Summer Migrations

After a summer of globe-trotting, it was wonderful to return to Florida to visit with family and friends.

A Whale of A Whale

There are many legends associated with the sighting of a whale. One Costa Rican morning at Playa Flamingo we awoke to the sight of gatherings on the beach where clumps of early beach crowds had discerned a whale and her calf in the distance. Dark spots on the horizon captured our fascination as well.

But it was later in the day, on our return from a snorkeling expedition, that the boat crew on the Lazy Lizard detected some of those same kind of dark spots, but this time nearby. Cutting back the engines of the boat, we all waited quietly, seeking the presence of these awe-inspiring creatures. All the same, we were startled when the mother whale breeched within 30 yards or so of the boat. One of our fellow passengers had the presence of mind to catch the rapture of the moment.

And we all took that whale's appearance among us as a sign, an omen, a signifier that we were somehow, despite our differences, at one with her nature. The whale became part of us.

There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seems to speak of some hidden soul beneath. . .
Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

Pura Vida

Living life to its fullest, that is the loose translation of the common Costa Rican greeting pura vida.  And there is something about the fullness of nature and beauty that inspires a complete immersion into this way of being. We ziplined, hiked, body surfed, dawdled along the beach, went snorkeling, and became nearly expert at stand up paddle boarding.

Oh, and did I mention, had more than our fair share of mojitos as we watched the color-filled sunset each evening? Could there be anything more to pura vida?

Am I Blue?

I
You'd be, too--if you could be this beautiful. The Blue Morpho butterfly populates the mountain and rain forest regions of Costa Rica.  
Its wings reflect the boundlessness of the skies; its grace the elegance of nature.

The first stop on our Costa Rican journey was at the Blue River Resort near the volcano. Here we recovered from the intensity of our recent move: The vividness of the Azul River, and the nearby waterfall, signifying that this country is as full of natural wonders as its reputation asserts.


The river and all its surroundings display a wide range of biodiversity.We even made friends with a baby Toucan who had been rescued by the botanical garden staff.

Moving--and Shaking!

Words are limited; emotions are extreme. Many memories, and much work, make a beautiful and spacious house an abiding home. A few pictures can tell the real story.

Leaving our home after 20 years wasn't easy (or fun).

The memories will go with us wherever we may wander. 

Peachtree Runners: Unite!

Planning the expedition . . . 

 Documenting the moment . . . gathering with friends . . .

Celebrating the runners . . .

A July 4th with all of the usual suspects--and a few visitors from afar.

Doorway to the Future

The children in Asia remind us of all we have in common with people across the world. Almost everyone under the age of 30 spoke English quite fluently. They also welcomed our presence in their midst. These young people provide the doorway to our shared future. 

Fellow Travelers

Group travel requires good will, patience, esprit de corps, and self understanding. Our group displayed all of these qualities and more. It was a pleasure to learn from my "Emory School" colleagues and from those we met along the way.

City Lights and Sights

Hong Kong is where east meets west.  A thriving multicultural city, our senses were stimulated by the vastness of the buildings, the variety of the cuisine, and the vibe in the air. Its universities are transitioning to a four-year curriculum, and their facilities are modern and innovative. We couldn't have asked for a more engaging time for a final stop on a whirlwind visit to Asia.

Food for Thought

Our visit to Asia was full of thought, action, and multi-course meals. Every place we visited brought forward local favorites and tasteful presentations. It was also a tea lovers delight!

Just a Few Random Photos

Cross-cultural friendship

DMZ

Climbing the Great Wall

Rickshaw ride

S. Korean classmate

Distinguished Korean alumni

Emory/Nanjing Orchestra debut

Seoul Notes

The Korean Wrapping Cloth is a multiple-colored rectanglular shape used traditionally to wrap vessels and household items. The iconic cloth has now become embedded in artistic renderings of Korean culture. This particular one is a wall hanging, but others find their way onto scarves and tablecloths and jewelry. It captures well the aesthetic vibrancy of Korean culture.

After a day spent at the DMZ, we leave for Hong Kong early tomorrow morning, sure to be another fascinating piece in the puzzle of this alluring part of the world.

Seoul Sights

This city is full of a rich array of sights and sounds--from skyscrapers to elegant birds. We visited both Yonsei and Ewah Universities today along with the Korean War Memorial. All are inspiring. The Koreans are especially grateful and gracious to Americans. Their technology systems are on full display in the subways, libraries, and street corners.