Memorable Visits in 2022

Traveling in the year 2022 led to crossroads with visiting family and friends. I supposed when you’ve been out of the scene for some time, the feeling of tying loose ends or connecting to your network again becomes a top priority. Everything literally opened up little by little and then as the summer approached, situations paved the way to make things happen. There was no resistance at all. It was effortless.

Going back to Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach is I made sure that once I got an opening for a day or two, I would drive out there to visit auntie Tacing. Spending time there made me remember uncle Carding who passed away a year ago. All the visits many years ago came back to life again.

Sandra in Palm Desert

How time flies! I couldn’t skip visiting Sandra at this time. The last time I saw Sandra was ages ago. It was a beautiful moment to catch up with each other again. I always feel comfortable with he that I could stay there for such a long time.

Gisele in Dallas

I was supposed to visit my sister Vivian and her family in Wichita Falls. A day or two before getting there, they had Covid. I got stuck in Dallas with my niece Gisele and it turned out to be the most memorable time together. She pampered me with her cooking skills. We went to the movies together. We went grocery shopping. We went to a car wash. This gave me time to work out when she was working.

Zenia in San Diego

Visiting my cousin Zenia by train. I opted for the train at this time. If I do have a chance to take public transportation, I will definitely will. The train station is just a walking distance from our place and that made things easy to take this option. To me, Zenia is the closest cousin in the family, for she spent her elementary period until she got married to our family; so her attachment to our family dates back when we were in childhood days.

Sylvia and family in Lake Bluff

It was hard to resist Sylvia’s offer to spend more than a week in Lake Bluff and get to know Chicago for the first time and her family as well. Her hospitality of Sylvia was amazing. We did B-BQ together, visited downtown, and drove all the way to Minnesota — Voyageur National Park. It was a kickoff in the summer of 2022.

Aida and Ed in Chatsworth

This was a long visit because it had to do with finding a job and sticking around for some time until I got things going. This stay was very challenging, because living with a couple who have their own set ways. I didn’t manage to adapt to this type of atmosphere and felt I didn’t belong there. However it gave me a chance to connect with my old friends.

Tennis buddies in the San Fernando Valley

This was a wonderful moment. It was a dream that came true. Getting together with old friend after all these years. I was just the prodigal son in the Bible. They accepted me again, and it became just like old times again. We reminisced about everything about when we were playing tennis and the times together. I really do appreciate their time with me. I owe a lot of things to them — a true friendship.

Mr. Paul and Ron in Phoenix

I just love calling Paul, Mr. Paul. We all get a crack at it. The sound reminds me of the old times. The heat was unbearable in Phoenix and staying there for a night was a way of connecting to them again.

Amparo and Javier in L’Eixample, Barcelona

Aside from doing something together outdoors, we get together centered on food and wine and sharing our travel experiences together. In the summer, we have dinner on the terrace of their home in L’Eixemple. Javier always comes up with an excellent bottle of wine.

Eduardo and Eva in Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

In the heat of the summer, we got together with a glass of wine and food with a view of Sagrada Familia and did catching. Eduardo showed his selection of clothes was preparing for his Camino de Santiago.

May and Augustin in Barcelona

May and I always make sure that we get together during my visit. Visiting her means being with the whole family. Augustin Sr is now enjoying his retirement period by giving back to the local community, but unfortunately, he had a mild stroke in the late summer. Get well soon and see you next year. I’ve been with them over the years. I’ve seen their boys — Alvaro and Augustin - grow and now, in college. At this time, we got together on their beautiful terrace when Alvaro just arrived from Pamplona. This is a family that I want to be with as the years go by.

Miguel Angel in Sants Barcelona

I haven’t seen Miguel and his family for a while. I gave him a call and we got together at Sants Market, my favorite place where you can have lunch at a remarkable price. Forget about La Boqueria.

Laura and James in Sant Pol

I always have vibes with Laura and James. At this time, I chose Sant Pol where we could get together, had breakfast and did a bit of catching up, went for a swim, had lunch in the center. What a wonderful day with them! This needs to be repeated every year.

Brigitte in Barcelona

Due to my travel schedule, my meeting with Brigitte had been put off for some time. Luckily, I was able to spend time with her for a week, before heading back home. We watched tv programs and films and discussed things in Spanish. Had lunch with her friends which I haven’t seen for a long time. We always had great memories together when we went to Ansignan, France. Before we got there, we had a feast together. They do remember saying “Estupendo - Incredible” in reference to the food that we had. I wonder if this place still exists.

Sabina, Aurelio and the whole family in Maro - Nerja

Ever since I spent the summer there in the year 2021, I felt like being part of the family — Aurelio, Sabina, Teo, Magda, Maya, and Cristian. What a great place even if most parts of the farm were burned down into ashes, the spirit is infectious. What a joy to be with them — kayaking together, going to places, swimming, gardening together, and improving the farm in any way we can. I could have stayed there for a month.

Cristian in Maro

Right from the start Cristian and I had good vibes together. We worked together — distributing hay and manure — even going to what we call the Vietnam cave because it is shaped by bamboo shoots and canes. We hiked to Pico del Cielo in the first year I was there, then this year, we headed to Pico Veleta. This one — we suffered because of the cold gusty wind. I guess Cristian and I will stick together because we were born on the same date. In 2023, we just don’t know.

Joerg in Köln

I have spent time in Cologne over the years, but at this time, I felt that I appreciate it more and more, and becoming to be a home. It brings back old memories of Christmas, my first Christmas in Europe — touching with the late Toni and Ilse singing a Christmas song on the way to the town’s church, and Oh the fun, of all the Carnaval days. Staying in his old apartment, Manuel’s (his brother) apartment, then now in Joerg’s own place. The evolution of years of friendship. Great memories back in the younger me version. Well, I’m still kicking and will be able to do things until everything will come to a halt.

Climate change is changing how we travel. I suffered when I was in Barcelona like taking a shower at midnight to cool myself down. I say the Mediterranean zone had shoot up the temperature to an unbearable level this year. I say going to Germany and all of Northern Europe is definitely much more comfortable.

Staying in Cologne for a few days gave a chance to walk around the city again. While Joerg was working in the morning, I took advantage of the morning to walk around and explore. Then, lunch with Joerg and going out at night. It was a wonderful visit.

Joerg, Ilse and Julia in Rehlingen

A drive to Nurburgring was once in a lifetime experience on the way to Rehlingen. The rolling hill roads around the area were something that I enjoy being a passenger. Then, getting a ride around the loop of the classic Nurburgring racing ring. Going over 200 miles/hour was scary and then, being passed by other cars. I felt being run over by these cars. Joerg was prudent enough not to push too hard. An experience driver, indeed, but then, I decided not to go for another round.

Getting to see Trier again and then, passing through Saarland on the way to Rehlingen was a wonderful sight. It is something that I need to explore more in the future.

Xenia, Sina and Joni in Baden Baen

What a summer! Everything unfolded in the right place. I headed to Baden Baden to visit Xenia and her friend Sina. Xenia became my tennis partner when I was in Cádiz. They visited when I was in Maro and this time, I paid back for a visit. After an overnight in Stuttgart, they picked me and gave me a tour there, then we drove together to Baden Baden where we spent time hiking, barbecuing, and even went to check out their famous casino.

At times, we feel uncomfortable being with young girls. They were at ease with me and vice versa. They are mature enough to level up with me and we see each other as friends. In terms of going out together, there was a good flow. I certainly think there are benefits of hanging with the younger age, for it opens up one’s mind to other perspective.