Work and travels; not an alcoholic; graduation; BEHEMOTH’s saga

May 21, 2023 Martin Amis died today.  Esophagus cancer, like his friend Hitchens, another writer who lived life intensely. Not sure what is worse, cancer or dementia.  I would want to have the choice to let go before cancer consumes my body or I lose my mind.   But it was not this loss for the literary world … Continue reading Work and travels; not an alcoholic; graduation; BEHEMOTH’s saga

Cartagena:  in and out; BEHEMOTH’s surgery; perseverance. 

February 12, 2023 It has taken me a while to post this. In-and-out refers not to my short visit of Cartagena in early January but to BEHEMOTH’s short stint on the water.  Juan David and l landed in Colombia mid-morning on Saturday January 7th.  We stayed for three nights at Casa Don Sancho, a small boutique hotel … Continue reading Cartagena:  in and out; BEHEMOTH’s surgery; perseverance. 

Casa Blanca – Same:  Woland’s extraction; books and diaries; BEHEMOTH new looks

December 30, 2022. Natalia just served me a Bloody Mary. I prepare Martinis and Negronis but BMs are her specialty. I no longer know the recipe though I can tell this time she was quite generous with the vodka.  We only have them in the morning, before lunch, and not very often.  It’s been only in … Continue reading Casa Blanca – Same:  Woland’s extraction; books and diaries; BEHEMOTH new looks

Doha: dogs travel; the last few days in Bangkok; reserves of ethanol replenished; DC, Quito and Cartagena

December 6, 2022 I landed in Doha at 04:30 local time after a 7h flight from Bangkok where I slept most of the time.  I hope Woland did the same down below in his crate.  He was relaxed when I dropped him at the oversized baggage area.  His travel wouldn’t have been possible without Christine and Detlef, a … Continue reading Doha: dogs travel; the last few days in Bangkok; reserves of ethanol replenished; DC, Quito and Cartagena

Morocco:  impressions from Fez and Rabat; accumulators vs. refrigerators; dogs’ memory

November 23, 2022 I came to Morocco to work on a project that is trying to find ways to support local industries so that they are able expand their production and create more and higher paying jobs, in a country where over 1/3 of young people are unemployed or employed in subsistence/informal activities. After a … Continue reading Morocco:  impressions from Fez and Rabat; accumulators vs. refrigerators; dogs’ memory

Washington DC:  the down-side of meritocracy;  a blind date with BEHEMOTH 

November 12, 2022.  (what follows was written some 10 days ago -- running late with postings) My 3 weeks stay in the US is coming to an end.  I am writing this at Dullas airport where I will soon board a plane to Paris. My connection to Rabat is not until 9pm on Sunday so I plan … Continue reading Washington DC:  the down-side of meritocracy;  a blind date with BEHEMOTH 

Bangkok:  time contraction; spinning faster; around the world; boat update

October 12, 2023 – 8am I have the impression that time is flowing faster. It used to take a while to go from Monday to Friday and an eternity to celebrate the next Christmas.  But I just learned that we have been living in Thailand for one year and it is hard to accept. If asked, I … Continue reading Bangkok:  time contraction; spinning faster; around the world; boat update

Chumphon: Sara and the wine; Slocum survey results; 

October 6th, 2023 I am at Sara Resort in Chumphon where we stopped on our way to Bangkok.  We are staying here for two nights before driving back to the capital.  The place is secluded in the middle of a small bay.  At this time of the year, because of the rain, the water is brownish, Chesapeake color;  you would think … Continue reading Chumphon: Sara and the wine; Slocum survey results; 

Phuket:  last weekend; food and music; human progress; Slocum 43

October 1st, 2022 Life continues in Phuket, uneventful.  Today we have a sunny day, but it is an aberration; most days have brought rain.  We have spent less time at the beach and more time at the house, working or reading.  It is our last weekend.  This coming Thursday, early in the morning, we start our trip back to … Continue reading Phuket:  last weekend; food and music; human progress; Slocum 43