Wild America at The Villages, FL

There is a lovely community in central Florida where you can buy a home on a golf course for under $1 million. As a free bonus, you may be adopted by a family of cranes. This one, nicknamed Ozzie, comes by every day for a slice of bread. Sometimes his mate, Harriet, joins him, but today he was alone.

Ozzie walked up to the lanai, looked at me meaningfully, and waited patiently while I went into the kitchen. I found a  piece of bread to feed him. I was fearful of spooking him, but he showed no fear as I fumbled with the latch for the screen door. I walked up to him and broke bread with him. I believe I could have hand  fed him, he was so calm. What a treat for me.

The National Marine Museum in Virginia

 We were driving south from Dulles Airport on 495 late in the night. It was our first drive down this road, and we were surprised by an eye-catching tower of light along the highway. It had an artistic feel to it, but was mostly hidden by the trees. It became a compelling mystery to solve: what was that tower?

After a good night's sleep, our hosts recommended a short outing at the National Marine Museum at Quantico. As they described the museum, we  realized the mystery was solved. We had seen this relatively new museum, and now we knew how to get there.

As we approached from the highway, the pinnacle was hidden by the forest surrounding it. But when we entered the parking lot, we saw the museum. We parked, and as we approached the entry way, I was overcome by a sense of awe, knowing I walked where heroes walked and were honored.

The Five Most Important Spanish Words

I've begun traveling a lot in Latin America. I know a little Spanish, but don't really speak the language. However, I've found that with the following five words, most Americans can get by in Latin America.

• Please         Por favor
• Thank you   Gracias
• Food           Comida
• Beer            Cerveza
• Bathroom     Baño

US Takes Mexico City

 If you've seen the movie A Night at the Museum you may remember the scene where all the little soldiers in a diarama come to life and start fighting the battle which they depict. I think they included that scene because all of us, as children, have seen a museum diarama and in our young imagination, it came to life. Perhaps it even livened up our dreams that night.

This one caught my eye because I was recently in Mexico City and had to choose between a visit to Chapultepec castle, the site of this battle, or Teotihuacan. Until this moment, I had never known that the U.S. Marines had once captured and held Mexico City. One part of me wonders why we didn't make it part of the U.S. Having recently suffered from food poisoning on that same trip to Mexico City, it seems that if it was part of the U.S. it would be regulated by the FDA  or local health department, and I might have been saved several days of pain and suffering.

3 Things I Like Better in Mexico City Than Vancouver

1. Cash advance charge on my credit card: 27 cents.
2. Customs is much simpler and quicker.
3. Two-ply toilet paper.

Five Tips to Travel Safely in Mexico

1. Carry your wallet in your front pocket or in a fanny pack, or

better yet, in a money belt inside your clothing.
2. Avoid looking lost or confused, even when you are.
3. Let the porter at your hotel call your taxi cab and give directions
if you don't speak the language.
4. Never assume your door chain is enough to keep some one out. Use a
personal security device. For example, I ripped the chain right out of
the wall at my hotel when I opened the door for room service.
5. Don't accept drinks from strangers.

Cactus for lunch? Lunch in Mexico City

I've never eaten cactus before. The closest I've come is a soda pop called Cactus Cooler. But, as the old saying goes: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Today's lunch was a delightful mixture of sauteed beef and spices served over plantain, with a side of cactus and beans.

I generally find the beans in Mexico City to be fairly bland, despite the seasonings. The beef and avocado were wonderful.  The plantain added depth to the meal. And then there was the cactus.

It looked funny lying there on my plate. It had a shape all its own. I cautiously sliced off a tiny bite and was surprised to find it very tasty. There is a pungency to the flavor, but a crisp smooth texture to the flesh. It was a pleasant change from the usual fare.