# 138 Our Best Friends

My talented pet loving daughter-in-law contributed this fascinating piece on animals and I can certainly verify her absolute love for all creatures large or small. After having her in my life for the past thirteen years this entry confirms what a truly compassionate and giving person she is to the two/four/six/eight legged creatures that inhabit our earth.

By Gillian Schauer

Animals make us human…” ~Temple Grandin

If you are not an animal person, I hope this blog is the first step towards converting you…

I am an animal lover – and I mean all animals – not just cats and dogs. This has been true my whole life. My mom tells a story from when I was just three years old that underscores this claim. She was a teacher and wasn’t earning much money at the time, but wanted to treat herself on her birthday. She went to our local grocery and purchased one live lobster to cook for dinner. I named the lobster and played with it on the kitchen floor all day, wrapping its cold, hard crustacean body in doll clothes and blankets. When she took the live lobster from me and put it in the pot of boiling water, the sound the shell made against the steam sounded like screaming. Naturally, I believed this to be a cry of pain and an emotional flood of tears ensued as I mourned the loss of my new pet. My mom said at dinner, even she had trouble eating her birthday lobster.

My family and friends can no doubt attest to countless other stories where I’ve gone out of my way to save animals, including: putting my hand in a fire to save a caterpillar on one of the logs, nurturing back to health a garden snake that was hurt when moving a deck plantar, and stopping traffic on several occasions to let deer, raccoons, and even snakes cross the road unharmed. I may be an extreme example of an animal lover – but I’m betting that some of you can relate – a least a little bit.

So what is this connection we have with animals? Many have suggested that the human-animal bond is one of the most fundamental that humans experience, with numerous symbiotic benefits. As a longtime vegetarian (20+ years!), and a scientist, I have been particularly fascinated by one aspect of this bond -- the healing power of animals.

While the idea that animals can provide healing may sound to some like a new-age hippy belief, there is actually a growing body of hard scientific evidence supporting the animal role in human emotional and physical healing. For example, having a pet or regularly being exposed to animals is associated with lower blood pressure and markers of stress in the general population; help in coping with disease, including Alzheimer’s, AIDS, and cancer; higher survival rates in people with coronary heart disease; improved functioning and mood in people with depression and anxiety; increased physical activity and improved social interaction in the general population; and even relief or distraction from pain in hospitalized patients.

And these benefits are not just derived from having a furry friend to snuggle – there may be chemical and physical changes that occur because of animal behavior. For example, research suggests that the vibrations from cat purrs, which range from 20 to 140 hertz, may be therapeutic to humans – lowering stress, stimulating breathing, and even improving bones and muscle healing. Interacting with animals has also been shown to increase people’s levels of an important hormone called oxytocin, which helps put the body in a healing state and grow new cells.

Data suggest that benefits can come from interacting with all types of animals – from fish and reptiles to birds and mammals. Increasingly, organizations are finding ways that humans can help animals too – creating therapeutic sanctuaries where abused or abandoned animals can rehabilitate, while helping humans to need animal therapy and contact. See here for a heart-warming example. If you already have a pet – give that pet some extra love today. If you don’t have a pet, head to your local shelter or sanctuary to give some love to the animals there. Odds are it will improve their life and yours.

Thanks for reading # 138 of 7777.

# 137 Literally--Hip Hip Hooray!

Our last day in the freezer department called Wisconsin and our question is-- Who turned down the thermostat?  We left India with temperature readings of 105 degrees and landed in this frigid bone chilling climate.  I know, I know, according to my ice in his veins neighbor, sympathy is between sh*t and syphilis in the dictionary so as we leave for the warm west I will keep my complaints to myself until I either find someone who is unable to search for words in the dictionary or another desert loving comrade who has escaped this land of icicles.

Stop the presses!

  Latest medical update and it is news that has me smiling from ear to ear.  The bone scan shows no traces of cancer on the arm--no traces on the neck---and the nasty hip c-cells have been contained and even diminished.  Blood work was normal and the tumor markers didn't tell us anything--again--which is pretty typical according to the Onc. Doc.

Did you hear our joyous shrieks?  Could the cause for this sensational report be due to my recently learned mediation practices or was it India and its innumerable religions acting on my behalf?  No answers to those questions but absolutely thankful to share my news with my faithful and loyal supporters.  Good work team.

Would love to continue this jubilant chat but with 7639 more blogs to write I am enthusiastically tackling every single one with more assurances than ever about-- that pie in the sky, throw a gigantic number out there and I must be nuts to be doing it-- daily blog entries.

Thanks for reading # 137 of 7777.

# 137 Hummingbirds

The frigid temperatures of Wisconsin are making me pine for a warmer time when the hummingbirds were buzzing outside my window.  Enjoy this gem that was sent to me by a wonderful woman who works at ACS.

"Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration  The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connections has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation."

Thanks for reading # 137 of 7777.

#136 Stand By Your Lemon

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. Lemons suggest bitterness, while lemonade is a sweet drink.

The phrase was initially coined by Christian anarchist writer Elbert Hubbard in a 1915 obituary he penned and published for dwarf actor Marshall P. Wilder.^[1] The obituary, entitled The King of Jesters, praises Wilder's optimistic attitude and achievements in the face of his disabilities."  Source--Wikipedia

Someone recently made the above comment on my ability to make lemonade while living with cancer--or something along those lines which led me to ponder the phrase and its meaning.  Google to the rescue and, of course, my answer to where this little tidbit originated was revealed.

Let it be noted that today I am making a stand on changing this locution--my apologies to Elbert Hubbard and everyone who has sincerely and kindheartedly used this expression to acknowledge another's plight. It's time to give the lemons of the world a break.

Below are my observations on this much maligned fruit that has taken unreasonable abuse for a hundred years and why an alternate term should be considered:

1. Lemons are the color of the sun, the yellow rose of fruit.  Think about it. When you are walking down the produce aisle do you feel your eyes gravitate to their vibrant golden color especially after scanning the multitude of green vegetables. Yes, I thought so.

2.  The smell--ahhh.  It conjures up memories of summer fun, a good martini, a recently cleaned house.  I would continue this sensory journey but am sure a whiff of that fragrant aroma is starting to drift your way.

3.  Squeeze a little of that lemon on fish right off the grill or in your ice tea/water/coke.  It goes with everything.  Google it and find no less than 877,000 entries on cooking with lemons.  Enough said.

4. But what about the "bitter" taste (many references in those Google spots) you might ask?   Close your eyes and imagine biting into a freshly cut slice of lemon.  Made you pucker didn't it?  Is that a bad thing?   Don't waste it--grab your honey and deliver a big smooch using that unexpected delight.

 In conclusion to my rallying for clemency for the lemon I suggest we find another reference to  someone with a "can-do attitude".  When life gives you a bag of flour, make cookies.  I have never oohed or "aahed" over flour in the grocery store.  But a batch of cookies? A hot out of the oven morsel is much more sublime than the sweetest drink that could possibly be made.

All right then, is it settled?  Can we agree to reinstate this fruit to a more advanced status and leave the lemonade to stand on its own?  (sorry about the bad pun--couldn't resist). Let's show this oval citrus some respect.  Lemon lovers it is time to unite and shout out to the world that our golden gem has more to offer than an added splash to a summer drink.

Thanks for reading # 136 of 7777.

# 135 Home Sweet Home

Jet lag + a gazillion things to do = this mini blog today.  I promise an update on life tomorrow...maybe...if I can stay awake...zzzzz.

Thanks for reading # 135 of 7777.

#134 God Bless America

Hello from Mumbai airport!  It is 10:21 PM Sunday and technically I don't have to post this until tomorrow but since our flight is delayed for an hour and who knows when we will arrive back in the US, I'll break a few rules about this blog writing and post it tonight.

Many thanks to my daughter for sticking to it and posting daily,  I'm sure she will be just as happy to see me as being done with her blog responsibilities.

The trip has been one adventure after another and I hope to slip in a few entries with my impressions of this incredible country along with a picture or two in the next few weeks. There are a couple of humorous stories about Rob ( of course) and NO bathroom disasters (thanks to the ever present  bottles of water and constant monitoring of food selections ) so would rate this as a 5 star trip.

One quick observation to share tonight--earlier in the week on our flight to Mumbai, I was shuffling along to deplane the aircraft when a gentleman with a gigantic turban on his head quietly said to me as I passed by him, "God bless America".  Made me smile to think that for him, we must be doing something right.

Thanks for reading #134 of 7777.

# 126 Cruising the Ganges

Namaste

"At sunrise, when the temples are bathed in soft light, we board our small boat for a cruise on the Ganges.  From our boat we are witness to the everyday life in the holiest of cities,as the people arrive at the ghats at dawn to take a ritual dip, perform yoga asanas, wash clothes and offer flowers and incense to the river.

We see devotees performing their daily religious rites.  At stone steps on the river’s edge, we join our hosts in a pilgrimage: for them, the heart of their faith, for us, a superlative cultural experience.  We then continue our guided walking tour of the local temples before returning to our hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we’ll visit the unique Bharat Mata (Mother India) temple, dedicated not to gods and goddesses, but to Mother India herself.  Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936, this relatively modern temple houses and intricate bas relief map of the Indian subcontinent, carved entirely from white marble.

Later, we drive to the nearby ancient Buddhist learning center of Sarnath. Here, Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon to his disciples, as portrayed in Bernardo Bertolucci’s film Little Buddha.  We then visit the Sarnath Museum which houses some of the great treasures of Indian Buddhist are, including Ashoka’s Lion Capital—the National Emblem of India—and the beautiful teaching Buddha, among the most beautiful sculptures in the world.  We can explore and photograph excavated Buddhist stupas and pillars unearthed during the British archaeological explorations in 1836.  We also have the opportunity to visit a silk-weaving workshop."

From OAT

Thanks for reading # 126 of 7777.

# 133 Homeward Bound

Namaste

Almost done with the trip as we continue to discover Mumbai.  "We’ll spend some time exploring the Gandhi Museum and Library housed within the mansion known as Mani Bhavan. " From OAT 

This evening we head for home--good old USA!

Dhanyavaard for reading # 133 of 7777.

# 132 City of Gold--Mumbai

Namaste

"Fly to bustling Mumbai this morning, India’s largest and most dynamic city.  Surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea, Mumbai sits upon what used to be a tropical archipelago made up of seven distinct islands.  Archaeologists surmise that these islands have been populated since at least the Stone Age.  Today, the ‘City of Gold” is the hub of India’s finance, fashion and entertainment industries.  More than half of India’s maritime cargo ships out upon Mumbai’s glittering harbor, and more films are produced annually here than in any other city in the world—hence the moniker “Bollywood.”

We’ll depart for a city tour that includes Dhobi Ghat, “the world’s largest outdoor laundry,” where locals gather daily, and colorful hanging fabrics create a rainbow effect. We’ll move along to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, now known as Victoria Terminus in honor of Queen Victoria, or “Bombay VT” to the locals.  This historic railway station and home base of Mumbai’s Central Railway boasts stunning Victorian Gothic architecture and beautifully ornamental fixtures, some of which were painstakingly crafted by students at the Bombay School of Art. "

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading # 132 of 7777.

# 131 Smelling the Spices

Namaste

Today we’ll explore Cochin city proper.  We’ll see remnants of the melting pot culture that emerged here as a result of the spice trade in the blend of Dutch and English architecture and in the elegant cheena gala (Chinese fishing nets) for which Cochin is known.  We’ll stroll the intensely aromatic streets of the old Jewish quarter, once the center of the spice trade and today home to spice shops that sell cardamom, ginger turmeric, cloves, and cumin.  As the scents mingle together, you may find it challenging to distinguish one from another, but the spices’ magnificent colors are nonetheless a feast for the eyes.  

We’ll visit the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace for its tiled roof and whitewashed walls.  But the colorful murals we’ll find here—some of th best examples of Hindu temple art in India—are the main attraction.

This part of town is also home to one of the world’s oldest Jewish populations.  At the Padres Synagogue, which was founded in 1568, be sure to have a look at the ornate, hand-painted Cantonese tiles decorating the floor, and see if you can decipher the love story depicted in the images."

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading # 131 of 7777.

# 130 Cochin

Namaste

"We disembark for a drive to Cochin.  Cochin is a started South Indian city layered with Jewish, Portuguese, Chinese, and British influences.  After having lunch in the old fort area, we tour Cochin’s intriguing sights, including St. Francis Xavier’s Church, the original burial site of Vasco de Gama (who is now interred in his native Portugal). We’ll explore Cochin’s multicultural influences further at the harbor, where we view the distinctive fishing nets that are strongly purported to be Chinese in origin.

Late this afternoon, we join in on a Kathakali dance event.  Kathakali is the theatrical dance of Kerala, known for elaborate performances and formerly staged only for the rulers of Kerala.  Women participate in modern performances, breaking the tradition of an all-male cast, as they enact an episode from Ramayana and Mahabharata epics.  Complex costumes and elaborate facial paint (heroes have green faces; villains have red or black; and holy men and women have yellow) enhance the moods, emotions, and inner sensibilities that are shown by expression, gesture and action.  Drama is added with the narrative verse, sung with an accompaniment of drums, cymbals and other instruments."

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading # 130 of 7777.

# 129 Meter High Tea

Namaste,

"We cruise on our houseboat all day today.  Relax on board and observe the everyday lives of the villagers along the river and canals.  At various stops along the way, we’ll go ashore to meet local people—maybe partake in a cup of famous Southern Indian “Meter High Tea”.  We can also try fishing as we cruise along. " (Rob’s going to love this).

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading # 129 of 7777.

# 128 Boating

Namaste

"After arriving in Cochin, we’ll transfer to the jetty to board our comfortable small, private houseboat.  

Our two or three cabin boat has teak and cane paneling, antique furnishings, local accents, and a dining lounge with panoramic views.  We’ll sail along placid, mirror-like lagoons, fringed by plans and resplendent with birds and wildlife, and watch local fishermen cast their nets or women wade in the clear waters, fishing in their bare feet."

From OAT 

Dhanyavaard for reading # 128 of 7777.

# 127 Yoga and Meditation

Namaste

"This morning we have the chance to begin the day with a relaxing yoga and meditation class before breakfast at our hotel.  

After lunch we board a plane to Delhi, where we will stay the night."

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading # 127 of 7777.

# 125 LOVE

(Happy Valentine’s Day from me to you.)  

"Today we visit the east and west temple complexes that the Chandelas constructed.  The erotic stone carvings here have come to symbolize the important role of love and prana energy in Hindu thought.  British archaeologists excavated these intricate stone carvings during colonial times, when the scandalized post-Victorian English sensibilities. 

We will take the 40 minute flight to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu cities.  Known as Benares during British times, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a written history dating back more that 4000 years. It has an intense, almost palpable atmosphere of spiritual devotion, a feeling of an unending religious festival.  Hundreds of temples propitiate the thousands of deities in the Hindu pantheon.  Pilgrims from every part of this vast nation crowd the narrow streets and the riverside ghats.

This evening, we’ll witness the aarti ceremony on the Ganges.  As the day comes to a close, we’ll travel to the bathing ghats located alongside the sacred River Ganges.  People flock in large numbers every day to bathe and worship in the temples built beside the riverbank.  Feel the timelessness of Varanasi as the sun sets and as the temple priests perform aarti, the sacred light ceremony, on the banks of Mother Ganga.  The aarti performance is best viewed while having a boat ride on the river."

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading #125 of 7777.

# 124 A Sense of Humor

Namaste

(This is from me—this next part makes me want to reconsider before even starting out, but by now, we have been on the road for 13 days so will probably follow their advice.)

"To enjoy and make the most of this vary long, overland, travel day, you’ll need to approach it with curiosity, an adventurous spirit, and a healthy sense of humor.

We begin our journey early this morning, as we board a train for an approximately two-hour ride to Jhansi, a center of Bundela civilization. Upon arriving at the railway station in Jhansi, we will transfer to our coach and continue overland for a half-hour drive to Orcha. After lunch we continue overland via coach on the long (four-and a-half-hour drive) and bumpy road to Khajuraho.

Although remote and very quiet today, in the tenth century Khajuraho was the center of the thriving civilization of the Chandelles.  The magnificent group of temples (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) was built between the ninth and tenth centuries by the Chandela Dynasty, which dominated central India at the time."

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading # 124 of 7777.

# 123 Taj Mahal

Namaste

"Today we rise early to view a sight unlike any other in the entire world: early morning at the Taj Mahal.

This grand edifice, built by Shah Jahan from 1631 to 1653 to enshrine the remains of his Queen Mumtaz Mahal, took 20,000 workers to build.  We walk into the inner chambers of this renowned “monument to Love,” and seek out several vantage points to see the magnificent play of light.  The semi-translucent white marble is inlaid with thousands of semi-precious stones in beautiful patterns and the building has four identical faces, a perfect exercise in symmetry.  It’s truly a wonder of the world!

Later in the morning we visit the sprawling Agra Fort on the bank of the Yamuna River.  This immense fort and place were the seat of power for four generations of Mughal emperors; they pulled all of northern India from the early 16th century until the consolidation by British colonial rule in the early 1800s.  Agra Fort’s architecture is an almost perfect fusion between military might and lavish beauty."

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading #123 of 7777.

# 122 Mughals

Namaste

"As we continue to explore India, we experience the vast rural countryside of India as we ride toward Agra.  En route, our Trip Leader entertains us with a discussion of the history of the Mughals.

We break up today’s long drive with a stop at Abhaneri to view ancient baolis, essentially a step-all or waterway built to provide a constant water supply to local inhabitants."

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading #122 of 7777.

# 121 "Day in the Life"

Namaste

"After breakfast, we’ll stroll into a local village to visit with the students at a primary school that OAT proudly supports through donations from Grand Circle Foundation.

We’ll continue with our Day In the Life of this village, meeting local people and seeing their houses and way of life.  We’ll be the guests of one family for a Home-Hosted Visit.  Next we visit a cooperative where women are trained to make handcrafts.  We'll learn about this enterprise from one of the women involved.  

After lunch, we begin our drive (totaling approximately four hours on a bumpy road) to our village camp retreat.  

Our campsite is nestled among small plots of land used by local farmers to grow a rich diversity of crops.  Often, villagers will stop by to pay us a visit, or farmers will take a break from their work to share a laugh.  Especially enchanting are the mustard blooms, which, in season, resemble thousands of buttercups waving in the breeze.

Dinner is an authentic Indian dinner prepared especially for us by our camp cook, who uses the freshest locally grown organic ingredients.  

After dinner we’ll relax around the campfire and enjoy being entertained by local dancers who proudly perform cultural Indian dances for us."

From OAT

Dhanyavaard for reading #121 of 7777.

# 120 Safari Time

Namaste

"In the early morning, when the nocturnal animals may still be active, we head out for game-viewing before breakfast.  Once again, our mode of transportation is a canter, a safari truck.  We may see all the great Indian species: smaller, nilgai, the shy chinkier and chital, and the always cunning Langur monkey.

After lunch, we regroup for a second safari expedition.  Though it is rare, we may see the Royal Bengal tiger, usually sleeping by day in the tall grass.  A recent census showed 26 tigers in the reserve.  We also see lakes that hold crocodiles, and a wide variety of water birds in season.  More than 450 bird species frequent this area, from crested serpent eagles to painted storks."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #120 of 7777.

# 119 Ranthambore National Park

Namaste

“After breakfast, we leave Jaipur and drive through the rural country-side and into the low Vindhya mountain range.  The drive is about five hours in length along bumpy roads” (oh great!).

Our destination is Ranthambore National Park.  Located near the town of Sawai Madhopur, the park is one of the eleven sites chosen for Project Tiger, India’s national tiger conservation program, the largest such effort in the world.  The park comprises more than a hundred square miles of deciduous forest and several large lakes, and until 1970 it was a hunting preserve of the maharajas."

From OAT  

Dhanyavaad for reading #119 of 7777.

# 118 Hawa Mahal

Namaste

A very quick note "live" from India.  OMG is all I have to say.  What an incredible country!  No more Internet time so thanks for reading.  

“We begin today’s discoveries with a view of the exterior of Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).  This is actually not a place, but rather a facade of 956 delicate, honeycombed sandstone windows used by the ladies of the palace to watch the outside world without being seen.

Next, we’ll explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort-Palace.  the Fort is a stunning and well-preserved 16th century structure, built on four levels.  

Among its many splendors is the Sheesh Mahal, a small room whose ceiling, covered with tiny mirrors, looks like a sky filled with brilliant stars. Here, in Rajput times, a dancing girl held candles during a dance of love for her Maharaja.”  (Maybe I’ll try that with Rob) 

“Dinner is with an Indian family for a Home-Hosted Dinner.”

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #118 of 7777.

# 117 Jantar Mantar

Namaste

"In the morning, we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jaipur.

We see the Jantar Mantar, a remarkable astronomical and astrological observatory built in the 18th century.  The giant sundials here are still accurate to two-tenths of a second.  Then we go on to the City Palace Museum, filled with an array of textiles, arms, carpets, paintings and manuscripts."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #117 of 7777.

# 116 The "Pink City"--Jaipur

Namaste

"After breakfast, we’ll fly to Jaipur, called the “Pink City” for the rosy hue of its sandstone buildings. Upon arrival we’ll eat lunch at a local restaurant before checking into our hotel and enjoying a walking tour of Jaipur’s walled Old City."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #116 of 7777.

#115 New Delhi

Namaste  

Highlights of New Delhi.

"The British laid out the broad, tree-lined avenues and neat street grid of New Delhi (in contrast to the narrow alleyways of the old part of the city).  Our explorations begin by visiting Qutab Minar, a spectacular example of Indo-Islamic architecture topped by a 234-foot-high tower.  Begun in the twelfth century, this is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and the symbol of New Delhi.

Our tour of the former “Imperial City” continues which serves as the center of government for the world’s largest democracy.  We’ll see the buildings of India’s Parliament and (from the outside) the residence of India’s President, a Gate, where a popular park surrounds a memorial to Indian soldiers who served Great Britain in World War I and Britain’s 19th-century war in Afghanistan."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #115 of 7777.

#114 Old Delhi

Namaste

"We begin discovering Delhi by visiting Old Delhi.  Even when Bombay and Madras were mere trading posts and Calcutta a village of mud huts Delhi had been the seat of an empire for 500 years.  Through the centuries, eight cities have been built on this site by Hindu, Mughal and British rulers—with each adding their own flavor.

In the old part of Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, a beautifully serene monument.  This is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and we will see an impressive shrine to India’s best-known statesman.  Next, after visiting the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, we take a short ride by rickshaw through the crowded lanes of the Chandni Chowk bazaar."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #114

#113 We're Here!

Namaste

We have arrived in Delhi, India.  Our leader hopefully will have met us and escorted us to our hotel.  We left at 8:05 AM from San Francisco, arrived in Newark at 4:35 PM and then departed for New Delhi at 8:35 PM and landed 14 hours and 15 minutes later, nonstop, in India.  No idea what time it is for my body but will look forward to a nice long nap.  The time change is 13 1/2 hours from San Francisco. ZZZZZzzzzzz

Dhanyavaad for reading # 113 of 7777.

#112 Flying the skies

Namaste (Hello),

And we are off! The next twenty-three days will be a bit of a travelogue on our adventure to India.  My sweet daughter will be posting for me so I will not miss one of my 7777 entries.  All entries are right from our OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) travel book so it will be somewhat of an accurate account of our daily adventures.  Our travel book states: "Part of the adventure of travel in India is the distinct possibility that things may change--which may make it impossible for us to follow this trip itinerary exactly."  In other words, don't get your undies tied up in a bunch if your favorite destination may be altered. I get it--flexibility. 

I will give it my old college try to send pictures if we ever get to an internet.  

Dhanyavaad (thank you) for reading # 112 of 7777.