Author Archives: Mike

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About Mike

Journalist, writer, world traveler

Along The Journey, A Sharp Curve

UPDATE: The tests say -nothing to worry about!!! – all clear!!! 🙂

Ever feel you’re not fully in control of your destiny?

I’ve  been feeling that way lately with some unwelcome news from my doctor. Whether the news is serious or absolutely nothing is still to be determined.

Emerging on South Beach

The news I received? X-rays have confirmed that there’s a suspicious spot on my left lung. Whether or not this blotch is malignant or benign, I won’t know until more tests. First up, a CT scan.

So with that phone call from my doctor’s office last week, my mega road trip around the world has screeched into park. No Europe. No Asia. No Africa. No new adventures. That is, none beyond trips to the hospital.

When I received this news, I was composed for a few moments, until I started to talk about it with a friend. Then I lost it. Natural human response to such news, she told me. And while I have lost some sleep over it, for the most part I’ve not allowed it to turn me into a complete basket case. What’s the point in that?

So I will wait to see what’s around the bend in that curve. I will hang on tight as I negotiate this potentially tough curve. I will try not to speed.

And so for those in Miami Beach, where I am currently house-sitting, slow down with me and let’s have a beer sometime. For those farther away, I’ll take the power of prayer, if that’s what you believe in, or just send some positive energy into the universe. It would be much appreciated.

Onward I go. This is some trip, huh?

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Lost Of His Kind

Lost Of His Kind

Lonesome George, gone but soon forgotten?

For years, his species was thought to be extinct. Then on Pinta Island in the island chain of Galapagos, there he was, roaming the place alone.
Scientist immediately identified him as a Pinta Island Tortoise, and searched the island for more. Sadly, he was the only one, a male who came to be known as Lonesome George.
On Sunday, June 24, 2012, after more than 100 years on this Earth, Lonesome George died. He was found dead by his keeper, the very same man who discovered him on Pinta Island in 1972. Lonesome George lived at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where he spent his days in a pen.
Travelers from around the world by the thousands would flock to Galapagos to have a look at George. I was fortunate to be among them last summer when I visited the Galapagos, hands down one of my favorite places on Earth.
George’s death, which was announced by the research center on Twitter, shocked the nation of Ecuador, despite his advanced years – more than 100. News of his death slowly trickled out from the island. I learned about his death through Facebook postings from friends in Ecuador and Galapagos itselt. Certainly it’s a lost for the country, but it’s a bigger loss for humankind, as another animal species has gone extinct.
Sadly, there will never be another Lonesome George.

Oh, but if only…

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Our Little United Nations

Our Little United Nations

CouchSurfers

gather at Mi Rinconcito Mexican Restaurant on Calle Ocho in Little Havana in Miami for our monthly meeting.

We eat

we drink

we head out

to join the Cuban block party held every last Friday of every month.

Viernes Culturales – Cultural Fridays – is a blast!

Mojitos

Cuban cigars

salsa dancing

open art galleries showcasing local artists

a whole lot more!

In this group, there are people from many corners of the world. I’ll be visiting them soon. That’s me, front row, grey shirt, white jeans.

Miami sizzles, we tell ya!

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