winifredcreamer

After Election Day 2016

The last time I spoke to someone who was openly for Trump was a taxi driver in Edinburgh back in July. This shows you that I was completely out of touch with what most Americans think, or at least half of the US citizens who voted. During the eight months that were were on theContinue reading “After Election Day 2016”

Back in Peru, Nov. 2016

It is strange to be back in Peru after eight months. A little has changed and a lot hasn’t. Our flight was smooth and we arrived on time after leaving Miami a few minutes late. We landed at 10:30 pm and were probably at the Hotel Senorial by 12:30 am, which isn’t bad considering thatContinue reading “Back in Peru, Nov. 2016”

Good to know about Cuba

Internet There is no internet in Cuba. If you believe those who say there is limited access depending on where you are, you will waste a lot of time trying to connect to systems that have the broadband width of a human hair. Turn your devices off, bring a book to read and try notContinue reading “Good to know about Cuba”

Architecture in Cuba

I’d like to begin by discussing the really ancient architecture of Cuba, but we didn’t get to any archaeological sites apart from the footings of a few colonial-era walls that have been cleared in Old Havana. Archaeological work in Havana is directed by the city Historian, who seems to be in charge of a lotContinue reading “Architecture in Cuba”

Vintage Cars in Cuba

Not knowing much about vintage cars, I figured out that the models you see in Cuba range from about 1947-1961. Some are beautifully restored, others less so. It is fun to look at them, like being on a movie set. Here is a slideshow of the ones I managed to photograph. I was unable toContinue reading “Vintage Cars in Cuba”

Cuba!

Actually getting to Cuba is the first part of the tour’s adventure, as it turns out. We met our group the night before departure and they proved to be a congenial bunch. We had to be at the airport three hours ahead of time (boring), but we saw the array of goods that people takeContinue reading “Cuba!”

Good to know about Scotland

Good to know about Scotland People The smaller town, the nicer the people. Not that people in Edinburgh aren’t great, but it’s a city and you can’t talk to everyone on the street. If you ask a question in a smaller place, the person you’ve asked hasn’t already been asked that question innumerable times, andContinue reading “Good to know about Scotland”

A Clootie Well

What? A clootie well is a natural water source believed to have special powers. Visitors dip a scrap of cloth in the water. The well is at the bottom of this photo, with a cup: There is some difference of opinion as to whether one bathes with the wet cloth, or makes a wish, orContinue reading “A Clootie Well”

Stained glass

Marion, my neighbor and landlady in Invergordon, makes mosaics and stained glass. I admired the mirror in our house and found that she made it. “If you stop in the charity shop in Dornoch, they have a large one I made,” and when we saw it–it was really cool. Marion also makes stained glass andContinue reading “Stained glass”

Orkney Islands, land of rainbows

The weather was highly variable on Orkney, rain and wind alternating with sun. Every few minutes we ran for the car to hide from the rain and then hoisted ourselves out again when it passed. We saw rainbows constantly, after every storm. During our full day there, we saw about a dozen different rainbows, partial,Continue reading “Orkney Islands, land of rainbows”