In June of 2006 I boarded a plane whose ultimate destination was to be Peru. The flight was long, but we chatted and watched the world change as it moved beneath us. Just after nightfall we landed in the capital city of Lima. Exhausted we were waiting for everyone to gather when I heard an incredible ruckus behind me. Large crowds were waiting and yelling on the other side of a fence, hoping to see their loved ones. We managed to excise ourselves from the situation and catch a bus to our destination. We were headed to the Castellana Hostel. Unpon [View Full Entry]

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Our journey to Paris, a lifelong dream of mine, started out poorly. Our seats were literally the last. And they didn't recline. There was so much turbulance that the man in front of us got up three times to vomit (we were also by the latrines). When we finally landed in Paris, I called for a car and then stepped outside for my first cigarette in almost 18 hours. It was heaven. When our transport arrived, we wearily climbed aboard and gave our direction. And we were off to Monmartre! Watching the city of my dreams begin to show up was [View Full Entry]

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Since my brother, sister, and brother-in-law live in Waimanalo, I feel a familial obligation to make the trek at least once a year. Their house in the country is set on 3/4 acres and surrounded by lush plants on two sides and a neighbor's stable on the third. The true charm of their home is the Lanai. A covered, enclosed porch from which one can sit and enjoy the sounds of donkeys, roosters, and birds. Across the street is a beautiful garden that is hidden from the rest of the world and provides more plant life to the already jungle-like scenery. [View Full Entry]

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