Harmon's 14th Birthday Party

In honor of my very special boy, I wanted to post his birthday party pictures. November 6, 2008 marks three wonderful years since he's come home, and I wanted to do something special to commemorate the day. A good time was had by all!

Harmon's 14th Birthday Party 11/9/08

Denver with Mason

I snuck in a weekend trip to visit with my very favorite nephew, Mason. He's so cute (unbiased opinion, of course!) I got to go on a great hike with my brother as well. We had planned to go sledding, but the storm missed the mountains. I'm sure I'll be hitting my snow quota there soon enough!

Mason in Denver

Mason in Denver

Back to Boston

This trip started as my musings of what I'd like to do for my birthday, and became a wonderful week reconnecting with my friends in New England. I spent time with my best friend Tom, his crazy dog Becca and his wonderful roommate (who made me a birthday cake!) I visited with Kristin (college), Lauri and Fang (worked with both of them).

I also spent time in my New England "Happy Places": Boston, Newport, Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, and Amherst/Northampton. My birthday was wonderful! I got to spend it with Katya, whom I used to mentor when she was in high school. We kicked around Boston, had lunch at my favorite restaurant in the North End (Assagio), enjoyed a cannoli in an italian bakery, then I high-tailed it up to Maine where my other birthday wish came true: I dipped my toes in the sand in Ogunquit. Had a wonderful day up there as well. I got to see the Nubble Lighthouse, walk the marginal way (Ogunquit) and the cliffwalk (Newport), and dine in my favorite restaurants in Northhampton and Amherst, as well as fit in a quick driving tour around my former college campus.

Then I had a special trip to meet Sheryl, whom I've been chatting with through the Best Friends network for quite a while. I met her and her husband Chris, as well as her furry crew of four cats (Teazer, Bailer, Jewel and the very special "Sammy the Serpent.") We had a beautifully crisp fall day and had a great time talking in person!

The trip was really wonderful and I'll admit to being the tiniest bit homesick for New England..

Trip to Boston 11/08

Trip to Boston 2

NYC pics

NYC

October 2-6th: NYC with the Ya-Yas!!

It's been two years since the last Ya-Yas and Ya-Yits (Ya-Yas in Training) adventure, so I jetted across the country to meet up with them. It was a smaller crew, Carol (aka. Buffalo Woman), Chris, Lisa and me, but that didn't stop the fun!

Lisa and I got there a day before the rest, so we walked the city a bit and then enjoyed a night on the town. We had a fabulous dinner at 21, followed by Wicked on Broadway. I enjoyed it much more than I expected, and it was a lot of fun. We did lots of walking, shopping and of course, eating! I got my two favorite Manhattan things: pizza (of course, the way it's supposed to be made!) and a macaron, to enable me to reminisce of my Parisian adventure a few years ago. Breakfast at our favorite diner around the corner then back off to the airport. Just a long weekend but it was a great time!

Pictures!!!

Peru

Peru: Last Day

Last day in Peru

We decided to spend our last half day exploring the cute neighborhood of San Blas. Plus, I had ordered a pair of shoes that were being made, and we needed to pick them up. They are very comfortable and interesting leather shoes (thanks to Laura and Amparo for the idea, as they got some too!!) I did a little more shopping, and we found the textile place that we went to yesterday so Barb could buy another gift for someone. I saw some rather interesting looking ceramics that would probably make readers of the Kama Sutra blush! We ended up talking with a man who was in there, who said he made ceramics. He invited us two doors down to his shop to show us his work.

He did some beautiful things, both wood and ceramic. He showed us some beautifully painted Inca calendars, and I bought a couple I liked them so much. He then parted a blanket hanging towards the back to show us his 3 week old daughter, nestled in blankets sleeping! I was so surprised as he was at the other shop for a good ten minutes with us! He was such a nice man and very proud of his daughter and his work. He even showed us a brochure which showed him in “action” and allowed us to take his picture. That was another wonderful thing.. many of the items I purchased for people, I also have a picture of the person who made it!

Barb sat in the square in San Blas soaking up the sun and talking with the locals while I walked around a bit. They were so funny how they congregated around her trying to sell things, and then talking with her. An additional observation that I forgot to mention earlier, is that it was pretty cool to be in a place where I was relatively tall!!! Many of the people there are short of stature, so I was as tall as many of the men that we met and taller than many of the women!

I really do love this place.. the people are so warm, open and friendly. They have so little, but truly believe that they have much. They take a lot of pride in their people, culture, country, their work and their families. While we are blessed with so much in the United States, I don’t think we see that. It really was quite beautiful.

We stopped in a pastry shop that Laura and Amparo recommended and got spiced chicken empanadas, and a chocolate dessert that was very rich and good. We made our way back to the hotel, and while we are looking forward to going home, it was with some sadness that we leave!

The guy who helped Barb with the reservations online has been wonderful to us, and gave Barb a big hug when we were leaving. This is what I’ll remember about Peru.. that such an ordinary thing, like someone helping us make hotel reservations, became such a wonderful and warm moment.

Now that I’m back in the States, I definitely feel appreciative for all that I have. I am craving a big salad (since we didn’t want to risk eating produce!) and sushi, though perhaps not in that order! Peru is not a trip for all—it’s not a place of refinement and luxury. The poverty everywhere is tough to see as well… But for those who can look past the inconveniences, and look in the faces of the people to see the true happiness and beauty radiating from them, Peru is a majestic, mystical and enchanting journey.