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Mendoza Wine Festival
Mendoza, Argentina is one of my favorite cities in the world. Not only as a kickoff point to adventures in the Andes Mountains, but for the multi-cultural ambiance of the tree-lined city streets, sidewalk cafes and the world-renowned wines of the region. The quickly approaching 2016 Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia (The Grape Harvest Festival), or simply Vendimia, occurs in the first week of March, each year. The preceding three months sees
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Sensibilities, in Playa del Carmen
Went for a run this morning. Nothing new in that, but this morning I ran at a local sport facility not far from our condo called, Deportivo Mario Villanueva Madrid. The facility is always busy with people out for some exercise, a pickup game of basketball or an evening fútbol match, even regular Zumba classes. The track around the field is rubberized—great for old joints
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A Fine Umbrella
East towards the Caribbean Sea, under protection of a fine umbrella we lounge, poolside. A drink at tableside, a book in hand, warm sunshine and a light breeze making for a lazy afternoon in the rooftop pool at Condominiums A-Nah, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
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FREE for the next five (5) days!!! A Whimsical Mix of Pilgrim Resources and Camino Musings
I’ve just published my new book “SU CAMINO… 20 Days – 785 Kilometers – Camino de Santiago; A Whimsical Mix of Pilgrim Resources and Camino Musings” “Su Camino…” is now available in eBook (kindle) format on Amazon. Any and all feedback encouraged and most graciously appreciated!!! This project, which I describe as: An introspective global journey to awareness and self-discovery catalyzed by 20 summer days walking the Camino de Santiago, “Su Camino…” is one American baby boomer’s travelogue come preparation handbook full of Camino anecdotes and advice for the contemporary walker of “The Way.” Steeped in travels to the far corners of the world over the last two decades, “Su Camino…” is a layered mélange of:…
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Go Light Go Mega
I simply can’t get away with it every time and Kathey wasn’t going along with my usual minimalist approach when we packed for our wintering over in Playa del Carmen, on the Mexican Riviera Maya. As I’ve learned to be from my adventurous friends
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Grandkids Too
Swimming, shopping, sunbathing, snorkeling, swimming with sharks, they take it all in stride—with a smile. Sometimes we are blessed by our grandkids joining us on one of our trips abroad. Usually when we are vacationing near a beach with many activities for them and maybe something to broaden their perspectives about the
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Pilgrim Days – Camino de Santiago
As a lead up to the release of my book “SU Camino…”, I’ve been posting here portions of my poetic portrayal of a pilgrim’s day on the Camino de Santiago, from my perspective, as we walked 40 kilometers per day on the Camino Francés during the hot summer month of July. Below, I’ve included that rendering in its entirety: Parts of parts: In his delightful Camino narrative “I’m Off Then”, Hape Kerkeling says the pilgrim’s day is a “microcosm” of one’s total Camino journey; hard to get going in the beginning and exhausted but happy in the end. The pilgrim, the thru-hiker, the spiritual-adventurer takes to the day, sluggish but expectant and…
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Slumber on the Camino de Santiago
Satiated. Clean and refreshed, thrilled by a shower, cool, warm, or hot. Reflecting on the marvels of the day. Looking towards the wonders of tomorrow. De-packing, repacking, always the packing. Read a little; headlamp lighting the page
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The Perfect Albergue (al-bear-gay)
A siren calls. There must be room at the inn. She is adorable, or she is plump, or she wears white linen—a uniform perhaps—but she beckons, calling us to her albergue. Is this perfection?
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Lone Ant
Sometimes on the Camino de Santiago you find yourself alone. Not one person ahead of you nor behind. Not too often during the busy months, but sometimes. You are like that lone ant you see on the track,
