Dear Friends and Family,
We began our blog in 2014 to keep our friends and family informed of our health issues. Since then, it has become a journal of our travel adventures.
Happy travels!
Eastern Europe, in Conclusion
The Rick Steves tour along with our fellow tourists and tour guides created a memorable experience for us. Many thanks to everyone. Our photos are ready.
Here are photos of our trip: http://pisarro.org/Europe2019.
We have separated out our photos of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camps: http://pisarro.org/Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum: http://pisarro.org/SchindlerFactory.
Eastern Europe, Day 20 – Monday June 3, 2019
Paris to JFK to Westport, Connecticut
We had an 8:30 AM flight, so we arranged for a cab to take us to the airport at 5:45 AM. There was very little traffic at that hour. We had no problems at the airport or during the flight.
Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 20 – Monday June 3, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 19 – Sunday, June 2, 2019
Paris
We slept until 8:30 AM, something that never happens at home. Nick and I accompanied Jose-Maria to get croissants for breakfast. I love the friendliness and politeness of both the store clerks and the customers! After breakfast, we went to Rue Mouffetard, where locals do their food shopping. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 19 – Sunday, June 2, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 18 -Saturday, June 1, 2019
Paris
I awoke after a wonderful night’s sleep. Nick and Jose-Maria had gone out to pick up some things for a picnic lunch. When they returned, Nick was glowing. I have seen that glow in two locales. One was on his friend’s boat the first time we were invited to go sailing. The second is in Paris. Paris is Nick’s favorite city. He glows when we are there, and having friends to be there with is the icing on the cake. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 18 -Saturday, June 1, 2019
Eastern Europe Day 17 – Thursday, May 31, 2019
Bled, Slovenia to Ljubljana, Croatia to Paris
On all of our previous trips, our departure flights have been scheduled very early in the morning. However, this time our plane was taking off in the afternoon. When we said our farewells to our group last night, we learned that many were heading back home, but others were continuing on to different destinations in Europe. As for us, when we made our travel arrangements, Nick asked, “What do you think about stopping in Paris on our way home?” Of course, I said yes. Continue reading Eastern Europe Day 17 – Thursday, May 31, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 16 – Thursday, May 30, 2019
Bled, Slovenia
Again we were getting an early start to avoid crowds, but first, there was the breakfast buffet. This one had everything we had seen and/or tried before, with the addition of poached eggs, and champagne. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 16 – Thursday, May 30, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 15 – Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Rovinj, Croatia, to Ljubljana, Slovenia, to Bled, Slovenia
We were leaving our island paradise and heading for Slovenia, the final one of the seven countries on our trip. We breakfasted lightly. As I did yesterday, I enjoyed polenta with chocolate sauce, while Nick ate cake. We were both wide awake for the bus ride. This was one of the few times on the trip that our passports were stamped. And it was raining again. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 15 – Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 14 – Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Rovinj, Istria, Croatia
We awoke taking in the peaceful beauty of our room and of our view of the Adriatic from our window. This day was called “Vacation from Vacation.” We were free until 6 PM to do as we pleased. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 14 – Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 13 – Monday, May 27, 2019
Plitviče Lakes National Park, Croatia to Istria, Croatia
Plitviče Lakes National Park is a 100 square mile forest reserve in central Croatia. Yesterday we saw a waterfall near the entrance of the park. That was just the beginning. Plitviče is known for its sixteen terraced lakes joined by countless waterfalls that extend into a limestone canyon. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 13 – Monday, May 27, 2019 Eastern Europe, Day 12 – Sunday, May 26, 2019
Budapest, Hungary, to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
This would be a travel day. We took a last look at Budapest from the window of the bus. Again Katerina made the bus ride very pleasant as did Sam, our driver. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 12 – Sunday, May 26, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 11 – Saturday, May 25, 2019
Budapest, Hungary
After breakfast, our group was ready to go to the west side of the Danube for a tour of Buda, again led by Elemer. We began the tour in the in Castle Hill district, known for its crooked, cobblestone streets, fascinating architecture, and views of Pest.
Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 11 – Saturday, May 25, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 10 – Friday, May 24, 2019
Budapest, Hungary
First thing in the morning, Nick snapped the earpiece off his glasses. We always travel with extra pairs of eyeglasses, and this was the first time we ever needed them. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 10 – Friday, May 24, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 9 – Thursday, May 23, 2019
Eger, Hungary
After seven hours of sleep, we awoke refreshed. Katerina offered all of us a choice of spending the morning either going to town to explore on our own, or staying at the hotel. Most of our travel mates chose to explore the town, but we opted to remain at the hotel. At 11:45 AM both groups met Katerina at the Dobó Monument (István Dobó saved Eger from the Ottomans in 1541). Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 9 – Thursday, May 23, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 8 – Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Krakow, Poland to Levoča, Slovakia to Eger, Hungary
What an amazing day this would be: breakfast in Poland, lunch in Slovakia, and dinner in Hungary!
We had an early breakfast so that we could be in the bus by 8 AM. Because the road was filled with hills, twists and turns, I asked for a seat in the front. This was not a problem. There were enough seats in the bus for almost everyone who so chose to take two. Nick and I prefer to be together. As usual, Katerina provided activities to keep us involved, as well as quiet time. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 8 – Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 7-Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Krakow, Poland to Auschwitz
We had a free morning in Krakow. Before our trip began, we learned of a portrait done by Leonardo DaVinci called Lady with an Ermine. We decided to go to the National Museum to see it. 
Lady with an Ermine is fascinating for many reasons. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 7-Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 6 – Monday, May 20, 2019
Krakow, Poland
Katerina had advised us that breakfast would be more like brunch, and she was right. The array of food was even bigger than the one we enjoyed in Prague, with many hors d’oeuvres, veggies and pastries in addition to all types breakfast foods. It was fun having breakfast with different members of our group each day. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 6 – Monday, May 20, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 5 – Sunday, May 19, 2019
Prague, Czech Republic, to Krakow, Poland
Last night was Saturday night, and the young people were out in full force at the dance club outside our window. The techno music was so loud that our room seemed to be vibrating. We texted Katerina, who told us that she had called the police twice, and the front desk had called them three times. The police came after each call, but after they left, the music started again, with the door of the club open and the crowd spilling out into the street. What a night! Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 5 – Sunday, May 19, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 4 – Saturday, May 18, 2019
Prague, Czech Republic
We expected to get a great night’s sleep. Surprise! From the window of our hotel room, we could see a dance club that was so full of young people that they spilled out onto the sidewalk. As for the music, Techno Dance music, “loud” does not sufficiently describe it. This continued until about two AM. At breakfast, we learned that several of our travel companions had the same experience as we had, while others never heard anything. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 4 – Saturday, May 18, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 3 – Friday, May 17. 2018
Prague, Czech Republic
Our tour would begin at 3 PM. We began the day at the breakfast buffet that was served in the Italian restaurant across the street. There were literally dozens of choices including eggs prepared in a variety of ways, cereals of many kinds, a selection of yogurts, and Italian cold cuts and cheeses, as well as a variety of breads and cakes. We needed to find an ATM to get Czech money, and we figured we would find one while we explored the city. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 3 – Friday, May 17. 2018
Eastern Europe, Day 2 – Thursday, May 16, 2019
Prague, Czech Republic
There we were in Prague on Nick’s birthday! This trip will be quite a birthday celebration! Desk clerks often have wonderful restaurant suggestions. We asked ours for a restaurant that would have typical Czech food, and off we went. The restaurant, decorated with black and white photos of actors of the 1920s, was aptly called Nostalgie. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 2 – Thursday, May 16, 2019
Eastern Europe, Day 1 – Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Westport, Connecticut to JFK in Queens, New York, to Prague, Czech Republic
Our driver called and asked us if he could pick us up to take us to the airport an hour earlier than we had previously arranged. This was really fortunate, because the traffic getting to JFK was even worse than ever. After crawling along for more than two hours, we saw that a manhole cover was in the middle of the highway, blocking two lanes of traffic! Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 1 – Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Eastern Europe, 2019 – Introduction
Westport, Connecticut
Have you wondered about how we choose our trip destinations? We discuss many ideas about where we would like to go and what we would like to see and do, but in the end, we take turns deciding upon our destination. I got credit for last year’s trip to China, so this was Nick’s year to choose. Continue reading Eastern Europe, 2019 – Introduction
China, Day 22 – June 17, 2018
Liang, the driver who had picked us up at the airport two weeks ago, would be driving us to the airport today. Julian and Eric woke up early to help us with our luggage, and to say good-bye. Liang took us out for breakfast. He ordered twelve dumplings, fried bread, chicken soup, and more. Even though we knew that if we didn’t eat everything, he would think we didn’t like it and order more, we were too excited to eat too much. Continue reading China, Day 22 – June 17, 2018
China, Day 21 – June 16, 2018
On Saturday , we were going to the Forbidden City. a palace complex in central Beijing. Containing more than 900 buildings, it was the home of emperors and their households from 1420 to 1912. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having the largest collection of preserved wooden structures in the world. It was given its name because ordinary people were forbidden to enter it. Today there can be up to 80,000 entrants each day.
Continue reading China, Day 21 – June 16, 2018
China, Day 20 – June 15, 2018
Now my back was completely normal. 
As I mentioned, today was to be a special day at the preschool. This was the weekend of the Dragon Boat Festival, which commemorates a Chinese poet who lived more than 2,000 years ago. It is a cultural festival as well as a public holiday. It was also Fathers’ Day weekend. Today, the children’s fathers had been invited to visit the school. In some cases, mothers attended, and in other cases, both parents, but every child had a parent present. Continue reading China, Day 20 – June 15, 2018
China, Day 19 – June 14, 2018
On Thursday, my back was much improved. We returned to the Gu’an preschool. We had no meetings that day. We discovered that Friday would be a very important day, and the staff was focused on preparing for it. Continue reading China, Day 19 – June 14, 2018
China, Day 18 – June 13, 2018
Several years ago, while trying to lift a student, I felt a pain in my lower back. That was the beginning of a problem that has popped up occasionally, for years. I always travel with my medication and heat packs, and typically, I feel better within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. During the night I felt the familiar lower back twinge, so a I applied my heat pack and took my medication immediately, hoping for the best. Continue reading China, Day 18 – June 13, 2018
China, Day 17 – June 12, 2018
T
oday we were going to the other Pleasant Preschool, which is in Langfang, about an hour from Gu’an. It is situated in a city, among rows of restaurants and businesses. In the lobby, we were greeted by Candy, a teacher at the school and our contact person with whom we had been corresponding. This school had fewer students than the one in Gu’an, so of course the staff was smaller. Candy began to take us on a tour of the school. Continue reading China, Day 17 – June 12, 2018
China, Day 16 – June 11, 2018
We awoke at 4 AM, but because we had gone to bed at 8 PM, we had eight hours of sleep and felt refreshed. We spent the early hours sending messages to family and friends. Later at the school, our breakfast was rice in broth, two buns, and a tofu/seaweed combination. The snack was cookies and yogurt. Continue reading China, Day 16 – June 11, 2018
China, Day 15 – June 10, 2018
Today, Nick and I went to the Great Wall, which is, of course, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most popular Wonders of the World. We were picked up for the drive to Beijing by Liang. Once in Beijing, William, our guide at The Summer Palace and Tienanmen Square, met us, along with his wife. They drove us to the Great Wall.
Continue reading China, Day 15 – June 10, 2018
China, Day 14 – June 9, 2018
It was Saturday. We were going on a field trip to the Temple of Heaven, a stunning collection of halls and altars to which emperors went to pray, that is surrounded by a lovely park. We were very happy that Julian and Eric were joining us. Our driver was Liang, who brought along a friend and the friend’s son. Continue reading China, Day 14 – June 9, 2018
China, Day 13 – June 8, 2018
We learned that a new intern had arrived at our residence. Like Julian, Eric was a college student who was studying Chinese. Julian and Eric traveled to and from the school on the school bus that transported about twenty children. Continue reading China, Day 13 – June 8, 2018
China, Day 12 – June 7, 2018
In the morning, we prepared our next presentation. We would show videos Nick had taken of two specialists at our school. One video is called “Miss Val Runs a Gym Class,” and the other is “Miss Veronica and the Hedgehog.” Continue reading China, Day 12 – June 7, 2018
China, Day 11 – June 6, 2018
We were picked up for breakfast at 8:30 AM. Breakfast consisted of a packet of milk, pumpkin strips, dried fruit, and a bun. We finished everything!
Yesterday we had shown the books we make using a sheet of copier paper. Today we were going to teach the teachers how to make them. Nick wanted to practice in advance, and the process came back to us easily. Continue reading China, Day 11 – June 6, 2018