TEN FIRST IMPRESSIONS ABOUT MY VIKING SUN OCEAN CRUISE!
Posted: January 31, 2019 Filed under: geezerTrips, Uncategorized | Tags: Argentina, cruise, Viking 1 Comment »
With a free launderette on every deck, you can pack a lot less!
We were in our late 70’s when we took our first cruise. Our second was on a Viking River Boat from Bucharest to Budapest. It was such a great experience that we then signed up for a Viking Ocean Cruise on the Viking Sun. We are now in the fifth day of that cruise. First thoughts are important, so… here are mine.
Our cruise, South America and Cape Horn, is from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile.
- The ship is small – only 930 passengers.
- There are no children aboard.
- There are few additional costs – beer and wine with meals are free; one free tour in each port; and 24 hour free room service. The wi-fi is free. Old people are cheap. Viking, by including almost everything in the fare, makes “traveling while old” (TWO) much easier and more pleasant.
- Viking has some sort of deal with the countries we stopped in. Viking kept our passports and we could go ashore using our Viking ID cards. No one ever checked us on land; we were carefully checked when boarding the ship.
- There are expert lecturers on board, including a ship’s historian who presented talks about every port. In addition there are movies, musicals, classes, etc.
- The staff is a diverse international group and the most friendly and helpful people I have ever met.
- There is a free launderette on every deck, which means next time I can travel with one change of clothing; a great fitness center with the best exercise machines I have experienced; all the usual spa treatments; hot tubs, saunas; and, a 1/4 mile walking path on deck 2. (This was sometimes cold and windy.) These were great because only a few people took advantage of them.
- Most of the passengers had been on several Viking cruises and half were on the Round The World Cruise which could last for up to 160 days, or so. The rest of us just filled in the empty spaces between the Round the World ports of call.
- The only “dress code” is no jeans/shorts at dinner in the main and speciality dining rooms. Not only was a coat and tie not required, but no one was wearing either in the speciality dining rooms. No extra charge for specialty dining.
- At 78, I think I was a bit over the average age, but not by much.
Those are my initial thoughts; but, I have two weeks to go.
THINK OLD!
OX CART FACTORY IN COSTA RICA!
Posted: January 30, 2019 Filed under: Costa Rica, Uncategorized | Tags: Costa Rica, Ox Carts, Sarchi, waterwheel Leave a comment »
In December, 2018, I visited the Ox Cart Factory in Sarchi, Costa Rica. It was established in 1923 and operates today much as it did then. Wheels were made with steel rims and were huge. The most interesting thing about the factory is that is was a pre-industrial revolution factory. The power for the line shaft came from a stream that flowed for 2 miles before turning a large waterwheel which in turn powered numerous belts throughout the factory. These belts ran all the machines in the factory including saws, drill presses and stamping machines.
They only make large ox carts today if specially ordered and they cost about $6000; however, they have a huge store with small ox carts for tourists and for tourist rides. They also sell comfortable rocking chairs which they ship to the US. Take a look at Costaricanmarket.com.
The history is set out in the Tico Times, the Costa Rican English language newspaper.
Well worth the trip just to see the waterwheel in operation.
THINK OLD!
WHITE WATER RAFTING FOR OLD PEOPLE? In Costa Rica? At 78?
Posted: January 25, 2019 Filed under: Costa Rica, geezerTrips, Uncategorized | Tags: Road Scholar, white water rafting Leave a comment »In December of 2018 we went on a Road Scholar Trip that included white water rafting. Think about it. What do I do with my hearing aids? What if l the boat turns over? Will I get wet? Can i trust the guide? How big are the boats? Can I get out of it without loosing face at 78?
Needless to say, I did it. For 5 dollars before I left Albuquerque, I bought a “water proof” small fannie pack, then didn’t use it because I deemed it best to leave my hearing aid in the van. I couldn’t hear the guide, but I sat in the back so I could watch the other three old people paddling up front. No problems, but I did get wet.
The water wasn’t bad, level 2. It was lower than usual as water had not been released from the dam up-stream and we slipped over rocks. There were a few drops, and of course, I got soaked.
There was a photographer in a kayak who constantly passed us, stood on the bank, took our photos, and then sold the photos to us at the end of the trip. Well worth the $20.
Toward the end we stopped for pineapple and water melon.
All in all, it was worth it, even though it was out of my comfort zone.
THINK OLD!
FERAL CAT OF ORANGE COUNTY! Finding a feral cat in your bathroom
Posted: January 9, 2019 Filed under: geezerPets, Out of my comfort zone!, Uncategorized | Tags: cats, feral cats, feral children, pet cameras 1 Comment »
Several weeks ago we went to visit a relative in Orange County, CA. We were supposed to go to Alpine, CA, but due to the fire situation, we ended up at their home in Orange.
A homeless family of feral cats had taken up residence outside their front gate; a mother and two small kittens. By chance, they trapped the female kitten in a fenced area next to the garage and adopted her. When we arrived, the kitten had disappeared. They had kept it in a closed second bathroom along with their washer and dryer. The cat was gone.
Using tuna as bait we hoped to entice the cat out of its hiding place. We thought she was behind the washer and dryer. The tuna was set out, and a string was tied to the washer/dryer closet door. The cat would come out, we would see the cat, jerk the string and prevent the cat from going back behind the washer/dryer. Nothing happened! For several hours we watched the door and held the string. Nothing.
We took a break, shut the bathroom door and a short time later, the tuna was gone.
Prior to our arrival, a four-foot cat cage had been delivered for the cat. We took a break and put the cage together; not a simple task, but the feral kitten could not run free.
The cage being ready, we turned our attention back to the bathroom again. Nothing. No cat. No tuna.
We went to Best Buy and bought a wireless camera that could be hooked up to a cell phone. We placed the camera in the bathroom and aimed at the washer/dryer and another helping of tuna. After some time, the cat appeared, ate the tuna and disappeared; but not in the direction of the washer/dryer.
We pointed the camera at the sink and toilet and set out another helping of tuna.
At 11:00 at night the cat came out, ate the tuna and disappeared behind the sink. We caught it on the cell phone. On checking the base of the sink, we discovered it was hollow and the kitten was hiding inside the base.
The kitten was moved to the cat cage and kept there except when it was being held. It is still feral – look at its eyes – even when it is being petted.
The mother and the brother are still waiting outside the house, but the sister is on the way to domestication.
Since this was first written, the mother has given birth to 2 or 3 more kittens; more feral cats. The next step is to catch the mother and take her to the vet for a bit of surgery.
Makes one wonder about all the feral children that are being separated from their parents at the border. But maybe being kept in pens with dozens of other children is not the same thing….. Maybe I just imagine that I see the kitten we captured in those kids. It is amazing how much the cat cage looks like the cages for immigrant children being held near the border.
THINK OLD!
SOURCES:
Wireless Security Camera https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lorex-indoor-4mp-wi-fi-security-camera-silver-black/5824309.p?skuId=5824309
Cat Playpen https://www.chewy.com/midwest-collapsible-cat-playpen/dp/45740
Feral Cats https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_cat
Feral children https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_child
FISHERWOMEN IN ICELAND; THE SEA WOMEN EXHIBIT AT THE VIKIN MUSEUM!
Posted: December 26, 2018 Filed under: geezerTrips, Iceland, Uncategorized Leave a comment »
Fisherwoman of Iceland!
Iceland has had some basic equal rights for women, by law, since June 13, 1720. The Sea Women’s exhibit at the Maritime Museum in Reykjavik celebrates the role of fisherwomen, who received equal pay as fisherwomen from 1720 to today.
The exhibit at the Vikin Maritime Museum located on the waterfront in Reykjavik, a short walk from the center of town.
The Vikin Maritime Museum has permanent and changing exhibits dealing with Iceland’s fishing history. The For Cod’s Sake exhibit traces Iceland’s fight with Great Britain over territorial waters; resulting in a win for Iceland and the extension of the territorial limit to 200 miles. The net result was that numerous British and Scottish long distance fishing companies went out of business.
This exhibit will lead you to other sites reflecting women’s rights in Iceland, a pioneer in the recognition of women’s equality.
The museum is open daily from 10 to 5 and is free if you are over 67; like many museums in Iceland.
Sources;
Iceland’s Forgotten Fisherwomen – SAPIENS
THINK OLD!
ELDER HINT # 1 – LIVE WELL AND HAVE SOMETHING TO HANG ON TO – Grab Bars
Posted: December 25, 2018 Filed under: AGING, geezer hints, Uncategorized | Tags: falls, grab bar, hint Leave a comment »
Old people are stupid! Including me. I think I am the same person I was 20 years ago, even though my daily visit to the mirror tells me different. I think I can do the same things that I did 20 years ago, and that there will be no consequences. The worst thing is I think I am as competent and as smart as I was 20 years ago. WRONG!
Old people need hints to make life easier and more convenient, not to mention safer. The idea is not to live long, but to live well for as long as you can. Living in rehab is NOT living well. There are a few steps you can take. I will post them as I think of them and you can do with them as you please.
REMEMBER: Don’t focus on longevity, focus on living the best life that you can, while you can.
# 1 Grab Bar as Towel Rack
Why are grab bars important to old people?
Falls are one of the greatest causes of a miserable life. Think about it:
- You are prone to falling after a certain age.
- Grab bars are usually only in the tub or shower. Towel racks are not changed out. Yet, if you get out of a tub, the first thing you will grab for is a towel rack. So, why not replace the towel rack with a grab bar. One time grabbing hold of your old towel rack will convince you. Look at your towel rack. It sort of hangs on to a couple of screws. How many times has it come apart when you tried to hang a towel on it?
- You usually don’t wear your alert button in the shower.
- You usually shower alone; unlike years ago, a dim memory, if you even remember. Consider showering with a friend – for your own well-being, but two old people trying not to fall gives rise to a whole new blog idea.
- The bottom of the tub or shower tends to be slippery, thanks to soap.
- If you fall:
- It may take hours, or days, to find you if you live alone; or if your spouse is of questionable competency.
- If you break something, it is a trip to the hospital; then to rehab; then to assisted living: then ……….
- Breaks are painful.
- You may have locked the bathroom door.
- You don’t have your cell phone handy; and, it is usually not charged. And, you may not be any good at using it.
- You will feel like a fool lying naked on the bathroom floor when the para-medics break down the door to get you; or, when a friend who hasn’t heard from you for a few days comes to check on you.
THINK OLD!
[subscribe2]
TRAINS – RESTORING 2926 in ALBUQUERQUE – a geezerTrip
Posted: December 23, 2018 Filed under: geezerTrips, New Mexico, Uncategorized | Tags: 2926, Abluquerque, Albuquerque, historical, railroad, Railroad History, steam locomotive, trains 1 Comment »
In Albuquerque, NM I visited the 2926 Restoration Project. The New Mexico Steam locomotive and Railroad Historical Society is restoring a steam engine that hit the tracks on May 17, 1944. It travelled 1,090,539 miles. It is being completely restored by volunteers and will be put back into service for excursions soon, we hope.
You can visit the restoration project on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1833 8th NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico. One of the members will give you a tour and explain what the restoration.
It is close to Old Town and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Try Cafe Azul for the best huevos rancheros with Hatch green chile – get the papitas, not the hash browns. BUT: the hot Hatch green chile may take you way out of your comfort zone. Remember you can always have it on the side.
In September there is always the model railroad exhibit at the state Fair. If you like New Mexico trains, ride the Amtrak, the Railrunner, and the Cumbres and Toltec narrow gage. At Christmas, take the Cumbres and Toltec through the snow.
Ride the RailRunner to Belen, NM and visit the rail museum and Harvey House with The University of New Mexico Division of Continuing Education.
You can see a video showing the history and restoration of 2926 on You Tube.
THINK OLD!!
BIKE/WALKING PATHS IN ALBUQUERQUE!
Posted: November 6, 2018 Filed under: geezerTrips, My Backyard, New Mexico, Uncategorized Leave a comment »
Bike/walking path along Rio Grande River in Albuquerque, NM
100 yards from my home there is a walking/bike path, the Paseo del Bosque Trail, which runs for 18 miles without crossing a street. The asphalt part has two lanes for bikes, runners and walkers. The gravel path next to it is ideal for walking. It is about 100 yards from the Rio Grande River and is the home of coyotes, owl, ducks, geese, beavers, and numerous birds.
It attracts balloons, bikers, walkers, runners, baby carriages and dogs on leashes. (A dog off the leash is a free lunch for a coyote, as are neighborhood chickens.)
A few miles down the path, you come to Tingley Beach where you can boat and fish. You also have the Albuquerque Zoo, the Albuquerque Aquarium, and the Albuquerque Bio-park. Going in the other direction for a half a mile you come to the Nature Center and a small pond. There are walking paths leading to the Rio Grande River. There is limited access and no motor vehicles.
The Path joins other paths. There is now a 50 mile activity path circling the city. I have heard that there are also people starting to walk the entire 50 miles over a several day period; sort of civic pilgrimage route.
The Paseo del Bosque Trail is ideal for older people. You can walk, ride bikes or push grandchildren. You can always meet a few people who you know if you are a regular. The open-space officers will point out nesting birds each spring; especially owls and hawks which are regulars. There are birders with their GPS devices locating various species of birds.
The balloons follow the path and the river; and sometimes land on our street. They are a daily occurrence.
It is a valuable city asset.
THINK OLD!
ELDER TIP # 2 – AGING WELL REDUCED TO ITS ESSENCE!
Posted: November 2, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »The goal is to live well, not long. You want to feel good and be able to move. There are millions of things for sale and on the internet that claim to be able to help you live longer. Most of it is BS! This is what I think. It is not medical advice; however, it is the basis for living well:
- EXERCISE: Walk, weights, yoga or physical therapy. Anyone can do these things and all of them are cheap or free. Join Silver Sneakers.
- NON-PROCESSED FOOD: Michael Pollen has put it best: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
- SOCIAL LIFE: Get together with friends and family – at restaurants, at the senior center, at the library, or while exercising.. This will give you stimulus and more importantly will provide a safety net in the form of people who are aware of your existence and problems and stimulus in the form of new ideas. Remember how the rocking chair on the front porch used to attract people walking by?
- FINANCIAL: The keys are to live within your means; have payments set up automatically; and, have a mentor who can advise about choices and scams.
- DANGER LISTS: Recognize your dangers: falls, hearing, eyesight, memory, household defects, driving, medical care, etc, and deal with them. We need a senior algorithm.
- PROJECTS: Have something to do; a hobby, volunteer, part-time job, etc. Most old people miss their job. Have something to take its place. Like a blog – geezer2go.com – even if it is silly.
- MEDICINES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS: Check your meds. Your pharmacist will give you a list of what you take. Do you really need all these medicine and how do they react with each other.
SIMPLIFY – live for wellness today; not for a long life in an institution.
THINK OLD!
EATING WELL, WHILE OLD, IN INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, FLORIDA
Posted: October 11, 2018 Filed under: Florida, geezerEats, geezerTrips, Uncategorized | Tags: beach, eating, Florida, restaurants, vacation Leave a comment »I am addicted to restaurants while travelling and since we spend a lot of time in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, I have three favorite restaurants, and a grocery store.
Crabby Bills: Every morning I walk a mile and a half down the beach to Crabby Bill’s, which has been family owned since its founding in 1983. The morning crowd consists of older patrons who are vacationing. or living, near the beach. It is a sports bar, restaurant and hang-out for the under 30 crowd the rest of the day and until 2:00 AM.
The All-American Breakfast is my choice, with 2 eggs, potatoes, crisp bacon and toast for $6. Then it is a mile and a half walk back to the rented condo. In the evening, you can get the menu to go.
Guppy’s: A short walk and excellent food with daily specials; indoors or out. Great fish. The Grouper is expensive as it is over-fished. Small plates and you can share. I get three sides; grilled octopus, spinach and Caesar Salad. Octopus is available thanks to the large Greek community. New Mexico restaurants tend not to serve octopus, so it is always a treat.
Chez Collette’s French Bistro:
A small French restaurant in the edge of Belair and next to Largo and Indian Rocks Beach. Run by a French couple, it is always good and one of our favorite stopping places each time we come.
The desert is great, especially if you can try three at once. Eat desert first, life is short.
The lamb shanks can’t be beat. Not always available but when they are, well worth ordering.
If you want to do your own thing with food prepared for you, take a look at Publix Grocery Stores which now have prepared meals that you cook. There is salmon, meatballs, etc. We tried chicken breasts with feta cheese and spinach and it was great. Cheaper than a restaurant meal and it can be eaten with a glass of wine on your rented condo balcony. The sunset over the Gulf of Mexico is better than any restaurant; and quieter.
THINK OLD!
[subscribe2]