Third Day Walking the Camino

No rain today and many beautiful sights. Walking is getting harder though as it is the third day in a row of long-distance hiking, including going up and down many hills. Also, when Google maps says there is a cafe up the street, that may not be the case. So expect some disappointments. I would … Continue reading Third Day Walking the Camino →

Second Day Walking the Camino

We walked 20 kilometers today in Galicia. That was about 30,000 steps. This is a beautiful part of Spain that reminds me of Switzerland, with its rolling hills and charming homes displaying an abundance of flowers. Here are two photos I took in this Northwest region of Spain. Here are some of the many flowers … Continue reading Second Day Walking the Camino →

First Day Walking the Camino

Hubby and I walked 33,000 steps today, almost 23 kilometers. That’s the most either of us has done in almost 34 years of marriage. Bonus: we are still speaking to each other! Here we are about to begin in front of Tui Cathedral We saw lots of lovely sights along the way. Here are some … Continue reading First Day Walking the Camino →

Walking the Camino de Santiago

My hubby and I are finally walking the Camino de Santiago along with a British couple we befriended here in Spain. We had planned to go in May 2020 but the pandemic started a few months earlier. Things were still dicey in May 2021 but now in May 2022 we finally felt it would be … Continue reading Walking the Camino de Santiago →

Ukraine to Spain, Our World in Turmoil

By Susan Champion BBC News photo of fighting in Ukraine Somewhere in a Kiev basement A mother cries out Is there a bus leaving soon? Is there a bus leaving soon? Asks the child’s aunt Our homes destroyed, nothing left Our homes destroyed, nothing left No food or water How must we survive here now? … Continue reading Ukraine to Spain, Our World in Turmoil →

Lviv – East West Street

By John Edwards Amazon photo of East West Street book cover LVIV - EAST WEST STREETI have wanted to go to Lviv where national borders movedwithout a citizen crossing a linefrom Poland to Ukrainespeakers of languages doctored by oppressors Third Reich to Stalinand now a new war I want to go to Lvivwalk their streets … Continue reading Lviv – East West Street →

Will the 2020s Be the Dreadful Decade?

https://twitter.com/georgetakei/status/1499216370763980803?s=21 I am beginning to think the decade of the 2020s may be among the most dreadful in my life. In fact, it is really horrible so far and it might rival the 1940s as among the worst in modern times. First we had a pandemic where we were stuck at home and couldn't see … Continue reading Will the 2020s Be the Dreadful Decade? →

#StandWithUkraine

Here is a video of Japanese ladies singing Ukraine's National Anthem. It's very touching to see people from around the world doing things in support of Ukraine as it is being attacked by soldiers commanded by Vladimir Putin, the dictator of Russia. Originally tweeted by olexander scherba🇺🇦 (@olex_scherba) on February 19, 2022. Other acts of … Continue reading #StandWithUkraine →

Dutch People Led Resistance to Nazis during WWII

In honor of National Holocaust Remembrance Day, I am going to highlight how Dutch people were leaders of the resistance to the Nazis during World War II. By reviewing the Righteous Among Nations site, I learned that Dutch people offered the most resistance against the Nazis during World War II in terms of per capita … Continue reading Dutch People Led Resistance to Nazis during WWII →

Italy at Christmas Despite the Pandemic

During Christmas time 2020, we had planned to go to Italy as a family. Of course, this plan was cancelled along with everyone else's plans once the pandemic struck us hard starting in March of that year. We decided to try again to see this culture-rich country in 2021. The original plan was that our … Continue reading Italy at Christmas Despite the Pandemic →