Rio de Janeiro – May 27, 2019

May 26 – Rio de Janeiro

Long, but not a bad ride. I was actually able to sleep for several hours so I wasn’t terribly tired upon our on-time arrival at 8:00 AM today. Customs and immigration were a breeze and my driver was picking up seven other people who are on my tour. And, as it turns out, that group is from Philadelphia, two graduated from Temple, two from Drexel, and they have a house in Sea Isle at the Jersey shore!

Rio de Janeiro is a study in contrasts. The drive from the airport took us through several favelas (that is what Brazilians call their slums or shantytowns). They look like houses built on top of other houses, open to the air with few outer walls. Some do not have running water or electricity. The picture manages to look somewhat charming but it is not. Also, these favelas take up a wide swatch of Rio. Many, many people live there.

I learned that Brazil has the largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan. Also, Brazil has the largest number of Catholics in the world with over 60% of its population Catholic. Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country by both population (approximately 210 million) and geographical area (3,287,597 square miles). It borders every other South American nation, barring Ecuador and Chile, and makes up 47 per cent of the continent.

As we drove, we could see Sugar Loaf Mountain which sits at the entry of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic as well as Christ the Redeemer which is at the peak of Corcovado Mountain. Our driver pointed out that there are no skyscrapers in Rio as they would obliterate the natural beauty surrounding the area. I agree. After going through several tunnels, we emerged on the coast to our hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach, right down the street from Ipanema. The hotel has a magnificent rooftop bar from which I took these pictures:

In addition to the bar, the rooftop features a fully-equipped gym, sauna, an endless pool, and many lounges for sunning. I immediately took advantage by ordering a double cappuccino to enjoy while waiting for my room to be ready for check-in. As I waited, I perused the map given me by our tour guide, an Argentinian woman named Carol.

My room is very large, more on the order of American hotels rather than European. Two double beds, a desk, gigantic flat screen television (no Fox news), table and chairs, two large closets and a very well-appointed bathroom, including a telephone in the bathroom.

Later, I strolled along the beaches people watching. I wasn’t really surprised to see both men and women clad in very skimpy bathing suits (and it was not always attractive). Also, there seems to be a vast variety of visitors, hailing from around the world. I have deduced this by listening to the languages being spoken around me. So far, besides Portuguese and Spanish, I’ve heard French, German, Dutch, Russian (well, what do I know—it sounded like Russian), Japanese and other oriental languages.

We went to this most awesome place for dinner–Churriscaria Palace. This place has a salad and appetizer bar that is so extensive, I cannot even begin to describe it. I took tiny bits of many of the items and there were still a lot I didn’t even try. Then, as you are eating your “apps” (by the way, you can go back as many times as you like), one of the chefs comes out and gives you meat off a skewer. We were given filet as wells as about seven different cuts of beef), lamb, pork, different types of fish. And, this goes on and on until you say ENOUGH! After all of this, homemade ice cream over fresh fruit bits and a cappuccino. HEAVEN!

South America Bound!

2 Replies

Packing for a trip where the temperatures will vary from 40 degrees up to 80 degrees can be quite challenging. Layers, layers, layers. Luckily, most of my clothing has been purchased with just that flexibility in mind. Warmth together with comfort are paramount. I am all packed and almost ready to go. Chloe is staying with John and is already there at his house making it her own. John will be picking me up shortly to take me for the start of my journey which starts with spending approximately 15 hours either in airports or in the air. I am traveling alone, as I usually do. Some may feel daunted by that but I have been blessed with two favorite pastimes that particularly lend themselves to traveling alone…people watching and a love of reading.

Wandering through an airport gives one an endless opportunity to give free rein to imagining about the lives of others. Sometimes I just observe and guess where and why an individual or group is traveling. Sometimes I make up scenarios based upon perceived body language. Sometimes, I eavesdrop on conversations. Hey, a lot of people don’t pay attention to what they are saying while in public places. That’s not my fault.

Then, part of my joy when going on vacation is the exquisite alone time where I can transport myself into the fantasy world of books. My favorite genre is thrillers, mysteries dark and deep, with twists requiring my complete attention. Hours and hours can go by as I immerse myself into the story. I thank God and Jason Merkoski for inventing the Kindle, although the world’s first automated reader, the precursor to today’s e-readers, was actually invented in Spain in 1949 by a woman named Angela Ruiz Robles. She was a school teacher and her idea was that school children would find it easier to carry this reader rather than a number of different text books. It was not electronic, nor mass produced but what a fascinating innovation, especially for the times.

The invention of the internet gave inspiration to Michael Hart who, in 1971, typed the text of the Declaration of Independence which he then sent out on ARPAnet saying it was available for download. Six people took him up on his offer by downloading the text; thus, the world’s first e-book was born.

How far we have come. My Kindle Oasis holds hundreds of books yet weighs just a tad over 8 ounces. Amazing!

Mary’s Fish Camp, Bayport, FL – Family camping

1 Reply

Camping in the wilds of Bayport, Florida, just a skip away from Weeki Wachee. Gorgeous setting on the banks of the Mud River where we saw an aggregation of manatees. I had to look that up as I thought it would have been called a school. I think we counted about twelve of them! According to www.livescience.com, manatees often swim alone or in pairs. As they are not territorial, they have no need for a leader and when seen in a group, it is either a mating herd or an informal meeting of the species simply sharing a warm area with a plentiful food supply. Much of the group canoed or kayaked on the river…

Our campsites were surrounded by banana trees, stately palms, quiet (except for the Rogers/Taylor clan). At dawn, we were serenaded by a wide variety of birds. Some said they heard monkeys howling during the night. I never heard the sounds but wild creatures were definitely at work destroying our trash bags each evening making a huge mess. Breakfasts were plentiful with the highlight being Carl’s biscuits and sausage Sunday morning. We feasted on burgers and dogs Friday, three different marinated chickens Saturday, and the piece de resistance was an awesome filet mignon on Easter Sunday with absolutely scrumptious caramelized onions and mushrooms. Never ending champagne, bloody Marys, Coronas, and Bud Lights flowed freely throughout the days and evenings. Easter egg hunt for the little ones. Much game playing. Basically, a good time was had by all.

Camping with the Fam

2 Replies

It is Friday, April 19th. Tax season is over and Easter is actually occurring this year after tax season! We all know that Easter is always on a Sunday, but it moves around more than other holidays. So, what’s the earliest date Easter can be and the latest, and why?

According to the TampaBay Times, Easter, the annual Christian celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, can fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25. Easter as early as March 22 is very rare. The last time it happened was 1818, and the next time will be 2285. Easter last fell on the latest date in 1943, and will again in 2038. This year it’s April 20.

How the date is determined sounds simple but is pretty complex. Generally, Easter is observed on the Sunday following the first full moon in the Northern Hemisphere, or the first full moon after the vernal equinox March 20.

Whatever, I am just happy that I can actually spend Easter with some of my family and this year, we are going camping in Mary’s Fish Camp, a destination retaining its authentic old-Florida charm. On the banks of the Mud River in Weeki Wachee, we will be RV-ing, tenting, cooking out, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, singing around a campfire, toasting marshmallows, and generally, just enjoying each other. Fun!

Bombshell Op-Ed?

4 Replies

Election 2

Really? Since President Trump took office, the left, including the mainstream media, has, in lock step, attacked him relentlessly. Time and again, the media and many Democrats, together with many “anonymous” sources have claimed that our President is unhinged, reckless, ill-informed, deranged, and so on. The left has even gathered psychiatrists (who have never even spoken to the President) to opine about his mental ability. Books by left-leaning partisans, never-Trumpers, or disgruntled ex-employees tout the never-ending Democratic party line. With sheeplike consistency, most on the left believe that by constantly stating that we must fear the Trump presidency, it will make it true. But, it is not working. We are much smarter than they are. We know that the press is against our President, so we remain skeptical.

Election 3

We supporters have not changed our opinion of our President despite the left’s unending rhetoric so, in my opinion, they came up with a new tactic. Publish an ANONYMOUS op-ed in the leftist New York Times claiming to be authored by a senior official in the Trump administration. In this ANONYMOUS op-ed, make enough salient points to make it SOUND like the writer is a true patriot protecting us from President Trump and all this mayhem. By doing so, this op-ed should finally convince all of us deplorables to abandon him.

It isn’t working. We are still smarter than you. First off, why would someone who purportedly cares about our country publish an op-ed that is clearly intended to cause chaos? Secondly, this may have been believable if the op-ed was published by the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Times or perhaps the New York Post since those publications vet their sources or, even better, if the op-ed was signed. Thirdly, if the situation is as dire as this ANONYMOUS writer claims, why have none of the senior Administration officials spoken up? Have we heard about this from Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Pompeo, White House Chief of Staff Kelly, Secretary of Defense Mattis, Director of National Intelligence Coats, Attorney General Sessions… you get my drift. In fact, I believe that they, as well as many other senior Administration officials, have not only denied writing this op-ed but have also refuted the allegations.

Trump tweets

Finally, President Trump is not in hiding and never has been. He speaks to us on a regular basis, answers reporter’s questions “off the cuff” frequently, gives interviews, meets publicly with heads of state, and speaks at rallys. He tweets whatever he happens to be thinking. I believe he is well aware of everything he is doing and saying. While the press itself becomes unhinged, he is getting the job done. This has been the most transparent Presidency in my lifetime.

Election

So, Democrats—I know it is hard for you to believe but you LOST the election! Our country is much better off now than it was before Donald Trump took office. For one thing, the economy is booming! Why can’t you just relax…go shopping with the extra money in your paychecks or plan a vacation with your increased stock portfolio or look for a new and better job since the job market has exploded? Isn’t it about time to get over it?

Is this News?

1 Reply

Why is it considered controversial for Tiger Woods to express respect for the President? ESPN’s Max Kellerman and Stephen A. Smith had the audacity to lambaste Tiger on their show by questioning Tiger’s intelligence and blackness for making a nonpartisan statement that the office of the president deserves respect even if you don’t agree with everything the president does. In addition to playing golf with Donald Trump, Tiger has played golf with George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Was he asked this question during any of those presidencies?

Trump-Hysteria[1]

This shouldn’t even have been news but, even today, listening to some pundits talking about this “issue”, it was said that Tiger Woods dodged the question. So is this news? It is the fundamental right of every American to have their own opinions and to make decisions as to whether or not to express them publicly. Besides that, for these sports commentators to suggest that there are right and wrong opinions for a person based upon their race is in itself racist. Why do they not see this? The liberal media cannot stand it when someone disagrees with them.

Unbalanced news

If anyone is dividing this country, it is the mainstream media with their extreme liberal bias—refusing to report on any of the good that has come from this administration in less than two years. Instead, they concentrate on political conspiracies that didn’t even happen on the right (two years of investigations and still, no collusion) while failing to report on the actual conspiracy that happened on the left (FISA warrants obtained to spy on a political opponent based upon an unverified Democratic-paid dossier compiled by foreign agents). Every single day they seem to scream with outrage at something that just a couple of days later turns out to be nothing. Whatever happened to just reporting the news?

In its annual confidence poll, Gallup found that “Americans’ trust in the mass media “to report the news fully, accurately and fairly” reached its lowest level in polling history, with only 32 percent saying they have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the media.” And, this has been a steady decline over the past twenty years.

By the way, those cartoons were created by Glenn McCoy, a conservative cartoonist.

August 16-17, 2018 At Home

4 Replies

Causeway

Okay, I am home which is a wonderful thing. Chloe and I are adjusting to being back in our surroundings but my house is a mess. Unpacking from a 45 day trip is daunting. I did laundry today and am proud to say that I took 23 outfits and wore every single one of them twice so that I didn’t have to do laundry while gone. Lucky that I own so many clothes. I also checked my excel spreadsheet (where I listed everything I took with me and kept track of what I had worn) and I did not lose one item despite 35 changes of location in 45 days. I guess it pays to be organized. Also, I have reconciled my credit card account and, while I spent a bit more than planned (mostly on some absolutely incredible food), I found that I managed to get 33.8 miles to the gallon for the 5,796.2 miles I drove, so I spent less on gas than I originally estimated.

Gas1

Some minor yet, to me interesting facts. Gas was most expensive in Prince Edward Island at $3.69 per gallon. They try to fool you by quoting prices per liter using Canadian dollars, but I figured out how to convert both liters to gallons and then Canadian dollars to American dollars. Not much you can do about it when you need gas. In the USA, Connecticut took the booby prize at $3.179/gallon while South Carolina’s gas was a mere $2.379/gallon! Woo hoo! I Calculated that I spent an average of $2.888/gallon.

William Hardy Murfree (the son)

Colonel Hardee Murfree

I saw mail in rural areas in the south being delivered in Jeeps and pickup trucks. I discovered that I would rather drive near eighteen-wheelers than cars, especially in the rain. There are cities in both Maine and New Jersey called Trenton and Camden. There are towns named Murfreesboro in both Tennessee and North Carolina and, by the way, they are each named after different guys named Murfree. The Tennessee Murfree was the father of the North Carolina Murfree.

Chloe’s favorite dog food, Cesar, was cheaper in Canada but also had many more interesting-looking flavors such as Cheesy chicken pasta with sauce, Scramble with turkey, spinach and cheese in gravy, Meat lasagna in gravy.

I saw “Help Wanted” or “Hiring Now” signs everywhere as I traveled throughout the Eastern United States—on stores, billboards, and trucks.

Boulevard Super Liquor Store in Marmora, NJ, just outside of dry Ocean City, NJ, had a huge sign advertising “Vodka Infused Ice Cream” for sale.

United States Map of Vineyards

Of the nineteen states I visited, all of them produce wine! Who knew?

All in all, it was a very enjoyable trip but it is good to be back home.

August 14-15, 2018 South Pasadena, FL

4 Replies

I had originally planned to stay with Patti two nights but shortly after I arrived, Patti looked at my back and got a mirror, so I could see it. It wasn’t pretty and was so inflamed with blisters that I finally understood why I was in so much pain. Patti had very kindly spread a medicated ointment on my back several times but, unfortunately relief was temporary, so I decided that I needed to get back home and see a doctor. I wasn’t sleeping well, I was nauseous, and I knew my temperature was a little higher than normal as I, who usually feel cold if the air conditioning is set below 80 degrees and never have the air vents blow on me in the car, felt hot until I reduced the temperature and needed the cold air blowing directly on me just to stay comfortable.

Leg34

The quickest way to get home from Cumming is by interstates 85, 75, and 275 and takes approximately eight hours driving. Anyone who has read my blogs knows that I do not like to drive more than four hours and I hate driving on interstates. It wasn’t easy as I was tired, in pain, and get bored very quickly on uninteresting roads. I stopped frequently for a quick walk around and to drink a coffee flavored energy drink so I could power through. I did find that I felt an adrenaline rush when I crossed the Florida line, then again when my favorite Tampa station WQYK (country) came in a couple of hours north of Tampa, and it really spiked when crossing the Howard Frankland Bridge and saw the St. Petersburg sign.

Home2

As much as I love to travel, I always feel exhilarated when going home. There is something so comforting to sleep in your own bed surrounded by familiarity. Chloe’s reaction was so funny. I picked her sleeping little body up out of the car seat (I think she was more bored than I was by the drive), and, after I opened the door, set her down. She looked up at me, then looked around, and then started running back and forth around the house as if she wasn’t sure this was our home and had to check each room to verify her stuff was all here. So, she, too, seemed happy to be home.

Once I fed and walked Chloe, we immediately went next door to see Rick and Mary Pat, so we could catch up. We had spoken a few times while I was on this trip, but I missed her tremendously as we generally see each other most days. Since there was a nice gentle breeze blowing in off the intracoastal, sitting on her porch chatting while enjoying a nice glass of wine was very relaxing.

Home

Before I went to bed, Mary Pat spread an aloe gel on my back and agreed that I should see a doctor. So, this morning I went to the Walk-in clinic down the street. He said that I have one of the worst cases of sun poisoning he’s ever seen. My blood pressure and temperature were somewhat (not seriously) elevated but both of those results were abnormal for me. He gave me a steroid shot in my hip and prescribed prednisone in a dose pack as well as an opioid for pain. Further, he told me to spread prescription strength Vaseline Intensive Care lotion as often as I wished.

I am pleased to say that by this evening much of the pain has dissipated and I anticipate a decent night’s sleep.