Alcatraz...
the hostel
Here are a couple of shots of the boys in Seattle before we left:
You would like to think that JFK is one of the strictest, most attentive airports one could pass though. But you ain't seen nothin till you attempt to law abidingly get through SeaTac. Things with which we passed through JFK (and Newark in February) were verbotten here. Staffed largely by grandmothers who have a thing or two to teach you no good travelin youngins, contraband tossing included a hand slap and a lecture. Cesare's cherished honey from Pike's Place market... tossed. Tom's handy all purpose tool from my Dad, which admittedly could hold a flight attendent captive, was ordered tossed at SeaTac but got a nod at JFK.
Tom went off in search of a sailing opportunity today, while I took the boys to the Exploratorium. There were some hands-on exhibits there that while Cesare took an extra long time to enjoy I could see other patrons getting a little antsy. I wanted to tell them that we literally flew 3,ooo miles for Cesare to experience this do-hicky, that he hadn't stopped talking about one or two of those things since our visit last year! But I didn't get all righteous with them given that there were Germans, Japanese, French and other far flung folks there, and our short hop from NY sob story would sound a little played.
After spending SEVEN hours there today, and another FIVE at the Pacific science center in Seattle, I heartily endorse using an iPod to pass the supervision-time. It blocks out all of the abundant noise in these places. I highly recommend somthing like Coldplay, or for intensity: Phillip Glass. If you lean toward the dramatic, and really who among us doesn't, you can stand back and view your life as a film, with a great soundtrack, even if the story is a little dull.
When we were at the Seattle science center I laid my hand on a heart rate meter. In addition to telling you how cardiologically fit you are (I'm not), it also had a "tenseness" meter. I rated high. Tell me about it. When I'm in these enormous places, with hundreds of people I live in fear of Cesare getting seperated from us. The thing is, he would never know he got seperated. Cesare wouldn't know he was lost. He'd think he is right where he is. Zen, isn't it?
Tom never got to sail today, but enjoyed a rare day in SF where the sun shines and there is no fog. The view of the Golden Gate and the islands were pristine. He did a lot of walking along the wharf. We had dinner at The Stinking Rose. Carla recommended we go there 15 years ago on our first trip here. Remember Carla? Everything is coated, dipped and infused with garlic. It was superb, again.
Thinking lots about our garden. Our neighbor, Rich, is on watering duty. Hope New Paltz friends will help themselves to tomatoes and peppers that are sure to be ripe and ready.
Looking forward to Santa Cruz on Thursday and hooking up with cousins Judy, Roman and Chiara. (Judy, DON'T see "Diabolical Me" before we see you, the boys want to see it with your kids, in 3D of course.)
Thank for tuning in.
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