Sunday is market day in Ixtapan. The center of town transforms from narrow streets lined by small shops to narrow streets made even narrower by the presence of vendors’ displays. People from the town and surrounding areas crowd into the market to do their weekly food shopping. Some sellers hawk their wares by walking through the crowded aisles and calling … Read More
Metepec, Mexico
Yesterday’s post was about the fabulous botanical garden in Toluca. Here’s where we went from there. Leaving Toluca’s lush botanical garden behind, we drove a short distance to Metepec. It’s one of Mexico’s 177 Pueblos Mágicos, places honored for preserving a mix of history, culture, and tradition. The designation fits, Metepec has an energy that is both old and alive. … Read More
Toluca, Mexico
After an early morning stretch class in a heated mineral water pool (divine) my friend Sue and I set out on an excursion to two nearby towns. Our first stop was in Toluca the second was in Metepec. Today’s entry will focus on Toluca. That was where I most wanted to go ever since I saw photos of the city’s … Read More
Mexico – Day 3
Yesterday was mostly consumed by getting to the airport to meet my friends and get the van to drive to Ixtapan de la Sal. Ixtapan de la Sal is located southwest of Mexico City in the mountains. It’s about fifty miles as the crow flies, but seventy-five miles to drive there. You wouldn’t think that it would take very long, … Read More
Mexico City – Day 2
The Museo de Arte Popular has been on my radar for a while. I’m a great fan of folk art and any museum dedicated to exhibiting the “people’s art” is one I must check out. It was better than my wildest hopes. After three hours I’d done a quick sweep of all the floors. I could have stayed for a … Read More
Mexico City – Day One
I arrived in Mexico City early yesterday afternoon. The first order of business after checking into the hotel was a siesta. When I woke up, the sky was ominous looking. Within minutes lightening and thunder made their appearance with great gusto. I could hear hail pounding against the window. Staying in and eating at the hotel’s restaurant seemed prudent. It … Read More
Sagaponack, NY – Madoo Garden
While visiting friends in Sag Harbor, we took a drive to visit Madoo Garden. I’d never heard of it, but it’s a jewel. Though not very large in total acreage, it is laid out so ingeniously and whimsically that it feels much larger. Each small “room” has a unique character created by the layout, plants, and strategically placed, colorful objects, … Read More
Sag Harbor – Part One – The Ark
I just spent a few days in Sag Harbor (Long Island, NY) visiting my friends Pat and Sandra. Pookah came too and got to spend time with a new canine friend, Brody. On Friday morning we headed over to The Church, an art gallery with a fascinating history. In 1835 it began as a Methodist church. Since that time, it … Read More
Final day in Taiwan
I returned home from Taiwan last Friday. Total travel time, including getting to and from the airport plus a long layover, was 30 hours. There is a twelve-hour difference between Taipei and NYC, making night day and day night. I was very jetlagged for a couple of days. So now I’m catching up on our final day. It was the … Read More
Taipei, Taiwan
One week into the trip we were both in need of a “do-nothing” morning. We slept late, read emails, I wrote while Tristan played computer games. When we finally got ourselves moving, we headed to Ximending, an area Tristan wanted to explore. That didn’t surprise me, Ximending is known as a “cool” entertainment center geared towards the young. There are … Read More