Xi'an Great Mosque

Sakura and Springtime

Bradenton is on the Gulf side
Two years of guilt and I finally bought a ticket to visit my sister in Florida. She's lived in Florida a few times over the last tennish years and I'd never visited. Although I did not feel too guilty since our mother visits her on an almost quarterly basis and after six plus years in DC she's visited me once. Once. Anyhoodle...I took a few days of vacation to go to Bradenton. Apparently no one knows about Bradenton which is a shame because it was a lovely town. Whenever I told someone I was going to Bradenton they'd ask, "Where's that?" "I dunno. Somewhere

Disney International Food and Wine Festival?
Right? I know what you're thinking. Disney and fine food and wines do not go together. Sure maybe in the resorts because they have to justify taking off your arm and leg with something. But in the parks? I managed to live a little over 30 years without having set foot in Disney World. That was all blown to Hell though when I finally visited my sister who lives in Florida. My sister, mom, and I met some friends for a day of tasting over-priced food and alcohol samples in Epcot's around the worldyness.

Lyman Parks 1917-2009
May he rest in eternal peace. We miss you Grandpa.

Monasteries around Chisinau
Kindly taking pity on me, two of my colleagues here in Chisinau took me out of the city to visit some of Moldova's monasteries. We had a beautiful fall day in which to explore four of the near-by monasteries, however I only managed to catch the name of one. Seeing these reminded me of how much I love the eastern architecture with the cupolas and bright colors used to decorate both the inside and outside of churches in the Orthodox religions.