Author Archives: 34orion

  I have been thinking about my great uncle Louis today. Louis was married to my Great Aunt Margie and it is with her that they built a business called “The House of Books LTD” which sold modern first edition … Continue reading →

Frequent flyers are familiar with a phenomenon. When the plane’s doors are sealed a large percentage of passengers either doze off or feel very sleepy. It is a biological response to a sudden drop in oxygen levels. I have never … Continue reading →

  There is no playing of the Star Spangled Banner. They didn’t put Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The USA” over the PA system. There are no fire trucks creating an arc of water to taxi under. There is not even … Continue reading →

When the plane pushes away from the gate a few moments later it is a surreal experience for me. Since March 16, I have tried to make my way out of the country. No matter how carefully thought through, every … Continue reading →

  Normally these lounges, especially international lounges, have a full buffet set up for their patrons. They can be pretty lush affairs with a variety of hot and cold entrees, salads, crackers and cheese, soups, desserts.  These buffets are usually … Continue reading →

When we were boys of twelve he seemed a little older than the rest us.  Sooner than in any of the others in our small group, a knotty corner of his soul had begun to surface.  It wasn’t anything dramatic or startling.  … Continue reading →

The first place I ever visited in Brazil was Sao Paulo. It was the city closest to the port, Santos, from which my cruise was departing. It was also the home of my cousins. My grandmother’s sister’s grandchildren. For a … Continue reading →

A few minutes after we pass the academy I let Marcus know that after three hours my bladder has reached capacity. He pulls off into a rest area that resembles those on American Highways along with a food court with … Continue reading →

  The highway leads us out of the city and into the industrial zones in the near suburbs. They are not pretty. They look as if they were designed by Army engineers at the end of the 2nd World War … Continue reading →

Marcus, the driver whom we had hired to drive me to Sao Paulo, arrived promptly at 10:30. He is wearing both mask and gloves and I am grateful for how seriously he is taking the pandemic. We knew him well. … Continue reading →