Our hotel is full!…Realities of the current worldwide situation impacts our lives…

This was the first bridge we drove across to arrive in the center of the town of Bagni di Lucca in Tuscany.

Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site shortly, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you. 

Today’s photos are from June 25, 2013 (Yesterday, in error, I posted June 26, 2013 photos, so today, I am posting the 25th) while in Boveglio, Tuscany, Italy. See the link here for more details.
When I headed downstairs to reception to pick up a package from Amazon India (a new battery-operated toothbrush after mine died, even after trying several new sets of batteries), I asked the staff how many rooms were occupied in the hotel.
As we approached Bagni di Lucca, the view was not the same town as Lucca itself, which we also visited a short time later.

Much to our shock, they stated their rooms were filled with workers soon departing to resume work on the oil platforms out at sea. With 334 rooms, this was astounding. Once they leave in a few days, I’ll ask again as to how many of us remain. 

Will it still be a small group of 10 or 20 guests since the onset of the lockdown began in March? We’ll report here soon.

Notice the “no honking” sign. 

It’s no wonder it’s taken almost an hour for us to receive our room service dinners in the past few days, although breakfasts have been arriving in the typical 30 minutes from when we’ve placed the call.

We don’t see any of these other guests. They, too, are locked away on different floors as we have been on the fourth floor for the past three-plus months. It’s a rarity to see any of the guests on this floor when they, too, are staying in place in their respective rooms.

The vegetation was so thick as we drove along the Lima River while entering Bagni di Lucca. This was the best shot we could get until we arrived closer to the town.

Today, we made our online booking for the hotel from July 1 to August 2, 2020. But, we have no delusions of getting out of here by that date. Based on information coming down the pike from countries worldwide, no US passport holders will be allowed into the majority of countries.

Today, a notice came to my phone that Europe won’t allow US citizens to enter any time in the future, which may prove to be well into 2021. 

The last portion of the road as we began the descent into Bagni di Lucca.

As we review options for other parts of the world and potential upcoming flights out of India, we won’t be allowed to enter the majority of the countries on the borders-opening list. How long we’ve been in India is irrelevant since Indians are also on the refusal lists.

Tom, at the park by the river. One of our readers commented that his white tennis shoes are a dead ringer for a tourist. Apparently, Europeans wear darker colored shoes. Although, we’re not ashamed to be tourists, spending money and savoring every moment in the current country in our journey.

At this point, we have no interest, or are we welcomed to travel anywhere in such locations as Asia, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and, as we’ve mentioned many times in the past, in returning to the US.

The street was so narrow it only allowed for one-way traffic at a time at the upcoming “T.” As a result, we sat at this light for no less than 7 minutes.

At this point, we’ve begun to know people in the US with the virus when fe didn’t personally know of a single case. for so long. We pray for their recovery and future well being. 

The footbridge leads to historical points of interest behind me, where we wandered around.

With over 2.5 million cases in the US, it’s pointless for us to return any time shortly. We still await information for a variety of island nations that may eventually accept us and, of course, various countries in Africa, hoping someday to be allowed to enter South Africa.

Many of these buildings appear newer, although less attractive from the exterior. But many of them are hundreds of years old, built to last with the simple exterior design, common at different times.

National news consists of conflicting information on which countries will allow US citizens to enter. Each day, we conduct new research to see what our options may be down the road. 

Building a park around a historical structure is common from what we’ve seen of the world thus far. Hard to read signs prevented us from determining the origin of this structure.

However disappointing for us, the reality remains that even when India’s borders open for incoming and outgoing international flights, where we will be allowed to enter, it may still be in question. There are dozens of possibilities we watch daily to see when US citizens will be allowed to enter.

Historic ruins along the banks of the river remain a part of the properties (circa the 1900s) built over the centuries.

Also, we have to consider the risk of spending hours in airports and on airplanes. Perhaps, ultimately, we may have to stay here for many months to come to reduce those risks.

Danita Delimont Bridge was built in the 1700s. Walking across we were impressed by its strength and stability. 

In the interim, we are fine. Tom is now walking the corridors and doing the stairs, and I continue to walk the corridors ten times a day. Although repetitious and boring, we’re eating fresh, healthy food, sleeping well, and our spirits are as good as can be expected, obviously impacted by family members’ health and well-being.

Outdoor cafes never cease to delight us, a novelty from whence we came in bitter cold Minnesota.

We hope all of our readers continue to exercise safety procedures to remain healthy as the world begins to open up many shops, restaurants, and businesses.
Take nothing for granted.

Photo from one year ago today, June 26, 2019:

This is a stream in Oughterard Shrubbery near Connemara, Ireland. For more photos, please click here.

Mumbai is no longer COVID-19 #1 hotspot…Dehli is the new hotspot…Vaccination?…

This hill in the neighborhood in Boveglio, Tuscany, was much steeper in person than it appears here.

Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site shortly, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you. 

Today’s photos are from June 26, 2013 (I am one day off here due to an error) while in Boveglio, Tuscany, Italy. See the link here for more details.

With the numbers of cases of COVID-19 rapidly escalating daily, it doesn’t look hopeful for international flights commencing soon.

It appeared that this house might be occupied, one of few dilapidated entrances in the area.

This news story came out only a few hours ago from this site:

“Over 16,000 COVID-19 Cases In 24 Hours For 1st Time; 4.73 Lakh (473,000) 

Total CasesNew Delhi: 
India recorded its most significant surge in coronavirus cases in 24 hours for a second consecutive day with 16,922 new patients, taking the total to 4.73 lakh cases (473,000), the Union Health Ministry said this morning.This is the first time that more than 16,000 new infections have been reported in a single day. The government on Wednesday said a single-day high of 15,968 new conditions.
Lisa and Luca, property owners in Boveglio, presented us with this basket of cherries from the tree growing in the garden after they’d seen us admiring the tree. Lisa, speaking no English and us, no Italian, it was impossible to explain my restrictive diet that forbids any fruit sugars. Tom, fortunately, ate a few each day, while I’ve merely enjoyed their beauty. We thanked them profusely, impressed by the thoughtfulness they had shown each day since we’d arrived.  For more information on Lisa and Luca and their properties, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/casasottolatorre.villabasilica?fref=ts.
Of the total cases, 2,71,697 patients have recovered; 14,894 have died so far. In the last 24 hours, 418 deaths linked to the highly infectious illness were registered. The recovery rate stood at 57.42 percent this morning.”
 
With these numbers, it’s doubtful India will open its borders anytime soon. I also anticipate the lockdown stages will be raised to the initial higher and more restrictive levels soon. 
Many individual houses are attached, a common occurrence we’ve observed in some regions of the world, such as Dubrovnik and Mykonos.

The lockdown has had little benefit with this level of increasing daily cases hitting an already economically devastated health system. It’s easy to see why the cases are increasing in India and other parts of the world. People are not strictly adhering to guidelines instituted by local and federal governments in many parts of the world.

India is not unique in its increasing cases. Yesterday, in the US, statistics indicate there were 38,383 new cases, the majority of which were in California, Texas, Florida. See these stats for the US here.
Rushing by this flowering plant to avoid the hovering bees, I caught a whiff of pure heaven.
For stats for other countries throughout the world, including India, please click here. India is still in the #4 position in the world statistics with the US #1, Brazil #2, Russia #3. 
 
As previously mentioned, these stats could easily be lower than the actual numbers when equal numbers or more aren’t being recorded. How many stricken cases aren’t going to doctors and hospitals? More than we can imagine.
No cars fit between these narrow pathways to the houses. It’s no wonder that the Italian people appeared slim and fit.  The parking area, as for us, is a bit of a hike from the house. Add the hills to the walk, and it becomes pretty a workout regularly.
Some of our readers may ask, “Why do we keep posting these dreadful numbers?” We certainly don’t do so to terrify our readers. For us, these stats are vital regarding our current situation in lockdown in a hotel room in Mumbai, India, after over three months.
 
Secondly, many of our readers are travelers, and for those considering future travel, these stats, although low from reality, can be used as a guide to determine where and when they may consider traveling in the future.
More blooming flowers.  In a few days, the many lavender bushes in our garden begin to bloom. I’d wished we could have done online “scratch and sniff” for the sweet smells in Tuscany.
Of course, once international flights commence in India, we’ll be reviewing these stats for countries we may consider traveling to. What point would there be in leaving this hotel in lockdown for another hotel in lockdown in another city? 
 
We’d just as soon stay put here until it’s safe to leave and to commence a somewhat average quality of life in another country, staying in a fully equipped holiday home and being able to be outdoors providing we observe social distancing, wear masks, and exercise proper hand washing, and crowd avoidance.
Ah, a flat stretch where I can catch my breath.
At this point, we realize cruising is out of the question for some time to come. We have no cruises booked until November 2021, 17 months from now. Also, cruising was all about transportation from one part of the world to another and for socialization which may be entirely different on cruises in the future. 
 
We can’t imagine table sharing and socializing in small groups will be possible on cruises. How will everyone stand in line to leave the ship at various ports of call? The group gatherings and activities, and shows will no longer be possible.
What will be the point of cruising? We’ll have to wait and see what transpires.
We’d have added a couple of chaise lounges to this veranda we spotted, but then again, we didn’t see any Italians sunning.
When and if a vaccine is discovered, I imagine being vaccinated may be a requirement for international travel. As much as many oppose a vaccine, it may be a reality we travelers will have to abide by. 
 
After all, before we traveled to Africa in 2013, it was required by several countries we visited that we had proof of yellow fever vaccination to enter. The requirements for this have lightened up in many parts of the world over the past several years, with fewer cases of that virus as indicated here:
This was the steepest hill in the area.
“Yellow fever is common in sub-Saharan Africa (where it is endemic), countries in South America, and a few other parts of the world. Many countries that do not require yellow fever vaccination for entry do require proof of the yellow fever vaccine if coming from an infected region.”
 
Most likely, this will be the case (but even more stringent) in years to come, possibly as soon as 2021, when most likely a vaccine for COVID-19 will become available. 
Maintaining sure footing on this walk was more important than the exercise factor.  The stone walkways were rugged and uneven, inspiring me to keep my eyes down as much as possible.
If a vaccine is required for us to continue to travel, we will get it. We don’t want to allow this virus to prevent our future travels any more than it has already. Our goal is to continue, with or without cruising, with or without the opportunity to visit public venues for sightseeing purposes, or with or without 14-day quarantine requirements.
 
We shall see.

Photo from one year ago today, June 25, 2019:

As in most areas of Ireland, there is a tremendous number of rocky regions, streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. For more photos, please click here.

Questions from a reader regarding car rentals…Have policies changed due to COVID-19?…

My bathroom in the 300-year old stone holiday home we rented in Boveglio, Tuscany, Italy, in 2013. Tom took the smaller bathroom to our master bedroom. There’s no tub, and the shower was small, but it served its purpose. 

Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site shortly, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you. 

Today’s photos are from June 19, 2013, while in Boveglio, Italy. See the link here for more details.
We’ve been receiving tons of email messages from our readers, which has been such a support to us over the years and now, especially during this lengthy lockdown in Mumbai, India. 
The authentic Tuscan kitchen; no dishwasher, no microwave, no small appliances, no electric coffee pot but otherwise well-stocked kitchen with items used for making pasta, bread, and sauces. 
As mentioned in the past, we make every effort to respond to each message. Many of your comments inspire us to write a new story, as in today’s post, as prompted by this message we received yesterday.
 
I’ve removed the name of the kindly person who wrote to protect their anonymity. We’ve seen similar requests in the past few months and thought we should address them in today’s post. Perhaps, renting cars in times of COVID-19 has changed, and we will address this as well. See the email below:
The TV wasn’t working again at first but, the owner’s parents stopped by to install a new cable box. We never used it once during our three months on this property.
Hi, Jessica and Tom,
 
I have been reading your posts for several years now.  My sister and her son met you on an Australian cruise and introduced me to your posts. Recently, I introduced you to my traveling companion, who reads you every morning and has written you a couple of times. Thank you for the excellent travel tips and information.
 
For years I have wanted to rent a place in Europe for a month. You both have made me feel that this is possible. Posting your expenses helps so much. I love the pictures you have been posting lately and loved the ones today (home in Italy).   
 
Can you maybe post information that you have learned about renting a car overseas?  Do you have any problems driving? Do you usually rent from an airport? I assume you buy the company’s insurance. I also assume that you are keeping your U.S. Driver’s license current. Have you ever had an accident (fender bender), and how was it handled?  I’m sure you can think of information that wouldn’t even enter my mind.
 
I hope your antibiotics are working for you. You haven’t mentioned your tooth lately.
 
Keep the faith. You were so blessed to have found this hotel when you did.”
The master bedroom had a comfortable bed, good pillows, and blankets. With no AC or fans in the entire house and no screens on the windows, we had to open the windows at night for some cooler air. As summer progressed and it became hotter each day, we were plagued with endless numbers of giant flies and mosquitoes.
In response to our readers’ questions, one by one (our answers are in bold type):
 
1. Can you maybe post information that you have learned about renting a car overseas? One of our top priorities when renting cars throughout the world is getting the best possible price for a car that meets our criteria: ample room for our luggage; air conditioning; four doors; must be in good condition; and be available for rental in 30-day increments (see below for reasons why on this point). We often stay in countries for more than 30-days. We now only rent in 30-day increments to ensure our credit card insurance will pay when it only covers the first 30 day period. (See point #4 below).
Walking onto the patio required serious maneuvering over the side of a flight of stone steps, an action not for the faint of heart. The garden boxes provided us with herbs and some vegetables all summer long.
2. Do you have any problems driving? For me, yes. I have trouble navigating on the opposite side of the road while maneuvering a stick shift with my left hand when the driver’s side in most countries is on the right side of the car, not the left as in the USA. It boils down to a lack of coordination, although I know how to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission. As a result, Tom always operates under these circumstances.
 
3. Do you usually rent from an airport? Yes, we prefer this. At some airports, it’s necessary to take a shuttle to the car rental facility. In each case, we’ve had better luck selecting the most popular car rental companies instead of unfamiliar resellers, which we’d highly discourage.
Me and a Pinocchio statue outside of a children’s shop in the quaint town of Collodi where Carlo Collodi (pen name) created the much-loved character which has endured for well over 100-years.

4. Do you buy the company’s insurance? No, our credit cards provide insurance on the first 30-days. Adding the rental car facility’s insurance can double the cost of the rental. If you have car insurance in your home country, check for the coverage included for rental cars in international locations. Most rental companies require an amount “on a hold” on your credit card to cover the “excess,” which is everything beyond what your insurance will cover. Make sure they aren’t charging huge amounts that may tie up your credit during the rental period and beyond. If you don’t have any insurance for car rentals, it’s suggested you find some means of insurance before booking the rental.

Important Point: Take photos of the exterior (and interior if any damage) of pre-existing damage using a camera with a date stamp to show the photos taken. Make sure the rep notes all the pre-existing damage on the rental forms.

5. Are you keeping your U.S. Driver’s license current? Yes, we keep our US, Nevada (our state of residency), driver’s license up to date. Some states allow online renewal. In our case, Nevada allows an online renewal every other renewal period. Some travelers acquire an international driver’s license, assuming it will be in place of a permit from your home state/country. This is not the case. For more details on international driver’s licenses, please click here.
Another statue of beloved Pinocchio in Collodi, Tuscany, Italy.
6. Have you ever had an accident (fender bender), and how was it handled? We haven’t had an accident, although we did have a minor “fender bender” a few years ago and paid the rental car company out of pocket for the repairs. After we’d dropped off the car, pointing out the damage, they contacted us a week later with the charges they applied to our credit card. We didn’t need to dispute the amount since it appeared reasonable.
 
Please see the following link for a post we uploaded in September 2019 for reviews and some of our experiences with car rental companies. There is some valuable information at that link outlining some issues we’ve had, particularly in Ireland with a reseller located far from the airport.

Botticino, the little town where we purchased gas for $6 a gallon.
Also, we had quite an outrageous experience with a rental car company in Costa Rica, a franchised office of Europcar (which we’ve had good luck in other countries) which gave us quite a run-around. 
 
Since it wasn’t a corporate-run location, we didn’t discontinue working with Europcar. The issues were entirely due to how rental cars are handled in Costa Rica and Ireland, which are very different from other parts of the world. They wanted us to prepay INR 685913, US $9000, on our credit card. No way would we allow that sum to be charged to our card for a car rental! We used taxis for the remainder of our time in Costa Rica. Please see this link for this vital information.
 We were driving around Collodi on one-way streets.
The point remains, each country has its policies and conditions. When booking a car, regardless of the reviews and ratings on the rental car company, it is important to read the rental conditions carefully.
 
The most accessible and most affordable location where we’ve rented cars has been in South Africa, one more reason we’re partial to visiting the country.
 
As for changes after COVID-19? At this point, we expect prices to increase, partially due to the bankruptcy of Hertz and other companies suffering financial losses during this period. 

 The road as we were leaving Collodi.
Also, when renting a car after others have rented it, make sure you thoroughly clean and spray the interior with disinfectant products and disposable wipes. Although many sources are stating the virus doesn’t remain on surfaces for extended periods, there could be particles in the car’s air and on all surfaces, both on the interior and exterior. 
 
We’ll be asking how long it’s been since any particular car has been rented for added peace of mind and still conduct the disinfecting process, regardless of the date.
Houses high in the hills in Tuscany.
We hope we’ve answered our readers’ questions enhanced by including links from past posts. To answer the thoughtful question regarding the status of my tooth, the pain continues but is manageable with Paracetamol/Tylenol taken daily. No dentist in India is willing to work on it due to my heart condition and COVID-19. When and if we get to South Africa, we’ll have it addressed as quickly as possible. 
 
Thank you, dear reader(s), for your inquiries and thoughtful messages. We all continue in our goals of making our way through these trying times!
 
Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, June 18, 2019:

Ruins of a castle in Connemara, Ireland. For more photos, please click here.

Yesterday’s road trip…Mount Taranaki, a rain forest and a botanical garden…More garden photos tomorrow…

Our favorite photo of the day.  Zoom in to see this bee’s facial features.  Amazing!

After writing yesterday’s post which we uploaded by 10 am after a very early start, we looked at one another and said, “Let’s head out!” We’d written about how little we’ve been traveling while living here in New Zealand enjoying our surroundings to the degree that we haven’t been motivated to leave for even a day.

We crossed numerous streams and rivers on our way up the mountain, including driving over this one-lane bridge.

When we do travel, we prefer sunny days for better photos and viewing scenery, but after being in for many days after Tom’s over-week-long illness, except for a night out for dinner and another outing for grocery shopping, we were excited to get on the road. 

We read this sign to get a lay of the land.  Inside this building, we were able to grab a map of the gardens to assist us on our walk.

Without a big plan in mind, we headed on to the long drive through winding country roads to steep winding mountain roads, not unlike those we experienced long ago when we spent three months in Boveglio, Tuscany, Italy in 2013. 

We got a kick out of this display for free coffee.  With no receptionist in attendance, one could help themselves.

By far, those mountains in Italy had some of the steepest winding roads we’d driven in our travels, except for the Atlas Mountains we traveled in Morocco in April 2014. 

Not a huge fan of driving through mountainous roads, yesterday I was at ease with the automatic transmission of our rental car and the lack of the necessity to pass slow-moving vehicles in front of us. We didn’t encounter more than a half dozen vehicles through the mountains making the drive relatively easy and comfortable.

As we commenced our walk, we spotted this gardener at work.

We hoped to get to the Visitors Centre partway up Mount Taranaki but when it began to rain during our walk through the Pukeiti Gardens and rainforest we decided it might be wise to head back down the mountain, realizing that scenic views would be impossible on the cloudy rainy day.

The Pukeiti Gardens is known for its world-class rhododendron collection exquisitely set within a rainforest with the flowering season from July through March. We were grateful to have arrived during the season to be able to see and take photos of the beautiful flowers and gardens. Every so often, the sun peeked out, allowing us a few better quality photos as shown here.

The rhododendrons are in full bloom at this time of the year, summer in New Zealand.

Here’s a little info from the Taranaki Regional Council’s website about the origination of the beautiful gardens:

“A vision fulfilled:
One man’s dream has literally flowered at Pukeiti on the slopes of Mount Taranaki — a garden renowned worldwide for its stunning collection of rhododendrons and other plants, and an institution that is much a part of the region as the mountain itself.

Founder William Douglas Cook’s vision was a vast natural garden of rhododendrons. Today that vision is a reality, thanks to the efforts of Cook and countless volunteers and members of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust through the decades since the garden opened in 1951.
(To read some stories from the early days, click on “History and culture” in the navigation panel at left.)

Pukeiti has the largest collection of rhododendrons in New Zealand, its sub-tropical vireyas known as the world’s finest. It also boasts major displays of cardiocrinum, hostas, hydrangeas, magnolias, primulas, liliums, bulbs, and alpine and herbaceous plants, all against a backdrop of luscious native bush and dramatic Mount Taranaki.

The Taranaki Regional Council assumed ownership of and responsibility for Pukeiti on 1 July 2010, as a result of an approach from the Trust. The move secures the future for Pukeiti and its unique collection of plants.

The Council also owns and operates Tupare, and Hollard Gardens, Kaponga, on behalf of the people of the region.”

The walkways were easy at the beginning of our walk.

Had it not rained, we’d certainly have stayed longer walking further along the many kilometers of trails. But soon, as we began trekking through mud and slippery rocks, we knew it was time to get back on the road.

We continue to be in awe of the maintenance and care in this lovely country. There appear to be few, if any, rundown properties, bad roads, or trash on the sides of the road. We’ve yet to encounter a “bad” or unsafe-feeling area in the Taranaki Region. At public venues, such as Pukeiti Gardens, clean restrooms are readily available. No fees are required to enter the gardens and rainforest.

The rainforest is beautiful. Well coated with repellent I never received a bite. Tom, without the use of any repellent, was never bitten. Surprisingly, we didn’t sense any biting flies, mosquitos, or sandflies in the rainforest.

We only encountered two other parties and one gardener in the gardens on the less-than-ideal day but never felt ill at ease in the secluded rainforest. Back home in the later afternoon we were pleased for the experiences and look forward to more similar outings.

Today is by far, the rainiest day since our arrival, much-needed rain to provide a greener pasture for the grazing alpacas and other grazing animals throughout the country. 

Unable to find the name of this structure online (metered wifi), we assume it may be a Maori (indigenous people to NZ) tribute. Please correct us if we are wrong.

As I listened to the pelting rain pounding on the metal roof during the night, I thought about the alpacas. This morning, as I stepped outdoors to see how they’re doing in the heavy rain, they were all busy munching on the grass picking up their heads to look at me, with the adorable funny little smirk on their faces, none the worse for the wear.

Feeling relieved, I wiped my bare feet and returned back indoors for what will surely be a quiet day at home.  We don’t mind a bit. Each day is a treasure.

We hope today will be a treasured day for YOU!

Photo from one year ago today, February 17, 2015:

The Nene Bird is the Hawaiian Island state bird, evolved from the Canadian Goose with which we’re very familiar after living in Minnesota. These geese are commonly seen in Kauai, where we lived for four months a year ago. Please click here for more details.

Visit to little villages…A great day out and about…Photos…

Wildflowers growing in the little village of Colognora, the smaller of two villages with the same name. At night beyond the mountains, we can see a scattering of lights in the distance. That is the location of the other Colognora that we may visit someday. 
 
Today was a great day! I don’t know why Tom’s haircut days are such fun, but they consistently prove memorable. Tomorrow, we’ll share his haircut story and photos, a delightful experience.
As we mentioned, staying put in our cozy surroundings in Boveglio is easy. At our fingertips are all the distractions we love; good books to read, Internet access, favorite TV shows and movies downloaded on our laptops, amazing views, mouth-watering food, and of course, the companionship of one another. Why go anywhere? We’re relatively comfortable.
The proverbial laundry basket (we have the same style) in front of a house in the village of Colognora, filled with wet clothes. “Where shall we hang them today?” the owner of this house may ask. “Why not leave them on the road until we decide?”  We love the casual attitude of the Italians. Can you imagine placing your laundry basket filled with wet clothes on the road in front of your house? The neighbors would wonder about you!

Why go anywhere? We’re relatively comfortable in our now familiar surroundings. Alas, it’s the food thing. With few restaurants nearby plus my peculiar way of eating, dining out is more of a chore than a relaxing experience. 

Even with the use of my printed list in Italian of my “can have” and “can’t have,” it becomes stressful and challenging for the chefs in this country, in particular, to create a meal in which they feel proud of their skills and quality ingredients. And chefs in Italy indeed take pride in every plate of food that is placed in front of a guest. We get it.

Throw a juicy rare steak or a piece of grilled fish, a side of steamed veggies, and a big salad in front of me, and I’m thrilled. But for a chef, this offers little satisfaction. As a result, we cringe at the thought of dining out often. 

The language barrier makes it impossible to explain the omission of many foods they perceive as “safe” to eat for gluten intolerant individuals. For me, it’s much more that must be restricted.

We couldn’t decide what this tiny building was, with a park bench in front of it. Could it be a bus stop? It doesn’t look like a garage.

As a result of these issues, we’ve wrapped ourselves in the reality of being our chefs, preparing fun and delicious meals, no questions asked. With an abundance of the finest ingredients in the grocery stores in Italy (although many of my everyday ingredients are unavailable), we have been able to adapt most of our favorite meals to provide us with a delightful presentation and a mouth-watering experience.

More steep roads lead to attached and unattached houses.
After our sightseeing excursion today, we headed to our new favorite grocery store in Pescia’s larger (19,851 pop.) town, a 35-minute drive down the winding mountainous road with no less than 50 hairpin turns.
The trip seems less intimidating as we’ve become more at ease with the drive, coupled with Tom’s good driving. Today, we decided to visit several villages along the way. We’d rush to get our groceries back home on the way back.

This looks like “our town” of Boveglio. But it’s not! Are we noticing a similarity in each of these charming little villages, a bell tower?

 
After stopping in these little villages and exploring their nuances and charms, we headed for Pescia to find a barbershop before going to the grocery. Yesterday, we looked up the word for a barber shop in Italian (Barbiere) which I not only wrote in my smartphone’s notes app but locked in my memory banks of yet another Italian word learned (not that many so far).
A view of the mountain from Colognora as more clouds roll in. The day it started sunny and clear. The haze in many of our mountain fountains is due to the massive amount of vegetation in the hills, creating a constant confusion of humidity.
We’d looked online on several sites for any possible Barbiere in Pescia with no luck. Many were either out of business or hadn’t been updated in years. Not in the mood for a wild goose chase, we decided to visit a few strip malls we’d noticed on our past visits. 
As Tom slowly cruised the strip mall parking lot, I yelled out the door to two men sitting outside a shop, “Barbiere?”  They started waving their arms immediately, pointing to a little shop we’d easily missed. More on this story tomorrow, as mentioned above.
An hour later, we were once again on our way to the grocery store, Esselunga in Pescia, forgoing any more trips to Collodi for food at the tiny, grumpy grocery store next door to the tiny grumpy bank where Tom invariably ends up locked inside the theft-proof revolving tube. 
Once again, we drove around with no available parking spots until we located a place in the overflow lot. With my Euro $1, I paid to unlock a grocery cart heading inside the store. Leaving Tom in the car to join me in 45 minutes, he could continue to peek in the rearview mirror at his latest haircut, yet to determine if it suited his liking. 
Parking the car, we walked to explore Colognora. The roads were too narrow and the
 Houses too close not to intrude upon the homeowners, many of whom were either hanging laundry or working in their gardens.

Oddly, I had more fun on this grocery shopping trip than any other since leaving the US. With my usual free grocery shopping app Grocery Tracker on my phone with literally every meal planned for the next two weeks and now familiar with the store’s layout, I felt confident it would be a pleasant experience.

A closer look at the bell tower in Colognora is almost identical to our everyday view.

Indeed it was! At the deli, where we buy meats, cheeses, Prosciutto, and bacon, the deli guy spoke English. Oh, I was in heaven. He was the first English-speaking employee we’ve encountered since arriving here almost four weeks ago. I almost couldn’t stop ordering. 

Euros $33.11 later, Tom had since arrived to help (we waited to order all the meat purchases last), and we were on a roll. Our overflowing cart required an additional handheld basket. Looking at the vast amount of food as we began checking out, I was confident; we’d be near US $400 when all was said and done.

Hundreds of years later, Stone endures to provide excellent insulated housing for generations of homeowners.

As we were presented with a total, we handed over a credit card; I was stunned that Tom was too busy packing the groceries to notice. I saved the news for the ride back, the news being our grocery total for two weeks, every meal, was a paltry Euro $222, translating to US $289!

Many old houses show water damage and wear due to heavy precipitation and humidity in the Tuscan regions.

On the winding ride back, the stick shift jerking to and fro, I read that long receipt from top to bottom, looking for an error attributing to our good fortune. The total of US $289, resulting in a total of US $144.50 per week to eat like queens and kings, was beyond me.

The red paint slashed across the town’s name indicates leaving the village limits.
We’d purchased a half-a-cart full of the freshest organic vegetables, grass-fed meats, locally made exquisite cheeses, and free-range eggs, enough to feed us for 14 days and nights. Why is it so much less than what we paid in the US, never less than $200 per week, using coupons and scrambling to get the most current specials? Who knows?
As we drove through Bagni di Lucca with the car windows opened, we heard the rushing water inspiring us to find a place to park and get out.
After numerous trips up and down the stone steps, emptying one grocery bag after another, washing all the produce, freezing portioned servings into freezer bags, and placing it all in our newly cleaned and defrosted (by Tom a few days ago) refrigerator and freezer, we felt that comfortable sensation of “plenty” one feels when the cupboard is full. Plenty and grateful.
Many years ago, the creek running through the village created an enticing backdrop for the many homes along its banks.
This black rod was placed on the creek’s edge to keep visitors from entering.
After considerable time spent, it’s now time to prepare dinner; tonight, something easy and quick; bread-less “Jimmy John” type club sandwiches, fresh green beans on the side, and of course, our usual giant bowl of coleslaw which we cut up a short time ago. Large Romaine lettuce leaves serve as the bread while we wrap everything tightly in parchment paper to be rolled down as one eats. 
Ingredients: freshly sliced deli ham, fresh sliced turkey, cooked bacon, sliced tomatoes, sliced purple onion, sliced Provolone cheese, and a glob or real mayonnaise, all of which is wrapped tightly as one would wrap an egg roll or sushi roll. 
I should have adjusted the camera in the momentary brightness of the sun better to reflect the poppies on the edge of the creek. I am still learning.

We enjoy yet another episode of The Borgias and Dexter, downloaded from Graboid, and a dinner of our giant “sandwiches” with the windows wide open on another beautiful evening, minus swatting a few flies, bees, and mosquitoes. Who’s to complain? Not us!

Old, abandoned property that most likely burned many ago. In the US, burned-out structures would be required to be demolished. Not so much here in Italy. We’ve seen many of these.
We were looking back from Bagni di Lucca to Colognora as we continued on our journey to Pescia to load up on groceries and find a Barbieri (barbershop) for Tom. He hasn’t had a haircut since March in Belize.
I know. This looks almost identical to the above photo of Colognora, but it’s the bell tower at Villa Basicalla, another village we visited today.
Some areas of Villa Basicalla appeared to have newer homes with apparent new construction in process at this time. This road suddenly was filled with cars, giving us little opportunity to stop and take more photos.

Socializing in the world…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to those who celebrate!
Happy birthday, Richard!

The sunrise this morning, after several cloudy mornings.

Yesterday, while lounging at the pool as the blazing sun finally peeked out through the dark billowy clouds, it dawned on us that our social life at Laru Beya has been more than we could have imagined.
Not only have we enjoyed the company of various guests coming and going on their one to two-week vacations, but we’ve had the pleasure of making new friends we hope to see again in the future.  After another great evening together on Friday night, we’ve delighted in our remarkable good fortune in making such fine friends.

In the future, living in various vacation homes throughout the world, we’ll have less of an opportunity to make new friends.  In most cases, we’ll be living in single-family homes often in remote areas.

In the case of South Africa, we’ll be a mile from the next closest house, although many braais (South African barbecues) are planned frequently in Marloth and Kruger Parks, as well as safaris and night, walk with guests staying in other houses and lodges.

Are we intimidated by the potential isolation?  We discussed this yesterday by the pool, after having been spoiled by living here and on our past two cruises, a virtual plethora of endless social interactions.

After all, both Tom and I are social butterflies, flitting about, seeking the sweet nectar of friendship, always a vital element in our lives both as individuals and as a couple. As with many of you, we have friends over a span of decades, from our youth, our work, and our neighborhoods.

Many remain in our hearts as sorrowful losses, having left us and their loved ones, too soon for their time.  Others have moved away not staying in close touch, as often happens. Some experience life changes causing them to step back from close relationships, no matter how often we reach out. 

Hello, sunny morning at last!

And others, they become and remain a part of the foundation of our lives.  Time passing with nary a peep to suddenly appear filling the air with memories, love, and laughter.  Ah, friendship.  A gift.  A treasure.

Isolated we will be, in Tuscany, Italy, in Kenya, in South Africa, and on the island of Madeira, Portugal.  There will be no shared pool or communal dining rooms beckoning new friendships to blossom.  There will be no neighbors in close proximity, like us, visitors for a short time, borrowing their culture, their morays, and a glimpse into their lifestyle. 

As we recall our two months in Scottsdale, Arizona, from November 4, 2012, to January 1, 2013, in a lovely condo complex with snowbirds yet to arrive for their winter break, we made no new friends, although we had an opportunity on several occasions to visit with three of Tom’s sisters and two spouses, a mere 35 minutes drive. 

The weather in Scottsdale, too cool for the pool, we languished in walks, dining out, and busying ourselves in our continuing endless planning for the future. We had a fabulous time, as we will again, however remote we may be.

Staying on our veranda to avoid gawking or disturbing, we took this photo of a wedding through the trees taking place next door.

Knowing that many of our friends and family members are sharing this experience with us brings great comfort.  Many of them stay in touch via Facebook, email, and Skype. Recently, Tom received a Skype call with video while several of his retired Minnesota railroad friends met for their usual weekly breakfast. It was almost as if he were there, sitting in the big booth, sipping hot cups of coffee with laughter and idle chatter ringing through the air.  Ah, friendship.

The fortunate part of it all, my best friend will always be at my side wherever we may be nurturing, comforting, laughing, playing, and reveling in the wonders of today and that which is yet to come tomorrow. A gift. A treasure.

First aid in the world…

Soon it will be too late to order any further supplies for our journey.  Many items (always new, unopened and unused) come from all over the world often requiring four to six weeks delivery time.  

As of this coming upcoming Wednesday, we’ll leave Minnesota on Halloween, in exactly six weeks. We won’t be able to conveniently receive packages after we leave. (More on receiving mail next month).

As a result of these time constraints, my thoughts went into full gear, reviewing every item we are packing in addition to our completed wardrobes, to analyze if there are any items we may need.

A month ago while cleaning cupboards and drawers, I started gathering first aid items, creating a homemade “kit” placing everything in a sturdy plastic bag: Band-aids, sterile pads and gauze, antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide, liquid bandage, ace bandage, knee supporter, shoulder sling, temporary ice packs and a heating pad.  

Let’s face it, those of us folks over 60 may have aches and pains from time to time. Adding some Aleve, Tylenol, and Motrin to our kit made it feel complete.  

The first aid kit securely packed in an orange Antler bag, (we paid $111 each a few months ago. Note price increase), I felt confident that any additional items we may need most likely could be purchased at any nearby grocery store or pharmacy.  

Why bring all of these items when we could purchase them in any country? Simply for economic reasons. While living in the 17th century renovated farmhouse in Tuscany all next summer we’ll be renting a car from time to time.  
Daily, we’ll walk to the open market for items for dinner, a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine. Perhaps once a week, we’ll rent a car for a day or two to drive the five miles to a grocery store, take a drive to explore the area and dine at a recommended restaurant.  

Upon returning the rental car, we’ll travel on foot until the next week, perhaps going on a local daily four mile walking tour of historical homes and buildings.

Cooking dinner with the farm fresh ingredients, let’s say I cut my finger, not requiring stitches, a common occurrence in our kitchen. The first aid kit prevents the cost of a cab, the inflated price at the pharmacy for supplies and, peace of mind.  

The achy knee, the pinched shoulder, so familiar in our day-to-day lives, are easily treated at home with our own supplies and over-the-counter products.  

With one third of our time on cruises during the first five months, these items may come in handy.  Have you ever seen a final bill on a cruise after a trip to the medical clinic for a minor injury?  A cut finger, antibiotic cream and a bandage  from a visit with the nurse or doctor, may result in a $300 bill. That’s one expensive Band-aid!

Over the past month additional thoughts for preparedness of the kit kept popping into my mind eventually driving me back to Amazon.com.  

Here are the items we added to the kit. (Amazon prevents easy “copy and paste” features of their items.  Please excuse the formatting).

Recapit No Mix Cement, Maximum Strength, 1 g.
Imagine the benefit of having this product hand when hesitant to see a dentist in a remote area!

Dental Tarter Scraper and Remover Set, SS

by Osung


Price: $43.95
Sale: $31.95
You Save: $12.00 (27%)
Dental Tarter Scraper and Remover Set, SS
With the help of an online training program
we’ll learn how to perform basis teeth cleaning procedures until our next dental appointment.
 

 

Recapit No Mix Cement, Maximum Strength, 1 g.


Price: $4.65 ($2.91 / oz)
3M Steri Strip Skin Closures 1/4'' X 3'' - 10 Packages of 3
Imagine the benefit of having this product on hand
when cut is deep but not requiring stitches.


3M Steri Strip Skin Closures 1/4” X 3” – 10 Packages of 3 By STERI
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews) | Like
(23)


Price: $6.75

 

Certainly, most doctors or dentists would cringe at our planned self-treatment.  We understand the risks.  Our goal will always be to put safety first, never taking outrageous risks with our lives of limbs.

Part of the magic of our adventure is to go where we want to go, that is safe for travelers; when we want to go, within the confines of our rental agreements and transportation schedules; continue on as long as we mutually desire, and for as long as our health allows.

Freedom…with certain reasonable constraints.  Nonetheless…freedom. 

Personal exposé…

Revealing one’s inner self is intimidating. Some of us are an open book, some of us never reveal anything about ourselves, and most of us, like myself, only reveal their truest feelings, deepest thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams of those we know, trust and love.

As a lurker in Facebook, various blogs and web sites, and has been an obsessed Internet user since the early ’90s, (hence the name of my most recently lost beloved little dog, WorldWideWillie), I have preferred anonymity as opposed to notoriety.
Over the years my younger sister, Julie, a TV producer in Los Angeles, has asked me to appear in one of her many shows. In life, I am lively and animated. In front of a camera, I somehow turn into a stone statue with a curious forced smile that makes me (and others) cringe.  
Twenty years ago, she talked me into appearing on an episode of a gardening show she was producing. With sweaty palms, heart racing, and voice quivering I got through it. I was so inept as a performer that I was unable to watch myself on the video she sent a few weeks later, hiding it from Tom, throwing it away a few months later. With angst, I awaited its broadcasting, fearing friends and acquaintances would see it and call, pretending to enjoy my “performance.” Thank goodness, no one called.

Us lurkers tend to enjoy the quiet seclusion of our non-public lives, preferring to spend our social time with long time friends, neighbors, and family. Oh yes, at times, we can be quite the social butterflies, preferring to flutter among the familiar garden we have harvested over a lifetime.
So, here I am, writing for anyone in the world to see, about a very personal dream, its adjunct expenses (discussing money was always a “no-no” in my little world), my relationship with my more popular and outgoing husband, my fears (zip lines, vaccinations, bungees, bats, guano, being trapped on an airplane on the tarmac, stuck on a chairlift or tram and on and on). 
Also, I will be compelled to deal with the vulnerability of exposing the many mistakes we’ll make along the way, which invariably will fall upon me, as the “official world travel planner” in this pairing.
Reveal, I will. As hard as it will be to say here, that when we showed up at the supposedly lovely stone house we rented for a month in France, for which we paid in advance, is actually a freestanding 300 square foot vacuum repair shop in the industrial district, next to a chlorine processing plant. We’ll take the hit and we’ll take it here. Stay tuned.

Missing…

Last Saturday as I was getting ready to head out the door to a family member’s baby shower, Tom said, “Move slowly and look out the window to your right.”

As usual and to our delight, there was one of Mother Nature’s delectable morsels in our yard. I moved gingerly toward the window to my right. 

A wild turkey lumbered around the stone patio with eyes darting fervently for a possible intruder. As I moved to grab my phone’s camera, which proved to be too quickly, he spotted me and scurried away. A wave of sadness came over me, not over missing the shot, but after missing the frequent sightings of God’s precious creatures, abundant here in Minnesota, abundant here on the lake.
I will miss the coyotes, their grace, their piercing eyes, their hunger for the little dogs here at the point, along with the caution we’ve exercised all these years to avert their consumption of own little wonders. I will miss the eagle that swooped into our yard to settle high up on a favorite tree, the glaring stance, the perfectly poised talons, easily able to grab a fifteen-pound unsuspecting furry pet in seconds.
Early spring this year, the loons appeared. With their pointy beaks, banded throats, and musical calls they flirt with one another primping for the prospect of little chicks yet to come, who will somehow know that shyness is quite appropriate in this land of predators and humans. I will miss that sound.

We will miss the adventure of the one-day event of baby wood ducks being mercilessly tossed from the wood duck house by their parents, hoping they’ll survive the long fluttery jump to the ground, the short trek to the water.
They scurry about the yard frantically, unsure of which way to go, a few wanderers ending near the house, only to be coached along with us humans, careful not to touch and leave our scent. The cheep, cheep, cheep of the fluffy little puff balls will be hard to forget in the days to come.  

The heron, so playfully referred to as “Big Bird” by my husband, to our long lost WorldWideWillie who enthusiastically ran to the end of the dock to chase this leggy character, unfazed by its disgruntled roar as it flew away. With the utmost curiosity, he’d sniff its remains. I will miss “Big Bird.”  

Of course, I will continue to miss Willie. No longer will we be able to stand by his little grave marker in the yard. Willie inspired me to write my first blog, a blog that will end on April 9, 2012, the one year anniversary of the day he died. Each night after writing that blog, I’d read aloud the day’s writings to Tom holding back the tears. 

It’s sad and ironic that when losing a beloved pet, we not only cry for the loss of their companionship, we cry for the loss of their peculiar habits, their tricks, their ticks, their characteristics, and their rituals all of which bring us humor, familiarity, and comfort.  

And sometimes, when we cry for the loss of our pet, we cry for all the losses of our lives at the same time; the loss of people, the loss of relationships, the loss of meaningful work, the loss of success, the loss of hope, the loss of health and the loss of a dream, whatever that dream may be.

Yes, we will miss Mother Nature’s gifts here in Minnesota, but the nice thing about her is, she goes wherever we go, even if we only stop for only a moment to we breathe in the fresh air, to look and to listen. She will be there. 

Finally, the itinerary…

Admittedly, I have procrastinated about posting the itinerary. Procrastination is not my style. I am a “get-it-done” kind of person who contemplates a task in advance, sorts out the details, and then fires away. Why, the procrastination?

There are a few reasons. One, as indicated in today’s earlier post, I was definitely preoccupied with the pending immunization appointment, and two, I’ve been wrapped in the details of the rental house in France, which is now complete.  

We have yet to book a portion of the time in Europe and in Hawaii (primarily due to the hesitancy of property owners committing so far out). In addition, the last three cruises, although upcoming and available, have not yet posted for bookings.

Will we continue traveling after experiencing this itinerary?  

Yes, we will if the following prevail as planned: Are we healthy? Did we follow the budget? And of course, do we want to?

Location Days  
11/2/2012-11/4/2014
Minnesota drive to Scottsdale AZ
3
11/4/2012-1/2/2013
Scottsdale Condo Rental 
61  
(included in the above)
Scottsdale to Las Vegas-hotel
5  
12/30/2012-1/3/2013
Scottsdale to San Diego – stay with family

4
 
1/3/2013-1/18/2013
San Diego to Fort Lauderdale – Panama Canal Cruise
15  
1/18/2013-1/20/2013
Fort
Lauderdale to Boca Raton- stay with a friend
2  
1/21/2013-1/29/2013
Fort Lauderdale to Belize – Cruise
8  
1/29/2013-4/8/2013
Belize Rental-House on beach
70  
4/9/2013-4/13/2013
Belize to Miami Cruise
3  
4/13/2013-4/20/2013Miami
Visit friends in Boca, Bonita Springs
7  
4/20/2013-5/1/2013
Miami to Barcelona – Cruise
11  
5/1/2013
Barcelona to Majorca (RT) – ferry
0  
5/1/2013-6/3/2013
Majorca Oceanview
Condo Rental 
33  
6/3/2013
Majorca to Barcelona-Ferry 
0  
6/4/2013-6/16/2013
Barcelona to Venice- Mediterranean Cruise
12  
6/16/2013
Venice to Tuscany-Train
0  
6/16/2013-8/31/2013
Tuscany Rental-17th century villa
76  
8/31/2013
Tuscany to Rome-Train
0  
9/1/2013
Rome to Kenya-Flight
2  
9/1/2013-11/30/2013
Kenya Rental- Diani Beach house
90  
11/30/2013
Kenya to South Africa-Flight
1  
12/1/2013-3/26/2014
South Africa Rental-Kruger National Park – House
115  
3/26/2014
Kruger National Park to Durban, South Africa-driver
0  
3/26/2014-3/30/2014
Durban to Cape Town-Cruise
4  
3/30/2014-4/17/2014
Cape Town to Genoa- Cruise                             
18  
4/17/2014-4/18/2014
Drive to Genoa, Italy along
French Riveria, to Hotel in Cannes
1  
4/18/2014-5/17/2014
Cannes to 16th Century
Stone House, Cajarc, France
30  
5/17/2014-9/17/2014
Spain, Portugal, London (take the Chunnel under the ocean) rentals
123  
9/17/2014-10/1/2014
London to Fort Lauderdale-Cruise
14  
10/1/2014-10/5/2014
Fort Lauderdale to Boca-stay with friend
5  
10/5/2014-10/19/2014
Fort
Lauderdale to
San Diego Cruise
14  
10/19/2014-10/22/2014
San Diego to Baja CA
-Hotel
3  
10/22/2014
Baja CA
to Ensenada,
Mexico
0  
10/22/2014-11/2/2014
Ensenada Mexico to
Honolulu Cruise
11  
11/2/2014-3/31/2015
Hawaii – Home Rentals-Island Hopping (Christmas booked with family on Big Island during this period)
150  
Total
Days Booked to Date (more will follow)
880

Photos of rental properties will be coming soon. Thanks for stopping by!