In Rome, everything seems big, or huge, or ginormous. Monumental may be the best word. We felt this when we visited the Coliseum and it continued through our visits to the National Etruscan Museum and the Forum. The National Etruscan Museum is in the Villa Giulia, built in 1551-1553 by Pope Julius III. The buildingContinue reading “Monumental means really really big, and a long walk.”
Author Archives: winifredcreamer
Easter Monday was a holiday–but the Coliseum stayed open.
We discovered that Easter Monday is a national holiday in Italy. Since there were no more stores open than on Sunday we bought a few things to eat and then went to be tourists. At Termini, the main train station and subway crossing, we were able to get SIM cards for our phones and monthlyContinue reading “Easter Monday was a holiday–but the Coliseum stayed open.”
Roma!
It was a struggle to pass up all those movies and free drinks, but I did, and managed to get a few hours of sleep on our flight from JFK to Rome. We arrived at noon and met our taxi driver, who was kind enough to stop at a cash machine (enlightened self-interest) and inContinue reading “Roma!”
Meeting up with Spring.
We have been observing spring in the Northern hemisphere. We left Peru on March 31 and stayed for a week in Wheaton, IL. The weather was cool but the flowers were emerging. Hemos estado observando la primavera en el hemisferio norte. Dejamos Peru el 31 de marzo y nos quedamos una semana en Wheaton, IL.Continue reading “Meeting up with Spring.”
Last visit to our favorite beach…. for now
We took a last visit to the Albufera de Medio Mundo, our favorite place to go beachcombing. It’s very isolated and we wanted to see the effect of recent weather on a beach that doesn’t get cleaned up every morning like ours does. Hicimos una última visita a la Albufera de Medio Mundo, nuestro lugarContinue reading “Last visit to our favorite beach…. for now”
Cheering up the Patio
With the help of our talented friend Leila, we added some color to the patio. Con el ayuda de nuestra talentosa amiga Leila, mejoremos el patio con colores nuevos. I provided some images of birds from ancient Peruvian pottery and Leila used them to create her own contemporary versions on decorative planters. She even toldContinue reading “Cheering up the Patio”
Rain–El Niño–Disaster
A strong El Nino was predicted for December 2015 through April 2016 in Peru, and the government made funds available for disaster prevention. The season passed with barely a rain shower and the ocean only warmed slightly. Disaster averted. This year, no El Nino was forecast when the rains began. Up and down the coastContinue reading “Rain–El Niño–Disaster”
Rain!
When we came to Peru in 1999, people showed us the tiny splash marks of raindrops in the desert and said they were from the last rainfall, in 1964. That may have been hyperbole, because there is thick sea mist, but last night, it really rained, for the first time since we put the newContinue reading “Rain!”
A new project: Mirror Frame
Walking along the beach one afternoon, I stopped at one of the places people sell things to look at a mirror. It was the perfect color for our guest room, so after visiting it a couple of times, we bought it. I realized that I could make one of these myself, and since the guyContinue reading “A new project: Mirror Frame”
Just when you think nothing is going on…
Despite this past week being the start of the school year, it wasn’t too quiet on the beach. On Tuesday the Argentine backpackers left on their way north. They have been camping across from our house on the beach for about a week, and we let them use the shade of our front porch duringContinue reading “Just when you think nothing is going on…”
Llywindatravels 2026 