Home to Chicago

David and I have returned to frigid Chicago after a wonderful month in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. This year we had a different condo from the one I have rented for the past two years. We didn't like it as well as the other one which faced north and the sea. We spent the first week getting help for the sliding doors to the balcony, which refused to slide, the TV and Internet, which didn't work, and the air conditioners, which didn't work well either.

 Isla Verde sky.

Also, the condo faced east instead of north, as my previous one did, bringing in lots of traffic noise from Avenida Isla Verde instead of the sounds of the sea. Oh well!

One of the many painted lions (Leon) in the town square at Ponce.

Eventually we got things working and explored the Island. David is an intrepid driver and we went to the east coast, to El Yunque- the rain forest, to Ponce (remember Ponce de Leon?), to Arecibo, and to Rincon on the western coast. We feel we have really seen Puerto Rico now.

The Cathedral in Ponce.

Peggy and Jim came to stay with us and joined the trips to El Yunque and Ponce.

 A drive in El Yunque, the rain forest.

 The amazing Arecibo Observatory.

Now back in Chicago briefly, we fly to San Diego on January 6th to visit David's niece, then back here for concerts by the Northwest Indiana Symphony (Tosca), two Music of the Baroque concerts and two operas at Chicago Lyric Opera: Clemenza di Tito and Barber of Seville.

Then it's back to the Berkshires for me on April 1st for the spring, summer, and fall. David will follow along a bit later for the summer.

Life is pretty good at age 84!