Manster

Kathmandu
Nepal

A Nepali farmer was working on his rice paddy when he was bitten by a snake - an Indian Spectacled Cobra! In his anger, he chased the snake, caught it, and bit back, then bit some more until the snake died, perhaps of man-venom? Maybe also of fright from the snake-biting-manster.
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Russian Doll

Moscow

Russia

Before leaving, I received one tiny present - an elaborately painted wooden figurine of sorts. “Twist to open it.” I did. And found a smaller replica inside. “There’s more. Go ahead twist it.” And found a smaller one inside, and then another, and another until I got a little bigger than an apple seed. It’s a Russian doll called – Matryoshka traditionally made of the Linden tree, dried for at least two years. “Take it home.” She said. “Can I take their mom too?” I replied as I gently nudged her hip with my elbow, her hair brushing my face….
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Hitchhiker

Sergiyev Posad

Russia

Natasha travels across Europe by hitchhiking. She lives in Sergiyev Posad, a historic town 56 miles away from Moscow, home to The Holy Trinity Cathedral. “For a pretty girl like you, isn’t that dangerous.” I asked. “I’m more dangerous to them than they are to me.” She said confidently. “And why is that?” “I got the warrior spirit.” She winked. Natasha is skilled in Systema, the Martial Art of Ancient Russia. “Can you showww…..” Before finishing the sentence, I was knocked down. “Are you hurt?” she teased, then joined me on the floor….
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Skydive Practice

Mactan

Philippines

“Wind what? Ahh wind tunnel! We don’t have it. This is how we practiced.” (as in left photo). “Chicken?” He teased. And of course I said “No. Let me in.” As he removed the first bolt out of the plane’s door he said, “You’re on the team!" "What are you doing?" I asked perplexed. "It's our plane. We don't need this door tomorrow when we fly." "Your'e joking, right?"  I said. "No. Now pass me the screwdriver...."

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Knowing Home

Philippines

When you see a man in a rush to cross the street up to the centerline, then completes the crossing by walking leisurely, sometimes diagonally, to be almost within hitting distance of an oncoming vehicle, you know you’re in the Philippines. When a passenger sits in such a way that he’s inches away from within reach, or farthest from the jeepney driver hoping other passengers fill the gap so he can pass the fare, you know you’re in the Philippines. When you hear “Pssssst!” on the street and you look back, “Who called?” You know you’re in the Philippines!
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North Pole

The Village

Big Bear

There was a surprisingly long line at The Village at 9 o’clock in the evening. It snaked out of the shop to the sidewalk. Chocolate! People line up for chocolate candies and homemade ice cream despite the chilly weather. “Stop! STOP!!!” All the girls screamed in unison. “All right! ALL RIGHT!!! My goodness!” I blurted out as the car screeched to a halt!
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Big Bear

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear City

I was expecting little of Big Bear. Little did I know….

Marinas line the banks of the lake pocked by islets crisscrossed by speedboats, jet skis, pontoon boats and kayaks and SUP’s. The arduous twists and turns was a good 50-minute drive across mountains trafficked by skiers and snowboarders in winter. The towering lodgepoles and pinecones are mute witnesses to the blossoming and survival of this 19^th century four-season resort. Now it is wrapped in modernity, but the log cabins and rustic architecture bring you back in time when it was a mecca for gold prospectors. I felt like digging….
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Greatest

Olympic Village

London

Whoops I haven’t updated this blog for a few days since I was at Big Bear, and which I will be writing about next. Ok this is my last string of posts about Michael Phelps. I just can’t let this behemoth of a champion go easily. Now he has 22 Olympic medals, 18 of which are gold! Smashing Larisa’s record is great, doubling-up on three-peats for both 200m-im and 100m-butterfly is greater. “but is there a limit to greatness?” if I may ask. “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.“ sayeth the greatest, ever!
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Epic

XXX Olympiad

London

This is epic. The Gold-snatching 4x200m freestyle relay made Phelps the most be-medaled Olympian in history at 19, dethroning Larisa Latynina's 18 after 48 years! As if it wasn’t dizzying enough, he made a 3-peat (a record in itself) at the 200m Individual Medley (Athens, Beijing, London) for a staggering 20! Holy cow! No one can smash that record - ever! Well, at least, not in my lifetime. The unbelievable is achievable!- He made us believe that, this guy, Michael Phelps!

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