Notes From New Zealand

During the past week Daveen and I have been touring New Zealand.  I brought my laptop with me solely for the purpose of writing my blog while we’re away.  I know I must be relaxed, because it took me almost a minute to remember my password.

It’s Sunday here, and we spent a lovely day cruising on Lake Taupo then enjoying a massage in our beautiful room at Huka lodge, which I recommend – unless you want to lose weight.  The food is far too delicious.

This blog may be more succinct than usual because it’s late and we’re leaving early tomorrow morning for Auckland to continue our adventure.

I realize that normally we travel for between ten and twelve weeks out of every year.  But the past several years have been anything but normal.  In February 2020, I read a book about the so-called Spanish Flu of 1918. I remember feeling thankful that we live in an age of modern medicine in which a pandemic wouldn’t be possible.  Little did I know that in less than a month Covid-19 would sweep the planet and drastically change the way we lived.   This is only our second major trip since 2020.

And yet, while I am relaxing on the other side of the world, I keep up with the news from home.  I see that snow has actually fallen in Los Angeles.  The last time that happened was, I believe, in 1952.  It was a Saturday.  I was twelve years old and wanted to play in the snow, but I had a piano lesson.  My parents insisted I attend.  By the time I returned home the snow had melted.

As they say, life is what happens while you’re making plans. Or practicing the piano. Or on vacation in the wilds of New Zealand. We’ve all weathered the past few years as best we can.

While I’m sorry to have missed my chance to play in the snow in Los Angeles for a second time, I’m grateful to once again be enjoying the joys of traveling.

Love to all.

Alan