We decided on an uncommon trip. Eastern France, Luxembourg and Belgium by train. Who goes there? Not many I have ever talked to. But the wines from the French part are legendary. Rhone varietals such as St. Joseph (Syrah) and Beaujolais; Alsatian whites such as Reisling and Sylvaner (the driest Alsatian). For most, these are not everyday wines, but excellent with certain meals. The first insight I want to discuss is don’t…
We recently visited Rio on a cruise. Arriving in March, we missed Carnaval, the massive street parade that puts Mardi Gras to shame. We visited Samba City, a collection of warehouses near the cruise ship port. It is where the floats and costumes are made, and the dancers practice their routines, for a year in advance. Our guide, Lia, was one of the dancers, but not Brazilian. She moved to Rio from…
Growing up near Niagara Falls, New York, I have always taken for granted that water sometimes creates a waterfall. It might even be massive, as the one on the Niagara river. But Karen and I heard tales of a waterfall that is over a mile across and higher than the one I know so well. It just happens to be near the confluence of the Iguazu and Parana rivers, where Brazil, Argentina…