We arrived at Chichicastenango after breakfast Sunday morning, en route from a night at Lake Atitlan. The volcanoes that surround Lake Atitlan look like a watercolor backdrop at sunset.


We will be here just a couple of hours and there is much to see. The sights, smells, sounds, and colors of the marketplace at Chichicastenango fill the senses. Here in this bustling marketplace, I catch a glimpse of the lives of the locals, so different from my own. This is the area in the market where the locals come to buy and sell their produce.


Artisans proudly display their wares and eagerly tell you about the artist or the weaver and the region where an item was produced. Each village has its own unique weaving style, so it is easy to identify where people are from by the patterns on their huipiles (traditional woven top worn by the women). I wish I could buy a trunk full of items to bring back home, but alas, space is limited. But this visual treat, now digitally preserved, will be enjoyed again and again.


These are Nativity scenes (creches) made of clay and hand painted. Guatemala is predominantly Roman Catholic.


Although a stranger looking in, I am touched by the universal bond of motherhood. Guatemalan mothers, babies snugly strapped in their rebozo slings, are no different than mothers around the globe. They love and protect their children and it is joyful to see. But I cannot be obvious in taking photos... Americans have been warned... NO PHOTOS... because some Guatemalans believe babies might be kidnapped for adoption by foreigners. It is now very difficult to adopt Guatemalan babies, unlike a few years back when adoption was a booming, unregulated business.


"He's not heavy; he's my brother..." for 5 Quetzales (63 cents), though, I am allowed to take this picture.


Dare I try the freshly made blue corn tortillas or the luscious fresh fruit ready to be eaten? In my younger days, I would not hesitate to eat food sold on the street. But now I am more careful, knowing I cannot do my job if I were to get sick... I simply don't bounce back the way I used to. But I can still take in the wonderful aromas of the typical fare while I snack on my Trio bar and banana.

There was no school on Wednesday, so at dawn, the air clean and fresh from the evening rain, our group took the shuttle to the starting point of our climb up the slopes of

Pacaya. After more than 100 years of being dormant, Pacaya had a violent eruption in 1965 and has been erupting continuously since then. In fact, Pacaya is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. In 2000, the activity was such that flights to Guatemala City were suspended for two days.

This is a photo I took of Volcan Pacaya on the way up the trail.


I have to admit being a little apprehensive about the climb... but dh assured me even "old" people make it up the mountain. He does have a way with words! My right ankle has been troubling me after pulling a tendon a few months back, and despite therapy, it still gets sore easily. The perfect solution for me involved spending $25 for a guided horseback ride up and down the slope (more than 7 kilometers), led by Miguel, a young man of about 16. Even some of the more fit and younger members of the group opted for the horseback ride. Dh, an avid hiker, led the others up the steep slope.

I rode Canario up the steep 7 kilometer slope.


What can I say... by hook or by crook, I was going to see the red-hot lava flow close up. On my horse, Canario, the ascent was fast-paced but I was able to chat with my guide... my fluent Spanish coming in very handy. Miguel said he no longer attends school because he has to help support his widowed mother and 3 younger siblings. Despite the obvious challenges in his life, this young man demonstrated a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and great interpersonal skills. Imagine what he could do with his life if he had access to a good education!

Miguel knew a great deal about the local flora because he told me all about the numerous plants we passed on the way to the volcano. For example, one plant, called "Hoja de Queso" is used to press cheese between two large leaves. It has antibacterial properties and can also be used as emergency TP or to wipe a sweaty brow. Miguel earned a nice big tip for his extra-special guided tour.

"Hoja de Queso" is a versatile plant.


At the summit, from my vantage point I could see the roiling red-hot lava spilling from the caldera... a wizards brew, complete with an occasional pungent whiff of sulfur. A tremendous heat radiated from the flow, and I was happy to observe from a distance. Thankfully, the thick soles of my hiking boots protected me from the sharp lava we stood on. To my surprise, I learned the lava we are standing on is only 5 months old. I am grateful I decided to pack my hiking boots and gloves to protect my hands as I negotiated through the craggy lava flow. As I steadied myself on the sharp, black lava, my walking pole was looking pretty beat up. I took photos with my Flip video and later will convert some footage to still shots. It was fascinating!

One of our students can be seen crossing to the lava flow on horseback.


I took this photo of the lava flow with a 3X zoom.


The ride down was harder than the ride up. Because of the steep grade I had to lean back very far and press tightly into the stirrups. Canario, only seven years old, was a veteran of the trails... not even phased by the poisonous snake he stopped for on the trail.

The poisonous snake on the trail down was more startled by the horse than vice versa.


I had a view of another volcano called Agua on the way down the trail.


By 1:30 we were back at the posada, in time to make lunch and then get to work planning the seminars for the coming week. Later, I paid $12 for a soothing 45-minute reflexology massage... what a treat for my tired feet!

One of the "must see" places in the beautiful Antigua, Guatemala is the five-star hotel, Casa Santo Domingo. It is actually one of the grandest monasteries from the 16th century colonial period of the Americas and it has been converted to a luxury hotel, complete with all the amenities and conveniences of the 21st century. The gardens are exquisite with a vast array of tropical foliage and perched macaws, and the artwork on display in the lobby and the many passageways makes for a museum-like experience. In addition, there is an actual museum beyond the ruins of the original structure and also a unique open-air church.

The lobby of Casa Santo Domingo.


The church is beyond the ruins seen in this picture.


The macaws are colorful and charming. It's almost as if they know you are watching because they perform silly "tricks" like hanging upside down.


You can see the macaws in the gardens.


Our group enjoyed the "all you can eat" Sunday brunch, reasonable at ~$20 per person, considering the vast array of food and drink available. The food truly defies description... one can choose from typical "American-style" breakfast fare such as waffles, pancakes, sausage and eggs to personally prepared omelets and crepes. Then there is the typical Guatemalan food such as tamales, beans, cheeses, enchiladas, exquisite tropical fruit and much more. The students were in heaven, sampling the many dishes. I chose the typical food, including some Salvadoran pupusas (stuffed tortillas) that are my favorite.


The experience was all the more special because my cousin, ML and her husband, were here from El Salvador for the weekend. And, no, they did not stay at Casa Santo Domingo. They stayed at the posada with us, where a small but clean and comfortable room is ~$40 a night compared to ~$250 or more at Casa Santo Domingo. In our travels, we rarely, if ever, stay at such expensive digs, but we know can still get the flavor of a place by dining, having a drink, or just visiting the public areas and gardens of interesting and unique places like Casa Santo Domingo.

Well, here we are in beautiful Antigua, Guatemala. This colonial-era city is surrounded by lush fincas (plantations) where IMHO they grow some of the best coffee in the world. The coffee is exported to countries such as the US, Europe, and Japan... you may have even tasted Guatemalan coffee at Starbuck's. This afternoon our group took a tour of La Azotea, a coffee finca and museum.





Coffee trivia: After oil, coffee is the second-largest traded commodity in the world. Around the globe, coffee lovers like me drink more than 2 billion cups each day! Mmmm... delicious, just give me a strong cup and my day is off to a good start!

On our tour we learned how coffee is grown, harvested, toasted, and prepared for export. The tour was interesting and educational and, I learned much about the coffee industry in Guatemala. Sadly, coffee workers are paid the equivalent of ~$5 a day or ~$100 a month even though imported Guatemalan coffee can be very expensive.



Why? One factor is the middleman's cut and the growers' profit margin. Another factor, and this is solely my opinion, poor hungry people will work for less than the minimum monthly wage of ~$195, hardly enough to subsist on as it is. But it is better than nothing, I suppose, even though it's very hard manual labor to hand pick 100 pounds of coffee a day.

The day after tomorrow, Friday, we leave with our 18 students who will be student teaching in Antigua. I am going as a volunteer instructor. And there is still much to be done:

~ TC will be living with a friend who has taken care of her before, so I have to pack her things: big tub of kibble, her Fancy Feast, new litter pan and scoop, litter, and her favorite toys... it brings back memories of the days when I used to cart around my babies and all their gear.

~ Put mail and newspaper on hold (can be done online), deep water all my house and patio plants, go to bank, return books to library, pay or schedule any bills that will be due while we're gone.

~ Take the new printer we are donating (to a Guatemalan school) to the kind student who agreed to haul it as his second "suitcase" since he's traveling light.

~ Figure out the best way to pack supplies we bought for our students and still stay within weight limits: printer ink, white board markers, tape, children's books, paper, Purell hand sanitizer, first aid kit, and OTC meds for common ailments (e.g., Pepto Bismol, Imodium, Tylenol, NyQuil, etc.).

~ Buy and pack the food and snacks we are taking: Trio bars, raw almonds, dried blueberries for cereal, and canned chicken.

~ Clean out the refrigerator... eat leftovers or give away any good stuff that won't last three weeks.

~ Oh yeah, finish packing my clothes and personal belongings!

Some students changed their flight plans to avoid stopovers in Mexico but most are still proceeding with the original itinerary to fly through Mexico City. The original flight was cheaper ($415 vs $595), but some felt it was worth paying extra to not have that additional worry. Dh and I are in that group.

Since dh and I canceled our original flight with Mexicana, we will have to pay a $100 change fee to use the ticket within a year. The university will reimburse us for our flight to Guatemala, but we are out the cost of the first ticket plus the change fee. So now we are motivated to use it to fly somewhere we've never been before the "use it or lose it" deadline. Well, I've much to do, so I'd best get to it... but I'll stay in touch, time and technology permitting.

I really enjoy my part-time job and just completed one year of teaching in a .20 position (the equivalent of one day a week). I evaluated all assignments, had conferences with all my students, and was able to post my grades yesterday. It feels great to have completed all the requirements and to see the success of my students.

My PT job pays a modest sum, but nonetheless the money is greatly appreciated and it's been going into my travel fund. Most importantly, for me the work has been a good transition from full-time work. So now I'm off until the fall semester begins in August, except for the volunteer work I will be doing in Guatemala, and this is coming up very soon.

I've been told I'll be rehired for the 2009-10 academic year, but I will only be able to work until December 2009, when the fall semester ends. Dh is retiring in July and he'll work the fall semester, too (as a retired annuitant). Then in early 2010, we are off to have some adventures. This includes spending about a month in Peru to study the ancient cultures of the various regions, something we've been planning for a while.

Well, thanks to Joe Biden's comment about not flying due to the swine flu (uh, I mean the Type A, H1N1 flu), some of our students are getting concerned about our upcoming trip to Guatemala. The university already recommended the group change flight plans so that we do not have connections in Mexico... I was OK with that, even though it was not without cost. But now, there seems to be an increasing panic situation, fueled and exacerbated by the media.

Biden's

comments were in direct contradiction with "official advice from numerous U.S. government agencies and worldwide health organizations, who are NOT suggesting that people avoid all air and land-based travel." Biden is now back-peddling and trying to smooth things over. Yet, I am seeing some signs that people are reacting out of fear.

Today, at my local supermarket almost all pork and pork-products were on sale. Ditto with anything "Mexican," whether it came from Mexico or not. Don't people read that you CANNOT get the flu by eating pork? Well, I bought some nice sausage which I will cook for breakfast, along with some luscious, Mexican-grown mangos at 2/$1. I also bought some grated Mexican cheese from Kraft that was on sale for $2.50. And forget trying to find any Purell hand sanitizer. Yesterday I went to SIX stores around here, and all are completely out.

My dh and have, for years, carried around a small container of hand sanitizer. We know using it regularly helps prevent colds, and we've done this since way before it became the thing to do. And, even though we've endured friendly teasing and comments by people who think we are over-reacting, we rarely get colds. I also always use my own pen at the bank or to sign credit slips. This is a tip I got from my daughter, an RN, who says "public" pens are a breeding ground for microbes.

I am not downplaying the seriousness of the flu outbreak, but it's important that people follow common-sense practices and not panic. So, the trip to Guatemala is still on but we are continuously reassuring our students. We even bought facemasks to use on the plane, the shuttles, and anywhere crowded, if necessary. I ordered them from a dental supply company and paid $7.49 for 50. They came today and are excellent quality. Hopefully, we will never have to use them.

We got back to CA last weekend from our trip to San Antonio and I hit the ground running, visiting all my student teachers this week... it's been an unusually busy week. Good thing I was rested and rejuvenated after spring break. We loved San Antonio and we definitely want to go back soon. Here are some highlights:

~ Riverwalk Cruise (a bargain @ $7.95; $5 for seniors)
~

Buckhorn Saloon Museum
~ SAS factory tour (San Antonio Shoemakers)
~ Natural Bridge Cavern
~ Wild Animal Park @ Natural Bridge
~ Dinner at the County Line (best ribs I've ever eaten!)
~ Brunch at Mi Tierra (Mercadito)
~ The Alamo
~ Chili relleno stuffed with picadillo (meat) at Rita's on the River
~ The view from the Tower of the Americas
~ Day trip to Johnson City, home of LBJ and Ladybird
~ Wine-tasting in the hill country
~ Catching up with old friends at the Copa Wine Bar
~ Witte Museum
~ San Fernando Cathedral

OK, you can see some of my best memories have to do with food. But, we walked so much that I felt I could indulge without guilt. I did buy a great pair of walking shoes at the SAS factory ($30 off due to an indiscernible imperfection) and I wore them daily after I bought them. My feet were very happy! We stayed slightly under budget, except that I had to replace my digital camera because I lost my old one (and some great pictures). But the replacement camera was only $109, so not really a budget buster. All in all, the trip exceeded my expectations.

This is the view from the patio of our apartment:


Flooding along the Riverwalk is controlled by a series of flood gates (right side):


The cathedral was as beautiful as any I've seen in Europe, with intricate stained glass:


And in case you want the best seat in the cathedral:

The trip to San Antonio is going well except that I lost my camera. It was a careless thing on my part... I put it down to pay at the food court of the Rivercenter mall, then walked away and only remembered it later. By then, it was long gone. We checked with Security and the Lost and Found to no avail. It's disappointing that it was not turned in and that I lost an entire day of photos, including those taken at dinner with some good friends.

On the positive side, I did buy a replacement camera (Nikon S210) on sale at Office Max for $109 and soon resumed taking photos. The camera also came with a "free" digital key chain that is a $20 value. It's not something I need but, hey, it was free. I like to carry a small, pocket-sized camera and the Nikon fit the bill. I still prefer the one I lost which was a Canon PowerShot 1100.

Yesterday we drove to Natural Bridge... the cave tour was very interesting and I think worth the money.


Then we went to the wild animal ranch next door... maybe worth it if you have kids.


I did enjoy feeding the animals with the bag of alfalfa pellets they give you. The beasts will come right up to the car but guests are cautioned to throw the pellets on the ground.

To celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and because it's spring break at dh's university, we arrived in beautiful San Antonio, Texas, on Friday afternoon. We will be here for a full week. It was not a "spur of the moment" trip... we planned it months ago. Why San Antonio? Well, why not! It is replete with history and many interesting things to see and do. We also wanted to explore San Antonio as a possible place for a pair of old snowbirds to fly to every once in a while.

Best of all, it should be a fairly inexpensive trip. Staying in a lovely one-bedroom apartment of an old historic building on the Riverwalk was "free" because of our timeshare. Well, we did have to pay ~$400 for annual dues, but this is essentially the cost of one night. The airfare cost us the price of airport taxes, ~ $20... do I ever love using those miles to save money!

Our apartment has free wireless Internet, so I'll be posting some pictures when I can. Here is one of the famous Riverwalk, a beautiful place that is just alive with action.


A large fountain and lush foliage provides a safe haven for this little family.


Remember the

Alamo? We enjoyed our visit to this monument that is just two blocks from our apartment... and the entrance is free.


A sign we'd never see in CA... at the entrance to the bar of the Menger Hotel, famous as the place Teddy Roosevelt recruited the "Rough Riders." We didn't go in... I'm allergic to smoke.

Yesterday the

Wrap-N-Mats I bought came in the mail. While we're in Guatemala later this year, we'll have to pack a sandwich for lunch to work every day so my motivation to buy them was related to this foreseen need. I like these little contraptions because they're a reusable wrap and also create a "place mat" for eating. They're made of food-safe materials (free of lead, BPA, and Phthalate), have a liner that is easily cleaned, and it stays secure with a small Velcro strap. These will come in handy whenever we travel and pack a picnic lunch. Best of all, we can reduce of use of plastic lunch bags that take over 1,000 years to decompose in landfills!

Well, it's finalized... when the semester ends in May, dh will take 16 graduate students to teach in Guatemala for about a month. He has done this for the last five years, and now that I'm retired, I'll be going as a volunteer instructor. This will be a special trip because it's dh's last one in this capacity. He will retire in June and pass the baton to another faculty member. I'll help supervise student teachers in exchange for the experience working and living in a foreign country, even though it's just for a short while. Although I won't be paid a salary, my airfare and housing will be covered through the project.

Our university students will have the opportunity of teaching in diverse bilingual schools and Guatemalan students will benefit from lessons taught by native speakers of English. The program continues to be very popular with our university students, despite the economic chaos that's deeply hurt higher education. Students must pay their tuition, airfare, housing, transportation, and meals. So, dh strives to make the trip as affordable as possible by negotiating group rates with the posada (hotel) and the transport company we contract with.

For example, housing will be $20 per night per person for a double occupancy room with a bath. The posada is clean, secure, but very Spartan. The rooms do not have phones or TV, but happily, we will have wireless Internet. The transportation fee of $250 per person includes airport transfers to and from Guatemala City to Antigua, two weekend sightseeing trips (to Lake Atitlan and Copan), and daily transportation to and from the schools. And, for less then $2, one can take a

tuk-tuk to anywhere in Antigua.

Most of us will prepare at least some meals in one of the posada's two kitchens so this will save money. A great variety of fresh produce is available at the outdoor market and there is a supermarket for other items. However, if I don't feel like cooking after a long workday, dh knows several good, inexpensive restaurants that serve typical dishes for under $5. So that might be the plan for some of our dinners.

While I hope this will be a memorable and exciting experience, dh has been reminding me it is NOT a vacation. We will be working daily from 8:00 to 4:00 and then hold some evening meetings with our university students. Yet, I look forward to the adventure although I may need a vacation when it is over!

This is a street scene in Antigua, the former capital of Guatemala. In 1979 Antigua was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

My nephew and his wife are the proud new parents of a sweet baby boy who was born in early January. I've received many photos and I can see that my new grandnephew is a beautiful combination of his parents, but I am most definitely biased. Tomorrow I am off to NYC to celebrate the baby's

red egg and ginger party, a custom in his mother's culture. I can't wait to meet my grandnephew and to see my NY family once again.

Dh is staying behind due to his work schedule, but he'll be driving me to the airport, and on the way we'll pick up my niece and her children (my grandniece and other grandnephew). We are all traveling on the same direct flight to NYC, and my DS and BIL will also travel with us. Despite the cold NY weather, we are all excited and looking forward to the trip.

And, because it's off-season, I got some excellent deals on my hotel and airfare. I learned it pays to call the hotel directly and negotiate a discount instead of just booking online. I saved ~$275, and found a nice, smaller "boutique" hotel that offers a complimentary hot breakfast daily and is only two blocks from my nephew's apartment. Another money-saver was to buy two one-way tickets on different airlines instead of a round-trip ticket on one. I chose Virgin America for the trip to NYC and I'm returning to CA on AA, so my total airfare was $279.20 instead of ~$375-$450 for the itinerary I wanted.

I've been a Mac user for over 20 years but I am now breaking into the world of the PC. I recently bought an Acer Aspire One netbook, primarily to access email and the Internet when I travel. With an 8.9-inch screen, it weighs just 2.2 pounds and is ultra portable... it fits right into my purse so I don't have to carry a computer bag. It's wireless, has a built-in webcam for Skyping, a 6-cell battery for about 5+ hours of use when not plugged in, a 160 MB hard drive, and 1MB RAM.

The netbook came with Windows XP Home and so far, it's got me on a learning curve. To me, it doesn't seem as user-friendly as the Mac, but it's getting easier every day. The right and left click is different from the Mac. The keyboard is very small so I have to focus or I end up making lots of typos. It's not a bad thing to be on a learning curve... gives my boomer brain some exercise.

For creating documents, I downloaded

OpenOffice, a free productivity program that includes a word-processor, database, spreadsheet, and presentation program. It lets me save files in various formats including MS Office, so they can be read on my Mac. So now when I travel, I'll take along the netbook and leave my bigger MacBook Pro at home. The cost was ~$379, including tax and free shipping.

The majestic power of the sea has always attracted and fascinated me. I could spend hours soaking in the beauty and marveling at the abundance of life that emanates from the sea. During our recent long weekend at Carmel (on the Monterey Peninsula), dh and I were fortunate to have perfect weather that hovered in the 70s. It was spring weather in the middle of winter. As always, the sea renews me, in spirit and in body... there is nothing like breathing fresh, clean sea air and meditating to the sound of the sea breaking on the rocks.

Some of the best memories of the weekend were taking our picnic lunch to the

Point Lobos State Reserve where we were entertained by the resident colony of sea otters, watched the frolicking sea lions, and observed the migration of the gray whales, gentle giants that allow the whale-watching boats to get very close. Dh and I decided we would come back soon for whale watching, a fairly reasonably priced experience at ~$35 per person. Monterey is only about an hour from our home so we could easily make it a day trip.

The powerful waves along the California coast can be treacherous. Although the gull in the photo seems unfazed, people have been swept off the rocks, so one must be on-guard at all times.


Here you can see two sea lions playing in the crystal blue water.


Sunsets like this one brought closure to perfect days.

To celebrate dh's birthday I've planned a four-day weekend at one of our favorite places, Carmel-by-the-Sea. The timing is good, just before the start of the spring semester. I am able to do this through a timeshare we've had for a few years. If we don't use the time, we would eventually lose it. So, Carmel, here we come... four days in a luxurious one-bedroom suite at the Highland's Inn, complete with an ocean view, a massive fireplace, a spa tub, and a kitchenette in our unit.

Our timeshare works like a "pre-paid" vacation in a sense. The annual dues are now up to ~ $1,000 a year, but through the exchange process, we can leverage our week to give us 2 or 3 weeks depending on the season, but at a different resort. Or, we can use the time for a week at the resort we purchased, including a split week. I checked online and the condo we are using is $635 a night. But here is the thing... we would NEVER pay this much for a hotel room because we like to economize when we travel. So when it's not connected to the timeshare, we usually stay in modest digs. But the timeshare makes staying in luxury condos more affordable.

Of course, there are pros and cons to timeshare ownership, and to be frank, I am not sure there is a HUGE money-saving advantage. First of all, you have to pay the initial purchase price and then annual maintenance fees. And if you want to exchange, you also pay a small fee. But it comes out about the same or slightly less than if we were staying at budget hotels. Timeshares are typically apartment-like in that they have kitchens and sleeping space for additional visitors. Cooking some our own meals saves money and is healthier than constantly eating out, and we often invite friends to join us part of the time.

One good thing about owning a timeshare is that it's motivated us to travel to different parts of the USA and the world. So from that standpoint, it has been great. When dh and I are both retired, we'll have more options for traveling during the "low" season and the timeshare should pay off even more.

In December we traveled to El Salvador to celebrate my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary. The best part of the trip was getting to know some family members I do not see very frequently, and of course, spending time with my "tios" (aunt, uncle). It had been two years since my last visit to El Salvador, the smallest yet most densely populated country in Central America. It is also the country of my birth.

I sometimes wonder how differently my life might have been had it not been for the devastating earthquake in 1951 that prompted my family to immigrate to the US where my sister and I grew up. Although we later became naturalized citizens, I continue to feel a bond to this unique and beautiful country, the source of many memories. As a child, we traveled to El Salvador every year or so. The visits became less frequent when I married, and then, the civil war began in 1980 making it more difficult to travel.

El Salvador is a country that continues to develop after the 12-year civil war that ended in 1992. In many ways, I see the influence of the USA. One of the most notable is the adoption of the American dollar as the national currency. It makes it easy for Americans to travel... no worry about currency exchange here.

The geography of El Salvador amazing: it is a land of beautiful volcanoes, lush rain forests, and compelling landscapes. You can travel from the mountains to the sea in a matter of hours.


One of my cousins has a house at the beach and it can be reached in less than an hour from their home in the city of San Salvador. The water is warm and the beach clean. A comfortable ocean-front home can be had for under $200,000, something unheard of in the USA. When I say ocean-front, I mean open the back gate and step onto the beach ocean-front.


We feasted on freshly caught oysters, shrimp, and fish. The house at the beach was one of my favorite places.


El Salvador's beaches are great for surfing, a popular sport. This is the view from the back deck of the house.


Tourism is a growing industry. El Salvador sometimes gets bad press regarding crime and danger to travelers, but we felt completely safe at all times. Of course, we were always escorted by a family member or a "motorista," familiar with the city and the traffic patterns. Rush hour in San Salvador can be just as ugly as it is in Silicon Valley or LA.

A favorite place we visited was La Palma, is a city known for its unique artistic style that features vivid colors and motifs from rural life. The buildings and even the light posts show off the unique art style.


That is my 80-year-old aunt in the green top... she is an amazing lady who has boundless energy. My dh is on the left. You can see wall paintings in the "La Palma" style on the right.


From my aunt's home, we can look down to the American Embassy, the largest in the Americas, situated in an area called Antiguo Cuscatlan. It is rumored that the building is built like a fortress, ready to house Americans in case of an emergency. There are many Americans living in El Salvador, and I think the number will increase because the American dollar goes much farther in El Salvador, making it attractive for retirees.

Some contrasts and comparisons with middle-class life in the USA:
-Many housing complexes, large and small, have 24 hour guards who monitor the premises and screen visitors;

-Homes are often built like "mini-fortresses" in that they have bars on the windows, heavy doors protecting the parking area through which you can usually access the front door. High concrete walls topped with concertina wire impede access through garden areas and back patios;

-Most homes that would be considered at least middle-class have an area called a "servicio" which is used by household help (e.g., nannies, maids);

-Homes are usually built without heaters... there is no need due to the mild climate;

-All banks and many businesses employ armed guards;

-Some food is more expensive or about the same as in the USA (canned goods, imported items) but some, such as fresh fruit, is far cheaper;

-Gas is currently ~ $2.25 a gallon, higher than it is where we live in CA;

-The cost of meals at many restaurants we visited (Caliche's, La Pampa, Hunan, Tony Roma's, Black Angus, etc.) is about the same as in the USA but beer and mixed drinks are much cheaper;

-American fast food is very popular (Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonald's, etc.), especially with the younger crowd;

-Go to a shopping mall such as Galerias or La Gran Via and you will think you are in the USA... no difference, right down to the Christmas carols in English, Santa, and large trees with all the trimmings;

-In El Salvador, Costco is called PriceSmart and is a considered a good place to get bargains... membership required, just like in the US;

-Internet access is becoming more commonplace... we even had high-speed wireless where we stayed;

-Household help is very affordable by US measures: you can hire a full-time, live-in maid, motorista (chauffer), nanny, or cook for minimum wage that is about $175 a month. (One sobering thought: how does one live on $175 a month, especially when food can be as expensive as it is in the USA?)

And finally, one of my favorite things about El Salvador is the

cuisine. If you ever get a chance to eat in a Salvadoran restaurant, be sure to try the pupusas which are small stuffed corn tortillas. I also love the red beans with cream (frijoles con crema), fried plantains (platanos fritos), and the variety of fresh cheeses available. Now, I've made myself hungry.

That's me at the Club Tecleno, on the day of the anniversary party.

Yesterday my package from

Travelsmith arrived. I like many of their products but they can be expensive, so I watch for specials, promotions, or shop their outlet. I tried on the clothes and was very happy with my purchases. With S & H and tax I paid $75.30 for:

~ pair of "Seam Slimmer" black pants to replace a favorite pair (too loose) - $19.98 (retail $79)
~ white Coolmax 3/4 sleeve tee shirt, great in the tropics - $16.98 (retail $42)
~ pair of compression knee-highs to help leg circulation during air travel - $12.95
~ Purse-size Wonder cloth, chemical-free and great for traveling - $9.50
~ Emergency cell-phone charger - Free (Retail $25)

Oh, and they sent me a coupon for 10% off on my next purchase. There's just one little problem... the coupon expires December 1, 2008 and I received the package on December 4. Useless, but they would probably honor it if I squawked. I just don't have anything else I need to buy right now.

So, I saved over $100 for items I will use during my upcoming trip and for future travel as well. Now, I better go find stuff to donate... gotta follow my ROT #1.

$9.50 seems expensive for a square of cloth that is only 2 X 2 inches but it is chemical-free and will last for years. This one replaces one I forgot in a hotel room last summer... it's great for travel and gently exfoliates.

Well, I'm back in CA and it is a beautiful, clear autumn day although it was raining yesterday when I arrived. But, I still have not had to turn on the heat!

Now that I am retired, I have time to begin my Christmas shopping earlier than usual. This year, we will be in El Salvador for Christmas, so I have additional family members to shop for and I have decided to begin with this challenging group. I say challenging because, although these are all my first cousins and their families, I really do not know some of them well. The exception is one cousin with whom I am very close and my aunt and uncle who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

After an hour of searching super-clearance racks at three major department stores at the mall, I spent $20.62, saving $143.68 from the original retail price. Here is what I bought:

- Ladies black short-sleeved blazer, linen-cotton blend... lined and machine washable (original price $49)
- Red blouse, short-sleeve, classic style... polyester micro-fiber that feels like silk (original price $38)
- 2 short-sleeve, classic v-neck tee-shirts, one black and one white in 100% pima cotton (original price $22 each)
- Henley-style short sleeve, woven top, 100% cotton in dusty rose (original price $24)

My perseverance paid off! I got 70% off of the clearance prices at one store and 40% off at another. All items were already drastically reduced, so it seems the retailers are really pushing to clear their summer inventory. The items I bought are good quality, from well-known manufacturers (e.g., Liz & Co., Joneswear, Alfred Dunner), and machine-washable. I like to buy timeless, classic styles in basic colors. The tee shirts are size 4-6, so they will be gifts for some petite family members and the black blazer was on my cousin's "wish list" so I know she will love it. And, since El Salvador is in the tropics, the summer-type fashions are perfect.

Now, I only have 18 more people to shop for, and I have to stay within the baggage limit (the suitcase with gifts must weigh less than 50#s total). I have budgeted $500 (not including DA and DU) and so far, I am well under budget. I will be looking for small, light-weight, good-quality, practical gifts. Any ideas for gifts that have to be packed and carted to another country?

In December, my dear aunt (mother's youngest sister) is celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary. My DA is the only surviving sibling on my mother's side. If my mother were alive, she would be 92... my DA is a mere 79. DA lives in El Salvador, and although I frequently talk to her by phone, I rarely get to see her. DH and I decided we could not pass up this wonderful event, but when I researched the tickets, the "cheapest" were $1,590 per person for the dates we have to travel. Ouch!! Although we have a travel budget for 2008-09, this trip was not included. So, my mission has been to figure out the best way to plan this trip frugally.

This is where my credit card mileage plan definitely pays off. When shopping with "miles," I always request coach tickets because they cost less. Unfortunately, coach tickets were not available and I was told December is the worst time of year to travel to Central America from our neck of the words. Nonetheless, I had enough miles to secure two business class tickets (same as first class since the plane has only two sections). The total transaction cost for both tickets: $154, including taxes and a booking fee, and of course the miles.

When I use miles to pay for tickets, I try to wait until it results in a substantial savings. For example, going to Idaho costs about $225 for a ticket or 20,000 miles, whereas airfare to El Salvador is at least $1,590 or 35,000 miles (coach). It's definitely a "no-brainer" to use the miles for the really big savings.

A caveat about using a credit card that gives rewards such as miles: use this strategy ONLY if you are able to pay off your balance monthly like I do. Otherwise, you are carrying debt and paying interest, two things that diminish the benefit of any type of "rewards."

We have returned from a great week in Arizona, via two nights in Las Vegas. Our home base was Sedona, where we stayed in a beautiful, one-bedroom suite with an amazing view, a fully stocked kitchen, and a large bathroom with a huge tiled shower and a Jacuzzi tub. My DS and BIL traveled with us, and they slept on the sofa sleeper in the living room. We shared expenses for gas and food. The four of us agreed to sit through a 90-minute timeshare presentation in exchange for $200 worth of gift certificates that we used at local restaurants. The timeshare presentation was low-key and of course, we declined to purchase.

DH and I already own two timeshares that we’ve had for years. Some people feel that timeshares are not a good investment, but for us, they work because I have learned to leverage them to our best advantage. However, it does take time to plan in advance. We bought our timeshares at a very low price and the maintenance fees are reasonable. Our suite in Sedona would rent for $499 a night if we had not paid with points. I have calculated that we pay under $100 per night, including reservation fees and annual maintenance fees. Not bad for being able to stay in such luxurious accommodations.

Here is the view from our suite in Sedona.


We took a day trip to the Grand Canyon because my DS and BIL had never been there. Typical of those who see it for the first time, they were awe-struck by the beautiful expanse of the canyon. As you look out onto the canyon, it does seem as if the sky and the canyon are actually painted on a backdrop. It is so exquisite.



It normally costs $25 to get into the Grand Canyon, but since DH is 62, we were able to buy a $10 lifetime senior pass to all the national parks. What a great deal!

We are back from a week in NYC and what a great week it was. For the first five nights we stayed at a very nice hotel that connected to Grand Central Terminal, so it was very convenient to get anywhere in Manhattan. For the last two nights, we stayed in a “boutique” hotel with tiny rooms in the Murray Hill area on the east side. Manhattan is alive with an energy that resonates day and night. Although NYC is very expensive, it is an exciting, fast-paced city that has much to offer.

NYC attracts tourists from around the world, and we heard many different languages everywhere we went. New Yorkers were very friendly and I noticed that people walk everywhere…something very healthy. It also seemed that a lot of people smoke…not so healthy… but it could have been that some of these were visitors, although some were obviously New Yorkers. Since we have family in Manhattan, we had reliable information on good places to eat and interesting things to do.

The subway and buses were convenient, inexpensive, and almost always crowded. On a few occasions, we used taxis and we thought these were inexpensive compared to those in our home city. We packed in a lot of activities in one week and these are some of my favorites:
~ The Metropolitan Museum of Art
~ The Guggenheim Museum
~ The Museum of Modern Art
~ The Museum of Natural History
~ A two-hour cruise on the Hudson and East Rivers
~ The Empire State Building (we paid $15 extra to go to 102nd floor)
~ The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
~ Central Park (Zoo, Lake, Boat House, free Philharmonic concert)
~ Grand Central Terminal
~ Rockefeller Plaza
~ Times Square at night
~ The hot pastrami sandwiches from Katz’s Deli on Houston
~ Cannoli from Veniero's in the East Village

Food and drink can be VERY expensive in NYC. For example, one glass of Cabernet and a beer cost us over $25 at the bar in our first hotel… we did that only once. However, we came in $80 under budget, not great but it still was under budget.

We saved money by buying:
~ a City Pass that paid for all the museums and the cruise, saving a bundle ($74 PP; thanks, scfr, for the tip)
~ Metro cards for the subway and buses
~ breakfast and lunch at small delis and groceries
~ our drinking water at Rite Aid or Whole Foods instead of the street vendors (59¢ vs. $3 per bottle)
~ salads from the Whole Foods salad bar for our picnic in Central Park
~ decent CA wine for $9 a bottle at a wine shop and enjoying in our hotel room
~ walking to places that were within 10-20 blocks

We also saved money by not shopping… DH and I just enjoyed the sites and being with our family. My DS, BIL, their children and grandchildren, my DD1, and several of our friends were with us, so we had even more fun.

Our $150 a day budget included:
~ City Passes/extra tour fees
~ Two lunches and three dinners at more “upscale” restaurants (expensive)
~ Breakfast, lunch, fruit, coffee, snacks at small places like the Metro Café
~ Meals at airport
~ Metro cards and taxis
~ Shuttles to and from the airport
~ Tips
~ One souvenir for me (a $25 scarf from the Met Museum)
~ Buying items forgotten @ hotel (e.g., sunscreen)

Our airfare was free with miles, the five days at first hotel were paid with points, and the two nights at second hotel were prepaid in March.

All in all, it was a great trip and I look forward to going back some day soon. Here is a view from the Empire State Building.


Central Park is lovely, safe, and well-cared for.


Here is one reason why mass transit is so popular. It can be very costly to park your car in NYC.

LN has been my pet-sitter for about 8 years and without her help, traveling would be more complicated. It’s important to me that my pets are able to remain in their familiar environment and do not have to suffer the stress of being placed in a kennel cage. The first time any of my pets have met LN, they've warmed right up to her, showing me she is a genuine "animal person." LN really seems to enjoy her job and has always been trustworthy and reliable.

Currently, LN charges $22 to come to our home once a day to take care of our two cats (now it’s just TC since MC passed away). She feeds, provides clean water, cleans the kitty commode, takes in the mail, waters the plants/patio, and plays with the cats. Her fee is just $4 more than the boarding facility (vet clinic). Actually, to board would cost $18 per cat, so we saved money when we had two cats. LN leaves detailed notes that I enjoy reading and sends regular email updates on the pets. I’ve referred LN to several other people and they agree she is the best.

DH and I are off to NYC in early July for a family wedding and are excited to be visiting for the first time. Our challenge will be to stick to a vacation budget for the entire week. The budget does not include air fare and hotels as these are already paid for. We are spending 5 nights in Hotel 1, and then changing to another hotel because Hotel 1 would cost more than $400 a night if we had to actually pay for it. (We paid w/points but only had enough for 5 nights.) Hotel 2 is a smaller boutique hotel that is “only” about $215 a night but includes a free breakfast and like Hotel 1, is in the heart of Manhattan. We know NYC is expensive, so I’ve tried to plan accordingly.

Expenses so far:
Air Fare - Paid with “miles” (saved $1000+)
Hotel 1 - Paid with “points” (saved $2100+)
Hotel 2 - Paid from vacation “reserve fund” (cost $439.58+)

Daily Spending Budget (average):
Meals for 2 - $80
Taxis, subway, entrance fees, etc. - $70

Budget for entire week: $1,500

My questions:
Any recommendations for “must see” sites in NYC?
Is our “daily spending budget” realistic?
Any frugal travel tips?

All feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

DH is in Central America with a group of graduate students and has been keeping me updated via email. This morning, I was able to have a nice long chat with him via Skype. Even though DH is thousands of miles away, it was great to see him “in person.” (It sure is fun to have web cams on our computers!) So far, the trip has been uneventful, except for one student who exceeded the baggage weight limit, so she had to pay an extra $50 (ouch!) for her suitcase. DH says his 15 students are now fully immersed in teaching elementary students in the hosting bilingual school.

The posada (inn) where they are staying is Spartan, but clean and affordable. Most of the rooms cost about $25 per night, have a small private bathroom, but no phone or TV. It does, however, have wireless internet available free to all guests. DH’s group has access to a communal kitchen where they will prepare and share some meals together.

About Skype: With Skype, you can make free calls over the internet to other people on Skype for as long as you like, to wherever you like. It is free to download.

I’ve been using Skype to call relatives in England, Switzerland, and Central America for more than two years. My laptop always goes with me, so I use Skype to call the US when I travel out of the country. This is a great way to make free international calls. If the computers of both Skye users have web cams, you can see each other while you are speaking. Otherwise, you will just hear each other… and it sounds as if you are on “speaker phone.”

If you want to learn more, here is the link:

www.skype.com/getconnected

Early tomorrow morning DH leaves for a three-week trip to Central America where he will be supervising 15 graduate students from his university as they complete their student teaching in a bilingual primary school. This international program allows students to immerse themselves in another culture to broaden their skills working with diverse populations. The group will stay in a “posada” with a communal kitchen and DH will be cooking many of his own meals. Since DH is diabetic, I went to Trader Joe’s today to buy him a few of his favorites things to take along: low-carb dark chocolate bars to satisfy his sweet tooth, unsalted dry roasted almonds, a bottle of Environné Fruit & Vegetable Wash, a small bottle of pesto to serve over low-carb pasta, and some Airborne. I spent just under $25 for items that cost about $19 just a few months ago. Food is definitely getting more and more expensive! Now, if only we can keep his two check-in bags under 50 pounds. This will be a challenge since he’s taking school supplies and a small HP printer to donate to the hosting school which has very meager resources.