2006 Revisited

It was a very intense year. I didn't planned that way it just happened, as it usually does.

That was the year my friend Norma had finally beaten the shit out of cancer, and to celebrate her recovery I invited her to cruise the Caribbean with me. It gave her a chance to regain some of the time lost to that terrible malady, and for me it was time to revisit some of the little islands I am so fond of.

Since I didn't want to leave her all by herself, and besides, this was supposed to be a celebration for the two of us (I also had beaten the shit out cancer just a couple of years earlier)... I carefully planned all the activities keeping in mind she was still sore, and some might not be suitable for her. Scuba diving was out of the question, at least as far as this trip was concerned! What to do?????

I did what I do best... RESEARCH! And for that matter, the Internet has become a tool no one should underestimate, I know I don't! I found all sort of adventures that were just the thing for her, and surprisingly appealing to me!

In Aruba we had the ride of our lives on this bullet that practically flies over the water, really exhilarating! Neither of us had ever been inside a submarine, and I found one right there! It takes you to the bottom of the sea where it gently strolls around a shipwreck. That one was super cool!

Blue Submarine!

Aruba's sunset

After one of the most amazing sunsets I have ever witnessed... dinner, dancing and drinks at Carlos & Charlie's was reserved for the evening, a perfect day!

In the picturesque Curacao and after a visit to the liquor factory by the same name, attend a cultural activity, and some shopping... I had a big surprise reserved for Norma... A swim with dolphins!

After dancing with the locals on a cultural show


I had been reading about the healing powers interacting with those creatures bestow upon people... Wasn't thinking of Norma alone now, I could also benefit a great deal from it! After all, healing of the soul is as important as the healing of the body.

Orchestrating tricks with the dolphins

One of the gentle mammals gotta crush on me, and kept following me around anywhere I would swim. It was precious, all of it was! And at some point overwhelming, cause Norma started crying.

St. Martin was for shopping and a relaxing excursion to Orient Beach, one of my favorites in the whole Carib! And in St. Thomas, I tried parasailing while Norma watch me from dunno how many hundred feet below! It was kinda scary though, but I did it anyway. The scare came from the fact that I was attached to a harness and the parachute attached to it... so, in the event the harness came loose, I would fall like a potato on the hard as steel ocean surface!

I've always been recognized for taking risks... but there were always calculated risks! I have parachuted before, and it never left me feeling much levity in my stomach! Not like this anyway. But in the end, all was fine and the mission stands accomplished!

In between all this adventures, I made sure we both received the necessary pampering. Thus I booked daily massages and beauty treatments for both. There was no other way we both could have survived that week, her specially!

By springtime, I moved to China and fell in love with the country and its people! It was the worst Summer of my life though... but, just because Summer in China is the worst heat imaginable possible! I've made lots of Chinese friends since, and they all agree there is nothing worst than China's Summer heat!

Jade engraver

Buddhist Monks

Muslim Xi'an

Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an

Typhoon over Hong Kong, Lyons Point.

Shanghai skyline

Me at the Great Wall


A couple of months after I was back to the States, I got restless again.




I knew the City Guides of San Francisco celebrate each September the anniversary of the 1906 earthquake. Why they do it in September and not in April, when it really took place... I dunno! All I know is that it was the perfect getaway! I spent a week in this beloved city going to all the places I knew so well, and was so fond of.

The only new addition to the experience was a balloon ride over Napa Valley! You should try it sometime! That is, if you can manage to either get up, or stay up until 5 am (pick up time) lol Either way, it's worth it!





If I was ever gonna live in the States again, that would be it! I dunno what is it about San Francisco and its people that makes me so whimsical. But, from the time I used to live there... all I have are good memories!

That was September, right? Well, in November I started to get restless... AGAIN! Lol
Only this time, I had to run farther away! I was confronted by the choice of just doing a short escapade, or moving somewhere... I chose the last! And that's when I moved to London. Which by the way, it feels like... no! It is home to me!

On a double decker bus

Bath

At the George's Inn

Greenwich

I remained in London until the Spring of 2007, when I moved back to New York. But, as far as London is concerned, that's a whole new entry! I will just give you a little advance by telling you that Christmas in London are pure magic!

And this has been a visit to one of Silvia's typical years! Yes, I know... No excuses. What can I say? I am a gypsy at heart!

It is now July 2008, and so far I have lived in Puerto Rico, moved back to Barcelona (where I currently am) and dunno yet what the rest of the year will bring! I just love it like that!