Boston

It always surprises me how much I enjoy some of the places you don't remember enjoying. Well I've been in Boston for the past week and it has been a fun adventure.

I am in a class all day so my exploration has been in the evening. My hotel is in a great location too.

The trip started eventful as always with my sunday night flight being canceled. Lucky for me, service is not dead. US Air called me multiple times with updates and even rescheduled me without having to even go to the airport. The next day at security I reach into my bag to pull out my laptop and much to my surprise it isnt there. Ouch!

So needless to say, Monday night I was really tired. So looking for something close for dinner, I wandered down the street and ended up at Blue Inc. It was close, the menu was interesting and it smelled good. Little did I know I was entering the newest opening of hell's kitchen celeb Jason Santos. Well, Blue Inc. was a gem. Great food, great service and fun drinks.

Flour-less Chocolate Cake with Avocado Ice Cream and Raspberry Foam.  As good as it looks!

More great food at The Roxxy's Food Truck (The Great Food Truck Race)

What i enjoyed most about Boston was wondering the streets. From Quincy Market to Back Bay to the north side. Each night I picked an area and wandered and ate great seafood and now feel at home in a city I thought I knew but didn't.

The Copley Market

Great Scotch at the local Pub!

A short trip, far far away!

What are your favorite memories from childhood?  One of mine is attending the Great York Fair.  My parents used to take us every year and we would eat Gyro's and see the animals, the veggies, go to concerts and ride the rides.  It was always the best. 

Shireen, Jane, Elbe and I waiting for the Derby to start.

Demolition Derby MoCo Fail

So, when the fair comes to Montgomery County, I always go.  And the "red neck" in me can't miss the Demolition Derby!   Although MoCo is no York,  the fair still has lots of fun for all!  There were wrecks, fires and even girls driving!  One year, that will be me! 

Now that's a fire.  Thanks Laytonsville Fire Co.

We also went to see the animals.  I always love the pigs.  Not sure why, as a kid it was the cows. But now, I just love the pigs! 

This year we also brought some special visitors.  Two colleagues from South Africa were visiting and joined us on our adventures. 

The gang after the trailer races!

Malangatana - The Mozabmiquan Painter, Poet and Hero

On my first trip to Mozambique I fell in love with a painting that is hanging in the library at CISM.  It is dark and moving.  But it touched me.  I asked about it and was told it was painted by a Famous Artist from Mozambique

Painting from the Library at CISM

When I returned to Mozambique the airplane magazine had an article on the Artist Malangatana.  Immediately I knew he was the artist of the painting.  Addicted to the articles in the magazine I was impressed as much by his life as I was by his art.  He was artist, a politician, a protester, a poet, and more. 

He challenged Portuguese colonialism in Mozambique.  He refused to show his art in South Africa after the arrest and jailing of  Nelson Mandela.  He participated in committees that renamed the streets of Maputo after the Portuguese left.  And he made amazing art!

Exciting New Plans.

I just added a long weekend to my crazy fall.  A short trip to the Dominican Republic to dive with a an old friend and some new ones too.   I'm excited for a fun trip.  I'll get to dive doubles (two tanks at once) for the very first time.  I'll be posting pictures!

Let the fun begin

 

Plans are coming together for my big fall work trip.  Dates are being finalized for Soweto, Durban, Cape Town, and Kampala.  Now time to start adding the fun!