only in NYC

A jar of Nutella that could feed a family for a month. If I build a bomb shelter, I am buying this.  

The Missionary's Downfall, a wonderful drink with mint and pineapple and rum, found in the underground Tiki Bar in Manhattan.  Shout-out to Nora for finding this treasure.

Jews for Jesus headquarters...

Highline Park, a set of old railroad tracks that have been converted in a wonderful park full of local botanicals and outdoor artwork. Shout-out to Jen for suggesting this one for our evening constitutional. Thank goodness for yuppies with a lot of money and time to plan such a great outdoor space.

I love my USA friends!

Ashley, me, Lois, and Tara at brunch after church

Nora, Jen, me, and Beth walking in Central Park

Hester, Nora, Jen, and me after an amazing dinner of fresh vegetables in NYC

Carolyn, me, and Neha after our bi-annual Pequods feast

Me and Renee in front of the Hancock Building on the way for Ghiradelli ice cream sundaes

Deacon's Baptism-officially a Godmother!

Deacon, Godmother Laura, Godmother Nicole, and Charlie

This morning was my godson's baptism, and it was awesome.  Deacon is such a trooper, and made it through the entire service without any tears.  Way to go, Count Deacula!

Deacon is a twin- his fraternal brother Charlie is pretty amazing as well, but didn't like the camera much today.

Super fun selfie with me, bored Deacon, and Auntie Beth

out for a stroll in Casco we see...

This very smart man taped 4 pieces of cardboard around his hardhat.  It looks like a sombrero, but still protects the noggin.  As another person who fears the sun, I believe he is a genius.

Some LPHS friends came down to visit, and my friend Jen took this amazing artistic shot of a slushie cart (very new world) against one of the oldest Spanish churches in Latin America (very old world).  It's a cool photo, no?

Bocas Chocolate Plantation

 In late June, my new friend Noreen and I headed up to Bocas del Toro for a mini vacation.  We decided that it would be fun to visit a chocolate plantation, not realizing that we were in for a 90 minute uphill hike on a muddy slope.  We couldn't have made it without the walking sticks.

 But it was pretty neat to see cocoa plants growing in nature.  They are those purple husks, each about the size of a football.

 After the beans are harvested from the husks, they are roasted, and then ground.  On the tour, we got to see the traditional way of grinding cocoa, using only two rocks and a lot of upper arm strength.

And then, on the boat back to our hotel, we got to ride with a coffin, wrapped in garbage bags to keep it dry,  that was being delivered to the island.  But it was empty (we hope).

Graffiti in Casco Viejo

LPHS in Panama, part I

Former LPHS colleagues came to visit Panama, and I got to spend two days doing fun touristy stuff with them.  We went on the Capt Carl Gatun Lake Adventure, and had a great time seeing monkeys and cargo ships up close.

And really, how cute are these monkeys?  Very cute.

My friend Beth, art teacher extrodinaire, was fascinated by the graffiti all over Casco.   We should have taken this selfie in front of some of the great graffiti, but an old church makes a nice backdrop as well.