Sam's Bagels

Saturday, April 2, 2011

News from Johel in Ecuador

Here is the school where Johel is volunteering for two months:
http://katitawa.blogspot.com/

volcan tungurahua,,, activo

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Hilarious Video in Sammy's Memory

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Welcome Home From China, John!

I returned last week from a great trip to China which could only have been better if Eileen could have gone also, but she could not because of Sjogren's disease . I went there to visit my son, Dtr. in law, and two grandsons who live in Shanghai. It included a side trip to Bejing to see and climb the Great Wall, (for which I received a Chairman Mao cap, an official tee shirt and a plaque, at a small cost) and visit Tienemen Square and many other things of interest. Every day was an adventure and it was a perfect vacation

Some observations:

Traffic is "controlled chaos" Not only cars, trucks and buses, but mopeds, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and even carts with two large wheels that looked like they were from the 16th century piled 12-15 feet high with who knows what. These were usually being pulled by a woman while the husband sat in the driver seat. As the old cart went down the street it would be passed by a $500,000 Lamborgini. I also observed a 3 wheel vehicle that was a taxi and could hold a driver and one passenger. It made the Smart car look like a large SUV.

I heard more vehicle horns blown in my time in China than I have heard in my entire life in the US. My life was saved numerous times by my son and dtr. in law as I started to walk when I saw the "Walk" sign start flashing. Pedestrians do not have the right of way and by the end of my trip I was getting pretty good at crossing the street with my head going in every direction at the same time.

The Chinese people are extremely friendly and like Americans. They like the American lifestyle and are quickly grasping it.

Of the thousands of Chinese people I saw in my time there, I doubt if more than 10 of them were overweight. Everyone is active and even the elderly are walking and exercising. The average longevity of the Chinese population in Shanghai is 82.

Most of the foreigners are Asian and European. I met a few Americans but not many.

Shanghai and Bejing seem to have as many Starbucks as there are in Balto. and I saw a few McDonalds and Burger Kings and even a Kenny Rogers ( must be the last one on the planet).

The only beggars I saw were legit. Either double amputees or in very bad shape

My son said the only crime he has observed in his six years there are pick pockets. When someone does commit a crime and is caught he says you usually don't see them again.

My grandson, Harry is six and in the first grade at a private school that teaches Chinese and English. When ,I helped him with his homework it seemed like it was stuff I was learning in the 3rd or 4th grade many years ago. They take education very seriously over there

Something funny---------------My dtr. in law, Thanh, is Vietnamese but she also speaks English and Chinese. One day while my son was at work Thanh and I took off so she could buy Eileen some jade ear rings. We went to many stores before she decided to try another day to find the perfect pair. As we were walking down the street she said, "Papa John, you see these people all stare at us?" Being completely oblivious I said I hadn't noticed. She continued, "They see young girl with old man and they think you my Daddy Sugar" in her Vietnamese accent. Obviously I got a kick out that and when I told my son later he started calling me "Daddy Sugar"

It was a great vacation and I want to especially thank HK, Thanh, Harry & Eddie for being such great hosts.

John

PS--------I have over 800 pictures in my camera, most of which were taken by my son and as soon as I get them out of the camera and into the computer I will forward some of the best ones.

PPS----I would have sent this sooner but after being up for 30 straight hours on my return trip to Balto. I caught a horrendous cold and was at the doctor's office the next day. I am finally feeling back to normal, whatever that is..

Thursday, March 10, 2011

News from Johel

hello sue and averybody from sams bagels i hope everybody is doing great.
i cant believe you post my last email .
i left peru two weeks ago . and i came back to ecuador .
but this time i am in a diferent area.
they call it" THE AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOS" and is because there are several active volcanos
around this little town named salasaca , and is where i am now .
salasaca , is a small town . 4 hours south from quito
and is sorrunded by more than 6 volcanos the most active named TUNGURAHUA
and i am going to be living in this lil town for 2 months .
and i hope i get to see TUNGURAHUA spiting fire ,
WHY AM I GOING TO BE HERE FOR TWO MONTHS ?
well i signed up for a volunteer program that allows me to be here , and teach english and math
to kids , between 5 and 11 is like middle school. and i am really happy doing it .
i am also going to use my skills and experience in construccion to help doing some retaining walls .
and some other things in and outdoor.
kids here are really loving . and is so amazing to be able to work with them .
unfortunately ecuador allows me to be here only for 3 months . so i will have to go out by may
but i would like to stay longer.
and since i am doing this i dont know how long more is going to take me to go back to the us ,
but one thing is for sure ,
i miss my BACON,HAM,TOMATOE.CHESSE ON JALAPEÑO TOASTED BAGEL .(i love it)
i really wish you people could see this here .
but since you can t i am going to do it for you . i will climb volcano chimborazo wich is 6310 m o s l
and from the center of the planet is the highst point of the planet .
i will take pictures and send them to you .
now i have to say good bye ,
because i have to work . hahahaha bye bye

Monday, February 14, 2011

Johel: Lake Titicaca

from Johel:

thanks for asking, my trip is awesome . and i hope it never ends .
i do miss my ppl in the us ,
seeing you all avery morning , luis , my big boss bruz, and even andy. jajajaj tell him i said that
but when i came here i thougt it was just machu picchu but not , there are so many atraccions here , and every day i discover new things that i can do .
i was in the lil rome of america , it is in peru .
titicaca lake , floating islands, sun island (wich is the most elevated island of the planet .
i am in laguna huacachina (it s and oasis in the middle of the dessert) and i went sandboarding today , its so diferent than snowboarding, and more fun .
and tomorrow i am going to the wine cellars.
people say , this city makes the best wine of the world and i am going to see how they make it . and try some . it s free. hahahaha and that s the report . i hope you guys are ok .