Laura421's Guestbook

Welcome home
Hi Laura, so glad you’re back in Maine. Stay safe and apart from others as best you can. We’re doing well in Eastport and Corea. Virtual hugs, Ken

Chile, Facing the unknown
Oh Laura, I am so sorry you are going through this. I had heard on the news that Peru closed its border with transfer students being told to "Leave NOW" or be "trapped". It was a mad dash to get airline tickets and I hear some didn't make it. So far Vantage has told us our trip is on (in so many words), but now that I her your story, I'm wondering if we should take their option to cancel and have our payment be applied to a later trip and time. Some European countries are closing their borders. If Amsterdam does, that is where we land on our first leg to East Europe. I will tell Phyllis about your episode and go from there. Our governor is doing his best to out-do California and New York's, He has ORDERED us to stay home except to go for groceries, take care of elderly relatives and friends, doctors appointments and such. I will still go to my sister's everyday. So far my surgery for the mass on my stomach is on for April 15. Other appointments are still on for the 1st and 2nd. Stay well. Bill

What a heck of a mess.
This is the worse situation imaginable. My heart goes out to you. I hope you can make it back to Maine with few problems. You traveling alone makes it really scary. You can do it if anybody can. You are very independent. Bill and I will be thinking if you.

Life & Death in the Serengeti
We didn't see any live kills while in the Serengeti, but saw an antelope giving birth right next to us and it was breech. The baby had a foot out & it's bottom. Neither would make it & she was bouncing & falling to the ground trying to get the baby out. We watched helpless & wanted to get out & pull this baby out. We saw lost babies with predators watching. Again it is all part of nature. This was an incredible tour for us & so so memorable. So glad you were able to experience the migration.

MAASAI VILLAGE
On our trip I volunteered to repair their home with cow dung. They made sure I washed up afterwards with a sanitizer. I still occasionally wear my necklace that I bought at the village.

Wonderful to hear
Laura, So thrilled to read your blog. Thelma and I spent 23 days in S Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar and Egypt in October. We had a 3 day safari at Sealous Game Park. We saw many zebra, impalas, giraffes and elephants, 1 1/2 lions, (he was half hidden behind a bush) but no cheetahs or leopards. Oops we also spent a few days in Egypt. Awesome trip. Once again I love your blog. Brings back wonderful memories. Keep it coming. Thanks. Due

Cuba
Oh, now I want to go even more!

Entering Cuba
It reminds me of our difficulty entering Uzbekistan. But the trip should be very interesting. Sue and I leave for Africa tomorrow.

Portugal
Hi Laura, We did Portugal many years ago. Been there twice as well. We used Rick Steves' book & loved it. Got caught after dark on the other side by the castle/fort at the top & some nice Samaritan walked us down as our escort because it wasn't the nice side of town. We also got caught exploring & all lights went out. We struggled walking, saw lights headed for them & entered a pub. Enjoyed ourselves & then called a taxi to get us to our hotel. Lots of good memories.

I would love to see photos of the garden.

Brave girl
But it led to an adventure. Good for you.

Ireland
Hi, Laura, We loved Ireland. I've been there twice. We did it on our own & once with our grandson. It's one of our favorite countries. We took a black taxi in Belfast & the driver's are essentially a tour guides. It's a 3 or 4 hour tour, I forget. They were involved with the troubles personally. It impacted both of us so much. I had read Uris's Trinity & it gave me a background, but this was real. The fences were so high & while we were there some kind of holiday for the one side & they marched down the street by the Catholic churches & sang their political songs against them. They had trash piled 6 ft. high to burn for this special day against the other side. It was celebrating one side breaking down the gate to the city. We hear about genocide from other countries & here it was happening in our own culture. (still is). The rest of Ireland is so beautiful & we loved their singing in the pubs. Looking forward to more. We just returned from family vacation in Hawaii (19 of us). We'll be leaving for Canada next week & staying until early Sept. instead of October as we'll be going to Sicily in Sept. Wish someday we can connect again. Barbara (You're always welcome here - only 6 hours from Grand Canyon & a world of beauty around it with Antelope Canyon, Zion, Bryce & Canyon de Chelly). .