I am very big for a marathon runner at 6´2″ and around 190 pounds for races. Typically people my size can run a marathon but finish quite slowly. In fact, one year, I was running the Portland Marathon in my quest to break three hours and you have an option of getting weighed beforehand toContinue reading “The “worst” race that led to a National Championship”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Scary boat mishap – Maldives
We were staying on Biyadhoo Island in the Maldives having a blissful, relaxing week. Sensational snorkeling daily. They offered a boat trip that would take you out to swim with the enormous manta rays. As we were boarding the boat I noticed there weren’t any life preservers so I asked them to provide one forContinue reading “Scary boat mishap – Maldives”
Phuket, Thailand
I had wanted to go to Thailand for decades. Finally we planned a week long vacation there from Abu Dhabi. When I went to confirm the flights at the last minute I realized there was a mistake. I believe the flights would only go to Bangkok. I was somehow able to make a last minuteContinue reading “Phuket, Thailand”
Al Ain, UAE
Al Ain is about 90 minutes by car from Abu Dhabi. It has a major university, one of the highest points in the UAE(Jebel Hefeet), an amazing camel market and an oasis in the Middle of the town. The prices paid for the camels can be staggering. The Oasis includes AL Ain Fort that hasContinue reading “Al Ain, UAE”
Jordán and Israel
If I had to rank travel experiences this would be near the top. There is so much to see in a relatively small area. You can feel the history, religion and conflict. We started out the trip in Amman, Jordan. Jordan is a country that has absorbed millions of refugees from Palestine, Syria and IContinue reading “Jordán and Israel”
Languages Learned
Along with traveling, languages have always been a passion of mine. English is my first language but I have studied, learned and utilized many others to varying degrees. I studied Spanish for four years in high school and a couple of quarters at Western Washington University. One of those quarters I lived and studied inContinue reading “Languages Learned”
Beirut, Lebanon
I had a few days and had always wanted to see Beirut. Sometimes referred to as the Paris of the Middle East. I have worked with many Lebanese and have always been impressed by their love of country even though it is chaotic in the best of times. Like many places I have been, IContinue reading “Beirut, Lebanon”
Kochi, India
Living in the Middle East for almost nine years, I was surrounded by many people from India. There are many more Indians in the UAE than there are Emiratis. In the States I had always been intrigued by India. It seemed so exotic. To be quite honest, after living in the Middle East India wasn’tContinue reading “Kochi, India”
Lucky to be Alive- Lopez Island, Washington State
In the Summer of 2007, I had just finished my first year as an assistant principal in a high school in the State of Washington. It was a challenging year as all years are as a high school administrator. My roles included: supervisión of instructors in science, math, social studies and physical education; overseeing theContinue reading “Lucky to be Alive- Lopez Island, Washington State”
Eiffel Tower, Paris
My wife and I took a trip to Paris and Amsterdam for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It was right after the terrorist shooting in a nightclub in Paris, but we decided to go anyway. Security was intense in Paris, but the city lived up to its reputation. We stayed near the Eiffel Tower andContinue reading “Eiffel Tower, Paris”
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