FIRST VISIT TO USA IN FOUR YEARS!

In the photo above, I'm a new-born baby. This photo was taken in 1949. My primary mission in returning to California after living in Latin America for the past 4 years was to close out my storage locker account.

It was easy throwing out papers and carefully saved keepsakes I'd saved for a life time.  I made mistakes, and still feel raw from things I wish I hadn't tossed into the recycling bin.

Yet I also am born again, in a manner of speaking. The storage fees were $25 monthly 4 years ago, yet were increased to $45 monthly this past year.  It was time to put an end to this loss.

I did delve through more than 20 boxes and files. I threw out everything except for items I placed in 4 boxes and a small file case.

Furthermore, I renewed my Driver's License (which included having a photo taken, a vision test, and passing a written exam).

September,  a friend helped me open a checking account with Charles Schwab so I will no longer pay $30 every month in International ATM fees.

A friend with a Costco membership helped me order a new pair of glasses. My trip was goal oriented, and successful, while fun.

OK, now to continue with the amazing time I enjoyed while in California. I stayed with friends in Fremont, Lafayette, El Dorado Hills, Natomas (Sacramento), and Santa Rosa. And I visited with other friends with whom I've maintained close ties.

Below is the Guayaquil Airport. My plane left Guayaquil at 6 am, so I arrived at the airport 3 am (I'd spent the night in a nearby Guayaquil hotel).

The tropical trees and carp filled ponds in front of the Guayaquil Airport are lovely, even at 3 am.

Below everyone is getting settled on the plane, which flew from Guayaquil to Panama City.

The plane is seen in Panama City below, where we landed about 8 am. An hour later, I boarded another plane, which flew over Central America, Mexico, and the Western United States. I arrived at San Francisco International at 3:50 PM.

The flight took about 10 hours, including an hour to change planes. There is a time difference between Guayaquil and San Francisco of 2 hours, which made the trip seem longer than it was.

Below are COPA Flight Personnel after my arrival at SFO. Flying on COPA Airlines was a good experience. The round trip ticket from Guayaquil to San Francisco was $700.

Much of the flight I enjoyed chatting in Spanish with this lovely couple from Bogotá, Colombia. They were spending a week in San Francisco at a Google Conference.

Ruth picked me up at the SFO Airport Saturday afternoon, September 3. Being with Ruth helped with the culture shock of being in California, because we met when she and her husband were in Ecuador traveling throughout Latin America for 2 years. 

Before coming to Ecuador, Venki obtained a position with CEDEI's Department of International Programs in Cuenca teaching physics. Ruth and Venki were both awarded Cultural Exchange Visas.

It's a miracle Ruth and I met in Cuenca (we volunteered together), enjoyed one another so much, and spent time together again in California. I always found Ruth's enthusiasm contagious, and will always treasure her generosity. I stayed with Ruth in Fremont nearly a week. 

Ruth not only picked me up at the SFO airport--she dropped me off at the end of my trip the evening of October 3. Many mornings, she drove me to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Fremont station, then retrieved me evenings. 

Ruth is a retired Nurse and her husband Venki is a retired Physics Professor. They are always caring for other people. Right now Venki is in London, helping his elderly sister sell her home. 

The plan is for Venki's sister to come to California and live in a nearby skilled nursing facility where Ruth's mother, age 92, now lives.  Ruth sees her mother daily, and spends every Sunday with her.

Ruth prepared wonderful salads from hand picked lettuce and tomatoes grown in her family's garden every day. And she cooked delicious vegetarian meals.

Next are photos of the garden behind Ruth and Venki's home:

Below is the community swim pool behind the home of Ruth and Venki, where I enjoyed a refreshing swim on the day after my arrival to Fremont.

I stayed in the corner bedroom where Ruth and Venki's daughter Lakshmi grew up. What a harbor this room provided!  I slept here for my the first week in California, and the evening before leaving the US for Ecuador:

Labor Day weekend, Ruth was invited to the home of her long time friends (they'd all known each other since their children were in pre-school) for dinner. I was too shy to take their photos! So sorry about this--I would have valued having their pictures. They were so kind! I did take some photos of the food Beth prepared for the occasion, however:

Almost an entire week passed riding on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) from Fremont (Ruth dropped me off mornings and picked me up evenings) to Walnut Creek, Concord and Berkeley, where I met with cherished friends.

The very first person I met with was Linda, who took my kitty Iris into her heart and home 4 years ago, when I moved to the Dominican Republic. Iris adopted me in 2002, when I lived in New Orleans. After sleeping together 10 years (Iris always slept near my head), we were deeply bonded.

For many months, I searched for a person who would take Iris. I finally received help from Contra Costa Times Pet Columnist Gary Bogue. He published a notice saying Iris needed a new human to care for her.  Below is Linda, holding Iris, now 17 years old (shockingly) and a real (loved) old lady:

Next, Linda is seen in front of her lovely home, locking up:

Linda and I spent Tuesday after Labor Day (September 5) at the Todos Santos Farmer's Market, where Terry Linscott, MFT, was shopping. Terry is the Psychotherapist with whom I had the best connection of anyone in the building where I previously leased my Psychology office.

The day was drenched in sunlight and happiness. It was one of the most memorable mornings of my month in California! Terry said that she and Carolyn Sedar (Terry's Hair Stylist, whom I went to previously) had been wondering about me. What a synchronicity that we met that day!

Below are photos taken of the taqueria at which we ate lunch, and of the Farmer's Market.

That Tuesday,  Linda took me to Costco, where I received an eye exam and ordered new glasses. My last pair of glasses, 4 years old, were really scratched up.

What a shock to be in Costco after all of these years. California is the land of consumerism, and I was excited about buying coconut oil and cashew nuts there, as well as new glasses.

That evening I took the BART to Berkeley, and met my good friend Bill Alexander at a bookstore on Shattuck Avenue. Bill has been a loyal supporter of this blog, and an esteemed friend for 15 years.

Bill grew up in Hawaii, and I once lived in his home in Crockett, California. That was in 2004, after returning from 2 years living in New Orleans.  In 2006, Bill sold his house, and moved to his home state of Hawaii. He's been living in the SF Bay area again since 2008.

Bill now works and lives in Berkeley. Bill took me out for a splendid dinner at a New Orleans style restaurant, Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen, in Berkeley. Here we are, below.

The next day, Wednesday, September 7, I took the BART from Fremont to meet with Maria Alvarado. Maria came to the US from Mexico when she was just 8 years old. I knew Maria for 4 years while she was a teenager attending Ignacio Valley High School.

Maria is now 21 years old. Always an outstanding student, she recently completed her AA Degree at Diablo Valley College. A cherished friend, Maria is completely fluent in both Spanish and English. Maria is now enrolled at Cal State University.  I admire her tremendously. Here is Maria:

Thursday, September 8, Ruth took me to the BART station yet another day. Ellen, a dear friend and faithful correspondent the past 4 years (she is a loyal supporter of this blog) met me at the Concord BART station.  We drove to her home in Benicia, where her dogs Mickee and Jewel greeted us.

We spent a delightful day sight-seeing in Benicia, and Ellen took me to lunch at an Indian Buffet.

Ellen planted a bush in her garden that has grown quite large-- it attracts many hummingbirds!

Together, Ellen and I toured the Community Gardens of Benicia, as well as the Benicia Marina.

Thursday evening Carmen and her family took me out for a sumptuous Italian dinner. Carmen grew up in El Salvador and has lived in Concord for many years.

Below is a photo of Carmen and her remarkable son, Jonathan. Carmen is also seen with Michelle, her daughter, now getting her Masters Degree in Business at Mills College while working full time!

Friday morning Alison met me at the Walnut Creek BART Station. We went to her home off of Homestead Boulevard in Walnut Creek, where she prepared lunch. Joe, her husband, retired recently, so we were all able to spend time talking. I was delighted to see their home after the remodeling Alison wrote about in their Christmas letter.

Alison took me to the Charles Schwab bank on California Boulevard in Walnut Creek, where I opened a checking account. Alison asked many questions of the Bank Officer who assisted us, which helped greatly. I emerged from the experience confident that I'd succeeded in the goal of having a checking account which would not charge International ATM Banking fees.

I've been burdened by an excess of $30 month in International ATM fees charged by my community bank (I'd previously thought supporting a smaller bank was a good idea) for several years now. So glad I found an alternative. Next are photos of Alison with both Joe, and myself.

Friday afternoon, Alison dropped me off at my Nurse Psychologist friend Sherry's home in Lafayette. Sherry has been a good friend, a wonderful correspondent and a faithful follower of this blog. I'll always remember the luxurious weekend I just spent with Sherry, her daughter Kira, and Sherry's husband Glenn in their beautiful home.

Sherry "cleared the decks" for me (Kira and Glenn were otherwise occupied), and we spent many an intimate hour conversing in depth during the two days we were together. We drank white wine, went out for a Thai dinner and had delicious Greek food, too. Sherry took me to the REI store in Concord on Saturday to look for a pair of Chaco sandals, but they didn't have the right color.

Of course, I greatly enjoyed the many shopping opportunities (did not buy anything that day) and delicious ethnic restaurants in California unavailable in Ecuador. Actually, I ended up ordering and receiving the Chaco sandals I wanted on Amazon (Amazon doesn't deliver to Ecuador).

The important thing about the weekend, though, was that we really talked. We used to discuss our clients back when I practiced as a Psychologist in Concord. Sherry turned me on to helpful books about childrearing, which sure helped with clients who came to me with children.

We've had an in-depth correspondence for the past four years (recently I've written about different experiences with expats and asked for help getting along with them).  It was especially meaningful to finally connect with Sherry in person.

Kira, who was only 12 when I left California, was a grown up 16 year old during this visit. She is now driving to the gym for practice, and drives to see her friends, too!

Kira's takes advanced Spanish classes at Acalanes High School and is thinking of going to Buenos Aires as an exchange student when she enters college. My feeling is that she will become fluent quickly and will have a fabulous experience in Latin America.

Below are photos of Sherry (she is holding a wine glass yet I drank most of the wine), Sherry's home, dog, and garden:

Sherry took me to the Home Depot Saturday and bought plants for her beautiful terraced garden.

Lastly, here is the bed on which I slept in Sherry's guest room. The rumpled quilt is the one I used to have on my bed when I lived in the area four years ago, so I felt right at home!

Sunday morning Sherry dropped me at the Martinez Amtrak Station (near Lafayette), where I caught the train to Sacramento. A whole new adventure followed. Next is the Amtrak station in Martinez. 

Sandy Taylor picked me up at the Capitol Mall Amtrak station and we drove north, stopping for pizza and a glass of beer at Whole Foods in Folsom.

Afterwards, we went to the storage facility, and closed out my storage account. OH HAPPY DAY. Sandy helped me load my boxes into the car. How would I ever make it without Sandy? The next 10 days I stayed with Sandy in Jan's house (who was away for 2 weeks) in El Dorado Hills.

Sandy wined and dined me during evenings and weekends. I sorted through my storage during the days. We also spent time with Sandy's delightful grandchildren, Tristan, Reagan and Donovan.

Sunday, the evening of my arrival in El Dorado Hills, we joined Sandy's daughter Candice and her husband Adam with the children for dinner.  First we went swimming with the children.

Below I'm with the lovely Reagan, age 6.  And Candice is also seen with Reagan.

Next, Sandy is seated at the dining room table with 8 year old Tristan (Sandy bought 2 bunches of organic asparagus at Whole Foods for the occasion).

Below are photos of Jan's house, where I stayed 10 days (Sandy hosted me for a longer time than anyone else), and the bed in Sandy's room, which Sandy generously gave up so I could sleep there. It was the life of luxury.

My favorite evening was Thursday, September 15--we celebrated the Full Moon in Pisces (the Eclipse of the Moon occurred the next morning).

Sandy and I went to Trader Joe's in Folsom, where we purchased $80 worth of marvelous cheeses, tequila, margarita mix, assorted crackers and other delicious food items.

Trader Joe's employees even helped celebrate my excitement at buying gorgeous foods there after not being at TJ's in 4 years!!!  Sandy and I drank margaritas, ate cheeses and everything else. We proceeded to howl at the Full (Harvest) Moon.

Sandy treated me to an outstanding Thai meal at one of the best restaurants in El Dorado Hills one evening. And Sandy's daughter, Candice, treated me to a visit at her gym, the El Dorado Hills Sports Club and Spa. I sure enjoyed swimming in the gorgeous Olympic-sized pool at that gym.

Friday, September 16, Sandy drove us to midtown Sacramento, where we had drinks at the Tower Café, watched a film at the Tower Theater, and ate desserts afterward at the Tower Café.  How we relished our evening consorting with the elites of Sacramento that evening.

On other evenings, we saw the wonderful film, Hell or High Water, with Kurt Russell, at the nearby Regal Cinema in El Dorado Hills. We also caught the showing of Sully, with Tom Hanks, at the same location. I luxuriated in the experience of viewing recently released films in California Theaters!

Sandy works full time at the El Dorado Hills County Senior Center, where I gave a presentation of photos from my travels in Peru and Ecuador. Those who took part were attentive. Sandy has a College Degree, ran her own insurance company for 20 years, and has a Airplane Pilot's license. She's a Saint to work with elderly people, a population many lack the patience for.  She really helps older people, and cares about them.  I truly valued the opportunity to visit her work location.

As mentioned previously, Sandy helped move the boxes that were in storage and close the account. The next photo is of boxes we picked up at Life Storage of El Dorado Hills (wouldn't recommend this facility to anyone).

Next you can view the recycling container filled with many of the items I tossed. And the last photo shows my remaining life possessions.

Below is a view into the inside of that big recycling container.  Sandy, energetic as ever, had already arisen at 4 am one morning and taken many items to the County for recycling.

How I wish I could turn retrace my steps and retrieve a few items I tossed away... There wasn't a lot of time and I was moving fast.  Of course, there are regrets. Yet I'm proud the job is done.

Sandy cried and cried while I was throwing away keepsakes treasured for so many years, saying she knew I was dying, and that we are all dying. Yep, I was going through the motions, and Sandy was expressing my feelings and hers. So grateful for feeling friends like Sandy, who tell it like it is.

And finally, all of my personal effects after 67 years of living are reduced to 4 boxes and a file case. I scanned all of the photos in the albums boxed in the Ranier box, so this box can be thrown away too.

My kind friends Limor and Josh (photos of both to follow) are keeping these items in their Natomas (Sacramento) home. I've given them permission to get rid of those photo albums. Sure hope they do! I threw away things that were so much more special than these albums.

Sandy helped SO much helping to make all of this purging more tolerable by driving me around every evening after work (and weekends) to buy shoes, clothes, and cotton underwear at Marshall's, Ross, Goodwill, some fine consignment shops, various Outlet stores, Walmart, and Target.

My dear friend accompanied me to every store in which I wanted to shop, and made sure I got the 2 dresses, 4 pairs of pants, 3 tops, 2 jackets, 3 pairs of shoes, and cotton underwear I wanted. Sandy is the perfect consultant for older women who want to buy clothes. She recognized dresses, trousers and tops I might have passed up, and now I'm enjoying the articles she selected.

We also went to WinCo Foods and a few food stores where I purchased pecans, almonds, and seasonings that are less affordable or unavailable in Ecuador. I didn't buy much, yet cherish the items we bought together.

Sandy even gave me the keys to her Prius, and I was absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to drive. She told me the back roads to  the Walmart and Trader Joe's in Folsom. I didn't exactly understand her directions, yet all roads in California lead to shopping, so all went well. Driving in California is easy (it's second nature to me)--I adored driving Sandy's Prius.

Over the years, Sandy's made it possible for me to live in Latin America. Sandy and Jan were the ones to move my boxes from Martinez, where I'd left them, to Jan's garage, and then to an El Dorado Hills storage facility.  She's moved those darned boxes 4 different times, since she helped move them to the Martinez facility in the first place. Bet she's glad to be done with 'em.

Sandy went to FedEx before work one morning 2 years ago when my debit card was canceled (unbeknownst to me) after my community bank changed names--she mailed me a new debit card in Lima. Without Sandy I would have been stranded! She calls when a letter has arrived she thinks may be important. Sandy has always been the one to help me out more than anyone.

Sandy and her roommate Jan even came to the Dominican Republic to visit for 2 weeks in 2013. We had the most fabulous vacation ever. Sandy and Jan will come to Ecuador in 2017, and we're taking a trip (by bus) throughout Peru.

In the photo below, Sandy is standing by her Prius, parked next to Jan's car in the garage.

Sandy is packing clothes in the medium-sized suitcase she helped buy at Ross.

Sandy's grandchildren provide great levity and give so much love. We spent one Saturday at their soccer practice.  I was able to take a few excellent photos of these beautiful children. Below, Sandy is helping Reagan put her shoes on.  

Reagan, Tristan and Donovan rely on Sandy in ways they don't rely on anyone else. Sandy gives them the acknowledgement their parents, though they're terrific, are often too busy to give.

 Four-year-old Donovan is practicing with his teammates.

Here, Tristan, age 8, is standing protectively behind his brother Donovan.

Saturday evening,  September 24,  Sandy invited Limor and me to visit for the evening. Sandy bought a bottle of excellent wine, and prepared a spread that was outrageously good. She'd been shopping at Nugget, a specialty grocery store just as expensive as Whole Foods (and better, in my opinion).

We even had barbecued ribs! Limor, Sandy and I had a truly special evening together. I was thrilled that two women who have been so precious to me connected with one another.

Wednesday, September 21, Limor picked me up and I spent the following week with her family in Natomas, about 45 minutes from Sandy and Jan's home in El Dorado Hills.

Sacramento does stretch out a long ways! Limor and Josh lived in Walnut Creek when I knew them. So many have been priced out of the Walnut Creek area now (I, too, left the area just as the cost of living there and leasing my psychology office was about to double) and have moved to Sacramento.

I had a remarkable time with this family-- for a whole week. What a treat to get better acquainted with Josh. They were all extraordinarily generous! Limor even gave me one of her favorite tops, one she loved to wear, saying, "Here, take this back to Ecuador, Lee. It looks great on you."

Limor listened to me talk about my parents, family and life in a way no one else ever has, and really heard my sadness about having thrown away so many precious photographs and papers. She scanned the papers I wrote while obtaining my PhD at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. We even drove to Best Buy, where I bought a flash drive on which to store the scanned papers.

Limor helped me grieve by looking at all of the photos I scanned before tossing away my baby album and my parents' college yearbook. She really looked deeply at my photographs and empathized. Usually I'm the one doing the caring! I found being with Limor deeply nurturing.

I still have terrible sadness about getting rid of that college yearbook. My mother and father were both the first in their families to finish college; I didn't care at all about throwing away my high school yearbook (high school was not a good time) yet wish I'd kept the college yearbook.

There are papers I wrote as an Undergraduate at UC Berkeley I wish I'd kept too. I still feel awful about having tossed them away. I was in a big of a hurry to get through everything in storage!

Next are photos of my parents, Allen and Frances Haworth. They gave me the magnificent gift of moving our family to the town of Shorey, Peru in 1952-56, where my father was a Mining Engineer at the famous Quiruvilca Mine. Quiruvilca is high in the Andes, about 4 hours from Trujillo, Peru.

It's been the dream of a lifetime to live in Latin America and become fluent again in Spanish, since I spoke Spanish before learning English.  I've succeeded in realizing my dream of living in Latin America (I'm a card- carrying Ecuadorian resident) as an adult, and I do speak Spanish fluently.

I wrote a blog update all about my experience visiting the Quiruvilca Mine as a 65 year old woman, and you can look up the link to the update here,

http://viajesporamericadelsur.blogspot.com/2014/10/september-and-october-in-peru.html

Next is a photo of my baby sister Linda and myself (taken in the mining town of Shorey, Peru) when I turned 3 years old:

In the following picture I am less than one year old. This photo was taken in Patagonia, Arizona (near the border of Mexico). My father was a Mining Engineer at the Trench Mine during that time. My parents lived there in the late 1940's until 1952, when our family moved to Peru.

Next is a photo of my mother taken the year after my father died of lung cancer in 1962 (I was 12). The photo is torn because I tried to remove it from my childhood scrap book.

It breaks my heart to see my mother holding up after the loss of my father--she had 4 young children (aged 2, 8, 10 & 12) for which she was responsible.

Fortunately, we each have led happy, productive lives, and we're all college graduates. I'm proud of my mother (deceased in 2000) and my siblings.

Below my mother and I are together in 1989, when I took her to the the Sonoma Mission Inn. It was my mother's last visit to California.

 OK, back to September 2016 and the week's stay with Limor, Josh, and Lily Eva.

Below, Limor is stretched out on the couch in their living room while her husband Josh is sitting with a cup of broth. Lily Eva, their 9 year old daughter, was just 5 years old when we were last together.

In fact, I remember when Lily Eva was just a gleam in Limor's eye! Limor and I were doing our Pre-Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Internships when we met! I knew Josh (a brilliant and caring Attorney) then too, and met his mother (I also met Limor's mother) when she came to assist during Limor's pregnancy with Lily.

Since then Limor has finished all of her Post-Doc hours (she just completed a demanding Post-Doc position in which she supervised a number of interns) and is studying for the exam to become licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in California.

Limor and Josh hung my Hawaiian art (I lived in Hawaii 7 years) in the room where I slept, which felt so very welcoming:

Sunday, Josh, Limor and I went to midtown Sacramento, where they treated me to a delicious Mexican dinner.  Ecuador has Mexican restaurants, but they don't compare with those in California.

Josh and Lily Eva have a close relationship, and love to clown around together.

Hard to say who clowns around more, Josh or Lily Eva?

Not only did Limor take me to the DMV in Folsom (where my Driver's License was renewed), she took me out to various Afghanistani and Indian markets (Cost Plus Imports, too). I bought spices, as well as packaged Indian and Thai foods to bring to Ecuador.

Limor and I delighted in cooking together, and Limor made scrumptious foods her mother and grandmother taught her to prepare. Limor's mother is Mizrahi (not Ashkenazi) Jewish, and her father is Egyptian. Her background is both Jewish and Arabic!

One evening Lily Eva proclaimed she was sick of eating Middle Eastern foods! I found this hilarious, because it never occurred to me that anyone would ever tire of Mediterranean foods. Lily Eva speaks her mind! Thanks to her parents, she's learned how to express herself honestly.

On the Thursday after my driver's license was renewed, Limor took me to a delicious Thai restaurant. Josh, Limor and Eva had already taken me out for Kabob in an Afghan restaurant the previous evening.  Friday, Limor and I went for lunch at the most marvelous Indian Restaurant, Haveli.

Limor and Josh have the same car they had when I still lived in California. They've really gotten value out of this vehicle. Here their car is seen parked in front of their home in Natomas.

Josh and Limor live in a community with a swimming pool for all to use, and I enjoyed swimming almost everyday I stayed in Natomas.  Limor went running, and worked out at the gym daily. She's runs marathons in her spare time!

By the way, Limor knows all of the lyrics to many of the songs of well known Juan Luis Guerra, my favorite Dominican Singer. She saw him in Berkeley when he performed at the Greek Theater. Limor speaks Spanish very well. She, Josh and Lily are planning a trip to Mexico in the near future.  Maybe they'll visit Ecuador one day.

This park is in front of the school Lily Eva attends. She really likes her new school.

Lily's teacher is saying "good-bye" to her students at the end of the school day. Limor and I had mornings together, and always made sure to pick up Lily Eva exactly on time. Lily's classes start before 8 am and school ends at 1:50 pm.

 Lily Eva and Limor are together below.

We're driving past fields on the way to the house in this photo below. There's still lots of agriculture around the neighborhood in which Limor and her family live.

Lily is just leaving the house for school. She picks out her own outfits, and always looks fashionable.

Winnie is the family cat, rescued from neglect at the apartment complex where the family previously lived. Now she's a happy and playful kitty. Limor, Josh, Lily and I are all cat lovers.

All wonderful times with treasured friends in distant locations must end, and on Wednesday, September 28, Limor took me to the Amtrak station. I caught the train back to Martinez. Linda met me at the Martinez Amtrak station and we went to Costco together to get my new glasses!

Linda was a major help, and it was a pleasure being back in Costco. An outstanding employee fitted my new glasses. Unfortunately, I did not get her photo. Here is the consumeristic scene at Costco. Oh well, I've gotten along fine without being there. So long, Costco, I may not be back for many years.  

Next Linda and I headed for El Faro, where we ate lunch. The food wasn't as great as I remembered (the restaurant changed management).  Nonetheless, Linda and I took pleasure in being together!

After our Mexican food at El Faro, we drove to Linda's home. I held "my" precious kitty for the last time and took this photo of Iris as she approached the camera. Iris, I'll always love you.

Linda drove back to the Martinez Amtrak station. where I caught this Thruway Amtrak bus to Santa Rosa. The round trip fare was $30, and the bus left at 4 pm. The bus arrived on Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa at 5:30 pm. My beloved friend Don met me at the bus stop promptly! He scooped me up and took me to his home on beautiful Manzanita Avenue off of Brush Road.

Don made martinis, and we savored a marvelous evening catching up some. Don related a great deal about growing up in Minnesota. We spent hours talking Astrology, and he showed me the charts of some of his best friends. Having studied closely with Dane Rudhyar, Don is an excellent astrologer.

Next is a photo of Don and Michel, taken when they first became partners 50 years ago! They've lived happily together ever since, and both look younger than ever!

Don is the consummate Zen gardener, and spends many days tending to the huge plot behind the couple's home.  One would hardly know their home is in the middle of Santa Rosa! Don and Michel host many gatherings here on the weekends. Both are highly involved with municipal activities promoting Santa Rosa's prosperity, and delight in entertaining friends and dignitaries.

Next is a photograph of their home from the vantage of the rose garden below.

Fortunately, Don conducted an extensive tour of his gardens. Here he is, handsome as ever:

Don drove to his favorite beach on the Coast near Jenner, and we reveled in a glorious Thursday!

Next is a portrait of Michel, who is French, and speaks Spanish fluently. He is also a gourmet cook and connoisseur of antiques. The interior of the couple's home reflects his excellent taste.

Michel took us all out for a superb dinner at Santa Rosa's premier Thai restaurant, the Sea Thai Bistro, located in the nearby Montgomery Village Shopping Center. That evening, the owner of the restaurant came to our table, and greeted Michel (a long-time customer) warmly.

The third day with Don and Michel, Don and I walked around Spring Lake. What a glorious stroll together!  My stay in Santa Rosa brought back many fond memories of the years I lived there and worked for the Sonoma County Health Department, from 1997 through 2001.

Saturday, October 1, Margie (her parents were good friends who passed away after I left the United States) picked me up at Don's home. She drove to the East West Café, where we took pleasure in having lunch with her family. Margie is married to Doug, and they have two sons, Tony and Joe.

We spent much of the day grieving the loss of Margie's beloved parents together. Below are their ashes, which Margie placed in a beautiful urn.

Carol and Margie greeted me via FB March 2013. That was the last time I ever heard from Carol. Carol Corlett passed away March 25, 2014. 

Carol and I had been to performances at the Town Hall Theater in Lafayette many times together, and had taken up clogging with the Diablo Mountain Cloggers in Walnut Creek!  Carol introduced me to her nursing friends. We all bought season tickets to Concord's Willows Theater.

I needed to grieve the loss of Carol and Don. Margie, their youngest daughter, sure helped. Guilt is always a component of losing a person one loves, and I had residual guilt from never having said good-bye to Carol and Don. Their deaths came as a shock, and I'd failed to let them know how much I loved them. 

Don and Carol were among my best friends while living in Concord, where they had raised their family. Susan, Ken and Margie are their 3 adult children. Susan invited me to her home in Alameda to celebrate Carol's birthday once, and we all spent Thanksgiving and Easter together several years. 

Carol, Don, Susan, and Margie all participated in a class on the Enneagram, as well as a class on Dreams, that I presented at the Unity Center of Walnut Creek. And I took part in the classes Carol presented on the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Don and Carol helped me pick out my computer printer at Fry's Electronics. Don spent hours with me while I learned how to put together a power point presentation. I'll always be grateful to this loving family for all their support. 

When Margie called Susan and we spoke, Susan remarked how Margie, Ken and she had pulled together during the illness of their parents, their subsequent deaths, and the many details afterward.

Don Corlett made his transition less than two months after Carol passed away.  Don died May 19 2013. The irrevocability of life's choices came into sharp focus when these precious friends died.

Margie is seated at the living room table in her family's Santa Rosa home.

Margie is enjoying the affection of her devoted husband, Doug! I met Doug previously in 2011. We were together Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by Margie's parents Carol & Don when they were alive. 

 Doug is with his older son Tony below, helping him knot his tie before the Homecoming Dance:

Joe and the dogs in the family living room.

Thankfully, we all went to Santa Rosa's Summerfield Cinemas and watched the new Beatles Film, Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years. That film provided much needed gaiety after our intense day. 

Saturday evening, upon return to Don and Michel's home, Don and I talked Astrology some more. Don told me so much about his chart and those of others he knows! I'm really happy I learned so much.  Don suggested buying this book (or studying Rudhyar's web site), which he values highly:

Sunday morning Don took me to the Amtrak station in Santa Rosa (which is really just a bus stop in front of Dick's Sporting Goods on Cleveland Avenue).  The Thruway bus came on time. 

The bus arrived in Martinez too late for me to catch an Amtrak train to Richmond, however, where I'd planned to catch a BART train to Fremont. Instead I took a Concord City bus to the Pleasant Hill BART station, which is only a mile away. That bus ride took 1 1/2 hours! 

The last days before my return to Ecuador were hard, and I remembered why I left the United States. I was exhausted, and people can be so cold. Public transportation in California is lousy! I finally caught the BART train, and arrived back at Ruth's home in Fremont Sunday afternoon, October 3. 

I'll always feel appreciative of Ruth for taking care of me YET AGAIN. Venki, Ruth's husband, was still in London helping his older sister, and Ruth was missing him terribly. Also she was with her mother all day Sunday, the day I arrived. Monday she scheduled a flight for her brother to come from Baltimore to stay with the family 6 weeks. Ruth and Venki take care of EVERYONE.

They'd REALLY like to be able to free themselves so they can travel together again. They recently had the time of their lives traveling throughout Latin America 2 years. They've finally retired after raising children and leading long productive careers. 

Now Ruth and Venki are in the position of care-taking elderly relatives. They deserve more travel years for themselves, because of enjoying one another (they love to bicycle and hike together) and the world so much.  

I felt immediately comfortable in Ruth's home, and she prepared delicious dinners, as usual. I never felt more in love with Ruth than while we practiced Spanish together. Ruth is devoted to learning Spanish!  I could tell she has been diligent. She even volunteers at a Thrift Store in Union City with Spanish-speaking employees so she can continue to converse in Spanish. 

Ruth speaks the language well now, and she's been back in the US for months. I wish Ruth would come back to Ecuador and we could volunteer at the El Arenal program again! How I loved being with Ruth here in Cuenca. I miss her so.  

Below is a photo of her family living room, and another of the family's refrigerator. I felt the power of Ganesha, the God of Transition (he is also known as the God of Obstacles, and the Remover of Obstacles) during my stay in Ruth's family home. You can tell how active the family is by the photos on the refrigerator (hope these photos aren't too personal; they're beautiful to me):

Ruth was busy freezing the tomatoes she'd picked from their garden the last day we were together. A few hot days in Fremont had matured the tomatoes all at once. Below is a photo of the tomatoes:

Additionally, Ruth was busy caring for Pixie, a "therapy" dog her friend is fostering. She hopes this dog will be a good influence on their household when Venki's sister comes from London to stay:

Ruth prepared another fantastic dinner, of course, including a salad of fresh ingredients from the garden. Next is a photo of our last meal together, although the picture hardly does the food justice.

Next is yet ANOTHER photo of my suitcase. Ruth took me to Trader Joe's and to Whole Foods (didn't take photos) on Monday October 4, and I purchased a few last items at each location.

I was anxious my very last day in the US, and aware it might be years before I return. Who knows how much things might change, in the meanwhile? Besides, I'll just run out of stuff and live without items found in California stores (like I have for the past 4 years).

Ruth helped me pack my suitcase, and wrap my coconut oil from Costco, an obligatory item for all expats returning to Ecuador after a US visit. Who knew coconut oil in Ecuador (where there are SO many coconuts) would cost so much here? I know how expensive it is to buy coconut oil in Ecuador.

Thanks to Ruth's having weighed my suitcase, I arrived underweight at COPA Airlines, which allows two 23 kg suitcases. I only bought one suitcase, weighing in at 22.2 kg, and an additional bag filled with coconut oil, weighing less than 5 pounds.

Ruth took me to SFO early, and I arrived about 8 pm for the 11:18 flight to Panama City. It was a sad good-bye. Yet I was relieved to be among the first to check my luggage.

 The Co-Pilot smiled as I stepped off the COPA airplane in Ecuador Tuesday, October 4.

 The Stewardess beamed, saying, "Bienvenido a Ecuador!"

All's well that end's well, as they say. I sailed through Immigration and Customs in Ecuador easily. Then I caught a cab to the bus terminal ($4) and took a bus to Cuenca ($4). The bus trip from Guayaquil to Cuenca took about 4 hours. Public transportation is SO much better (and less expensive) here in Ecuador than it is in the United States. A lot of Ecuadorians are nicer, too.

When I got off on Las Americas, the Cobrador (money taker) knew exactly which pieces of luggage were mine. I caught a taxi ($2) to the woman's house where I am renting a room this month. November I move into El Centro for 3 months. I'll be house sitting a lovely upstairs apartment for a friend making HER dreams come true, while she is traveling throughout Southeast Asia. 

My US trip was a fabulous success. I am still tired and disoriented! I also feel excited about doors of opportunity opening for international travel. 

Thank you to all who took the time to look at the photos and read the text of this blog update. I especially appreciate the loving friends who took wonderful care of me while visiting California after being away so long. You certainly rolled out the red carpet for me. I've never felt more loved!!!

I'll keep you posted on life in Ecuador for the next 3 months, and plans (Buenos Aires? Uruguay? Northern Peru?) for travel in February!