048/20210626_154838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDP_5WCdCUR8u37nb4shzQM3UaBxnXhQDawc9u8zsfMXJ1t9EsLzjxlY3Ru2KcK2i1RYNDNJgHubB5Pb9dnmSX686oOnUK0nHrHkyb3rr5mGggq5P-VaZVFjfL9ozrgR1UuKYvEYCtC4/w640-h360/20210626_154838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The pool - functional, but unfinished - got LOTS of use.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-CwIB9CTLJEJR7W9GxW-R1ITuLShpuQAp_CS5XZh4Q-lSmyTgn7AyavBH6Av8MWfIYfO04M6k7aduXx6JN7896mpruImDOWNa0460P_fv6OnDJxKzZADutPbacyIV1ftrkOOIAHibGg/s2048/pool+buddies.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-CwIB9CTLJEJR7W9GxW-R1ITuLShpuQAp_CS5XZh4Q-lSmyTgn7AyavBH6Av8MWfIYfO04M6k7aduXx6JN7896mpruImDOWNa0460P_fv6OnDJxKzZADutPbacyIV1ftrkOOIAHibGg/w640-h480/pool+buddies.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It definitely looked a bit like old times.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_oE598bDSP1HuZffbf1DaAPg-208bu6d0O5ohPXJN2yjnXqtkAUSgpChPJl3l1gUHdUsANXyumYwTlFvVTUNN-KAyli2wE4kHGTeqpEmClhFdrhStRdxp_DCivkO-jMuVdkoRKWbR5g/s2048/20210624_080534.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_oE598bDSP1HuZffbf1DaAPg-208bu6d0O5ohPXJN2yjnXqtkAUSgpChPJl3l1gUHdUsANXyumYwTlFvVTUNN-KAyli2wE4kHGTeqpEmClhFdrhStRdxp_DCivkO-jMuVdkoRKWbR5g/w640-h360/20210624_080534.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XlKKV2RJ6h5enlYO9wtI_3KxGnVQm9VipxYbNoeZbAvQ7mKUrsaoHOvyRHxUz3Iv9wNnI0pircJYuHzxT0XcySUt8fqfx9XrsHsR5SHorqy5-ZjtoMeXEzr414cFbvNeZRYWEOBWGNg/s1971/20210625_163929.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XlKKV2RJ6h5enlYO9wtI_3KxGnVQm9VipxYbNoeZbAvQ7mKUrsaoHOvyRHxUz3Iv9wNnI0pircJYuHzxT0XcySUt8fqfx9XrsHsR5SHorqy5-ZjtoMeXEzr414cFbvNeZRYWEOBWGNg/w469-h640/20210625_163929.jpg" width="469" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With multiple trips to the grocery stores.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7kcQDaGyXgbXMeuAUf0zg8A1IJyGBHaRVQ6ijDRGvtotZ3btDRzGSKrssxt3DCGxxYlbOt7LYMBPATpw8HxHnkt8WqPSATngt-OoP5ekfASwj_P9Q8O7PQS3XrQlo59yAcZb1bWOSac/s2048/20210624_105733.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7kcQDaGyXgbXMeuAUf0zg8A1IJyGBHaRVQ6ijDRGvtotZ3btDRzGSKrssxt3DCGxxYlbOt7LYMBPATpw8HxHnkt8WqPSATngt-OoP5ekfASwj_P9Q8O7PQS3XrQlo59yAcZb1bWOSac/w640-h360/20210624_105733.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;">SO GOOD to get together again after so long! </span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The last time we were together was in Morocco. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Christmas - a year and a half ago.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr706vVoB97XYFe2crHrLIbixf2F3V581VmsNMlhdeQrcu2UH_PoqUFUHkAOkm1IKbhKxuif6PIwnZR0yrB59cVXtVarwYHwWFJVt8Po-Om3I1mtn_ruUQDs2-UDSfW7QFVfLN6SVB4k/s2048/20210626_191033.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr706vVoB97XYFe2crHrLIbixf2F3V581VmsNMlhdeQrcu2UH_PoqUFUHkAOkm1IKbhKxuif6PIwnZR0yrB59cVXtVarwYHwWFJVt8Po-Om3I1mtn_ruUQDs2-UDSfW7QFVfLN6SVB4k/w640-h360/20210626_191033.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div>Noah lives in Berlin. </div><div>He's a city boy. </div><div><br /></div><div>(He was excited about coming. Counting the "number of sleeps" before the trip.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFd-giSDZpzExKnfn7IrQHQ4CsMx7JThSq7nvzItiVnPVwm3UFX1b7Ov13XWAkuOo0eeFdngR2xHpuVfWtoqdDtchpS8aMbIhFrr7Odb-rZz4oSG9fIOFMSe2VEDj9P6bjJCQRjYYi02k/s2048/20210628_104551.jpg"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFd-giSDZpzExKnfn7IrQHQ4CsMx7JThSq7nvzItiVnPVwm3UFX1b7Ov13XWAkuOo0eeFdngR2xHpuVfWtoqdDtchpS8aMbIhFrr7Odb-rZz4oSG9fIOFMSe2VEDj9P6bjJCQRjYYi02k/w225-h400/20210628_104551.jpg" width="225" /></i></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>So - obviously, we had to build sandcastles. </div><div>Jump waves. Chase the tide.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>He even learned how to swim! (kinda) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1mbl9d-EpxfqA8z0A6sFEWapSkMeuwoLgSu_dcd5gcwE7xtCZqvcQ1NvkUsjc_BAMQBpijc8w1yF5iP_8_B7_TM13J3j_dK0UOY5Jy0cdFtjS28xUe729W26Bfs2UDGNpyNTj7Q0B1s/s2048/IMG_7307a.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1mbl9d-EpxfqA8z0A6sFEWapSkMeuwoLgSu_dcd5gcwE7xtCZqvcQ1NvkUsjc_BAMQBpijc8w1yF5iP_8_B7_TM13J3j_dK0UOY5Jy0cdFtjS28xUe729W26Bfs2UDGNpyNTj7Q0B1s/w480-h640/IMG_7307a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Caught REAL fish-!</div><div><br /></div><div>Even wore shoes - WITHOUT socks. </div><div>In the river.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULvaWvsx_Quq_dHtVxgafoAR6CVgWgWlF1rQhqkFzOJBvKkOTwYL32svwpNQDs4YFVWkqVeQJWgjwwrQxPAjrVyB3PLiE-RdSQ6huufSV4h5qMypP_zjYCB0oC0EuZiFobqmVGl1uHBQ/s2048/AdobeBridgeBatchRenameTemp13Mikey.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULvaWvsx_Quq_dHtVxgafoAR6CVgWgWlF1rQhqkFzOJBvKkOTwYL32svwpNQDs4YFVWkqVeQJWgjwwrQxPAjrVyB3PLiE-RdSQ6huufSV4h5qMypP_zjYCB0oC0EuZiFobqmVGl1uHBQ/w640-h480/AdobeBridgeBatchRenameTemp13Mikey.jpeg" width="640" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The River Cesse in Bize. The fish are VERY small. But - we caught some!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Stan kept everything going with great meals. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d3Y_2OPxoVhXavxfXz7Ba19UT_izteyCqj32J9UTY1iTjs7pBSGWqPEmY7TW1pam6cSRvKHzraB4Um3-sjB4l8L9PBbsRx8rd_1MZ_hvgAMe1descDdG0PJpMe3SihZHEoVxdm-T_ms/s1440/20210618+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d3Y_2OPxoVhXavxfXz7Ba19UT_izteyCqj32J9UTY1iTjs7pBSGWqPEmY7TW1pam6cSRvKHzraB4Um3-sjB4l8L9PBbsRx8rd_1MZ_hvgAMe1descDdG0PJpMe3SihZHEoVxdm-T_ms/w400-h400/20210618+%25288%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-family: Times;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNorqMEsNrSBx2lBcdNc_w8GT0pGQ019QsV_6UGGePwWwTszap5Py6GRmD_IaKQ3foBmkqDlvQDBR5dou7EDgWKMnYvlcpp6DGFbvDeySeciVPWMIq1Im0WrNgvm0Ubmfy6wwK6rJbIU/s960/20210618+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNorqMEsNrSBx2lBcdNc_w8GT0pGQ019QsV_6UGGePwWwTszap5Py6GRmD_IaKQ3foBmkqDlvQDBR5dou7EDgWKMnYvlcpp6DGFbvDeySeciVPWMIq1Im0WrNgvm0Ubmfy6wwK6rJbIU/w480-h640/20210618+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Caught wild plums from our plum trees. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Collected and ate loquats. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaibmndnd1M7M_bFdlxhPLiAFfGmAB6A_hHgFH5BazacPW1HEDbpglynZHdZ10DFTy5kqcGYJBvMdL86IvGfu2sX4oEVP5NU9Vy9KJ99yxGumsEYar57zryw6Qqe0mBtl3Geo9LPmVOk/s2048/20210627_110004.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="2048" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaibmndnd1M7M_bFdlxhPLiAFfGmAB6A_hHgFH5BazacPW1HEDbpglynZHdZ10DFTy5kqcGYJBvMdL86IvGfu2sX4oEVP5NU9Vy9KJ99yxGumsEYar57zryw6Qqe0mBtl3Geo9LPmVOk/w640-h372/20210627_110004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Intrepid explorers, in search of the wild plum...</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Went to Maggie May, where Noah got to take the helm.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDvRfrsZfoEhIbBy1GnFxmT2dq3lz1iEYSxbmBUIzGCy0smw9DzRpx5mWdA4vm5St1yxBlOIVrWCV9Ohe5WYb6BpM7CtvFf9o3IptvgyjRVHK1Cc21uXeuj7nOuGAa_XX24Y2-le9yDc/s2048/IMG_7258.jpeg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDvRfrsZfoEhIbBy1GnFxmT2dq3lz1iEYSxbmBUIzGCy0smw9DzRpx5mWdA4vm5St1yxBlOIVrWCV9Ohe5WYb6BpM7CtvFf9o3IptvgyjRVHK1Cc21uXeuj7nOuGAa_XX24Y2-le9yDc/w640-h480/IMG_7258.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We don't really have a guest room, but an air mattress on the floor seemed to work out ok.<br />(We still don't really have our furniture thing together yet.) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitha4sTV_Kx_0JCalEUhmrnfQ8kozeIoHhmmGUiJCAlHkOz5COYW63AOEjgXl8m23jaa-AggTGfaHEZfTrkPfcvHuAoe-LblEvP7nrLyBvZw2NQ9aapkNCpLNGn6HMTZ-3dz1oibmXqIg/s2048/20210613+%25284%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitha4sTV_Kx_0JCalEUhmrnfQ8kozeIoHhmmGUiJCAlHkOz5COYW63AOEjgXl8m23jaa-AggTGfaHEZfTrkPfcvHuAoe-LblEvP7nrLyBvZw2NQ9aapkNCpLNGn6HMTZ-3dz1oibmXqIg/w480-h640/20210613+%25284%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />And the neighborhood cat who has adopted us? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She LOVED all the activity.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiuHunAt5ve9FJBmGNh7kY_q3Uj9HSWjmYOfFb8oIXjkvvmiZq4xhdkqB3GT-OV83KsZqPJw3h9FZUiX6eLHwyPY7ttD8EtalH7W1Tr8Ik86JQMkVhN84JzeGypLeUgN7Qa9q_pj42-8/s1347/20210607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1221" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiuHunAt5ve9FJBmGNh7kY_q3Uj9HSWjmYOfFb8oIXjkvvmiZq4xhdkqB3GT-OV83KsZqPJw3h9FZUiX6eLHwyPY7ttD8EtalH7W1Tr8Ik86JQMkVhN84JzeGypLeUgN7Qa9q_pj42-8/w363-h400/20210607.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She was pretty sad when they left. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She even slept out in the road where they had parked.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Waiting.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_265ju7dhjlBEHalgTNphhGn_P16W6CteQmb8qS0hcb3RY6vQ6oKpq_oQ8bXMi7o9DKKcuJ-mgoJLKk3jXAAEhthOVxrzjCwawMw2hjZg8PFejX4DuS11slsUEmhDe2PzSdiNNVVNCy4/s2048/MR13.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1790" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_265ju7dhjlBEHalgTNphhGn_P16W6CteQmb8qS0hcb3RY6vQ6oKpq_oQ8bXMi7o9DKKcuJ-mgoJLKk3jXAAEhthOVxrzjCwawMw2hjZg8PFejX4DuS11slsUEmhDe2PzSdiNNVVNCy4/w560-h640/MR13.jpeg" width="560" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were sad to see them go, too. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">However - several days later - the Tour de France passed right near our village! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkYoQQ4J1Ku0WIcbQPO5Ustc8KQscKvX7KdUrDdtJkFq-VpIYrO2i7Mc2BFVQAhSvbiTpUlUWwXpSRtPoSdDAvEYid_dFwugBFX2E4Z3k3sDjpiMJxkGXWW-05qcDWCZjp8laBFOaQps/s1502/Screen+Shot+2021-07-12+at+11.13.35+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1054" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkYoQQ4J1Ku0WIcbQPO5Ustc8KQscKvX7KdUrDdtJkFq-VpIYrO2i7Mc2BFVQAhSvbiTpUlUWwXpSRtPoSdDAvEYid_dFwugBFX2E4Z3k3sDjpiMJxkGXWW-05qcDWCZjp8laBFOaQps/w281-h400/Screen+Shot+2021-07-12+at+11.13.35+AM.png" width="281" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I went out with 4 fun female friends and we made a day of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had reserved a spot at a super little restaurant in Aigues-Vives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Right on the route. With shade. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Everyone was all excited about the Big Day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lots of laughter - and plenty of good food. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJUUdU5knFEObuLJ1pyrs9ibC29S3MmQbtat5rm1GUJZulK9OhUvCKmeueTVARHUsSMafTqP4RBFDdYTc9mPdQsZ8aolMwKFBcFXYGwR7EgK9K1ZRVPoBh0bF5fMztySeaSMLBZigUFk/s1800/Tour+de+France+collage+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJUUdU5knFEObuLJ1pyrs9ibC29S3MmQbtat5rm1GUJZulK9OhUvCKmeueTVARHUsSMafTqP4RBFDdYTc9mPdQsZ8aolMwKFBcFXYGwR7EgK9K1ZRVPoBh0bF5fMztySeaSMLBZigUFk/w640-h426/Tour+de+France+collage+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos: Lynne Garell, Laura Weston, Kate Dunn - and a kindly random diner..</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had to get there HOURS before the race, since the roads were all closed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Most of my photos came out like this - with people's hands and arms in them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The whole race goes by so quickly!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA_xJiZQA-XQfplVr4CfzeAxoopv7DEgro0qvunXkxmzSuID7ZDLnl0y3a0B0ddlDIH1qsjMC9GlXCLh1gYKXC2JzNQjGfYvEvv_qlfScYbQMuosqO22xbJo-r0j0ybWxR10SBGujLNs/s924/20210709_161109a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="903" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA_xJiZQA-XQfplVr4CfzeAxoopv7DEgro0qvunXkxmzSuID7ZDLnl0y3a0B0ddlDIH1qsjMC9GlXCLh1gYKXC2JzNQjGfYvEvv_qlfScYbQMuosqO22xbJo-r0j0ybWxR10SBGujLNs/w626-h640/20210709_161109a.jpg" width="626" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I think this was about the best photo I took of the race!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And there you have it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Summer - in the south of France.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-15592114691004047462021-05-10T11:43:00.000+02:002023-03-19T09:58:38.438+01:00Plan B - The Art House<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> We bought a house-!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In the south of France. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Bize-Minervois.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">- In retrospect, that went fast.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41TyPfR7_YDHotHCaDne82hr6qrfc8EOafrPb_J7ssjg9n_OpumlCF0M22IItzeTjLac9-iiOUkOhZMOJ38raCp50K-WkWPcH0wj3Mf_dz5rw5reJR1q-Gjve6mEZnCDge8L6Akcm-o/s781/art+house+funky.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41TyPfR7_YDHotHCaDne82hr6qrfc8EOafrPb_J7ssjg9n_OpumlCF0M22IItzeTjLac9-iiOUkOhZMOJ38raCp50K-WkWPcH0wj3Mf_dz5rw5reJR1q-Gjve6mEZnCDge8L6Akcm-o/s320/art+house+funky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last year, sitting on the aft deck of Maggie May - month after month, watching the world deal with covid, it was clear that travel - as a sort of lifestyle - was becoming less desirable. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">We began to consider houses. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All over the world, in fact. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitONp8V0AZfx94O6PL1o4eJmOd72wPEAewLrWTnpuOpxPmiehyphenhyphenBB4aSSjjzc8N7CZoVps8GwjCZOR9qCxNCmxALSZ0X1SQiS-0iMCM0f1iaJGuPdP0NM6ymTXMXLWnJ9PgIi3-amf3ucQ/s2048/20+du+Monde+%252818%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitONp8V0AZfx94O6PL1o4eJmOd72wPEAewLrWTnpuOpxPmiehyphenhyphenBB4aSSjjzc8N7CZoVps8GwjCZOR9qCxNCmxALSZ0X1SQiS-0iMCM0f1iaJGuPdP0NM6ymTXMXLWnJ9PgIi3-amf3ucQ/w640-h462/20+du+Monde+%252818%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From Hawaii and Oregon to Laos and Thailand. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Back to New Mexico. Various Caribbean islands. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An old château. An olive farm. 500 year old stone houses. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Beach houses.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Glass houses. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Tree houses. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eventually, we realized - we like it here. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The boat is here. We have friends here. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Why not - here? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNz0SezY46OMB1UWl5R4LmFHhZ7sLPAAOI22HuPnT_pJHuYAmR6YC5NDD5bhWyHsPWRQI1d2cGF5enLPhU_iNZBgO2ZZW-DiOb_xCH7m6-c0MRZM9eZ21x6FDyLIN3fR4CARFSHiz5Tw/s1413/18+Artistes+%252833a%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNz0SezY46OMB1UWl5R4LmFHhZ7sLPAAOI22HuPnT_pJHuYAmR6YC5NDD5bhWyHsPWRQI1d2cGF5enLPhU_iNZBgO2ZZW-DiOb_xCH7m6-c0MRZM9eZ21x6FDyLIN3fR4CARFSHiz5Tw/s320/18+Artistes+%252833a%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">So I made a little book. (I'm always making books-)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wanted to identify exactly which elements were important to us. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Which were "needs" and which were "wants". </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I was very specific. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIDQSstesmLjgp0Aet-frvjXz5XfWmtq9lXZPFEqhgUpgnDz2HJs1FkuwbnNSqSngHEUOm_7RLEtHExgyGPZxt-dWMOoPE9wTyvpE1z-JApJS3Re-OTR5v5i6v21oHqXSl0Kfud_U-FI/s1800/Art+House+collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIDQSstesmLjgp0Aet-frvjXz5XfWmtq9lXZPFEqhgUpgnDz2HJs1FkuwbnNSqSngHEUOm_7RLEtHExgyGPZxt-dWMOoPE9wTyvpE1z-JApJS3Re-OTR5v5i6v21oHqXSl0Kfud_U-FI/w640-h480/Art+House+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As usual, I had a list. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It took a LOT of searching - mostly online. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We almost gave up a few times. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - it happened-!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's what it looks like: </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGunpgsgiP7LcHhMsVYHSd5290EQdN-i0aVh4e_PnHet7c1Q3SC8nuXEb_Dqr3egmAzZVxhdFriz674dMGIO6YyfMtMQh7Vz3YOUxhICpBEhQAzljuYNX1QhxJpWQYTiRu80G8vGvd2Zw/s545/1+Exterior+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="545" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGunpgsgiP7LcHhMsVYHSd5290EQdN-i0aVh4e_PnHet7c1Q3SC8nuXEb_Dqr3egmAzZVxhdFriz674dMGIO6YyfMtMQh7Vz3YOUxhICpBEhQAzljuYNX1QhxJpWQYTiRu80G8vGvd2Zw/w640-h482/1+Exterior+%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even online, we fell in love with it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's easy. Simple. A bit quirky. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unusual, but still - kinda French.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just big enough. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - there's space for a music studio for Stan - and an art studio for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, compared to Maggie May, it's quite large. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdHFYzgeRojLKKIaXv41kgesXDoNiFl-dze-ligaPYJM2ns1EZc50BlcsW8OnEgQsf-3l7icZnXAi-vuPf-okalgM6ah2YJbrPqLStaV6RkCRKm91twOnei64QUtABwIwGCo-xpOAmok/s2940/1+Entrance+%25289%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="2940" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdHFYzgeRojLKKIaXv41kgesXDoNiFl-dze-ligaPYJM2ns1EZc50BlcsW8OnEgQsf-3l7icZnXAi-vuPf-okalgM6ah2YJbrPqLStaV6RkCRKm91twOnei64QUtABwIwGCo-xpOAmok/w640-h232/1+Entrance+%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's about 20 minutes from the boat. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Oddly, the boat has MUCH better storage! There are NO closets in this house.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">We're still in the south of France, between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJXgh2mu6RW49PI-wak3dbHUWksB5J82pDMnQCmUbqS9sTcNvRJgbN-q6GCq7fArJfoUS3Lik8tN-3jN6m5iuGjlCUJDQ36bWkpWWQXhyphenhyphenAAIasBFpJgIrKkUdVtFx4hD8Py_dL08ZFTs/s2048/20210430_102256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJXgh2mu6RW49PI-wak3dbHUWksB5J82pDMnQCmUbqS9sTcNvRJgbN-q6GCq7fArJfoUS3Lik8tN-3jN6m5iuGjlCUJDQ36bWkpWWQXhyphenhyphenAAIasBFpJgIrKkUdVtFx4hD8Py_dL08ZFTs/w640-h360/20210430_102256.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The area is beautiful. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Full of flowers and birds and markets.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good food, good friends and wines. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We're on the edge of the village, just below a pine forest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh3QiWFoEEaba6hX8LWbSbJqD9RIlPUHZMEnNvbSLCRmKCQpd4xIKofut5j4DQHekFMXo2EiPJaXavY4NGI4lfXzrAGafVE8iMYXDlzkeQifuSwqUrKciqvikvErU8Arvrp2MlGGi0uM/s2048/20210313_105444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh3QiWFoEEaba6hX8LWbSbJqD9RIlPUHZMEnNvbSLCRmKCQpd4xIKofut5j4DQHekFMXo2EiPJaXavY4NGI4lfXzrAGafVE8iMYXDlzkeQifuSwqUrKciqvikvErU8Arvrp2MlGGi0uM/w640-h360/20210313_105444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bize is a great little village - we'd stayed here once before with the kids in 2014.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A river runs through the village. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The atmosphere is completely different from the Canal du Midi. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKthBmT6CFl6RcQ7_EORPt3Kqu5Sc70FMr3bc29KSEDKqHHjSR6UR9MaqqCoi9mzyPqCrrkNCqZqVrjMwazeKXNqULSp6U2LwoZBv9iFpoPymB80kylAyb1kqj-h2oC5D7Epbcg4I1hA/s2048/20210327_155020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKthBmT6CFl6RcQ7_EORPt3Kqu5Sc70FMr3bc29KSEDKqHHjSR6UR9MaqqCoi9mzyPqCrrkNCqZqVrjMwazeKXNqULSp6U2LwoZBv9iFpoPymB80kylAyb1kqj-h2oC5D7Epbcg4I1hA/w640-h360/20210327_155020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After signing the documents in December, we had to wait 3 MONTHS to get the keys. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had NO furniture. No dishes, towels, linens, tools, containers. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">No house stuff. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Nada. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Starting again from scratch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In March, we went into lockdown for the third time. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">About the same time we got the keys to the house. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So glad we decided to get the house!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stores were closed, but we could order things and have them delivered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So - first thing we did was - put in a pool. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yikes! What a project. In May.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cranes and tractors and what a mess. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - they started on Monday. By Friday - we had water in the pool. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS0OhRe6YM9gdZQIOd6RIAoXBEm3JdDVKUobcbrcWeIcF517YBUgmg5rZqin08orflLVAWaGJXc10YHCt84_TCMXQ_aAOfU99u0V6CWVKSiJQWIsunMYsvwsSAhv0KuImVCeW03UaA_k/s2048/20210608_115230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS0OhRe6YM9gdZQIOd6RIAoXBEm3JdDVKUobcbrcWeIcF517YBUgmg5rZqin08orflLVAWaGJXc10YHCt84_TCMXQ_aAOfU99u0V6CWVKSiJQWIsunMYsvwsSAhv0KuImVCeW03UaA_k/w640-h360/20210608_115230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Okay, it's not really finished. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They're all booked up over summer, and will come back in autumn to make it look pretty. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lay the stone surround. Finish the wall. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, it's fully functional, if not super attractive yet. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It works. - And on hot days, man, it's great. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the last few years, there were some VERY HOT days on the boat. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We DREAMED of - jumping into a pool.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now we have one.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-HwPsPmaQkeFwjJg2v55onZH3arcWRFVtvrekVufXjemhKA7kI9Mv9ZTLBda0Hwz_oJZ3G8CTiahKxxCGAAmsYNwF2HHYzW46yLnT7VjTjrta0OWnBgYuPCLdYMTvXAxtDj4zd2bFoA/s1440/197735133_3000280180256064_6968954209018592911_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-HwPsPmaQkeFwjJg2v55onZH3arcWRFVtvrekVufXjemhKA7kI9Mv9ZTLBda0Hwz_oJZ3G8CTiahKxxCGAAmsYNwF2HHYzW46yLnT7VjTjrta0OWnBgYuPCLdYMTvXAxtDj4zd2bFoA/w640-h640/197735133_3000280180256064_6968954209018592911_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We're also gardening. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That was the main thing we missed on the boat during the confinement. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not TV. Or a freezer. Not being on the grid. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It was - puttering in a garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Ice cubes came a close second.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The soil here is absolute clay. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Terrible stuff and full of rocks! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(How do they grow anything here?) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - plants seem to thrive.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupV8Jn8curWWtyI9z5Qx-2YwYw7lAqG2ehFkr0HB_Gsln_QGxI16ZI7uzH9IBoUnYCaBw_nxRLz2AjVPD8kyMb-qlUNF11brKlbSkcultrsTRTG9ftTVL4S5pAKNH4YkBcfBqIUoW5EM/s2048/20210707_094714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupV8Jn8curWWtyI9z5Qx-2YwYw7lAqG2ehFkr0HB_Gsln_QGxI16ZI7uzH9IBoUnYCaBw_nxRLz2AjVPD8kyMb-qlUNF11brKlbSkcultrsTRTG9ftTVL4S5pAKNH4YkBcfBqIUoW5EM/w640-h360/20210707_094714.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We even planted tomatoes in May. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By June, we were harvesting them!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bCVQ_3rk9kKk2RQ_xRmJoYOAHdrlNSR42ps2HnUNBmOgbGT1tZMAIAASckNl5o4YYiJ5IjfZOl6REGgBAX79-8ZDpr3FAKRm-dCcYxadNQPuqtLbFbOS8KqEvV42lS9rrKEyAJ4CCFY/s1598/20210527_103939a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bCVQ_3rk9kKk2RQ_xRmJoYOAHdrlNSR42ps2HnUNBmOgbGT1tZMAIAASckNl5o4YYiJ5IjfZOl6REGgBAX79-8ZDpr3FAKRm-dCcYxadNQPuqtLbFbOS8KqEvV42lS9rrKEyAJ4CCFY/w576-h640/20210527_103939a.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stan - looking for loquats...tomatoes in front.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Plus, in our garden, we have olive trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A plum tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An apple tree. <br />A loquat tree. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blackberries.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Figs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even banana plants.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And a "strawberry tree".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH-Iu3w2FSZzzzkZMKmCU_22-KHOGljHF3zL6IJzIBBhXNDrNkpN2gfWPe_yxjQA8emESaPM-oebvPLd8wPfLaWPobdhnTKJh2AO2mESI_AmKQ3puQVQxpv2zD5fCRn6p1HALr3lwo8Y/s2048/20210527_104159.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH-Iu3w2FSZzzzkZMKmCU_22-KHOGljHF3zL6IJzIBBhXNDrNkpN2gfWPe_yxjQA8emESaPM-oebvPLd8wPfLaWPobdhnTKJh2AO2mESI_AmKQ3puQVQxpv2zD5fCRn6p1HALr3lwo8Y/w225-h400/20210527_104159.jpg" width="225" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These are loquats. Who knew?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">And a cat - who seems to think he (she?) belongs here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxTrnCJHWu2vZ7xkJp2adsn5k5_Xu5EDVtewRXqcQL4q5EX8I_XhpigHqPlH7EZYd06cntBQ7AEU4iYwZGXj4Ik1eRf6QqLVspRfbe_L7aeWfkbugmzIb9o3R0iZKVae62gC75iNBhdA/s2048/20210606_200018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="2048" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxTrnCJHWu2vZ7xkJp2adsn5k5_Xu5EDVtewRXqcQL4q5EX8I_XhpigHqPlH7EZYd06cntBQ7AEU4iYwZGXj4Ik1eRf6QqLVspRfbe_L7aeWfkbugmzIb9o3R0iZKVae62gC75iNBhdA/w640-h416/20210606_200018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />So - it looks like Plan B is working out just fine. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It usually does. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Again - we got lucky. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys_15_8FHjhrwOT7-W8HEqAwpUqMupMULN8hmjXmjk68mCuQ-JPI_CVQu-7957T9zwkGE1ZxSJZlbCKjJ6aawXcRwG1dMhpeYmgFV5HCmELYjRtaIPcCgEQYFG3PGWRGQ-6w5sSr7hyphenhypheno/s2048/20210404_183738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys_15_8FHjhrwOT7-W8HEqAwpUqMupMULN8hmjXmjk68mCuQ-JPI_CVQu-7957T9zwkGE1ZxSJZlbCKjJ6aawXcRwG1dMhpeYmgFV5HCmELYjRtaIPcCgEQYFG3PGWRGQ-6w5sSr7hyphenhypheno/w360-h640/20210404_183738.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"Won't you stay - we'll put on a day? </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And we'll talk in present tenses..."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Joni Mitchell</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-10261211909111383322020-09-20T10:20:00.001+02:002023-10-30T10:48:20.930+01:00World Wandering - Time for Plan B<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">HOME - right now - is a boat on a canal in the south of France. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75apvBjKdcMFQ1LQbLCxSG7LlvwAyL8lDQV6HPOgGjPLzzsC-5a3qLY3cy0OEVO2F_0Y0ZmaGO1FptpiSHELNsJmOxIkUExA1g3y7MGvLU_JqrytN69GOZoyUIy3GPepXHWwPVFVZBuU/s1600/17+France+%25281a%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75apvBjKdcMFQ1LQbLCxSG7LlvwAyL8lDQV6HPOgGjPLzzsC-5a3qLY3cy0OEVO2F_0Y0ZmaGO1FptpiSHELNsJmOxIkUExA1g3y7MGvLU_JqrytN69GOZoyUIy3GPepXHWwPVFVZBuU/w640-h480/17+France+%25281a%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Maggie May.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">25 tons. 15 meters long. Just over 4 meters wide. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 cabins, 3 bathrooms. Generous galley. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bright, light. Beautiful woodwork. Comfortable. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9J_D8YYkuNAc_HD0HuC5sZ_kIqb9_MZHpLTWEdFmsDzI_LpkB4zGuvyPc7M1GdXDBzxfiEXTlpsv3gXzdzxE9YlGFpCz7gu0mTP6cbMtpQnl-7zfTpL_cRNsxhx7zb5O1t9M6IEV0-I/s2048/2016-12-18+18.07.42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9J_D8YYkuNAc_HD0HuC5sZ_kIqb9_MZHpLTWEdFmsDzI_LpkB4zGuvyPc7M1GdXDBzxfiEXTlpsv3gXzdzxE9YlGFpCz7gu0mTP6cbMtpQnl-7zfTpL_cRNsxhx7zb5O1t9M6IEV0-I/w640-h360/2016-12-18+18.07.42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">An aft deck that has been home to many good evenings with friends. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGch_RZt5K5jo348wdE8zPKf24vMK05tJVZWQJ-gyyJy_b6zQU9ovZ3HzA4DpyTTpbB995Q_4QiuUvw4dYA3oaKw3_qPz6Uhbb_67PCe95E7rffFN2UxQxKUi6SuE3wdYfYhHwvAHzJA/s3072/20190916_194353.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="3072" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGch_RZt5K5jo348wdE8zPKf24vMK05tJVZWQJ-gyyJy_b6zQU9ovZ3HzA4DpyTTpbB995Q_4QiuUvw4dYA3oaKw3_qPz6Uhbb_67PCe95E7rffFN2UxQxKUi6SuE3wdYfYhHwvAHzJA/w640-h214/20190916_194353.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Boat Gang evening!</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - she really wasn't supposed to be a full-time residence. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">In New Mexico, we lived in a wonderful old "adobe hacienda" for 20 years. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqdIeNbYOBVhCJtHZKGUiO-wmrBlLuE0hHoTwYNqKWde4aS30-F0csS5vdYRPKDbNxUo2y1Zy1CgIERGznoOgJJzeyU2wy8oagbgO5cTGvTaq3uiGiGwCtK8Q0dG7jE1YhLkflXVY90g/s1274/Gardens+%25287a%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqdIeNbYOBVhCJtHZKGUiO-wmrBlLuE0hHoTwYNqKWde4aS30-F0csS5vdYRPKDbNxUo2y1Zy1CgIERGznoOgJJzeyU2wy8oagbgO5cTGvTaq3uiGiGwCtK8Q0dG7jE1YhLkflXVY90g/w462-h640/Gardens+%25287a%2529.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was over a hundred years old. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2018, we sold it. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sold or gave away everything inside: </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Antiques from the 1700s, treasures gathered from around the world, old Spanish hand-carved furniture, hand-knotted rugs, art, silver, first-edition books, original paintings, carvings, crystal glassware, pre-Columbian pottery, art guitars, tools, garden sculptures, bicycles, cars, motorcycles - everything. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUIzIa_ASaQ6kvVe8vqZVTtlLA4HNaoQiTh6Ez-JqdFJOpxvSVzrP8e8UpVt_yxPXihvOmgrNuBkH8gMAkNVq5VeJzIPGeAOy5EWnItNzhaJ4wCXW1BkSt9Rq7EusPmEagMDSzzz7DqE/s2048/Garden+Pond+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUIzIa_ASaQ6kvVe8vqZVTtlLA4HNaoQiTh6Ez-JqdFJOpxvSVzrP8e8UpVt_yxPXihvOmgrNuBkH8gMAkNVq5VeJzIPGeAOy5EWnItNzhaJ4wCXW1BkSt9Rq7EusPmEagMDSzzz7DqE/w400-h300/Garden+Pond+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">We even gave the cat to the neighbors. (I think she was relieved.)</span></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJx5duQy2y_pHldP5IN0zen0ed4kfJFRKmmaRz02p2q79Z5DqzT8RzzJcYvvSlDzwJKttHU6PEzmOvx1q_1DAF_3jwLv6L8eq5SVvAQe7dWw-VoCqlMH_e7X2KwM8-civc4xkWySHPgk/s1632/WP_20181029_13_12_15_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1632" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJx5duQy2y_pHldP5IN0zen0ed4kfJFRKmmaRz02p2q79Z5DqzT8RzzJcYvvSlDzwJKttHU6PEzmOvx1q_1DAF_3jwLv6L8eq5SVvAQe7dWw-VoCqlMH_e7X2KwM8-civc4xkWySHPgk/w640-h360/WP_20181029_13_12_15_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The goal was - Simplicity. Flexibility. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">To be able to take off. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hit the road when the mood strikes. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_nUbtUUZLDGfDfuqvKr4ruRnKJPQtKK0WOF20J393EwD0T83QG064AT3G4uOEn360huxKXvxVQkli4_iXHuk2I7jPlMdhMESCUY1Mm6n894ku0PkXQ_mZ9vh2i4KpJyuivFAtW42oJA/s2048/S+205+small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_nUbtUUZLDGfDfuqvKr4ruRnKJPQtKK0WOF20J393EwD0T83QG064AT3G4uOEn360huxKXvxVQkli4_iXHuk2I7jPlMdhMESCUY1Mm6n894ku0PkXQ_mZ9vh2i4KpJyuivFAtW42oJA/w300-h400/S+205+small.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Travel the world.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Anywhere. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCeg6fVZ4wckroGRADv-UABW2ecNgDhuO4KgegdI1RLYrlPFkBFVX7O5Tu5byrbJutm_gt-T-2dvNgAjZvxAEgPGXGUsyom1qAA8GiRCS-mlOJ_RQlTC9ZZ_DIF3pf4T1myW4PcqCjR0/s2048/DSC09532.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCeg6fVZ4wckroGRADv-UABW2ecNgDhuO4KgegdI1RLYrlPFkBFVX7O5Tu5byrbJutm_gt-T-2dvNgAjZvxAEgPGXGUsyom1qAA8GiRCS-mlOJ_RQlTC9ZZ_DIF3pf4T1myW4PcqCjR0/w300-h400/DSC09532.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I had this idea of living a "one-key" life. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We did it! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One boat key. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That's it.</span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVysmvYwLC0RVEzVErARabD20E6PRSFxoqNNbOthM03wdNcTmc-HsZtsRP_XImtHpOaFFEKZcp0vJIFPzF4_sXHwb9GnP85AUMsNwi9KULA0H3nlbC5L1fkiPxNzlBV8abtx5I9mnIqTo/s2048/20200901_134235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVysmvYwLC0RVEzVErARabD20E6PRSFxoqNNbOthM03wdNcTmc-HsZtsRP_XImtHpOaFFEKZcp0vJIFPzF4_sXHwb9GnP85AUMsNwi9KULA0H3nlbC5L1fkiPxNzlBV8abtx5I9mnIqTo/w640-h360/20200901_134235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The idea was - a "lock up and leave" base in Europe. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> No yard. No utilities. No property taxes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Few obligations. Few responsibilities. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We talked about getting down to a "passport and a credit card".</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That was the ideal. </span></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Okay, that's a bit extreme, but - you get the idea.) </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">We wanted the freedom to move easily.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWi79_EIWp4_C3ydMj2C67YW3ctUUlWgdT6GprRO1Rim6TLzvD-Wduvw61a0VUkCfde95U6HHxw5HNXRfgEHHbfCV7SfsbOvugR8KE_nSztp83NdvnOeHyaSNzcw2ZFG6AK-17_MZiWE/s1600/Itchy+Feet+tootbrush+and+credit+card.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="773" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWi79_EIWp4_C3ydMj2C67YW3ctUUlWgdT6GprRO1Rim6TLzvD-Wduvw61a0VUkCfde95U6HHxw5HNXRfgEHHbfCV7SfsbOvugR8KE_nSztp83NdvnOeHyaSNzcw2ZFG6AK-17_MZiWE/w640-h608/Itchy+Feet+tootbrush+and+credit+card.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Son Mikey's "<a href="http://www.itchyfeetcomic.com/" target="_blank">Itchy Feet" comic</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love to travel. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It keeps life exciting - solving puzzles.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm85Y06Sp-jL58nIz8RGQM-Z7zGmiHRb2k0BTsFAcvPuPmts_ss4RncToO8jdXQ0J6lhuLNTQ_MPlDh7omUwqf0HioPhZOvJcizhs5xZrll_EgaWhXI9aFXvgnzv5eTxUmM5F4aiW88XA/s1792/99ZIM+%252856%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1792" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm85Y06Sp-jL58nIz8RGQM-Z7zGmiHRb2k0BTsFAcvPuPmts_ss4RncToO8jdXQ0J6lhuLNTQ_MPlDh7omUwqf0HioPhZOvJcizhs5xZrll_EgaWhXI9aFXvgnzv5eTxUmM5F4aiW88XA/w640-h402/99ZIM+%252856%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Figuring out where to buy food. Where to stay. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How to get around. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Or even where to take out the trash. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mysteries of trying to speak the language.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Connecting with people who don't think like I do.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a challenge.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1cqJ7q51feUMkWmujgJ1KDZRlcj4r8BLlcDaDPSGkX61rWFw36t2WRk89mm05gIY8wjY7ZpFFbsLZLoMYDAc-OAabvMVjxyQLcU90M08AKpljBGRz-6G8U2h2ViWAyiapzhYOtEAd6M/s2048/DSC00682.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1cqJ7q51feUMkWmujgJ1KDZRlcj4r8BLlcDaDPSGkX61rWFw36t2WRk89mm05gIY8wjY7ZpFFbsLZLoMYDAc-OAabvMVjxyQLcU90M08AKpljBGRz-6G8U2h2ViWAyiapzhYOtEAd6M/w400-h300/DSC00682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each episode is a small adventure in feeling fully alive. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUg2spg2KXz9v7PmjA42L3qhxLnX3WrRGS9xBLkxdzHhdCnyCqFgYGc3KEbbOQjM71FYK6790L4BPcLLbM3cV4BWm0VlrThfTAgiHQnHiSQaDfnJHZkvbyPO44gJ39DDQgFlL9R8w8h4/s2048/China+1019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUg2spg2KXz9v7PmjA42L3qhxLnX3WrRGS9xBLkxdzHhdCnyCqFgYGc3KEbbOQjM71FYK6790L4BPcLLbM3cV4BWm0VlrThfTAgiHQnHiSQaDfnJHZkvbyPO44gJ39DDQgFlL9R8w8h4/w300-h400/China+1019.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cow intestines, Stan?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So now - Maggie May is our base in Europe. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just as planned. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">So far, so good.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYV7Gu73XGAEYTQQemmcfpe4D1DluLWfxe0SzvFFBwz9VA_igott-9FSgwGG1NDhJv0Lci3rSFs6kVUqBVdxxhlxuO3PUq9VghRwr_LV3FIverEgxfK16j0IZRkaPWb_TMWu6bm_2xGg/s2048/China+559.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYV7Gu73XGAEYTQQemmcfpe4D1DluLWfxe0SzvFFBwz9VA_igott-9FSgwGG1NDhJv0Lci3rSFs6kVUqBVdxxhlxuO3PUq9VghRwr_LV3FIverEgxfK16j0IZRkaPWb_TMWu6bm_2xGg/w400-h300/China+559.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In one of China's many HUGE cities.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then - along came a virus. </span></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Suddenly, travel stopped completely. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">We went into lockdown in France in March. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Documentation was required to leave the boat.</span></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZj7-HhbLsVl8CZtSzQwBDSiUN0PGMnPgBXdv3w26ZTyar5dpNXbG9qjg_a8Ps1n428UQF1ia0lNt6qVnkel6fVQ5A4zjhbQHCXiXtSmsahZ6QQziYvseskElW2ASURxHZMuVQm9luvy4/s2048/20190926_115808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZj7-HhbLsVl8CZtSzQwBDSiUN0PGMnPgBXdv3w26ZTyar5dpNXbG9qjg_a8Ps1n428UQF1ia0lNt6qVnkel6fVQ5A4zjhbQHCXiXtSmsahZ6QQziYvseskElW2ASURxHZMuVQm9luvy4/w640-h360/20190926_115808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Borders closed. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even regional travel not allowed. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Plan A - totally derailed. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hm.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, things opened up over summer. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">But ah, the cost of being too social! </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgWufYOYijSv91AgRJHCDnnK6MNyPbdR2DFiyJ-Da3_I9z6cFAjaEFud0i9miYs3fOjEZZjKh5V7gvoRRn_sTl7YSnQwhE2HzJToznY2p6uFCJfZuZ9bQ-UaEF3X7Di7yrc812AbzWnM/s640/friends.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgWufYOYijSv91AgRJHCDnnK6MNyPbdR2DFiyJ-Da3_I9z6cFAjaEFud0i9miYs3fOjEZZjKh5V7gvoRRn_sTl7YSnQwhE2HzJToznY2p6uFCJfZuZ9bQ-UaEF3X7Di7yrc812AbzWnM/w640-h360/friends.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> Boat Gang - and our favorite local wine distributor! </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Now France is back in lockdown again. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Along with a half dozen other European countries. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">It doesn't feel like this will be the last time, either. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's not over. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm glad to have made the most of travel while it was possible!<br />- to maybe - over a hundred countries. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">You never know what the future will bring.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">No guarantees. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfzQPUvej0axQ7MfHJkgLdegKHWvWYZOYc2kqVuNaV9kxiRpZ9AqlQe4henICbQmvAJyji3QagpStz3oHooKKxP9hMk-3xD6qdQiUtfTMq1rMYdp0Pedq569YAOdfzpgjQCLFahfKciA/s2048/Madurai+Trish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfzQPUvej0axQ7MfHJkgLdegKHWvWYZOYc2kqVuNaV9kxiRpZ9AqlQe4henICbQmvAJyji3QagpStz3oHooKKxP9hMk-3xD6qdQiUtfTMq1rMYdp0Pedq569YAOdfzpgjQCLFahfKciA/w400-h300/Madurai+Trish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - the world is changing.</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Travel has become more complicated.</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Less appealing.</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1YiHbyX_MePY6BPBFiyblEisYA5pE6M3NCP8hDvGcfIb1z2-cpWR0BZGG4t5N3_f_dfD66e39s2P2S_xJvKvqjXu4eDesaNS3ehAzhPEclmm4ynnIHcGowzeHls3OWT8lGqcT-3SA1Q/s2048/20161108_150522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1YiHbyX_MePY6BPBFiyblEisYA5pE6M3NCP8hDvGcfIb1z2-cpWR0BZGG4t5N3_f_dfD66e39s2P2S_xJvKvqjXu4eDesaNS3ehAzhPEclmm4ynnIHcGowzeHls3OWT8lGqcT-3SA1Q/w400-h225/20161108_150522.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">It looks like - it's time for Plan B. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IX9uv8ViLvZCp5BYAKOj0Lg8ykDghmKDKCJZt8TtFlUa_jnceRvPRyjeGBcuEPSdKR1NgXOb5-67F8hqBWcodcA4h_113sI5CL1MjO-IbwVwJd19llmyU_ueFtUAkuafV1QJY8qQdIM/s2048/20191106_193424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IX9uv8ViLvZCp5BYAKOj0Lg8ykDghmKDKCJZt8TtFlUa_jnceRvPRyjeGBcuEPSdKR1NgXOb5-67F8hqBWcodcA4h_113sI5CL1MjO-IbwVwJd19llmyU_ueFtUAkuafV1QJY8qQdIM/w640-h360/20191106_193424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have no idea what that looks like. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's an interesting situation to be in.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">(We're already very fortunate with our situation - compared to many.)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - what did I say about wanting to stay flexible?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimir7G_qhJBnSQ2IJlbALtwsgr66MSU7gyzTUHe6NwSy6b6TSq-5dFBAZtZ8BNRTkkRiIqMo9bKzOSb9KMzi3-6GjGL5xhnpDQ4RUYzRbG8DuXzMio7IuXAYGwnVVnen_030EuVtnazq0/s2048/20201031_165350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimir7G_qhJBnSQ2IJlbALtwsgr66MSU7gyzTUHe6NwSy6b6TSq-5dFBAZtZ8BNRTkkRiIqMo9bKzOSb9KMzi3-6GjGL5xhnpDQ4RUYzRbG8DuXzMio7IuXAYGwnVVnen_030EuVtnazq0/w640-h360/20201031_165350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">So - we'll see. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who knows? A change may be just around the corner....</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, it's a beautiful November in the south of France.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVFhhag-ooCI0sXbmRF0Rfr6xIA4gqQWw_o_9Udf-_XlYwM4ERsBh84GjdcnO-o7siDP1lY0TD2sw_u1-1nf9YDSQq8WPFt-aAVtDxzGmUmQTzyZK-ut6fhKSyFifQ0fRh0rxaAAKd60/s2048/20191002_092405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVFhhag-ooCI0sXbmRF0Rfr6xIA4gqQWw_o_9Udf-_XlYwM4ERsBh84GjdcnO-o7siDP1lY0TD2sw_u1-1nf9YDSQq8WPFt-aAVtDxzGmUmQTzyZK-ut6fhKSyFifQ0fRh0rxaAAKd60/w640-h360/20191002_092405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even if it's VERY quiet out there.</span></div></div></div>
Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-18369459216129855282020-08-29T13:21:00.000+02:002023-03-19T12:19:45.879+01:00What's it Like - Living on a Canal Boat in the South of France?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you're not used to the concept, it's kind of hard to picture it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT_NRk6K-AHvYMuk6ELa9SfrC9M6Fny1P_LbGaq_3Q8TpH0Q1wOo67vYndLzfpSOC2Ecotit1p3d33Lwmj6tpq9X2LMAwZvL0aJQafgOUceBk75BCotXLZRrG0kCOGtBTgCnWreOedyM/s1600/MM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT_NRk6K-AHvYMuk6ELa9SfrC9M6Fny1P_LbGaq_3Q8TpH0Q1wOo67vYndLzfpSOC2Ecotit1p3d33Lwmj6tpq9X2LMAwZvL0aJQafgOUceBk75BCotXLZRrG0kCOGtBTgCnWreOedyM/s640/MM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There's Maggie May, in her regular mooring spot.</i></td></tr>
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How do you get power? </div>
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Do you have neighbors? </div>
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Where ARE you? </div>
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What kind of boat do you have? </div>
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Do you sail all the time? </div>
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And - WHY are you there?</div>
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<b>Why a boat?</b><br />
Boats are <i>great </i>in some ways.<br />
Less so in others. </div>
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A boat is easy to <b>lock up and leave.</b> </div>
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A turnkey operation.<br />
Empty the fridge and go.<br />
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Since we still plan to continue to travel a lot - this is a major factor.<br />
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No house sitters. No pool service.<br />
No tweaking the garden drip system before leaving.<br />No yard. No cat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94rinIIhGNyKoPPmEQDC3Ss9khaSndFUFuSsRO6kB2CCdgiwjHtXxaXuxgw7qNNPSe_theSQ1wZavQM2Iw3l-JA7GXgOY49m9p-p64IYCo35_ZGI7EZg7NzD-iRhF2nrMIF-2eUANB_0/s1600/Trish+on+boat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94rinIIhGNyKoPPmEQDC3Ss9khaSndFUFuSsRO6kB2CCdgiwjHtXxaXuxgw7qNNPSe_theSQ1wZavQM2Iw3l-JA7GXgOY49m9p-p64IYCo35_ZGI7EZg7NzD-iRhF2nrMIF-2eUANB_0/s640/Trish+on+boat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I<b>t's simple</b>. </div>
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No utilities or property taxes.<br />
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Mooring fees are low.<br />
Insurance isn't hard to find. </div>
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And - if you don't like your neighbors, you just loosen the ropes and - go.</div>
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You have <b>360° views.</b> </div>
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From the galley and salon, we can see in all directions. </div>
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It's living outside as much as inside.<br />
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It's still a bit <b>romantic.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b>
The water reflections on the wood ceilings at dawn. </div>
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Fish jumping in the evening. </div>
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The sound of the ropes straining in the wind.<br />
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It's <b>sociable.</b> </div>
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Friends on boats. </div>
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Friends in the village.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0rfYqY08UMEPDN9A66HKJOLTCnpnKALWiGUu77tf95_-Pral3c4_PvdqCPXYLJjXrxnzP_sn-TxR0NjqEGwfHXBRS0WklEQB62x8mOghxzbOngs5ydNFNUK6b9xDzuTKp33yFULbrWU/s1600/20180421_191935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0rfYqY08UMEPDN9A66HKJOLTCnpnKALWiGUu77tf95_-Pral3c4_PvdqCPXYLJjXrxnzP_sn-TxR0NjqEGwfHXBRS0WklEQB62x8mOghxzbOngs5ydNFNUK6b9xDzuTKp33yFULbrWU/s640/20180421_191935.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's <b>comfortable.</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everything has its place, and is within reach. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Having a boat prevents you from collecting too much stuff. </div>
<br />
It's <b>off the grid.</b><br />
I always liked the idea of being off the grid.<br />
<br />
I even had an (almost!) self-sufficient farmhouse in the West of Ireland when I was 20.<br />
Using solar energy is very satisfying - and surprisingly efficient.<br />
<br />
(More about <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2017/06/boat-life-things-i-hadnt-really-thought.html" target="_blank">power and water</a> - and <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2017/09/solar-panels-on-boat-and-theyre-great.html" target="_blank">solar panels </a>on the boat.)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are almost 30,000 km of rivers and canals in Europe. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
France alone has over 8000 km.<br />
<br />
They're beautiful.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRElAgqA9InM7lqcVIaEKhLuP1cDBCDTJkuh-BIhvamQ-BaYP8Dl_RlevlbiYKVVPqfeze6aQaaZNC8zeCaKmR8f51HM1FhOhmaG6ubQSw-3KVVq86jem38fM6Lc_hqhD1c8oFp5Pg49E/s1600/20190430_200740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRElAgqA9InM7lqcVIaEKhLuP1cDBCDTJkuh-BIhvamQ-BaYP8Dl_RlevlbiYKVVPqfeze6aQaaZNC8zeCaKmR8f51HM1FhOhmaG6ubQSw-3KVVq86jem38fM6Lc_hqhD1c8oFp5Pg49E/s640/20190430_200740.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Our canal, the Canal du Midi, was built in the 1600's.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a handmade canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's also called "The Canal Between Two Oceans".<br />
<br />
Some odd details about the Canal du Midi <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2017/07/medieval-laundries-pagan-crossroads-and.html" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbx7RXw1INmgBkaoOLxAV3pn5ZoWtIMJMDUY8acKyiDfIiFD-tcgH7Abic5Y8B-ZZVI2WTzzHYPnVhdqc6oegWl8Swi-F_8OIFhiqCpOVNPIotG3bJilZe2x_7YKf5QkBgo32dr-A8YsA/s1600/map+france.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1212" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbx7RXw1INmgBkaoOLxAV3pn5ZoWtIMJMDUY8acKyiDfIiFD-tcgH7Abic5Y8B-ZZVI2WTzzHYPnVhdqc6oegWl8Swi-F_8OIFhiqCpOVNPIotG3bJilZe2x_7YKf5QkBgo32dr-A8YsA/s400/map+france.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>See that tiny blue line at the bottom? By the number 4? That's where we are. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In theory, we could be cruising for years and never explore everything. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But - canal boating is slow. </div>
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Very slow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Going through the hundreds of locks takes patience. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Being on the move is like <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2017/10/canal-du-midi-odyssey-taking-maggie-may.html" target="_blank">this.</a><br />
<br />
We move sometimes.<br />
Not often.<br />
Usually we enjoy where we're moored.<br />
<br />
So - what are the boats like? Sailboats?<br />
<br />
Some are sailboats.<br />
But most are not.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Bridges on the canal are very small. Very low.<br />
<br />
So they have to take down the mast.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4VRYHzxsYL0k2qhoiy49k4PPcweA2yOVAtRYP0OBf5GC8A7slEIuvBxqvz8dhBdt29i70DmfN7UZbZ4a6ojrhLxR_GJRsZ2Swdlikd4LwNKb_TGPdOFd8f5Y0t7KO7OFvMHvoxM-y9g/s1600/oops.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4VRYHzxsYL0k2qhoiy49k4PPcweA2yOVAtRYP0OBf5GC8A7slEIuvBxqvz8dhBdt29i70DmfN7UZbZ4a6ojrhLxR_GJRsZ2Swdlikd4LwNKb_TGPdOFd8f5Y0t7KO7OFvMHvoxM-y9g/s400/oops.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is one of the smallest bridges, in Capestang. This boat got stuck.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A lot of canal boats are restored barges - built over 100 years ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dUECi8Vs6ZcGyXlwximctFDXcwBAchChGNaeHm4uGtHozS2vLvBcYydtbgrKWloZju_SzWjOMJwrklj_f6L9Cax0QCqWV25nn6ymXtbpCaOupjbRHZewhagB9AH8wgxo9D-bqXYYusY/s1600/20170710_111625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dUECi8Vs6ZcGyXlwximctFDXcwBAchChGNaeHm4uGtHozS2vLvBcYydtbgrKWloZju_SzWjOMJwrklj_f6L9Cax0QCqWV25nn6ymXtbpCaOupjbRHZewhagB9AH8wgxo9D-bqXYYusY/s640/20170710_111625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfBClkNRqVdzWOz9mizrvX8k0O-SB-DZGV_fZ0ZB_RB9BnT5jpBdp2S8gea5X0JepaqjoO2OwJxZkPPZGqYyWLRAyLiTO3sjPkfW2qVtd9IaF_a3nr9hkjrsj0LKdRsueKPGnaW5BkiQ/s1600/The+Swan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfBClkNRqVdzWOz9mizrvX8k0O-SB-DZGV_fZ0ZB_RB9BnT5jpBdp2S8gea5X0JepaqjoO2OwJxZkPPZGqYyWLRAyLiTO3sjPkfW2qVtd9IaF_a3nr9hkjrsj0LKdRsueKPGnaW5BkiQ/s640/The+Swan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some are fancy "Hotel Barges" that take paying guests. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dlfPqgj3x3myP6aG0VInqPsOmqtxIeiwUJddOpUcXrJBR_oKXREjRdygkrctCm7i1-ryhQA4AGsXgp70UO87LZcVYuA9NhGq0MeRtlFA1sFmVqCnMONmEE0E_8i1Jr3r_bk6HJ9Iyb4/s1600/Athos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="1200" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dlfPqgj3x3myP6aG0VInqPsOmqtxIeiwUJddOpUcXrJBR_oKXREjRdygkrctCm7i1-ryhQA4AGsXgp70UO87LZcVYuA9NhGq0MeRtlFA1sFmVqCnMONmEE0E_8i1Jr3r_bk6HJ9Iyb4/s640/Athos.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus, there are loads of "drive-yourself" boats you can rent.<br />
Locaboat, Le Boat, Canalous, Nichols, Minervois Cruisers.<br />
<br />
All sizes. All prices. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV-L0nUTFNuXQPpxZYbvSERrq2x1fu35a7ItcPWNNe9R-dOSVCU89GnOkLA18JMyCDmN_K2Hgq0PoE2akZnkORjqPFzSFU-0-nn6msluBi0aKMCPvyHgxyhGNuGLZCtSb1HiiL6Us-T4/s1600/locaboat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1400" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV-L0nUTFNuXQPpxZYbvSERrq2x1fu35a7ItcPWNNe9R-dOSVCU89GnOkLA18JMyCDmN_K2Hgq0PoE2akZnkORjqPFzSFU-0-nn6msluBi0aKMCPvyHgxyhGNuGLZCtSb1HiiL6Us-T4/s640/locaboat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kh-pizkE0ZSTRwrOu6lAXs5g1jN1kdpH76zlVZNjsccI-QupDLlXfktoa3eEwtS71UYSj0ROKo2QB6tSir5bSn6RjuDiHFz6P8_1j8VpnSbZXXOChDmf4ppO4h-kriRHrsufkdOKIX8/s1600/14+Canal+du+Midi+%252863%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kh-pizkE0ZSTRwrOu6lAXs5g1jN1kdpH76zlVZNjsccI-QupDLlXfktoa3eEwtS71UYSj0ROKo2QB6tSir5bSn6RjuDiHFz6P8_1j8VpnSbZXXOChDmf4ppO4h-kriRHrsufkdOKIX8/s640/14+Canal+du+Midi+%252863%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><i>We rented this boat with the kids in 2014, before Maggie May. <br /></i><i>Later, we cruised the lovely Lot River. And the Yonne. That story is <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2018/06/big-rivers-and-manual-locks.html" target="_blank">here.</a></i></span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, all over the thousands of km of canals, there are small communities of private boats.<br />
<br />
Some are weekenders.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TxKp082sPBrEAgJAAKOjD4-x6b1dCcdRhvPuFpxlKSCj2KXBtD_R6NTByVLo2VGsDuKLzvN4AEh8DcwrLmm2r6OOiQufhugiYt4FsRWo6mIO9yIyw3QrC5Z-alGBLDOmoKXykqtcWio/s1600/20170602_085823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TxKp082sPBrEAgJAAKOjD4-x6b1dCcdRhvPuFpxlKSCj2KXBtD_R6NTByVLo2VGsDuKLzvN4AEh8DcwrLmm2r6OOiQufhugiYt4FsRWo6mIO9yIyw3QrC5Z-alGBLDOmoKXykqtcWio/s400/20170602_085823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Some visit their boat for a few weeks in summer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_RU7fgglwoKYyh33AzoWpQslV-jZ4l6peWcLAjEgn4mVKmV0fNFmT5gGwK7Oau3iVaezPLY1-wGrq-_0dMPo8lBIhnhT2wtrQU4JaBJrfEbp3VnTx98muxTGcXkNkuZ1pQ57Y8jQ8GM/s1600/20170605_072728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_RU7fgglwoKYyh33AzoWpQslV-jZ4l6peWcLAjEgn4mVKmV0fNFmT5gGwK7Oau3iVaezPLY1-wGrq-_0dMPo8lBIhnhT2wtrQU4JaBJrfEbp3VnTx98muxTGcXkNkuZ1pQ57Y8jQ8GM/s400/20170605_072728.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Some live all year round.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBMvS3HCQlTkUimcbk17upywr655OBSewDkMen62m6cEatjiQq846G8fNfd0CbwRk7HYFwB45-Uf13sDkZ7_PE3sbmaiA31ZtbjMYEje2Xe_W2PhoY7zqVWUjioVM-85mG3JDvy904HU/s1600/20190512_124149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBMvS3HCQlTkUimcbk17upywr655OBSewDkMen62m6cEatjiQq846G8fNfd0CbwRk7HYFwB45-Uf13sDkZ7_PE3sbmaiA31ZtbjMYEje2Xe_W2PhoY7zqVWUjioVM-85mG3JDvy904HU/s400/20190512_124149.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And some boats - become homes for ducks. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB5KUwnI1bWEan7Pcly8SPuOmXc2HWI_exqwVx26nWAyTgKbacmbTiTn0NBEURn3V_84goxK60IHRLmHKoY-d8f0GrvQx7hqPtBasyXemUXtLB00OBuo1V-o1ED12lcXDOM_NAQocyug/s1600/20180419_173417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB5KUwnI1bWEan7Pcly8SPuOmXc2HWI_exqwVx26nWAyTgKbacmbTiTn0NBEURn3V_84goxK60IHRLmHKoY-d8f0GrvQx7hqPtBasyXemUXtLB00OBuo1V-o1ED12lcXDOM_NAQocyug/s400/20180419_173417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
I like that the boats are all different.<br />
Each boat has a different story.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vZacjGXsKTM5qE7dlVmOXlqlGeUntaedITiLVz7jYerP8ZIU6Jx7P7BelIoNnkcdQ-gFjS9ag3wU4sl6guKDnEnp1BTkUFsVzgFMKyBlVEBlzusJEE1gcv8dq6p9texED_iqwpCgmkk/s1600/IMG_6087.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vZacjGXsKTM5qE7dlVmOXlqlGeUntaedITiLVz7jYerP8ZIU6Jx7P7BelIoNnkcdQ-gFjS9ag3wU4sl6guKDnEnp1BTkUFsVzgFMKyBlVEBlzusJEE1gcv8dq6p9texED_iqwpCgmkk/s640/IMG_6087.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The port at Capestang, the next town over. Where we get our mail.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is our boat, Maggie May.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Built of strong Durham steel, she weighs about 25 tons.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bvNC2k8zRUcSnw_opcF175uk2AjfUNZAVhOT9O_EnY7Oy61fXSRtEGtwC7uaGyOdHIHnVJA18K3_a7lId8WIizZ13paCK6atvPgSGQQu2YhMT7217vpMsiRuM2ThXZx_hlmYv4KZXqw/s1600/IMG-20170810-WA0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bvNC2k8zRUcSnw_opcF175uk2AjfUNZAVhOT9O_EnY7Oy61fXSRtEGtwC7uaGyOdHIHnVJA18K3_a7lId8WIizZ13paCK6atvPgSGQQu2YhMT7217vpMsiRuM2ThXZx_hlmYv4KZXqw/s640/IMG-20170810-WA0006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
3 cabins. And 3 bathrooms, which is very unusual.<br />
2 helms, inside and out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeUYdnkQ3PxFm6pdjunp98OAo5-H_FaO1j26yXIMwZkE8Kx50E5Et6UdZuU4mgkU9rlhItyibKloXKDuLMiac3f_YInH13sS_8u5bqCUws4i391iI9Omb4y9vqdHpNIhzNao6LnLKVww/s1600/20180508_184106.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeUYdnkQ3PxFm6pdjunp98OAo5-H_FaO1j26yXIMwZkE8Kx50E5Et6UdZuU4mgkU9rlhItyibKloXKDuLMiac3f_YInH13sS_8u5bqCUws4i391iI9Omb4y9vqdHpNIhzNao6LnLKVww/s640/20180508_184106.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The inside helm. 2 cabins and 2 baths behind Stan. At 6'4", he can still stand up inside.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
She's about 15m (50') long, and over 4m (13') wide.<br />
She's very comfortable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2PDcCEPluiVznZ9GBl0rnns43d6RQtajMKlar1NnVODi6hfpWTp-3hM-p_-WiuX14PtmQ6KnO77Ac9updm5qKI7KyhyphenhyphennR5m5HMcYcnTgV2IcK8K_ENlNcbekyANqn3wAePMIxlpkRpc/s1600/20180508_183744.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2PDcCEPluiVznZ9GBl0rnns43d6RQtajMKlar1NnVODi6hfpWTp-3hM-p_-WiuX14PtmQ6KnO77Ac9updm5qKI7KyhyphenhyphennR5m5HMcYcnTgV2IcK8K_ENlNcbekyANqn3wAePMIxlpkRpc/s640/20180508_183744.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The galley - on both sides of the boat. Main bedroom and bath behind.</i></td></tr>
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But the best space is the aft deck, where we spend a LOT of time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XlqgYD0XMTTlO8Fs6lBloMqUtuU6iPk0GOH2fYUcnaAKg9CN82CrTszVKiuT4gdKB2ooDo-nJOoHyulPVjQ4-lCuacGQ2kLh3pk5Txrm3ePQLUzKWJGhKA44w2qtOOMTuHGMOFeLejI/s1600/20170328_131216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XlqgYD0XMTTlO8Fs6lBloMqUtuU6iPk0GOH2fYUcnaAKg9CN82CrTszVKiuT4gdKB2ooDo-nJOoHyulPVjQ4-lCuacGQ2kLh3pk5Txrm3ePQLUzKWJGhKA44w2qtOOMTuHGMOFeLejI/s640/20170328_131216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyce9pz_2Rn-jjVY4B299hkgRszaZNi7CDtQuvj_z2ohppZdKJzoNxvhRFbcyvFjSRl3bnSHalob2inFcNBnFV19IqOmLTyWhaWyDxhjmoWXOapsGsUFyQrPeJIt8VfaJhk9mkRCEL9o/s1600/IMG-20170909-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyce9pz_2Rn-jjVY4B299hkgRszaZNi7CDtQuvj_z2ohppZdKJzoNxvhRFbcyvFjSRl3bnSHalob2inFcNBnFV19IqOmLTyWhaWyDxhjmoWXOapsGsUFyQrPeJIt8VfaJhk9mkRCEL9o/s400/IMG-20170909-WA0000.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Friends Ron and Fiona, who live on The Swan. Cruising the canals at 80.</i></td></tr>
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The flat bottom on Maggie May is great for canals. </div>
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On the other hand, it's not a good boat for the sea. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvMPw18lkWhM8gHDgVYF_Mo9aU7aYffbUR6fUnl6FALodq-CaNbgO4sMuLamdw3gqhMgdzZfW49FPJUqwWChxG9n2qHqjggwBWfCFzc0R0ygiIADCJGPMoB07bWHQ2uKkLdzOyQXcdic/s1600/20171010_090109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvMPw18lkWhM8gHDgVYF_Mo9aU7aYffbUR6fUnl6FALodq-CaNbgO4sMuLamdw3gqhMgdzZfW49FPJUqwWChxG9n2qHqjggwBWfCFzc0R0ygiIADCJGPMoB07bWHQ2uKkLdzOyQXcdic/s640/20171010_090109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our mooring is in Poilhés, a small French village about 2 hours north of Barcelona.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
Between Montpellier and Toulouse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWi7JdBhQ4EWh1TRP2MRhDWWT99iRBe5mqT9MzeMb0f_HP90gCQ7iDBQXABgU1IupcZRohRt2VWF-3qtmEsn-fyT_SDWN7yFiM0RT5_ICSlrakiR9OqOnrqhYzLIOQzfYRjdX05ih63s/s1600/20190520_194300.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWi7JdBhQ4EWh1TRP2MRhDWWT99iRBe5mqT9MzeMb0f_HP90gCQ7iDBQXABgU1IupcZRohRt2VWF-3qtmEsn-fyT_SDWN7yFiM0RT5_ICSlrakiR9OqOnrqhYzLIOQzfYRjdX05ih63s/s640/20190520_194300.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The "lavoir", originally used for laundry. From the aft deck.</i></td></tr>
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People living on boats in Poilhés come from France. </div>
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Argentina. New Zealand. Scotland. England. Germany. Belgium. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_HFrj0uVmriwXU27AAizo2x0s5AuqVMyI0EZS1zott6V9e4uoCi94Q2i8gFmEh0BkgPDtwNRTB3tPe-NMEJ9_oNdTlo9rxKEFNFJSXGjDEkdVDV2hyNEh4x2zSQXySW3TBYAAWuevzo/s1600/20190602_115055.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_HFrj0uVmriwXU27AAizo2x0s5AuqVMyI0EZS1zott6V9e4uoCi94Q2i8gFmEh0BkgPDtwNRTB3tPe-NMEJ9_oNdTlo9rxKEFNFJSXGjDEkdVDV2hyNEh4x2zSQXySW3TBYAAWuevzo/s640/20190602_115055.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunday morning at the market in Capestang with Luc and Anton. We sailed in on Luc's boat, Marolis. </i></td></tr>
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Why the south of France?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo3jQN6kLqv3wrJdapqASYgPlvUavpGIzsaxUwqjuq5nd99m4NlXw9mM3z06zlfQbYqctEVI_8RB0saI2WpDr4WO_7vrxA7u5KHosLTtnH8nwDKTz4jjlcWg9TsupEUvNme9o8qV78XI/s1600/15+Bordeaux+%252859%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo3jQN6kLqv3wrJdapqASYgPlvUavpGIzsaxUwqjuq5nd99m4NlXw9mM3z06zlfQbYqctEVI_8RB0saI2WpDr4WO_7vrxA7u5KHosLTtnH8nwDKTz4jjlcWg9TsupEUvNme9o8qV78XI/w640-h360/15+Bordeaux+%252859%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
People in Europe assume it's because the weather is better.<br />
But New Mexico has great weather.<br />
Four seasons, dry, clear, good skiing.<br />
And sunshine almost every day.<br />
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So why leave a comfy house, pool, garden - to live on - even a large and comfy - boat?<br />
People assume we're "retiring" here.<br />
But that doesn't really explain it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU4EK0voWLt7cgNAhnWL_F-WgFW0qui4ldX_0FEhMT72M44UIt3h4Yg8PDXUxdDCzWXt75DXp7J9s353-8wDtrfe0ugdq1WmAv-CVrs_x3iwtjj2uwaa-BF29fH6PIir6dcFIlY_rmm8/s1600/15+Provence+%252823%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU4EK0voWLt7cgNAhnWL_F-WgFW0qui4ldX_0FEhMT72M44UIt3h4Yg8PDXUxdDCzWXt75DXp7J9s353-8wDtrfe0ugdq1WmAv-CVrs_x3iwtjj2uwaa-BF29fH6PIir6dcFIlY_rmm8/s640/15+Provence+%252823%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I was younger, my motto was:<br />
"All life is an experiment. The more you make, the better."<br />
<br />
I wound up living and working in about a dozen countries.<br />
<br />
Teaching helicopter maintenance in Iran.<br />
Bush pilot in West Africa.<br />
Airport Manager for Pan Am in Zurich. Geneva.<br />
Ambassador's Secretary at the Japanese Embassy in Liberia.<br />
Owning and running an international import-export company in New Mexico.<br />
And more.<br />
<br />
Some of those stories are in the book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Back-Los-Ranchos-Illustrated/dp/1489512349/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QZGH7F0G05CZ&keywords=meanwhile+back+in+los+ranchos&qid=1559652391&s=gateway&sprefix=tortuga+out%2Caps%2C281&sr=8-1" target="_blank">"Meanwhile Back in Los Ranchos".</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzE5z1KUzgseJ_rvUK_F1fr0l1Wdp-SIYb1xp5L-VMw4l7Yc4r9ENvPQ4yMFjgaACmf0yDmS6JGYKBRriBFEc2g358dg3Q5B3OH2SgQD203aKzG4-766ZhU61u5v4ZrA54aYJ2IDPWY8/s1600/20170627_125442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzE5z1KUzgseJ_rvUK_F1fr0l1Wdp-SIYb1xp5L-VMw4l7Yc4r9ENvPQ4yMFjgaACmf0yDmS6JGYKBRriBFEc2g358dg3Q5B3OH2SgQD203aKzG4-766ZhU61u5v4ZrA54aYJ2IDPWY8/s640/20170627_125442.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I like the idea of a base somewhere, and then exploring from there.<br />
Learning about the region.<br />
The people. The language, the food.<br />
<br />
Being part of the scene.<br />
<br />
Similar to what's now called "long term slow travel".<br />
<br />
Being "on the road" with just the backpack - is a wonderful feeling.<br />
Having all you need in a compact little bag.<br />
You don't really<i> need </i>anything more.<br />
<br />
It makes you feel - anything is possible.<br />
Oddly, having fewer choices - can make life feel easier.<br />
<br />
This - Maggie May and the south of France - is a good base.<br />
It's beautiful.<br />
Between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean.<br />
<br />
Great food.<br />
Excellent wine.<br />
<br />
A small, simple, compact home.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTynxHkZ_HAD6FUh2HvxhgDqsMQrOpxC9gBaLN6XnaYa1drtvTZ_BCANWQElnnH1wwKK1gzg_drdT-eKtIfs7KZ-pIJRUMYSUMS6Q22zWg1329NZv1u_yN6uH6TidDl2MsinrmvWQkrIg/s1600/20170609_201117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTynxHkZ_HAD6FUh2HvxhgDqsMQrOpxC9gBaLN6XnaYa1drtvTZ_BCANWQElnnH1wwKK1gzg_drdT-eKtIfs7KZ-pIJRUMYSUMS6Q22zWg1329NZv1u_yN6uH6TidDl2MsinrmvWQkrIg/s640/20170609_201117.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It may not be the last base.<br />
But it's easy to close up and - go.<br />
<br />
These days, simpler is almost always better.<br />
Fewer things = more freedom.<br />
<br />
So - rather than being a "retirement destination", it's more of a "step along the way".<br />
It's not necessarily a final chapter.<br />
<br />
We could still wind up anywhere.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5d7ul0BhPcZL-W4trs65VEDrr_QDVS6WR2jza0EVgtLQ6jW2W1SMOR9qH3dCXHQej0mTbx-UQF7q9tpyVGqTJSjXZGJSMv929v4nm-tUjkzjLCRxcJAJv6t6UlUF8Ipscxc8UxKzsdU/s1600/15+Switz+%25288%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5d7ul0BhPcZL-W4trs65VEDrr_QDVS6WR2jza0EVgtLQ6jW2W1SMOR9qH3dCXHQej0mTbx-UQF7q9tpyVGqTJSjXZGJSMv929v4nm-tUjkzjLCRxcJAJv6t6UlUF8Ipscxc8UxKzsdU/s400/15+Switz+%25288%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
It's a continuation of an adventure that began decades ago.<br />
Exploring the world.<br />
<br />
Being amazed by the beauty.<br />
Puzzled by the mysteries.<br />
Touched by the culture.<br />
<br />
Living each day - kind of making it up as we go along.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1TyiIADLYmnvXsREcWFLMbO4sFcWOBSn4SzrJOAJv-ixpve595D9baTyr1xV8MQfge3xK4W-oOZEB3jbflDQeX4y14OUpxefo-lbEHW0L6bnPl19wgMgg72WdOLHcCKkA4MInCMNmgY/s1600/20170627_071035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1TyiIADLYmnvXsREcWFLMbO4sFcWOBSn4SzrJOAJv-ixpve595D9baTyr1xV8MQfge3xK4W-oOZEB3jbflDQeX4y14OUpxefo-lbEHW0L6bnPl19wgMgg72WdOLHcCKkA4MInCMNmgY/s640/20170627_071035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As they say here - <i>"La vie est belle."</i><br />
<br />
Life is wonderful.<br />
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-58737590476764180422020-06-15T15:47:00.014+02:002023-10-30T10:57:53.436+01:00Lockdown Luck on a Boat in France <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For 3 months, everything has been closed down with covid. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Restaurants. Bars. Cafés. Schools. Businesses. Post Offices. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">France opens its borders today with other European countries. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN4Cwg8jkKRka3ObHQTmR9-H3q6EeoTTG2J6XJeTMcy7xv-CN0Xrf8MAvdr5zuP4pvvipC-VCb55sylFHC-rf1BKCesVV2I5R4reabpzSOxRQRyHTr-wEWrUKITdaIQPb80zevyNH5Zo/s1080/FB_IMG_1586876335585.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN4Cwg8jkKRka3ObHQTmR9-H3q6EeoTTG2J6XJeTMcy7xv-CN0Xrf8MAvdr5zuP4pvvipC-VCb55sylFHC-rf1BKCesVV2I5R4reabpzSOxRQRyHTr-wEWrUKITdaIQPb80zevyNH5Zo/w625-h351/FB_IMG_1586876335585.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />We're still on the boat in the south of France. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Spent the entire lockdown here. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drinking the odd glass of wine. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the excellent wildflowers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ugCYH6GQ4E9jGZHaWgMvc1YS6E9PfA2USP1GoQ5pRZ4O5qLeWuA1QIZIeDoU4ftmS6XpEv1G4vsclQG4S2EefQS9OoTdzZPKKYAOyDCM1X6MD0FiY5ZAjBP4ZBfGIK7VEhEWlMlbfLE/s3000/wildflowers+May.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="3000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ugCYH6GQ4E9jGZHaWgMvc1YS6E9PfA2USP1GoQ5pRZ4O5qLeWuA1QIZIeDoU4ftmS6XpEv1G4vsclQG4S2EefQS9OoTdzZPKKYAOyDCM1X6MD0FiY5ZAjBP4ZBfGIK7VEhEWlMlbfLE/w625-h250/wildflowers+May.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">But: We were traveling back from Morocco when we first heard about the virus. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Through Spain by train. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A month in Portugal right before the virus hit. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By chance, we returned to France and the boat a week or two early. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAKbxfkg1GLP3IdhdWOZR27ZZb9Z9s0GorImVGQMmDfgqi8pZ_jGWwMlemwZI8QO8WmjHxf1rnLtKjUMbt4LCaL6tQB9TQl3cK8tfOQyeFScsjPnDVzCynqLP-8oM3rpOxPqqUkzTP58/s3632/20200218_210044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3632" data-original-width="1896" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAKbxfkg1GLP3IdhdWOZR27ZZb9Z9s0GorImVGQMmDfgqi8pZ_jGWwMlemwZI8QO8WmjHxf1rnLtKjUMbt4LCaL6tQB9TQl3cK8tfOQyeFScsjPnDVzCynqLP-8oM3rpOxPqqUkzTP58/w261-h500/20200218_210044.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In retrospect, we were super lucky. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We got back to France just under the wire. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Before they closed the borders. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9LyLtUIlz4vPmhe4S0FTZ1Sj0iR8qS6nQDXX4-CYqkg6tCf-MdLlXg93v3IBqgtRhBWmPv5btKCRT51vZ5b89KIFtgDeOx34uVz-2BaE2yY_pXK-jm676bZQcEsco0Eek37bWry-STM/s2560/20200428_130749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9LyLtUIlz4vPmhe4S0FTZ1Sj0iR8qS6nQDXX4-CYqkg6tCf-MdLlXg93v3IBqgtRhBWmPv5btKCRT51vZ5b89KIFtgDeOx34uVz-2BaE2yY_pXK-jm676bZQcEsco0Eek37bWry-STM/w625-h351/20200428_130749.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lockdown was strict here. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We weren't allowed to leave home (the boat) for 2 months. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Only to the supermarket or pharmacy. With a signed form.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VIpvsaWW8NIHhvsGxKGmx2gWXK58UPn50HTBkp_NMEZJuiy-a8u9_J84P4EULVEqK8pE83d_rRXLvfLXMkcfRctBcqWOh5PMWgpKY2dyollP6Z_jJfmrOwouiHH_a-qWVDH5-ak5GrU/s2560/20200520_100633.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VIpvsaWW8NIHhvsGxKGmx2gWXK58UPn50HTBkp_NMEZJuiy-a8u9_J84P4EULVEqK8pE83d_rRXLvfLXMkcfRctBcqWOh5PMWgpKY2dyollP6Z_jJfmrOwouiHH_a-qWVDH5-ak5GrU/w625-h351/20200520_100633.jpg" width="625" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not sure if taking the boat out qualifies as "staying home". </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">However, we were allowed to take 1 walk a day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No further than 1 km from home. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No longer than 1 hour. </div><div style="text-align: center;">In spring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We made good use of that. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVCec7owbapsOKkYf_oaTsP8w4A1TtKpm8d4CAmHgr4yh8VA76rz3x0jGWs4HB1T563jncvEBPnheHqeIsATQWZk__ixXrgDPRwgMAkJ3cVQz7wzYw5lCnKufktZzd735DzXXQ2zj8bk/s2400/June+wildflowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2400" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVCec7owbapsOKkYf_oaTsP8w4A1TtKpm8d4CAmHgr4yh8VA76rz3x0jGWs4HB1T563jncvEBPnheHqeIsATQWZk__ixXrgDPRwgMAkJ3cVQz7wzYw5lCnKufktZzd735DzXXQ2zj8bk/w625-h391/June+wildflowers.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also with the proper documentation, of course. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Fines were hefty and without question. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9VKgM0bQhygDewa5fLDsfAcwdHLE-nakr0_jOULNhADs-yJpzb40kCEdyeSHHort7TqkryTf2yA6iSe2NDnwcBWjwg9VAYh78H2JDgLwUoIZ_yREnxTWye41C6fZmCs4G22nsNOw9t8/s3600/20200513_200927P.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="3600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9VKgM0bQhygDewa5fLDsfAcwdHLE-nakr0_jOULNhADs-yJpzb40kCEdyeSHHort7TqkryTf2yA6iSe2NDnwcBWjwg9VAYh78H2JDgLwUoIZ_yREnxTWye41C6fZmCs4G22nsNOw9t8/w625-h248/20200513_200927P.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In essence, we had the canal completely to ourselves all spring. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No boats. No visitors. No fishermen. No hikers. No bicycles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It really IS a very agricultural village, especially when the visitors aren't here. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mostly wine. Olives. A few tractors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J-yaJl-tNx4XmfRnkueHy7LilL_JGBmAmDagFr1TxmgtF9JuBBDlUqfpw735513_vZ5yLbxaZsB2f-_qewe-vs3ZQ1P2SaGD_x_2Ndh17i56UbbWco5McL1tfj1ZG4zVSk6qo98XgEI/s1800/vineyards+May.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J-yaJl-tNx4XmfRnkueHy7LilL_JGBmAmDagFr1TxmgtF9JuBBDlUqfpw735513_vZ5yLbxaZsB2f-_qewe-vs3ZQ1P2SaGD_x_2Ndh17i56UbbWco5McL1tfj1ZG4zVSk6qo98XgEI/w625-h469/vineyards+May.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We got to watch the vineyards leaf out.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Identify unusual birds.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even saw fish in a much clearer canal. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Did you hear they now have dangerous alligator turtles along the canal?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm still looking for one.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's been a pretty slow existence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0W9C1v9rcK4siU57B1iAZJ2OLvVFmBrUmW2Hr20zhqBbA0QruF7ICNVmm7Wop9ayzaOCc6KzvMNVTWa8Eyg_bZ3lF7ogqE8BjmZv2um4nu9rPHa6aq7vgOpKMHKtfQzznybod5E15VI/s4032/20200524_102935.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0W9C1v9rcK4siU57B1iAZJ2OLvVFmBrUmW2Hr20zhqBbA0QruF7ICNVmm7Wop9ayzaOCc6KzvMNVTWa8Eyg_bZ3lF7ogqE8BjmZv2um4nu9rPHa6aq7vgOpKMHKtfQzznybod5E15VI/w625-h305/20200524_102935.jpg" width="625" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ducks laid a number of eggs on a few of the empty boats. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stan played a lot of guitar. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Finished a new CD. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Strat sonatas. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's on <a href="http://www.stanhirsch.com/" target="_blank">his website.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My art desk stayed busy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ-thm4qYmZ1HOgRQmkWjIQI534ph0rOVNQqKPrJAi3W_my6PynuHhfdjIwpBLOMYA0FuTyysZS0sNIAzGI5vrjU-GV83YJV3x7yLxei1XjPo-Xh8kqytLZgAnOFOepCKF8NSDxjMq-E/s2560/20200414_134007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ-thm4qYmZ1HOgRQmkWjIQI534ph0rOVNQqKPrJAi3W_my6PynuHhfdjIwpBLOMYA0FuTyysZS0sNIAzGI5vrjU-GV83YJV3x7yLxei1XjPo-Xh8kqytLZgAnOFOepCKF8NSDxjMq-E/w625-h351/20200414_134007.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also kept a Quarantine Journal - a drawing a day - </div><div style="text-align: center;">hundreds of little drawings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEoGHhnBmW-S1ONUk7D7bfZKrhqDofzICvvyh7rRBf7VIG9TzPS6D3jYezxidbo82YQk35HqldDzmMNfX1zexYbbf7jyYjiFPiTfVq-2xWOel2lIWIdAFKo7wl9wGjSkZY6AlGOxjpTc/s1500/Q+1%25262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1500" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEoGHhnBmW-S1ONUk7D7bfZKrhqDofzICvvyh7rRBf7VIG9TzPS6D3jYezxidbo82YQk35HqldDzmMNfX1zexYbbf7jyYjiFPiTfVq-2xWOel2lIWIdAFKo7wl9wGjSkZY6AlGOxjpTc/w400-h303/Q+1%25262.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcJ0_RhOXp68jhEAhdi7HE2MPloZiFOIgZJiXJAJa011XFs8DTN0b01Ea6z3VYs9o9Sh46_cKQfS_jdWevSxGjZIOzvAZQf4e9I7MlOolKAm2p7SgFEC0aRTvdppXf_zJBVs8QJxgwwk/s2700/Q+3-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2700" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcJ0_RhOXp68jhEAhdi7HE2MPloZiFOIgZJiXJAJa011XFs8DTN0b01Ea6z3VYs9o9Sh46_cKQfS_jdWevSxGjZIOzvAZQf4e9I7MlOolKAm2p7SgFEC0aRTvdppXf_zJBVs8QJxgwwk/w500-h223/Q+3-6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then: coming off the lockdown - felt so strange! </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're out of practice talking to other people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No one knows quite how to act. Where to stand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We began with canal side visits. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, restaurants and bars are opening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It feels like life is returning to normal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkyWOgX2cpZBn2rsg6x-vdLv0minhiI4oX7YUvbF8yKN9L4c_vrYEmvI9wmsw223pSp5uaAL9BmLUNk1dnjYy_KWWfxDeqvRCkG91Jny94JbMyX_oQom1p33OV9081ScMTYBSC7N617E/s2560/20190625_095611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkyWOgX2cpZBn2rsg6x-vdLv0minhiI4oX7YUvbF8yKN9L4c_vrYEmvI9wmsw223pSp5uaAL9BmLUNk1dnjYy_KWWfxDeqvRCkG91Jny94JbMyX_oQom1p33OV9081ScMTYBSC7N617E/w281-h500/20190625_095611.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We didn't miss being on the grid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not having a freezer or a microwave. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or a TV or electricity-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our small under-the-counter fridge worked fine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did miss having a garden!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But it's surprising how little you really need. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lVhgDRrvOeNhE33q7u4YsfyhrrUQICHy8fdNUEMbAvbI2qL2PodxbgdeclGCiet5JH_Rrv8-mqr0hNpqxcMzWb3aTvyxgdD-CCMbshxRApw_DYc4rgC-ymuRRUeeoVJDd1w24bcI2no/s854/AB+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="854" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lVhgDRrvOeNhE33q7u4YsfyhrrUQICHy8fdNUEMbAvbI2qL2PodxbgdeclGCiet5JH_Rrv8-mqr0hNpqxcMzWb3aTvyxgdD-CCMbshxRApw_DYc4rgC-ymuRRUeeoVJDd1w24bcI2no/w625-h469/AB+2.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were very lucky - we had a super place to enjoy a spring quarantine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now - let's hope the world can start returning to normal.</div>Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-80568494436998676322020-02-16T00:30:00.002+01:002021-12-01T15:47:47.509+01:00Essaouira - on the Edge of Morocco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY3jza9eZcxSLoEoTjg0M_Y9KiG6XYML2be6PspV9pjYcQfSV9x-Q6NP7SbRd8wdc3XdSsvHgNp1cCpgFt_lZoLWOlR7h-yoReEX11VAo97C1IjIAvbCajjJSAwdboh6r1Py-_ykypmQ/s1600/Doors1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY3jza9eZcxSLoEoTjg0M_Y9KiG6XYML2be6PspV9pjYcQfSV9x-Q6NP7SbRd8wdc3XdSsvHgNp1cCpgFt_lZoLWOlR7h-yoReEX11VAo97C1IjIAvbCajjJSAwdboh6r1Py-_ykypmQ/s640/Doors1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Morocco is SO full of cool colors. And - the DOORS -!</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">So - do you know the difference between a medina, a souk, a casbah, a riad?</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">I wasn't sure.</span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">So here it is:</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The <b>medina</b> - is the old town.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It usually has a wall around it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZNPOMlKl-LnTPHscbWLlsaTu8-sH7V6i_bnWdRTJqzezId2MuDNRrxN36rImJ0_ghzQnMuV6u2T_0EiLBg-sCG6HcZOIExXDy_ZBbxPAgse1Mwg0jh3JWUyzTvqBdezOBRRaDDE-T68/s1600/20191228_111749%25280%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZNPOMlKl-LnTPHscbWLlsaTu8-sH7V6i_bnWdRTJqzezId2MuDNRrxN36rImJ0_ghzQnMuV6u2T_0EiLBg-sCG6HcZOIExXDy_ZBbxPAgse1Mwg0jh3JWUyzTvqBdezOBRRaDDE-T68/s640/20191228_111749%25280%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The wall around the medina in Essaouira. It used to be called "Mogador". Isn't that a great name?</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CeFJ7lFtEOaNbNyuTgOAyTfiGQl5IM6tQHV7XxTWFGyalh2gAadAGufGn5WcFcyp_CgdlTJFDKv2IeYJN1WKiwji3iOrI4koX9XscdtgQvG8HeNLp63RRiXZ1Fc9vEM0IOCJS_5EIzQ/s1600/20191230_114756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CeFJ7lFtEOaNbNyuTgOAyTfiGQl5IM6tQHV7XxTWFGyalh2gAadAGufGn5WcFcyp_CgdlTJFDKv2IeYJN1WKiwji3iOrI4koX9XscdtgQvG8HeNLp63RRiXZ1Fc9vEM0IOCJS_5EIzQ/s640/20191230_114756.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Small restaurants within the medina.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M7IBZvK4gyurBRb3MN348HGaiY5_upygIgGP6hAcHXTzS-OC0dMxhJJ3Zw07h86sb9xYiFrqlaGQt8YF5s0FoGzj0I88572HUnLt9UEWTNnZ90vze2RVdTrnlE48fFB3t1rpY8tyhVE/s1600/20191213_101708-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M7IBZvK4gyurBRb3MN348HGaiY5_upygIgGP6hAcHXTzS-OC0dMxhJJ3Zw07h86sb9xYiFrqlaGQt8YF5s0FoGzj0I88572HUnLt9UEWTNnZ90vze2RVdTrnlE48fFB3t1rpY8tyhVE/s640/20191213_101708-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Taxis here cost between 70 cents and a dollar.</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Those huge stone gates? They're called "Babs".</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">You can use them for directions. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Like telling a taxi, "Drop me off at the South Babs."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImk3KZhECVsS5CJYJrN5ISJbSGKmXo0TpjJtLui2-BfdfOZMS6756SorXcAW8_AAP7oOEqcZlQWR3DeE8OWFcj2hvrU_4Hsqc4ZjjnTIsMZwqQ3KEKQWFN3qCn6CORd1Kzmra1nYYjN8/s1600/20191212_145720-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImk3KZhECVsS5CJYJrN5ISJbSGKmXo0TpjJtLui2-BfdfOZMS6756SorXcAW8_AAP7oOEqcZlQWR3DeE8OWFcj2hvrU_4Hsqc4ZjjnTIsMZwqQ3KEKQWFN3qCn6CORd1Kzmra1nYYjN8/s400/20191212_145720-1.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cats - are everywhere in Morocco! One fellow said, "We should really call it Catablanca."</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The<b> souk</b> - is the market. The bazaar.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Often covered.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPpzPsA2GxkqXYHA0tijvzIUCUJalWXUb9DrNbRYwSam4JYHKqbVBg3FJARLO4-HsJTPez5XXSKgLaieVgZEGz5NWvi8-QvrBAKw0iQX8w52RKbSpCAEZ-snhqxuTPpLaXdHQ2j61B4o/s1600/20191221_165128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPpzPsA2GxkqXYHA0tijvzIUCUJalWXUb9DrNbRYwSam4JYHKqbVBg3FJARLO4-HsJTPez5XXSKgLaieVgZEGz5NWvi8-QvrBAKw0iQX8w52RKbSpCAEZ-snhqxuTPpLaXdHQ2j61B4o/s400/20191221_165128.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The souk is usually within the medina.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">You can buy EVERYTHING in the souk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuc3zu1y2B_bDj-rgM76xDwgoqmrCok7ojEwLZgWRajWO-T8-CLU-sBccQJefy8mmWOF3HKuR-X4zE_zzWEstAjDS_ylNtHTiWlaT9zak4ttTRzOG4eDaxc2y2vMI_nM1gFtBJV1Glr8/s1600/Souk+Olives.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuc3zu1y2B_bDj-rgM76xDwgoqmrCok7ojEwLZgWRajWO-T8-CLU-sBccQJefy8mmWOF3HKuR-X4zE_zzWEstAjDS_ylNtHTiWlaT9zak4ttTRzOG4eDaxc2y2vMI_nM1gFtBJV1Glr8/s640/Souk+Olives.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">A <b>casbah</b> is a type of fortress.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">A citadel. Might also be within the medina.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Or not.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuzynK40a7L-c84s-pb8VEwMz7QphewxfYTTimzi_mlrOX3eZWg2tHP5iQyfzPMqDghSg5EX6iAXyoljLJSCA-A7k3kSaSSDFzCDrPwJ62tVAK0mOUbXeAk7TFrgdvcE6LRG0YGRgqtE/s1600/20191220_114429P-1-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuzynK40a7L-c84s-pb8VEwMz7QphewxfYTTimzi_mlrOX3eZWg2tHP5iQyfzPMqDghSg5EX6iAXyoljLJSCA-A7k3kSaSSDFzCDrPwJ62tVAK0mOUbXeAk7TFrgdvcE6LRG0YGRgqtE/s640/20191220_114429P-1-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1vX2tTIhXvngrLK5x0_whDbgueiI8WaY7snOd046yZ0EBLVS_mUJS3aEWQg90kF1n75-yxDmtnhyphenhyphen6nQC3jIwUQ28diL2Qt-F0i-TypbkCoRyW2BwmvWs9wI9uPkkJieve28aDHbs6rA/s1600/20191219_124911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1vX2tTIhXvngrLK5x0_whDbgueiI8WaY7snOd046yZ0EBLVS_mUJS3aEWQg90kF1n75-yxDmtnhyphenhyphen6nQC3jIwUQ28diL2Qt-F0i-TypbkCoRyW2BwmvWs9wI9uPkkJieve28aDHbs6rA/s640/20191219_124911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This old casbah has a VERY large stork's nest on top of it!</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">And a <b>riad</b> - is a traditional house built around a courtyard, often a garden.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Recently, a lot of riads have been turned into hotels.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6ERqhfhsMoaeyAnuFM9KLAEfSktYfAjnQwwp1EA2KwQ6bf7A2RILCSpc48wZTJrZssiV9z4jCTEiARINhMmB5NWnDBnsUZCQgYJvsouZrewIsruQubI1J-Ee8LIo98SQYELotPTMer8/s1600/20191220_110741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6ERqhfhsMoaeyAnuFM9KLAEfSktYfAjnQwwp1EA2KwQ6bf7A2RILCSpc48wZTJrZssiV9z4jCTEiARINhMmB5NWnDBnsUZCQgYJvsouZrewIsruQubI1J-Ee8LIo98SQYELotPTMer8/s640/20191220_110741.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJurP3ORe7yjRVVZIR861iFv71ASj0AW3n1zLkA-id1a2tRnH9LWovvSi-j_tTb4f9W8EiD2e00Q5MfYpTCovYnd6cJSECkxHL8N5uMgKRmu-d4AfBUosP7Dn0KKIcPfn1q5EWaH0JyBw/s1600/riads.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJurP3ORe7yjRVVZIR861iFv71ASj0AW3n1zLkA-id1a2tRnH9LWovvSi-j_tTb4f9W8EiD2e00Q5MfYpTCovYnd6cJSECkxHL8N5uMgKRmu-d4AfBUosP7Dn0KKIcPfn1q5EWaH0JyBw/s400/riads.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It's a popular thing: Come to Morocco, buy a riad.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Fix it up, and start a guesthouse.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTauUVJTLW9AQR2-WdIUyxzgv9A0voLIzcMGP2D5LTlAHVNw2a_jXrI2B65kKZRCYz_Y-hCTd5FRA6_-eqI3htSypjBaxor2Zp_GthJvKYQ0jemsF-9Q6ct_HrNQvRDLVyZXd1NTWj-rA/s1600/20191214_091127-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTauUVJTLW9AQR2-WdIUyxzgv9A0voLIzcMGP2D5LTlAHVNw2a_jXrI2B65kKZRCYz_Y-hCTd5FRA6_-eqI3htSypjBaxor2Zp_GthJvKYQ0jemsF-9Q6ct_HrNQvRDLVyZXd1NTWj-rA/s640/20191214_091127-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">There you go. Now you know, too.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We're in Essaouira. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The western coast of Morocco.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcEpwTDcFgwDJwpFMoO0zfz0rtidUVQc4mxxbVnCrpMfQcNioZYx_y_c5505dVnTTo-rt8wi4syT-FXm7z2C3KlD3xans6g1rd0aWi8r3RgpO7GMv21K-czaECW_dcQVRW4MACMYi4pA/s1600/Morocco+Color.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcEpwTDcFgwDJwpFMoO0zfz0rtidUVQc4mxxbVnCrpMfQcNioZYx_y_c5505dVnTTo-rt8wi4syT-FXm7z2C3KlD3xans6g1rd0aWi8r3RgpO7GMv21K-czaECW_dcQVRW4MACMYi4pA/s640/Morocco+Color.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's crazy colorful here.</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We've been in Morocco over a month already.</span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We hadn't planned to stay here so long.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFMfLQf8S4iPDREaHM1SHbCAVYfTSH5L1KC2CNIfMXhD0rnWY9Nv46NSSLmWaRcqY-G8bFdSdc3QAbuOQA9vDzjqv_42N-Uk8v7DVmIXzQ4cgy_LTXnjtVshrWhBSgXf92B_Jk7hVWgE/s1600/20191214_095720-1.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFMfLQf8S4iPDREaHM1SHbCAVYfTSH5L1KC2CNIfMXhD0rnWY9Nv46NSSLmWaRcqY-G8bFdSdc3QAbuOQA9vDzjqv_42N-Uk8v7DVmIXzQ4cgy_LTXnjtVshrWhBSgXf92B_Jk7hVWgE/s640/20191214_095720-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">In fact, we'd already bought tickets to SE Asia.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Turkish Airlines - from Casablanca to Istanbul to Bangkok.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We've been traveling in Morocco for a while, and thought we were ready to move on.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH91D01x7DyIS5Y_CrB71-pfttr9E-wHucb6D2H6HK0kS8fbz3cQQsuobAady-vlmDzRbdgSGGiZKiaCnkgwAdzwrI0bjMg5qHsd2hdvKOR61_0rdr_7Tq7sIWxcib0kp6h70KBxxac8/s1600/20191225_181836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH91D01x7DyIS5Y_CrB71-pfttr9E-wHucb6D2H6HK0kS8fbz3cQQsuobAady-vlmDzRbdgSGGiZKiaCnkgwAdzwrI0bjMg5qHsd2hdvKOR61_0rdr_7Tq7sIWxcib0kp6h70KBxxac8/s640/20191225_181836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Then - we arrived in Essaouira. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We spent Christmas here with family.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">And - it's really cool! </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Relaxed. Comfortable. Chill.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Perfect temperature. Plenty of places to rent.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI42Mlwo9XQLB9C8B0UIMoIxxjS2qZXtecFOeNsHuK3_h2s-Pq-VilsmmcnWoLjKNWaX6pA2LET9-GnKieWpihZqHO7o14ZXb_5Jyq6PzqUrKCIftLsB0mq3Rxo32iaYj-CZqyw3dKk4/s1600/20191228_114247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI42Mlwo9XQLB9C8B0UIMoIxxjS2qZXtecFOeNsHuK3_h2s-Pq-VilsmmcnWoLjKNWaX6pA2LET9-GnKieWpihZqHO7o14ZXb_5Jyq6PzqUrKCIftLsB0mq3Rxo32iaYj-CZqyw3dKk4/s640/20191228_114247.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Kite surfing.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Guys playing soccer on the beach.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Umbrellas over restaurant tables. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">History, culture and a colorful medina.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">And camels.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">So - we decided to stay here a while longer.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We've rented a super cool little rooftop apartment.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG47OlIHkpp46EO2ZApy_xJ6PgyAvWjJVLOZcqwuRHa1YW7O5epwFYaqLBWI0NSAzpg8v2FRBdWTK0G51INvQ5Eqimmxvnq0yU4M_ec749doIwhRlf138xVRCexluzxPstH0pgSHETCM/s1600/20200112_135033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG47OlIHkpp46EO2ZApy_xJ6PgyAvWjJVLOZcqwuRHa1YW7O5epwFYaqLBWI0NSAzpg8v2FRBdWTK0G51INvQ5Eqimmxvnq0yU4M_ec749doIwhRlf138xVRCexluzxPstH0pgSHETCM/s640/20200112_135033.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's about $40 a night. But - the wine is more expensive here. When you can find it.</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Just inside the medina.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9twJ9fOGFdg-Nlou8t6Rs955_0RuN6nOWDrR9wEiz13tZF4NbBRpESy_EIN4rUqiDD1ExFkpuh01738-6YuE7QB1AXG68r_ZGRCNPL5Zw83fpg8FY3xsgMa2LSabfjfuM5or1HZMBcU/s1600/20200112_135118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9twJ9fOGFdg-Nlou8t6Rs955_0RuN6nOWDrR9wEiz13tZF4NbBRpESy_EIN4rUqiDD1ExFkpuh01738-6YuE7QB1AXG68r_ZGRCNPL5Zw83fpg8FY3xsgMa2LSabfjfuM5or1HZMBcU/s640/20200112_135118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It's very sunny - but not hot.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Just about perfect for long walks on the beach. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsJd-dbh1jCX2vDCfOxoSqbzeF-iAEfwVCraMlno85hRszIplu4R30r4ctu5KyOMqGSZIzoI6WPCCbQ8rTlHKsFNvUKyyCVi1M7eKLJeAgOKvdUWtl5glB34cuO1OlV83qrEm6LPIrAs/s640/20200105_145712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's a very long beach-!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsJd-dbh1jCX2vDCfOxoSqbzeF-iAEfwVCraMlno85hRszIplu4R30r4ctu5KyOMqGSZIzoI6WPCCbQ8rTlHKsFNvUKyyCVi1M7eKLJeAgOKvdUWtl5glB34cuO1OlV83qrEm6LPIrAs/s1600/20200105_145712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"></span></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">There's a thriving fishing industry here.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Lots of boats. Lots of fish. Lots of sea birds.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjNpBZYvchVn_hpFKI3GzTmvZPt9rfHgrupmCPKwjznmWXTugXiZdWHyTOTbYpN0WdfW-Yu1mx7PrUqmuDXCiNtLLcLVWuuXzltJ4mA7Z2-oCjOU7kJitloBPe5yYMYElbQ4VSCWun20/s640/20191228_113822.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The birds are loud! Almost as loud as the mosques -</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjNpBZYvchVn_hpFKI3GzTmvZPt9rfHgrupmCPKwjznmWXTugXiZdWHyTOTbYpN0WdfW-Yu1mx7PrUqmuDXCiNtLLcLVWuuXzltJ4mA7Z2-oCjOU7kJitloBPe5yYMYElbQ4VSCWun20/s1600/20191228_113822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"></span></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">And - good restaurants.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It's about 3 hours' drive west of Marrakech. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Marrakech - in contrast - is a VERY busy place.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">About a million people, but it feels like more.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLbC4Fs5JBGcgslXFg0_5IDXqlaFG8CnL_E9irOOAx1gBJ-8MHSJys2rTmMjsW-DgpqtITnnXfM_fJOC4tW4b69rK8dFFq0bHO5ca2m-Ow8q8R41IrhxX5ctXeAFB9rI7sxJl4ZrP_vo/s1600/20191221_152513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLbC4Fs5JBGcgslXFg0_5IDXqlaFG8CnL_E9irOOAx1gBJ-8MHSJys2rTmMjsW-DgpqtITnnXfM_fJOC4tW4b69rK8dFFq0bHO5ca2m-Ow8q8R41IrhxX5ctXeAFB9rI7sxJl4ZrP_vo/s640/20191221_152513.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Traffic in Marrakech is - challenging.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> Erik drove through it.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">His comment: "You’re right. The driving here is reaaaally crazy." </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">And this - from a guy who lives and drives - in Bangkok.</span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">So, what's in Morocco beside sand? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAkNBmcNKTamBUCzT33sB5J3WP9i-0Dq8XfcTyjYrTtoNEP-guGrcRSrgzgA4-krxfKaTGCVRPINJDmYIFHiRgtxP1bJtJikYtUBwskTVWBmezWMhuM29mDeFupw4Vr6KUcn1SlGZbz0/s1600/20191217_163235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAkNBmcNKTamBUCzT33sB5J3WP9i-0Dq8XfcTyjYrTtoNEP-guGrcRSrgzgA4-krxfKaTGCVRPINJDmYIFHiRgtxP1bJtJikYtUBwskTVWBmezWMhuM29mDeFupw4Vr6KUcn1SlGZbz0/s640/20191217_163235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Awesome blue cities.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQAV-CJxJ0Fl_nfCHZhq7uH5kssVDL9pSrP9uZcu5hQYIftC6nf68PiV9K4pMOdfjK8dg5lX74gUdz_D85wssjdv96g7weiTOQAxW2yo-vU-JXFCV3HkfSqoSzEpYO-IJ5wFEAlQC1Jw/s1600/20191214_104551P-1.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQAV-CJxJ0Fl_nfCHZhq7uH5kssVDL9pSrP9uZcu5hQYIftC6nf68PiV9K4pMOdfjK8dg5lX74gUdz_D85wssjdv96g7weiTOQAxW2yo-vU-JXFCV3HkfSqoSzEpYO-IJ5wFEAlQC1Jw/s640/20191214_104551P-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Ancient castles buried in palm fringed valleys. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Old stone palaces. Roman ruins. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUFnnR0vGbY7Cg004oK5j1G3ZJq8lx8R62LxozSvGyWQgKS4RkOShDQ2hs8vPkQBlUIpRffiR2QAzMM0XGDQ1qWeCuVsq3fLGmPI_VuxsjDg9Ee9S_peQVbtezBLMPlNqdWm788oHLrA/s1600/20191220_114538-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUFnnR0vGbY7Cg004oK5j1G3ZJq8lx8R62LxozSvGyWQgKS4RkOShDQ2hs8vPkQBlUIpRffiR2QAzMM0XGDQ1qWeCuVsq3fLGmPI_VuxsjDg9Ee9S_peQVbtezBLMPlNqdWm788oHLrA/s640/20191220_114538-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Mountain peaks and wild gorges. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Berber villages.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbh2zdoIVp_2CQRCZmAhezggYh8dbsHY1KPHpFGr4bv6BQYvW55sxjQTKV0O5x7W16a1Tf5Nr0i51R45sd1dxCWfnoVns9D5rgpzEfvWUu4wmoZ3bpjGspE7hi6RirkLVkuVztcQuRbU/s640/south+of+Midelt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We stayed with a large Berber family up in the mountains - lots of mint tea and soup.</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Incredible markets and souks where you can wander for hours.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Everything from carpets to camel heads. </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcoV8f4wGnpX5rCVg4caVmLlN8IOhyOR-84rOGWATVSiGl3IIKJn1StEsQS2gSIhpNW6Q1aqY4EgA3Wny0FknZiAC2AUKTA9eZ12H3CKhxSbpbUtbv2rIpV5DAaFBncEyH4U5w6Rv74Y/s1600/20191228_134452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcoV8f4wGnpX5rCVg4caVmLlN8IOhyOR-84rOGWATVSiGl3IIKJn1StEsQS2gSIhpNW6Q1aqY4EgA3Wny0FknZiAC2AUKTA9eZ12H3CKhxSbpbUtbv2rIpV5DAaFBncEyH4U5w6Rv74Y/w360-h640/20191228_134452.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The medina in Fes has 9,000 alleyways. (and 40,000 dead ends) </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It helps to have a guide - we did. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">One who was born and raised in the souk itself.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE2877voHwv-objaxLhrl7S5LEgnAJv2DCXg7NAIGWlj8w-76m_pSPeHORuaIGZpFHryeQPqM1lgdPemJsDZc0JXmyUYdgnWleOU8Awq37APq2m-bO5QTb-Dl3IlPRiab53YZFiy-7QQ/s1600/Erik+Image+2019-12-31+at+10.59.25+AM.jpeg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYE2877voHwv-objaxLhrl7S5LEgnAJv2DCXg7NAIGWlj8w-76m_pSPeHORuaIGZpFHryeQPqM1lgdPemJsDZc0JXmyUYdgnWleOU8Awq37APq2m-bO5QTb-Dl3IlPRiab53YZFiy-7QQ/w300-h400/Erik+Image+2019-12-31+at+10.59.25+AM.jpeg" width="300" /></a></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Oasis after oasis. Just like in films.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bHe__LERukcAy_L_ivqTHZSOm-6qT7ImmvlCsOCNqTshguT8lXiSEeNjnrnGu7axqyyRCNZOUc8-aESzugt09k7da9VB-xowWRygWFJ5KC1j6kzeC-eZQj_o9AtPPsn20ynUK4cC0X4/s1600/20191220_162026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bHe__LERukcAy_L_ivqTHZSOm-6qT7ImmvlCsOCNqTshguT8lXiSEeNjnrnGu7axqyyRCNZOUc8-aESzugt09k7da9VB-xowWRygWFJ5KC1j6kzeC-eZQj_o9AtPPsn20ynUK4cC0X4/s640/20191220_162026.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Music. </span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">And - incredible fossils.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bVO3ZDadVC04zqBsp42ouzIbBR_-o66XPPgBk4nxRJE7osBAxEJchGonGdr-6DSO9b_mIjsN_xlLmidffEnfbkEL4AkBFoPpAAa8h9w1yAorOuuMD_gIT0BGTJnrPxXYoTTL6ZORHD8/s400/20191218_095757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This - is a table in our room.</i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Rugs. Tiles.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Handicrafts. Art. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaGiKPmfOveyOtfLToC-VjYTADUXo6ZDKX5tadhjd_RPxhWcUIL3Ozg513JPwISb-xE0WwV1KQfXH_OrZGqaDU53H67p8mSv9RXauSQ9hx29Zt68eHlNR6Rq6JZ96B3qM5Z88Jv2Pb2Y/s1600/Tile+patterns.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaGiKPmfOveyOtfLToC-VjYTADUXo6ZDKX5tadhjd_RPxhWcUIL3Ozg513JPwISb-xE0WwV1KQfXH_OrZGqaDU53H67p8mSv9RXauSQ9hx29Zt68eHlNR6Rq6JZ96B3qM5Z88Jv2Pb2Y/s640/Tile+patterns.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Steps are tiled. Walls. Sinks. Tables. Floors. Fountains. Tiles everywhere.<br /><br /><br /></i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8HRDV0bjGoMNWwi0eB5zyshvrJrYHcAI9df2H0I2ZkqQV-PIWjJKVHhU-OCTXKDIGcOayyqyzPKxJUgdyUR4QFB_aN0WOCYtCOpgAL5ZnR5V4cI5qGzJgmofPAUkQBeUc-HkduRJHJE/s1600/20191221_171351.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8HRDV0bjGoMNWwi0eB5zyshvrJrYHcAI9df2H0I2ZkqQV-PIWjJKVHhU-OCTXKDIGcOayyqyzPKxJUgdyUR4QFB_aN0WOCYtCOpgAL5ZnR5V4cI5qGzJgmofPAUkQBeUc-HkduRJHJE/s640/20191221_171351.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brass, copper, rugs, textiles, teapots, trays, coffee pots. Certainly an Aladdin's lamp in there somewhere.</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />The tanneries of Fes, what a sight! </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Built in the 11th century, where they still tan and dye leather. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Cow, sheep, goat, and camel hides are tanned, and then dried in the sun. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Did you know goat hides make the softest leather?</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ1HLfURi972BfIk3lB0BMAwIiSnaghw2O7UL8LYuPu-ebu4a4kJG9BfqGgAwirmx70BDTeDj1Y_tyRZSHbeo48J8UGxCK3LxqQKn0i7fQQ2p0a7PrnWDg-za8RLOqPUxfIhh_MJTvcQ/s1600/20191215_131537P-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ1HLfURi972BfIk3lB0BMAwIiSnaghw2O7UL8LYuPu-ebu4a4kJG9BfqGgAwirmx70BDTeDj1Y_tyRZSHbeo48J8UGxCK3LxqQKn0i7fQQ2p0a7PrnWDg-za8RLOqPUxfIhh_MJTvcQ/s640/20191215_131537P-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The view is impressive - and so is the smell. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">(They give you a spring of mint to smell when you enter. As if.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShjfNyqJMc-vhB4kWS1zEgYKN7UKfS_y-Fg6br_1ta8seBZa-gtj8A3-MVCN2p9-c_tFfbfPvcoIzRdANjV25icQ2BgvpsHA5sdwMWt0biLIyWQe5q6CZqL7Omf_NHwNaqRuizGai-1I/s1600/20191215_131740-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShjfNyqJMc-vhB4kWS1zEgYKN7UKfS_y-Fg6br_1ta8seBZa-gtj8A3-MVCN2p9-c_tFfbfPvcoIzRdANjV25icQ2BgvpsHA5sdwMWt0biLIyWQe5q6CZqL7Omf_NHwNaqRuizGai-1I/s640/20191215_131740-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">So many of the places look like film sets. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Apparently, the film companies think so, too. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">A lot of popular films are shot here. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzJh7J4MIQPDCw9G0FynzDyXLn8Zy90F2vT0ks-LhbsdtE11YyzlMv3i3-jT_4IZV1w8enXJaP_T50NjctFbhuKGB6xkldnqG7A343bbS7SP7WLnDHr4pOFTc262Zyh5tHyV6d1tsraY/s640/20191219_124724P.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stan adding to the local color. They all call him Ali Baba. Not sure exactly why.</i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Stan was looking for meteorites.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Morocco is a good place to find them.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PosWfNxdHfYlC4E3sTPI4xx1sw3GTHZItU8dJ9IGiRdNQCZTKnnPXBGluK7I7xwAWX_Dqb6noHpUfA_W-DuIIKjst79Z-I8jzjx9_uo0Jwd-olJyPzpRSD_9NuNAWoccgETUcq9_cCw/s1600/20191220_165252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PosWfNxdHfYlC4E3sTPI4xx1sw3GTHZItU8dJ9IGiRdNQCZTKnnPXBGluK7I7xwAWX_Dqb6noHpUfA_W-DuIIKjst79Z-I8jzjx9_uo0Jwd-olJyPzpRSD_9NuNAWoccgETUcq9_cCw/s400/20191220_165252.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Stan hunting for meteorites. With his pétanque magnet.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Did I mention the doors...?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WVf1OyXQ7LQ7HRcz6P0givF_kpsURrFQxaHZpVNC4X-os0-qsqdDWsA4r77xoinKrR8nvp_dDgbH8v-78ynKt4Xhz5l0dtqMYvPR5Ru9naliKkpcE_5_JJFpM9hhugRJzDYndUoZIfc/s1600/Doors4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WVf1OyXQ7LQ7HRcz6P0givF_kpsURrFQxaHZpVNC4X-os0-qsqdDWsA4r77xoinKrR8nvp_dDgbH8v-78ynKt4Xhz5l0dtqMYvPR5Ru9naliKkpcE_5_JJFpM9hhugRJzDYndUoZIfc/s640/Doors4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The main languages in Morocco are Arabic and Berber. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">About 75% of the people are Berber. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Here's what the Berber alphabet looks like. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Really.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9mIRtUjqSmQNQorygqOZe_BrWeg5y_aHcaiz5Z7gnFt3h1bgvQfAiZxhpykWVpt222xTPl4WGX51e7RxxGnmG1O8N1eAmYUZLacsyCRGUZ_g9PSdd8RrqQKr4QxI0yKC4CRAtKv6dr4/s1600/20191214_102050a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9mIRtUjqSmQNQorygqOZe_BrWeg5y_aHcaiz5Z7gnFt3h1bgvQfAiZxhpykWVpt222xTPl4WGX51e7RxxGnmG1O8N1eAmYUZLacsyCRGUZ_g9PSdd8RrqQKr4QxI0yKC4CRAtKv6dr4/s320/20191214_102050a.jpg" width="245" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Berber alphabet</span></i></td></tr>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">A lot of Morocco reminds me of New Mexico. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">And of Iran, where I lived 1977-79. </span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The climate, the geography, the adobe buildings. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Sunshine and deep blue skies.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJ9wDUCoUa_jc_GIiDtOhzh3d8cZL92pc127KECctRDPQANTmw3fqyXIfuHdXTZpBSj08T4xR0DEpHDPgPKQKu29bns7JiZ-aJM50jRlhZ-1r-N0mx6RRJvlPiSED5mr9q7tsz_FCdV0/s1600/20191219_113040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJ9wDUCoUa_jc_GIiDtOhzh3d8cZL92pc127KECctRDPQANTmw3fqyXIfuHdXTZpBSj08T4xR0DEpHDPgPKQKu29bns7JiZ-aJM50jRlhZ-1r-N0mx6RRJvlPiSED5mr9q7tsz_FCdV0/s640/20191219_113040.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"></span><br /></span><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Almost as cool as the doors....</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMWOU86zS3imzdQZzAJ4KGH77VK5TxYv5sh7lznsuvTZAWfSuOgnEsKKX6lfzO018FG-CQ76lJ-xI7zTkvOaRBYVtNoakQFQ5psB1hvW7yfW4xWduwLt1uWofZUmh4sKJMcK3Q9zOZd0/s1600/Doors2.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMWOU86zS3imzdQZzAJ4KGH77VK5TxYv5sh7lznsuvTZAWfSuOgnEsKKX6lfzO018FG-CQ76lJ-xI7zTkvOaRBYVtNoakQFQ5psB1hvW7yfW4xWduwLt1uWofZUmh4sKJMcK3Q9zOZd0/s640/Doors2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Our route: </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes - Volubilis - Fes - Midelt - Erfoud - Merzouga - Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech - Sidi Kaouki - Essaouira</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3xk5V36TwiBCggHm8Muel89f50YVgq2k0XiJ_RJeM2xU8iElyLHGEtog95hO8Eb-82CtkjGtU36_oIKP99XKWIKFIgKMnR_vQmAPunDg6zY9AuZ7iZck5q8PFcT-OFGa_HpAi9ifFtQ/s1600/Morocco+Map.jpg" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3xk5V36TwiBCggHm8Muel89f50YVgq2k0XiJ_RJeM2xU8iElyLHGEtog95hO8Eb-82CtkjGtU36_oIKP99XKWIKFIgKMnR_vQmAPunDg6zY9AuZ7iZck5q8PFcT-OFGa_HpAi9ifFtQ/s640/Morocco+Map.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">...and more Morocco -<a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2020/01/morocco-in-winter.html" target="_blank"> here.</a></span><br />
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-35557031300065998652020-02-12T16:04:00.000+01:002023-03-19T09:55:33.440+01:00Morocco in Winter - Camels on the Beach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I wake up to CAMELS these days. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YVeVeoCYP6Ytjy5RpvbC7_2xQLl3tXWnSRYe5fulq42_DstCavIe-bOhS7Rbn6r3C-lWRZcW22HTaXNaB2UC3D16yWvMbILBosJjxLpbYD2XMeS6C2hd5srBjhPRmee1iha2e0vmVf8/s1600/20191217_170000+%25283%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1489" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YVeVeoCYP6Ytjy5RpvbC7_2xQLl3tXWnSRYe5fulq42_DstCavIe-bOhS7Rbn6r3C-lWRZcW22HTaXNaB2UC3D16yWvMbILBosJjxLpbYD2XMeS6C2hd5srBjhPRmee1iha2e0vmVf8/s640/20191217_170000+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Every morning, the herders bring them out to the beach (the beach!).<br />
They settle in among the kite and wind surfers.<br />
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Camels and coffee.<br />
I like it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69xxjvEIgJ3s20qy93cT96Nab_uZLcB8RXFrNuY-Robx8OaBM8atmUcW-mqPULmJrOeME-FgHVc44XFgCawRalh8Ds4tjqaseU4UYpNPmEET1tJsjk9bxSCq04yCQqqqAo0qtgm_f3cg/s1600/20191226_163141a-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69xxjvEIgJ3s20qy93cT96Nab_uZLcB8RXFrNuY-Robx8OaBM8atmUcW-mqPULmJrOeME-FgHVc44XFgCawRalh8Ds4tjqaseU4UYpNPmEET1tJsjk9bxSCq04yCQqqqAo0qtgm_f3cg/s640/20191226_163141a-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We're in Essaouira, beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. </div>
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We've been in Morocco for over a month.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9fuUvHWrvo8YNXbqANxCRCQY-FBi80dcTk3UReseOORbp2SCA_5KNZTryokpMDWl_ZiCbicgnXE0lSBd4be5p6iOWP27rN1f5squH6nIvWbM2NAe-FGHHmdsayyeGXmLJLlmfEhVoKQ/s1600/Skoura.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9fuUvHWrvo8YNXbqANxCRCQY-FBi80dcTk3UReseOORbp2SCA_5KNZTryokpMDWl_ZiCbicgnXE0lSBd4be5p6iOWP27rN1f5squH6nIvWbM2NAe-FGHHmdsayyeGXmLJLlmfEhVoKQ/s640/Skoura.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
We didn't mean to be spending so long here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But - it's pretty cool.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2h7Khxx4UmtoKL03E_6YzGV9unXu9RJveQPg6iFykQcwOVEfjYUl4C81eUHYV0PNK5iWv2q2Y5DwMk3ua3pHp_5aJxIwzornG_9E2J55-poo4tlhc2PWLYC12DONHAuOMXN718B_x-c/s1600/Fes+Medina+tiles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2h7Khxx4UmtoKL03E_6YzGV9unXu9RJveQPg6iFykQcwOVEfjYUl4C81eUHYV0PNK5iWv2q2Y5DwMk3ua3pHp_5aJxIwzornG_9E2J55-poo4tlhc2PWLYC12DONHAuOMXN718B_x-c/s640/Fes+Medina+tiles.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mountains. Medinas. Mosques. History. Culture.<br />
<br />
And - SO much art. </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdtzLhcgBkbbFHivfnX0Ye1Jt5qxmlIVNFDQY0vGb9woIy7rZ0x_OFH7Nj5wyiWacFpeOWTCNzzpVex68lh39wUhF6QQAop5KALdutn9aKPByvp-0NVnL5lBT5BAq2QbV6HBAFk-2EDI/s1600/Atlas+Mountains.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdtzLhcgBkbbFHivfnX0Ye1Jt5qxmlIVNFDQY0vGb9woIy7rZ0x_OFH7Nj5wyiWacFpeOWTCNzzpVex68lh39wUhF6QQAop5KALdutn9aKPByvp-0NVnL5lBT5BAq2QbV6HBAFk-2EDI/s640/Atlas+Mountains.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Art everywhere. Handmade tiles.<br />
Pottery. Rugs. Textiles.<br />
Brass. Copper. Carved wood.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78XQPRt_wmZl-3eQRL0fWQcec4UUftqGIy31VF7AvQZ4o28kxjtncjL8t3tZ0Vqmg8EZ3B9dakDsla2FC_C7cdVzXSDy55RQ7LF3lQFmXOV2M__nuHpfW_vYHEG2-XA_u4oQDAJQvPjA/s1600/20191215_130918-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78XQPRt_wmZl-3eQRL0fWQcec4UUftqGIy31VF7AvQZ4o28kxjtncjL8t3tZ0Vqmg8EZ3B9dakDsla2FC_C7cdVzXSDy55RQ7LF3lQFmXOV2M__nuHpfW_vYHEG2-XA_u4oQDAJQvPjA/s640/20191215_130918-1.jpg" width="360" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crazy traffic in the cities. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Twisted alleyways in the souks. Easy to get lost.<br />
<br />
EVERYTHING is sold here.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7ZoOcLtaIxedSWNJg3K8KKLwJKTbinP6rTw3Trzqtes7Bx5ELY-K-JFmXtz8Pz4koBRd6eA-SX3jkhFILHhUNIEJg7eyYusj08LnfzC5hPGgfhSYj8uK9eVDqv6qyR6UFP5OI9jaM30/s1600/Medina+Goods.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7ZoOcLtaIxedSWNJg3K8KKLwJKTbinP6rTw3Trzqtes7Bx5ELY-K-JFmXtz8Pz4koBRd6eA-SX3jkhFILHhUNIEJg7eyYusj08LnfzC5hPGgfhSYj8uK9eVDqv6qyR6UFP5OI9jaM30/s640/Medina+Goods.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Dates. Figs. Fish. Spices.<br />
Engraved weapons. Odd musical instruments.<br />
And - olives -!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPKsX-AW7I-Z5FWe1PcPGgnl3QxXfpOrxMHCmFde44uNwuHq2-V38iJ78pZs37gOl5CsCpLV4hdXqn6iQoLVD00OA14x9AvDy16FbMlzk7oIwHBssGRkh4qZ4YvSP0SITfx_RIM7FfHw/s1600/20191215_121019-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPKsX-AW7I-Z5FWe1PcPGgnl3QxXfpOrxMHCmFde44uNwuHq2-V38iJ78pZs37gOl5CsCpLV4hdXqn6iQoLVD00OA14x9AvDy16FbMlzk7oIwHBssGRkh4qZ4YvSP0SITfx_RIM7FfHw/s640/20191215_121019-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>LOOK at all those olives! A whole landslide of olives...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stan and I really enjoyed exploring the country.<br />
Casablanca - Meknes - Rabat - all the way down to the Sahara in Merzouga.<br />
Up to Chefchouen. All the high points.<br />
<br />
Fes, Marrakech, Ourzazate.<br />
The Dades and the M'Goun Valleys.<br />
Atlas Mountains, Anti-Atlas, and a few Middle Atlas peaks as well. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuv3xofftdsTB_yM6mlu_VserilWzwfB9Bt-EZ1shRopioZkG89O_nMPIahvGtZ1fySyE4eq0KjgYGJhnHrp96Vg7ZHz9nYPJrFzYddDjuaIeqsIhQMN9DmLDZeplJ7tXk-k0bMS1TFg/s1600/Trish+and+Stan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuv3xofftdsTB_yM6mlu_VserilWzwfB9Bt-EZ1shRopioZkG89O_nMPIahvGtZ1fySyE4eq0KjgYGJhnHrp96Vg7ZHz9nYPJrFzYddDjuaIeqsIhQMN9DmLDZeplJ7tXk-k0bMS1TFg/s640/Trish+and+Stan.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Snowstorms to sandstorms.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVUNOYD99uKHxHUH_PTnafdxCDqmDRfI1d9diqJYHEQVKDuuDu5M6p99K5JLNsq33Wbm2NM59DPk_egF-RTYsT-YiNdpYpmX2K-ZwDEnP_FHEUKcv9Iq0S2FarXhhAnWTIlGDmzaF3R0/s1600/20191218_171117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVUNOYD99uKHxHUH_PTnafdxCDqmDRfI1d9diqJYHEQVKDuuDu5M6p99K5JLNsq33Wbm2NM59DPk_egF-RTYsT-YiNdpYpmX2K-ZwDEnP_FHEUKcv9Iq0S2FarXhhAnWTIlGDmzaF3R0/s640/20191218_171117.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Even spent time out in a desert camp on the edge of the Sahara.<br />
It was surprisingly cold! Slept in ALL my clothes.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
A mouse shared our tent with us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNFGBoUyarlMEXE3UFzWlY4Ls3R7guXMnEBhS6bPSzSMHya1qEv5CXOpeploWi-EQmdj2ahnnYGWTMaiAa9FkrknolpjEFef8tTCuN6BbgL2RKWZOCgUxkeE9BL91fCzA6T3tTPfdLxk/s1600/20191217_183853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNFGBoUyarlMEXE3UFzWlY4Ls3R7guXMnEBhS6bPSzSMHya1qEv5CXOpeploWi-EQmdj2ahnnYGWTMaiAa9FkrknolpjEFef8tTCuN6BbgL2RKWZOCgUxkeE9BL91fCzA6T3tTPfdLxk/s640/20191217_183853.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunrise at the side of the desert tent.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxw5hx2c4jy4oNASPtzc5BWjCEzXtoaWhYDMXoY4v66ynoObDoiKI6dX1fpLsoUVYHxx_eLgvSAeYLwM-25YKtBXPO-QwnfLsv4StOfQnRiMg2aWctkyLkUxwwYioAVDxNuAAUkuU-8A/s1600/20191217_170828.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxw5hx2c4jy4oNASPtzc5BWjCEzXtoaWhYDMXoY4v66ynoObDoiKI6dX1fpLsoUVYHxx_eLgvSAeYLwM-25YKtBXPO-QwnfLsv4StOfQnRiMg2aWctkyLkUxwwYioAVDxNuAAUkuU-8A/s640/20191217_170828.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No Starbucks out here, Stan.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's pretty dramatic.<br />
Looks a lot like New Mexico in places.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNprWU-92lzdVZW2i-J44yDTls1onN6fbMk91ugPxmaNTa6h2YkMXgv4N7tJtUgh5N5OpPmEPwtoGSMXSAa3vTyCE7-yWBN47Vm-y_ZB7irEOoJpxcUyPSXJBxlrZ-zRGsr_SSr3W1dI/s1600/M%2527Goun+Valley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNprWU-92lzdVZW2i-J44yDTls1onN6fbMk91ugPxmaNTa6h2YkMXgv4N7tJtUgh5N5OpPmEPwtoGSMXSAa3vTyCE7-yWBN47Vm-y_ZB7irEOoJpxcUyPSXJBxlrZ-zRGsr_SSr3W1dI/s640/M%2527Goun+Valley.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Winding switchbacks over the rocky and snowy Atlas mountains.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8bu2WV3p0oFvVtk_SjsmpA1i6qxNukJhz3TGZZ5CokKKhOmPLjSvS2JF1Dqz6G5lJxN-ka5tPeOZZLYuh4r0NyXtzrkKy5dKzOiH6TyCE-yIDDnAfG42_0vvcOCmmO06ZmAKXJ-t2u4/s1600/Berber+Country.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8bu2WV3p0oFvVtk_SjsmpA1i6qxNukJhz3TGZZ5CokKKhOmPLjSvS2JF1Dqz6G5lJxN-ka5tPeOZZLYuh4r0NyXtzrkKy5dKzOiH6TyCE-yIDDnAfG42_0vvcOCmmO06ZmAKXJ-t2u4/s640/Berber+Country.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last time I was in Morocco was 1982. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flying over the Sahara in a single-engine plane.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This Morocco is very different. And yet - maybe not.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23Yb5lvYFjKewTIV2VeWQm7t_cjI_5T6nEft9DIXjLY1SXEtikBGwlgWUN19Kwl-u0xWw-ESKHMhQuooDaYih_IOHK_UIdpi5qAqMFKJM9QtnRxKAko4rC4PHZFCvA9Ji_NG3skUAgFA/s1600/20191210_112333-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1061" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23Yb5lvYFjKewTIV2VeWQm7t_cjI_5T6nEft9DIXjLY1SXEtikBGwlgWUN19Kwl-u0xWw-ESKHMhQuooDaYih_IOHK_UIdpi5qAqMFKJM9QtnRxKAko4rC4PHZFCvA9Ji_NG3skUAgFA/w394-h400/20191210_112333-3.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
There are moments where it looks almost biblical.<br />
Women in long robes.<br />
Guys still wear djellabas with little pointy hoods.<br />
<br />
They all know still how to twist a long piece of fabric into a tidy turban.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnERkukcc3KX2DGljdjYqILG2U7LCWl_fGjfRegeVqC11fKFEUvAPOZZApt82MAXPAc29rtuBQaGLTefkPxdobQ1j_6QJKI84TE6k7Eed75wWvIdjdhOfXA5dzxDD20Cv81QlZGoUuYzk/s1600/20191217_122538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1108" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnERkukcc3KX2DGljdjYqILG2U7LCWl_fGjfRegeVqC11fKFEUvAPOZZApt82MAXPAc29rtuBQaGLTefkPxdobQ1j_6QJKI84TE6k7Eed75wWvIdjdhOfXA5dzxDD20Cv81QlZGoUuYzk/s400/20191217_122538.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Handy - when a random sandstorm comes up - which it did.<br />
The camel guides started calling, "Wind coming! Wind coming!"<br />
<br />
Sure enough - soon the wind was howling and the sand was moving like water.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7h9WBHHsPicwc8fVavA6v83o9qjoxS8Y29e56Yf8EP1khEK2ezspn1JUwEmGU3GOkL8kt6GiaCIhWDEAmBZyumOH6JhCzY2zI9Mr5zQA-9r2prqjU-J5i1CYcYKuGYLh1slWXeRE89o/s1600/20191217_171630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7h9WBHHsPicwc8fVavA6v83o9qjoxS8Y29e56Yf8EP1khEK2ezspn1JUwEmGU3GOkL8kt6GiaCIhWDEAmBZyumOH6JhCzY2zI9Mr5zQA-9r2prqjU-J5i1CYcYKuGYLh1slWXeRE89o/s640/20191217_171630.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
(It was impressive! Really cool.)<br />
<br />
- Wish I'd had a turban....<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHV-NP8wDOXKvX7gGPnuQiCZzicHYP2zQkqaOJghwvT6umEkh5mkSS8VE5R_2C3UGrhpRRwWxE6I6Bv6kO4pEB-ax9ltSrKi1bBITDIwFyavz10EipULwqcq9KZNWX_jCN-QAOqEs3OA/s1600/20191217_175225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHV-NP8wDOXKvX7gGPnuQiCZzicHYP2zQkqaOJghwvT6umEkh5mkSS8VE5R_2C3UGrhpRRwWxE6I6Bv6kO4pEB-ax9ltSrKi1bBITDIwFyavz10EipULwqcq9KZNWX_jCN-QAOqEs3OA/s640/20191217_175225.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_OcJU6kb4phWGv9DHDddD8HA_Yvttu9baOViFyHGDRKJciNr2rOiZmjcTyjwWqs7Y0d0Joi9IccqM0D_63vNtwoyOCil2_d_-5XsEzfnVB54mvihZ7nXonYydgtceybzowlgbavN2gw/s1891/20191217_145915a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1891" data-original-width="1389" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_OcJU6kb4phWGv9DHDddD8HA_Yvttu9baOViFyHGDRKJciNr2rOiZmjcTyjwWqs7Y0d0Joi9IccqM0D_63vNtwoyOCil2_d_-5XsEzfnVB54mvihZ7nXonYydgtceybzowlgbavN2gw/w294-h400/20191217_145915a.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Can't really get TOO lost around here. </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Over Christmas, we even had a family get-together here in Morocco. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
How cool is that?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB-OuHv_Sj6cjQfoHiR6aC9I0KruN-l4RNqDM9s1QyZtXyTM4rzC-4DeTrntaDtq2vXsV1bD34eKzuGah0EKpohsJbCIF1HUTtT_-ido3CTrKkmS7EW6Xg1UDVHwII1euxk0gOoHSvO0/s1600/Family+-+Morocco+Gang.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="856" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwB-OuHv_Sj6cjQfoHiR6aC9I0KruN-l4RNqDM9s1QyZtXyTM4rzC-4DeTrntaDtq2vXsV1bD34eKzuGah0EKpohsJbCIF1HUTtT_-ido3CTrKkmS7EW6Xg1UDVHwII1euxk0gOoHSvO0/s640/Family+-+Morocco+Gang.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Iris and Mikey and Noah from Berlin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
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Erik and Ray from Bangkok. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
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(Kilian couldn't make it this time-)</div>
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We rented a beautiful house in an argan forest near Sidi Kaouki.<br />
(Argan trees have nuts that produce argan oil.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLAafopX1lGTrpaNhmcoPjIYFJxQi8rD_d8c1Tov1bFmo5l-Wyg2sQtGBUh3dVmkw7vFjAFLAXFhVRbZ8P0c5dAU9c9COWuICDhy6OjQhloeXYr7oNlPwfRJEiVJTWJlPk5kkPPTgv5g/s1600/20191226_163515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLAafopX1lGTrpaNhmcoPjIYFJxQi8rD_d8c1Tov1bFmo5l-Wyg2sQtGBUh3dVmkw7vFjAFLAXFhVRbZ8P0c5dAU9c9COWuICDhy6OjQhloeXYr7oNlPwfRJEiVJTWJlPk5kkPPTgv5g/s640/20191226_163515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Camels and donkeys graze there. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the goats - climb trees.<br />
Really.<br />
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But now - they all went back to their work and their worlds.</div>
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(the goats probably, too)</div>
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Stan and I are still in Morocco.</div>
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Hanging out. </div>
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- With the camels on the beach.</div>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-7984386858845210352020-01-01T13:28:00.001+01:002021-06-01T15:31:52.692+02:00Lanzarote Living - Winter in the Canary Islands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We're in the Canary Islands.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtq1U74c2qrA72UJ-EnJm4wYKkZgx9Ew2SVwU7aqVRHbwg1wlrGsseGCLygZv0_htQabAODLvhU8PbE3G8OwAy-qPdamrdVvmoiJisQb2z6kXr6w_pt2mIbDrrIU59XPw0NOB601Qq9g/s2050/20191121_141113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="2050" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtq1U74c2qrA72UJ-EnJm4wYKkZgx9Ew2SVwU7aqVRHbwg1wlrGsseGCLygZv0_htQabAODLvhU8PbE3G8OwAy-qPdamrdVvmoiJisQb2z6kXr6w_pt2mIbDrrIU59XPw0NOB601Qq9g/w640-h316/20191121_141113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the island of Lanzarote.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeh8gU_6igABNIw6bdQi22UrlSFG-H-g9QrW9j3kCcthg4uZVtpo1wryCahbpTivCfh3Pkgl5Nz0D2-NOviLOLLaapOgvpbnW6czNVBb-TeSf-trEKXL7qeDuPzCL0Bpzuq6MvaR5M0Q/s1440/20191120_135421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeh8gU_6igABNIw6bdQi22UrlSFG-H-g9QrW9j3kCcthg4uZVtpo1wryCahbpTivCfh3Pkgl5Nz0D2-NOviLOLLaapOgvpbnW6czNVBb-TeSf-trEKXL7qeDuPzCL0Bpzuq6MvaR5M0Q/w640-h480/20191120_135421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Out in the Atlantic Ocean.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Off the coast of Western Sahara.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR8DQSnrR-FJ52e9YaDKctrgeMK5TnAvdAijXLAjkmh6zonToQvqu9M1F-ZZkncjOLySPS-VHYSSGvAImawfy7gdspiacvF26Wlf47PP_c-OOI5b59LxNH2AWFr6cKOpsPQpnvDDH9l4/s2539/20191122_150514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="2539" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpR8DQSnrR-FJ52e9YaDKctrgeMK5TnAvdAijXLAjkmh6zonToQvqu9M1F-ZZkncjOLySPS-VHYSSGvAImawfy7gdspiacvF26Wlf47PP_c-OOI5b59LxNH2AWFr6cKOpsPQpnvDDH9l4/w640-h310/20191122_150514.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Somewhere southwest of Morocco.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMF1ikD7YFG8NjC1Mhqbz5x0Rj7nH3iObYrX7fpfRuC5CVzuatF5fIfxu-l-5j3usFWbFAaH3y5q0QFx-VRichtEa9Src1B6UlLl68_xN2EaHDo-PqaMweQAVUg0Cr4636GQKJ3NNeZE/s2048/20191122_144101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMF1ikD7YFG8NjC1Mhqbz5x0Rj7nH3iObYrX7fpfRuC5CVzuatF5fIfxu-l-5j3usFWbFAaH3y5q0QFx-VRichtEa9Src1B6UlLl68_xN2EaHDo-PqaMweQAVUg0Cr4636GQKJ3NNeZE/w640-h360/20191122_144101.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grapevines are planted in those stone circles. To protect them from the winds. </i></td></tr></tbody></table>
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Politically, the Canary Islands are part of Spain.<br />
Geographically, they're part of Africa.<br />
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Columbus used one of these islands when he set sail for America.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjco12ZjRn9qX1iIzsgTihzuieK_026WXVAfrX1-MKNkuxSynEdDUt_tT9eyuMQ9iqli-FCTrV220imqsVxAeO-re4WKxU796qZUHyRu9Q16La0cDEi3hh7hYIYStoji3s0T1ZReojGWIE/s2048/20191121_115739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1292" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjco12ZjRn9qX1iIzsgTihzuieK_026WXVAfrX1-MKNkuxSynEdDUt_tT9eyuMQ9iqli-FCTrV220imqsVxAeO-re4WKxU796qZUHyRu9Q16La0cDEi3hh7hYIYStoji3s0T1ZReojGWIE/w253-h400/20191121_115739.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Created by volcanoes. <br />Lots of them. Again and again.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's pretty wild.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUXGnzdXhIERUHk0qdI-SaKvbePxKBwqSjeN2Nu93haTXduJ22CrFKHNygFREpIVEO7Zl72c0GrZ-vqd2I1h2UHWTxaN0CryVKVu1L8aopvg9byAxw7cX3xWgY9YLGENmPknyF5D-tSU/s1600/Lava+Landscape+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUXGnzdXhIERUHk0qdI-SaKvbePxKBwqSjeN2Nu93haTXduJ22CrFKHNygFREpIVEO7Zl72c0GrZ-vqd2I1h2UHWTxaN0CryVKVu1L8aopvg9byAxw7cX3xWgY9YLGENmPknyF5D-tSU/s640/Lava+Landscape+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The beaches are black sand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Plants resemble Dr. Seuss paintings.<br /><br />And - the cactus-?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz38LP6wf7q0d2gUkG1f-7pai6JyZqi3dwnDNaPXwF1M32AgP3qxKGMwWch-fg82CQRoRa1yVwQyeaSQN_8sgFyjwZQQxJyDCPpjkScaTbrK9D7Gcs-iVsYj6dWHYHo-KlkjL4CvFD8M8/s2048/20191121_150930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1337" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz38LP6wf7q0d2gUkG1f-7pai6JyZqi3dwnDNaPXwF1M32AgP3qxKGMwWch-fg82CQRoRa1yVwQyeaSQN_8sgFyjwZQQxJyDCPpjkScaTbrK9D7Gcs-iVsYj6dWHYHo-KlkjL4CvFD8M8/w260-h400/20191121_150930.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Cacti seem to thrive on the lava.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
They're really surprisingly bizarre plants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCDZzbEx9iNoYwqkS1hfDM_3Vv_MxnU8n8AR8yqoXrG01_jOnZ6EMzmdUudHnU93D8mNr-qKjPormhfUROiFmAQNSHjWKl7F1G4JZAk2EBYkFWTxhbV-_NEU-4yfaUt4mRi4EFJM3zP4/s1600/Cacti+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCDZzbEx9iNoYwqkS1hfDM_3Vv_MxnU8n8AR8yqoXrG01_jOnZ6EMzmdUudHnU93D8mNr-qKjPormhfUROiFmAQNSHjWKl7F1G4JZAk2EBYkFWTxhbV-_NEU-4yfaUt4mRi4EFJM3zP4/s640/Cacti+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Plus, there are random volcanic islands strewn about the place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT1hXep0Yhl_FM3Q0A-n3M228_4tRvBfqjeoFlqp_EkUnzNOhh_ezNmgMRxvHBTkDqNVhyphenhyphenimlpbR5p4eEvSEcUkfmvL9mY9jDySRvuPixyNBqiwENFD_w8-Pp_GImbYmcYHshteLj918/s1600/20191127_120018-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT1hXep0Yhl_FM3Q0A-n3M228_4tRvBfqjeoFlqp_EkUnzNOhh_ezNmgMRxvHBTkDqNVhyphenhyphenimlpbR5p4eEvSEcUkfmvL9mY9jDySRvuPixyNBqiwENFD_w8-Pp_GImbYmcYHshteLj918/s640/20191127_120018-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the view from our rented house.<br />
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It's extreme - inspiring. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Awfully quiet, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzHFcznw7cwFk9AENliDlzt3dMYNUx8dCbhIVbptnhJ7Jt27-mrj9DoHtteNRetJL4m1GCgFoAWcp3Eyu_2s6zDyUqfh_7XwpOTIuIPjEP1pb-mickVBIKs19um4tSRQ0hgmxdi25tbk/s1600/20191129_111522-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzHFcznw7cwFk9AENliDlzt3dMYNUx8dCbhIVbptnhJ7Jt27-mrj9DoHtteNRetJL4m1GCgFoAWcp3Eyu_2s6zDyUqfh_7XwpOTIuIPjEP1pb-mickVBIKs19um4tSRQ0hgmxdi25tbk/s640/20191129_111522-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Good for drawing and painting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKItwFupzLEb0AHLuEhJU7wnIapQX61zeGKlU4FUwL56imieqWycPEDbUOiAdZ4RVGskLb245kexYTynwbarFuUHDNDE87s-6aD7xhOCJVgxp2WV_0i8VlBmMwVRPDIC8OX2TYFrh_fRc/s1600/Canary+Art.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKItwFupzLEb0AHLuEhJU7wnIapQX61zeGKlU4FUwL56imieqWycPEDbUOiAdZ4RVGskLb245kexYTynwbarFuUHDNDE87s-6aD7xhOCJVgxp2WV_0i8VlBmMwVRPDIC8OX2TYFrh_fRc/s640/Canary+Art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, this is the scene back in New Mexico.<br />
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Kilian and friends - skiing in Taos.<br />
Or at least trying.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW8qcrDxK_aBRzpH4NBaBpMA3Kr_eSJf4ElMgotnNhlA-p3NU9LLLIFoJo2W1HWDCuzvgU25KFffrTQ3YZJrmjDkExccyg0UxdOonbQAiM1Yzt1PZDGnPkBxqT3YX1lGJPnU3CJ6RacU/s1600/snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW8qcrDxK_aBRzpH4NBaBpMA3Kr_eSJf4ElMgotnNhlA-p3NU9LLLIFoJo2W1HWDCuzvgU25KFffrTQ3YZJrmjDkExccyg0UxdOonbQAiM1Yzt1PZDGnPkBxqT3YX1lGJPnU3CJ6RacU/s640/snow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here in the Canary Islands, no snow. A little windy. </div>
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It makes sense. </div>
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I mean - we ARE somewhere out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.</div>
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The winds have a chance to gather speed - starting from about Bermuda. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-No wonder there aren't many trees. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvP6-FEozS-2O98_Nd04h2X_4tqyTS4XEMBHQacDoqTn9xO0eleVYQjymTp1MUk0YP0nBjOoljR1Pf2n5LPlXXd8ybnBX-YjUcEfOI_Htcm3ZT9rjYEB6F66z8GgiwHgsa4IvSwbs1L4/s1600/20191202_164029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvP6-FEozS-2O98_Nd04h2X_4tqyTS4XEMBHQacDoqTn9xO0eleVYQjymTp1MUk0YP0nBjOoljR1Pf2n5LPlXXd8ybnBX-YjUcEfOI_Htcm3ZT9rjYEB6F66z8GgiwHgsa4IvSwbs1L4/s640/20191202_164029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiczwbsgcdhyphenhyphen4_IEJOFMJvfl8TNQXIPWyhjo_u-wECVRkNIXfiWul_bSuV5toahE4gNFpspfOnzWlfEPYMyplbbM7xzzODMXFcE6TvS4-adjUgtVgHvqeXbluFehh2lWB6mi2bRbymfRw/s1600/20191205_105355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiczwbsgcdhyphenhyphen4_IEJOFMJvfl8TNQXIPWyhjo_u-wECVRkNIXfiWul_bSuV5toahE4gNFpspfOnzWlfEPYMyplbbM7xzzODMXFcE6TvS4-adjUgtVgHvqeXbluFehh2lWB6mi2bRbymfRw/s640/20191205_105355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Eating fresh seafood. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAjaX1F3LxXZFhIkV6xb9Igj1tLSahalPuYnu163lL5MuMEdx4yV8A6tLJL6oqI0JnKYbTxwYrShLrAugzMB7hpyIEC9goyViBBQnP5paF4nAo-sTjuvjkzopoOjdHGx2wSJpjXKjQ8w/s1600/20191205_105015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAjaX1F3LxXZFhIkV6xb9Igj1tLSahalPuYnu163lL5MuMEdx4yV8A6tLJL6oqI0JnKYbTxwYrShLrAugzMB7hpyIEC9goyViBBQnP5paF4nAo-sTjuvjkzopoOjdHGx2wSJpjXKjQ8w/s640/20191205_105015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cool white towns with a smattering of odd nationalities running good restaurants. </div>
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We talked to Italians, Brazilians (Brazil is closer than you'd think-) and Polynesian French.</div>
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It's an international community.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYn5gO5B8MVVjd09MfQ0lQymTpLe0dH_uyxt6Cn88Hb_gwh7wpKhE2_NNOrmlzZxftzPexNbpC-Z0y0-f5zqnBRwuCxIUFgxGmFmGHiFBQ86-NAyrlWg5lt2oPTwWquo4SgUBjvcZJgg/s1600/20191202_084101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYn5gO5B8MVVjd09MfQ0lQymTpLe0dH_uyxt6Cn88Hb_gwh7wpKhE2_NNOrmlzZxftzPexNbpC-Z0y0-f5zqnBRwuCxIUFgxGmFmGHiFBQ86-NAyrlWg5lt2oPTwWquo4SgUBjvcZJgg/s640/20191202_084101.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We rented 3 different places while there. This one was our favorite. Cheerful, easy and it overlooked the beach.</i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">The best part: cool hiking trails.<br />
Right along the beach, on the lava rocks.<br />
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Past tide pools - waves - and cactus plants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKym9uxpfLfv6Bk_qwvrBLCbuIbN5I09TgXUzhUK2QLZZB8AzAG2EM6GkkZKz1gw5zFBrbV9JTuU8iUIKi1c322fCIl1qCg6yCvRuTD0UA5HcN1ttoC-yPs05sGgU-GY2gL8aQx-s6VU/s1600/20191205_113042.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKym9uxpfLfv6Bk_qwvrBLCbuIbN5I09TgXUzhUK2QLZZB8AzAG2EM6GkkZKz1gw5zFBrbV9JTuU8iUIKi1c322fCIl1qCg6yCvRuTD0UA5HcN1ttoC-yPs05sGgU-GY2gL8aQx-s6VU/s640/20191205_113042.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not my fault! Not my boat!</i></td></tr>
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Turns out the Canary Islands were named by the ancient Romans.<br />
Canaria - from the Latin word for dog.<br />
<br />
Not for the cute little birds.<br />
Oh well.<br />
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<br />
This winter, we've been in the Canary Islands (1 month),<br />
<a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2020/01/morocco-in-winter.html" target="_blank">Morocco</a> (6 weeks) and Portugal (1 month).<br />
<br />
While in Morocco, we spent a month in <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2020/01/essaouira-on-edge-of-morocco.html" target="_blank">Essaouira.</a><br />
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Then, after almost a month, we're off again.</div>
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Binter Canarias Airways to Casablanca.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_iahY0fHzTB1_KR7HPgHZw1bPuxbzgdQjbcqbohHdvMQFHPvcujqQJsb_IyqCzFdjBtJhkWCzzYeG4hPflCK_EWiHYnL7XncSLji5P13ETdwEcoUZtbZtidhTJjffhfxesl0I0K0J7w/s1600/20191209_083050-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_iahY0fHzTB1_KR7HPgHZw1bPuxbzgdQjbcqbohHdvMQFHPvcujqQJsb_IyqCzFdjBtJhkWCzzYeG4hPflCK_EWiHYnL7XncSLji5P13ETdwEcoUZtbZtidhTJjffhfxesl0I0K0J7w/s640/20191209_083050-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />I hadn't heard of this airline before.<br />
They weighed us each before we boarded. And our luggage.<br />
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It's a small airline. Small plane.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01tTqNQXH2glo4LgwFdEBmOrteZA3rie5qwdRc2goO07mKbfSaDmgiyeo8mtloMTj-zA6RFHZT8HHIy_w9aJZNYYrJV1-2jLFr6Yy12p7RQpJJVp58x8mzB_pCZ3blsfO6mCeCe4zODk/s1600/adventure.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1600" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01tTqNQXH2glo4LgwFdEBmOrteZA3rie5qwdRc2goO07mKbfSaDmgiyeo8mtloMTj-zA6RFHZT8HHIy_w9aJZNYYrJV1-2jLFr6Yy12p7RQpJJVp58x8mzB_pCZ3blsfO6mCeCe4zODk/s400/adventure.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>Life in Lavaland. </div><div>-Even without the canary birds.</div></div>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwa0Qt8ipiwOkkZNnFMA1AjQUNO2Ks0QzYzjDEn9Z0wsMRDBvOH1vkGX2OHVUfnzKg1AQ36Yci9szBOpY-2sMbXU9tV_DU1hyphenhyphenMnJQWg50DlwH_8ZFJV53Cyoa-HWzzRJupkq5wKZ6dvs/s1600/20191122_153520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwa0Qt8ipiwOkkZNnFMA1AjQUNO2Ks0QzYzjDEn9Z0wsMRDBvOH1vkGX2OHVUfnzKg1AQ36Yci9szBOpY-2sMbXU9tV_DU1hyphenhyphenMnJQWg50DlwH_8ZFJV53Cyoa-HWzzRJupkq5wKZ6dvs/s640/20191122_153520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-5585293296305766162019-11-01T10:54:00.000+01:002023-03-20T15:17:34.182+01:00Death on the Canal, Pagan Crossroads and Medieval Laundries - Mysteries Around a Canal Boat <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Living here, on the Canal du Midi, there is time to solve mysteries. I like that.<br />
There are plenty of things we don't understand. Mysteries.<br />
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For example - this building, just across the canal from us.<br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8ncwhL3_zjSMOvubG1B7Pt6LMIi9o2ljKagL3Jw9PHTocNbL-FzEqdqsBjSAqBQm_-1eQj-tIbMq74Zn2KtgVuOtmm6aJX0HwGHsAlb2RjzsAkHdS7y3SGvjpOH9GvpwefzJ1pGfrcE/s1600/20170627_071035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8ncwhL3_zjSMOvubG1B7Pt6LMIi9o2ljKagL3Jw9PHTocNbL-FzEqdqsBjSAqBQm_-1eQj-tIbMq74Zn2KtgVuOtmm6aJX0HwGHsAlb2RjzsAkHdS7y3SGvjpOH9GvpwefzJ1pGfrcE/s640/20170627_071035.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maggie May is the second boat - the dark blue one. That's ours.</i></td></tr>
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What in the world is it? A nautical bus stop?<br />
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Turns out - when the canal was built, in the 1600's, (!) they provided laundry areas, or "lavoirs" along the way, as a service to the villages. The villagers were cranky about the canal taking up so much valuable agricultural space. Plus, they had to help dig the canal, whether they wanted to or not. Thus, the lavoirs as an appeasement.<br />
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Now, they are used occasionally by local fishermen.<br />
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Here's what they might have looked like - back in the day:<br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMT9GlriGJzXudzcR2l2U2sjsrIpEMQdIVOSV5ReBX0rO6iTirrvy0ILbNXRHa5Rv7j3yB7wh5_PLj7TIacj41gIa19TiDuJ0nh8dIm09nmob5oBBaSBTn-vxZNyjqfssyqVapjTrCdeA/s1600/Lavoir.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1600" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMT9GlriGJzXudzcR2l2U2sjsrIpEMQdIVOSV5ReBX0rO6iTirrvy0ILbNXRHa5Rv7j3yB7wh5_PLj7TIacj41gIa19TiDuJ0nh8dIm09nmob5oBBaSBTn-vxZNyjqfssyqVapjTrCdeA/s640/Lavoir.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Now - every evening, the doves come down to drink unsuspectingly from the lavoir.<br />
However, there are large catfish lurking underwater, waiting for prey.<br />
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Suddenly, a fish GRABS the bird as it drinks - and it's gone!<br />
Not a feather left!<br />
The first time I saw it, I thought I must have imagined it.<br />
Then - we both saw it.<br />
- No wonder not many ducklings make it to full duckhood.<br />
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Then - there are cormorants. They dive smoothly to the bottom - and catch the fish.<br />
They bring it back to the surface, swing it in the air and swallow it - in one gulp.<br />
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-Poetic justice in the world of eat-and-be-eaten.<br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcSg3MoJt6kMt3IUaKrdHr8fGfk6a0g7wTtVcCzKCIj4dV1cd1IA3kZq02XqbJJYjogom6sc09TSj1iHIvOPEK0fz2MmGa5o8hs3ETaTeSHT8H3A778ELXAIgYHrCfQ4VV0vxJxWEslw/s1600/20170605_165148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcSg3MoJt6kMt3IUaKrdHr8fGfk6a0g7wTtVcCzKCIj4dV1cd1IA3kZq02XqbJJYjogom6sc09TSj1iHIvOPEK0fz2MmGa5o8hs3ETaTeSHT8H3A778ELXAIgYHrCfQ4VV0vxJxWEslw/s400/20170605_165148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A poor photo of the cormorant eating a LARGE fish.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(I might add - I have NEVER seen anyone else catch a fish here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
In spite of the number of fishermen, complete with all the latest equipment:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> - boots, gear, chairs and multiple poles. Nary a fish.)<br />
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Another mystery:<br />
We found these round metal disks - on bridges, churches, towers.<br />
Were they a sort of inventory system?<br />
Nope.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIIl7Oq8rx_gmb4_97cd3s1WUnty4NaT99HpEGFjxsu021mAwybw9F6Szff0SlRX3UD16N-dn6S0OISOC3oCnIc-8czd2OEM4BgR-ldeLrnVLX84sF1DeyhhrsWLfjCMYiVlpYM69m6A/s1600/20170628_135914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIIl7Oq8rx_gmb4_97cd3s1WUnty4NaT99HpEGFjxsu021mAwybw9F6Szff0SlRX3UD16N-dn6S0OISOC3oCnIc-8czd2OEM4BgR-ldeLrnVLX84sF1DeyhhrsWLfjCMYiVlpYM69m6A/s640/20170628_135914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
No decent map of France existed until surprisingly recently.<br />
The hinterlands of France (which includes Languedoc, where we are) didn't care much for Paris.<br />
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- If they even knew it existed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRUsHTxYNgdNWKJtECKB8PcW8VUOvlA3rB_15YbVye_ri4yiiKLV4STdipbmh69TV-IlU_XvXudMILjDFPRwEhQWyMyareGhOAzyddstP3lOUKCiQP-UjwLW1QC0JTol2CtZVigm0UKQ/s1600/france-regions-map.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="650" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRUsHTxYNgdNWKJtECKB8PcW8VUOvlA3rB_15YbVye_ri4yiiKLV4STdipbmh69TV-IlU_XvXudMILjDFPRwEhQWyMyareGhOAzyddstP3lOUKCiQP-UjwLW1QC0JTol2CtZVigm0UKQ/s400/france-regions-map.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We're in Languedoc-Roussillon. WAY south - on the Mediterranean.</i></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in the day, strangers running around with odd instruments, peering through strange eyepieces. This was bad news. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Plague, pestilence, two-headed cows - anything was possible.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
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The safest thing to do was - obviously - kill the mapmaker.<br /><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It took decades to complete the map.<br />
<br />
Turns out - these round disks are survey markers - and are still there. <br /><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mystery solved. Cool.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5yk7q_bbV0ulFNy3pxiEa8Zdn87nVMjwAjknVG83pcxf9h23bth6nafdIgHd83RpRUaYFUg7XhB18EshHFHZpMtY6LeviVwxD_nx6ixLI5g0If8gYO1OjG77GExVNso3W41PJUSmYfQ/s1600/20170628_135923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5yk7q_bbV0ulFNy3pxiEa8Zdn87nVMjwAjknVG83pcxf9h23bth6nafdIgHd83RpRUaYFUg7XhB18EshHFHZpMtY6LeviVwxD_nx6ixLI5g0If8gYO1OjG77GExVNso3W41PJUSmYfQ/s400/20170628_135923.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
The next mystery we found in the engine room of the boat.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oFUeL_dYr7EBRHeod8psM6gw0q2KHlClRXdfIO4YUZwka-y0Q6MJuYIvRCYNyoDPhTKucdA49bnFD59jGYgbRcI_CQBs5Co7YTmiOEuapyTSes-9ZWG_EEgOUKyEKZApAXs8TIKMDg4/s1600/20170629_092730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oFUeL_dYr7EBRHeod8psM6gw0q2KHlClRXdfIO4YUZwka-y0Q6MJuYIvRCYNyoDPhTKucdA49bnFD59jGYgbRcI_CQBs5Co7YTmiOEuapyTSes-9ZWG_EEgOUKyEKZApAXs8TIKMDg4/s640/20170629_092730.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Under the floorboards, between the huge engine and the huge generator, there were 2 spiffy looking jerrycans and a heavy duty dolly. What for?<br />
<br />
After we owned the boat for several months, we asked: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Where are the nearest fuel pumps on the canal?<br />
The answer: There aren't any.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Really? All these boats - and no fuel pumps?<br />
REALLY?<br />
Pretty much - no.<br />
<br />
So where do you get fuel?<br />
-At the supermarket gas station.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
-With the dolly. And the jerrycans.<br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXaiVeumY6vsUT0vnv1PclcJHWTC6D4cpr0phyphenhyphenhlSZuccXDadHxM4XicvJ9gSm8-CKjkuidkvbhJsqnr4_puQrHD6P7yaGs0VZBBCQ1aDA3HgJfD5jQCQSaczC-9_qcl7E7KS6aBhcaM/s1600/20170111_123026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXaiVeumY6vsUT0vnv1PclcJHWTC6D4cpr0phyphenhyphenhlSZuccXDadHxM4XicvJ9gSm8-CKjkuidkvbhJsqnr4_puQrHD6P7yaGs0VZBBCQ1aDA3HgJfD5jQCQSaczC-9_qcl7E7KS6aBhcaM/s640/20170111_123026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
The other option is to call a fuel truck.<br />
You share 1000 liters with another boat. Or two.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
-No wonder you have to get along with your neighbors.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
However - the tanks on the boat hold 900 liters (about 240 gallons) of diesel.<br />
I got to thinking - 900 liters of diesel - that's over $2000 to fill your tank.<br />
<br />
-No wonder they do it a bit at a time!<br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvqHiAbXm-BRbJve92tNzWcRAn3UdCkW3gXO_5IrP0er2lfUXQZd23sL3NtXC7DECLizC1b0WuB3EXeheEogGiwyxsc_4cxiPcqS-XG2sQrwCyVf2fH6HBcXQAYMNbywOKqzufo8RE4M/s1600/20170627_071220.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvqHiAbXm-BRbJve92tNzWcRAn3UdCkW3gXO_5IrP0er2lfUXQZd23sL3NtXC7DECLizC1b0WuB3EXeheEogGiwyxsc_4cxiPcqS-XG2sQrwCyVf2fH6HBcXQAYMNbywOKqzufo8RE4M/s640/20170627_071220.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The steps up from our boat to the road. No dolly here.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
Then: We got bicycles.<br />
<br />
Tour de France, here we come - well, maybe not.<br />
(There are a LOT of bicyclists here, and they take it seriously. Up and down mountains.)<br />
<br />
We're just exploring the countryside.<br />
Trails along the canals are flat.<br />
<br />
(Although we DID go up one pretty good sized mountain, and I cycled to the top. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, actually, I took a long break or two part way up. Then cycled up the rest of the second half. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A passing Tour de France type saw me and gave me a surprised thumbs-up. I didn't really deserve it-!)<br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6B6anHsRa5CrBDfic_d5vKhzabtWnvVia9pMsjKF0rkys3m8FhU6BQJttXt_ZYvmR3R3bXDZZbIkLO1BtFN41tufxQIG8DT9EzITNRnUx4Bn6x1eFruQZLXIPy2VOfQSpkzjGu2bYyI/s1600/20170605_112124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1087" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6B6anHsRa5CrBDfic_d5vKhzabtWnvVia9pMsjKF0rkys3m8FhU6BQJttXt_ZYvmR3R3bXDZZbIkLO1BtFN41tufxQIG8DT9EzITNRnUx4Bn6x1eFruQZLXIPy2VOfQSpkzjGu2bYyI/s400/20170605_112124.jpg" width="271" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPWzhUuOEXCn9LtOs3XQcvv4oPMabo9iwr_2A83Qxnp4ChWBYEUbr62l_Drr8rF7SC-_mKebtDkEgAwjzidKqTM-cwH-0s0_OczJeQyjE3E8AMYaras2dTsDbCVVPVMlb00AN87gqtFI/s1600/20170605_101133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPWzhUuOEXCn9LtOs3XQcvv4oPMabo9iwr_2A83Qxnp4ChWBYEUbr62l_Drr8rF7SC-_mKebtDkEgAwjzidKqTM-cwH-0s0_OczJeQyjE3E8AMYaras2dTsDbCVVPVMlb00AN87gqtFI/s400/20170605_101133.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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</div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
The winding canals - and the vineyards - provide good trails.<br />
<br />
En route, we find odd markers - tree trunks, carved into the shape of crosses.<br />
Stone monuments at corners of fields, with an old iron cross on top.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Even dolmens with crosses.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUy5mCuhhnGFurXcSNz8bqSX4Pzitwy4Gnwnm5zNa6ozQ5GT53RFY1SGZM7cVFHyqraKl7hJzkBDmgv_doC2y77rTwY2TuD1igxCCgpNCSRTXulegLPmrk4tbIRCRgIhO-6jmdALLnB3g/s1600/20170612_104903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUy5mCuhhnGFurXcSNz8bqSX4Pzitwy4Gnwnm5zNa6ozQ5GT53RFY1SGZM7cVFHyqraKl7hJzkBDmgv_doC2y77rTwY2TuD1igxCCgpNCSRTXulegLPmrk4tbIRCRgIhO-6jmdALLnB3g/s400/20170612_104903.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaY-6videin4AS_wTOHg-bTjgIh2e33rnMcHVvtgSZ8ZnWTY-ySAPJRCCKJSYkILCCsmTFYfKFQhuuTXGjrg4wsocg_MqvXBgMnPm07f_CtdQqL-vBes7NpQ_9PFY4JcsBcN5ubDSDio/s1600/20170612_104216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaY-6videin4AS_wTOHg-bTjgIh2e33rnMcHVvtgSZ8ZnWTY-ySAPJRCCKJSYkILCCsmTFYfKFQhuuTXGjrg4wsocg_MqvXBgMnPm07f_CtdQqL-vBes7NpQ_9PFY4JcsBcN5ubDSDio/s400/20170612_104216.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
So what's the story?<br />
<br />
Apparently, when Christianity came to France, it wasn't very popular.<br />
Most people were strongly pagan.<br />
<br />
The Church used the existing sacred sites - trees, stones, menhirs - where the spirits already lived. And simply added the crosses.<br />
<br />
That way, the locals wouldn't destroy the monuments.<br />
Over time, the ancient sites became conveniently "Christianized".<br />
<br />
Maybe everyone was happier that way.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
And then -- the bikes go back onto the boat.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
- In just the right place, over the propane locker .<br />
And - that's another story - until next time.<br />
<br />
And the next mystery.</span></div>
</div>
Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-10377807603492883022019-10-10T17:01:00.000+02:002023-03-19T10:25:22.996+01:00Sailing the Grenadines - How this Sailing Stuff Got Started<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Somehow, this doesn't look - or feel - like France. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
It's not.<br />
<br />
But this is kind of where it all started.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Sg3ebdX8r6_x3oybm_1D2unPDHyFQuuXyVgYip36Lh4IvwwnPIBobGv5g0ejo0mH3eduv5hUkAx5uO0nkVg-TovuWGNp4v-OleNV4JZYBkstB-c3ghVYu1nAoGmPTvXje3KBb32fQsU/s1600/20170128_134101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Sg3ebdX8r6_x3oybm_1D2unPDHyFQuuXyVgYip36Lh4IvwwnPIBobGv5g0ejo0mH3eduv5hUkAx5uO0nkVg-TovuWGNp4v-OleNV4JZYBkstB-c3ghVYu1nAoGmPTvXje3KBb32fQsU/s640/20170128_134101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
We're sailing in the Tobago Cays. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/03/sailing-grenadines.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Grenadines. Again.</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Tiny islands. Amazing colors. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Sea turtles. Eagle rays. Dolphins. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
A trail of starfish leads us back to the boat underwater after a snorkeling expedition. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
We find a sailboat, a 57' catamaran, that needs another couple on it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
We volunteer. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c9f-op8OFAaX7qW3feIFp1lTE0uDfxAf5hlsrTLwGJmXlxIRgO3BZYXr7IALbzOy5cpduRjvzJFzqlF_1FqJsZkBXcPb74DFmqr3QlCJz9_g9ganakBCyQ9qc3n5dG7pv_KAM-WVSQE/s1600/20170127_082835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c9f-op8OFAaX7qW3feIFp1lTE0uDfxAf5hlsrTLwGJmXlxIRgO3BZYXr7IALbzOy5cpduRjvzJFzqlF_1FqJsZkBXcPb74DFmqr3QlCJz9_g9ganakBCyQ9qc3n5dG7pv_KAM-WVSQE/s640/20170127_082835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
With Isabelle, the French chef, and Frédéric, the captain. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
We don't even have to do the sailing - or the cooking - ourselves. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Three others, a couple from England and one Swiss fellow, complete our crew.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb7N991FN4s5BmoichI_cvK7pR38oQ_rS4YpglRcnLTs8PnLcjjyoDybz06qywClwgGrpJbE-P6048LMISWtLszmlmESTYomyp0LVkXrDGH10Fnt7uBkDKaEXmWfNLV7-cpWlOupJlDo/s1600/IMG-20170128-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb7N991FN4s5BmoichI_cvK7pR38oQ_rS4YpglRcnLTs8PnLcjjyoDybz06qywClwgGrpJbE-P6048LMISWtLszmlmESTYomyp0LVkXrDGH10Fnt7uBkDKaEXmWfNLV7-cpWlOupJlDo/s400/IMG-20170128-WA0000.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkHVxrneuEQoGDcgQ4ctRk2AWZwPipZFk9wX8AiD8_l168NtiXgA1lHoqDJykgnH-JTxvJ-3Uv4UAA2BxYg928jL7PCiQnga-WZlG-0jN7wdWtYOjOJvM_Wr3vzRW91FZeTK8NUcE64s/s1600/P1000361.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkHVxrneuEQoGDcgQ4ctRk2AWZwPipZFk9wX8AiD8_l168NtiXgA1lHoqDJykgnH-JTxvJ-3Uv4UAA2BxYg928jL7PCiQnga-WZlG-0jN7wdWtYOjOJvM_Wr3vzRW91FZeTK8NUcE64s/s640/P1000361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's very windy - 25 knots - but oh, the colors of the water!</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
We visit <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/03/carriacou-windward-islands.html" target="_blank">Carriacou</a>. Saltwhistle Bay, Mayreau. Mopion. Union Island. Eat lobster on Petit Bateau. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Petit Tabac. Petit St. Vincent. Everything very "petit". </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrVhZ_Dd3XuIXwG70HtGwEayfjO9G6l5JqlaPYxVjJ4ItXjbvKWGM3JUXwd_WXxh3ubdol5vR3SKX8KfORVD5GHQuT8cjU9VTv0Azq4aduXKbr89l8ncd5BP8ZMltcHDW27HptZEZGt8/s1600/20170131_163438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrVhZ_Dd3XuIXwG70HtGwEayfjO9G6l5JqlaPYxVjJ4ItXjbvKWGM3JUXwd_WXxh3ubdol5vR3SKX8KfORVD5GHQuT8cjU9VTv0Azq4aduXKbr89l8ncd5BP8ZMltcHDW27HptZEZGt8/s640/20170131_163438.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7hAni6UaWfDxdkWVBPJV9ONJeVf5SPTTySnBBJPdM5tzH-_KBj1RraAWUyiivJJY7ZwgGDkq40DngdAoGwIoLRaxWqJgi9y4FDz9ybPQNPRglE90-Mr_jhbUDrVcvGDwneldr4Ce4Yg/s1600/20170130_120146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7hAni6UaWfDxdkWVBPJV9ONJeVf5SPTTySnBBJPdM5tzH-_KBj1RraAWUyiivJJY7ZwgGDkq40DngdAoGwIoLRaxWqJgi9y4FDz9ybPQNPRglE90-Mr_jhbUDrVcvGDwneldr4Ce4Yg/s640/20170130_120146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Between my feet and that white beach are sea turtles. And fat starfish.</i></td></tr>
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After a sandy salty week, we return to our rented house in Grenada.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
We've been here over a month.<br /><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Feels almost like home by now. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHQrT2JLokUfiVaY79JI8tbKZ_peTnbbXpAwCVKxmtpMBWFl9ZO8z54QNQJAWFG2bMaxigNHZ6kO8rQyAs_FSDC7O3QyK5QKWRf4xPe361zq6NrZPFO2IJ7Rg8sm8ryQRFUjhN4m18bY/s1600/20170202_112656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHQrT2JLokUfiVaY79JI8tbKZ_peTnbbXpAwCVKxmtpMBWFl9ZO8z54QNQJAWFG2bMaxigNHZ6kO8rQyAs_FSDC7O3QyK5QKWRf4xPe361zq6NrZPFO2IJ7Rg8sm8ryQRFUjhN4m18bY/s640/20170202_112656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/03/terrorized-by-nuts.html" target="_blank">Grenada.</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We'd been here before. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Spice Islands. <br />
Near the end of the chain of Caribbean islands. </span></div>
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Closer to Venezuela than to Miami. </span></div>
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Originally, a few years back, we thought we'd wind up buying and <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/11/we-did-it-now-were-officially-sailworthy.html" target="_blank">living on a sailboat. </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitawaYFWQBMyNvWSgVkV-tVPV0SEmFFng-FPqIYrQUAxseZRhsKVhWvmnrCF2dWIQXgScOpy1xkQGRtNYtFG8V4SacZWzW-pshbFJHa3SQPQJ0sQnvkn_PcnJYLZjXbREIOO8VUILaZSQ/s1600/20170129_104415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitawaYFWQBMyNvWSgVkV-tVPV0SEmFFng-FPqIYrQUAxseZRhsKVhWvmnrCF2dWIQXgScOpy1xkQGRtNYtFG8V4SacZWzW-pshbFJHa3SQPQJ0sQnvkn_PcnJYLZjXbREIOO8VUILaZSQ/s640/20170129_104415.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Two years ago, here in the Caribbean, we began seriously learning about boats. </span></div>
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We read. Practiced knots. Took <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/11/bruised-and-sore-and-tired.html" target="_blank">training courses</a>.<br />
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We passed numerous exams, and got our licenses for bareboat chartering and coastal cruising, inland waterways, monohull, catamarans, navigation, and probably a couple of others. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsDPHz1loX1vB9RpK2YnPwy_irLauwnw2JrWTFFCyqVxpI-9pInMdIcL0Oew1vMXxErWjh32Y3_78FANeDvJpGwzUqRzeaLzD_pDpdn7wFaBE-7DHGNeuQcV2Zi4UweUf47w43xKAhMA/s1600/P1000375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsDPHz1loX1vB9RpK2YnPwy_irLauwnw2JrWTFFCyqVxpI-9pInMdIcL0Oew1vMXxErWjh32Y3_78FANeDvJpGwzUqRzeaLzD_pDpdn7wFaBE-7DHGNeuQcV2Zi4UweUf47w43xKAhMA/s640/P1000375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We hold licenses from the UK, the US, from Ireland, France, and from the EU. </span></div>
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Countless books and hours of work. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">-Not that it really meant we knew what we were doing - by any means. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DON5b5kz6lNqnyD_4WegxIDiFddWpOiALtBOsoKEeURj6wPpJfvMn4ymrEq2ax6WQ6B4jRjJcGgtqpV6Ay_3vqbD5jIhYMG7Fr8bZ9XVGitl_dDPjA87ZLo3gIMQQ8smXDt4_MZDxEg/s1600/20170128_104024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DON5b5kz6lNqnyD_4WegxIDiFddWpOiALtBOsoKEeURj6wPpJfvMn4ymrEq2ax6WQ6B4jRjJcGgtqpV6Ay_3vqbD5jIhYMG7Fr8bZ9XVGitl_dDPjA87ZLo3gIMQQ8smXDt4_MZDxEg/w360-h640/20170128_104024.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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We spent time on boats in Thailand, <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/08/sailing-greek-islands_20.html" target="_blank">in Greece,</a> <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/06/cruising-french-waterways-in-burgundy.html" target="_blank">in France</a>, <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/01/the-vanishing-sea-gypsies.html" target="_blank">in Myanmar</a>, in Laos, Indonesia, and all over the <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/01/we-are-sailors-our-first-bareboat.html" target="_blank">Caribbean</a>. I counted 50 islands we'd visited in the <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/03/sailing-grenadines.html" target="_blank">Caribbean</a> alone! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOg13zN79YtKYIc2myqDvI5_6cRxoqjx_pIJa0ZtJpNBHr11BFSdlF4RKhkJWhVNLX8e59az7b1KdBSygBqsw4puRKHVNnZV1IlRK6WxKbe_mPyPyMuPGJecmgt22GzxZfSxSpDbfDDk/s1600/08+Dec+12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOg13zN79YtKYIc2myqDvI5_6cRxoqjx_pIJa0ZtJpNBHr11BFSdlF4RKhkJWhVNLX8e59az7b1KdBSygBqsw4puRKHVNnZV1IlRK6WxKbe_mPyPyMuPGJecmgt22GzxZfSxSpDbfDDk/w391-h400/08+Dec+12.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(See where Grenada is on my map? WAY south.)</i></td></tr>
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But: At one point, we realized that - living on a sailboat, even a catamaran, isn't for us. </span></div>
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Plus, the idea of dealing with hurricane season - that just made the decision easier. </span></div>
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So we began to look at <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/11/we-found-boat.html" target="_blank">canal boats in Europe. </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8anmTrQr5nk_zPOAQTYmc5vs5mPnOp46Dod6cU3tINafoJLukDd0jxnwCBurd7jqFBvmx8ZwCdxJ35TPsNkc3DpzPFYDZnYTt1C3_UiNm8uD5mkVzk10oMBjfhVXIcvnheQDYYrinIs/s1600/20170127_174545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8anmTrQr5nk_zPOAQTYmc5vs5mPnOp46Dod6cU3tINafoJLukDd0jxnwCBurd7jqFBvmx8ZwCdxJ35TPsNkc3DpzPFYDZnYTt1C3_UiNm8uD5mkVzk10oMBjfhVXIcvnheQDYYrinIs/s640/20170127_174545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We considered over 500 boats (!), mostly online. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once in France, we inspected 30 boats from the inside, </span><a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/11/the-hunt-is-on.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">(here's THAT story)</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> and eliminated another 30 from the outside. </span></div>
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I made spreadsheets.<br />
And lists.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
And - you know the rest of the story.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLRpZv9X9G-Z7Stb3YT0HDcjViL12sJuMWzU0fjXOWooMt6DXYaW5B7maYtWKw5pFN0w327AwEN9R_TByGpXvVxLN2HTMS0MQEuuvZK9WGeJPJIhsgAA_pzRCQMghh_1G6dgv2xTRhkA/s1600/Pixs+from+Ed+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLRpZv9X9G-Z7Stb3YT0HDcjViL12sJuMWzU0fjXOWooMt6DXYaW5B7maYtWKw5pFN0w327AwEN9R_TByGpXvVxLN2HTMS0MQEuuvZK9WGeJPJIhsgAA_pzRCQMghh_1G6dgv2xTRhkA/s400/Pixs+from+Ed+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I was a kid, we lived in the Virgin Islands. </span></div>
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Once, I was invited to a friend's birthday party on her parents' boat. </span></div>
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I was probably in first grade. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYURHVDfAI9e0TUAbM6R8619oAQcNMd2dR6LtVZdnNmxr4E1RljIngIZx67gZWYaHHNvGKptkfhJJhCEtldXDvwX-68-ZOC1M60H_TMjM0w8Z5xFvTWw7Q2o4MUMgMMR7VgwT4rIa-8s/s1600/Early+St+Thomas+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYURHVDfAI9e0TUAbM6R8619oAQcNMd2dR6LtVZdnNmxr4E1RljIngIZx67gZWYaHHNvGKptkfhJJhCEtldXDvwX-68-ZOC1M60H_TMjM0w8Z5xFvTWw7Q2o4MUMgMMR7VgwT4rIa-8s/s400/Early+St+Thomas+%25281%2529.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
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I remember being SO impressed! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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That memory has stuck with me over the years. </span></div>
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I don't think I could swim yet, but man, I wanted to jump off that boat with the other kids. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8jtTCJmClkrvI_HOoDrQUPdVfcKOK7ThYLVSEHaPMyH1lrg41Os1jriXElNoQP0l6RXmdCbvr_l7RzdVENnFnaa_2KXvQIdmMyEBrwE3Z6Zkm9jST62esSvFb8_WH09emw_oa-Pp-NM/s1600/Early+St+Thomas+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8jtTCJmClkrvI_HOoDrQUPdVfcKOK7ThYLVSEHaPMyH1lrg41Os1jriXElNoQP0l6RXmdCbvr_l7RzdVENnFnaa_2KXvQIdmMyEBrwE3Z6Zkm9jST62esSvFb8_WH09emw_oa-Pp-NM/s400/Early+St+Thomas+%25283%2529.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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So I did. Jumped off the boat (still a favorite thing to do-) and started swimming. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxVh3HYKn1OFIKW1puaO-Q8VXXV02qVEPn8GNbii9NJ5E7Gy5wNDXM0-AMfNe20vaTOfmhyphenhyphenOR69cT4mQxPOM_wO8sMIiOAZ3yupSuWmYnTPi4OJXRcEn-0gn14TrRkGzkla3X8lKj8jk/s1600/13++Dec+%252844c%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxVh3HYKn1OFIKW1puaO-Q8VXXV02qVEPn8GNbii9NJ5E7Gy5wNDXM0-AMfNe20vaTOfmhyphenhyphenOR69cT4mQxPOM_wO8sMIiOAZ3yupSuWmYnTPi4OJXRcEn-0gn14TrRkGzkla3X8lKj8jk/s400/13++Dec+%252844c%2529.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Yep. That's when it all started.</span><br /></div>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-89294339933695184022019-09-05T10:40:00.003+02:002023-10-30T10:45:36.648+01:00Brittany - The Wild Western Coastline<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWCwXqZC1CySZ1G1oM-sEYpffS5v7qaWd3lx1E-gazX-B7fVPzby4bX3AxGgkGt7D_0EhIJ_rgpByzZVhrJ_sP8iaAsjRwZUdhIJ1L5EhPtCzkqP3D_TcZoEMGcMP5EB53MwxhXQyRCg/s1600/20190805_104251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWCwXqZC1CySZ1G1oM-sEYpffS5v7qaWd3lx1E-gazX-B7fVPzby4bX3AxGgkGt7D_0EhIJ_rgpByzZVhrJ_sP8iaAsjRwZUdhIJ1L5EhPtCzkqP3D_TcZoEMGcMP5EB53MwxhXQyRCg/s640/20190805_104251.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Heading south from Ireland.<br />
By train and ferry.<br />
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To the furthermost corner of Brittany.</span></div>
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Finistère.<br />
Land's End.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuU5kbKK7Z4tOJozy435zk8GFCrkXlBxAGhYzp8zWIH_1P_IjOWRuAAnsBnro4jo7rJ0xtWnF2HHvaIJbN_gyf31RiP2Iad07HbGaj_-MSfRL_1dxjQ3S8MDZTVb5FGabTwcMO_hmsiY/s1600/20190806_125004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuU5kbKK7Z4tOJozy435zk8GFCrkXlBxAGhYzp8zWIH_1P_IjOWRuAAnsBnro4jo7rJ0xtWnF2HHvaIJbN_gyf31RiP2Iad07HbGaj_-MSfRL_1dxjQ3S8MDZTVb5FGabTwcMO_hmsiY/s640/20190806_125004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Celebrating my 65th birthday - in Brittany.</i></td></tr>
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Like Ireland - a beautiful western coast.<br />
<br />
And - there's an EXCELLENT walking trail around the coastline.<br />
Maybe one of the all-time best anywhere.<br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSAqboYwwApUvb5fGW-E6dRI_l1qbjZ15Renm4Q_qF6UtaRWhIFJ2W4JWLuzUKMSUm1JA24f7IYRbs8kImgEhSIEq15z2MZ2b1Me2lNPEExki7_VdQeepc4tJWP8oOqEpY_mDZQOUOnE/s1600/20190804_113211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSAqboYwwApUvb5fGW-E6dRI_l1qbjZ15Renm4Q_qF6UtaRWhIFJ2W4JWLuzUKMSUm1JA24f7IYRbs8kImgEhSIEq15z2MZ2b1Me2lNPEExki7_VdQeepc4tJWP8oOqEpY_mDZQOUOnE/s640/20190804_113211.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
It's rocky. Dramatic.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
400 km long. The GR 34.<br /></span>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3JQy28y6o89HFMcH0TYR1O1_deQ2rwdHfEp7ER341IAYJ5iZyUXbJE16tCtvOu-IuFBdZZj1BRToqzNM7vqPAJn9tOEl0cBtV_YRsD4Qwronp21pvSCPuTORzb7WyFwJOyAqHYkHa10/s1600/20190807_110505P.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3JQy28y6o89HFMcH0TYR1O1_deQ2rwdHfEp7ER341IAYJ5iZyUXbJE16tCtvOu-IuFBdZZj1BRToqzNM7vqPAJn9tOEl0cBtV_YRsD4Qwronp21pvSCPuTORzb7WyFwJOyAqHYkHa10/s640/20190807_110505P.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
And as usual in France, there are good restaurants everywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Bgsv76cCk8bWhopYJmtgLM1Fz9orHBQyAaK01W04S-lUTsfQEhR9sgb3BPFrAWqJclGh6_K9ahVfT78uIlP1p25ZpL7fEf0kD4Wq-8RfoCKQzIZYvtQ1aoM_N0jcYllUGD0vQOOhtw/s1600/Brittany+again.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Bgsv76cCk8bWhopYJmtgLM1Fz9orHBQyAaK01W04S-lUTsfQEhR9sgb3BPFrAWqJclGh6_K9ahVfT78uIlP1p25ZpL7fEf0kD4Wq-8RfoCKQzIZYvtQ1aoM_N0jcYllUGD0vQOOhtw/s640/Brittany+again.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Signposts are in French and Breton. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Dolmens. Rock circles. There's a Celtic -<i> air </i>- about the place.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKESCnLe4-J3CJmCrwzg4D8W1Kmz1DMFNcskrE9QsVHB2V9qSOQO2baNg9v8O1N1DYn-cbcI-5CvPR5ObbTJcslPJvY5NNefoznhZJSVPR7x4LA1840hmtM72Re3XT8fTQPn6NTqQuwB0/s1600/Brittany+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKESCnLe4-J3CJmCrwzg4D8W1Kmz1DMFNcskrE9QsVHB2V9qSOQO2baNg9v8O1N1DYn-cbcI-5CvPR5ObbTJcslPJvY5NNefoznhZJSVPR7x4LA1840hmtM72Re3XT8fTQPn6NTqQuwB0/s640/Brittany+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Asterix and Obelix country.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFArD8UnCjqZefVnNZUuptQMgtav3ktMKQAg_7skxqZsJEGXDyX37HBb24MJ9HnAQLocVwBQtVGTikgpMZJlemN9-NCMGSqQRImXtRyzv1HJNa96hSlmVCAMGWlauj73xel-zIh94wT4/s1600/20190804_120156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFArD8UnCjqZefVnNZUuptQMgtav3ktMKQAg_7skxqZsJEGXDyX37HBb24MJ9HnAQLocVwBQtVGTikgpMZJlemN9-NCMGSqQRImXtRyzv1HJNa96hSlmVCAMGWlauj73xel-zIh94wT4/s640/20190804_120156.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Dolmens - are all over.<br />
Dolmens!<br />
<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Just - standing out in corn fields.<br />
Among the cows. Or behind someone's house.<br />
<br /></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KFPluewY_TY8954Y5a0erjA5jZAg4gnDYIMHPz81hrehV5oAa0DS6NIBldxBCzVwSvnnX8OlgHSUqEK6TAjY9jH03dFPDCUbrme3FR3SLUDNBt163VPJTQiw242UGV5E8gPU9o0K-2c/s1600/20190808_121836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KFPluewY_TY8954Y5a0erjA5jZAg4gnDYIMHPz81hrehV5oAa0DS6NIBldxBCzVwSvnnX8OlgHSUqEK6TAjY9jH03dFPDCUbrme3FR3SLUDNBt163VPJTQiw242UGV5E8gPU9o0K-2c/s640/20190808_121836.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
How wild is that? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
A prehistoric stone structure - towering over your clothesline.<br />
<br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
Brittany has miles of beautiful sandy white beaches.<br />
But - no crowds.<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
It IS August, after all.<br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45kexJ4_CzB2YZz0twAjOcZnNsCvOkqdlKlzpwiAqhgX44YeCwYU1FUOGD7MoYai7C0IlkX5h6nVs4eTn9e3Vg-_tJ-UQAUzhI28aEv1C8PYx0-jro3qczPcKUpKFNeEyAMn-_u3iZ5Y/s1600/Brittany+beaches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1600" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45kexJ4_CzB2YZz0twAjOcZnNsCvOkqdlKlzpwiAqhgX44YeCwYU1FUOGD7MoYai7C0IlkX5h6nVs4eTn9e3Vg-_tJ-UQAUzhI28aEv1C8PYx0-jro3qczPcKUpKFNeEyAMn-_u3iZ5Y/s640/Brittany+beaches.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
It has almost 3000 km of coastline.<br />
That's twice as much as California.<br />
<br />
-Guess that means there's plenty of beach for everyone.<br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpGKjwcDvpem_r8cn5RVjjRbqFRNWFTdOW0jeUroXddGRUNOPgzkmGX_BHTYkDs4qZNQz0K-Ntgk5CrRc6BSaDkfD8D8WI9JYdH7rE2Wrot4lAthNXOywGQO3QET52HTQmlR8T9aytRw/s1600/20190808_144353P.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpGKjwcDvpem_r8cn5RVjjRbqFRNWFTdOW0jeUroXddGRUNOPgzkmGX_BHTYkDs4qZNQz0K-Ntgk5CrRc6BSaDkfD8D8WI9JYdH7rE2Wrot4lAthNXOywGQO3QET52HTQmlR8T9aytRw/s640/20190808_144353P.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Natural harbors. Tidy sailboats. Crashing waves.<br />
<br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
And - the tide goes WAY out.<br />
So it looks different every day.<br />
<br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZbLg3OzqXWMBLSboqO6hdXxbL_WYK51iGZPVXMpqg8Jz6y-ToHkmnZYULMfYcWHmclqXLBNj612ofEIVpjqdTRC-TbaMyDOSAkR7gLWYp2XgPlhm2m4jtTe1cISgWUYFw-ByRGtVB5w/s1600/20190814_143720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZbLg3OzqXWMBLSboqO6hdXxbL_WYK51iGZPVXMpqg8Jz6y-ToHkmnZYULMfYcWHmclqXLBNj612ofEIVpjqdTRC-TbaMyDOSAkR7gLWYp2XgPlhm2m4jtTe1cISgWUYFw-ByRGtVB5w/s640/20190814_143720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
You KNOW - it's got to be <i>fierce </i>here in the winter.<br />
Raging winds and storms. Howling.<br />
<br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxpFOBjx2PmjdcrX8-XFb4OSyv_ORGdwh55KmmsFIw8A7azxw5_rfFLhmgRsOGr5mUpBRJmT8jlldXXKch3FX-pnj1cjGev1rdHYt_8bcwMY_y8_19eh19or6Snyil6rnbEoPGCs1TMY/s1600/20190810_104504a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxpFOBjx2PmjdcrX8-XFb4OSyv_ORGdwh55KmmsFIw8A7azxw5_rfFLhmgRsOGr5mUpBRJmT8jlldXXKch3FX-pnj1cjGev1rdHYt_8bcwMY_y8_19eh19or6Snyil6rnbEoPGCs1TMY/s640/20190810_104504a.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">
Like most Atlantic coasts in Europe.<br />
Cornwall. Connemara. Canaries.<br />
<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
The wind has time to gather speed across the entire Atlantic Ocean.<br />
<br />
As they used to say in Ireland, the next parish west - is Boston.<br />
<br /></span>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAHu1inUhAT2tLDEqRLMEhpUm5yL2R2Gh_ADHqgFlN-EmMukxjnKGZxkMk5Vb6GepmlxLkbQ6Lm8wr-_uYisQAl5rFmKJwsZN3qVPrlQXWUKrHLFJboQTXi2lqvgcAVdY_YEW2E8VUcM/s1600/20190803_160723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAHu1inUhAT2tLDEqRLMEhpUm5yL2R2Gh_ADHqgFlN-EmMukxjnKGZxkMk5Vb6GepmlxLkbQ6Lm8wr-_uYisQAl5rFmKJwsZN3qVPrlQXWUKrHLFJboQTXi2lqvgcAVdY_YEW2E8VUcM/s640/20190803_160723.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
But in summer, it's pretty wonderful.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2KkEe_ZrUO_AHC95rAaE7IQcGRrnirZNBkzO7-eVT1KPxgsTrF-HThjG8Azn1eG139Q5yXCEU-8sCeEVaQBmGpOtWS7zq4cQJ178CPb1ZAxUUtRL9Lj4gl3Z2mJIIY_sJ8ltLJ-Uyrc/s1600/20190802_153644.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2KkEe_ZrUO_AHC95rAaE7IQcGRrnirZNBkzO7-eVT1KPxgsTrF-HThjG8Azn1eG139Q5yXCEU-8sCeEVaQBmGpOtWS7zq4cQJ178CPb1ZAxUUtRL9Lj4gl3Z2mJIIY_sJ8ltLJ-Uyrc/s400/20190802_153644.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View from our bed in the cool tiny house we rented.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
The seafood is - of course - excellent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
First stop as usual: Moules frites and a pitcher of rosé.<br />
<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Steamed mussels and French fries. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Mussels. Scallops. Oysters. Fresh fish.<br />
<br /></span>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn711WNvKUOg0bVtvPy7EpcOm5sjopjhPenMmJg3Xum3Ybzu0FYPGVFUQ1q6J9lbIhKvh4Ona5oMcR_eIfYd1bzX6HU9sn_6jdBuQfBxISqlAytAf5aOVrZX4ktZVocESjaFxfwjo99c/s1600/20190813_133242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn711WNvKUOg0bVtvPy7EpcOm5sjopjhPenMmJg3Xum3Ybzu0FYPGVFUQ1q6J9lbIhKvh4Ona5oMcR_eIfYd1bzX6HU9sn_6jdBuQfBxISqlAytAf5aOVrZX4ktZVocESjaFxfwjo99c/s640/20190813_133242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
The place is FILLED with flowers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Particularly hydrangeas.<br />
In almost ridiculous profusion.<br />
<br /></span>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO42OOtgP6NCigEqiWTCGF61JTBQGH8vbMucIzUNu6kfROupb9q-YmJ4q6GAQd8i2B3wO5jB8FF1Kf0hpCA_0YsRt7hXl57LSlTUzuQpmTCrsz2ZfVbVesYWY-OXOddkS0t7aqBcqAaGA/s1600/20190731_170202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO42OOtgP6NCigEqiWTCGF61JTBQGH8vbMucIzUNu6kfROupb9q-YmJ4q6GAQd8i2B3wO5jB8FF1Kf0hpCA_0YsRt7hXl57LSlTUzuQpmTCrsz2ZfVbVesYWY-OXOddkS0t7aqBcqAaGA/s640/20190731_170202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
There are also canals.<br />
Rivers.<br />
<br />
With barges and locks and flower-filled stone cottages.<br /></span>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJh82wqZ3KummhkFvTscf494I-Erv_l1s6tjpizdpsLH3Da5HTViZSW9qLvQr0e1ZkOlLdehIpQWo27KL_KhMLdyeMu3dQQM62nrbBIUnrfL_-08WWoD3CN2D6RPwRmNkemp4JMKnsTQ/s1600/20190813_124120.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJh82wqZ3KummhkFvTscf494I-Erv_l1s6tjpizdpsLH3Da5HTViZSW9qLvQr0e1ZkOlLdehIpQWo27KL_KhMLdyeMu3dQQM62nrbBIUnrfL_-08WWoD3CN2D6RPwRmNkemp4JMKnsTQ/s640/20190813_124120.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Occasionally we venture into the towns.<br />
<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Brittany is actually pretty busy in summer.<br />
It's "the season".<br />
<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Ice cream stands. Tourists.<br />
The popular Breton crêpes everywhere.<br /></span>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEBqGGfLZ54U2DyakyKGmu1cLIfbpo4oYaYNpX7LVO6ZfJJTz2S2bfsMrs0eem1H_yix64WSDXQi5_qpJsvX74NYmWVT7SFhUMLj7wmy4MIciaE7US8qQ2EiMU4ZcTLkwC8uaSpf1yCE/s1600/20190813_142900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEBqGGfLZ54U2DyakyKGmu1cLIfbpo4oYaYNpX7LVO6ZfJJTz2S2bfsMrs0eem1H_yix64WSDXQi5_qpJsvX74NYmWVT7SFhUMLj7wmy4MIciaE7US8qQ2EiMU4ZcTLkwC8uaSpf1yCE/s640/20190813_142900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
But - the coast is what it's all about.<br />
That's where the magic is.<br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJXO8C83SjTmqmJmco2XUqf9ZcgAySEvVGrDfyTABfjfaa1UL1ZXYI2adOn2Ptc-_AyeuQq3PTVebriY3-R1HL7yQIrDm9GXZ2JGENvAoGMEiXNfnjiSaWgxO8I25AEyh0zCKEmtmhGY/s1600/20190806_122747P.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="1600" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJXO8C83SjTmqmJmco2XUqf9ZcgAySEvVGrDfyTABfjfaa1UL1ZXYI2adOn2Ptc-_AyeuQq3PTVebriY3-R1HL7yQIrDm9GXZ2JGENvAoGMEiXNfnjiSaWgxO8I25AEyh0zCKEmtmhGY/s640/20190806_122747P.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
After about 3 weeks wandering Brittany, it's time to get back onto the trains for us.<br />
Heading back down to <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2019/06/whats-it-like-living-on-canal-boat-in.html" target="_blank">Maggie May</a>.<br />
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Thru Paris.<br />
Crowded in August with all the foreign visitors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKStCEID3NIxPU9yIRE4CfeFj1E-5R5J-ONgOb5pJW2AY0J_cBjjsDnbe4yTM_odEinubA_cHWulwcPOgZO4X4CSy6G7CAfmr8SU0wpZKQdSLTka79BzWw8b4nmohNfJlFc96OJaPY7aY/s1600/LR-091003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKStCEID3NIxPU9yIRE4CfeFj1E-5R5J-ONgOb5pJW2AY0J_cBjjsDnbe4yTM_odEinubA_cHWulwcPOgZO4X4CSy6G7CAfmr8SU0wpZKQdSLTka79BzWw8b4nmohNfJlFc96OJaPY7aY/s640/LR-091003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<br />
The Parisians themselves?<br />
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They're all on vacation.<br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSUGL1xDDq-YEYoadkbWjDyVV_FprQCe1JVSHFpdp4o-6RiYmxwiQvdJ-oqJsFLDJI64pMxlgGDt1Qlp0tS2nSKl43N31Stfe1jjN7FGVPxYMreto4PjMI_HeW9zr9Tv1PGrHWmiHwHA/s1600/20190814_124337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSUGL1xDDq-YEYoadkbWjDyVV_FprQCe1JVSHFpdp4o-6RiYmxwiQvdJ-oqJsFLDJI64pMxlgGDt1Qlp0tS2nSKl43N31Stfe1jjN7FGVPxYMreto4PjMI_HeW9zr9Tv1PGrHWmiHwHA/s640/20190814_124337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Probably - in Brittany.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyc9-qC0ROmvzlpFnmvHcdbt4AVjCyHWlC0tklWrh0RQzUn3tn3cdB2Pp1g_Ltynyo7yI5wMl-CzPIsTX0aUwBAqCJdYJ0gLsQDe6vzKD0hpNseeqKPpcOr5GfZfTQhz4C1q-NFWqqCak/s1600/Trains.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyc9-qC0ROmvzlpFnmvHcdbt4AVjCyHWlC0tklWrh0RQzUn3tn3cdB2Pp1g_Ltynyo7yI5wMl-CzPIsTX0aUwBAqCJdYJ0gLsQDe6vzKD0hpNseeqKPpcOr5GfZfTQhz4C1q-NFWqqCak/s640/Trains.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Why travel? <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2018/09/why-i-love-india.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> is a good reason. Want more trains? Try <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2018/07/trains-around-world.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Swiss Glacier Express <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2015/08/swiss-lakes-and-trains.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQgsR2oSxQMPv39lKSLgBgKkds0Cyftjh6qf2FLVHi60Nwc0MP2Y8aQNsg9dodLNfGRy_23_VkmS-qrTiiMauWweLfRrbHQEHqdNKlVNKIaXLxi4CEtbz3cqHh_OEmVS0kOM2nJ9STYo/s1600/Ships.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQgsR2oSxQMPv39lKSLgBgKkds0Cyftjh6qf2FLVHi60Nwc0MP2Y8aQNsg9dodLNfGRy_23_VkmS-qrTiiMauWweLfRrbHQEHqdNKlVNKIaXLxi4CEtbz3cqHh_OEmVS0kOM2nJ9STYo/s640/Ships.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Boats, ships - they're great. But - if you have to take a plane, the best is flying your own. Like <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2018/10/crazy-beautiful-baja-california-with.html" target="_blank">THIS. </a></i></td></tr>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-2792074232139893482019-08-02T21:54:00.001+02:002021-12-01T16:03:14.935+01:00"OUR Castle" - in Ireland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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An old Irish castle.<br />
With a ghost and a dungeon and a place for the portcullis to fall.<br />
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Even a hole for pouring boiling oil on unwanted visitors.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j2tTW_vpg91BaVEjOdsZ3Y4TPf-mRxRQFMPzzbaF9Idz155ZrSarQ2tpA520-gixDwPT1ZlcX-Pdh_W3VdUc_SlyY0mDJqn-FYXJ_8IW-4It_VMG7pfrc7iATJSwpTEaFkkxUQF5kMU/s1600/335D6F0D-77C4-42DE-94FD-0C380817A96F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j2tTW_vpg91BaVEjOdsZ3Y4TPf-mRxRQFMPzzbaF9Idz155ZrSarQ2tpA520-gixDwPT1ZlcX-Pdh_W3VdUc_SlyY0mDJqn-FYXJ_8IW-4It_VMG7pfrc7iATJSwpTEaFkkxUQF5kMU/s640/335D6F0D-77C4-42DE-94FD-0C380817A96F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>5 bedrooms. Not counting the dungeon.</i></td></tr>
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<br />
That was our home for a while this summer.<br />
The ghost we brought ourselves. In a story.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo33HdTgiO9N6toqWvKJVbfcb_QuEYpIZKmdFD3qTyWkBo3eQQx9Am29fn4QS1HIQtyZ3L-r0cviw-n5qQSXFVOu8kHh1KFPxa5QmK4Q6uMiop_De8xi1LmGUBLHdj7Z3tCgkxsp_KgY/s1600/20190718_138222-150.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo33HdTgiO9N6toqWvKJVbfcb_QuEYpIZKmdFD3qTyWkBo3eQQx9Am29fn4QS1HIQtyZ3L-r0cviw-n5qQSXFVOu8kHh1KFPxa5QmK4Q6uMiop_De8xi1LmGUBLHdj7Z3tCgkxsp_KgY/s640/20190718_138222-150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Erik, Kilian, Stan, Trish Ray, Mikey, Noah and Iris. Aidan's taking the picture. Rick, Jenny and Tati haven't arrived yet.</i></td></tr>
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There was Guinness and smoked salmon and mussels and pubs.<br />
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But also pig racing and bog jumping.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMMzW6141KHYaD44Wu5WmbgVjX-Rsz3cJmo4jwCk3oLqEsPqsWFvxx4ylZWbAWPGkzCAWpD7qK-BkVDLLdR70LzAOgGGPuzYXgCoPmcHATBn7xH21ySpEAMXNf_MRA5s07U-YV0dcLqo/s1600/IMG_1943.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMMzW6141KHYaD44Wu5WmbgVjX-Rsz3cJmo4jwCk3oLqEsPqsWFvxx4ylZWbAWPGkzCAWpD7qK-BkVDLLdR70LzAOgGGPuzYXgCoPmcHATBn7xH21ySpEAMXNf_MRA5s07U-YV0dcLqo/s640/IMG_1943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Each pig has a number. And a stuffed cotton jockey. </i></td></tr>
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<br />
And the retelling of the "Ghost of Castle Kilkarney", the book my mother wrote 50 years ago.<br />
About us. And a castle. In Ireland.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBQsYhPoi0vxNoXDpo0pTwLE76DwvGVU-LrNk2HKNhDdyqLMrO8lOsSkFZtmJU0TcipDEzT9Q7scCZz2VyqfyjYPmpoMVakrFZkc8pWsuEE95miLVgjBDoVfbbxl6IAPij2dFgIHPdIA/s1600/20190713_074113-20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBQsYhPoi0vxNoXDpo0pTwLE76DwvGVU-LrNk2HKNhDdyqLMrO8lOsSkFZtmJU0TcipDEzT9Q7scCZz2VyqfyjYPmpoMVakrFZkc8pWsuEE95miLVgjBDoVfbbxl6IAPij2dFgIHPdIA/s400/20190713_074113-20.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aidan, Kilian, Iris, Mikey, Stan, Ray, Erik, baby Noah and Trish</i></td></tr>
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In 1969, my parents moved from the Chicago area to Ireland.<br />
We 5 kids - I was the oldest - went to Irish schools.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXBn40lGqxJo7SEA6GTicNHTMUfSAa7zuS_DU5sBWaW-jZ7P4W1GKHWZk5qm9uRinvffEZ6FTIp-R_JunMgZFgu60ybOmcis5a5QpKlgjMzmfUbbqGHYS2znss55XGB3FQa4Dv2BlLDI/s1600/70+Ireland+5+Kids.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1395" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXBn40lGqxJo7SEA6GTicNHTMUfSAa7zuS_DU5sBWaW-jZ7P4W1GKHWZk5qm9uRinvffEZ6FTIp-R_JunMgZFgu60ybOmcis5a5QpKlgjMzmfUbbqGHYS2znss55XGB3FQa4Dv2BlLDI/s400/70+Ireland+5+Kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We got uniforms.<br />
Counted money in pounds, shillings and pence.<br />
Learned the differences between roods, perches and furlongs.<br />
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Learned what a chancer was.<br />
Messages. A press. A quid.<br />
That "the jacks" and "banjaxed" were not necessarily related.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5dneAWtP9G07X5LMC8pXILSTjJPxW2cIIcPXDTArPywamEzpjgLreoFuyJ8nvajm2UrmughaHEWde4iJ-dYBq4k8-U71DiyhLlU8MBlwp9MCwAgLzzDrJVk2aIDyPOXDqr0AYrpaRpg/s1600/20190718_135320P.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5dneAWtP9G07X5LMC8pXILSTjJPxW2cIIcPXDTArPywamEzpjgLreoFuyJ8nvajm2UrmughaHEWde4iJ-dYBq4k8-U71DiyhLlU8MBlwp9MCwAgLzzDrJVk2aIDyPOXDqr0AYrpaRpg/s640/20190718_135320P.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We lived in an Old Rectory, built in 1725.<br />
Complete with a ghost and an underground tunnel to the graveyard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKBK5DBWU4_R3DiXdS6-n10JUbYeAAmQPbuLKZwYcI7SB1uo__XFt9A4PoGPKqRv-pkAVOFAfR9M2OW__luFqam9nHMKV2tGRnGHTYomjaSGaXJ_PuC6YKMLgOmMEYUoSyWNq1JdNN88/s1600/Old+Rec+%25287%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1507" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKBK5DBWU4_R3DiXdS6-n10JUbYeAAmQPbuLKZwYcI7SB1uo__XFt9A4PoGPKqRv-pkAVOFAfR9M2OW__luFqam9nHMKV2tGRnGHTYomjaSGaXJ_PuC6YKMLgOmMEYUoSyWNq1JdNN88/s640/Old+Rec+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The adjustment from the US wasn't always easy, but it changed our lives.<br />
It also gave us incredible freedom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyo0a3v2tWbF-3ZlqxqIEpyHO9Kl09c8ylvhr9pYz3HTzO7jEU4znO4-QnyMIuvCdLUh3K1fMmWkDwN2XTpLol0OptPMnYKu50p4Qyg3igGmkXLUUDN_7cRrybb-g7_bs6ZD2i0_nAZM0/s1600/20190718_155941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyo0a3v2tWbF-3ZlqxqIEpyHO9Kl09c8ylvhr9pYz3HTzO7jEU4znO4-QnyMIuvCdLUh3K1fMmWkDwN2XTpLol0OptPMnYKu50p4Qyg3igGmkXLUUDN_7cRrybb-g7_bs6ZD2i0_nAZM0/s640/20190718_155941.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The bus left outside our gate.<br />
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From there, we could go on our own into Dublin.<br />
Take a ferry to Wales.<br />
A train to anywhere in Europe.<br />
And beyond. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I wound up going to school in England.<br />
Germany. France. Switzerland. Italy. Ireland.<br />
Working in a dozen or more countries.<br />
<br />
We got the gift of thinking internationally. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_KFhMDZQ6_6bBUjwKwuaR4ArgUO2bjt0SztFB6il6JUhmmiTUBR_tBFiVnpN-KyASCFWH31IiEG5F8qMx1izaTieukKjiK0Qfz4OCa7M_ihk-0YaQyfdlIngGQP0Xw7t7IX4UqREtWw/s1600/IMG_2032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_KFhMDZQ6_6bBUjwKwuaR4ArgUO2bjt0SztFB6il6JUhmmiTUBR_tBFiVnpN-KyASCFWH31IiEG5F8qMx1izaTieukKjiK0Qfz4OCa7M_ihk-0YaQyfdlIngGQP0Xw7t7IX4UqREtWw/s400/IMG_2032.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
In 1969, my mother also wrote a book in Ireland, starring the 5 kids.<br />
"The Ghost of Castle Kilkarney".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisuuabdzNhruTK2cZQzPwoyn_j1qPK64HqU7C5hhnM5pqE7sSkdzDBi_e5LKRB-LjdFzlEJdokSCNqoNxDU2qUNvFQIxlAjtAiklDCPhZfMMCaitJf9eMD312IaZ6AMVkXTkc-B305Z0/s1600/69+Ireland+%252826a%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="916" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisuuabdzNhruTK2cZQzPwoyn_j1qPK64HqU7C5hhnM5pqE7sSkdzDBi_e5LKRB-LjdFzlEJdokSCNqoNxDU2qUNvFQIxlAjtAiklDCPhZfMMCaitJf9eMD312IaZ6AMVkXTkc-B305Z0/s400/69+Ireland+%252826a%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Steve, Trish, Rick and Pete in 1969.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Every day after dinner, she'd read to us what she'd written that day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
When my kids were small, I read the book to them, too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlW_nb0d6Jn9r873a1gIIOZhchuYBsZlHj847Bk_VfoG5sdAKD7-9yPYanQHobbRcXS1Dzwl4izI_N7V9ysUBX9qEhTIS6FkMtq2P7AAPNUdcI3GX_eIUuWhFQge7Kqi9SNL4HHh6wUs/s1600/97+Tintin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="1372" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlW_nb0d6Jn9r873a1gIIOZhchuYBsZlHj847Bk_VfoG5sdAKD7-9yPYanQHobbRcXS1Dzwl4izI_N7V9ysUBX9qEhTIS6FkMtq2P7AAPNUdcI3GX_eIUuWhFQge7Kqi9SNL4HHh6wUs/s400/97+Tintin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Erik, Mikey and Kilian. Okay, they're really reading Tintin, but - still.</i></td></tr>
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This year was the 50th anniversary of that book.<br />
We put together a new version, digitized it, included a few pictures.<br />
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And - rented a castle in Ireland for a family reunion.<br />
One that was as close to the fictional "Castle Kilkarney" as possible. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4S0P3mTsRjv-pEvFYXNnl6lkeV3lQVSRPiBoNjhZn2D4zufcXb9NSSwf1ntw6H6kbzkChM3e3q8tz1BA3-7BpU74KlrwIBWTY8AgANWe9z4wgs-0XCUinSPsUMbdKTfOivzOwXR2Yoc/s1600/20190713_155121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4S0P3mTsRjv-pEvFYXNnl6lkeV3lQVSRPiBoNjhZn2D4zufcXb9NSSwf1ntw6H6kbzkChM3e3q8tz1BA3-7BpU74KlrwIBWTY8AgANWe9z4wgs-0XCUinSPsUMbdKTfOivzOwXR2Yoc/s640/20190713_155121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With a suit of armor.<br />
A stone staircase.<br />
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Even a dungeon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Noah and Kilian. Involved in castle activities.</i></td></tr>
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We had the place to ourselves.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Cooking, shopping - and driving - was a combined effort. </span></div>
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The windows were small and narrow. </div>
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The stairway was steep, and wound to the right. </div>
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They usually do, so that the defenders could use their right arms for weapons. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Someone saw a poster for "pig racing". </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Off we went - to an excellent local county fair. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJa78_uu5zcwUEhGpuOENEJxrWfj8JFoUWpACfIZOkD7ov-iPotjNGI0Z0xaekDilEPCHqJ6t7O2NdjIdbOgaJhgtE58R_ipYpLp5LaQBUceB7nfVemrcfGPBSM19jG2KjmoQCM7Q_Tc/s1600/20190714_141036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJa78_uu5zcwUEhGpuOENEJxrWfj8JFoUWpACfIZOkD7ov-iPotjNGI0Z0xaekDilEPCHqJ6t7O2NdjIdbOgaJhgtE58R_ipYpLp5LaQBUceB7nfVemrcfGPBSM19jG2KjmoQCM7Q_Tc/s640/20190714_141036.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kilian and Aidan check out the potential new wheels. Not for NM, with the driver on the right-hand side.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Tractors, tools. And - yes, pig racing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br />(It was very popular. You could bet on the pigs!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSSS9jpMDepaSENTov7hcY5lT6ku1K5y1hry0X1blJJV2tUboMiZmSYDvrLX2jhc4oGzZzTBx55m6A56AIRrVjLxlUJjf3eltwnaaSHkBSBEcoX71zW6D4GdKmTbLRBKYPBBDOMrz38o/s2048/IMG_1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSSS9jpMDepaSENTov7hcY5lT6ku1K5y1hry0X1blJJV2tUboMiZmSYDvrLX2jhc4oGzZzTBx55m6A56AIRrVjLxlUJjf3eltwnaaSHkBSBEcoX71zW6D4GdKmTbLRBKYPBBDOMrz38o/w640-h480/IMG_1943.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Ireland today is a long way from what it was like in the 70's.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88cNEJ8hs-MB7wkr-MYfaN5ovymQAmTduZC2-TzxsylzTEQ7Zkn6ap6O79_C3OaRx9JsHe-Cc3IGodBnAAm24rz7wHHMZG4HgteqnYObUnuISX4DfdGyaQPFZ9_GB0yc9brT4hyItsBA/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88cNEJ8hs-MB7wkr-MYfaN5ovymQAmTduZC2-TzxsylzTEQ7Zkn6ap6O79_C3OaRx9JsHe-Cc3IGodBnAAm24rz7wHHMZG4HgteqnYObUnuISX4DfdGyaQPFZ9_GB0yc9brT4hyItsBA/s400/IMG_2015.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Central heating was a rarity.<br />
Some of my friends' homes had no refrigerators or washers.<br />
Milk was delivered daily, and kept outside on a windowsill.<br />
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None of my friends had a car.<br />
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The stone house I rented in Connemara had no electricity.<br />
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There was a pump in the field for water.<br />
I used turf - that we dug and dried from the bog - for heat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S3yCLwjJiVHI94OJITcvUdTyrx1r7A5_8RNX3yFLEqDjk0i_yqwlhoCoDnb4RHlg8kExDT0uIQo3kwMR-uajj6p1ttMGFek1jCJFHT3xsfyWO8BuxIln0PUBbXO1i7Usq2BnYxR0FJI/s1600/70%2527s+Ireland.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S3yCLwjJiVHI94OJITcvUdTyrx1r7A5_8RNX3yFLEqDjk0i_yqwlhoCoDnb4RHlg8kExDT0uIQo3kwMR-uajj6p1ttMGFek1jCJFHT3xsfyWO8BuxIln0PUBbXO1i7Usq2BnYxR0FJI/s640/70%2527s+Ireland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The "ould" days: Temple Bar in Dublin. My hearth in Leitrim, with the "crook and crane". Trish at 20 years old.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">It's changed drastically.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Something lost, something gained. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXt924ttY5LbfRI9YROqr1WADDNaSg63_4rMeadsUsc-USoAnKHVySRcTaO36rb_AOKNrZhJtPMPefBtCfSemQqcHiq5jKIK-GRraXcfl_hnDeRXUz_v9cK3ChdFiDRiAv9nuLUruWDw/s1600/IMG_1976.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXt924ttY5LbfRI9YROqr1WADDNaSg63_4rMeadsUsc-USoAnKHVySRcTaO36rb_AOKNrZhJtPMPefBtCfSemQqcHiq5jKIK-GRraXcfl_hnDeRXUz_v9cK3ChdFiDRiAv9nuLUruWDw/s640/IMG_1976.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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This trip - this family reunion - was a chance to share a bit of Ireland with my kids.<br />
Ireland played such a large part in my life.<br />
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My brother Rick also wanted to show his daughter, Tati, where he grew up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eI-yjFGm61OB9OYt09KcJINaBkYeRY-eYF4CtxujG3DaT_hI6LLdlOtVvAo9lHqn-wS9bv7wfLYmVVGdQ65sDHw3z0N0AxIQBp8E5yBePmG7ohFMT-YOxLQw1Y7OLcK-auqdRTJD340/s1600/201907+IRL+%25283%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eI-yjFGm61OB9OYt09KcJINaBkYeRY-eYF4CtxujG3DaT_hI6LLdlOtVvAo9lHqn-wS9bv7wfLYmVVGdQ65sDHw3z0N0AxIQBp8E5yBePmG7ohFMT-YOxLQw1Y7OLcK-auqdRTJD340/s640/201907+IRL+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We even went back to our home in Co. Wicklow, The Old Rectory.<br />
The current owners are my parents' friends, Jimmy and Miriam Carroll.<br />
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They kindly gave us tea and let us wander through our old rooms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgomasZ89DXqiVOUDCScrKeROUhzziX-BXBfu4eJNw7l6QYCncfjAbjIDigDx3Cg2enXqh0Al6uu06DP__aPkPvRMFEXH-WQiJSbJVol6KnKaPQohVnfPvZoOHE2hyxFKJUWROR1owVP4/s1600/201907+IRL+%25284a%2529-12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgomasZ89DXqiVOUDCScrKeROUhzziX-BXBfu4eJNw7l6QYCncfjAbjIDigDx3Cg2enXqh0Al6uu06DP__aPkPvRMFEXH-WQiJSbJVol6KnKaPQohVnfPvZoOHE2hyxFKJUWROR1owVP4/s640/201907+IRL+%25284a%2529-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>At the Cliffs of Moher. We used to go there before they built the walls. Watch the ocean from the edge. Sometimes at night.</i></td></tr>
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What an adventure - both then - and now.<br />
A trip with stories of the past.<br />
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And now - we're creating new stories of our own.<br />
For our kids - and grandkid.<br />
How cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3NYaQaKsb-9mcbStOfR20IkI1k317KQoQuKzMtbuLXZA-XBpgd8UavemPV_u9vEqH7Ev-9G7L1A5CTn_uV47-3hFFv-BAL7x5zbcrBk_DVo8WQMhuUre4gSzf0nv5BiaMj2NtO85Ebc/s1600/IMG-20190929-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3NYaQaKsb-9mcbStOfR20IkI1k317KQoQuKzMtbuLXZA-XBpgd8UavemPV_u9vEqH7Ev-9G7L1A5CTn_uV47-3hFFv-BAL7x5zbcrBk_DVo8WQMhuUre4gSzf0nv5BiaMj2NtO85Ebc/s400/IMG-20190929-WA0000.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i>Noah says,"That's OUR castle!"<br />And - he's right. -At least for a while.</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2-25vVbg0w1VKPQu2d3pF-BNIz2BCHA-p0P70y6Cp-jvvkp6FNavGCxY84EAYxcH2ICrfAv2Wq9HHG1IINh8naIeWrf9e2tVR547w7m-DJwwx7JIkoVE18RsVOK9x4kUk5kQwLINF6U/s1600/Castle+Crew.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2-25vVbg0w1VKPQu2d3pF-BNIz2BCHA-p0P70y6Cp-jvvkp6FNavGCxY84EAYxcH2ICrfAv2Wq9HHG1IINh8naIeWrf9e2tVR547w7m-DJwwx7JIkoVE18RsVOK9x4kUk5kQwLINF6U/s640/Castle+Crew.jpeg" width="480" /></a><br />
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"Remember the time we went to Ireland? And stayed in a real castle?"<br />
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Yep.</div>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-87911720702025693922019-07-03T10:22:00.007+02:002021-12-01T16:13:46.364+01:00The Cost of Living on a Boat in the South of France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So I spent last week at FI - <a href="https://www.fichautauqua.com/" target="_blank">Chautauqua, </a>in the UK.</div>
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You know, the whole FIRE movement .<br />
"Financial Independence Retire Early" thing.<br />
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This get-together was in Shakespeare's home, Stratford-upon-Avon. </div>
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At a pretty spiffy ol' mansion, Ettington Park.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_Fe763FpjcSojjUm8C1yOz3KLa9Wb6wDUesNMDONfF2SGv_v7F_MSDHHKr-UEGAZelh1bGoDbB-bzy5RKWLgpuv5USUBr1PZ7bqkewfAc54pdOCmH4P_wxHWcn98xJD7BGAhQ3Phzaw/s1600/20190621_081115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_Fe763FpjcSojjUm8C1yOz3KLa9Wb6wDUesNMDONfF2SGv_v7F_MSDHHKr-UEGAZelh1bGoDbB-bzy5RKWLgpuv5USUBr1PZ7bqkewfAc54pdOCmH4P_wxHWcn98xJD7BGAhQ3Phzaw/s640/20190621_081115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A friend of mine, <a href="https://jlcollinsnh.com/" target="_blank">JL Collins, </a>started the idea years ago, and it took off. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There were about 30 attendees and a half dozen FIRE movement bloggers, including Brandon, <a href="https://www.madfientist.com/" target="_blank">The Mad FIentist, </a>Kristy and Bryce from <a href="https://www.millennial-revolution.com/" target="_blank">Millennial Revolution,</a> Alan and Katie and Simon and Henry of <a href="https://therebelschool.com/" target="_blank">Rebel Business School</a>, Carl - <a href="https://www.1500days.com/" target="_blank">Mr. 1500, </a>and Jillian from <a href="https://www.montanamoneyadventures.com/" target="_blank">Montana Money Adventures.</a><br />
And Jane and - Jim Collins, who wrote <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Path-Wealth-financial-independence-ebook/dp/B01H97OQY2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KMGZZSSSRER5&keywords=the+simple+path+to+wealth&qid=1562164175&s=books&sprefix=the+simple+path+to+wealth%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C-1&sr=1-1" target="_blank">"The Simple Path to Wealth".</a> (and I did the cover art!)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYO-Gv9lAwONuvmDvGUxDuaCDLT60DC4X-XdZTEnbOrQ1VaKta93BtTPhI2Pc2Xt9WKSfflnQIcErdgjrxp14lEU_oclrJDODKhnh0xVPdlvJCGuvjGHQBtdgi1dYd7f469XRsfJMC1Y/s1600/20190621_220851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYO-Gv9lAwONuvmDvGUxDuaCDLT60DC4X-XdZTEnbOrQ1VaKta93BtTPhI2Pc2Xt9WKSfflnQIcErdgjrxp14lEU_oclrJDODKhnh0xVPdlvJCGuvjGHQBtdgi1dYd7f469XRsfJMC1Y/s640/20190621_220851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beautiful location, well organized.<br />
<br />
A perfect time to be in the UK. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was fun - there was a murder mystery, a Shakespeare play.<br />
Oxford nearby, sticky toffee pudding.<br />
<br />
And the library had a proper secret door. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone seemed to be talking ALL the time.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv-7n9TwaGNkZugS4KDa7KpSnGaMEqTCblyl0kAQfY2gNYqeG5l8qNPugnMihoUX-Jy3v3lEHqzmwgBsdXu-FduKnsU11w0MMZWd6qM6L-4dOi72rzJBDjqMz53xpjK7S3a7f8NfoBBo/s1600/20190621_220820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv-7n9TwaGNkZugS4KDa7KpSnGaMEqTCblyl0kAQfY2gNYqeG5l8qNPugnMihoUX-Jy3v3lEHqzmwgBsdXu-FduKnsU11w0MMZWd6qM6L-4dOi72rzJBDjqMz53xpjK7S3a7f8NfoBBo/s640/20190621_220820.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
When I mentioned that living on a boat is low cost, I got some weird looks. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Isn't a boat a hole where you pour in money?" was a frequent comment. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But - really? Compared to a HOUSE?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIgaLOQU_npNmMSwemUxQHyUcw0NoAi1I1Z6DfZRmFAAfjXtDjabGbNoBWp-ioRnfdyp5q181IOWz0hvpVorCD7i5bPrySA3WO3yDO6wqiAC8cvOOXaeGXu6PEuoQ3NYaM01f-K_RW7s/s1600/Entrance+West+Wing+%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIgaLOQU_npNmMSwemUxQHyUcw0NoAi1I1Z6DfZRmFAAfjXtDjabGbNoBWp-ioRnfdyp5q181IOWz0hvpVorCD7i5bPrySA3WO3yDO6wqiAC8cvOOXaeGXu6PEuoQ3NYaM01f-K_RW7s/w640-h480/Entrance+West+Wing+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
For those who don't know, Stan and I spent this past winter getting rid of all of our STUFF. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Selling the house. The cars.<br />
The motorized bicycles.<br />
Antiques. Rugs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Giving away tools.<br />
The cat. Guitars.<br />
Clothes. Art. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Books (many carloads of books-).<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWGB6HMyyPJf7LYCblz9cmpvilE9sSTJmppFmAEX6XZ-hnXZvWVHZlAjRdmOSZojKfPjdDcwKh7NaqwCEJChGaRdGIREp8ozPRVOPt0iD5t_x-DgWf7rUQIEtw-O8ZruS1BsxbXHWcrk/s1600/20190107_150450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWGB6HMyyPJf7LYCblz9cmpvilE9sSTJmppFmAEX6XZ-hnXZvWVHZlAjRdmOSZojKfPjdDcwKh7NaqwCEJChGaRdGIREp8ozPRVOPt0iD5t_x-DgWf7rUQIEtw-O8ZruS1BsxbXHWcrk/s640/20190107_150450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One corner of the house - before.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
We kept in our minds the vision of leaving.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just the backpack.<br />
Hopping onto a train (all cars sold-). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Taking off, waving to the new owners of the house. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hittin' the road.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And - it happened pretty much just like that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
But it was a LOT of work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF7jVRNvI7mQ_lAiIO2BdDnFnZBBT0acgPnIbRsQFRuNo0kqzKe4cffreAbsbeilgxy-xXLwxBAT2HfS4BostwkKy-i_PcdXp4LS8hpit8bcPP-Nqsofpv12vVe7VBJAcQoex9RZvSaA/s1600/20190409_071111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF7jVRNvI7mQ_lAiIO2BdDnFnZBBT0acgPnIbRsQFRuNo0kqzKe4cffreAbsbeilgxy-xXLwxBAT2HfS4BostwkKy-i_PcdXp4LS8hpit8bcPP-Nqsofpv12vVe7VBJAcQoex9RZvSaA/s640/20190409_071111.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The same corner of the house - after.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
So now, our only "home" is a canal boat.<br />
Off the grid. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The idea was to continue traveling, which we've been doing for the past 5 years. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Without needing to return to a house to maintain things. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We wanted a place where we could easily close up and leave. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A "turnkey operation". </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A boat works. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's simple. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it's cool. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I like it.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuJzHK7OhYhlR36Y_JUbR8jTpEZ1lZ4SNxpTi1k_ISpAHj88bIph4yVJxubZblZ48dpumsNNc9Jx4pZPmHIx0cRWsBszdUNU7GIeACv39opj8BxVRUWAgX8fBorvyMmcIc0XHU4paIRg/s1600/20171007_094808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuJzHK7OhYhlR36Y_JUbR8jTpEZ1lZ4SNxpTi1k_ISpAHj88bIph4yVJxubZblZ48dpumsNNc9Jx4pZPmHIx0cRWsBszdUNU7GIeACv39opj8BxVRUWAgX8fBorvyMmcIc0XHU4paIRg/s640/20171007_094808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
It was accidental that it turned out to be inexpensive. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That wasn't our main reason for doing it.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mentioned at this FI seminar that a boat, a canal barge, is low cost living. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I got to thinking about it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just how much does it cost? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then again - when <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2019/06/whats-it-like-living-on-canal-boat-in.html" target="_blank">this post </a>appeared on reddit, people were asking - so how much?</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
So in the spirit of the Chautauqua, where people are pretty open about financial stuff, here are the numbers. (I put it in dollars - so the comparison is easier) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We weren't trying to live cheaply. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
This is roughly what it cost. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's what I was paying to maintain the <b>house </b>in New Mexico:</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>Per Year:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$1200 home insurance</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$3100 property tax</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$2300 electricity and gas (ok, we had a pool)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$900 water and waste (it's NM. Water can be $$)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$1500 wi-fi (Xfinity. SO expensive. So annoying.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So basic costs of the house were about <b>$9000 a year. </b>$750 a month.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's what the <b>boat </b>looks like on an annual basis:</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Per Year:</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$250 boat insurance</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$1000 mooring fees (calculated by boat length. Our boat is 14m long. 80€ a month.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$120 for water - waste is free. We fill the water tank about once a month.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$120 propane</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$300 wi-fi</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
$600 canal usage fee. The French waterways system charges us to use the canal.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
So that comes to <b>$2390 a year. </b>About $200 a month.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're off the grid, so no utilities as such. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2017/09/solar-panels-on-boat-and-theyre-great.html" target="_blank">solar panels, </a>which work GREAT.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgOG1OVbNix4-Po3F3D4U82BGAAjpJIflVEaFSBBjb_mFMfMK1aHSYdUY4u2AQqzFz2uVyeaj_ZAEePMRVRA3zRRQQpYGOh1LoGS97DWxYJ5oA-fdlk7Xql_RnsIn-094Ok3Jde_iNv8/s1600/20170830_114533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgOG1OVbNix4-Po3F3D4U82BGAAjpJIflVEaFSBBjb_mFMfMK1aHSYdUY4u2AQqzFz2uVyeaj_ZAEePMRVRA3zRRQQpYGOh1LoGS97DWxYJ5oA-fdlk7Xql_RnsIn-094Ok3Jde_iNv8/s640/20170830_114533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Granted, the house we sold was a pretty sweet house. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My dream house. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A 100+ year old adobe in the Rio Grande valley.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6jCNh3kBDgHk2-PRBotPyVnF31FgQWFNeClmVyV5A64fzz-tkUR_rxWd1kq8ziJj62rY2NyymoI2K8v1SV0VpH3Icv8gKY17bYR_DdiJkOQFGohIpz5KlmGFZV5t-L0iV3FTt27yrFI/s1600/11+Aug+Sept+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6jCNh3kBDgHk2-PRBotPyVnF31FgQWFNeClmVyV5A64fzz-tkUR_rxWd1kq8ziJj62rY2NyymoI2K8v1SV0VpH3Icv8gKY17bYR_DdiJkOQFGohIpz5KlmGFZV5t-L0iV3FTt27yrFI/s640/11+Aug+Sept+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But a house also requires a LOT more general maintenance stuff. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Garden hoses and plants and parts and tools and cleaning supplies. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a big yard.<br />
Gardens.<br />
Ponds.<br />
A pool. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is <i>in addition </i>to the numbers above. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Not sure how to calculate all that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just know we spent a LOT of time at Home Depot.</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, you do need a visa to live in France as an American.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's more info on getting the original <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2017/08/getting-french-visa.html" target="_blank">long-term visas</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(It gets a bit easier after the first time.) </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, we're on the <b>French health system,</b> which is free.<br />
Yep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was paying <b>$650 a month </b>in the US for health insurance. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That - was the cheapest I could find. With a $7000 deductible. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you count the health insurance, it<i> doubles </i>the cost of living in NM.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Don't get me started.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Back to the boat: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Obviously, there's the cost of the Boat itself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is ours, Maggie May. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's a beauty.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvM9u5WRDtYvIivSI254JzAkSDD6mHTc8wVHuxKtmrfeGMR7usUfxWmpRrmXhmARVvlI7TQW3I8d4GH1UyOmVWUVwNZDi_zcNx5Vp_dgSh87uT43agd47wCvREpCfYTQAgfVYcGYNbiI/s1600/IMG-20171225-WA0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1599" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvM9u5WRDtYvIivSI254JzAkSDD6mHTc8wVHuxKtmrfeGMR7usUfxWmpRrmXhmARVvlI7TQW3I8d4GH1UyOmVWUVwNZDi_zcNx5Vp_dgSh87uT43agd47wCvREpCfYTQAgfVYcGYNbiI/s640/IMG-20171225-WA0002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can find a good live aboard boat anywhere between $5,000 and $200,000. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suppose you could pay more - or even less. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are always a LOT of boats for sale. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pretty much any price.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6tSpTWAUQSEIOljHMSxeLo09455ZBVyhj_whMcF02cSnJTlS4umyqVTTftaT1wOUyCcQ3v8wQuzEDMCNhz6aU8rXoL94S6KTWZaJHM8uNgHx5Bqgcyr6Q0GD50ZmqgJG9gcMA0rXmXI/s1600/20180417_181813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6tSpTWAUQSEIOljHMSxeLo09455ZBVyhj_whMcF02cSnJTlS4umyqVTTftaT1wOUyCcQ3v8wQuzEDMCNhz6aU8rXoL94S6KTWZaJHM8uNgHx5Bqgcyr6Q0GD50ZmqgJG9gcMA0rXmXI/s400/20180417_181813.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Prices range widely. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's a single guy down the canal from us on an old sailboat. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You could probably buy one like it for $3000. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, he usually finds a girlfriend to live with. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So he doesn't spend all that much time on the boat. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Works for him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not talking budget living here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did that in the 70's. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Had the ol' self-sufficient farm, off the grid. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Catching fish and rabbits, growing potatoes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kept chickens and collected mussels. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Out in the West of Ireland.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HZ2UXl5o9fd6AQULzkL-zGh2xVkOo_fiuNfYIDTpYaQlEY15Rp9NjNW03EL5okmVvuWb4IyxE07QKb-hx50B_m-9HKqhdQKZg9Jgxbr28gIzTZfuegaf1WKPQhQ6PgNwjdaMN7-F9TQ/s1600/76+Donegal+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1215" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HZ2UXl5o9fd6AQULzkL-zGh2xVkOo_fiuNfYIDTpYaQlEY15Rp9NjNW03EL5okmVvuWb4IyxE07QKb-hx50B_m-9HKqhdQKZg9Jgxbr28gIzTZfuegaf1WKPQhQ6PgNwjdaMN7-F9TQ/s320/76+Donegal+%25288%2529.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Hitchhiking around Europe.<br />
Sleeping on the ground or in haystacks.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not living that way now. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's a time for everything.<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54adYGIIoXQ_2XUplB_LTfjK3uODnaaxE7iUBevxpbwnGCaGofm5J7xfVFw5GFW_fQ3RvcLz6mp2MTlyaZNOhPDXU-FXW6efhcgnLNXSvkRZPd-nyiZ9WFnpPjjssqDlO-8bM3qDgLTw/s1600/75+Knock+Turf+cutting+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1289" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54adYGIIoXQ_2XUplB_LTfjK3uODnaaxE7iUBevxpbwnGCaGofm5J7xfVFw5GFW_fQ3RvcLz6mp2MTlyaZNOhPDXU-FXW6efhcgnLNXSvkRZPd-nyiZ9WFnpPjjssqDlO-8bM3qDgLTw/s640/75+Knock+Turf+cutting+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>That's JL Collins. Digging turf at our place in Ireland. 1975. He was a good sport about it.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">You can do all of this for much less. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">And it would be just as much fun. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, there are also very inexpensive houses in the French countryside. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Roll up your sleeves, those can be serious work - and time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If that's how you want to spend your days, fine.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our goal was to make our lives simpler. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have more time for art, music.<br />
<br />
Exploring the world.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK9VY_R3ggvdr7s4q3svvrspfMoUuJ7N4oregXdXSUgxFgk083cUL76mcYJxyzMTTpgczd_r6YWrSN2_fiNzPvNHI_g62q4qGiHcZbVW-SF1ENxrH2JXzKRmmO4tGIk1DwzhL12trMR4/s1600/20170521_090427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK9VY_R3ggvdr7s4q3svvrspfMoUuJ7N4oregXdXSUgxFgk083cUL76mcYJxyzMTTpgczd_r6YWrSN2_fiNzPvNHI_g62q4qGiHcZbVW-SF1ENxrH2JXzKRmmO4tGIk1DwzhL12trMR4/s640/20170521_090427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That it was also less expensive was a plus, not the original intention. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a place to start looking for <a href="https://www.apolloduck.eu/boats-for-sale/house-boats" target="_blank">canal barges.</a></div></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our boat has 3 cabins and 3 bathrooms. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is pretty ridiculous, and more than we need.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But - we have kids and friends and family who visit. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since Stan and I are not boat experts.<br />
We wanted one where all the systems were integrated. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another question I get a lot - do you have to know your way around boats? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not really. <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/11/at-shipyard.html" target="_blank">Here's </a>how much we really didn't know. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sure, it helps to be mechanical.<br />
Doesn't it always? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the canals and ports are filled with people who know all about boats. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They've built their own boats. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sailed around the world with them.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are people who grew up with boats. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most are more than willing to share their knowledge.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a good community. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
More about <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/11/the-hunt-is-on.html" target="_blank">the boat hunt</a> here. And <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/11/we-found-boat.html" target="_blank">finding a boat</a>. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that's the basic financial picture. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus, when you sell a house, there's a nice chunk of money to invest. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FI types like that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Your income grows, too.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn906nTTzaqVYM8MGu86XYjR982bg7QWc4aVI8QXJHOKdwMeUtA5N81_16uByKR1y3ByJeVrCNEmI8uQ_DdMbqQkdKeA4-5RKSWQln-aEl6ObuJwon9mKOiukT-0M2KxKhhk_dOef6s_8/s1600/20170328_111754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn906nTTzaqVYM8MGu86XYjR982bg7QWc4aVI8QXJHOKdwMeUtA5N81_16uByKR1y3ByJeVrCNEmI8uQ_DdMbqQkdKeA4-5RKSWQln-aEl6ObuJwon9mKOiukT-0M2KxKhhk_dOef6s_8/s640/20170328_111754.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Also - did I mention wine?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you know how good the wine is in France?<br />
And how inexpensive - compared to the US?<br />
<br />
Beautiful wines.<br />
Great prices.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4FRQ3T2KEN-a8Koulcd9NZnIgOHrbUkBwjpI21ZSm8W4gzeWsoKvitLKsLj2ek2j_KVbz9WiSGb988L3GMuBsvwfupnb6ofmInpE8D8PgwU4Ns87CQMIZMBVxxRjFVPHerFPKWGJAXw/s1600/15+Burgundy+%2528330%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4FRQ3T2KEN-a8Koulcd9NZnIgOHrbUkBwjpI21ZSm8W4gzeWsoKvitLKsLj2ek2j_KVbz9WiSGb988L3GMuBsvwfupnb6ofmInpE8D8PgwU4Ns87CQMIZMBVxxRjFVPHerFPKWGJAXw/s640/15+Burgundy+%2528330%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sometimes I wonder just how much we save on the wine alone...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I know a boat isn't for everyone. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's just - another possibility. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Like van dwelling.<br />
But somehow - way cooler. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It gives us the chance to spend more time on the things we love doing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN5SdCKksLnrpDKgGjD_J4cXBeG9hQD6MVnBMXQFLZiTysE2uh1734_WNlwgTGJN416LgfwmiARrr03ZEJerHlz_Z9033GtCoGphC8UtaERmwszsPDIIfVutm_oRdOaSmkm6oduAOE1I/s1600/15+Burgundy+%2528365%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN5SdCKksLnrpDKgGjD_J4cXBeG9hQD6MVnBMXQFLZiTysE2uh1734_WNlwgTGJN416LgfwmiARrr03ZEJerHlz_Z9033GtCoGphC8UtaERmwszsPDIIfVutm_oRdOaSmkm6oduAOE1I/s400/15+Burgundy+%2528365%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
With the plus side of working out <i>way </i>less expensive than we'd planned. </div>
</div>
Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-28235337745595761772019-05-09T10:20:00.004+02:002021-12-03T15:03:10.365+01:00Down to Toothbrush and a Credit Card: USA to Europe without Flying<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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No Airplanes, Please - </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
New Mexico to the South of France</div>
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by Train and Ship</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtky02ZFz6rkOgYsQQypS9Ye2lAS2ABVog4-Z52q0JmQL5qQSyLOKubmCtDuZAgRsTAgUCwXRfcHO0rDSolsOwA68in9T9lPANpJf6oBnrqTotcatygY2rk7PkE8hNcDiOHIiRuyrP-OQ/s1600/20190414_111523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtky02ZFz6rkOgYsQQypS9Ye2lAS2ABVog4-Z52q0JmQL5qQSyLOKubmCtDuZAgRsTAgUCwXRfcHO0rDSolsOwA68in9T9lPANpJf6oBnrqTotcatygY2rk7PkE8hNcDiOHIiRuyrP-OQ/s640/20190414_111523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We just crossed over the Missouri River. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On a train. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have a small sleeper compartment.<br />
Private bathroom. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Stan's playing guitar.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4OJkFIclTYesk-sANVICd1DoKINDxL5EO1BkGTGD50MMYy3zgUXQM2o2L_jXwvUFhVFViqdmueTX1Fni7o3FdaD4L2laUgVVXEVsGsOd-gYUP9ynz29a4kFd-Y2EkpGrjWcoJVrPauc/s1600/20190414_151202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4OJkFIclTYesk-sANVICd1DoKINDxL5EO1BkGTGD50MMYy3zgUXQM2o2L_jXwvUFhVFViqdmueTX1Fni7o3FdaD4L2laUgVVXEVsGsOd-gYUP9ynz29a4kFd-Y2EkpGrjWcoJVrPauc/s640/20190414_151202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stan's happy - there's a self-serve coffee stand at the end of our coach. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
All meals are included on the 28 hour train trip from Albuquerque to Chicago. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Salmon, fillet steak, NY cheesecake. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A small bottle of merlot. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The attendant brings tea to our compartment between meals. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Makes up the beds.<br />
<br />
Nice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdTqYQCnKUOFcazd99vEuREnYmsO6LsEgI7R-teD1X3bfbXvA7HPA-FYrTCLziafLLJTjluL-Zqh9cDd_nhEots-S8kjX0srgOo1KAmpVfQEn-IpEOCIf3zXpJ2qrDBUjoXQ0xSogX9k/s1600/NM+3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdTqYQCnKUOFcazd99vEuREnYmsO6LsEgI7R-teD1X3bfbXvA7HPA-FYrTCLziafLLJTjluL-Zqh9cDd_nhEots-S8kjX0srgOo1KAmpVfQEn-IpEOCIf3zXpJ2qrDBUjoXQ0xSogX9k/s640/NM+3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
We weren't necessarily being "carbon conscious" by not flying.<br />
I had retina surgery. Wasn't allowed to fly.<br />
<br />
Okay, I thought - fine.<br />
There<i> has </i>to be another way to get to France.<br />
And - there is.<br />
<br />
A pretty cool way, too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Booked an Amtrak train from Albuquerque to Chicago.<br />
Overnight.<br />
Another one from Chicago to New York.<br />
Also overnight. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
Then, the Queen Mary.<br />
New York to Southhampton in England.<br />
<br />
It takes a week.<br />
<br />
From there, Eurostar train London to Paris.<br />
Under the English Channel.<br />
<br />
And on by train to Béziers and "<a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2019/06/whats-it-like-living-on-canal-boat-in.html" target="_blank">Maggie May</a>".<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32sDfHTUBtHAZ6hQpkJcLOAPUVOEUfLye8yRHDgqO0UvO0P9HWDpkKdzuBdCacF2bYM5eM58AnOhIaqbwNg5pzDWiX9LfjMdFqo2lFuaAGHUQduRaH9PyUME1PTXhUxJwY-9sy5XDvs0/s1600/20190414_121503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32sDfHTUBtHAZ6hQpkJcLOAPUVOEUfLye8yRHDgqO0UvO0P9HWDpkKdzuBdCacF2bYM5eM58AnOhIaqbwNg5pzDWiX9LfjMdFqo2lFuaAGHUQduRaH9PyUME1PTXhUxJwY-9sy5XDvs0/s640/20190414_121503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
The entire transit took about 3 weeks.<br />
No jet lag.<br />
Arrived relaxed and rested.<br />
<br />
Even got to see a show in London on the way.<br />
<br />
But back to the trip:<br />
<br />
New Mexico is beautiful from the train.<br />
Mountains. Mesas. Huge skies.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Did you know - the Santa Fe Railway never went to Santa Fe. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The terrain was too tough. So it stopped in nearby Lamy.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdcC4i8pbHmtAvpf6OYNywsWI9fpyheWXyMuFMy_9ZazRrwxdex23FuBeyWAEgMS58_8CSON5rWb3Xx9Y4LIy8ykJdZQtRufBlK9rOhvtRrsjKgQZSbl3o_GANzdmrnWSiqNMMm_b5Ck/s1600/20190414_125305.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdcC4i8pbHmtAvpf6OYNywsWI9fpyheWXyMuFMy_9ZazRrwxdex23FuBeyWAEgMS58_8CSON5rWb3Xx9Y4LIy8ykJdZQtRufBlK9rOhvtRrsjKgQZSbl3o_GANzdmrnWSiqNMMm_b5Ck/s640/20190414_125305.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lamy, NM.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Across Kansas.<br />
Missouri.<br />
<br />
Crossing a small corner of Iowa.<br />
Into Illinois.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fields and farms and quiet towns. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YTnek-MkygcTa08Z_NGGLGaxbzosDH2T7FE2mYKf7AOSuwVN-GC7fVdRpzQAu5BLdncG-WpJK4jeX9AQDm9IMGmZ86AV4YACpVf9MIgtoJR3crKNLhN366vLDkfHvQ1LmxpuEyQHetI/s1600/20190415_140654%25280%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YTnek-MkygcTa08Z_NGGLGaxbzosDH2T7FE2mYKf7AOSuwVN-GC7fVdRpzQAu5BLdncG-WpJK4jeX9AQDm9IMGmZ86AV4YACpVf9MIgtoJR3crKNLhN366vLDkfHvQ1LmxpuEyQHetI/s640/20190415_140654%25280%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Over the Mississippi River.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of water up here.<br />
Still snow in some places!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looks like it was a wet and wild winter in the Midwest.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87FCsLz1yynbAP5utyqyE0Dp1-YQgcZHZOn-ph5a7T5WwWjSfG1kMnx_bA1oFefa2BsR0S762SFr9gC_YokOwLB-k_b4uM_GO3gkhzHndZPAjUKekMG190G1ZTKSvamtNLtTw3WSdtQs/s1600/20190415_135937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87FCsLz1yynbAP5utyqyE0Dp1-YQgcZHZOn-ph5a7T5WwWjSfG1kMnx_bA1oFefa2BsR0S762SFr9gC_YokOwLB-k_b4uM_GO3gkhzHndZPAjUKekMG190G1ZTKSvamtNLtTw3WSdtQs/s640/20190415_135937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybRRg4bripGI8wAyDiMkWhxSeZsAXwQZyFieki0nmc5bmjDq_G-reER0OowRutox-Gc-nYOOwcN6Qfcqiuuui1Z-ECGjpZKz4ENi27YtMgVwamy7odnu2dGPboqxpxb4ScdxSYkMc1e0/s1600/20190414_120313.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybRRg4bripGI8wAyDiMkWhxSeZsAXwQZyFieki0nmc5bmjDq_G-reER0OowRutox-Gc-nYOOwcN6Qfcqiuuui1Z-ECGjpZKz4ENi27YtMgVwamy7odnu2dGPboqxpxb4ScdxSYkMc1e0/s640/20190414_120313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Motorcycles are great. Still, I don't envy him, as I enjoy a glass of wine on the train.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally - the train pulls into Chicago.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Clean, cool architecture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Museums, clubs, shows, parks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Friendly folks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And a killer location right on the lake. </div></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkZpyGvKec-Q2HCBKoonfHEu6SWIFALBBs4ZsIg-LQCyZmgMxUuSpn0RyLUOiOK9GqrjO3e8OOg8VjRKt9MAosVTrJRfQCqpEMWU6HUEpot7M998PlZ7KYlxeax4XHBPAr_x26AB1oSg/s1600/20190419_212256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkZpyGvKec-Q2HCBKoonfHEu6SWIFALBBs4ZsIg-LQCyZmgMxUuSpn0RyLUOiOK9GqrjO3e8OOg8VjRKt9MAosVTrJRfQCqpEMWU6HUEpot7M998PlZ7KYlxeax4XHBPAr_x26AB1oSg/s640/20190419_212256.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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One of the better world-class cities. </div>
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A bit unsung.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMGFr6AqykZqBnEkmEma9rSQrKdeqcDM6f-nnYIPn8i4Z6KoPqi8bdH0XuO1T0kMKjPkBoVR5MOKUuVKztJ2LIRp5gSyaLIyIhYxG5x9ZF9UlRkngfIpLdjztga-cIOZnjQOn5S3XvQ4/s1600/20190414_122338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMGFr6AqykZqBnEkmEma9rSQrKdeqcDM6f-nnYIPn8i4Z6KoPqi8bdH0XuO1T0kMKjPkBoVR5MOKUuVKztJ2LIRp5gSyaLIyIhYxG5x9ZF9UlRkngfIpLdjztga-cIOZnjQOn5S3XvQ4/s640/20190414_122338.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
During the previous 5 months, we sold our house in New Mexico. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And a rental house or two.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sold the cars.<br />
16 bicycles. 6 motorized bicycles. <br />
Furniture. Antiques from the 1700's.<br />
<br />
Gave away art materials, original art.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tons of tools.<br />Carloads of books.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
About 40 guitars. <br />Dozens of handmade rugs.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clothes, linens, kitchenware, dishes, baskets, statues, silver, coins, collections, quilts, jewelry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yearbooks, photos, slides, projectors, albums, projects, awards, trophies, paintings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
-Untold treasures.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Even gave the cat to the neighbor.<br />
(Cat is probably happier now)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The goal was to get rid of <i>everything</i>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Aiming toward a "toothbrush and a credit card" life.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lightening the load a bit.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTel-adCNSexvgv6kMAjgwOcyzMCgxXr92vT33dDVqhkLMkd15Mo2WJRY5JXkeHaS1qPct54TDUxrZ3ub5pmoN7rAbyrWacZ1wFNG2XRPot5o0ubzos2mTfNihNGxwov2hkQwyGcAxZo/s1600/20190409_071114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTel-adCNSexvgv6kMAjgwOcyzMCgxXr92vT33dDVqhkLMkd15Mo2WJRY5JXkeHaS1qPct54TDUxrZ3ub5pmoN7rAbyrWacZ1wFNG2XRPot5o0ubzos2mTfNihNGxwov2hkQwyGcAxZo/s640/20190409_071114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not just downsizing. Everything. Gone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After that job, (and it was HARD!) this long slow trip was welcome.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From Chicago, another train.<br />
<br />
The Lake Shore Limited. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sleeper compartment to New York.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Along the edges of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Past Buffalo, where my Dad was born in 1910. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Queen Mary II is our next step.<br />
For the transatlantic portion of our trip back to France.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y-nNtt4SjbsybQQL9g4YZ2oa00LwCEyWqVfI5f4WduzkI-lqzZO4-gCx7NdigrBGugSaRcaeLcdFfT6o_DTyuHZ4O24wXF1tsom13hq5cxpuTtyD58JHgoaI2QckfnIQrIkvs3OZxo8/s1600/20190421_142147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y-nNtt4SjbsybQQL9g4YZ2oa00LwCEyWqVfI5f4WduzkI-lqzZO4-gCx7NdigrBGugSaRcaeLcdFfT6o_DTyuHZ4O24wXF1tsom13hq5cxpuTtyD58JHgoaI2QckfnIQrIkvs3OZxo8/s640/20190421_142147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Always wanted to take the Queen Mary.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not a cruise ship, it's an ocean liner.<br />
<br />
Transport, rather than entertainment. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Between New York and Southhampton, UK.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeuKXmHx0MDxtHFrxHBa6e_tZAb2SD57rOeba3HtmdpjiepOEPc3Pq7jvtf0TwH_xhW8KzfKI74h2DIxnL5ih0SXVDTbYGdIOVT4-J4fhDjEEOR18eRXdKkvp4DbUXEpHKmWiO-Z42AQ/s1600/1A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="980" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeuKXmHx0MDxtHFrxHBa6e_tZAb2SD57rOeba3HtmdpjiepOEPc3Pq7jvtf0TwH_xhW8KzfKI74h2DIxnL5ih0SXVDTbYGdIOVT4-J4fhDjEEOR18eRXdKkvp4DbUXEpHKmWiO-Z42AQ/s640/1A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
And: It IS beautiful.<br />
Luxurious.<br />
Spacious.<br />
Elegant.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZFScsRhGbCA_xcy3bfQdlPRgrQHVsg88a1Diww7Avhkok_aTKuM8nGUZIlvCqdd10e1CpVxgW3paWQdYiR3fCtjdO1y4FcxCih1HEBCgNv-iV_QQ1DW_rflnTihRkh4hSpIwPVC3VcA/s1600/20190421_171738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZFScsRhGbCA_xcy3bfQdlPRgrQHVsg88a1Diww7Avhkok_aTKuM8nGUZIlvCqdd10e1CpVxgW3paWQdYiR3fCtjdO1y4FcxCih1HEBCgNv-iV_QQ1DW_rflnTihRkh4hSpIwPVC3VcA/s640/20190421_171738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Our stateroom has loads of space.<br />
<br />
Even a fridge.<br />
An electric kettle. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A private balcony.<br />
<br />
A king bed.<br />
A comfortable sitting area. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
With a complimentary bottle of champagne.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turn down service.<br />
With chocolates.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNKlA1LyBcReJKDJm8NhndleJlQ5dAiLYbx024eXC34bK3XQfzxh8R2gfCfcpeRhl4UQvJTmUuNNn3AvnDPz2ILh5i5A94cU6UjWQykgKzUGx403cdbdJz-GUKD__JgR-YNmE5ZzyEGI/s1600/20190421_172336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNKlA1LyBcReJKDJm8NhndleJlQ5dAiLYbx024eXC34bK3XQfzxh8R2gfCfcpeRhl4UQvJTmUuNNn3AvnDPz2ILh5i5A94cU6UjWQykgKzUGx403cdbdJz-GUKD__JgR-YNmE5ZzyEGI/s640/20190421_172336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Evenings are quite formal - most men in tuxedos, most women in sparkly dresses. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of ballroom dancing.<br />
Live music in the evenings.<br />
<br />
Shows. Speakers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A planetarium.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjop0i8t147KSCsiaNcUoyEb6ugdoUJm4Bx-GAHiNz4J1Uf4PACPrz1AmvbblRwcxk3BzF_E3jz7Ri-B0YZxvdse1_qirHiq9tE2WBji4A2YaO-TBBZKZP8B0Rx3jqHf_Ma5UQnhNdjAYU/s1600/20190422_202452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjop0i8t147KSCsiaNcUoyEb6ugdoUJm4Bx-GAHiNz4J1Uf4PACPrz1AmvbblRwcxk3BzF_E3jz7Ri-B0YZxvdse1_qirHiq9tE2WBji4A2YaO-TBBZKZP8B0Rx3jqHf_Ma5UQnhNdjAYU/s640/20190422_202452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
You can go to the buffet or the pub if you want to stay casual.<br />
Otherwise, evening attire is expected.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL25YMlW7B5AJ_ny86YN3MRcPPpXotIbzVhfqWR1v4TelsWlo3wV0E2NI1-DguDKvRnAVjSTY9JtDguTBzzZ9N5BeQFc7ODMZYf7tZYACTMrjkdW5yMjAX41wV_QN_QsLOXCDz6DKG-pc/s1600/20190422_213804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL25YMlW7B5AJ_ny86YN3MRcPPpXotIbzVhfqWR1v4TelsWlo3wV0E2NI1-DguDKvRnAVjSTY9JtDguTBzzZ9N5BeQFc7ODMZYf7tZYACTMrjkdW5yMjAX41wV_QN_QsLOXCDz6DKG-pc/s640/20190422_213804.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ship's library is the largest afloat - it's impressive. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Stan is still happy.<br />
He's got his guitar and a view.<br />
<br />
And coffee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUypX8n_LbZ2O4LdKFGax6t3_YmSJcGQhUinnYdQdk83GCgXSdai_RcxB0hn9f2ildTPPLUxPkKhL_cCaVVWNTh_vA5pBRKcBoTlm3MexVtUnM9izkJ9sBwRFlLheCIak7UNz2oBXeFE/s1600/20190424_083041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUypX8n_LbZ2O4LdKFGax6t3_YmSJcGQhUinnYdQdk83GCgXSdai_RcxB0hn9f2ildTPPLUxPkKhL_cCaVVWNTh_vA5pBRKcBoTlm3MexVtUnM9izkJ9sBwRFlLheCIak7UNz2oBXeFE/s400/20190424_083041.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
(I thought this might be some sort of modern art sculpture. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turns out it's a spare propeller blade. Yikes.)<br />
<br /></div>
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I love just watching the ocean slide by.<br />
No responsibilities.<br />
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Being amazed that there is NOTHING around us.<br />
In any direction.<br />
Just water.<br />
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(Ok, maybe an iceberg or two up by Labrador.)</div>
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And we have so little idea of what is UNDER the water out here.<br />
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After 7 nights' crossing, London-! </div>
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We find last minute tickets to a West End show.<br />
Go out for a fancy dinner after.</div>
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TGV (the Train of Great Speed) from London to Paris. </div>
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The Eurostar.<br />
Upstairs.<br />
Quiet.</div>
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Under the English Channel.<br />
Fast. </div>
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Change stations in Paris. </div>
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Passing over the Seine.</div>
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Through the fields and villages of France .</div>
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Way down to the south.</div>
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To Béziers overnight, before returning to the boat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9tYR9UBQydv4AphqU2d4x34c9MM-nBTmZ0G0vxJWr1ZziLv_7tjereZbGPiJqR4xH8dI1x9Ka_mtmvCdriHqH83nYb3hIQjPRLPSjrStfu4mtjIK2TgkWBed1RNXZ3Rf1Sh5minLAU8/s1600/20190430_100043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9tYR9UBQydv4AphqU2d4x34c9MM-nBTmZ0G0vxJWr1ZziLv_7tjereZbGPiJqR4xH8dI1x9Ka_mtmvCdriHqH83nYb3hIQjPRLPSjrStfu4mtjIK2TgkWBed1RNXZ3Rf1Sh5minLAU8/s640/20190430_100043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then - finally, after a trip that took us 3 weeks:</div>
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It's time to open the champagne.<br />
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On the aft deck of <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2017/06/boat-life-things-i-hadnt-really-thought.html" target="_blank">Maggie May.</a></div>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-27254962932119242892019-02-11T04:00:00.003+01:002021-07-17T19:56:06.719+02:00Never Look a Gift Car in the Trunk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: arial;">I was hitchhiking through Scotland at 17 with a girlfriend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span>In Glasgow, some guy offered to sell us a car, for five pounds. </span><br />
<span>An old 1960 Opel Rekord. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">It was registered in Sweden, so the steering wheel was on the wrong side for Scotland. </span></div>
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<span>The passenger door was held with string. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">The trunk didn’t open. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span>It leaked and the radiator needed daily refilling. </span><br />
<span><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Never mind that my friend was American. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span>She had never driven on the left. </span><br />
<span>She didn’t drive a stick shift. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">I could drive—barely—but I didn't have a license. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>My family lived in Ireland, where the </span><span>driving age was 18.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YJ2Ab4H8YTAP_YF7bbtp5vnWWpI9XOUeNkDVBY7fv76B28z2jOycL1cTgpIKziAG66OTzMnVi2GcurON7SRzdhZ_9jiunELF3l5WJ4LTyovhjeeLsoM1Vum5ITtKwTmY1zJXOKIgYVA/s828/74+Trish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YJ2Ab4H8YTAP_YF7bbtp5vnWWpI9XOUeNkDVBY7fv76B28z2jOycL1cTgpIKziAG66OTzMnVi2GcurON7SRzdhZ_9jiunELF3l5WJ4LTyovhjeeLsoM1Vum5ITtKwTmY1zJXOKIgYVA/s320/74+Trish.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">But - there wasn't as much traffic in those days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Did I mention that the steering wheel was on the wrong </span><span>side? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So we bought the car. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Paid the five pounds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span>We managed somehow to get through Glasgow. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Glasgow!<br />
<span>Then - stopped for two Scottish </span><span>hitchhikers on the road north. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<span>They looked at us, at the car, and politely declined. </span><br />
<span>(obviously, no sense of adventure-)</span><br />
<span><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Then we stopped for two British guys, who could actually drive. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 American girls - in a CAR? (No one our age had a car back then.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 4 of us drove up to Inverness, to the Cairngorms (snow!), to Aberdeen, and beyond.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Exploring castles, pubs, Dodging sheep on the narrow roads.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span>At the end of the journey, we sold the car in Edinburgh—for five pounds.</span><br />
<span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then took the train back to London.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4ULhb2wqtQNrhNzI19TAqN2Aa7QyJ5QYL-z30uh2wy-8OZ750sJYyXad60uLLum5AtjLDPJDuCCnQdzkWnQE4nl9accyP_pHWJdu_5cvSebl0_m7TwaiM64QKXRHpSVv2KB8kOyZb9E/s940/72+Scotland+%252846%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="931" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4ULhb2wqtQNrhNzI19TAqN2Aa7QyJ5QYL-z30uh2wy-8OZ750sJYyXad60uLLum5AtjLDPJDuCCnQdzkWnQE4nl9accyP_pHWJdu_5cvSebl0_m7TwaiM64QKXRHpSVv2KB8kOyZb9E/w396-h400/72+Scotland+%252846%2529.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Wonder what was in the trunk?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(From the book: "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Back-Los-Ranchos-Illustrated/dp/1489512349/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?crid=31R4YNM85XBI0&cv_ct_cx=meanwhile+back+in+los+ranchos&dchild=1&keywords=meanwhile+back+in+los+ranchos&pd_rd_i=1489512349&pd_rd_r=f1975081-ce6b-4765-aef9-e54be84aec0b&pd_rd_w=Xp6St&pd_rd_wg=toUoL&pf_rd_p=5be4970c-0256-4afe-9550-68021bd84e5b&pf_rd_r=FJHZ4EX4T49XHPE43H60&psc=1&sprefix=penelope+fitz%2Caps%2C277&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f" target="_blank">M</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Back-Los-Ranchos-Illustrated/dp/1489512349" target="_blank">eanwhile, Back in Los Ranchos".</a>)</span></div>
Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comGlasgow, Glasgow City, UK55.864237 -4.251805999999987855.721638000000006 -4.5745294999999881 56.006836 -3.9290824999999878tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-50486815906542178552019-02-02T16:30:00.005+01:002023-03-23T17:31:03.910+01:00Camel Racing in Pushkar, India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: arial;">The Pushkar Camel Fair - India</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From my journal:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s camels—all the way to the horizon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Somewhere - there’s a stadium and a full midway. At</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> least four huge Ferris wheels are turning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bands with horns are playing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tens of thousands of pilgrims. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gypsies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Snakes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Music. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dust and jewelry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lepers and goats.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Food frying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Decorated trucks and loudspeakers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Horses and tents.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Painted blue kids with tridents -(representing Shiva?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dreadlocks and dancing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Praying, racing, drumming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">—oh, the noise! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But: We're on camels. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They're <b>surprisingly </b>tall. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We feel a bit regal and above the dust and the fray. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My camel driver asked if we wanted to see our camels race. How could anyone refuse? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got down, they got up and off they went! </span><br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8Fge8upuxCCeBC0flxSyKABGo4Ud9xUEjEOzaAlo7iLo3zf8XBHYqqlyLNP4q4Ly9z8Z8N5bmBPtsIxx5c8ES0IvK6vX_WC33Op2QVyyBwqGXL7BD7XzXR4KAR68pMKPjiegTMJQsFE/s2048/12+Raj+%2528476%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8Fge8upuxCCeBC0flxSyKABGo4Ud9xUEjEOzaAlo7iLo3zf8XBHYqqlyLNP4q4Ly9z8Z8N5bmBPtsIxx5c8ES0IvK6vX_WC33Op2QVyyBwqGXL7BD7XzXR4KAR68pMKPjiegTMJQsFE/w640-h480/12+Raj+%2528476%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">He assured me my camel was the fastest —and - it was.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrCWNHuJUT2oKOKzWGyofEUatAJBbIQm7kadbHfDnAjhKUOrviTxdl2aRcGIn6NmqP6YVAIQ38QF5l1GnfhV2WQLM7PyHZqI0rHx_ddOLsOSm7Eg9d9ClSVn4l0Fc3spNlf0sPZ4DA3U/s2048/12+Raj+%2528450%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1737" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrCWNHuJUT2oKOKzWGyofEUatAJBbIQm7kadbHfDnAjhKUOrviTxdl2aRcGIn6NmqP6YVAIQ38QF5l1GnfhV2WQLM7PyHZqI0rHx_ddOLsOSm7Eg9d9ClSVn4l0Fc3spNlf0sPZ4DA3U/w339-h400/12+Raj+%2528450%2529.JPG" width="339" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Excerpt from "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Back-Los-Ranchos-Illustrated/dp/1489512349/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?crid=31R4YNM85XBI0&cv_ct_cx=meanwhile+back+in+los+ranchos&dchild=1&keywords=meanwhile+back+in+los+ranchos&pd_rd_i=1489512349&pd_rd_r=af68bddd-0447-4285-9e01-cad69c059ade&pd_rd_w=QTKEN&pd_rd_wg=IQ3rM&pf_rd_p=5be4970c-0256-4afe-9550-68021bd84e5b&pf_rd_r=XBPMX6EJ3FJN13NNGV8D&psc=1&sprefix=penelope+fitz%2Caps%2C277&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f" target="_blank">Meanwhile, Back in Los Ranchos"</a>)</span><br />
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-6980746701626688672019-01-03T03:39:00.003+01:002023-03-23T17:34:49.557+01:00Chicken Feet for Breakfast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bPG-e63Ggoxg-XA7caEHqDLS96Nf4ADGfzomXje3iJxwsGQN7xyD55lem7fhWnG9-ETBc03Nvdj-5q4Q7J3c8lFYa2PF-jZOVXLl7RYtGZJXLySIQ2j8o3uR71hxZWiBHlQTX1zvcBo/s1600/12+Green+Book+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bPG-e63Ggoxg-XA7caEHqDLS96Nf4ADGfzomXje3iJxwsGQN7xyD55lem7fhWnG9-ETBc03Nvdj-5q4Q7J3c8lFYa2PF-jZOVXLl7RYtGZJXLySIQ2j8o3uR71hxZWiBHlQTX1zvcBo/s640/12+Green+Book+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today's menu includes:</span></div>
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Chaos Stewed Duck</span></div>
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Sauce Screw</span></div>
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Next to the Flat Fish</span></div>
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Flamed Swamp Cabbages</span></div>
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Fried Eel Paste</span></div>
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Pressed Mole Stomach</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These are all things I actually found on the menu. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
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Pressed mole stomach-? Flamed Swamp Cabbages? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2OmbOya3akYCvS_nhckePkN56LBm8WjNs8SspgrgIoMnZQvZJwFoQwfH5a5nC10aQXG3bfTXYbaDPthQMB8Elmo35OWQEOZQAQChhCWg4WAzNeW2cKmgbhPJr8n8IA2n98j777tDjXE/s2048/T+956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2OmbOya3akYCvS_nhckePkN56LBm8WjNs8SspgrgIoMnZQvZJwFoQwfH5a5nC10aQXG3bfTXYbaDPthQMB8Elmo35OWQEOZQAQChhCWg4WAzNeW2cKmgbhPJr8n8IA2n98j777tDjXE/w640-h480/T+956.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
-I think I'll have the chicken feet, please.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_ovYhHONQdFx3rEi6u0JrW2RQ7hVUei-ziaA0JA70AO0bARtUcazHMgO8uwAukpR1CQ79chQIYzrCy3-FMsM8bBmDz3dAEXW-t_bWqc-1eZxklhgkcRVuR4LTw4HdNMw5fSOqiCtidA/s2048/T+386.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_ovYhHONQdFx3rEi6u0JrW2RQ7hVUei-ziaA0JA70AO0bARtUcazHMgO8uwAukpR1CQ79chQIYzrCy3-FMsM8bBmDz3dAEXW-t_bWqc-1eZxklhgkcRVuR4LTw4HdNMw5fSOqiCtidA/w640-h480/T+386.jpg" width="640" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stan and Golf and Gung at breakfast in Laos. Chicken feet at center.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As our friends Gung and Golf would say: Yummy!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">-They had 3 bowls.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB_MjpDYlG3RKgQAc2LoWv4Q7OJul-yWMZsrlyJQD-k71gHMj5zFDdZ7yiVXFmKbyp7RQDD3lJNvrwGZvnnLEO0grz9E-LMhXZtrmrDeWnLpRujtMwydvorHuplQCha1lfol3TSu-4Ak/s2048/T+775.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1509" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB_MjpDYlG3RKgQAc2LoWv4Q7OJul-yWMZsrlyJQD-k71gHMj5zFDdZ7yiVXFmKbyp7RQDD3lJNvrwGZvnnLEO0grz9E-LMhXZtrmrDeWnLpRujtMwydvorHuplQCha1lfol3TSu-4Ak/w295-h400/T+775.jpg" width="295" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On a boat down <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/02/living-in-luang-prabang-and-where-heck.html" target="_blank">the Mekong.</a> Gung thought it was cold-!<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
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From the book <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Back-Los-Ranchos-Illustrated/dp/1489512349/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?crid=31R4YNM85XBI0&cv_ct_cx=meanwhile+back+in+los+ranchos&dchild=1&keywords=meanwhile+back+in+los+ranchos&pd_rd_i=1489512349&pd_rd_r=f1975081-ce6b-4765-aef9-e54be84aec0b&pd_rd_w=Xp6St&pd_rd_wg=toUoL&pf_rd_p=5be4970c-0256-4afe-9550-68021bd84e5b&pf_rd_r=FJHZ4EX4T49XHPE43H60&psc=1&sprefix=penelope+fitz%2Caps%2C277&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f" target="_blank">"Meanwhile, Back in Los Ranchos". </a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my all time favorite place, Laos.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's more about how <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/2016/02/living-in-luang-prabang-and-where-heck.html" target="_blank">cool Laos </a>can be.</div>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6823076797788635106.post-28025304167456475912018-12-11T00:30:00.006+01:002021-07-25T13:31:48.809+02:00African Monkey Business<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">View on <a href="http://www.trisharay.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
Once, when I was working for Pan Am in Liberia, in the west of Africa, </div><div style="text-align: center;">we lost a monkey in an airplane.<br />
<br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjHJyO1kZR8csg6L6TxU2LvxdGy49se22LqkRdlJO1M8l3PearkQspp4zsg_Pm1cz5hgmNVfwcpkhHYMPq-AYcdmuomivpOtJCV_gRx0vb9MkZkX8HbXFjmVL_Qg6Ajwi2gtcHUxQiRY/s1506/82+Pan+Am+Party.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1506" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjHJyO1kZR8csg6L6TxU2LvxdGy49se22LqkRdlJO1M8l3PearkQspp4zsg_Pm1cz5hgmNVfwcpkhHYMPq-AYcdmuomivpOtJCV_gRx0vb9MkZkX8HbXFjmVL_Qg6Ajwi2gtcHUxQiRY/w640-h446/82+Pan+Am+Party.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Staff party at the Director's house. Pan Am Robertsfield team. My boss, Mr. Kassimu, bottom left. <br />Hassan next to me, and King next to Kassimu. Catering chef in white.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We found the cage. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was empty. </div>
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We took that plane apart - but - never found the monkey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKozvWxJY6cyDcwAtp_ESgCwbSLGthDOQetRW__fbx_ioVurUwq2c4gIHzbsEu6avnRmpQTDm37hdC3KtMBfkjaYGQDr5yOlxkhQegrVggCRAFULtYJDQ9xcb7z5YQpZaFXzr52vy6SuY/s1600/82+747+Engine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKozvWxJY6cyDcwAtp_ESgCwbSLGthDOQetRW__fbx_ioVurUwq2c4gIHzbsEu6avnRmpQTDm37hdC3KtMBfkjaYGQDr5yOlxkhQegrVggCRAFULtYJDQ9xcb7z5YQpZaFXzr52vy6SuY/w445-h640/82+747+Engine.jpg" width="445" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span><i>Between searches for missing monkeys. </i></span></td></tr>
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For years afterwards, if things went wrong at the airfield, we blamed it on that missing monkey:</div>
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"Missing supplies? Probably that monkey." </div>
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"No radio contact? Monkey probably ate through the wires." </div>
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The monkey was easy to blame. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone saved face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There was a small zoo in Monrovia, the capital and main city of Liberia. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There were pygmy hippos, snakes, ant bears, parrots - and 3 mischievous chimps. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJgtGlSu89QGikN3MF3889wX8i_rAt57g2sb0lUbRpKnJs5S3FT_hKRhKpF-cnDL6RuvgK2FqnswZafO4_Ms4GmkR5PaxNKWXrkiwEPVRTcY5UnBch7WPiYoh1QMcVCbpy3PjKAmko5o/s2048/Monrovia+%25286%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="2048" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJgtGlSu89QGikN3MF3889wX8i_rAt57g2sb0lUbRpKnJs5S3FT_hKRhKpF-cnDL6RuvgK2FqnswZafO4_Ms4GmkR5PaxNKWXrkiwEPVRTcY5UnBch7WPiYoh1QMcVCbpy3PjKAmko5o/w400-h390/Monrovia+%25286%2529.jpg" width="400" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pygmy hippos are awfully cute. Young ones about knee-high!<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One day, one of the chimps got out of his cage. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He began running through the small zoo, opening cages and letting the other animals out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He was all excited, having a great ol' time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsVk_b7mWi6qtdrLm9ZE2apcKtIMp52bJvxonlOqmrp4ksRsBw2FIiEEUgZdXtPCIZVS2_Zzji4P_D9NVMF1ebzlp0bVDx7Uu37Svbok-2xzvQ0qhFfHG9X67HD5jTJJXJJqsHqBz-Vw/s2048/Monrovia+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="2048" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsVk_b7mWi6qtdrLm9ZE2apcKtIMp52bJvxonlOqmrp4ksRsBw2FIiEEUgZdXtPCIZVS2_Zzji4P_D9NVMF1ebzlp0bVDx7Uu37Svbok-2xzvQ0qhFfHG9X67HD5jTJJXJJqsHqBz-Vw/w400-h324/Monrovia+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You can see the chimp, up on the top of the cage.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As the chimp approached the leopard cage, we all held our breath. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But chimps aren't stupid. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He didn't open THAT cage. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Instead, he jumped up on the top of the enclosure. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He just - walked around, driving the leopard inside crazy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorm_OJDJuYY9MtKoseh-5Xsdt1SVl60rRlJaMRK735SIKyawMnDf5bid7IzOQuZyWWM-SEdyPixEsA4o22dCne3DJlwRpHMiddOYDZh6gUuIEbzmRZK8YpynltXI7Xyn4FbholxhEnqU/s2048/Monrovia+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2048" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorm_OJDJuYY9MtKoseh-5Xsdt1SVl60rRlJaMRK735SIKyawMnDf5bid7IzOQuZyWWM-SEdyPixEsA4o22dCne3DJlwRpHMiddOYDZh6gUuIEbzmRZK8YpynltXI7Xyn4FbholxhEnqU/w400-h391/Monrovia+%25288%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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These days, with covid, those episodes come to mind. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, things are just not entirely within our control. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once we understand that - it makes things easier.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 9.6px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Drawn by Erik Rempen</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How to deal with a virus? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Lockdowns? Schools closed? </div><div style="text-align: center;">What about visits to old people? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Mental health issues? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Travel restrictions? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Who knows?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span><i>Chiles are used in India to ward off djinns - wonder if they work on a virus?</i></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>Sometimes there aren't any real good answers.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i><span>Analog tools. Good for lockdowns. </span></i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our job right now? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Staying in good spirits for those around us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And - the third African monkey story: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were sailing our small catamaran </div><div style="text-align: center;">(possibly the ONLY catamaran in the entire country of Liberia at the time) </div><div style="text-align: center;">in a lagoon near a place called Monkey Island. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5z2r22gfRAQT1l4cTXl4SEvhhWHuk9O7dP9whl9PN_bGu1OciUFJlItGamRL6ReB4qrJ0Ukx6U7IYgWCgE2GmGMnzxwGfXtWlJx_ro33H6szSApHvTQ4NYlL8hjbkw2Jp93GNG5umeM/s1799/Africa+%252894%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1799" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5z2r22gfRAQT1l4cTXl4SEvhhWHuk9O7dP9whl9PN_bGu1OciUFJlItGamRL6ReB4qrJ0Ukx6U7IYgWCgE2GmGMnzxwGfXtWlJx_ro33H6szSApHvTQ4NYlL8hjbkw2Jp93GNG5umeM/w640-h394/Africa+%252894%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>So involved, we didn't realize we were standing amid dozens of sting rays.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were watching the flocks of birds. Underfoot, dozens of sting rays. </div><div style="text-align: center;">On one pass, sailing near the island, the boat got stuck on a sand bar. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Stopped. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The chimps - big ones this time - began to wade into the water and head for our boat. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEgoUKxZjqmQCLBttVAHk1SwGt8dytmjQzYjdSaKyAbR1hayeKFsqI59IgGHS20ZTuguPlMKJld6Ki8yQeIENE_GGmJZ1IrLp2-QIz4gg1TtZdvlwhP7jQ2bhknyu4x7uyBfLM-6N-DM/s345/Screen+Shot+2020-11-04+at+5.23.07+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="345" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEgoUKxZjqmQCLBttVAHk1SwGt8dytmjQzYjdSaKyAbR1hayeKFsqI59IgGHS20ZTuguPlMKJld6Ki8yQeIENE_GGmJZ1IrLp2-QIz4gg1TtZdvlwhP7jQ2bhknyu4x7uyBfLM-6N-DM/w400-h296/Screen+Shot+2020-11-04+at+5.23.07+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>VERY scary. Yikes. </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Dealing with monkeys - is ALWAYS trouble. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You never know WHAT they'll do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Kind of like djinns. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe - a virus, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span><i>When dealing with monkeys - or viruses - the best response: A small glass of French wine. Maybe two.</i></span></td></tr>
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Trisha Rayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05595757665773851886noreply@blogger.com