My friend Kim had use of an apartment in New Orleans’ French Quarter and invited me to attend the Jazz Festival with her. Off I went, anticipating great music, fabulous food, enthusiastic crowds, and heat. Correct on all counts. What I hadn’t imagined were the cooking demonstrations, local crafts (think voodoo), and other activities. The festival was so expansive it … Read More
Curaçao, 2020
In February 2020, just before the start of the pandemic I was in Curaçao enjoying warmth, sun and fabulous street art. I anticipated the perfect weather, had seen photos of the colorful buildings lining the harbor of Willemstad, had even read about the floating pedestrian bridge that opens to allow boats to pass through. What came as a surprise was … Read More
Balinese Food Market
I joined a tour of the local market. Usually, I observe but don’t know what I’m looking at. This time I could find out. “What is that gelatinous, green goop?” I asked. “An herbal drink meant to make you strong. It’s got great medicinal properties. Pregnant women drink a cupful every morning during their last trimester to ensure an easy … Read More
Into the Jungle: Borneo, Malaysia 1992
An excerpt from the new book I’m writing. Leaving the city, we entered into an intense green world. Getting out of the car my glasses fogged. After cleaning them I peered and peered but couldn’t see a break in the dense jungle. “Where are we walking?” I asked. Yi Ling pulled out a short machete with a lethal looking blade. … Read More
Noto, Sicily 2003
Another small segment from the chapter about Sicily I’m writing for my next book. As we wandered through Noto, we noticed groups of people walking towards a wooded area and followed see what was happening. Through a high arch, along a path, canopied by enormous trees, was the start of a religious procession for Holy Friday, recreating the stations of the … Read More
Agrigento, Sicily Italy 2003
An excerpt from the new book I’m writing. Driving on Sicily would be a challenge according to the guidebook. It reported that in some towns, if you make a wrong turn, you’re likely to face a flight of stairs that you must drive up or down. The encouraging phrase, “be brave, you can do it and besides you don’t have … Read More
Food Hall, Seoul South Korea
The food hall at the Shinsegae Department store had Asian foods (both ingredients and prepared) from across the continent. They also had a wide variety of European and American foods. There were pastries that could have been on the Champs Elysees, California wines, pasta, Belgian chocolates, tacos, tortilla shells, olive oil, German sausage, and they even had bagels. In London, … Read More
Finland 2006
Hanko a small town in SW Finland has grand seaside villas built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it was a glamorous retreat for Russian nobles, czars and artists. Many of these “old ladies,” as the villas are referred to, are now B&Bs. Near the town’s waterfront was a wooded area that looked as though it could … Read More
Trinidad
These photos were taken on Castara beach in Trinidad in 2006. At the time I was using an inexpensive Nikon with no special lenses—just point and shoot. I took a lot of photos and saved the ones that captured the beach’s beauty and the intensity of movement, moments caught forever. Those instants were a contrast to the general vibe of … Read More
Rocky Mountain Sunsets
Living in Manhattan I rarely see the blazing sun set into the horizon. That makes nearly all sunsets attractive. Really colorful ones, at the shore, in the desert or on open plains are a special treat. This evening I saw a fabulous Colorado sunset. At first, I didn’t think it would be much. But as the sun dipped behind the … Read More