Its gone. That ugly, rickety, outdated road, snaking from the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco's Marina and downtown, is no more. Friday night industrial sized jackhammers and equipment used to clear the devastation after 9/11 got to work. Under arc lights and with hovering helios sections of the road were sliced and toppled like … [Read more...]
A Tree, a Tradition and the Arab Spring
A fish decorates our Christmas tree every year. About six inches long, covered in blue, red, gold and white sequins, it has a smaller fish hanging from its belly. We bought the fish in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, on a family vacation. (I began collecting small handcrafted items for the tree after returning from Burma with six gold-foil wrapped owls). … [Read more...]
Hong Kong Notebook
My first visit to Hong Kong was time-capsule perfect. Floral frocks, tea at The Peninsula and drinks on the veranda. Second time the sun had set on that era. With new ground rules, bird flu and Sars there was a pause for reinvention. Fast forward to the present. On my most recent sortie I found Hong Kong beyond vibrant, exciting and energetic and … [Read more...]
Overland on the Ancient Silk Road
Last Spring I traveled the Ancient Silk Road. It was a long time ambition. I did not know it would change my life. Epiphany Moment The idea of the Silk Road had shimmered on the periphery of my imagination for decades. In Herat, Afghanistan, there is a mausoleum with a unique ribbed dome. Years ago, when Afghanistan was peaceful, I sat … [Read more...]
Santa’s Sleigh…Christmas Eve Round Up
As Santa fills those sacks with toys, and then checks whose been naughty or nice, here are a few seasonal images and thoughts: Oh Tannenbaum! The Christmas tree is the icon of the season. A tradition in Germany, it was first brought to England by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. It now comes in every possible variation, shape, … [Read more...]
