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31. Jul, 2011

Grand Conclusions

Grand Conclusions

What are the main themes to share, after traveling for a year around the world and visiting 32 countries? The most obvious point is that travel is one of life’s most important and pleasurable activities.  This year we experienced and shared amazing sights, delicious tastes, new stories, the growth and broadening of our perspectives in […]

31. May, 2011

Visiting Alberto, Martita, Agustin, Nacho, Joaquin and Nico

Visiting Alberto, Martita, Agustin, Nacho, Joaquin and Nico

While in Argentina, we contacted Alberto Grimoldi, a friend and classmate from HBS.  Alberto is a consummate gentlemen and the nicest guy you could hope to meet.  Although he had just returned home from international travel, he immediately invited us for dinner and insisted on collecting us at our hotel.  We were excited to see […]

31. May, 2011

The Tapestry of Life in Buenos Aires

The Tapestry of Life in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is said to be the Paris of the South. Indeed, Buenos Aires has many of the same traits that make Paris the city it is today. Both cities have an extensive Metro, tiny shops along the old cobblestone roads, traffic on the paved roads, a great importance on fashion, and tiny boutique restaurants, […]

30. May, 2011

Finding Gould in Argentina

Finding Gould in Argentina

It all started with an email from Dana White. She and her family are also traveling around the world this year (www.6explorers.com) and they visited Argentina last fall.  As we were trading notes, she said something like “In the unlikely event something happens and you need help, the Goulds [another family from Dover] are in […]

30. May, 2011

School’s Out!

School’s Out!

Road School was one of the most challenging and enjoyable parts of our year-long adventure, but alas, the last day arrived today.  I could see the children putting on brave faces to mask their sorrow.  All they can look forward to now is a bit of summer reading.  It was a bittersweet milestone. If the […]

29. May, 2011

FIFA Live in BA

FIFA Live in BA

 Soccer is not only the most popular sport in Argentina, it’s also the one people get the most aggressive over. At first we were very worried about going to a soccer game live. When our friends the Whites went to a soccer game where River Plate and Boca Junior played, some fans started lighting things […]

28. May, 2011

Mini-Tour – Buenos Aires

Mini-Tour – Buenos Aires

The most pleasurable way to enjoy Buenos Aires is to spend time in the quiet neighborhoods, soaking up the café culture and European-style architecture.  There is nevertheless some touring to be done! Starting in the city center, we joined a free walking tour (a tip is expected) that had been highly rated by TripAdvisor.  Piggy […]

26. May, 2011

Where is Piggy in Argentina?

Where is Piggy in Argentina?

It’s currently under construction, but where is Piggy and who actually sang from the balcony there? Send your guess to katherine@365saturdays.org

23. May, 2011

A Dash Through Chile

A Dash Through Chile

Santiago as a touring destination?  The city tour takes you to the presidential palace and other major government buildings, a public square, the fish market, a cathedral, a pre-1500s history museum – all within close walking distance.  The 1700s architecture is pleasant enough but not as large or dramatic as you might expect for a city […]

22. May, 2011

Sweet and Savory Chile

Sweet and Savory Chile

We had only 72 hours in Santiago, the capital of Chile, so we didn’t have a lot of time to cover much culinary ground.  However we did experience a few noteworthy taste highlights. Top among them was the coffee.  To our surprise and delight, we discovered that it was impossible to find a bad cup.  […]

21. May, 2011

Where is Piggy in Chile?

Where is Piggy in Chile?

Piggy was visiting this famous building in Chile today.  Can you guess where we are? Email your guess to katherine@365saturdays.org

20. May, 2011

Farm School

Farm School

Today we went to a high school with goats. It was a high school for kids who were very poor and had troubles at home. From 13-17 years old you were allowed to attend and when you graduated you got a diploma in agriculture. You got this because the founder of the school thought the […]

19. May, 2011

Recharging in Costa Rica

Recharging in Costa Rica

Last month in China we had an important decision to make.  The latest update of the trip itinerary had a three week gap between the end of Latin America and the beginning of Africa.  How would we spend early May? At that time we wanted a change of pace and did not know what to […]

08. May, 2011

Leaving Ecuador

Leaving Ecuador

“Ms. Wilcox, please report to the check-in counter for a message.”  I hear my name over the PA system as I am eating soggy pesto spaghetti in the airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador.  We are waiting to board our flight to Costa Rica. The four of us race to the counter, half-expecting a message from our […]

06. May, 2011

Sensible Snorkeling

Sensible Snorkeling

The water was warm but a shiver chilled my shoulders.  We had jumped off the Zodiac into deep water and there was nothing to see below, except blue light fading to black.  Our guide swam toward the distant sea cliff.  “Come on!  Let’s look for sharks!”  A dozen people swam eagerly after him, including my son.  I […]

06. May, 2011

Galapagos Gaspers

Galapagos Gaspers

This just in: Criminals escape from Tortoise Prison. Guard says he was outrun. No one surprised. Currently ten prisoners are unnaccounted for: 1) Sid the Sea Lion; A massive fellow of almost 1,000 lbs, Sid was imprisoned for his disgusting play-lion habits. He has had over 50 girlfriends and he is currently one of the […]

02. May, 2011

A Happy Place

A Happy Place

When you’re grown up, happy becomes something different.  It isn’t what you felt when you were a kid, that feeling that washes over you like a wave and carries you along,  leaving an ear-to-ear grin or fits of giggles  in its wake.  As an adult, I think happy gets pushed aside by feelings of accomplishment, […]

02. May, 2011

One Foot Two Foot, Red Foot Blue Foot

One Foot Two Foot, Red Foot Blue Foot

Red and blue footed boobies are a famous kind of bird native to the Galapagos islands. We saw a lot of them this past week and they were my favorite animal.  I divided the blog into three sections, one for blue feet, red feet, and Nazca. Blue Footed Boobies I personally preferred the blue footed […]

01. May, 2011

At Home in the Sea

At Home in the Sea

Our week in the Galapagos was spent on the Evolution, a comfortable boat with 18 crew, 31 passengers, 2 highly qualified guides – Jorge and Wilson, 2 Zodiac inflatable motor boats (the “Pangas”), and enough snorkeling equipment for all.  The days fell into a steady and active rhythm – up at 6:45am, hit the beaches for […]

30. Apr, 2011

Where is Piggy in the Galapagos Islands?

Where is Piggy in the Galapagos Islands?

This week Piggy took a cruise around the Galapagos islands.  Can you guess the island where her cruise started and ended?  Email your guess to katherine@365saturdays.org Last week Piggy was at Machu Picchu in Peru.

30. Apr, 2011

Going to Galapagos

Going to Galapagos

We made it to Quito, Ecaudor last night and will be taking a flight to the Galapagos Islands this morning.  We are hoping to find turtles, sea lions and dancing birds. Peru has been one of our favorite countries, and we are working on pictures and blogs to share the story.  You will not see them […]

29. Apr, 2011

Seen in Peru

Seen in Peru

Peru turned out to be one of my top three favorite destinations on this trip so far[1].  It is a country full of vivid color, dramatic landscapes, rich history, and tradition.  Plus, the food is delicious and the dollar goes far.  We will definitely be back. Here are some of the highlights of what we […]

27. Apr, 2011

The Best Five Soles I Ever Spent

The Best Five Soles I Ever Spent

We were waiting in line for the toilets.  The ride from Machu Picchu to Ollanta had been almost two hours and Nature was calling. As I waited for the kids, I entertained myself by eavesdropping on conversations of those in line.  One group of four women was particularly interesting.  They were American and about my […]

26. Apr, 2011

Lovely Llamas

Lovely Llamas

As we watched the view of Machu-Picchu, I thought about the llamas. There were three adults and one baby which I desperately wanted to touch. When Maria finished showing us some awesome ruins of houses we slowly approached the llamas. The adults were just chilling, eating grass. But the baby was running around like a […]

26. Apr, 2011

Incans and Machu Picchu

Incans and Machu Picchu

  Machu Picchu: One of the seven wonders of the world and a religious sanctuary, home to 600 Incans including a high priest and the chosen women of the Incan nation; “The Sun Princesses/Virgins.” It was discovered by several people, but a man named Bingham was the first to bring news of it to the […]

25. Apr, 2011

Sacred Valley and Cusco

Sacred Valley and Cusco

The tour of the Peruvian Andes started with a flight into Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire.  Today it is still a significant mountain town of 400,000 people.  Cusco is 3400 meters above sea level and that is quite enough to induce sickness, which we felt.  Sam’s plan anticipated this and she sent […]

24. Apr, 2011

Eating Well in Peru

Eating Well in Peru

Peru’s varied terrain gives it an excellent base for gastronomy.  There are fresh fish and shellfish from the coast, enormous corn kernels and delicious potatoes from the mountains, and juicy tropical fruits and plantains from the jungles.  The meats include venison-like alpaca and duck-like guinea pig legs.  The best dishes here are complex – blending ingredients […]

23. Apr, 2011

Lost and Found

Lost and Found

  If you strategically omit patience and our tempers, our record on what we’ve lost so far is really not so bad. With more than twenty countries and countless transfers by plane, train, bus, boat, and taxi, it’s a miracle we haven’t lost all our worldly possessions.  Fortunately, we haven’t lost anything irreplaceable, like say, […]

23. Apr, 2011

Where is Piggy in Peru?

Where is Piggy in Peru?

Piggy was feeling a bit sick because of the altitude here in Peru, but she had a wonderful time in this place.  Where is she?  Email your guess to katherine@365saturdays.org

22. Apr, 2011

Halfway Around the World in One Day

Halfway Around the World in One Day

      On April 20 we sadly bid farewell to the Asia/Australia time zones – our home for the past three months – and entered a new chapter:  South America!  We were all excited to see a new continent, but first we had to get there.  The itinerary called for a journey on April 20 from […]