Brazil & Argentina

Adventures in South America

June 2013

  The “wild and crazy” Ward brothers have an adventure! Tho pretty well-traveled, neither Doug nor I has been to South America. I’ve arranged several trips thru Gate1, and their “10 Day Classic South America” hits excellent highlights. Wives were asked to join us, but Marjorie and Ann seemed happy to bid us bon voyage. It seems odd to travel w/o Marjorie (tho I did the choir Italy tour w/o her), but this balances her Rhine Christmas markets cruise last December w/ sister Mary. I’m sure Doug will be a fine companion; we’ve generally played well together. There are extra tasks & expenses: CDC-recommended shots for hepatitis (a series of 3, the last after we return) and yellow fever; no shots for dengue fever or malaria, just be careful with clothing and repellent to fend off mosquitos. Tourist visas required for Brazil seemed a bit complicated to acquire, so I used services of GEN VISA recommended by Gate1, and needed a tasa de reciprocidad (“reciprocity fee”) to enter Argentina. Doug has had cataract surgery & new glasses; hope he won’t be bumping into things. Plus complexities of 2 languages (Portuguese & Spanish  ̶  I brush up from past trips) and 2 currencies (real, 1 BRL= $.49; peso 1 ARS= $.19). Also cautions about being careful about when and where we’re out and about on the streets, especially in Rio. It’s winter there; expected temps in the 70s in Rio, 50s in Buenos Aires; it’s gotten to the 90s here  ̶  imagine, going to South America to cool off!

  Marjorie has taken advantage of my upcoming absence to visit Mary in KC. I don’t feel too abandoned, as she’s left some food and prepared a package of pharmaceuticals to address potential needs during my trip. She’s also more train-savvy and advised on traveling to and from NYC. 

Down to NYC 5/28 to visit w/ our Queens family (plus it’s nice to see “Grandad” Brian, daughter-in-law Anthea’s father, who arrives for a stay), we attend son Matt’s Talujon percussion concert, and I drop off Marjorie at LaGuardia next AM for her flight to KC (she’ll return 6/11). 

Then go figure: she goes off to the land of tornados and a ferocious storm hits Albany! 3 tornados in the area, lots of tree damage around us, no power for 25 hours. But I do have company until Sunday: frequent Albany Symphony guest Grace.

Vermont B&Bs

Vermont B&Bs

We've enjoyed a variety of short stays at inns & B&Bs in our region. An early one was a short anniversary celebration at the Arlington Inn in 1992.More involved outings are described below.

August 2013

            After enjoying other Living Social discounts for B&Bs in the Catskills, New Hampshire, and Newport, enticed by an offer in Southern Vermont: the Cooper Hill Inn, near E. Dover, set on a 2700’ hill w/ panoramic views of the Green Mtns., landscaped gardens, surrounded by forest. Originally a 1797 farmhouse, the Inn is now a “sprawling colonial home” w/ 10 guest rooms and large covered porch suitable for “lazing.” It’s a popular wedding venue, judging from photos on their website. The deal includes a welcome bottle of wine, “country breakfasts,” dinner one night at the Inn, a small pizza, and even an Asian cooking class led by the hostess.

            Marjorie started the week staying up past midnight Sunday to watch the impressive Perseid meteor shower (but it’s after Russ’ bedtime). Off to Vermont Tuesday AM (8/13). We had some “tropical heat wave” weather in July, but looks to be very comfortable this week: forecasted temps in the 70s, rain this AM but clearing some in the PM and mostly sunny the rest of the week. Thru Bennington, admiring decorated panther sculptures spread along the main drag, then about 25 miles on Mollie Stark Byway (and past her State Park, also a statue in Wilmington; she was wife of a general and nurse during the Revolutionary War). Our first “Moose Crossing” sign and roads leading to ski areas: Haystack and Mount Snow (which we’ll see from our inn). A local “MOOver” bus painted like a cow. It’s a pretty drive, lush vegetation, deep forests, curves & hills, lots of cows & horses in fields, including many young ‘uns. Thru a 1-lane covered bridge to Newfane, on the National Register of Historic Places.

NYC 4th of July & Other "Holidays"

          I grew up in Brighton, a suburb of Rochester, and Marjorie & I have lived in Albany since 1974, so there have been many jaunts thruout NY: NYC & Long Island, the Capital Region, the Catskills & Adirondacks, Western NY. I’ve seen Niagara Falls in every season (my mother lived in nearby Lewiston for many years). Mostly these travels were not written up, but here (and in other posts) are some selections from "holiday" celebrations. But first a few "archival" photos around NYC. 

Barcelona

Barcelona

May 2010

 We’ve been asked, Why Barcelona?  Some of our travels have covered regional areas, even several countries, but we’ve also enjoyed settling in and getting to know a particular city and its environs.  Barcelona seemed an intriguing place to explore and “hang out”  ̶  interesting art, architecture, culture, food, etc.  ̶  much like our trip to Lisbon.  Our conductor friend Francisco loves Barcelona; too bad he won’t be there to show us around, especially the nightlife and tapas bars of which he speaks so fondly.  Air/hotel package is thru Gate1travel.com; we used them for a trip to Greece and were very pleased with the arrangements.  Flights on Iberia; it’s good we’re not on British Air; we met some folks in Barcelona whose trip was disrupted by a BA strike.  A month ago ash in the upper atmosphere from a volcanic eruption in Iceland closed many airports in Europe, but that seems to have subsided (fingers crossed).  There’s financial turmoil in Europe, but that’s to our benefit in bringing down the euro’s value.  We’ll see how much of my high school Spanish I remember: I think I have the basics-- Hola, Buenos dias, and Donde está el baño (“where’s the bathroom”).  One complication: Catalan is a prevalent dialect in Barcelona (Catalunya region), so maybe I should use On és el lavabo.  We have our trusty Frommer’s guide.  My brother Doug is joining us: wife Ann & daughter Katie are doing their own trip to Montreal.  When we’ve travelled w/ friend Kay she’s kept a detailed ledger (“Kay owes” & “Wards owe”) to keep track of joint expenses.  Doug’s an accountant: does that make him more or less trustworthy for this task?  As on past trips w/ my bro there will be dueling diaries as we both write up our accounts, not to mention elbowing each other for the best photo angles.  The game is on!

Istanbul & Western Turkey

 We've visited Turkey twice. Our first trip focused on Istanbul. That was so interesting that we just had to see more! So our second trip covered considerable ground in western Turkey. Both trips are reported below.

Istanbul

February 2006

 

Where’s Moldova?  What’s aubergine?  These and other questions will be answered here.  But let’s start at the beginning.  The seed was planted last spring, when a Turkish sociologist contacted me (as Chair of Sociology) about giving a talk on his research on human rights.  Recep, wife Nuray, daughter Hatice (age 10), and sons Furkan (8) & Ali Ishan (3) were in nearby Troy for a year on family matters.  As it happens, one of our favorite eateries, Ali Baba, is a Turkish restaurant in Troy.  Friendship grew from several dinners and other activities.  When they left Recep suggested “Turkish coffee along the Bosphorus” for our next meeting.  I don’t need much prodding about trips, the prospect of visiting such a fascinating place with friends to show us around was too good to pass up.  Add in a “Lonely Planet” guidebook, suggestions from son Matt & Anthea’s friend (and their wedding photographer) Murat, and things began to come together.  There were some subplots.  Two January bird flu deaths in Turkey led to talks with “infectious disease” people and a look at the Center for Disease Control website.  No one advised against travel, just precautionary tips: wash hands regularly, don’t play with chickens.  Recep said they’re advised not to eat chicken, otherwise things seem OK.  Also Muslim protests about Danish cartoons with the image of Muhammad, a serious breach of their strictures.  We usually avoid highlighting our Americanism when overseas for political reasons; guess we also shouldn’t appear to be Danish  ̶  Oh, Canada?  Then a week before our trip NYC was hit with record snowfall; the only airport mishap a Turkish Airline jet sliding off the runway (no injuries).  Who do you suppose our flights are with?

Finger Lakes Fall

Finger Lakes Fall

September-October 2013

            After nearly 40 years in Albany, we’re finally getting around to a fall jaunt into the Finger Lakes wine country for some serious leaf-peeping. After classes on Thursday (10/10) we head to Webster (outside Rochester) to visit my college friends Alice & Rick, plus their adorable friendly Morkie dog Scooter. Arrival on a very pretty evening. Convivial relaxation on their porch w/ wine (starting our weekend wine tasting), popcorn, deer in the backyard. Out for a tasty “Asian Fusion” dinner. We invite them to join us tomorrow, but things too busy here w/ a project to redo facing around their fireplace.

            Off after breakfast on Friday. Overcast & some light rain, but pretty fall colors in subdued light, atmospheric low clouds among the hills as we drive south. We see “It can wait. Text stop ahead.” signs that have popped up recently along the interstates. About 1½ hours to Bath and Hammondsport. [My Nana was a Hammond, but I’m not able to score any “Hammond discounts.”] Pretty towns, lovely old houses here and thruout our travels.

Rhine River Cruise

Cruisin’ on the Rhine

June 2003

Friday, 6/6:

            We had received some info in the mail out of the blue about European river cruises.  Rather a splurge for us but very enticing, so like last summer’s trip to Central Europe we gathered our own mini-group: brother Doug & wife Ann again, Ann’s Uncle Harry, Diane & Jerry (Wisconsin friends now living in Santa Fe).  Excitement built when Viking River Cruise (VRC) “documents” arrived.  Even our AAA agent Jenny was impressed with how classy they were and the attention to detail, wants to hear all about it.  Are we worthy to board?  We head to NYC, find parking right in front of Matt and Anthea’s in Astoria (our son and his fiancee).  Anthea takes Marjorie up on a shopping offer, asking for a special European bath gel.  We walk by pretty rose gardens in their neighborhood to the subway.  Dinner in a Japanese restaurant before Matt and 2 other percussionists accompany a Chinese dance company for their 25^th anniversary.  A very interesting performance. 

Saturday, Sunday 6/7-8:

           After a local Greek breakfast w/ Matt & Anthea (pretty cosmopolitan, huh?  ̶  Japanese, Chinese, Greek, then off to Europe), Matt takes us to JFK early to avoid possible Belmont traffic (NY-bred Funny Cide is trying for the Triple Crown this PM).  Heavy rain, not much traffic, terminal almost empty when we arrive.  Air France flight leaves on time a little after 5.  Some free wine to relax.  Arrive Paris early at 5:30am.  Pretty sky, scattered thunderstorms & sunrise.  1-hour connecting flight arrives Basel about 9.  We and several other VRC cruisers met by Tour Manager Yvette & other staff who welcome and shepherd us efficiently thru customs to take us to the ship.  A hitch, tho: one of our 2 (very efficiently packed!) bags didn’t arrive.  Apparently it’s not uncommon, we’re assured all will be taken care of.  Sunny & very warm, becoming very humid in the PM.  Too early to occupy our cabin, so I take a quick stroll into the city, discover that PostoMat is not an ATM (no trouble finding ATMs to get local currency after this).  Light lunch on the ship, then a 10-15 minute walk into the city.