Next week we’ll be hiking the Queen Charlotte Track a glorious ridge trail above sea-drowned valleys at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s a comfortable tramp, just 43 miles over four days. Maybe that explains why Rudyard Kipling’s “Boots” was my earworm the other day: We’re foot—slog—slog—slog—sloggin’ over Africa! Foot—foot—foot—foot—sloggin’ over Africa— (Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin’… Continue reading Boots over New Zealand
Month: December 2017
A Very Japanese Christmas
Christmas was coming to life when I visited Japan in early November. Colonel Sanders, an integral part of Japan’s Christmas traditions, was in his Santa garb. Ticket counters in some train stations were decorated with tinsel and little ornaments. Christmas trees were starting to sprout. Christmas tree being set up at Nagoya’s main train station.… Continue reading A Very Japanese Christmas
Monday Morning Coffees
From under the duvet, I hear the daily grind. Dwight is edging towards his workday. It’s time for my daily incantation: “OK Google, what time is it?” “OK Google, turn on National Public Radio” “OK Google, turn on bedroom lights” “OK Google, bring coffee” OK, I don’t ask Google to bring coffee. I stick my… Continue reading Monday Morning Coffees