Watts & Compton lie in the southern shadow of Los Angeles and are both separated from each other by the 105 freeway. There is a lot of history in this part of Los Angeles. The Watts Riots of 1965 started here - the command center was located at the corner of Compton and Nadeau streets (still there). What is now Bethune Park at the corner of 61st and Hooper Ave used to be a gathering point for the Black Panthers. The history and neighborhoods … [Read more...]
The Kingdom of the Atlas Mountains
Dear Friends, I got bitten by the travel bug again, after more than eight months of staying put around my home base of Orange County, California. I gave South America some serious consideration, especially now that it is summer in the more southern and chilly parts of the continent. But for various reasons, the most important of which is the chance to meet up with my brother Abdul, I settled on Africa. He is roaming around South Africa now … [Read more...]
My Trip to Moxico and Angolan History (Part I)
Report by Jo Ann von Haff Pictures by Father Ornelas Stay in Lwena, Moxico Province from August 12th to August 22nd 2002 - Lwena (Angola) Monday, August 12th 2002 Day 1 Luanda At 6 AM, I had a glimpse of what my life could become in a couple of years. To wake up at 4 AM and have a 12 kilo bag and to take a plane at 6 AM, when 90% of the population is still sleeping. It was still dark; the air was fresh and windy. Only a few buses … [Read more...]
My Trip to Moxico and Angolan History (Part II)
It was delicious, and we had lots of fun. Sometimes, I remember those dinners as something I would do with friends of my age or probably not. Just with friends. I have lots of friends who are ten years older than I am. We laughed so much! Of course Maria had to ask about the role of the women in the Church. I guess she made that her mission in life! But we spoke about all. I mean: they spoke about all. I just listened and from time to time would … [Read more...]
Return to Ouvea
"Ouvea is everything you'd expect in a South Pacific island. Twenty kilometers of unbroken white sands border the lagoon on the west side of the island and extend far out from shore to give the water a turquoise hue. The wide western lagoon, protected by a string of coral islands and a barrier reef, is the only one of its kind in the Loyalties. On the ocean side are rocky cliffs, pounded by surf, but fine beaches may be found even here. At one … [Read more...]
Iquitos, Peru – Attractions
We have visited or participated in the following attractions or experiences in Iquitos or the surrounding region. Amazon River - what can you say about the Amazon River except its the world's greatest river. Its mind boggling to think that it supplies nearly a quarter of all the world's freshwater! From the Atlantic Ocean in Brasil, vessels make the entire trip up the Amazon River to Iquitos (some 3,600 kilometers of navigable waterway). It … [Read more...]
Las Vegas, NV – Attractions
The Eiffel Tower is well worth a visit to the top. This is an exact 1/2 scale replica of the real Gustav's Eiffel Tower located in Paris, France. If you have never been to the real Eiffel Tower in France this is a pretty good replica. You buy your tickets on the first floor of the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas (owned by Caesars). Note the pretty sky on the ceiling when you walk into this hotel. The twilight of a summer Paris evening never changes in … [Read more...]
Angkor Wat, Cambodia – Restaurants
Overall I found the Cambodian food in Siem Reap to be a little greasy and not very flavorful, and certainly not spicy like some Thai food. There are many many cheap places to eat in Siem Reap - a good number of them serving both Khmer food and western style food - you will find the Khmer food is usually cheaper than the Western food. Prices often range from $1/meal to several dollars. Many of the tourist restaurants are located around the old … [Read more...]
Key West, FL – Restaurants
To begin this section I would like to offer one of the more popular recipes for Key Lime Pie. This well-known pie is a specialty dessert of the Florida Keys. This particular recipe was taken from Key Kookin by the late great Glad Whitley. Ingredients: 4 eggs (separated) 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon gelatin (in 1/2 cup ice water) 1 half cup Key lime juice 1 half teaspoon salt Beat egg yolks until thick, add 1/2 cup … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France
Chamonix sits almost in the shadow of western Europe's tallest mountain, Mount Blanc at 15,780 feet in the far southeastern part of France. The town is nestled in the middle of a narrow valley surrounded on both sides by the towering peaks of the Alps. Chamonix is located at about only 3400 feet but it has the feel of being much higher because of the large mountains, glaciers, and snow fields that surround it. The Chamonix Valley stretches … [Read more...]