When we were in St. Lucia we met a plucky German lady from Berlin. She is 55 years old. She has a career that she is passionate about, but she and her colleagues are harassed because of their age. She would like a second career but says that in Germany you are old after 40, and women can forget about making a second career. No one would hire them, even if they went back to school for another degree.
In Rome we chatted with 2 tables of people sitting next to us in a restaurant. One couple from Denmark and one from Norway. They also were of a certain age. They couldn't change jobs either. They were just hoping to hold their positions until they could retire- mandatory at 65.
As I watch the blonde dye in my hair give way to the grey that has been accumulating faster than I realized, and notice the deeper laugh lines on my face in the photos Jeff takes, and remember that my 50th is this year...I think about my plans for when we get back to the US. How lucky we are in the US, no matter how bad the economy, and in spite of the less obvious age discrimination in the job market, we believe that we have the choice to make changes in our careers. Newspapers praise the baby boomers for planning for a second career! Classes are taught on how to change careers! How to remake your life! The stuff bestsellers are made of.
So I plan to make 50 fabulous and am thankful that I have the opportunity!
Blue skies!
27 March 2010
23 March 2010
Venice is wonderfully mysterious
We went to Florence and were overwhelmed with beautiful things to see! What would our lives be like if it weren't for the support of the Renaissance by the Medici Family??? We even visited our first museums- The Uffizzi and the Pitti Palace. Two in two days was too much!
And then we went to Venice! Ahhh, shrouded in coastal fog, winding streets and canals that aren't even as wide as my arm span, no cars, bustle of real life in the midst of the thousands of tourists, eastern influence in the crumbling architecture, a certain mischievousness to their history/personality (sort of like the renegade cowboy image in the US...I did say "sort of"), not as proper as Florence.
I can only imagine what it is like here during Carnivale! Everyone in fantastic masks with electricity in the air created by anonymity.
We found a great little bar on our last afternoon here- Osteria de Baco- dark wood, low ceilings, gondoliers having a pop before heading home, small tables, wooden benches. They didn't have the hot wine we asked for (we now think this is a German thing...)but offered us a taste of a "surprise". A shot of hot brown liquid with a slice of lemon. DELICIOUS! They called it Punch Rum- Spiced rum, warmed up with lemon. After we each had two... we vowed to try to make it at home.
I really enjoyed Venice!
More pics of Venice will be up on Facebook shortly...
Blue skies!
And then we went to Venice! Ahhh, shrouded in coastal fog, winding streets and canals that aren't even as wide as my arm span, no cars, bustle of real life in the midst of the thousands of tourists, eastern influence in the crumbling architecture, a certain mischievousness to their history/personality (sort of like the renegade cowboy image in the US...I did say "sort of"), not as proper as Florence.
I didn't remember Venice being so magical...looking down the Grand Canal, the scene must be the same today as it was 500 years ago.
We found a great little bar on our last afternoon here- Osteria de Baco- dark wood, low ceilings, gondoliers having a pop before heading home, small tables, wooden benches. They didn't have the hot wine we asked for (we now think this is a German thing...)but offered us a taste of a "surprise". A shot of hot brown liquid with a slice of lemon. DELICIOUS! They called it Punch Rum- Spiced rum, warmed up with lemon. After we each had two... we vowed to try to make it at home.
I really enjoyed Venice!
More pics of Venice will be up on Facebook shortly...
Blue skies!
20 March 2010
Knock, knock, knocking...
I have become obsessed with taking pictures of all the interesting door knockers! (no snickering!)
Some are old, some are new, some are shiny, some are painted. What do they say about the house?
Here are some of them. The photography skills are still being honed, so bear with me while I figure them out. Thanks to Jeff for his patience while I stop at every other doorway to take a picture!! I am going to make a project out of making a poster of these!
Blue skies!
Some are old, some are new, some are shiny, some are painted. What do they say about the house?
Here are some of them. The photography skills are still being honed, so bear with me while I figure them out. Thanks to Jeff for his patience while I stop at every other doorway to take a picture!! I am going to make a project out of making a poster of these!
Blue skies!
15 March 2010
Arrivaderci Roma
Phew! At last few minutes to digest the sensory overload of 4 days in Rome. This city is everything Italian! Layers of history on top of layers of history, high fashion, gypsy beggars, fast cars, slow meals, animated hand gestures, cold marble, ornate door knockers, dull exteriors and just about the only cuisine available is ITALIAN!!! We did see a Chinese restaurant, a Himalayan one and an Argentinian one.
We wore our feet out every day, grateful for the silence of our little hotel room at the end of an evening. The Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, St. Peter's, Palatine Hill, Campidoglio, Capital Hill, the Jewish Ghetto, Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, Il Corso. May be easier to say what we missed!
We had good meals- my favorite so far was fresh pasta with mushrooms. There isn't anything better than fresh pasta. We got very lucky with our hotel and it's location- easy to walk nearly everywhere, and close to Termini for the further points, except for the day when there was a subway strike... Very reasonable and the front desk staff was very friendly and helpful. Great little place around the corner for breakfast for 2 at about $8. Still loving a bargain!
Did I love Rome? Yes and no. This was my third time to Rome, but it was so long ago, I only remembered a few things. You gotta love the chaos and noise and history. I could do without the men urinating into the river and on the monuments as if no one were watching them. And the neverending stream of people smoking outside. And the woman on the bus who tried to slip her hand into my purse. I took some pictures of some details we came across that I was pleased with, which are posted on Facebook. I am in awe of the scale of the monuments (how on earth did they build them????) and the length of time that is visually represented everywhere- thousands of years! I hope to come back!
The skies are blue wherever we go!
We wore our feet out every day, grateful for the silence of our little hotel room at the end of an evening. The Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, St. Peter's, Palatine Hill, Campidoglio, Capital Hill, the Jewish Ghetto, Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, Il Corso. May be easier to say what we missed!
We had good meals- my favorite so far was fresh pasta with mushrooms. There isn't anything better than fresh pasta. We got very lucky with our hotel and it's location- easy to walk nearly everywhere, and close to Termini for the further points, except for the day when there was a subway strike... Very reasonable and the front desk staff was very friendly and helpful. Great little place around the corner for breakfast for 2 at about $8. Still loving a bargain!
Did I love Rome? Yes and no. This was my third time to Rome, but it was so long ago, I only remembered a few things. You gotta love the chaos and noise and history. I could do without the men urinating into the river and on the monuments as if no one were watching them. And the neverending stream of people smoking outside. And the woman on the bus who tried to slip her hand into my purse. I took some pictures of some details we came across that I was pleased with, which are posted on Facebook. I am in awe of the scale of the monuments (how on earth did they build them????) and the length of time that is visually represented everywhere- thousands of years! I hope to come back!
The skies are blue wherever we go!
10 March 2010
Great deals and a great deal more
We are working on the final preparations for the next phase of our trip- Europe! Since the house is rented, we have stayed in hotels in the past two nights which merit description- Days Inn in Holyoke and Red Roof Inn in Woburn. The Days Inn was $44/night and included breakfast and free wifi. I love thinking that we have found a bargain! I was standing outside our room when a school bus pulled in to pick up one of the guests who seemed to be living at the hotel.
The Red Roof Inn has a fabulous pool! My eyes popped open this morning to the thought of a swim. I was out of bed in two shakes of a lamb's tail. The water was warm and we had the pool almost entirely to ourselves! How nice to get the kinks out that had set in after spending the last few days driving and sitting in various places. Only downside was there was a false fire alarm which had us evacuating the building at 11pm.
We stopped at the house to pick up mail. It was both good to be home, even if only for a few minutes, and good to see that such wonderful people are making it their home for now. The huge pile of mail reminded us that sometime down the line we will need to be "responsible" people again...
Jeff shopped yesterday while I filled out the last FAFSA! Here he is enjoying a new hat.
And there were crocuses and snowdrops in bloom at The Cloisters- SPRING and Blue Skies!
Next post will be from Rome. Ciao!
The Red Roof Inn has a fabulous pool! My eyes popped open this morning to the thought of a swim. I was out of bed in two shakes of a lamb's tail. The water was warm and we had the pool almost entirely to ourselves! How nice to get the kinks out that had set in after spending the last few days driving and sitting in various places. Only downside was there was a false fire alarm which had us evacuating the building at 11pm.
We stopped at the house to pick up mail. It was both good to be home, even if only for a few minutes, and good to see that such wonderful people are making it their home for now. The huge pile of mail reminded us that sometime down the line we will need to be "responsible" people again...
Jeff shopped yesterday while I filled out the last FAFSA! Here he is enjoying a new hat.
And there were crocuses and snowdrops in bloom at The Cloisters- SPRING and Blue Skies!
Next post will be from Rome. Ciao!
05 March 2010
Reminder to Self
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything they have.
So Long St. Lucia
Well, it is our last day in St. Lucia. The temp in NY is expected to peak at 45. The temp in St. Lucia at 95.
We have managed to settle into an island rhythm and community in just 10 days. Here are the characters we interact with regularly but whom we will likely never see again:
House Owner- 50-something German expat since 30 years. Lives with 3 smelly dogs and 3 cats that don't want to be pet, feeds the birds fresh fruit every morning on the porch railing so they won't come in the house. They hop to the table for crumbs anyway. Everyone in “the South” knows of her.
House Keeper- local woman of a certain age who has worked for House Owner for 21 years. Sparkle in her eye and a bright smile. Patience with the House Owner is as deep as a well. One guest thought she was deaf...Has four grown children, one on scholarship in Louisiana. House Owner tells us she pays her 400EC/mo. House Keeper is the only person she can trust with her house.
Gardener-younger local man who talks to himself all day or anyone who holds still long enough. Has deformed toes. House Owner swears that he drinks from her liquor cabinet and doesn't think he has a any common sense. He works all day long. If you want to pass where he is working he says “Don't worry, be happy” with a smile.
Real Estate Agent- Korean-born, 35, from NYC, upper West side, traveled here alone to kite board. Wants a taxi driver who is available whenever she needs one. Comes to the common living room with a Korean facial mask on. Smokes when she drinks and wonders if she really needs to conserve water while there is a drought on the island. Got into a shouting match with a taxi driver.
NJ transplant- 41 year old who also traveled here alone to kite board. Very funny Seinfeld sort of humor. Wonders where is the best place to meet women. Had a date with a woman before he came down here. He seemed glad she sent an email afterwards. Thinks Dr. Morrow has been at work in St. Lucia. Quotes from movies and changes topics like a hummingbird changes direction. Every minute is filled.
German Traveler-spunky 50-something, hitchhikes when she want to travel around, didn't like where she was staying so talked to expats on the beach and found another house. With the drought, the new house has no water. She goes in the garden. Doesn't like too much sun so sits in the shade and covers up with colorful wraps and hats. Has a bad back so brought her own beach chair from Germany that she is comfortable in. Reads Graham Greens stories of Haiti. She volunteered there many years ago. Advocate for identifying bright children in early childhood.
Birthday girl- 41 year old local woman. Is a cook at the airport, used to cook at the Reef. Was enjoying her birthday a little tipsy, hips gyrating all around the bar. We took pictures together and promised to send them. Her daughter wrote the address for us. She promised to call in a few weeks.
Big Mamma-local woman who was sitting at a roadside lookout point with a table of wares, listening to a Christian radio station. Recommended 2 places for lunch in Soufriere. Sold us spiced rum that didn't have any rum in it and that we found later selling for ½ the price in town. Reminds me of a Flannery O'Connor story.
We met many more wonderful people, all of whom helped to make our stay in St. Lucia memorable.
We are glad to be leaving, sorry to be leaving.
More pics on Facebook. Need to figure out how to link them to the blog posting to make it easier. or how to upload the photos via picassa/google and put a link in.
Blue skies,
Susan (aka A. Maupin) on the road again
We have managed to settle into an island rhythm and community in just 10 days. Here are the characters we interact with regularly but whom we will likely never see again:
House Owner- 50-something German expat since 30 years. Lives with 3 smelly dogs and 3 cats that don't want to be pet, feeds the birds fresh fruit every morning on the porch railing so they won't come in the house. They hop to the table for crumbs anyway. Everyone in “the South” knows of her.
House Keeper- local woman of a certain age who has worked for House Owner for 21 years. Sparkle in her eye and a bright smile. Patience with the House Owner is as deep as a well. One guest thought she was deaf...Has four grown children, one on scholarship in Louisiana. House Owner tells us she pays her 400EC/mo. House Keeper is the only person she can trust with her house.
Gardener-younger local man who talks to himself all day or anyone who holds still long enough. Has deformed toes. House Owner swears that he drinks from her liquor cabinet and doesn't think he has a any common sense. He works all day long. If you want to pass where he is working he says “Don't worry, be happy” with a smile.
Real Estate Agent- Korean-born, 35, from NYC, upper West side, traveled here alone to kite board. Wants a taxi driver who is available whenever she needs one. Comes to the common living room with a Korean facial mask on. Smokes when she drinks and wonders if she really needs to conserve water while there is a drought on the island. Got into a shouting match with a taxi driver.
NJ transplant- 41 year old who also traveled here alone to kite board. Very funny Seinfeld sort of humor. Wonders where is the best place to meet women. Had a date with a woman before he came down here. He seemed glad she sent an email afterwards. Thinks Dr. Morrow has been at work in St. Lucia. Quotes from movies and changes topics like a hummingbird changes direction. Every minute is filled.
German Traveler-spunky 50-something, hitchhikes when she want to travel around, didn't like where she was staying so talked to expats on the beach and found another house. With the drought, the new house has no water. She goes in the garden. Doesn't like too much sun so sits in the shade and covers up with colorful wraps and hats. Has a bad back so brought her own beach chair from Germany that she is comfortable in. Reads Graham Greens stories of Haiti. She volunteered there many years ago. Advocate for identifying bright children in early childhood.
Birthday girl- 41 year old local woman. Is a cook at the airport, used to cook at the Reef. Was enjoying her birthday a little tipsy, hips gyrating all around the bar. We took pictures together and promised to send them. Her daughter wrote the address for us. She promised to call in a few weeks.
Big Mamma-local woman who was sitting at a roadside lookout point with a table of wares, listening to a Christian radio station. Recommended 2 places for lunch in Soufriere. Sold us spiced rum that didn't have any rum in it and that we found later selling for ½ the price in town. Reminds me of a Flannery O'Connor story.
We met many more wonderful people, all of whom helped to make our stay in St. Lucia memorable.
We are glad to be leaving, sorry to be leaving.
More pics on Facebook. Need to figure out how to link them to the blog posting to make it easier. or how to upload the photos via picassa/google and put a link in.
Blue skies,
Susan (aka A. Maupin) on the road again
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