Mountain climbing on Lower Dewey Lake, Skagway, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Mountain climbing on Lower Dewey Lake, Skagway, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

We missed our first routine at Skagway, Alaska to climb on the Lower Dewey Lake due to our newly met Filipina nurse friend from San Diego, CA. She was not able to climb at all. We had to skip at our first back of the cruise. We did it on our second back of the cruise. We walked along the old railroad track to the entrance of the Lower Dewey Lake, the water resource of the small township.

It was more difficult for me to climb up this time due to my hurting left knee. I forgot to bring my knee braces to make some protection. At on point, I made a mistake to reach to a different path other than the regular one, I was trapped for a while and I asked one kind fellow mountain climber to allow me to get down by myself. It was too dangerous for him to come up and rescue me. I did manage to hold up tied a small branch and released myself from such crisis. Even though the climbing path is difficult yet it is manageable even for an old man. The young person can jump around without any difficulty. We turned right on the path as usual for the first half of the lake. it was a smooth with several view points of the small lake, the tap water source of the township came from the top of the mountain melting glacier. There is a rock angle for interested person to fish the lake trout. I did witness some with catches of small fishes and they all let them go back to the water. At the end of the lake edge, there is a path to go somewhere which I forget yet some one did mention it to me. We turned to the other side of the lake. There is an old gold mining trail track left on sight with a small plain of grass and spring flowers. A bar-b-cue stand was there for the mountain climbers with a clear sign ow fire watch. We kept on entering a more difficult route; however, it was improved by the township to make it better this time. I found my favorite spot to view the mountain glacier. I take many photos as usual. It is on a high mountain rock stick out of the path.

Finally, we came to the end of our hike. We followed the sign to get down to the city. It is a divided path for some interests to keep on going to the Upper Dewey Lake on the right side. I did it one time and turned back before finishing it. I was afraid that would take too much of my time. I am not quite sure if I can make it to the Upper Dewey Lake in my limited life time.

登山下杜威湖2022／莊峻華

 登山下杜威湖2022／莊峻華

下杜威湖座落於阿拉斯加州史凱格衛鎮郊山上，湖為小鎮水源地，湖水源為山峰融雪，我們自2012年郵輪旅行以來，抵達史鎮必登下杜威湖，這是一容易達成目標，這次拖到第二次抵達史鎮，始重登此湖，實在是將就一便於行之菲律賓籍女護士，因此第二次抵達，重遊此湖。

我們沿著小鐵路軌道，走進山徑，起初登高山徑崎嶇坎坷，左膝蓋開始不支，一處爬錯，一時下不來，只好小心翼翼，抓緊小樹枝，爬將下來，已經嚇出冷汗小便，鎮公所設立廁所仍在，我們例行右轉方向，就是要繞小清水湖一周，再下山到史鎮鬧街。

右行徑一直都是平坦無礙，其間有一處山岩可垂釣，湖內有小尾鱒魚，確實有年輕登山客，自行簡易背包裝備，前來享受風景，深山垂釣，釣上鱒魚多半釋放回湖，右徑盡端，有一山徑通他處，一次幾位熟悉登山客，由此前往，我已憶不得是否為上杜威湖？

我們有經驗的走過湖畔，鎮公所仍保留之舊運金礦砂小火車鐵軌，這是一平矌小湖畔草原，各色春花仍在，一處為遊客烤肉野炊處，明顯標誌小心煙火，此半方圓山徑有上下，但鎮公所有改善，不若當年困難，我找到一處山端岩塊，可供眺望山頂冰洲，這是絕境，我內心之仙境，我忘記攜帶小望遠鏡，但感謝幾位眼醫，妙手回春，給我白內障手術，重回20／20視力。

回到左右分徑處，回史鎮路標以示，下杜威湖遊結束，有一年獨行，我經次處邁向上杜威湖，半途而廢，我也不再野心，畢竟年邁矣。

My high blood pressure/Carlos Pueblo

 My high blood pressure/Carlos Pueblo

In addition to my chronicle diabetes, dental issues, and vision problems, I have my high blood pressure to deal with nowadays. Before previous cruise trip, my dental hygienist discovered my blood pressure was high 168/85, yet still performed the teeth cleaning regardless I only have a few left. At home, I concluded that were because that I had a gum infection, ate too much salted pickle white reddish, and a dying 20 years old cat at the moment. I needed to escape such environment immediately. I went to a 11 days cruise in the east Caribbean sea. I forgot every thing, no television, no internet, no i-phone calls and every day was eating  and resting.

My Dad had a high blood pressure and he was not aware, in such result he was suffered a stroke at age 65. It is very much difference for me now, I am under the Medicare and many physicians are monitoring my well being most of the time due to the requirement of the insurance company. I know the result of my high blood pressure is taking a medicine like my diabetes which I am taking five kinds a day and is very annoying. I am getting in age and must face the reality.

I ate light on the ship except two free dinners on fee restaurants which were provided by the cruise latitude reward otherwise I attempted to eat vegetarian dishes to get less cholesterol intake. I went to the golf cage to strike 81 golf balls to warm up myself, then I swam in the pool. During the land day, I marched on the port town till I was tired. I had had my regular exercises. I am not sure that I am doing alright or not. I shall see my internal medicine physician when my semi annual physical examination is due for my diabetes.

I know that my high blood pressure is age related. I shall avoid the stressful intake such as the internet watching programs like the news of Trump and Chinese invasion of Taiwan. I have quit watching television for some 30 years and now I am determined to go back to the basic and will not let the modern technology bothers me any more.

I go back to the library to check out two books to read. I shall return to my old habit of reading books. I shall go to travel more often to stay away loniless old life.

高血壓／莊峻華

 高血壓／莊峻華

臨行郵輪11日行，牙醫診所例行洗牙，護士發現我血壓高，168／85，但仍繼續洗牙，回家後十分懊惱，因為一牙發炎，牙落後，整個底層假牙需要重做，所以我又龜縮，假藉一日算一日，家裡愛貓年紀20，好像是臨終前夕，元兒與此貓甚親，準備開車過10號公路，到寵物店購買注射筒，注射水給愛貓，讓我痛斥一頓，我要愛美找獸醫，給愛貓安樂死，她說時間尚未到，於是我血壓繼續飆高。

球伴竇大夫贈我一小瓶高血壓藥劑，和切藥片剪刀，因我身材小於他，我一下又找不到我的內科醫生，飛機馬上就要起飛，於是我把血壓藥，阿斯匹靈藥，和退火用綠豆等都帶上船，真是十分狼狽。

終於等到房間就續，沖涼後倒頭就睡，為降低血壓，黎明號游泳池水溫宜圏泳，於是每日早餐後小憩一陣，八點高爾夫練球場和游泳池開放，我就揮81桿3號，流一些汗，然後下水圏泳些時，上岸後在旁三溫暖池，泡些分鐘，泳池若無人，我就再游幾圏，如此一段清晨運動，已甚理想，若船靠岸，我就行軍去也，一日內洗澡兩次，途中郵輪就免費洗一包衣服，很是方便。

郵輪上網路不便又昂貴，所以我的生活回復到1975年前在台灣的日子，我也不看電視，無網路也無網誌，就沒有川普之新聞干擾，三餐都在大飯店解決，而且有幾座都是免費，船費中包括，食畢拍屁股走路，非常安逸，當然血壓不高。

琳兒電訊來提醒手機在加勒比海，操作要錢，我找波多黎哥，電話交待愛美，轉告琳兒勿慮，我只電話愛美報平安，也不想家裡碎事，況且我平日無友，慎獨功夫了得，這些高科技，我都不曾學過，而且我做人清楚，若用到需費手機，我會賠她，琳兒幫我手機加入她名下，每月節省$50，非常感激。

平安返家後，我對這血壓第二高有對策，我要開始恢復看書，到圖書館借新書來看，加上我私人藏書，練習語言，簡單問候幾句，像日文，西班牙文，可以再精進，我已經不看電視節目多年，現在連望誌電腦網路都避免，只聽音樂可也，對降血壓有助益。

A brief tour of Tampa City, Florida/Carlos Pueblo

 A brief tour of Tampa City, Florida/Carlos Pueblo

The cruise liner arranged a brief tour of Tampa City, Florida on the way to the airport at the end of our Eastern Caribbean tour. Our guide, Dr. Reyes made two stops on our way, one was the University of Tampa main campus and the other one was an old home site owned by Cuban Government in a Cuban neighborhood at the old Tampa downtown.

He introduced the campus buildings, the old Tampa Hotel owned by Henry B. Plant some 100 years plus ago, and converted to a junior college some 93 years ago and then merged to the current day University with 10,000 plus enrollment offered 200 degree programs. I am most impressed with the campus landscape and four Moorish type buildings now a State Heritage site. I have been passing by on buses several time while I embark at Tampa Bay port for cruises. I always want to know more about those attractive and unique campus by the bay. Later on the second stop, he answered my question about Ted Roosevelt's adventure in Cuba. Tampa Hotel was the site of the invasion plan and those generals were invited by Plant to stay at the Hotel to draw the war plan. After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. took Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippine, and many other Spanish colonies.

There are many Cuban American living in Tampa. Tampa is famous for her cigar factory. Our bus came out of campus and turned to the Bay to view a luxury residential area helped built by Plant. It was one of my dream to visit this site recommended by my old Taiwanese couple who drove by it some 40 plus years ago. The closed one for me was at Orlando on the east site with the Disney World. I never have had another opportunity to drive across the center Florida.

The second stop was a regular home site less than 1/4 acres in the Cuban American Area at Tampa. The old frame house was torn down to set up a memorial site with a statue on it. Across the site is an active cigar factory still. He explained some details history of the city and there were some beautiful chickens walking around the site and I took many shots on them. Chicken are protected in the city as well as the State and are very wonderful.

We went to the west Tampa to tour both the Yankee spring training field and the Tampa Buccaneer stadium. The Buc made to the Super Bowl once while the Yankee won the World Series frequently. 

I am reminded to go back to my books reading habit to enlarge my knowledge such as the Teddy Roosevelt's story in Tampa, etc. I am going back to the library next week.

郵輪車返天帕機場／莊峻華

 郵輪車返天帕機場／莊峻華

前日黎明號結束東加勒比海十一日行，在佛羅里達州母港天帕市靠岸，郵輪贈我一$50禮券，我使用在郵輪車返天帕機場用，此包括兩站和天帕灣豪華住宅區，十分有趣，容我描述如下。

首站是私立天帕大學本校園，在甘迺迪大道上，我搭巴士到碼頭，好幾次路過，這是一非常美麗之校園，已經成為歷史遺產區，原是天帕大飯店，有511房間出租，約91年前，改為私立初級學院，逐為完整大學，有學生萬餘位，93％學生有助學金，這座大學有數棟原大飯店大樓，西班牙摩爾式風格，摩爾人統治過西班牙600年，是回教徒。我們的導遊是位古巴裔美國人，名牌上鑲有哲學博士銜，非常博學知識，他很詳細介紹天帕市歷史，我非常感激。我查一下谷歌，這位天帕大飯店主人名曰，亨利普蘭特。

遊覽車出天帕大學校園，轉入天帕灣畔之豪華住宅區，40餘年前，有對客戶台灣長輩，開車經過，特別介紹，我最近一處到奧蘭多，不敢開過佛州腰帶高速公路，甚是遺憾，時年應是2007，現在已經年邁不能，這豪華區確實有特色，難怪我同街鄰居，隨夫婿工作搬來休市，夫婿因病過世，立即售屋，遷回天帕市。天帕市許多古巴裔美國人，導遊雷亞博士特別介紹古巴區，一塊住宅地，已夷為平地，立一名人塑像，草地上許多漂亮土雞漫遊，原來土雞受到佛州市府保護，在邁阿密市區亦然。雷亞博士詳細介紹這塊古巴政府仍有所有權之地，很是有趣，我終於想到讀過一段歷史，發問天帕市是否為小羅斯福進攻古巴之港？博士連忙補充這一段，小羅斯福這群人，是在當年天帕大飯店策劃進攻，此役美國獲得古巴，多明尼加，波多黎哥，菲律賓，關島等地。

我們也經過西天帕市的兩座職業球場，一座是紐約洋基職棒練習場，一座是天帕市職業足球海盜隊，洋基非常馳名，海盜隊也拿過超級杯一次冠軍。

回家後，我深覺應該恢復看書，有益身心健康。

Our march to the Last Chance Gold Mine, Juneau, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Our march to the Last Chance Gold Mine, Juneau, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Our march to the Last Chance Gold Mine , Juneau, Alaska  is a routine to the city's visit. We walk to the city center following street signs on the way up to the hill. It is very beautiful especially in the spring, the snow cap on top of mountains and flowers on the grounds so colorful everywhere. We don't have this kind of luxury at home; therefore, we must pay to have Alaska cruise all the time.

I was still unable to find the Russian House owned by Olga. She must be retired. We were invited to the inside of a wooden Russian church, the first one in the territory yet very basic structured. On the next door, a Catholic Church is more up to date and functional. I took many pictures on the way up by the residential neighborhood with many charming spring flowers. It was very straight forward after we entered a speedy mountain highway on a river valley. 

I usually run into locals walking their pets. Most of them allow me to pet their lovely dogs. Some bigger ones have already enjoyed the worm weather and jumping into the creek. They don't mind the melting glacier from top mountains and the quick cascade stream at all.

A group of tourists whom I guessed were from cruise ships on the excursion program. They were doing some gold finding with a pan distributed by their guides. You could see how they checked on each other on their find. We walked on a small suspended bridge across the mountain cascade stream to the Last Chance Gold Mine Museum. I tried to see a lady in charge of the museum whom I met on last trip. We chatted about her visit of Taroco Gorge and went to a local election campaign rally. I like to inform her that girl is now the ambassador of Taiwan to the United States. Unfortunately, the museum was closed on that day.

I guided Amy to march back on the other side of the creek which was constructed in the past  10 years. Some portion of the path are on boards very pretty. At the end we can enter the city center easily. I located the Governor Mansion and took more pictures again. Amy passed on a phone call from my old college friend about the death of our classmate who was 74. Ronald helped me to gather some $1,000 plus deposit money to apply my F-1 visa in 1975. I have appreciated his effort ever since. He had a sudden stroke.

行軍到珠諾最後機會金礦溪／莊峻華

 行軍到珠諾最後機會金礦溪／莊峻華

船抵珠諾市，我們熟練行軍到城中大街，我繼續問人俄羅斯老店不果，今日我決定行軍到珠諾市最後機會金礦博物館，找一位館員太太，向她報告蕭美琴和蔡英文之近況，一年我行軍上山，她邀我在博物館前聊天，談起當年她旅行花蓮太魯閣，值蕭競選花蓮縣長一事，蔡英文來花蓮助選，我想了半小時始想出美琴大名，如今她是台灣駐美大使，傑出業績，真想語她分享。

俄羅斯店仍舊找不到，結果上山崗在俄羅斯正教前拍照，教堂執事邀請入內參觀，這次首次機會，教堂十分克難，俄羅斯人在阿拉斯加歷史並不久，經濟力並不顯著，我在日本旅行各地，有些希臘正教堂規模，比珠諾市這棟，阿拉斯加首座規模大，而且維護更佳。教堂旁就是一座天主教修女教會，已經入世服務居民就業，較具規模而且新穎。

沿著路標指示上山，行軍者畢竟甚少，卻是有巴士攜帶郵輪遊客上山溪掏金，我們繼續慢步上山，一路上遇見當地人攜愛犬上山散步，我喜歡和愛犬打招呼，非常愉快有趣。郵輪節目組安排掏金車輛，就停在溪流旁，這是高山融雪急湍，巨大鵝卵石紛落溪中，節目組分給鐵皮掏金盤，然後大家各顯神通，我們跨過吊橋，不巧金礦博物館關閉，裡面是一些舊日大型掏金機器，很像舊日巨型打鐵店，最後機會金礦，只是珠諾市附近許多金礦之一，珠諾城中可搭巴士到道格拉斯區，也是老金礦，許多居民聚集，我一直未曾遊覽過。

我們沿著珠諾溪的另岸小路回城中，這步徑也是最近十年開闢，可以走進城中，經過州長官邸，官邸美麗大方，我拍上許多相片，愛美告知大學校友電話來，因為是國內電話，所以我可以回話，原來是一耗訊，一位加州同學過世，這位同學曾經在1975年，借錢給我辦理出國手續，我今日能在美國愉快生活，與他幫忙有關。

Attempting to trade stocks on the road/Carlos Pueblo

 Attempting to trade stocks on the road/Carlos Pueblo

It was boring during a repeated cruise route, yet I did think of attempting to trade stocks on the road. It is a part of my get something from nothing philosophy, a Chinese Taoism. I have done it several times and it is very simple, to buy low and sell high. Before I left home, I did check my used i-phone to be able to connect with a free WiFi in case I needed. I checked my investment accounts to see if I could log in and It was alright to use it.

I did see the movement of my oil stock and it was fluctuated up and down for $2 a share. My method is to sell it all if it is up $2 and buy it all back if it is down $2. It was at that range when I arrived at Ketchikan on the second time. There is a free WiFi set up at the port. I tried to log in to my account; however, I was rejected several times and finally the old i-phone was locked up. I called 1-800 number for help to un-lock it. After that, It was still not working and I asked Amy's help to fill in my password and was still not working. Finally, I gave it up.

It was because that I did have a double vision, an IOL dislocation of Intra-Ocular Len on my left eye. The cataract lens moved. I suspected that my fall with a big bump on my head after my coming back from a month cruises created an impact on my left eye and forced the lens movement. The new eye surgeon was not quite sure my theory; however, he did an excellent job to correct it. 

I did complete my sell high and buy low twice after I came back home. The stock which I traded went up exceeding $15 of my last sold price. I felt sorry for myself yet I would never know and never win all the time.

旅行中之變錢／莊峻華

 旅行中之變錢／莊峻華

出外旅行中，我也想變錢，甚麼是變錢？變錢就是道德經內之，無中生有，我們工作就業掙錢，也是靠勞力智力來賺錢，郵輪中之賭場，也是變錢場所，我注意到旅行中，也可以變錢，於是我開始準備我的備用手機，只要碼頭有免費網路，我就可以買賣股票，今年剛好有通貨膨脹，我的石油股，有機會操作變錢，就是買低賣高，賺取毛頭盈利，變錢之道也。

阿拉斯加第二週，郵輪出港，我注意到石油股已經開始小漲，我決定在凱其坎港碼頭，賣掉一千股，我的舊手機在家裡，已經調好帳戶密碼，能進出自如，剛好凱鎮碼頭有免費網路可使用，於是我開始輸入密碼，但是手機一直無法進入，我想是我看不清楚，於是請愛美幫忙，愛美視力較佳，但仍有問題，於是改變密碼，仍舊無效，眼見到手熟鴨，又展翅高飛，心中甚急，於是打電話給股票公司，業務代表也是愛莫能助，於是我就放棄變錢，走出碼頭往凱其坎溪方向，心中惆悵，幾週前我在紐約機場，請在家裡的愛美買下兩千股，愛美稍有意見遲疑，我就威脅她無需到機場接我，因為她答應琳兒，到奧斯汀照顧她家裡之大小四日。

走到繁殖場盡頭，我們就走出小公園，我心惦念那棟老朽放棄木屋，明明知道凱鎮已經要屋主翻修，但我仍舊嘮叨指給愛美老故事，愛美甚是不耐煩，和我吵起來回鎮中之路線，我心中仍是為變錢不順而牽怒。

原來我的左眼白內障鏡片移動，我起先以為因久未網球，退後跌倒四肢朝天，震盪鏡片，左眼已無視力，眼醫推薦給另一專科眼醫，馬上手術更正，就是重新一次白內障手術，更換移動鏡片，難怪我有雙層視力，單目衡量球之遠近，當然手機字幕太小，無法正確輸入。

回家後，我又繼續變錢，人算不如天算，我售罄所有石油股後，石油股繼續盤昇，每股漲$15，我是少賺幾萬元，變錢不力，現在石油股又跌近我售出價錢，我不敢再變錢矣，已免當年之套牢。

Returning to the cruise this Saturday/Carlos Pueblo

 Returning to the cruise this Saturday/Carlos Pueblo

Even though I am behind all my writings about my cruise trips, yet I am still going to the cruise these days. I love to go to the cruise and it has become to my major part of my senior life. Other than playing tennis every day, I manage to get out to the tennis court for several days. I like to meet more interesting people, taking a good service at restaurants, and dressing up with my old uniforms at work.

I have found the cruise is a more relaxing travel among all. I compare with what I pay for any kinds of travel in my life. I think that the cruise trip cost is more reasonable. I would total up what I have paid and compare to what I would paid on individual events such as rooms and board, transportation, and what I receive from my trips. I find that restaurants on the ship are the best among all I have been. I have met many successful persons on board including passengers and mostly serving staff. It is a better life indeed.

The cruise liner which I have taken all the time has advocated dressing casual because that it is on vacation. Finally, I realize that I can dress up to go to a party and a restaurant to show my respect to workers on board. They are all in uniform. I still keep my old uniforms, suits, ties, shoes, and shirts, etc. and would cost me nothing to be dressed up and I feel better because Amy claims that she would donate those when I die.

On the cruise vacation, I can rest my left knee briefly to be recovered from daily tennis. I can stay away from the internet and back to some thinking alone. I can be enjoying the scenery without driving hassle. I don't have to cook the food and wash dishes. I don't have to worry that I would live too long.

又要上船旅行／莊峻華

 又要上船旅行／莊峻華

週六又要上船旅行，這次飛到佛州恬波洛市上黎明號，閒逛東加勒比海11日，都是舊遊之處，冬日加勒比海溫暖，很像夏威夷氣候，搭過黎明號多次，結識許多朋友愛女，而且和一位澳洲女士相約共餐4次，解決郵輪贈我兩次攜伴牛排餐廳之困境，她也是藍寶石級，她邀請我兩次，我邀請她兩次，絲毫不浪費，下個月回寶石號32日，有6次免費餐券，我再煩惱不遲，明年春天旅行日本三週正，已經購妥機票和新幹線，愛美終於同意，一年和我郵輪旅行一次，但有條件和規矩需遵守，我都可以接受。

剛好可以讓左膝蓋休息一下，每日網球折磨，左膝需戴護膝，右膝右臂右腕都戴保護，全付武裝，也無所謂美觀與否？這是老邁，我看我們史丹那隊長，週二，六清晨都來打網球，他已經84歲矣，真是我的好榜樣。

老船上有網球場，有高爾夫擊球處，有步徑，海上日早上有體操，我也攜帶腳底按摩板，應該有充份之設備運動。

Finishing our first back in Seattle, WA 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Finishing our first back in Seattle, WA 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Our cruise trip was designed for a back to back two weeks repeated journey from Seattle back to Seattle and repeated one more time. This way we feel that we save one round trip in the air from Houston to Seattle; therefore, we can average out of the cost for about $100 a day including rooms, board, and transportation which I consider a good deal. I am not tired of repeated cruise trip plus visiting Seattle is very convenient.

When I was a little bit younger, I used to visit Seattle by the land trip, i.e. rent a car to go around even to Vancouver, Canada. Washington State is very beautiful especially in Seattle area. If you drive a car, you can cover some area such as the Rainier National Park, the Olympic National Park, or the Cascades National Park, etc. I wish I could go further east on the River Skagit toward the eastern part of the State.

I am very satisfied now with the cruise. We walked along piers for a short distance. It was late spring weather and people were coming out with their short cloths. We're ready for the next week.

結束2022首次阿拉斯加七日遊／莊峻華

 結束2022首次阿拉斯加七日遊／莊峻華

七日遊機票不夠本錢，因此再購一程，可以使每日耗價降到一百美金內，食宿交通在內，況且阿拉斯加風景美麗，郵輪舒適，剛好有連續特價，我們換領新房間門卡，然後就下船，有將近8小時可以逛西雅圖市，但我們選擇逛幾個碼頭而已，我曾來西雅圖旅行十次以上，8小時可以逛蘭妮爾山國家公園，奧林匹亞國家公園，和小瀑布群國家公園，我甚懷念之鮭魚故鄉史凱濟河。

沒有，我們就在碼頭大道閒逛，週日遊客甚多，難得天氣暖和，人們開始短衣短袖，畢竟夏日不遠，逛上幾座碼頭，已經開始無聊，於是打道回船，郵輪開始迎接新上船旅客，我們重複旅客有捷徑，不用排隊，船上也有幾處餐廳開放，大部份整理中，迎接新乘客，我們新房間也在舊房間隔壁，都在9層。

約是一點正，自助餐廳已經開始營業，當然開放24小時之奧西罕餐廳也開放，郵輪已經開始新一週營業，7層大廳已經有鋼琴師駐奏，新乘客開始點酒，持酒杯到處亂逛，休假是也。

Re-visiting Victoria, Canada 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Re-visiting Victoria, Canada 2022/Carlos Pueblo

The ship was returned to Victoria, Canada at the final port of this route. Victoria is the capital city of the British Columbia where I have been visiting several times. I drove to the city from Vancouver, Canada via a ferry to carry my rental vehicles and I also took a ferry from Port Angeles on the north tip of the Olympic National Park, Washington State. I love to visit this lovely city. We arrived late in the afternoon and waited a little bit to have a tour of the famous Butchart Gardens.

Amy liked to join the Filipinas for the visit even though we did have three visits during day time hours before. The gardens was opened for our three buses loads to have such special visit that night. I didn't see my favorite flowers, roses and dahlias, etc. It was still very attractive that night with different kinds of flowers. Our driver and tour guide introduced us the founder and  his family and was quite interesting.

He also introduced the main campus of the University of Victoria. It reminds me of a distinguished professor friend who was retired at the university. I got to know the late Professor Hsiao Hsin-Yi who was from Taiwan, a graduate of Tung-Hai University in Taichung, and a Ph.D. from Harvard. He taught Lao Tze and Chuang Tze, the ancient Chinese Taoism at this University. We met at the board meetings in D.C. for the Taiwanese Association of Public Affairs in 1990's. He mentioned that he would take two or three days to make a trip from Victoria to the U.S. for meetings and I quite understood. 

We had a brief one hour visit at the garden. Amy figures out the cost of such visit for two is about $150 with my latitude discount and a shore excursion discount of $50. I thought that was very expansive till I Google it now it will charge an adult ticket for $214, the inflation.

郵輪駛入維多莉雅港2022／莊峻華

 郵輪駛入維多莉雅港2022／莊峻華

從阿拉斯加史凱格衛港落日南下，海上一日夜餘，終於抵達加拿大不列顛哥倫比亞省會，維多莉雅市，已經是夜晚，愛美堅持參觀巴卡賀花園，於是我們在船上等候到夜晚八點三刻，從碼頭出發，花園專程舉燈火招待，我真捨不得，但愛美曰她出錢招待，是這樣的，我們參觀過此花園三次，這次是第四次，花園是美，但晚上賞花一小時，一人美金一百元，真是捨不得，卻是有三車大巴士，超過150位賞客。

平日此花園尚在關閉中，武漢肺炎之故，進入加拿大需要特別申請，手機查核疫苗注射，還有船上鼻腔檢測無感染證明，很是麻煩，我的手機是那位菲律賓護士，幫忙申請通過，她們倆唆使愛美來參觀花園。花園還是有些花，但我看不到玫瑰花，也看不到大理花，非常失望，花園執事告知並非花季，若是花季，兩花圃之位置，我曾注意到此花園之兩種花朵，都是特別巨大，鮮艷迷人美麗。有一次加拿大人勸我們莫搭公車到花園，因為班次時間不可靠，惟恐耽誤船期。

其實我們三次參觀此花園，都是租車專程從溫哥華來，兩次帶小孩們，一次是專程補上愛美旅行急診之憾，這次巴士駕駛兼導遊，詳細介紹這座美麗城市，我自己再加兩次，專程從奧林匹亞半島北端，國家公園處，搭渡輪來維港，有一次郵輪行路過，我就帶愛美逛街，逛碼頭夜市，只未帶她參觀省議會耳，其實有一次開租車來是去過省議會和省長辦公室。

巴士經過維多莉雅大學本校，駕駛導遊特別介紹該大學，令我懷念我們同鄉前輩，蕭欣義教授，他是台灣東海出身，哈佛博士，在維大教授老莊哲學，有次我們參加台灣人公共事務會，在華府機場候機，他說為來美國開會，從維多莉雅搭兩日飛機，旅途勞累，我現在是搭郵輪，幾乎常來維多莉雅。

Free drinks at sea days/Carlos Pueblo

 Free drinks at sea days/Carlos Pueblo

Repeat passengers like to have free drinks at sea days. You can see the line up in front of the latitude party every time on the first sea day at noon. People are drinking while at the cruise in order to have a good time, yet you usually must pay to have a package or a good mark up price. I don't drink at home because of my diabetes, the alcohol would void my medicines which is indicated on the label. I once drank beers with pizzas, crabs, and some good meals. I like tp attend the free drinks party each time I board the ship; therefore, I can meet some good people and have a chat of our like of the cruise.

This Alaska ship is a new edition of a large ship with the company; therefore, there is more in budget to treat repeated customers such as the latitude party. The second one on a second sea day is hosted at a Brew House Bar on the Deck 8 very prominent location. It is sponsored directly by the General Manager's office only Platinum members and above are invited. The bar is considerably smaller than the one used for the previous latitude party, yet there is still a live music provided. A group of managers are present and kindly chatting to every guest. I mentioned the general manager of this ship was the one in charge of the mass evacuation of staff to their native nations in Europe, Asia, and the Central and South Americas. He was there at the party and told me that he would be on vacation at the time of my plan to be back for the last Alaska season route and cross the Panama Canal back to Miami, Florida. Actually, I don't have the chance to purchase such deal. there is no discount at all. Instead, I went to New England and Two Canadian Provinces. Plus, next week I am going to Tampa, Florida to join another of my favorite ship to tour the Eastern Caribbean.

I did try two small glasses of draft beer. I asked the newly popular beer called the Craft Beer and the bartender didn't know what I was talking about. The draft beer is infiltrate beer which is very popular and very tasty when consuming with boiling crabs and pizzas. The craft beer is a new revolutionary beer in the young beer drinking world. I once had an opportunity to taste the craft on Denver International Airport while I was in a long waiting period. I paid $10 for a four different craft beers and kept the small glass as my souvenir. I was not that impressed yet I loved to try once more. Of course, the ship doesn't have it. 

安可號海上日2022／莊峻華

 安可號海上日2022／莊峻華

阿拉斯加遊中過五站，凱其坎鎮，珠諾市，冰洲灣，史凱格衛鎮，加拿大維多莉雅港，如此佔去七日中之五日，兩日是海上日，西雅圖啓航一日，凱其坎鎮回程至維多莉雅港一日，安可號屬新型巨輪，操作預算高於一般稍小型舊郵輪，所以海上日招待乘客活動，比較精彩，首日海上日，她分兩次招待一般重遊旅客喝酒，第二次海上日，則招待鉑金級以上乘客，到八層釀酒屋喝啤酒等，這次安可號又加一次喝酒，我喝酒是海量，但因糖尿病顧忌，平常不喝酒，海上日招待，甚難錯過，尤其釀酒屋還請美麗歌手助唱，這節目是船上總經理主辦，他的美麗助理安排一切，船上主管很多位，必需到場協助招待，有時候船長也來捧場，美國人善於生意。

這位總經理，就是承辦武肺船員疏散全球，安可號總經理，他的美麗能幹助理金伯莉，幕後策劃邀請卡，現場招待，她有賭場女經理幫忙，郵輪不僅有酒屋調酒師，也調各酒吧侍者來幫忙，有酒有乳酪有小菜如越南春捲等，我注意到總經理助理，均是全船最美麗者之一，而且和藹可親，身著海軍准尉制服，非常迷人。

助興助唱一對，是年輕一對菲律賓歌手，唱流行歌，我有機會和他們聊天，釀酒屋有各種啤酒，生熟啤酒，倒滿酒杯，擺在酒吧櫃台，也有侍者送來，這酒會有時候可以巧遇談心旅客，有許多社會上有成就之老人。

約是十餘年前，我尚陸地旅行各地，有次在科羅拉多州丹佛機場，巧遇一手藝啤酒節，當地手藝啤酒廠和機場合作，由我們達拉斯西南航空協辦，參加者交十美金，可喝四小杯手藝啤酒，喝畢可留小杯紀念品，我喝不出所以然，請教我們家琳兒，她解釋此新時尚，手藝啤酒與傳統釀製法有異，比較省時，為年輕人喜愛，我問酒屋調酒師，他們尚未有所聽聞。

The worst unfilial matter is no posterity/Carlos Pueblo

 The worst unfilial matter is no posterity/Carlos Pueblo

Nowadays people delay their marriage and also delay bearing child at their marriage due to reasons of all kinds. According the ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius that is the worst unfilial matter, no posterity. Many young people are unfilial according to the Confucianism. Family trees are fallen most of the time and it is the fact. There was a nightmare last night which I could remember some in details involving my late father for his parking of a vehicle somewhere for me to take my son Arthur to his eyes doctor. I had to wake myself up in order to interrupt the misery. It is related to my life and my current days thinking that I do mention of my late marriage lately. It is very stressful when I think of my no posterity in actual life.

This is what Mencius famous piece of advise, " There are three things which are unfilial, and to have no posterity is the greatest of them." The next one is not that famous in China, yet he explained it as an example, " Shun married, without informing his parents, because of this, he is considered as no posterity, yet Gentlemen consider that his doing so was the same as if he had informed his parents." Shun is the legendary ruler of China that his predecessor Yao yields his ruler position to him voluntarily and also gives two daughters to Shun as his wives. It is a young adult's duty to get married and bear a child to satisfy the filial definition. I believe that the young generation have lost such steam nowadays.

You may ask what are the other two unfilial matters on Mencius' talking? According to one of explanation fo 13 famous Chinese ancient philosophers works. One of them explained it some two thousand years ago in the Eastern Han Dynasty. He pointed it out while Mencius talking was incomplete. According to the Chinese manners, you must critise your parents when they obviously make critical mistake to injure others. Secondly, you must work to make an earn income to help parents to avoid the poverty; however, no posterity is the worst of the unfilial matter.

I don't think that American are talking about filial or unfilial matter, yet I still believe that I have been affected by all three discussion on Mencius thought in my life. It is called a family value posted some time ago in the U.S. politic. Get good education in order to get a good income job. Respect the elders and help your own parents if you are financial able. Get married and have a child to continue your family tree. 

不孝有三無後為大／莊峻華

 不孝有三無後為大／莊峻華

最近偶有惡夢，夢見亡父，和家事牽扯在一起，我知道晚婚之遺憾，子女無後代，也是結果，這句著名中國成語，更加顯目，我查一下谷歌，原來是出自孟子離婁上第26章，原文是，孟子曰，不孝有三，無後為大，舜不告而娶，為無後也，君子以為猶告也。後代人多心疑問道，其餘二不孝為何？東漢儒家13經注疏，有人解釋，這是兩千年前古事矣，於禮不孝者三，事謂阿意曲從，陷親不義，一不孝也；家貧親老，不為仕祿，二不孝也；不娶無子，絕先祖祠，三不孝也，三者中無後為大。

再進一步解釋，父母犯錯卻不規勸，陷親不義一不孝；家貧親老，無能力供養父母二不孝；沒有子孫後代三不孝。原句中提到聖人舜，聖人堯將女娥皇女英，嫁給賢聖人舜，舜來不及鼎告父母，歷史亦未交待雙親是否當時健在？所以君子以為猶告也，不需要斤斤計較。

我又要有異議矣，孝與不孝，在儒家孔孟，非常強調，但西方宗教如基督教教義，上帝始為造人者，我們佛陀解釋人生是痛苦之開始，都避免強調孝順父母，我倒是覺得西方文明，至少美國，強調照顧子女之重要，優先於照顧老年父母。13經注疏中強調的其他兩不孝，應該是家庭常識，或曰家庭價值，要有工作收入，要是非分明，要自反而縮，雖小少如雙親，吾往矣，愛美非常同意道，其母抱怨兄嫂不孝，她都仗義執言，我說她無肚量，不准我娶小三多生子女，如今膝下無孫，她說不知我所云。

現代中國人，也已經不重視儒家教條，但是這原則，是可理解者也，俄羅斯普汀之子女，應該忠告普汀，不應攻打烏克蘭作孽；中國子女應該規勸習近平，中止犯台念頭，先好好治理中國內政，習這類人都很不孝，文化大革命中，都鬥爭過其父，共產黨都是一類。

Returning to Skagway, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Returning to Skagway, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

After the Glacier Bay, the ship sailed at night to reach to Skagway, Alaska early in the morning. This is also a small gold rush town near the Yukon Territory, Canada. There is a business for tourists to take a shuttle bus to Canada and back in a few hours. Usually, I would take three marches in a day, climb the lower Dewey lake, visit the downtown, and across a bridge over the Skagway River to the Smugglers point on the other side of a helicopter port. We met a pair of new friends on board and I volunteered to be their guide and I skipped the Dewey Lake.

They are Filipinas who live in San Diego, California. One of them is a nurse who is not good at the mountain road. We found the airport office and the bridge to across the river. It is a rapid current river with melting snow water from the mountain top and flow to a bay. A cemetery is on the right side and we made a pass. We turned to left to enter an area used to host smugglers. It is now a hill park for tourists. Several nice view points on the way surrounding the area. I was told there were golden eagles in the area when we first visited here in 2012. People kept on telling us the smugglers point was near yet we missed it. We came back on the same route instead of a short cut through an emergency road for vehicles. By that way, we had to slide down several times and I was afraid of not good for her.

We came back to the downtown and it was still crowded with tourists. I believed that there were three ships disembark her that day. Ladies were shopping at shops and I was sitting and enjoying watching people walking around. I remembered so mush on my past visits. I love the town.

You can take a train to a mountain top to visit an old gold mine. Helicopters are for tourists with interest to step on a glacier. You can do it with an excursion arrangement. Some retired people with good driving experience from lower states come here for summer jobs to drive tourists to Canada for visiting.

重遊阿拉斯加史凱格衛鎮2022／莊峻華

 重遊阿拉斯加史凱格衛鎮2022／莊峻華

史凱格衛鎮算是阿拉斯加手把壺端，再過壺端就是蘇握鎮，為紀念這位國務卿，高瞻遠矚，買下阿拉斯加州，當然沙皇若遲疑不賣，亡國後也將淪為蘇維埃，蘇維埃亡國後，也將為普汀再亡一次，也沒有我晚年之阿拉斯加郵輪旅行。這史鎮也是掏金古鎮，有班老火車可提供遊客上山參觀，也有轉車赴加拿大邊界，我都故意忽略，只遊史鎮三處，下杜威湖水源地，史鎮城中，和史凱格衛河口海盜角。

史鎮有兩處碼頭，這次離直升機場較遠，過去都停靠在機場旁，步行一小段到城中，我們很熟練，認識一對菲律賓小姐，其中一位體重，不便於行，我建議省去杜威湖，直奔海盜角，找到機場旁之固定吊橋，跨過史凱格衛河，右轉是墓地省去，直接左轉，此行讓我回憶到多少次，舊地重遊美憶，有一年一位珍珠號小姐曰，看到美國金鷹，我一直留意機會。這段還是有小山路要爬，於是我很小心謹慎，幫忙這位女護士上下坡，後來她感謝我幫忙，幫助我們登記注冊加拿大，武漢肺炎入境要求手續。

問幾位年輕遊客，均未找到海盜角，我們曾經來過多次，旁邊就有一行動廁所，海盜角不大，面對海灣，據說當年走私貨物交換處，小姐們也不堅持，我們忙著下山，幾次我們夫妻都順登山急救車道，這樣滑下山來，有這位護士不行，乖乖的小心翼翼下山。

再來就是逛街，史鎮有幾艘郵輪靠岸，非常熱鬧，大街都是遊客，物價也合理，愛美和兩小姐買些裡物，這護士收集洋娃娃，不知有否收獲？我多了一頂阿拉斯加帽，出現在相片中。

My planned family/Carlos Pueblo

 My planned family/Carlos Pueblo

During our family Thanksgiving gathering, I have an opportunity to explain my planned family. I am considered a married late person at age 32 plus and also have my first child late at 35 minus. I meet Michelle's grand mother-in-law Betty at this gathering and she is 76 and her son is 57. I have had my second child Arthur at 37. Both Amy's Dad and my dad were married at age 30 exactly, an age considered very late at that time for men.

I had to go to college in order to defer an Army draft at that time in Taiwan. Then, an infantry was two years draft while the others were three years. If I graduated at a college, I could serve in any unit for one year duty as an ROTC, reserved officer training corp, which was more attractive for a young man at that time; however, the draft rule changed when I was ready to be drafted at age 23, a change back to 2 years services.

I graduated from a teachers university, Taiwan Normal, with a government waived tuition and fees program which I had to teach at a middle school for two years before I could apply to study abroad in order to defer a five years teaching duty to pay back such obligation. I made up my mind to leave Taiwan, I therefore considered that would be easier if I were a single person. It would be better for me just managing my own requirement in compare to carrying a spouse. 

Once I came to the United States, I had to satisfy the academic requirement at the school to study hard to keep my student visa active. That was two years for a master of science program. Lucky me that I failed my Ph.D. program when I was at age 30 plus. I began to work thereafter and took two more years to get married.

Amy and I did plan our family when we married. We had our first child after almost three years later with a satisfied income as an insurance agent. Two years later, we had Arthur. My life have been determined and planned by the society which brought me up in Taiwan. I have done my best and I have come from a long way.

晚婚／莊峻華

 晚婚／莊峻華

今年感恩節聚會翌晨早餐，我正在敘述遇見親家公母親蓓蒂，諸多感嘆，蓓蒂年紀76，與我相差一歲，感嘆到我的晚婚，我結婚時已經超過32，這是初婚，到近35始有琳兒，真是晚年得女，晚婚不是我的選擇，實在是命運之安排，我深覺在當年，我的命運受到社會之安排，我不過是一按照安排下，經過如此之一生，我想蓓蒂是早婚，她的先生應該是晚婚，於是我開始解釋我在台灣的近28年，和在美國的婚前近5年。

我出生在一貧窮家庭，父母指望我長大能有一穩定工作，惟一的途徑就是學校教育，先父也是因為有多5年的工職專業教育，始得一份糖廠工作，他也是到30歲始結婚。台灣當年在蔣家統治下，男孩20未進大專學校，需要入營服兵役，兵役有2年步兵役，和其餘兵種3年役，如讀畢大專者，可服一年預備軍官役，所以當年男孩都設法考上大專，暫緩入營服兵役。

待我大學畢業時候，兵役法改成服兵役需滿兩年，而且我在外島服役，有女友也不可能結婚，所以當兵回家時，已經25歲多，在加上我堅決來美國，所以無法結婚，我是師範生，需要教滿2年書，始能暫緩服滿五年教書義務，1975年教滿兩年，取得留學美國資格，已經超過27歲。

來美國讀書深懼不及格，喪失學生資格，也不敢結婚，兩年碩士畢業後，讀不成博士班，開始當實驗室技工，開始有人作媒，我也認真尋求對像，一直到1980年始結婚，結婚開始收入微薄，計劃生育，一直到兩年餘，收入穩定，始有琳兒，我已經接近35歲，家庭經濟穩定，勤儉樸實節約，兩小孩都能接受大學教育，琳兒甚至有碩士班教育，找到待遇優握之工作，愛美一直在家照顧小孩。

晚婚家庭是可規劃者也，如果我在台灣結婚，很可能我就留在台灣教書，不能如此自由自在批評中國國共兩黨，我也無法享受美國富裕之環境機會，琳兒也無法發揮其才，元兒也無甚社會和國家之保護，這是我晚婚之福利，不言則已，一發言不可收拾。

Cruise ship sails into the Glacier Bay, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Cruise ship sails into the Glacier Bay, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Even though it was in the end of the spring, the winter snow is still at the top of mountains at the near or far away. We were sailing to the Margerie Glacier at the end of the Glacier Bay. Rangers of the National Park came up to the ship to do the introduction services. The sip is designed for this particular voyage in Alaska to view glaciers all summer seasons. A 15th deck is one of many areas to view glaciers. We were late to have a seat; therefore, we selected the deck 8 forward outside to get closed to the glacier. The captain is very good to get the huge ship as closer as possible for many hours.

I am still very excited even though I have been to this particular site 8 times. I count this back to back as twice. The Margerie Glacier is about 21 miles long and very tall. The brown color is the dirt soil carried from the top of the mountain. Another glacier, Hubbard Glacier on another route, you can see some blue color ice due to the sunlight reflection. I just check the Google search, the largest glacier is the Bering Glacier which has something to do with the famous Bering Straight where Indians crossed to the North America long time ago.

There is a definition of the Glacier which you can find in dictionary and I believe that the ranger does explain it well. The winter snow stays and accumulates all times, of course, there is melting snow yet must be accumulating continually or can not be called as a glacier. There is a concerned of the global warming effect which eliminates some glaciers in the world.

The general manager is very considerate to prepare hot and sweet Coco for viewers to be warm up when come back inside. As a matter of the fact, this ship has provided such treat on every port when we come back from outside in cold. The captain makes a 180 degree turn to switch side which is facing the glacier., therefore, room holders on both sides can have their view from their balcony rooms to see it from their expansive rooms.

At around three p.m. we started to leave the Bay back to our voyage to the next stop, Skagway.

船駛入冰洲灣2022／莊峻華

 船駛入冰洲灣2022／莊峻華

從西雅圖駛出之阿拉斯加七日遊，最精彩之一日，就是船駛入冰洲灣，停留在冰洲灣大冰洲幾小時，這時候冰洲灣國家公園，派遣幾位守護幹部登船說明介紹，公園辦公室就在海灣入口岸上，如我未記錯，該站辦公室有400位職員服務。我們巨型郵輪清晨就進入冰洲灣，國家公園地圖上，有清楚的標誌，這新輪設計，就是針對阿拉斯加大冰洲，我在2019年搭過姊妹輪極樂號巴拿馬行16日，比較熟悉上下，有一層15樓全層是觀賞室，可以趟下欣賞，需要搶位置，可以在自助餐廳觀看，郵輪也開放一層8樓，可以到船首觀望，還準備熱甜可可去寒，非常體貼，其實這艘新輪總經理，是首艘我搭過船上，每站提供熱甜點心可可給回船乘客者。

正是春殘日，遠近山峰滿佈積雪，融雪沿著山溝邁下，形成雪白小瀑布，甚是美觀，也有小冰洲，均清楚標誌命名，冰洲有定義，每年多少積雪，多少融雪，這冰洲灣規模較為巨大，昨日行軍抵達之緬甸河冰洲也不小，我剛查谷歌，此冰洲灣冰洲名為，瑪格莉冰洲，長21哩，若另一郵輪線，從溫哥華到蘇握鎮來回，可以一日遊覽湖巴特冰洲，還有一出名的伯令海峽冰洲最大，是傳言中印地安人過冰洲來美洲之途徑。

冰洲十分壯觀，我從2012年到現在，來過8次，當然像此行算兩次，中間還因武漢肺炎中斷過，2020和2021兩年，喝杯熱甜可可，又回船頭拍照留念，愛美也興緻不減，我們都喜歡阿拉斯加郵輪旅行。船長把船開近冰洲，然後再調頭繞一遍，讓兩排欄杆室乘客，均可在其昂貴臥室，欣賞此世界奇觀，我計算過我廉價無窗房間，可以讓我多搭一次郵輪旅行。

過了下午，船長沿海灣駛離冰洲灣，我未依依不捨，因為我是背對背遊，下週將再重複一次，而且明年我仍舊會注意郵輪特價，只要一有機會，我又身體健康，我均把握。

Thanksgiving dinner 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Thanksgiving dinner 2022/Carlos Pueblo

We were invited to Austin, Texas to have a Thanksgiving dinner with Michelle's family and just returned home. I am very pleased that she manages her new family very well and everything is progressing smoothly in her life. Amy and I are very proud of our two children and very thankful for their successful life.

Both Michelle and Arthur are working , Michelle is at her 19th years at work while Arthur is at his 15th and none of them have been unemployed in one day. Both of them are doing well at their financial management. Arthur stays home with us while Michelle has a family of 4 and 6 pets under her care and management. We sometimes need to come in to help baby sitting among all family affairs while they are away for trips. Both of them adopt our frugal habits in their life. 

She adopts our holidays tradition to hold dinners at a Chinese restaurant to save time to prepare and clean work. We also have plenty of time to do things after dinners. She also adopts my methods to encourage kids to work on house chores and save money. She also encourage kids to study hard at school. I can tell that she is doing very well both at her job and at home.

I am also very thankful for myself. I shall be 75 next month and I have come from a long way. It is a very special year to remember in my life.

感恩節家庭聚餐2022／莊峻華

 感恩節家庭聚餐2022／莊峻華

今年感恩節，我們三人受琳兒邀請，赴奧斯汀和她家人聚餐，來去匆匆忙忙，過一夜又匆匆忙忙趕回家，晚上又有家宴三人火鍋，感恩節越來越是型式，像是應付美國大節日一般，論食物我較喜歡愛美教會，先生娘贈送之八達飯包盒，都是免費，都是破素食戒忌，但都因為過大節日。

果然，高速公路非常忙碌，我熟練的開著十號和71號公路，在近奧斯汀27哩處加汽油，便宜普通油是$2.79一加崙，拜登果然控制油價，現在要開始擔心經濟消條，擔心中國經濟崩潰，石油股仍舊居高，哈比機場附近空地，已經堆積不少油井用鋼管，美國公司已經開始擴充石油生產，下一步要觀看兩位網球中國石油工程師，是否結束退休，回去工作？

琳兒曰聚餐訂在中餐廳，完全根據我們3，40年經驗，我們兄弟兩家年底聚餐，都在一家富記廣東餐廳舉行，一方面愛妻辛苦頭痛，整治菜餚，我們兄弟輪流出錢，一直到第二代開始接棒，現在富記老闆退休，我也脾氣怪戾，已經兩年中斷，愛美曰小心莫得罪琳兒美意，我只能乖乖服從，再過一週，我又需要到佛州上船，然後是明年初，和春天，一次郵輪行，一次日本賞櫻行。

很高興琳兒新家庭美滿，她採用我們的方法，經營家庭事務，兩小孩六寵物愛犬愛貓等，都照顧妥善，上班掙錢，又經營出租房屋，比我們三人都能幹。四川餐廳廚師手藝平平，但也客滿，很多年輕人不能廚房，我也不計較矣，連郵輪餐廳我都不計較矣。

飯後我酒醉回房聽音樂，他們打德州普克，琳兒厲害，擊敗所有人，我在旁指指點點曰，普克牌需要虛張聲勢，要劣牌放棄，果然愛美和元兒撐到最後，我又吹牛曰，琳兒好運，我未加入睹博，她們笑曰我不會玩德州普克。

Returning to Juneau, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Returning to Juneau, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Juneau is the capital city of Alaska at the pan handle. It is so large that a back to back cruises stop is about right arrangement. Our first stop is usually to the downtown main street and hub on a city bus to visit the Mendenhall Glacier and the next one is march to the Last Chance Gold Mine and back along the creek to the downtown.

We tried to locate the Russian Shop on the Main street yet in vein. Olga was the owner we got to know her in 2012. Amy bought a Russian girl's doll from her shop. Each time I would announce my visit from Texas and she knew that I was on a back to back trip. My last trip was in 2019 before the Pandemics and she told  me that her granddaughter opened her own shop next door to compete with her. Perhaps she didn't make it and was closed her business. It is sad. Her shop was across the main street from the city library where I used its internet to send an e-mail home.

I easily located the Four Points Hotel and the bus stop to the Mendenhall Glacier. This bus is a tour of the city and the suburban area. Juneau is the second largest in area in the country just shy of the first by Jacksonville, Florida. We Houston is big in area as well and is slowly stop expanding due to the city services yet is still helping newly developing county area to build streets and selling them city water, etc.

The bus driver is very kind to remind us the last bus to return to the city on both ways back. We marched again for about half an hour to the glacier. I got my senior pass for the National Park system available even though the glacier is under the management of the interior department, the National Forest. They honor the pass of the National Park. We walked across the jungle area with many of the State flower, Forget me not, and some like our blue bonnet yet larger in size. We reached to the sea bank plateau across the water to the glacier. It is amazing so close to the big chunk of ice.

I didn't mind to take more pictures for my fond memory. It is one of my favorite to come back again and again. Spring time in Alaska, the sun comes down early and it was dark when we came back to the downtown to take a shuttle bus back to the ship.

重返阿拉斯加珠諾市2022／莊峻華

 重返阿拉斯加珠諾市2022／莊峻華

每年都來阿拉斯加州郵輪旅行，當然都經過州會珠諾市，來珠諾市最方便者，郵輪也，當然可以開車經過加拿大落磯山脈，有路而且風景美麗，待我有能力時，已經不敢開車長途跋涉，還是郵輪輕鬆容易，我帶愛美來過阿拉斯加州多次，珠諾市也是多次，她也不嫌棄。

我們從碼站沿山麓行軍一小段，就到離市中心較近的碼頭，就在大街和碼站間，有很美麗堅實的木板步道，還有街面店面，我提到去拜訪俄羅斯禮物店，我們認識店老闆歐佳女士，愛美在2012年初訪，就買下一具俄羅斯女娃娃，也在日本某城市買下一日本女娃娃，都還擺在餐廳玫瑰木櫥櫃上，很奇怪這次未見俄羅斯店，該店原在市立圖書館對面，每次我都提醒奧佳女士我從德州休士頓專程拜訪，她知道我都是來回兩趟旅行。

再來就是帶愛美上市內冰洲，緬甸河冰洲是少數乘坐市內巴士可達之冰洲，我熟練的找到巴士站，就在一市內最大飯店旁，剛好巴士快出發，我們開始環繞這座面積全國第二之城市，第一是佛羅里達州之傑克森維爾市，我們休市面積也很大，而且隨時在併吞已開發完成之社區，非常有趣，休市出錢給新社區築路，賣自來水等，幫忙建商開發，甚至擴張到哈里斯郡外，將近六百萬人口，當然阿拉斯加太冷，產石油也無助。我們大約一小時餘，就到冰洲附近一站，駕駛親切告知回程兩站都回市中心。

緬甸河冰洲屬內政部國家森林局，國家公園卡也通行，國家公園不屬內政部，但兩者巡邏官員制服一樣，都非常親切，這是我甚羨慕之職業。我們走過岸邊草原，走到冰洲水邊，冰洲就在鄰近處，水面上有幾大塊浮冰，我拍許多相片，包括小瀑布，非常壯觀。多講多描述，真不如實地一遊，許多遊客如我們搭巴士，下車後行軍來回，阿州日落甚早，回到市中心，天色已暗，但離郵輪最晚返船時刻尚早。

My eyes doctor's visit 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 My eyes doctor's visit 2022/Carlos Pueblo

My left eye gives me hard time for years. There are three surgery plus my diabetes which requires my visits very often to my eyes doctors. Yesterday, I visited a specialist who did my IOL procedure, the dislocation intra-ocular lens in August, 2022. It was successful. The surgeon is very careful and asks me to see to check up from a week, a month, two months, and is going to be three months check. The Medicare asks my physician to monitor my blood sugar, the sugar crystal in my small veins in eyes. I asked the IOL surgeon if he could combine both visits in just one and he agreed. I love the Medicare and consider that I am lucky under such health coverage. It is the best.

I select the Medicare Advantage, a kind of HMO for commoners without paying additional expanse for my favorite doctors. I believe that such system will be satisfied with my medical needs. I feel very comfortable that the insurance company pays very much attention to my health problems such as the diabetes and vision issues, etc. I feel lucky because that most of the costs are covered by the policy.

I came to his clinic about half an hour early. The large rooms were full with about 30 patients and their escorts. There were three doctors on duty. I waited for an hour to get in for the preliminary check such as the vision test, 20/20 a perfect one and thanks to him, the my eyes pressure. The male nurse answered my questions about ages of patients in the room mostly older people more than 75 years old; however, at age 40 people started to have issues of eyes.

Finally, my doctor came to see me briefly and was very satisfied with my progress and asked me to come back in three months. I asked him if he did check my blood sugar in my eyes. He said yes and I asked him to send a report to my internal physician to satisfy my health insurance company. His front desk clerk charged me for two visits with two co-payments. I understand that there is no free lunch such as a combination of two clinic visits. The female nurse said we would get you. I laugh and I don't mind to pay because I can continue to see without glasses now.

看眼醫／莊峻華

 看眼醫／莊峻華

八月裡眼睛有手術，左眼白內障鏡片移動，視力減退，而且有雙層眼視，很是不便，我的專科眼醫介紹我，到另外一專科眼醫，然後手術順利，恢復完美20／20眼力，可以學習開飛機矣，手術後定期追蹤幾次，這次是在今晨，我剛好從郵輪旅行加拿大回來，幾週前，醫生助理已經來詢問，剛好我的內科醫生助理也打電話來幾次，催促眼糖報告，需要我看眼醫，我的眼醫可佩爾是大牌專科，也看元兒眼睛，我一時排不上門診，只好自作聰明，請席克醫生多看血糖，我的糖尿病很是煩人，煩保險公司，也煩我甚多，如我血糖控制不好，醫生就要開始打胰島素，我大概要上郵輪跳水自盡矣，還好一位年輕醫生，治療我的背瘡曰，打胰島素前，還有幾種藥物可嘗試，我心稍安，畢竟我已經75矣，又常郵輪旅行，週遊各地，真是斃之而無憾矣。

清晨下雨，正好取消網球局，專心並提早到診所，診所有三位眼醫門診，門診室約有三，四十位在等候，我是早到半小時，一直到一小時後始輪到我，進去查視力眼壓，和照相，席克醫生只看報告，不再仔細查看要我上下左右翻動眼球，然後就結束，我很滿意視力恢復，問他是他妙手回春，抑或是我體質好，他說是運氣好，於是我提醒他我內科醫生之血糖結晶報告，他說他會送出，結帳時我欠$80，這是兩次門診費用，沒有甚麼順便看一下眼睛血糖，一次報告就算一次門診。 

我詢問護士，這些病人之年紀？因為我看到許多老者，有些行動開始不便，我需要開始心理準備，這問題太攏統，他說七，八十歲以上，甚至九十者，我看有節肢者，大約是糖尿病患，心裡特別警惕。他又說人到四十歲，眼睛開始有毛病，我們家愛美曰是白內障，元兒也有此疾，我們家峻嚴眼睛也不好，可能是遺傳。

Cruise days at sea 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Cruise days at sea 2022/Carlos Pueblo

It is called a cruise day at sea if the ship can't reach to the second port overnight. Usually I stay home checking on my internet all the time and the at sea day is quite interesting to me, a new life routine. Recently, I have been removed out of my 100 minutes free internet perk for an unknown reason, in combining with the dining with officers plus a background hour visit of the ship, the cruise gave me a $50 non refundable on board credit to buy two T-shirts and I must pay additional dollar for the exceeding amount. Now I am a shareholder and the benefit is $100 non refundable on board credit which is available for me to purchase 3 nylon T-shirts with $2 extra which I must pay on my balance sheet. 

I was told a story about the rescue effort of the cruise liner when the Chinese Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic broke out in early 2020. All staff were stuck on board without any means to get back to their home countries. This was not including those two or three ships with infected passengers floating at the ocean and not allow to be landing. A restaurant manager mentioned to me that this cruise liner dispatched their best ship Encore to deliver all staff from the Central and South America to the Eastern Europe and back to India, Indonesia, to Philippine. That was how he ran into some of my daughters on board. Lucky me I was on Encore for a back to back Alaska journey. I raised my hand at the first general meeting at the atrium hall about such story. Deepak Punia, the Asian Indian General Manager was in charge of such rescue and he was so glad that I brought it up and explained in details description. We were all very impressed. I double up my shares with the cruise liner after I returned home. There are going to be some comparison among nations, groups, and companies for their dealing of tragedy and I am glad that the normality is back gradually.

I don't mind to attend a free drink party, called the latitude party, for the company to host their returned customers for a drink, even though I don't consume any drink at home. The party usually held on the first sea say right on lunch time. It is getting larger and larger and people are lining up for such drinks. Now there are two parties held for such big crowds. For Encore, the big and luxury one with larger budget, there is an additional for advanced latitude members at the brewery bar for more free drinking with less crowds.

I can visit the casino often at sea days. I don't dare to gamble yet I like to watch the black Jack table and some gamblers allow me to watch. I believe that the casino is the main income of the cruise and the newer ships locate their casinos at the heart of their ships.

I also am taking language classes, bridge class, and Japanese Go class, etc. I also received a nice and effective tip to swing golf. Now I can hit straight and passed it on to Amy. I regret that I don't have the opportunity to play golf at my time at home.

海上日2022／莊峻華

 海上日2022／莊峻華

郵輪旅行中，港與港間若距離遠，一夜無法抵達，必需日夜兼程，於是就有海上日出現，有人覺得無聊，尤其是橫跨大西洋，這種遠程航海，許多海上日，我最喜歡海上日，除吃飽睡，睡飽吃以外，可以充份欣賞巨大郵輪，郵輪節目，和郵輪大飯店之豪華招待，我僅舉些例來描述，我為何如此喜愛郵輪旅行。這次我搭乘安可號，是此郵輪公司之旗艦，最新又最大，除新艦首席號外，最為豪華，我乘兩週重複遊，仍是意猶未盡。

此輪有17層，愛美和我各居一室，先是對面，次行為隔壁，都經邁阿密批准，非常方便，我在前行寶石號遇見一位宏都拉斯飯店老經理，他和我談起當年船行，為拯救遭困中國武漢肺炎船員，特別派遣新輪安克號，結集所有船員，後來發現在加勒比海巴貝多港，船員一一送返其母國避難，從中南美洲到東歐，再回亞洲印度，印尼，和菲律賓等國，一共兩個月，我深信此郵輪有此能耐，因我問起他許多位我的愛女，資深郵輪職員，他說最後在安可號相遇，剛好這次我搭上安可號，於是我在海上日總經理備忘錄日，大廳中舉手提問此事，這位印度裔總經理，剛好主持該迎救任務，很詳細描述此段大工程，武肺大浩劫，世界各強國，如何反應，歷史上是可以比較，回家後我又多買一百股郵輪股票，這次加拿大行，分到一些股息，就是一次一百船上購買券，加來加去，我買一隻日本製手錶免費。

我在此郵輪諸船上，有450位美麗愛女愛孫女，許多都在海上日認識，我心已歸化菲律賓，所以認真在海上日學菲律賓語，加上幾位愛女幫助，我現在已經可以簡單菲語自我介紹，而且我長像菲律賓老頭，常可蒙混一刻，其實我也很認真學英語，西班牙語，和日語，我現在膽敢寫英文發表感想。

海上日賭場開放，因為在公海，賭場現在是郵輪大宗，而且新舊郵輪都開始禁煙，我喜歡觀看21點，就是黑傑克，我在30餘年前在大西洋城賭場，為琳兒譏笑後，就不敢上牌桌，只敢經許可後，在旁觀戰，我敢上一些股票市場。

大新輪有時候，請乘客中專門者，來主持橋牌講習和圍棋課，我在極樂號巴拿馬運河行中，兩位講師都保持連絡，一位高爾夫黃石公，傳我揮直球絕招，我傳給愛美，只是我倆無緣上球場享受此運動。

Returning visit to Ketchikan, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Returning visit to Ketchikan, Alaska 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Ketchikan, Alaska is the first stop to Alaska and the town is famous for salmon and self claim the capital city of salmon in the world. During the Alaska hay days of gold rush, the town was built and some gold were produced. I have been to this town for 8 times in 11 years. I hope that I can keep on coming back for the rest of my life. I love the scenery of Alaska and the comfortability of the cruise travel. It is very busy and interesting on board and it is very nice to see such a world wonder nearby you. I can just march into it no need to worry about the traffic and freeway hustle. I don't even mention that I have no house chores to deal with.

I find my way to the bottom of the Ketchikan Creek, the old town's whore houses now gift shops. You still can see some store owners dressed up like the old time yet not such business is operating. I followed the creek up toward a small park, a State hatchery, and a Alaska native Totem Heritage Center all at the same area.

I can use the rest room at the park and it is the time for the rhododendron blossom. The azalea flower is a part of the rhododendron family. The azalea has one flower while the rhododendron has plenty flowers packed together. According to my research, the rhododendron grows along the Pacific Coast from Alaska down all the way to the U.S. Mexican border. I see many on the Seattle Airport, in California, and the Fontainebleau Palace in Paris. The Fontainebleau was a palace for Louis XV to hide his mistress from the Versailles.

The stream is from the mountain top snow or glacier, flows to the small park with the rhododendron around it and a small and clear pond, then flows to the State hatchery by the rest room. Every year at a certain time, the authority will release young salmons or other trout to the Ketchikan passing by the whore house area to enter to the Pacific Ocean. I am told that every other year, the adult fish will come back and follow the up stream back to some area to lay eggs. We call the phenomenon the Salmon is returning home. Some area in the North America are taking off dams in order to allow this natural phenomenon. We compare such phenomenon and the river dams to many authoritarian regimes in the world, such as China, to prohibit its dissentient citizen to return to their homeland as inhumane.

After finishing my photos taking, I find another way other than the creek to exit back to the downtown area. I pointed an old frame building used to be deteriorated and a German couple took many photos and shake their heads for the un-believable that such a rich nation in the world with such slum and ghetto. It has been gone for several of my returning trips now because the city won't allow it.

重返阿拉斯加凱其坎鎮2022／莊峻華

 重返阿拉斯加凱其坎鎮2022／莊峻華

小時候家住台灣埔里鎮，糖廠偶有畫家來寫生，就在曬木薯渣廣場邊，面對雪山，朝埔里國校方向，晴天可以看到遠處山麓，我很是羨慕，我不識該畫家，顯然是中國流亡顯要，因他下榻糖廠招待宿舍，帝日時代是天皇貴族旅行住處，我們虎尾糖廠招待所，招待過蔣經國，如今我已年邁，每年享受搭乘豪華郵輪，旅行全球著名之冰天雪地，凱其坎鎮只是起站。

郵輪夜行，約是傍晚啓航，然後穿過加拿大海岸，要回程始能目睹海岸線，凌晨就聽到廣播準備下船，船是十餘層高樓，可以目觀小鎮市容和山麓住宅區，春天美麗之花朵。我是2012年初次阿拉斯加遊，首站就是凱其坎鎮，如今是第八次重遊，凱鎮就像我的童年故鄉埔里，只是更加甜蜜美憶。

我尚能步行，而且樂意指導越南老鄉自由行，我先散步到凱其坎溪畔，逆流而上，這原是小鎮之妓女戶，小鎮在北國尋金記時代，引來許多掏金光棍，後來小鎮捕鮭魚出名，自號全球鮭魚首都，如今仍舊有鮭魚罐頭出售，妓女戶均改成商店，販售禮品，留下一兩家妓女戶舊店，但已不營業，老鴇著飾古典，而且上了年紀，打扮確切。此溪上游終點，是一小公園，有美麗之石楠花，公園前是一州立鮭魚繁殖場，旁邊有一座博物館，專門收藏愛斯奇摩人木雕，進去需購門票，大部分時間不開放。

我先描述此花園和繁殖場，溪水是凱溪源頭，山上積雪融化後，順小瀑布流下山，還來不及人間環境汙染，公園有小池，小水溝流入繁殖場，每年定時繁殖場將魚苗釋入凱溪緣流入海，兩年後鮭魚返鄉，連天空中之金鷹數目，都可以估計出每年鮭魚返鄉之數目，這是好事如我者，多年旅行知識。

石楠甚美，杜鵑花是其一種，此花可以種到美墨邊界，我在巴黎郊外之芳恬波洛爾宮花園也種許多，芳宮是路易十四金屋藏嬌之處，也種玫瑰花。凱溪公園比較單純，走回凱鎮，經國凱鎮高中，有一年我來看棒球賽，尚有美憶。

A scholarly family/Carlos Pueblo

 A scholarly family/Carlos Pueblo

The definition of a scholarly family into English is something that a family put the education of their children as a priority. Asking their children to have a better school education in order to have a better job is, of course, a priority. I met Ivy Pan on a tender boat trip at Newport, Rhode Island. She used to live at my hometown Huwei, Taiwan half a century ago. She reminded me so much fond memories of our mutual past experience. She is about my younger sister Grace's age and they know each other.

Our fathers were employees of the Taiwan Sugar Plantation, a national enterprise, which produce cane sugar and some by products such as ethanol, animal feeds, and sheet rocks, etc. There was an elementary school inside the residential complex. We have had so much memory about our mutual school teachers at that time. Our fathers were salary men at that economic difficult time yet they believed children's school education priority. They tried every possible way for us to make it to finish college. She has five siblings while we have seven. We all went though such way to finish college education and got the right to apply for graduate studies and immigrated to the United States. We pass on such opportunities to our children. Our children all have their college education finished and build their own careers in the United States. I have seen such experience in the American society qualified to a scholar family in much larger scale through an excellent school systems.

Of course that the U.S. is much large of a nation with plenty of opportunities for anyone to make it not only limited to school study. However, a good school education can provide a learning to get a skill to know the trade, not necessary to be a medical doctor with a good paying income. That of a scholarly family word came from a Chinese novel described a family with the mean to provide children to learn the Confucianism in order to pass the Emperor's national examination for his assignment in his regime. That's the only way through a scholarly training like our children to learn computer technology nowadays.

I watch You Tube programs most of the during my day and some times I go into the rural China and my newly adopted hometown Cebu, Philippine. I love cruises and have adopted many Filipinas as my daughters and granddaughters. I even change my name to Carlos Pueblo, yet I feel very sorry for both Chinese and Filipinos for their lack of a scholarly family environment to break out of their poverty classes. I blame to their political leaders incompetence.

書香世家／莊峻華

 書香世家／莊峻華

中國社會裡經常提到書香世家，這是一我不曾讀過之小說，社會尊崇這種好家庭，家長注重子女學校教育，萬班皆下品，惟有讀書高，都是如此勵志成語，十年寒窗無人問，一舉成名天下知，這是一位近代美國總統想提暢的家庭價值一例，我在加拿大郵輪旅行中，無意間碰見一位50年前鄰居小女孩，我們家是民主二路20號，她們家是24號，她小我們家茜茜一兩歲，但相識都是學校特優學生，我們共同追究這段美憶，連郵輪上之愛女群都稱奇，分享這段人生巧遇。

我們是台灣虎尾人，虎尾糖廠為日本帝國時代所建立，虎尾鎮名其實是日本命名，音若蔻比，糖廠有一安慶代用國小，原來是糖廠私立小學校，後來由雲林縣政府接辦經費經營，安慶為中國安徽省一地名，我在安慶前後五屆，優秀校友中有七位以上，讀畢台大醫科，光是民主路上兩側，就有四位，若加上虎尾鎮街上之虎尾國小，人數更多，虎尾小鎮人口僅四萬，有兩座六年省立高初中學，全國僅大城市有此規模，書香世家書香故鄉之例證。

琳兒結婚後有兩繼子，都不讀書，這是美國社會之常態，美國社會崇拜有名和有錢，兩者均有後又講究有勢，但都不願提暢讀書，成為書香世家，改變社會和家庭之階級，社會是有階級者也，只是美國人不標榜耳，例如美國學區可以影響屋價，我們德州之地方稅務等等，當然，美國巨大經濟體，可以行行出狀元，讀書也甚辛苦，而且學校教育制度，未必是公平，我都同意，但需力爭上游，要從小立志改變階級。

我在網誌上看到中國農村和菲律賓宿霧市陋巷，心裡難過，我責怪這些領導人，沒讓國民有機會一博人生，沒有公平合適之環境，進入小康境界，這是政治，我無需庸人自擾，我已經把握父母贈我之機會，改變我的社會階級，也盡我們當父母之責任，給與子女有書香世家之環境，其實僅自先父母那一代，僅三代而已。

Back to Alaska cruises 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Back to Alaska cruises 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Lucky me at the end of my cross Atlantic cruise, I quickly found a pair of Alaska cruises reasonable to my budget level. I asked Amy to join me and she gladly accepted. We took off one and a half days earlier than the embark day in Seattle in order to avoid airline penalty on that Sunday. She agreed to my arrangement to save some of her money. She asked our daughter Michelle to give us a night to stay at Hyatt Hotel. Before landing at Seattle, her sister Emily was so nice to book her a hotel stay at a hotel nearby the airport.

What did happen was unexpectedly even with an experience traveler like me. We took a shuttle bus sent it by the hotel to take us to the hotel, yet the front desk of the hotel couldn't find Emily's reservation and asked us to wait at the lobby for a on duty manager next at 1:00 am. We waited it again and the new manager on duty still couldn't find the reservation. It was very awkward and yet I didn't know what to do next. Finally, the manager told me that the reservation was on another hotel on the other side of the airport. There are two hotels with the same franchise at Seattle Airport. We were not be alert at all. Frugal like me refused to stay at this hotel and took the first free shuttle bus back to the airport. Amy was very quiet this time and I didn't blame anybody but myself silly.

We got to a close station to a Hyatt Seattle. There are many Hyatt hotels in Seattle by the way. It was raining and very typical in the city all the time. We passed by a luxury Hyatt and the address was wrong and I also didn't think Michelle would spend that kind of hotel points for us for a briefly one day stay. With many friendly and kind of the city locals help, we arrived early to the hotel. The hotel would take our luggage before our check in time at two.

Emily sent her daughter Wendy to meet us on a street in front of a French restaurant where we had our fancy French breakfast at raining. She only took a cup of coffee. She bought another cup on another street for us to use the toilet. It was very inconvenient while we were away from home. That is why I like the cruise travel.

Amy loves this pretty niece, slender , tall, and smart, a chemical engineer with a MIT engineer degree. Both of their parents and Amy are all very proud of her; therefore, I took her to a Japanese restaurant for lunch and bought some fruits for her to take back her Seattle home. We shall have another day at in Seattle between this back to back cruises and we invite her out again. She had something more interesting to do and not accepted.

阿拉斯加郵輪行2022／莊峻華

 阿拉斯加郵輪行2022／莊峻華

自啓動郵輪旅行2011年，阿拉斯加行成為旅程多年，今年郵輪復業，買到兩張理想船票，剛好愛美也同意，因此是用掉四張特價券，我又說服她節約，購買早一日半機票，避免啓航日飛機票漲價，一切都順利，沒有吵架，下機前小姨好心訂妥一夜機場旅館，讓愛美休息，很是貼心，但卻有趣，旅館有接駁巴士來，抵達旅館後，櫃台無法找到訂購資料，要我們在大飯店前等候換班經理來，這時候是半夜，小姨住在加州，和西雅圖同一西部太平洋時間，凌晨一時，換班經理來，發現我們跑錯旅館，原來此號大飯店在西雅圖機場有兩家，於是我們再等候到清晨四時，搭免費專車回機場，再搭西雅圖市輕軌到碼頭附近，所以我說有趣，因為原本我是說服愛美在機場等候到天亮，愛美這次不反對，況且天亮後小姨也未被旅館罰款。

翌夜住海耶特大飯店，這是我們一年來替琳兒看狗帶小孩兼照顧其住屋等報酬，很不巧未估算到西雅圖雨季，很是不便，幸好當地人熱心，幫忙找路，而且海耶特在附近也好幾家店，真是挑戰。因為早到，所以小姨派其次女來，與阿姨見面，我們在碼頭附近逛逛，已經看到極樂號，我們的安可號要翌晨入港，阿拉斯加遊是夏日大宗，這郵輪行派四艘巨輪在此服務，另兩艘是太陽號，和在溫哥華的珠寶號，原定設想珠寶號，但剛好安可號特價也推出，西雅圖又在國內線，又是新船，非常滿意。

我們外甥女是位高大美女，只是尚未結婚，麻省理工化工出身，高薪工程師，和其父一般聰明，和愛美甚善，我就帶她去日本餐廳，再買些水果贈送，過一週在西雅圖間隔日，邀她再來飯局，她就沒有興趣矣，這小孩一出生我們就相識，真是婷婷玉立，很像其母。

Returning home from Europe 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Returning home from Europe 2022/Carlos Pueblo

The Transatlantic cruise came to an end when we arrived to Civitavecchia, Italy after a whole night sailing from Livorno, Italy. I was ready and packed before I went to sleep. Civitavecchia which means an old woman in Italian is a port considered as an outside port of Rome. I have been to this port for three different times on cruises and never have an opportunity to visit the great city of Rome because that I don't know how to make it in one day.

I bought an arranged shuttle bus to the train station because that I was lazy. Last time I took a march and at the first time I even took advantage to a whole day shuttle to find and did my laundry at the downtown. Civitavecchia is a typical lovely European city indeed. I had had no problem to purchase a train ticket to hob on a train to Rome and purchased another ticket to get to an express train to Rome International Airport. It was all under the public transportation. 

The counter of the Turkey Air asked me if I liked to take an early flight to Istanbul, Turkey. I willingly accepted the offer. I have had a good impression of Istanbul and love the city very much. What I did was purchasing an one way air plane ticket through my Chase Bank credit card mileage point and made up the difference amount from the card. The Card has a contract with the airline to waive the one way penalty; therefore, I pay half of a round trip tickets with no additional one way ticket charge. I just found it on this trip. You see that I came in with the cruise cross Atlantic and needed a one way plane ticket back home. I insist not to pay the 30 Euros to enter Turkey because I only change the plane.

After having my one foot vegetable sandwich at the airport Subway shop, I found a nice Japanese restaurant. I took a look of the price and guessed that was not unreasonable price. I took a seat and ordered a plate of Shushi and Sashimi combination plus a local draft beer. It was so delicious and I ordered another bottle of beer. I had had a very good nap on this crowded long haul of trip back to Houston, Texas. I deserved such treat since I saved so much on the transportation costs.

歐洲回程2022／莊峻華

 歐洲回程2022／莊峻華

這次珠寶號橫跨大西洋旅行遊記，拖延過久，無法結束，主要是我的老年生活，越來越緊湊，活動越來越多，例如此行後，接著又上安可號阿拉斯加行，隨後又上起跑號之新英格蘭加拿大三省行，馬上要上黎明號12月，明年初又訂下珠寶號東加勒比海和巴拿馬運河行，三月要旅行日本，不亦樂乎？今日雨寒，網球暫停，我來結束珠寶號的歐洲回程2022。

珠寶號從義大利里默諾港夜行南下，晚上我已經行李打包，準備清晨下船，這西塔里克其亞港是羅馬之外港，港名為老女人之意，我也來過三次，但都無緣造訪大古都羅馬，我先提行李買票上巴士到火車站，其實步行亦可，我曾走過，而且飛機在晚上。

到了車站買火車票北上羅馬市，一路上欣賞義大利中部平原，美麗農莊，按乘客指點於一站下車，另購車票搭機場專線，直達羅馬國際機場，就如此簡單明了，找到土耳其航空，櫃台美麗小姐問我願否提前上飛機到伊斯坦堡？我當然願意，這單程航班是大通銀行，幫忙訂購，美國人會做生意，我的信用卡點數不足，補上現金餘額，銀行幫我省下單程罰款，而且土耳其航空飛機服務和餐飲等均是歐洲第一。

我在伊斯坦堡機場轉機，就是讓土耳其航空，集合座滿到休市旅客，我先飽食一地下鐵一呎長素三明治和白水，後來想到一日來節省如此多美金，於是慘慘走進候機大廳之日本餐廳，狠狠叫上一份刺身素燒，加上一瓶當地生啤酒，料理第一流有東京水準，我有叫一瓶啤酒，因我賣弄幾句日語，引來大廚，於是我就誇獎其料理優秀，自全素抗糖尿病後，連海量酒力都不繼，上飛機後睡了一大覺。

Return visit to Livorno, Italy 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Return visit to Livorno, Italy 2022/Carlos Pueblo

The ship left Cannes, France at night and sailing along the Mediterranean north coast down to Italy. I know that the party will be end very soon. It is my third time to visit this lovely Italian town in five years. The cruise liner states the port as a part of the famous Florence, Italy and as a matter of the fact, it is also closed to Pisa, Italy to the north. I used to find a coin operated washeteria downtown to do my laundry. It was at the early of my cruise travel career. Now I can have a free bag laundry on the ship due to my latitude class with the company.

I follow the city canal to have my morning march. There are plenty of sail boats and fishing boats at the pier and a canal is connected to the lovely downtown. I can imagine the old city kingdom based on the sea port rich in trading and fishing in the Mediterranean started in the ancient time of the Roman Empire era. It was on Saturday and the city was full of people from the local and the cruise ship. I came into the city church grounds and every significant areas to take pictures for my own memory. I ran into several lovely pets and their friendly young owners proudly presenting their darlings for me to take photos. That is the most wonderful activity of my world travel. I have had many pets friends.

A good size of orchestra with uniforms were presenting music at the front of a local bank. I joined a large crowd to listen until they finished. I was very impressed with the musical performance as well as the Italian's musical habit. I have no problem this time to return to my ship along to the canal because I just follow to the crowd. On the first time of my visit, an old local gentleman helped me to get back in English.

重返義大利里默諾港／莊峻華

 重返義大利里默諾港／莊峻華

里默諾港在義大利中西岸，首都羅馬市北部，郵輪是沿著地中海北岸，從法國坎城沿海岸南下，郵輪特注佛羅倫斯市在附近，其實著名之比薩市，比薩斜塔正在北方不遠，我在里港下船過三次，都沿著市內運河散步，然後就回船午餐，其實里默諾是一典型歐洲古老美麗城市。

剛好是週六假日，城中熱鬧，許多人逛街，而且有大趕集，市府將鬧區一街開放為市場，引來許多逛街者，非常熱鬧，我是逛街拍照留念，特別留意俊犬，甜言蜜語，年輕主人也樂意讓我拍攝相片留念，俊犬也非常禮貌可愛，知道我的注意。運河旁有一座銀行，銀行前有一小廣場，許多觀眾圍觀管弦樂團表演，我聽完一節，然後樂團跟著解散離開。

有一次回郵輪，在運河旁問路，一位當地長者熱心幫忙，這次就毫無困難，沿著運河和郵輪乘客回船，一氣喝成，朱博士和其母，參加上下巴士逛街，和到附近遊覽，我心繫明日羅馬終站，如何下船搭火車到羅馬，再到羅馬國際機場。

A press conference of two defense heads/Carlos Pueblo

 A press conference of two defense heads/Carlos Pueblo

There was a Russian missile flying over to Poland and killed two Polish civilian. The U.S. Defense  heads must hold a press conference due to that Poland is a member of the NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. An attack of a NATO member means the attack of the entire Organization. The world media are all excited to see what the U.S. will respond.

Secretary Austin says that the U.S. is still investigating the fact of the incident. H tends to believe what the Polish counterpart's understanding that the missile is from Ukraine's anti-missile defense. Chairman Milly's statement is identical that his officers are working on it. I admire both of them of their political wisdom and not blaming Russian immediately. It is unfortunate and the world powers must be keeping cool. Russians are not reasonable and they are paying heavy price in Ukraine now. Let the weapons keep flowing into Ukraine and grind the meat until Russian's surrender in Ukraine.

I pay more attention to the answers of reporters questions about Chinese invasion to Taiwan on the second half of the press conference. I like Milly's answers and analysis about Chinese intention toward Taiwan. On the next day at Taiwanese talk shows that pundits have already noticed Milly's answers. They figure out Milly are not giving any face saving to Chinese Xi and his propaganda. He doesn't believe the U.S. will allow China to challenge the U.S. to be the number one nation in the world among many fields. Chinese Liberation Army are not ready to invade Taiwan, not prepared and have no experience yet to fulfill the task. It is not wise for Xi to make such decision. I like the conclusion which will save  lot of efforts and eventually save life. He didn't advise Chinese on the other fields such as the economic environment piority, etc. He reminds Chinese that Chinese Army are peasants in major and have not combat experience since 1979. He meant the fell invasion of Vietnam.

Austin was a retired general and Milly is a general still on duty. They both help Biden to pull out of Afghanistan to have free hands to deal with a new conflict of the world. Russian Putin doesn't know what he has kicked a still wall this time in Ukraine.

國防部兩巨頭記者會／莊峻華

 國防部兩巨頭記者會／莊峻華

昨日俄羅斯一顆飛彈，打到波蘭境內炸死人，輿論譁然，輿論界提醒波蘭是北大西洋公約盟國，北約盟國受到攻擊，北約不能坐視，於是今晨國防部特別舉行兩巨頭記者會，而且實況轉播，我也等了一小時以上，我是鎖定華盛頓郵報網誌實況。

奧斯汀部長曰，比較相信波蘭國防部長之初判，飛彈是烏克蘭之攔截火箭殘骸，波及民宅，造成傷亡，現在仍在調查中，烏克蘭也同意合作，米利將軍的參謀作戰部軍官，也參加調查，記者仍舊追問不捨，兩國防部巨頭，都強調靜候調查報告，兩巨頭果然是拜登堅強內閣官員，一位是退役陸軍上將，一位是現役陸軍上將，均身經百戰，有豐富之政治經驗。

當然這是好機會來解釋分晰烏克蘭戰爭，奧斯汀和米利都認為俄羅斯已敗，但俄羅斯可以結束此自己選擇發動之戰爭，美國支持烏克蘭保護自己，烏克蘭決定何時與俄羅斯談和，俄羅斯仍舊佔領烏克蘭20％面積之領土，俄羅斯是大國，可以撐住甚久，奧斯汀一一感謝一些資助烏克蘭抗俄之國，他說全球有50國，參加幫助烏克蘭抗俄。

有中國記者牽入中國攻打台灣之問題，米利將軍比較詳細回答，我查一下他的背景，是普林斯頓出身預備軍官，可倫比亞碩士，軍團司令等，參加過阿富汗戰爭，奧斯汀是西點軍校出身，參加過伊拉克和阿富汗戰爭，退休後拜登請來幫忙，兩人均幫忙拜登結束阿富汗戰爭，俄羅斯普汀仍不知踢到美國鐵板。

米利曰，中國有野心成為世界軍事和經濟第一，2027年可以與美國挑戰，米利曰我們美國不允許如此發生，現在開始準備，準備備戰，2027離今僅5年，他認為中國尚未有實力攻打台灣，也許可以轟炸，但登陸佔領台灣山地不易，中國人民解放軍是一農民主體，自1979年後，即無近代戰爭經驗，攻打台灣不易，像俄烏戰爭，可以提供大家許多經驗和教訓。

奧斯汀強調與中國國防部魏部長保持電話聯絡，而且要擴大到軍團司令級，避免擦槍走火，這是對的，我相信近代已經沒有攻心為上，和不戰而能屈人之兵之道理，觀察拜登這老外交參議員總統，真能體會中國古代之合縱連橫，只是規模更加巨大而已。

Two money issues a day/Carlos Pueblo

 Two money issues a day/Carlos Pueblo

Even though money is no longer an issue to me after that I brag about how I can make something out of nothing, a Taoism; however, I am still very much concerned with it due to my humble background in my childhood. There are two money issues popping up today which are bothering me a bit. I receive a check from a flood company and is unable to deposit to my checking account and I receive a notice from the IRS to pay a penalty of my 2021 income tax return. The flood commission check is about $98 while the IRS penalty is about $500 and I am bothered.

It was cold and rain drizzling and I made a special trip to a local bank to make a deposit after my morning tennis. It is my habit to deposit the check as soon as possible to my checking account even though the bank never pay me any interest on checking account. I was not pleased when the young male clerk asked me for my identification before he found out my account number below my signature. He filled out a deposit slip and ran through both check and the slip to the machine. Then, he carefully inspected the check for several minutes and finally decided to reject my deposit. He informed me to call the issuer of the company, the flood company in Florida, to find out why the check was not ready for depositary or depository. I asked to speak to his manager at the bank. She agreed with him and told me the same thing. I was furious. I went back home before taking a shower and called the customer service to complain and I wanted to complain following to the chain of command to the top. A customer service manager told me that the chairman of the bank would not accept a phone call. She advised me to go to another branch to seek my luck. I did and was rejected again. A more friendly branch manager took a look and advised me to wait for a few days for the flood company to make it available for deposit. That is it.

In the late afternoon of the same today. I checked my mailbox and found the unwelcome IRS letter to find a penalty of $500 plus  to pay instead of an audit. I have already recovered my anxiety of the deposit issue in the morning and no more fighting spirit. I must pay whatever due to me from the IRS even though I am paying more now than ever before and I am not working at all for more than 20 years. Amy agrees to help me for $200 because her investment made a killing in 2021. 

錢的問題／莊峻華

 錢的問題／莊峻華

今天兩件錢的問題，令我十分不滿，雖言我能變錢，能無中生有，但是出身貧困家庭，對金錢甚是敏感，一件是一張水險傭金支票，一件是國稅局補稅通知。

水險公司寄一張$98支票給我，我存到大通銀行，銀行職員曰該支票不能存入我的帳戶，因為電腦不能接受，於是我誤會銀行職員找我麻煩，於是把經理找來，經理判斷一樣，要我找開支票之公司理論，於是我憤憤不平離去，回家後找到銀行客服電話中心投訴，第一線職員解釋，我也不滿意，因為還是要我打電話給保險公司，於是我又將經理調出來，經理也是愛末能助，但稍透露可以試試另家分行，我看支票上也是大通銀行支票，非常正式，保險公司不應開我玩笑才是，於是我查出保險公司電話，但電話無人接聽，於是我又開車出去，第二家大通分行，再存一次，職員仍曰不能，建議領取現金，我不用現金卡，所以我不相信，旁邊經理問我原因，然後解釋保險公司開出支票後，並未立即准許寄存，需要等些時間，我才豁然開朗，這是我首遇銀行奇怪案例，銀行先行擋住，避免又有手續費爭端，我一直以為美國是憑票即付。

下午信箱取來信，一封國稅局通知罰款，我的2021年申報，國稅局不同意，不足，罰款，和利息要補交$500多，我查一下記錄大體無誤，我申報一切都是根據商用軟體晶片，否則無法自己申報，最近十餘年無業賦閒在家，子女成年，愛美投資收入狂飆，稅務比年輕時增加甚多，美國政府支出多，我們德州無所得稅，房產稅老人有折扣，所以我也無能力計較，所幸愛美諒解，幫我負擔$200罰款，我實在不能說是有錢，僅足夠節約過日無債務耳。

Bump into friends at cruises/Carlos Pueblo

 Bump into friends at cruises/Carlos Pueblo

There were two cruises recently which I bumped into friends unexpectedly and one unusual event of a NATO naval drill at Halifax Bay in Nova Scotia, Canada. I must temporarily suspend my cruise journal to Livorno/Florence, Italy before the summer this year to describe this chance encounter. At the first disembark tender boat, I ran into Ivy Pan of Pittsburgh who was my old neighbor at Huwei, Taiwan. We have had so much fond memories back then, about our favorite school  teachers, our neighbors, and of course my kid sister Grace, etc. Her traveling companions including a daughter of a former distinguished senior high president who helped me to get an assignment to teach at senior high school chemistry when I returned home from the frontier army service in 1973.

I am so glad to see Rosie Hunte and Mac Nurse of the Fire and Ice Duo performing at the Breakaway. I have been their loyal fan since my first cruise in 2011 at the similar route. She sings 4 times for me her title song, Midnight train to Georgia of the great hit of Gladys Knight during my two back to back cruises. With the approval of the ship's general manager, I have invited each of them to my latitude dinners at the Cagney's Steak House.

On the second time stop at Newport, Rhode Island, I made an usual march to the old town area across the pier. I ran into an old frame house mansion of Anna Pell, the grandmother of the late Senator Pell. A young man named Chris who walked his neighbor's dog chatted with me about my admiration of the late Senator and his friendly effort to help Taiwan. Later in the week, he texted me that he took some pictures for me of the late senator's childhood residence. I explained to him why the late senator was so friendly to Taiwan because he was influenced by George Kerr, the author of the Formosa Betrayed.

I also ran into two of my long lost daughters, Abbigail and Leilani. I have adopted more than 400 beautiful daughters on ships and now I begin to adopt grand daughters due to my old age. 

I found a air plane carrier on the bay of Halifax, Nova Scotia on her NATO drill with another 14 cruisers among the U.S. German and Dutch navies. Last time, I did run into the QE II of the U.K. on her maiden voyage to the North America. Gerald R. Ford is closer to the Cruise ship this time.

郵輪旅行巧遇／莊峻華

 郵輪旅行巧遇／莊峻華

這次新英格蘭加拿大郵輪旅行，諸多巧遇，令我不得不暫時中斷敘述前半年旅行遊記，事先預告此巧遇，我是購買起跑號北美海岸旅行背靠背雙週行，首日就巧遇火冰雙重唱，很高興女主唱羅斯恢復健康，我是她的常年歌迷，於是當場邀請她和其夥伴晚餐，經過起跑號總經理批准，兩餐如期在凱格妮牛排餐廳舉行。首站羅德島州新港市接駁艇中，巧遇50年餘虎尾民主二路老鄰居，念華是我們家茜茜之老友，甚至有清晰之舊日回憶，其同行摯友中一位王小姐，是舊日虎尾女高石校長千金，石校長曾經裴大夫介紹，為我說項虎中李校長，聘用我為老師，有恩惠於我，非常親切。第二週重返新港市，遊覽三百年老市區，發現裴爾參議員祖母故居，和一位溜狗青年克里斯聊天，他對我之崇拜裴爾有興趣，裴爾參議員對台灣甚為關切，有恩於台灣，後來幾日，克里斯幫我找到裴爾童年故居住址和舊宅，幫我解決多年宿願。船上巧遇幾位失聯愛女，一位是黎明號之愛比歌爾，兩位是賭場之蕾蘭妮和茉西，都重新合照留念。

我像是一孤獨老人，離群索居日久，鍛鍊儒家慎獨功夫，郵輪旅行帶來多少興奮，多少樂趣。這次旅行尾站，加拿大新蘇格蘭省哈里費克斯港，巧遇北大西洋公約國海軍演習，包括美軍1.31兆新航母福特號，和14艘導彈重巡洋艦，德國和荷蘭各兩艘，新穎壯觀英姿，靠岸於海灣步徑尾端。

我在緬因州棒港逛海灣，近愛克迪亞國家公園，第一日遭陰雨襲擊，但巧遇大理花開，甚是艷麗，翌次到訪天晴，大理花一週缺雨潤澤，花朵萎縮，而且是嚴冬到臨，郵輪旅行季節結束，許多大街店面均冬眠去也，前週忘記介紹一株路中之老蘋果樹，樹梢有些蘋果卻高不可攀。

My car battery was dead when I came back home from the cruise/Carlos Pueblo

 My car battery was dead when I came back home from the cruise/Carlos Pueblo

My car battery was dead when I came back from the cruise. Am I surprised? No. I damaged the passenger side door one day when I attempted to avoid an exit car from the tennis court at a peaking hour of the morning school kids delivery. I ran into a low wall and scraped heavily on the passengers side doors and since then the side door light was on all the time. I kept on driving for a month before I left for a half moth long cruises. The old car was parked on the street of my house and of course the battery leaked the juice and went dead when I returned. First, I like to see if I can jump the dead car with Arthur's vehicle.

I got both vehicles lined up face to face and hoods were open. I properly connected the red and black cables on both batteries. I asked him to add some gas to pump up some electrical current power to my car I guessed. It didn't work and I let him go back to the house. I continued to add some more gas on his vehicle to charge some more time and finally it worked. Then, I had to make a decision to do next. I drove to my auto garage McDaniel to seek a help. I explained my problem to the manager and he listened carefully and got a menchanic to come out to take a look. The mechanic rolled down the window and opened and closed the passenger's door. He went back inside and took a hammer out. I didn't mid if he hammered out the door light. Actually, he knocked down two or three times to the door buckle and closed the door. Amazingly, the light was disappeared and the door was properly closed and I didn't see the door not closed light on the panel. I thanked them for helping me to solve the issue and they didn't charge me anything.

I had had an identical experience in 2013 when I ran into the side bricks under the breakfast room window outside of house on the driveway. It was a new vehicle and costed me about $8,000 for the dealer to fix it. My old Q45 is about $1,000 value or less. It will be very inconvenient if I don't have it in my old life to drive to the tennis court every morning. I can also use the vehicle as Arthur's alternative to his old Camry to work. We can live more peacefully with both vehicles in working condition and that is why I am released.

Nissan make vehicles very reliable especially its luxury Infinite vehicles such as the Q45. I have had  it for 25 years. I believe that Japan cars makers can produce very good quality of army tanks if case of the war.

舊車熄火／莊峻華

 舊車熄火／莊峻華

北美東北岸郵輪旅行回家，發現舊車果然熄火，正想如何處理？元兒需要開車上班，只好等待其翌日週休，先開其車打網球，然後投票，再處理熄火舊車，我先借其車起動熄火電池，果然不久帶動，我讓我舊車發動些時，然後開到修車行，請求幫忙解決信號燈不關閉之問題。

約是兩個月前，我在網球場入口，因圖避免與出球場車輛碰撞，結果舊車滑撞球場矮磚牆，乘客門從中間滑上一凹，拖到第二門，很是難看，但舊車仍舊可駕駛每日，只是門底有一燈，關門後無法熄滅，而且駕駛盤指示燈，一直顯示門未關妥，我也弄不清楚如何處理，我也不想花錢整理，出門旅行半個月，是想到請愛美每日發動舊車，但又忘記交待，當然舊車必然熄火。

如果車行老闆不樂意幫忙，我只好開車去握爾瑪大店換新電池，然後下個月再外出旅行時，將電池接頭鬆卸，斷絕漏電，雖是麻煩，但也可行。老闆不在，我解釋給前櫃經理，他同我外出觀看，舊車仍在開動中，他開關前座雙門，然後請出一位年輕伙計，技師看過損壞部門，打開窗，這窗突然可以上下移動，然後他回車場帶出一鋃頭傢伙，我說敲掉燈也無妨，結果他是敲一重下門上固定之鐵扣，讓該前門可以緊扣關閉，然後語我燈已關閉。

日產豪華車像坦克一樣堅固耐用，我亦僅開車打網球爾，別無其他用途，此車也可讓元兒備用，開舊車可以節約省錢，何況年邁不宜駕駛，白日抑或夜晚。

Leaving for New England for a cruise/Carlos Pueblo

 Leaving for New England for a cruise/Carlos Pueblo

Saturday I am leaving for New York City to take a two weeks trip to New England and Nova Scotia, Canada even to Newfoundland, Canada.

暫別旅行去也／莊峻華

 暫別旅行去也／莊峻華

週六就飛紐約市旅行去也，這次郵輪旅行是在北美東岸，來回兩次一共16日，下月七日回家，趕上期中選舉，12月10日再出門佛州天珀市搭船，旅行東加勒比海共13ㄖ，還有等待明年初兩巴拿馬運河船票特價，共25日，特此報告全球讀者。

我的歐洲行，寫到法國坎城，下站是義大利利波諾，佛羅倫斯市外港，然後就是羅馬外港，回程路過土耳其伊斯坦堡機場，再來就是兩週之阿拉斯加旅行。

剛好右臂打球疼痛，郵輪旅行可暫休息也。

Enjoying Tibetan folk dance(2)/Carlos Pueblo

 Enjoying Tibetan folk dance(2)/Carlos Pueblo

It's been more than a week that I have been enjoying Tibetan folk dace, preciously the Kangba Tibetan Kuochuang dance. Kangba Tibetan are located on West Sichuan Province, China and Eastern Tibet. Kangba Tibetan are not Chinese, some of them are taller and lighter skin than most of Chinese. The Kuochuang dance moves both feet, arms, and hands simultaneously with current day popular music along with lively charming young ladies as well as handsome boys and gentlemen is very attractive to me. This You Tube video is presented by an artist called Smart Tent lucky with at two groups discipline dancers. Since last week, I have compared other Tibetan folk dances around the U.S. and Canada and I still prefer this Smart Tent lucky programs. Let me introduce three lovely dancers and two lovely songs.

There are more than 20 charming ladies dancers whom I can locate their names in the future if I feel like it. The group perform at ground under a high way bridge at southern part of Chengdu, Sichuan usually lead by a master Yung Cheng, an attractive young girl with perfect performance both feet and arms with her beautiful and colorful uniforms. The Kuochuang dance is required complete expressing of arms and hands along with many beautiful steps to move feet both forward and backward. She raises her arms vertically on one and waves the other softly. Sometimes she would wear a cowboy hat. The other leader is La Tsaou who has a lovely moon like face also wears the dancing uniforms. Most of the time due to working hard and summer heat, she swears a lot yet is still an excellent leader. I forget to mention that Kuochuang dance is a half circled group dance moving around the ground. The number 3 girl is younger and slightly taller than the other two masters, Yuong Jen is her first name. She moves more casually than the other two and I would not category her as a master; however, her dancing is still very attractive. There are times that all three are next to each other and that is a treat we can witness the harmony of their waves and discipline. Of course, I must apology for not mentioning some other pretty girls dancers along with these three.

Two popular songs have been my favorite, one is the evening rain of Lhasa and the other is Tso Ma. Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and ancient Tibetan Dynasty while Tso Ma is a girl's name. Videos always present songs with singer's voice and followed by just music. Popular hits are very much different from the traditional Tibetan folk music and I love the current one kind.

西藏鍋莊舞（2）／莊峻華

 西藏鍋莊舞（2）／莊峻華

最近一週，我在網路發現西藏鍋莊舞，連續看畢這位睿軒吉祥製作，在中國成都街頭演出，精彩影片，我連忙介紹給愛美和元兒，兩人感受不同，我能諒解，愛美曰可以在郵輪上參加清晨運動，舒展筋骨，元兒僅曰節目目標是我，當然這是文化成長興趣等之殊異，我喜歡這種舞蹈，這種歌曲，這些美女，人生難得之興趣，我已經到達孔子說的，七十而隨心所欲不逾矩，矩是規矩法律，即使年逾七十，當過美國總統，也需遵守法律範圍。

年輕時我喜歡交際舞，就是可以摟輕柔美女，也曾經當過高中土風舞指導老師，熱愛過一位女指導小學老師，只是姻緣不足，鍋莊舞是傳統民族舞蹈之最，我只介紹兩重點，一是歌曲，二是美女，當然這位製作人也是位高手，有獨見創獲者也。

先說兩歌曲，一為拉薩夜語，這是近代歌曲，有位女歌手在2008年唱紅，拉薩是西藏首都，歌詞是北京白話，描述拉薩夜間細雨，幾有鄉愁哀怨，西藏在異族統鐵蹄治下。第二首歌是卓瑪，卓瑪是位姑娘，歌詞上有卓瑪拉，還有桑格花，我都想知道這拉在藏文中之意，桑格花真面目。

鍋莊舞四肢勤動，雙足是碎步進退，雙臂與手之表達，是花朵，是高山，是溪流，是彈吉他等，完全仰賴年輕貌美，身材修長之康巴族姑娘，我算一下雍吉團隊，有超過20位美女，我只先介紹三位，雍吉，拉措，和擁珍，雍吉和拉措是貌美又幽雅舞姿，手臂能語，這位擁珍真是美女，雙臂動作，尚無前述二位之到位鍋莊舞姿，但仍甚美，鍋莊舞一曲下來，姑娘已是香汗淋淋。男士動作幅度較大，而且蹦蹦跳跳，但均有對稱，鍋莊舞是有節奏是有紀律，比起我們台灣原住民舞蹈，和以色列猶太水舞等，稍微繁複，但有基本動作紀律可循。

我在草場散步，開始揮肩，已經奏效，我要繼續帶上郵輪，欣賞西藏鍋莊舞，真是福氣。

American are good at business(2)/Carlos Pueblo

 American are good at business(2)/Carlos Pueblo

The inflation 2022 comes to us and I have witness that American are good at business again. I am quite busy with what I am going to have additional 5 cruise trips in three months and experienced with joy of spending money with some business promotion from banks and the cruise liner. It is very unusual to see a frugal person like me to spend $14,000 on credit cards for cruise trips and get $1,400 cash back and excited about it.

When the Chinese Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic hit the U.S., the U.S. federal government has distributed several $1,200 per person cash to help to pass some difficulty . The Fed even provides some funds for companies to hire back laid off employees for not interrupting their monthly incomes. There are too much Greenbacks printed so far and the inflation finally comes. The gasoline hits the highest point in years yet Biden makes is back down a little bit. The White House and the Federal Reserve are not afraid of the recession for the time being. both of them decide to control the inflation and the Fed raises the landing interest rate several times in a few months. Finally I have had an opportunity to make a one year certificate of deposit to earn 2.75% interest.

Two of the national largest banks offer me new credit cards to spend some money in 3 months and award me with promotional rebates, $8,000 for $800, $2,000 for $200, and $4,000 for $400, etc. With  several helps from my brother-in-law Yong Teoh in NYC and Amy to purchase 3 cruises trips and airfares, I almost make to the goal $14,000 and get $4,000 cash back. 

In addition to my existing voucher discount $125 per cruise trip, my cruise agent finds additional discount with my new purchase, called the latitude discount which makes me very happy that would make up the airfare inflation. I join to the civic group to help the economic recovery if there is any. The U.S. is like a locomotive to move the world as long as the U.S. is still prosperous, there is an opportunity that the world will be prosperous eventually. American are good at business.

美國人很能做生意／莊峻華

 美國人很能做生意／莊峻華

2022年通貨膨脹，這是武肺漫延全美，局部癱瘓美國經濟後，川普開始就發每人一千二補助金，拜登再發一次，我忘一共發幾次，拜登有發公司薪水貸款，讓公司聘回遣散之職員，然後就遇到2022通貨膨脹，於是白宮判斷，先遏阻通膨，央行生息幾次。按我的節儉習慣，應該是緊縮支出，以應付通膨之無常，但是無意間，我增加外出郵輪旅行，今年已經七次，當然是因為有特價折扣，美國人很能做生意。

愛美曰菜市場物價飆高，於是我就增加我的月費，然後注意牛排特價，兩家大銀行給我三張新信用卡，鼓勵我馬上花費，三個月內達到一定數目，像一張$8000給$800紅利，一張$2000給$200，最後一張$4000給$400，這半年我買機票和船票，一共花$14000，拿到$1400回扣，我在船上吃飯65日，愛美也可省下一些買菜錢，我再三提醒她，當然這$14000支出包括她阿拉斯加兩週船票和機票，還有紐約榮祥10日郵輪船票，我統一購買，用上我的三張$125優待券，也替大家節省。

為共同面對通貨膨脹2022，美國銀行也想辦法來促進生意，有一張大通卡，提出無息付款12個月優待辦法，我想好幾天都想不出如何加以利用？我為達到第三張新卡要求，特別請全家人幫忙，還要加上購買郵輪優待劵，這些折扣將使用在購買單程機票上，避免機票單程增加費。

全球經濟復甦，全賴美國這火車頭，美國避免消條，世界繼續出售貨物給美國，賺取美金，購買美金，購買美國公債，美金成為強勢貨幣，持美金之外國人，都無息貸款美國，當然我不用美金現鈔，使用信用卡，先向銀行貸款，商人早已算上手續費，我無法通吃，無法逃避所得稅，但美國確實是一穩定強盛之國，我毫無抱怨。

Two recent political activities in the United Kingdom/Carlos Pueblo

 Two recent political activities in the United Kingdom/Carlos Pueblo

There are two political activities occurred in the United Kingdom recently caught my attention, first the lady premier fired her treasury secretary for cutting taxes for the rich; second Manchester city police rescued a Hong Kong immigrant protester inside the Chinese Consulate General compound. I have paid very much attention to both London and Manchester in recent years of my visits to both place and I like the politic.

Liz Truss replaces Boris Johnson recently as the Premier for the U.K., she she faces the inflation 2022 and urgently required her attention. She is a conservative party, Tories like the Republican Party in the U.S. She believe a tax cut will stimulate the spending and therefore, cut the tax will trigger the economy and gets the U.K. out of the recession. Trump and his supporters have claimed such credit for at least since 2016. Obviously, the Lower House or House of Common can't get enough votes to pass such bills which would force the new regime to be collapsed and a new election must be held immediately. It is called the non-confidence vote. It will not happened in the U.S. and applied to the U.S. President, i.e. the late Trump's Mexican bolder wall fund rejected in the House. Trump was still finishing his 4 year term as the President without a new election until 2020. I can't tell which system is better than another. I can see the U.S. Fed creates some gap of the interest rate in order to maneuver the rate later when it is needed such as 2008 case. Most of the economic power houses in the world are still watching carefully to move the interest rate; therefore, their rate are still near 0 for the time being. They may make the same move later.

The Chinese Consul General in Manchester lead about 10 fellow consulate diplomats out to beat up protesters mostly immigrants from Hong Kong. I saw a live video presented by the great BBC to show how many Manchester police forces quickly move in to rescue a victim out of the Consulate compound. It is so ridiculous. Chinese diplomats think that they are still in China or Hong Kong.

I have been to both London and Manchester for many times and I love both cities. I have been sitting for two hours for a regular meeting at the House of Common nearby the Westminster Church with a bronze statute of the Lion King Richard. I have marched many miles on the rivers and canals around Manchester. Both are very interesting indeed.

最近英國兩件新聞／莊峻華

 最近英國兩件新聞／莊峻華

最近英國兩件新聞，登上網路新聞頭條，就是雅虎新聞迅速轉載新聞社快報，都引起我注意，我只看頭條和一則影訊，就有結論意見，一是英國新首相特勞斯開除財務大臣，一是中國駐曼徹斯特總領館，驅使館員館外示威者拖入館內歐打，為英警解救，我對英國十分心儀，而且兩處城市，都拜訪過多次。

英國國家財務有困難，因此前首相強森下台，女相特勞斯上台不久，就給高收入者減稅，引起大譁，於是開除財相脫困，解除不新任危機，當然下一步看能否減息刺激經濟？但英國利息低於零，無息可減，顯然於通貨膨脹難題無解，特勞斯是保守黨，和美國共和黨想法類似，為高收入者服務。英國是議會制，有上院和下院，下院多數黨推出首相，日本，德國類似，和美國之總統制不同，每件議案，首相若無把握通過，不敢提案表決，否則曰不信任投票，國會需要即時改選，這和美國的川普美墨萬里長城案類似，但川普援例遭否決後，仍舊可以死賴，逼國會就範預算，就是讓預算不通過，關閉政府機關，大家憶否此事？我曾經在英國國會旁聽兩小時，也算有趣，國會在泰晤士河畔，衛斯敏靈士教堂旁，旁邊有一里察特王銅像。

我住曼徹斯特市好幾次，特別有感情，香港移民到中國總領館示威，中國使領館不習慣，派十位帶頭盔館員，外出打架，這比當年國民黨中國官員囂張，我年輕時經常在美國參加示威台灣國民黨使領館，國民黨開始還派人照相，羅致黑名單，僅此而已，國民黨中國人外交官，比較文明，黑名單案還跟我們入綠道大廈溝通，其實我們也向休市中國總領館示威，和中國外交官開會吃飯過，這曼徹斯特中國總領館太野蠻過份，我看英國警察約十位立即衝入救人，一點都不含糊，這才是法治，才是國家，中國駐曼徹斯特總領館，真是丟臉，素質太差，無法跟其休市總領館外交官相比較，我們在美國示威中國人，當地警察僅派一位，只有1976年元旦時，為白雅燦到白宮附近小公園示威，華府市政府，派高大騎警來象徵性維持秩序，美國示威都需事先登記，這是人民表示意見之基本權利，憲法第一修正案保障，美國憲法學英國，中國官員要虛心學習。

U.S. has declared War against China/Carlos Pueblo

 U.S. has declared War against China/Carlos Pueblo

You may say that I am exaggerated yet I do see the consequence on You Tube about the economic condition after the out break of the Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic. Chinese You Tubers disagree of the Chinese official GDP monthly repost of 2.5% growth. The banking system of China, the real estate market, the national employment out look, and the so called one belt and one road investment, etc. are all in collapsed condition. The U.S. has posted a surcharged of 25% import tax upon Chinese goods to the U.S. from Trump to Biden administrations. Xi and his Communist regime don't know what is going on and how to manage the War started it with the economic hostility. Xi doesn't dare to respond Trump military intimation before the end of his regime yet the Biden's administration even post sanction of the high technology products to China.

Chinese do not know the reason why they are facing such hostility. I am telling you now. The whole world as well as the U.S. are suffering to the out break of the Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic in the financial stress as well as human loses tremendously. They can neither forgive nor forget China. The economic punishment is about right for the time being.

The United Kingdom, Japan, and the U.S. are suffering so much in Hong Kong for Xi's break of Deng's promise to U.K. to keep the existing system for 50 years in 1997. They don't forget it and they don't want to see their interests in Taiwan are suffering to the same results when Xi invades Taiwan. They don't want to respond to the same of Russia to invade Ukraine. The U.S. is ready to help to defend Taiwan when China makes the first move.

When the inflation 2022 occurs, the U.S. Federal Reserve hikes lending interest rate that I know the U.S. is confident in their economic out looks while China lowers it rate in order to stimulate it economic to avoid the recession. I understand that the U.S. is more resilient than China to the inflation of 2022. The U.S. can take it while China can't. Instead to study how to deal with the economic war against the U.S. Xi is still in dream of invading Taiwan. I don't see that Chinese Communist regime pay any attention or care about the collapse of their economic situation including the banks, the unemployment, the real estate, the closure of factories, etc. Xi is still smarter than Russian's Putin in the military action to invade the other nations.

Biden and his associates in the White House are very firm to deal with China. They are able persons, much better than Trump's and Xi's China. The confrontation War in economic is on.

美國已經對中國宣戰／莊峻華

 美國已經對中國宣戰／莊峻華

美國對中國宣戰，是在川普任內開始的增加進口稅，美國舉出很多原因，包括高科技盜版，貿易不平衡，中國習進平政權，不知如何應付，問題未解決，拜登上台後繼續維持25％關稅，中國貨物成本加高，雖然不甚嚴重美國整體經濟消耗面，但一定是通貨膨脹2022之一因素。

2019年，中國武漢肺炎，禍延全球，美國包括在內，這種事若發生在中國以外之任一國家，都可以讓人提早警戒，惟獨中國，死要顏面，封鎖病情，隱瞞真況，又不知清零，開放國民出國旅行，武肺迅速傳染到全球，讓全球經濟幾近崩潰，世界各國吃頓燜虧，幸好美國發明兩種疫苗，花錢遏阻武肺繼續漫延。中國裝傻，美國政府牢記此虧。

香港的一國一制，讓美國，英國，和日本等國，蒙受巨大經濟損失，經濟列強都同意要制裁中國，所以美國之增加關稅中國，日歐列強也摸摸鼻，忍下怨氣，移出在中國之投資，連台商都無法在中國生存。美國現在是對中國發動經濟戰，習進平無知，中國留美博士群尚未在執政圈，滿頭霧水，不知所措。

美國禁運日本石油，因此日本偷襲珍珠港，美國禁運俄羅斯，逼得普丁挺而走險，侵略烏克蘭，然後美國聯合歐洲各國，幫助烏克蘭抗俄，美國出兵，應該是普丁動用核武，威脅世界和平安全。

中國不幸，讓共匪統治，習進平又想侵略台灣，危害美國和日本在台投資，人家蔣介石統一中國前，保證列強在中國之利益，毛澤東沒收租界，習進平沒收香港，又武肺危害全球，毫無忌憚，不改賊匪本性，現在又要連三任，至少五年，習比普丁識相，不敢挑戰川普之戰機戰艦戰爭，但拜登之經濟戰，已經奏效，美國可以撐下通貨膨脹，中國無法，中國降息，美國升息，一明例也。

The U.S. Dollar's appreciation value in 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 The U.S. Dollar's appreciation value in 2022/Carlos Pueblo

It's very interesting of the U.S. Dollar's appreciation in 2022 under the current inflation. Amy tells me that all items are marked up nowadays everywhere. I don't do very much shopping and I only pay her monthly for our grocery needs. I always have an idea that the U.S. Dollar is diminishing gradually. People yet are talking that the U.S. Dollar is a strong currency that I am puzzled.

I understand that both the White House and the Federal Reserve agree that the economic strength is strong in the nation, the employment rate is high as well as the economic growth is sound. In order to reduce the inflation, the Fed has raised the interest rate several times. Yet the stock market is indicated otherwise. All other nations are not following up to the U.S. on the interest rate hike; therefore, there is a demand of the U.S. currency in their nations. Most of the foreign currencies are collapsing. 

First, foreign nations' central banks most exhaust their U.S. Dollars reserves to satisfy their citizens needs, then, they must sell their U.S. Treasury holdings next to get more U.S. Dollars in order to meet the demand of U.S. Dollars domestically. Therefore, the U.S. Dollar is strong for no appearance reasons. I feel good yet I am not in any benefit at all. I pay all my payment for my foreign travel at home and I don't purchase anything abroad. It is cheaper to purchase at home because the foreign goods sold cheaper here in the U.S. I know that we must pay more, 25% more due to the import tax added in Chinese goods. I only pay for tennis balls occasionally.

Stock markets are collapsing due to the worry of the inflation theory, after 14 years growth continually, we are due to have a correction or recession. The Fed hike of interest rate is directed to fight to a economic hard landing, we like to have a soft landing. We hope to have this inflation of 2022 to to be eased off some time soon then we can forget and back to the old day. I don't watch the daily fluctuation of the market. I can just practice my frugal behavior and enjoy my appreciated U.S. Dollar at home.

說美金升值2022／莊峻華

 說美金升值2022／莊峻華

美國正面臨嚴重之通貨膨脹，美國中央銀行和白宮均認為美國應該先控制通膨，抑著物價高升，所以提高貸款利率，現在房屋貸款接近年利率6.75％，因此我在銀行一年定期，可以拿到2.75％，所以美金升值，其他國家中央銀行，尚未跟進長息，卻忙著應付國內擠兌購買美金，先消耗庫存美金，然後賣出外匯美國公債，換取美金，以應付國內美金需求，避免國家貨幣貶值崩潰，上次旅行日本，一美金換一百日元，現在一美金換一百四十四日元，真是不可思議，難怪我的日本汽車股，繼續受壓抑，不僅是缺乏晶片零件而已。

各國都在收購美金，持有美金，就是無息貸款給美國，過去二十年，美國利率低，長期公債幾無利息，現在公債未到期兌現美金，又無息借給美國，難怪各國央行咬牙切齒，美國省下許多利息。

美國面對這次通貨膨脹，何以可以提高利率？抑制經濟繼續擴充？這是央行和白宮同意就業率高，美金流暢無礙，不像2008年之消條景象，2008年的處理經驗，得自於1987年的高利率，政府和民間一起搶資金，因此有2008年之處理結論，降低利率，廣印鈔票使資金流暢，促進14年毫無間斷之成長，這是違反經濟學原理，因此有今年之成長高原期，有今年之通貨膨脹，央行升息是冷卻經濟，待有消條跡象，有稍高利息可以降息操作空間，這是軟著陸，道理很簡單，容易了解，美國經濟體大，國家赤字，讓成長之國家國內總生產額數目來沖淡，美國物產豐富，政治上軌道，只要可負擔利息，本金國債可以永遠不還，這和我們個人家庭經濟稍異，國家有稅收，我們要有工作收入，要節約儲蓄和投資。

我剛好賣掉所石油股票，留住一些現金，來熬過股市之暴跌套牢，我賠錢政府也減少我的所得稅收入，我相信拜登總統站在同一陣線，我們要共渡難關。

Enjoying the Tibetan folk dance/Carlos Pueblo

 Enjoying the Tibetan folk dance/Carlos Pueblo

There is a video appeared on my You Tube named the Gouchuang Dance of Tibet in Chengdu, China, a kind of folk dance quite similar to many folk dances in the world such as our Taiwanese aboriginal folk dance yet more hands wave movement with lively songs. I have been attracted for days and study about it in details. There are only about seven millions Tibetans in the world and most of them live in current day China, 6.3 millions in Tibet and some spread around the adjacent provinces such as Yunnan, Sichuan, Chinghai, and Sikang etc. They come down from the highland to Chengdu, Sichuan for work and the dance party are gathered under a highway bridge in the south part of the city regularly.

The foot steps are slow and discipline while hands move like waves to symbolize hills, lakes, seas and flowers, etc. accompanied with popular songs quick and touching with romantic words. Dancers are line up sometimes with pairs who are showing symmetrically. Ladies are moving gracefully while young males are moving legs more freely like Buddhas statues. There are always some dancers dressing up with Tibetan colorful and lovely dresses. I am very fond of the young charming lady dancers.

Amy recommends me following the You Tube video to dance like her on a note book computer; therefore, I can have my shoulder exercises. Actually I am more impressed to the attractive lady dancers of Tibetans. I adore their slender appearance even though some mid age ladies look like Mexican Indians yet still good looking. I check on Google search about the city of Chengdu which is the provincial capital of Sichuan, China. It is also called the city of the Hibiscus. We grow the beautiful flower at home. I am aware of two charming Chinese ladies, Ning Sing of the old anchor lady of the Radio of America and Cherry Yang from Taiwan. In the early 1980's, Cherry used to trade business in Chengdu where her parents were from. 

I hope that one day the Tibetan will have their our nation. Historically they are not Chinese as well as culturally and religiously. I don't see any kinds of dance in Chinese culture and their unique cloths both man gentlemen and ladies. They are not Chinese.

西藏鍋庒舞／莊峻華

 西藏鍋庒舞／莊峻華

這兩日我將網誌裡介紹的西藏鍋庒舞，仔細欣賞一遍，約有幾十影集，非常有趣，我年輕時代就喜歡跳交際舞，雖然有身短腳短缺陷，但不阻礙我興致，後來還擔任高中學生課外活動，土風舞指導老師，許多美憶。這西藏鍋庒舞是中國蓉城成都一位睿軒吉祥製作，他在成都府南一羅馬假日廣場，就是一公路高架橋下，開辦一西藏鍋庒舞會，例假日許多藏人俊男美女，結集表演鍋庒舞，也帶動許多青年老少前來學習活動，我被吸引主要是這些西藏美女，她們的傳統盛裝，鍋庒舞採用之韻律節奏，我一共觀看兩整天，已經有很多心得。

全球西藏人口約六百五十萬人，西藏幅員約臺灣之47倍大，許多藏人除住西藏外，自古散佈於中國青康，雲南，四川等地，印度，尼泊爾，美國等都有一些西藏難民，西藏自古不屬中國，他們有自己的王國，文成公主合番到吐番，吐番就是圖博，西藏之英語名。西藏比鄰四川，因此藏人到成都謀生，有鍋庒舞之氣候。成都又稱芙蓉城，蓋中國五代十國成都主孟昶遍植芙蓉而得美名。這鍋庒舞腳步外，尚重手臂揮動舞姿，我們臺灣山地舞之橫行前後，以色列猶太舞姿等均包括，這製作人睿軒提供之舞星男女，都有規律節奏，若併肩則見一致，顯然有很長之訓練，我看一段基本舞步，舞肩手臂腳步，一共有五招，然後就是重複。

鍋庒舞的音樂是流行歌曲，例如拉薩夜語，草原，格瑪等，都是輕快旋律，約是西藏解放後之作品，若是歌頌共產黨毛澤東之歌曲，觀眾人數就減少。

我對中國成都有些美憶，剛才想找出一位楊太太舊識，這是一位台灣嘉義空軍子弟，嘉女畢業，台大機械系畢業，曾經兼職房地產，主要是對中國成都貿易，十分成功，在我們紀念區大道有一辦公室，是位美女。另一位是美國之音之寧馨，時事論談，現在看不到她的主持，也是位成都美女，當然這兩位都非藏族。

藏族鍋庒舞是一難得之民族舞蹈，西藏獨立前，中國必需努力維護，中國漢人沒有如此文化，其實整個世界都難覓，何況這些西藏美女？我猜印度東北幾省中國人面孔者，也是藏族，他們自己投票加入印度，和西藏命運迥然不同。

Re-visiting Cannes, France 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Re-visiting Cannes, France 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Cannes, France is famous for the annual movies shows outside of the Oscar in the world. One year, 05/24/2015, I was on my Mediterranean cruise trip and passed by this city port with a very fond memory. I marched into a a part of the city center and then up to a small hill of a lovely residential area with many luxury homes. A lovely flower shop with a lovely nursery on the side was impressive. I didn't go up to a hill top cathedral and was regret very much to miss the peony garden where I did see on the flower shop. This time was about the same and I anticipated to finish the un-finished trip.

I love the peony which is one of my favorite flowers. I have mentioned that 2015 Cannes trip to many of my friends. The late Dr. Innad Hussani was one of them. He was a French trained physician. He mentioned his story at Cannes. Once he lived here for his medical practice. A Lebanese Banker friend referred him a deal of a small motel for sale. He was read to make the purchase yet his mother and wife were all against it because he shouldn't be distracted from his job as an eyes surgeon. At the end, he gave it up for about a $200,000 U.S. deal and later, after the new owner's effort, it was turned to worth more than 1.5 millions. He went back to his home town in Syria for his practice and then upon the request of his wife, immigrated to Houston, Texas. I knew him because he became my tennis partner, a gentleman. Once he described to me of his high RPM life in the U.S. RPM is the meter on the car board, the revolution per minute. He passed away of a stroke a couple years ago after his young son's  immature death. He told me the property was at the old port.

I didn't pay too much attention of where we disembark this time. I asked people where was the Cathedral and walked straight to the direction. I found the church yet it was very much different from what my memory was. I participated a family kids baptize ceremony. I believed that parents were from the Eastern Europe. One of the kids was still a baby, both of them behaved very well. I took some photos yet I couldn't find them, the entire stay at the city.

I didn't give up that easy. I tried again from the seacoast beach toward the sign of a cross up in the hill. I tried to cut in to the entrance toward the Cathedral yet there were no such sighs at all. I found a nice International Pacific University campus and turned back out. There were two or three women naked and bathed on the almost empty beach due to the weather.

I sat in front of an hotel to use its free WiFi connection for the rest of time. Later I realized that I was on a wrong section of the city and I actually missed the right turn to my wanted place.

重返法國坎城2022／莊峻華

 重返法國坎城2022／莊峻華

這次橫跨大西洋終站是南羅馬，因此順便繞道地中海，法國影城坎尼斯其一，也是我喜愛城市之一，郵輪停靠異處碼頭，下船後我想找一處上次未盡之山端教堂，結果迷路，找到的是近山麓之另一大教堂，其實也無需過份失望，我想找的是當年錯過之牡丹花開，這次也未見街道旁花店，無法證實是否值牡丹花季？我在德國法蘭克福市和柏林均遇見庭院牡丹花開，也遺憾未遇傳聞之牡丹花展競賽，只要我繼續努力，繼續旅行，我將終究遇見，我也看過中國洛陽市牡丹花園之盛況，中國若非共匪統治，對台灣有領土野心，著實有傳說中之花朵美景。

我的前網球摯友，敘利亞籍美國醫生，伊那德。胡珊尼兄，曾語我彼曾居法國坎城，當年他甚年輕，在坎城當醫生，手上也有一筆資金，有一黎巴嫩銀行家告知一坎城客棧在拍賣，約是20萬美金之譜，他有興趣，而且也進行購買手續，但終究未能完成，若干年後，客棧整修翻新，就在一碼頭附近，價格已翻十餘倍，他是法國醫學院出身，其父曾服役法國空軍，所以他有法國淵源，再加上歐洲有許多阿拉伯商人，很是有趣，他原回敘利亞故鄉開業，經不起愛妻懇求，移民到休市，工作努力過度，比我年輕五，六歲，最近過世，獨子亦早一年離世，真是慘劇，他在休市西郊有一200英畝農莊曰德州賀姆鎮，以紀念其敘利亞故鄉賀姆市，他有30畝農莊，生產西瓜。

我從山麓大教堂下山後，就望山高處，巡登山徑上山，先描述一段教堂兩女孩受洗典禮，這是一年輕東歐移民家庭，我攜兩相機重裝備參觀，主教按受洗禮儀進行，親友群圍觀，小孩們也無異議，一位是襁褓之中。我沿著海岸，走離碼站方向，企圖找到一處登山入口處，詢問路人均不知我問所云，有耐心者，再指山麓處大教堂，我結論是兩次下船碼頭有異，進入之城區不同，難怪我迷路，法語又不甚流利。

尋路中是走到一太平洋國際大學校園住宅區，和我印象中記憶有異，而且住宅區氣氛迥然不同，於是我就放棄尋訪，沿海灘步行回碼頭，這海灘偶見天體女泳客幾位，都是上年紀者，如此也比較安全，碼頭大道旅館前，許多人聚集使用免費網路，我剛好歇下腳，這位斗六女同鄉和其夫婿也在，上船後她說在船上掉了手機，我就幫她報案櫃臺，當夜就找回，船上治安甚好，而且到處攝影。