criplomats

We made a quick trip to Northwest Arkansas this weekend to visit with my in-laws Pete and Ginger – Pete has a birthday coming up this week and we wanted to see how they had settled in to their new apartment at Butterfield Trail Village.

We were very impressed with the place. John had seen it last year (before they moved in), but I had not. It’s lovely, with lots of amenities – gyms, bikes, nice dining room, community garden, wood shop, and lots of activities. We stayed on the compound in a guest apartment that was very nice as well.

It was a very quick trip – in on Friday and out early Sunday morning. I had asked John to buy travel insurance and rent an SUV in preparation for bad weather or snow, but the weather was sunny and warm – more like being in Mexico! We spent Saturday afternoon at Philip’s house and ate delicious smoked ribs – and had time for a game of Catan with the kids.

I was saddened to hear that my younger cousin Ryan passed away this week. His mother Louise just died a couple of weeks ago. He had been ill, but his passing came as a surprise. Donna and her sisters have had a rough couple of years and my heart goes out to them.

With Wayne in San Antonio

I spent the last two weeks on the border, working in the Consulate in Nuevo Laredo. It was my first time there, and like Juarez, you can see its U.S. sister city just on the other side of the Rio Bravo. I had a great two weeks. I was working mostly in an advisor capacity to help an entry level officer who’s running the American Citizen Services section, and to look at their operations to find inefficiencies or other improvements. The ELO I was working with is just a doll, so that made things even easier. It’s a small post and they seem to have very high morale – it made me want to go to a small place sometime in the future.

I was able to walk to work daily, even though cartel violence keeps most of the city off limits. They have a great coffee shop where I ate on some days, and got very good lattes on most afternoons. Evenings I stayed in the hotel and relaxed. They had a nice gym that I went to every morning.

The highlight of the stay was getting to drive to San Antonio over the weekend to see Mike and Wayne (regrettably Jim & Joan and James & MaryBeth were all out of town). I arrived Friday night. We had a yummy breakfast at their latest morning spot, Maria’s, then I shopped till I dropped. That evening we had a nice dinner at Rebelle, and I drove back on Sunday. Short trip, but sweet!

I was happy to get home Friday night, albeit late – good to see John and Flavia after two weeks! John took me out on Saturday for a nice lunch at a new-to-us restaurant, then we watched “Bridgett Jones’s Baby” which was actually good.

While I was in Nuevo Laredo, I was saddened to learn of the death of one of my favorite local staff members, Toni. She was a long-time employee and much loved. She died after a long battle with cancer. We’ll miss you, Toni.

We had a short week due to MLK birthday, but we packed a lot into it. For starters, I worked last Saturday and Monday, just trying to dig myself out of the hole of being gone for two weeks. On Sunday morning, though, we loaded up the bikes and enjoyed the Via Recreativa and GDL’S excellent weather. Afterward we went to our favorite place for breakfast.

Tuesday at work we had a little party to celebrate the return of one of our local staff who volunteered to work at the embassy in Afghanistan for a few months. He had a great time, but also recounted a few dangerous moments when missiles were launched toward the compound. We’re glad he’s home safe and sound. We have several friends still there – stay safe, y’all!

John took me out for a very good dinner at our favorite restaurant on Friday night, then Saturday my team was back in the office for a “Super Saturday,” an extra work day where we saw about 35 families – just trying to get our wait time for appointments down a little.

I was saddened to hear my Aunt Louise passed away this week. I spent a lot of time at her and Chesley’s house growing up. She was the one who always sewed my uniforms for pep squad or choir. Lord knows she put up with a lot from me and my cousins! She and Mom were very good friends and, as night owls, they had lots of late night phone calls. She had been ill for several years now and I hope she is at peace.

Today I’m en route to Nuevo Laredo to TDY for a couple of weeks – I’ve never been there before, so it’s a little adventure!

Mailing coconuts

We had to leave lovely Molokai last Sunday after a fabulous two weeks there. We left the island in the late afternoon and arrived in Guadalajara the next day. As always, it’s sad for vacation to be over, but I’m also glad to be home with Flavia again. She was a bit pouty at first, but then Velcro’d herself to me.

One thing I didn’t write about last week was mailing a coconut to John’s parents because I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. Mary and I spent about an hour at the post office with postmaster Gary while we used Sharpies to decorate the coconuts he provides. As we decorated, he talked about the island. We learned some gossip, and even met a guy from Arkansas who lives there now. And we found out that another postmaster in another town on the island is a retired foreign service officer. (Gary tried to call him so I could talk to him, but he’d already gone home for the day.) We had a fun time – Gary even gave us cookies and bananas!

Mary decorating

The finished product

Postmaster Gary

Click here to see all of our photos from Molokai!

The weather in Guadalajara is lovely. A little chilly in the mornings, but otherwise sunny. We hung an oriole feeder a while back, and they really discovered it. We’ve been getting both Scott’s and Baltimore orioles, plus the hummers use it, too. Fun!

Paradise!

Wow! This has been one our best vacations ever! We love this laid back little island! The house has been the centerpiece of our stay – the view never gets old and we’ve begun to spot whales from the lanai. Mary arrived Monday and brought fantastic weather with her – no more rain or clouds!

Monday morning, John and I chartered a fishing boat to go whale watching – we even caught a small tuna! (OK, truth be told, we were supposed to be fishing, but nothing was biting! So we just say we went whale watching!

Whale Tail!

Afterward we picked up Mary at the airport . For dinner, John grilled us some great grass fed beef that we bought at the co-op.

Mary enjoying the lanai

Tuesday we drove up the coast about 10 miles past our place to the Hawala Valley where we had a picnic. The views were incredible!

Turtle Island on the way to Hawala Valley

Roadside Art

The highlight of the trip was Wednesday when we took a tiny plane over the sea cliffs to the peninsula of Kalaupapa, the former leper colony. It was nothing short of breathtaking. We were on a guided tour (the only way you’re allowed there) and it was fascinating to think about how horrible it would have been to be ripped away from your family and be exiled there. I had just read a book about it before we went, which really added to my enjoyment of being there.

Flying to Kalaupapa, sitting behind the pilot!

Peace

Some folks ride mules down the sea cliff!

What a view!

Lighthouse

This view!

One of many graveyards

Father Damien’s grave

Thursday I took Mary to the overlook where you can see Kalaupapa from Molokai “topside.” John and I had gone earlier and loved it. From there we also took a short walk to aptly named Phallic Rock. We saw these beautiful chickens there. We also stopped by the coffee house where a couple of guys were playing music on the porch.

Roy Horner on ukulele

Showy rooster, a spot of color in the forest

Friday we went into town for music and sunset at Molokai Hotel, very laid back. Afterward we had pizza in town, then sat in the alley behind the bakery to wait for the hot bread to be ready – yep, it’s a thing. And totally worth it! Pro tip: get the taro glazed donuts. So good your eyes will cross.

The Friday night band of ukuleles

Hot bread – come and get it!

And today, we hit the farmers market in town, then we drove all the way over to the other side of the island to see what’s over there. (Answer: not much except a gorgeous beach.) It’s so weird…the town of Moanaloa over there is literally a ghost town.

We met the nicest guy on the trip to Kalaupapa! His name is Tom, and, with his trip to Kalaupapa, has visited every single county in the United States!

Tom’s County Project

Ah, Molokai! How we love you!