August 6th, 2020 Natalia and I could have died two days ago in Beirut. By chance, we traveled to Paris the morning of the day of the explosion. We were walking through the city when the news reached us. Our building and apartment are completely destroyed and several people died. If we had stayed in … Continue reading Paris: Alive after Beirut´s Explosion
July 27, 2020 I landed in Beirut on Thursday afternoon after an ordinary 4 hours flight from Paris. Upon arrival at the airport I had a PCR test. They told me that if I didn’t hear back from them in two days it meant the results were negative. I haven’t heard back from them. … Continue reading Anfeh
July 21st, Sofia and I landed here this morning. I love Paris, but the final outcome of my trip has been quite disappointing. The last blow was the cancelation of the flights from the French islands to the US; we didn’t know when Sofia would be able to go back. Natalia also informed me that … Continue reading Paris: sailing trip aborted
July 15, 2020 It had become improbable, but it happened. Flights from the US to the French Leeward islands are suspended until, maybe, august 1st. I was about to give up and return to Beirut, but I found a loophole. By chance, I learned from a friend that flights in WinAir from Antigua to St … Continue reading St. Martin…
June 24, 2020 I have been here for 24 days. At the beginning I was secluded in the basement of the house where my daughters live and had limited interactions with them (just in the patio). But on the 11th day, having had no symptoms, my doctor set me free. He indicated that a 14-days … Continue reading Washington DC after the Quarantine
May 31st, 2020 Lufthansa had a flight, today, to repatriate Americans to the US. Although I am not an American, I was able to get a seat. So, I’m writing from Gate 21 at Beirut airport which, as you can imagine, is deserted. All shops, cafes, and restaurants are closed. From here I go to … Continue reading The Scape: bound to Washington DC
May 16, 2020 Yesterday I rode to Batroun, a small beach-town north of Beirut. One of the good things about the COVID19 regulations is that there is much less traffic on the freeway and riding the bike becomes less dangerous. It was a hot day, the air was warm, but at 60 miles per hour … Continue reading A Ride to Batroun, Aborted Hike in Faraya, a Possible Exit
April, 27 2020 This morning I went for a ride. I wanted to travel somewhere so I had to have a destination. I chose Tyre, close the south border of Lebanon. You could ride there following the highway that runs parallel to the coast, except that in the middle there is a city — Saida … Continue reading Beirut – Joun – Beirut
April 14, 2020 Since I came back from the US (see previous old post) work has consumed most of my waking hours. During February and the first part of March I was mainly in denial, oblivious to what was happening in China, trying to finish my courses and the reports I had to write … Continue reading Locked Down in Beirut under Covid-19
February 23, 2020 (OLD POST -- PRE LOCK/DOWN There are better connections to fly from Beirut to DC, but Qatar airlines offers better prices and, even if the journey takes longer, the quality of service is above average including in economy class. Champagne, for instance, rarely seen outside of first and business class in other … Continue reading Beirut-Washington-Beirut
Sailing to the Pacific 