We arranged for a tour to the Teotihuacan pyramids the next day. Our guide was very professional and well-versed in the history of the area. Most people do not realize that the Aztecs were the latest civilization after the Olmecs and Toltecs to occupy Central Mexico, evolving by merger and conquer. Their strength was a central location and trade throughout Mesoamerica. It was also a military power. Its name comes from a Náhuatl word that roughly means “City of Gods”.
Leaving CdMX by van on the 30 mile trip we drove through the expanding and tightly packed barrios. Like many other cities, the lure of a better life attracts those from the more rural or small-town areas. These immigrants appropriate unoccupied land and build with whatever they can scrounge, improving their homes over time.
One of the exploding CdMX barrios; Using overhead trams for public transport. Buses cannot operate in the tight streets of these barrios. (Click on the pictures to enlarge.)
Along the way we visited one of the usual handicraft shops. This one featured an agave garden, where we were told about the many uses of agave, including the use of the fibers for clothing. We were also shown pieces of art made from cut stones by local craftsmen. And, inside we were gifted with a few shots of various tequila flavors – all for sale at reasonable prices, of course. To be fair, there was no hard sell.
At our stop we were told about the many uses of agave; A stonecutter at work; An example of his handicraft; A beautiful piece of sculpture.
From there we continued on to our destination: The Teotihuacán pyramids – of the Sun and of the Moon. They rise from the valley floor at a distance. The Pyramid of the Sun is the third-largest pyramid in the world, no less magnificent than those at Giza.
The Avenue of the Dead; Pyramid of the Sun; An interior courtyard of the palace with original coloring.
The city was established around 400 BC, and there are elements of Maya, Zapotec, and Mixtec cultures within the structures. At its peak as many as 125,000 to 200,000 people lived here, making it one of the largest cities on earth in ancient times. However, the city’s history remains a largely mystery. The main structures generally run along the Avenue of the Dead, the city’s north-south axis that directly points to Cerro Gordo, an extinct volcano . The city was destroyed by fire and abandoned during the 7th century AD.
Looking back at the Pyramid of the Moon.
The ancient city is a UNESCO Heritage Site. For further information you may click this link.
Mexico City today has a population of 21,804,515, making it the sixth largest city on earth. It sprawls like the giant it is. For centuries it was the capital of empire, beginning with the Toltecs and Aztecs. The city was founded when priests found the sign foretold: An eagle atop a cactus with a snake in its beak.
When the Spanish conquered Tenochtitlan in 1521, they destroyed most buildings but kept the basic layout of the Aztec city. The Cathedral was built over the demolished Templo Mayor, using its stone for construction, with the National Palace erected over Moctezuma’s New Palace . The Spanish intended to install their new regime as a full replacement for the indigenous past. The new Spanish city was built on the same island in the middle of a lake, intended to eliminate the Aztec past. While the lake was eventually filled in, the ground underneath was marshy and is to this day. Subsidence is a major problem with buildings. It’s easy to spot.
We did a second day on the Hop-on bus, this time taking the southern route. It was somewhat a fiasco as the bus got involved in a fender bender, and we were stranded until another bus came along for our evacuation. The good news was that we had a young guitarist along who shared his talents while we waited. By then it was time to close down the bus route…so we were dumped at a stop. Luckily, another bus driver offered to take us to the Reforma monument, which took us within walking distance of our hotel.
(Click on the photos to enlarge them.)
Happy times on Hop-on bus; Our entertainment while waiting for rescue; Taco stands everywhere.
Torre Latinamericano, tallest building in Mexico City; Scaffolding around the Cathedral; Street shoe shine; cute storefront downtown
We hooked onto a tour the next day. We arranged it last minute, and were still able to arrange a morning pickup at our hotel.
One thing we came to experience was the colorful flatboats of Xochimilco. The area was the garden spot of Aztec Meico City, with floating gardens that were connected to the city by a causeway and canals. We arrived early on a weekday morning – and the place was very quiet. Our guide arranged our boat as we tourists browsed the souvenir stalls as we waited. The boats are as colorful as imagined. The voyage was leisurely and culminated at a flower greenhouse full of poinsettias for Christmas. After our stop there we turned around to return, Traffic on the canal picked up, and there were now a number of small boats selling refreshments, and a few with mariachi bands to make music for a price…name your tune for 200 pesos. It’s a boat ride, tradition, and we had a fine time. (Beware: There are reports that if you go independently the boat pilots may aggressively try to charge outlandish prices after your ride. Additionally, the taxi drivers may also try to take similar advantage both going and returning.)
The colorful flat-bottomed boats along the canal; Our turnaround point was this greenhouse full of poinsettias for Christmas.
Our next stop was Coyoacan, the CdMX neighborhood where Cortes built his retirement palace, Frida Kehlo had her studio home, and Leon Trotsky lived and died in exile. We walked the area from Jardin del Centenario to Kehlo’s Casa Azul. At the Jardin we saw a community display from the Day of the Dead, The Casa Azul uses timed tickets, so be advised, you will likely be waiting your turn for entry. Trotsky’s house was turned into a fortress with watch towers and windows bricked out to prevent Stalin’s assassins from murdering his communist rival in exile. Trotsky was betrayed, his assassin posing as a leftist political student…finally whacking Trostsky with an ice axe to the brain.
The beautiful Day of the Dead diorama at the Jardin del Centenario; Casa Azul with the line of visitors; Trotsky’s fortress home.
Mexico is one of those places we’ve almost all visited and yet never actually seen. We’ve largely been on cruise ships to ports such as Cozumel, Cabo, Acapulco and the Mayan Riviera. Or, we’ve vacationed in Cancun. Either way, we’ve seen the coastal tourist areas and little else. Many of us are concerned about personal safety, which is understandable given the news, little of which is positive. For the latest one can visit the linked US State Department’s site. The State Department essentially has warnings up for the entire country, concerning general and violent crime, gang activity, and kidnapping. One exception is the Yucatan and Cancun. Exercise your best judgement.
Janet and I checked with various sources before we signed on for two tours of central Mexico. While several areas are listed to avoid, essentially we were advised that the routes we were to visit with the tour would be safe, but to exercise the cautions one might in American cities. Having spoken to Mexican nationals the advice given was always the same – mainly stay out of places that make you uncomfortable, away from places you don’t belong, and beware your alcohol consumption. They also stressed stay away from drugs and don’t flash cash or luxury goods – leave the Rolex and designer purses home. Be where there are other people, and don’t wander off with strangers. One last tip: Don’t just drive off with any taxi you hail. Only use licensed cabs, and preferably one called for you by your hotel or restaurant. If visiting your hometown regardless of location, you’d likely give the same advice.
We decided to run two tours back-to-back offered by two tour operators, Exxotica and Gate 1. The reason was that the tours did not significantly overlap and ran back-to-back, cutting the cost for the experience. We did “Land Only” options for both, preferring to arrange our own flights. (The Houston area is served by a few “budget” Mexican airlines, plus the usual American carriers.) Both companies started their tours in Mexico City. As we’d never been there before, and the prices for hotels was reasonable, we arranged to fly in a few days early. (NOTE: We receive no compensation whatever for our use or mention of ANY airline, tour company or travel agency. It’s our money being spent, like yours.)
Our Exxotica “Colonial Charms & Central Highlands” tour itinerary.
We chose to fly non-stop to CdMEX on Viva! Aerobus, flying out of Houston since 2010. After checking the various passenger reviews, it seemed a good bet. So, we arranged to fly to MEX, and return from Oaxaca via Mexico City and Monterrey.
After an early morning ride to Bush International in Houston, we got our first taste of Mexican chaos standing in line for check-in. Viva! had two windows open for three flights out, and the lines for each destination were not well marked. Checking in took over an hour. Those having paid extra for express check-in got nothing for their money. Once checked, it was then a scramble to the gate.
Check-in at Bush International was which lane chicane!
The flight on Viva! was fine. The plane was a recent vintage Airbus, clean and comfortable. I’m a big guy and did not feel shoehorned into my economy seat. Service was good, but nothing was free. There was a menu of food and snacks to choose from in the seat pocket. That is becoming regular fare even on some legacy airlines.
Arriving at Mexico City was easy enough, as was gathering our luggage. We only had one checked bag apiece, always trying to travel light. We caught a taxi to the Hotel PF near the Angel of Independence Victory Column in Zona Rosa. It was a nice place, good breakfast, and a near-perfect location for walking, catching a cab, or public transport at Insurgentes underground station. All sorts of shopping and a wide variety of restaurants were just out the door, with the staff cheerfully willing to provide help as needed.
Jan and I, waiting for her sister Judy to arrive, decided to take a walkabout. Strolling down Calle Londres we came to Calle Genova, a lively pedestrian zone five minutes away. There we found Tacos La Tienza…attracted by their inexpensive margaritas, lunch specials and outdoor seating for people watching. Along the way we passed several other places worth a visit, which we did other days. The most notable was La Casa de Toño, where lines formed throughout the day for its well-served and delicious foods at reasonable prices. Oddly, there are two La Casa de Toño restaurants literally across the street from one another on Calle Londres. Both equally busy, often with lines to get a table. The pozole there is excellent!
The lunch special at Tacos La Tienda. Two dollar margaritas were a draw. The food was also very good!
Judy eventually caught up to us, and after dinner we walked the length of Calle Genova between Insurgentes and Ave. Reforma. The streets were lively and the stroll enjoyable, with a stop for ice cream at McDonalds. At the Angel we stumbled into the city’s tourist kiosk and found our place to catch the Hop-on/Hop-off bus, just up from our hotel. Over our trips we have found these busses excellent and economical ways learn the lay of the land, not to mention transport to the major sights. When they run on-time it’s the best no fuss way to get around. When offered at a reasonable price we will get multi-day tickets, often just an extra few dollars.
Shopping under the Insurgentes Subway bridge.
One reason we went down early was to get adjusted to Mexico City’s 7,350 foot altitude – compared to Denver’s 5,280 feet. The good news is none of us suffered any ill-effects. No headaches, faintness or shortness of breath. That’s not to minimize the potential. Everyone is different. During our stay we did not suffer from the city’s fabled air pollution. Your experience may vary.
Our first full day in town took us first to the Zocalo, the giant central square that dates back to Aztec days. We grabbed the Hop-on bus and enjoyed the ride from the upper deck on a bright, sunny day. Along the way we passed the colorful Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Juarez Monument. The Zocalo is an enormous space accented by an equally enormous Mexican national flag flying at its center. Around its edges are government offices, the National Palace, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
(L) Aboard the Hop-on bus. We’ve almost always found these a great first day activity to understand the area and its sights. (R) The Metropolitan Cathedral, started in 1525, built on site of Aztec temples.
It was disappointing that the square was lined with temporary bleachers, and the Cathedral surrounded by scaffolding and chain link fence blocking off construction work. At the far end there were tents, which we were told was the Christmas Market. The next day they were gone!
The interior of the Cathedral was impressive. The Spanish do religious art perhaps better than anyone. It is a mixture of styles as it took almost 300 years to construct beginning in 1524. Gold predominates.
As a young parochial school student, the stories of places like Cerro del Tepeyac, where the Virgin Mary appeared four times to Juan Diego in 1531. Today, the site is a complex that includes two major basilicas and various other chapels honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is easily reached by municipal or Hop-on bus. Along the way it is common to see processions headed to the shrine, carrying statues and banners while singing songs and reciting prayers to the spiritual patroness of Mexico and Latin America..
Inside the new Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe is the tilma or cloak, made from the threads of the maguey cactus, which bears the image of Our Lady. The maguey cactus fabric normally disintegrates after 50 or 60 years, but this garment shows no deterioration after nearly 500 years. Modern science has been used to examine the image and garment, and can offer no explanation. It is on display in the new Basilica, where one can get a closer view by following the crowd through the tunnel underneath the sanctuary. Over the course of our stops in Mexico City we visited the shrine four times. It never disappointed. Whether your views are faithful or secular, I recommend a visit.
(L) A procession headed to the shrine. (C) The new Basilica. (R) Juan Diego’s iconic tilma with image.
Finally, things have opened up after the Great Pandemic. There are some residuals even today, such as the occasional requirement to mask up, or show evidence of “full vaccination”. And there are the constant reminders to wash hands and to test yourself if you have “symptoms”, many of which are common to common illnesses. All that said, WHO recently advised the pandemic is over, and our President agrees.
Our first foray into the pandemicized world was on a cruise ship – you know, one of those floating petri dishes, as detractors often point out. And we didn’t wait for the final declarations of emergencies ended. In fact we cruised four (4) times in 2022, and none of us fell ill.
Liberty of the Seas at anchor.
in February 2022 we actually took two cruises back-to-back on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. Two things were attractive: The low price and the departure port of nearby Galveston, Texas. Janet and I were accompanied by my brother Dwayne and his friend Carla. (BTW: Each of our cruises carried limited numbers of passengers served by a number of “trainee” staff.)
Liberty is one of my favorite ships, the first of the giant cruise ships I ever sailed. All things considered, it was easy to navigate and was never particularly “crowded”. On our first go-round in 2008 Janet and I had the Ben and Jerry’s “Sweet” above the promenade ice cream parlor. One of the benefits was free ice cream daily…so much we couldn’t dispose of it all ourselves. Luckily we could share the largess with our daughter and son-in-law.
Our back-to-back voyage was to go out of Galveston, to Cozumel, Belize or Roatan (Honduras), then to Costa Maya – with a return to Galveston between loops. The lesson learned is that unless going to simply relax on board ship, back-to-back is not the way to go. Frankly, it became monotonous visiting the same ports, with the same meal menus offering the same dishes, and same entertainment. It got “time to go home” real quickly on that second loop.
Liberty Ice Show…if you’ve seen it once…
Part of the fatigue is attributable to too many previous Caribbean cruises to just about every port offered. It was compounded by the increasing number of ships, especially mega-ships, plying the waters and jamming the ports with growing numbers of guests. Literally thousands of tourists are dumped off daily in those popular stops, even with limited passenger capacity in these start-up days. Shoulder-to-shoulder people everywhere is not my idea of a good time anywhere. Imagine what it will be like with full ship loads.
Standing in line to jump in the water…
It is no wonder that in some ports one sees increasing resistance to pier expansion. Many ports have become captive shopping havens offering the same old same old. (You can probably name every “universal” vendor from memory.) Anyone looking for an “authentic experience” is bound for disappointment. Instead, have yourself another umbrella drink served in a coconut poolside. I can say we’re done with the overly cruise-saturated Caribbean in general.
Janet and I are getting back in the swing, having started with a trip to Egypt and Jordan earlier this spring. Next up we have a tour of central and southern Mexico in November.
2023 is booked…starting January 3rd with a 74-night cruise around South America, including Antarctica and the Amazon. Then China, Norway and the Arctic. Maybe a quick run to Paris with the grandkids.
So, stand by…things are about to become interesting.
Janet and I are both vaccinated, with zero ill effects, and while the weather cooperates we need to get on the road. Our destination: UTAH!
We will be camping along the way in our ex-Jucy camper. The plan is to leave Sugar Land, TX, Monday morning for Rio Rancho, NM, to visit friends. Along the way we hope to see the fabled Texas bluebonnets and other wildflowers in bloom.
Getting things organized
Then on to Grand CanyonNational Park. I’ve “seen” the Canyon when flying over at 40,000 feet. Never actually visited, and this is the time. We will spend two days there.
From there to Zion National Park, the first of Utah’s “jewels”. These parks are all about natural beauty, much of it unique to the American West. We will be doing a bit of walking on the easy trails. We’re not venturing into wilderness or looking to take a cardio stress test.
Bryce Canyon National Park is next on the itinerary. It’s famous for the largest number of “hoodoos” in the world. What are hoodoos? They’re irregularly eroded rock formations now in the shape of spires. The park features a number of trails.
On to Arches National Park. The Park has the densest concentration of natural stone arches in the world, with over 2,000 documented arches. Another day offering exercise on the trails. The nice thing is that these parks all offer free shuttle services if you would like to leave your personal vehicle parked.
Then comes Monument Valley Tribal Park, well known as the backdrop to a number of John Ford-John Wayne movies. You’ve undoubtedly seen the huge castle-like rock formations on the silver screen.
Our final stop is Santa Fe, NM. Despite having once lived in New Mexico, I’ve never visited the state’s capital. So this is also a first for us…and I can’t wait to dive into a nice plate of red chile enchiladas “Nuevo Mexico”.
From there we complete the loop home. Total distance will exceed 3,200 miles (5,200 km).
We are now a year into the COVIDS pandemic hysteria. I know this because our niece posts a daily picture of her leggings-of-the-day and has hit 365 since her “self-quarantine” began. The official number of days may vary, but it’s close enough.
We had a number of planned trips delayed or cancelled, starting with taking the grandkids for a week in Paris last March. Like many others, we were caught in bedlam cancelling arrangements and trying to salvage what we could, hoping for refunds from increasingly cash-strapped companies. Some were very cooperative; others not so much. Being as cooperative as I could be, I’ve now got a pile of vouchers and credits, while time ticks toward their expiration. Who expected this to last more than a year?
Among other ’20 trips cancelled were to Egypt and Jordan, Israel, Portugal, and Japan. These involved cruise lines, airlines, tour agents and operators, hotels and on-line booking companies, auto rentals, independent contractors, and everything in-between.
I’m not a great proponent of trip insurance, at least not for myself. I try to build as much flex into our trips as possible at reasonable cost. Formal trip insurance is not cheap. I suspect the number of “cancellations” they pay out is substantial, leading to the high premiums.
Now, understand, I’m not talking about such as medical coverage or evacuations and so on. I found these insurances are reasonable and not prone to abuse. And, for those Americans like me, Medicare coverage stops at the US border. By all means, look into protecting yourself as you travel. Prior to the “global pandemic” prices were fairly low for a one year policy, good for any travel, foreign and domestic. Any broken eyeglasses were covered in Sri Lanka and Sheboygan. But trip insurance…caveat emptor. To me, it’s like buying insurance at a blackjack table. At least shop around.
We have vaccines out and about. The public doesn’t really know how effective these are, or what side-effects may be generally problematic. They are produced by different makers based on different research, and pushed out without the usual regimen of testing. Some vaccines are admittedly less effective than others. No one knows exactly how long their “immunity” lasts. And then there are the variants. Frankly, I’ll let things sort themselves out for awhile before I commit myself. I have my opinion about all this…and you have yours. They may differ. I repeat: Caveat emptor.
So, what’s the future? I see the imperative wearing of masks ad infinitum on public transport, like planes, trains and buses. Whether effective or not, they re-assure the public that “everything is being done.” I have no issue with private enterprises, whether airlines or grocery stores, “mandating” conditions for doing business. I can go elsewhere, taking my chances however I am willing. I am NOT a fan of government intervention.
Reasonable people act reasonably. If I fear the fellow in a grocery store without a mask, for example, I can stand six feet (two meters) distant and be “safe”. In a restaurant I can ask for another table if too close for personal comfort. If I prefer a mask-mandated environment, then I will shop a store that has one. It may not be my favorite, and I might miss out on some sales at others, but it’s MY choice.
Undoubtedly, travel and tourism will be greatly affected by this for years to come, until the hysteria dies out and the news media finds another crisis to promote. It is likely, in my mind, that travelers will need to prove vaccination against COVIDS, like they do against other diseases in some countries today. My fear is that testing for COVIDS to cross borders becomes regularized at $250 a pop. Money always has its way of talking. And , as some say, never let a crisis go to waste.
Cruise lines hired experts. Experts always recommend what they know…and so expect mandatory pre-cruise COVIDS testing and “ship isolation” to be the norm. At least one cruise line has promulgated a rule that no one is allowed to leave the ship except on a company excursion, to prevent any contamination of the passengers or crew resulting from your unsanctioned stroll through the quaint marketplace for souvenirs. That beach…beautiful, but off-limits. Take an independent trip to see the local attractions? Not anymore. Nothing like captive revenue to help make up a year’s lost revenues.
So, we wait and see. One thing we know is that travel and tourism will be greatly changed in oh so many ways. What do you think? What changes do you see ahead?
Another month passes…and travel restrictions remain in place worldwide due to the COVIDS-19 “pandemic”. And now more states in the USA are backtracking on “re-opening”, with more politics factored in than ever. Meanwhile, deaths continue to dwindle, if one trusts the reported numbers. Seems whenever there is a positive downturn, suddenly the numbers rise…just enough to raise the public concern level.
If you are sensing I am getting a feeling of being played, you’re right. I am a firm believer in taking adult responsibility for my safety and well-being, as well as that for my family. I don’t wear a mask. You are welcome to wear one. I don’t “self-quarantine”. Your choice. I find much of what we are asked to do these days to border on silly – like one door for entry, another for exit…even if they are next to one another, separated only by a line of turned over shopping carts or tape. No one can explain the positive purpose.
I flew from Houston a few weeks ago. Houston has a masks-at-all-times emergency order. Okay, I put on a mask…I will respect the law. I flew Southwest, and they require a mask – unlike some, they actually furnished one. Fine. Middle seats kept empty…all that. I have no issue. And I have to take their word on the “deep cleaning” that every plane undergoes between flights. It’s their business, and still the best domestic airline, IMHO.
I flew to Wisconsin, a state declared wide-open by the state’s Supreme Court. For the first weeks there about half wore masks in stores and in public areas. I even saw one fellow riding a motorcycle – no helmet, but wearing a mask! Now, with the reset of concern, several retail/grocery stores are requiring masks. I see this morning that the National Democratic political convention will only have 350 attendees in Milwaukee later in August. Zounds! The good news: The Brewers will start play Friday in an empty stadium, the team kept “in the bubble” at all times. And no high fives. (You can buy a photo cutout the team will place for one game on an upper deck seat for $50.)
And, months after it began, we are still in the grasp of COVIDS. Domestic tourism almost as dead as international travel. It’s a sadness without apparent end in sight.
Had enough of the COVIDS crisis? I think we all have regardless of the latest rounds of government shutdown and start-up edicts. If you are a confirmed traveler, this has just wreaked havoc, and I’m sure you’re as antsy as I am to go somewhere…anywhere.
In the meantime my attention has been occupied by trying to sell my home in Maryland. It went on the market just when the COVIDS-Mania was hitting. Our state jumped on the shutdown game early. In between we moved from Maryland to Sugar Land, Texas.
As mentioned earlier, we had two consecutive cruises scheduled back-to-back in September. First we were sailing trans-Pacific from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Yokohama, Japan. That was to be followed by a two week cruise around Japan with a stop in South Korea. Those went by the boards when the cruise line cancelled. We were given the option of refund or 125% of the cruise value to use on a future cruise, or we could slide the cruise to 2021 at the same cost. We slid it up, and the prices posted for the ’21 cruises assure us we did the best thing. But, now we wait another year…
Plans to visit Egypt and Jordan in November are unsettled as neither country allows foreigners entry at this time. Restrictions may change after July 1, we are told. To compound matters, our plan was also to travel from Amman, Jordan, to Haifa, Israel, to join a tour there of Israel. According to the U.S. Department of State, foreigners are not yet allowed to enter Israel. The options are not as simple as it involves tour agencies and tour operators who are trying very hard ti dissuade cancellations by playing a bit of hardball with deposits. And don’t get me started with airlines, some more cooperative than others.
So, we wait. Domestic travel seems the only real alternative…except for those pesky closings and other rules that change from state to state – to wear a mask or not, for example. I prefer not to wear one.
And so, the “crisis” continues, and the heroism of the public does the same.
Luckily, we have not had any trips cancelled as a result of this COVID-19 pandemic. Outside of some family trips we had nothing planned for the summer “high season” months. part of that was because we have changed our base of operations…our residence…from Maryland to near Houston, Texas.
Our next trip is a September trans-Pacific crossing to Japan, Vancouver B.C. to Tokyo, followed by a circumnavigation of the island nation. I’m looking forward to the experience, having never been there. I am especially wanting to experience a bath at an Onsen. Janet wants to see Mt. Fuji…don’t we all.
A Japanese Sento/Onsan Bathhouse
It seems people are very leery of cruising these days. I understand the concern; I don’t share it necessarily. Our experience over many cruises is that the crew tries very hard to keep things sanitary. I cannot say I have ever been stricken by the usual stomach bug norovirus. My worst experience was a long cruise aboard the Queen Mary 2 where I caught a nasty cough that persisted, and was seemingly without relief. Dinner was a nightly disaster. By the time we reached our destination it seemed most folks had goten it to some degree or another. And it was just then that we discovered the powers of a British cough medicine called “Veno’s”…it was the only stuff that worked!
I survived. Janet never caught it. It did not ruin our trip, which was otherwise wonderful.
Queen Mary 2 at Valparaiso, Chile
We each need to take care of ourselves. It’s that simple. Self-quarantine, of that’s your choice. Carry on as normal, if that’s yours. And let’s keep things in perspective. When things seem most onerous, turn off the news for a day or two. Gain some balance. A few deep breaths and a bit of relaxation are in order. Of course, we go back to whatever you think is best for yourself.
So, standby for news as we seem to be on the backside of this pandemic. And then we confront the murder wasps! Be brave.
Come with us as we travel the globe – and learn how you can do the same.
'Round the World with Brian and Jan 
