When I mentioned this trip on Facebook, my father accused me of spending money, and I’m quoting here, “…. as if you are an Onassis.”  It’s quickly become a catchphrase between me and RBD.  

“What do you want for dinner?” 

“I don’t want to cook.  Let’s go out.”

“Spending like an Onassis …”  Shakes head disappointedly.  

Or… 

“Ah look, we got bumped to premium economy.”  

“… just like an Onassis.”  Shakes head disappointedly.   

Or … 

“I could really use some new clothes.”

“You want new clothes?  You have perfectly fine clothes already.  Who do you think you are, an Onassis?”  Shakes head disappointedly.  

Hello and welcome back!  What a travel year it has been.  We started off in South Africa (Series 8) — a place I still dream about while riding the subway and being screamed at by homeless people — then swung through Hawaii (Series 9) and Mexico, maybe we also stopped off in Vegas to say hello to an old friend, and we will end our travels in Paris.  What does 2022 hold?  Currently unknown.  Hawaii?  Botswana?  Korea?  Lots of potential, but few firm plans.  RBD and I make travel plans at our annual Family Budget Summit, held near the first of the year.  It’s an all day affair with intense number crunching and budget negotiations for the year ahead.    

This will be Series 10, Thanksgiving in Paris, celebrating my mother’s 75th birthday, which occurs on November 24th.  I can hardly believe she’s three quarters of a century old.  If she’s aging, that must mean I am too.  I gently poke fun at her hearing when she misses things I say, reverting to elaborate and cartoonish charades to accompany my over annunciated words.  This earns me a smack on the head if within range.  The joke’s on me, though, because I have started holding menus or small text further and further from my face so I can see the words, while bearing witness to my hairline’s ignoble retreat up my forehead, while turning on lights to read I never needed before.  Also, what the fuck is with all the ear hair?  How is this necessary? 

We depart Sunday, November 21st and will fly overnight to Charles de Gaulle Airport.  We’ve rented an apartment in the 4th Arrondissement, Le Marais.  We have a stellar line-up of cultural experiences ranging from Rodin to Bansky to some ornate palace just outside town, along with good old fashioned site seeing.  To join us, do nothing.  You’re all set.  

Some of the usual housekeeping items.  One, should you want a picture from this (or any past) trip, let me know and I’ll send you a full-size JPG, suitable for printing.  How large depends on the specific picture and its pixel count.  I’m happy to help with that as needed.  

Two, the unsubscribe link is in the footer if you wish to depart the group.  I can only take me in small doses, so I get it.     

Three, if you know someone who would like to be added, then send me their email.  Just make sure you have permission first.  

Four, always feel free to send me your comments and thoughts back.  Just hit reply.  I always respond, and I enjoy hearing from you all.

Thank you for coming along and allowing me to share my creative endeavors.  I so very much appreciate it, and am humbled that so many of you choose to stay year after year, trip after trip.  

We will talk again next week.  I have to survive a Microbiology test first … very much UNlike an Onassis I might add. 

Past Trips

Letters From Rio: A Look Behind the Scenes of the World Largest Sporting Event, The Olympic Summer Games

Series 1 – New Zealand 2017
Series 2 – London, 2018
Series 3 – Taormina, 2018
Series 4 – Costa Rica, 2019
Series 5 – Latvia, 2019
Series 6 – London, 2019
Series 7 – Appalachia, 2020
Series 8 – South Africa, 2021
Series 9 – Hawaii, 2021
**Series 10 (This Trip) – Thanksgiving in Paris**