 |
| Ballet leg in Buenos Aires |
Happy Holidays, everyone! I've neglected my blog this year in favor of writing a novel. I'm almost done with a first draft!
In January, we finished up 7 months of travel, in which we visited 4 continents and 14 countries. My last entry was about our
cruise from Europe to South America--and I promised to write about South America, so I'm finally getting to that.
We rented an apartment for a month in Buenos Aires, near traveling friends who'd also been on the cruise.
Buenos Aires is a beautiful, green city that is dog friendly (and needs some work on poop cleanup). I loved the cafes, bookstores, huge parks, public art, and bike accessibility. I took Spanish lessons, and after two hours of trying to converse, I was sweaty and exhausted. Fortunately, our apartment had a rooftop pool so I could refresh.
 |
| B.A. bike ride |
 |
| murals everywhere |
We next flew to Lima, Peru, and enjoyed the beautiful Miraflores area with its parks and walkways showcasing a stunning sea view. We visited the oldest library in the Americas that has more than 25,000 books and manuscripts, many from the 15th century.
 |
| Miraflores |
 |
| Biblioteca at Convento Santo Domingo |
We also went to the Presidential palace for the changing of the guard...which never happened due to governmental problems. We learned that the President had a 90% disapproval rating because in 2022, 50 citizens and a police officer were killed during anti-government protests and 1500 were injured. Peru has had 7 presidents in 6 years, rife with corruption and oppressive tactics. It's pretty depressing to think of how many populations over time have suffered from such governments--and I couldn't help but think about what's happening in the States.
Next stop was Medellin, Colombia for a few days with our friend Mar, whose stunning house has an incredible view of the city that lights up at night. We both felt both the awe and humor in Botero's work in the square outside the wonderful Botero museum.
 |
| a celebration of abundance! |
We also spent the day soaking in a variety of plants and creatures in the peaceful Jardin Botanico.
 |
| one of Dave's great shots |
After 7 months of moving our bodies through space and time on planes, ships, ferries, cars, tuk tuks, taxis, Ubers, and buses, we we ready to plant ourselves back home...
 |
| Cerritos Beach sunset |
 |
| home sweet home |
 |
| Dan about to dive bomb the ladies at our friends' pool |
...which we did until May, when we went on a staycation housesit for a week about an hour away on the Sea of Cortez in Los Barriles. The house was stunning, and the hosts let us use their fun side-by-side to get around.
 |
| housesitting has been good to us |
Also on that side of Baja, Dave went on a dive trip in Cabo Pulmo, taking advantage of this amazing peninsula we live on.
 |
| moray eel on his dive |
We've been enjoying our community, friends, and family--and a number of visitors. Dave is still doing yoga and tai chi 2-3 times a week, and I'm loving my twice-a-week Zumba and every Friday aqua aerobics. I launched a women's book group, where we're discussing books by and/or about Latinas, and when possible, we're reading local writers.
In the summer, Dave embarked on a remodeling project on the casita. In order to avoid the dust, noise, and chaos, I took off on a two-month solo trip--that I'm going to write about in my next entry. I promise not to take nearly a year to do it. But first I want to finish the last two chapters of my novel, which is unlike anything I've ever written. I can't wait to get it in your hands.
Happy new year--and love from us both.
 |
| Ending with another ballet leg, this one in the Sea of Cortez |
