6 JAN 98

I spent the middle of December continuing my strict regimen of sleeping, reading, and watching movies. I was in fine form, the form of a slug. One weekend I became a bit more active and drove up to Gainesville to visit Karla. We went to a couple Christmas type parties and visited Tom and his family. Tom, I was sorry to learn, has given up his Saab and entered the world of the mini-van. At least he got one with a big sun roof.

Karla and I rented a canoe and took a little trip down the Santa Fe River. I saw an otter and a bunch of turtles. We also saw Ed. Ed is a man who has gone looking for a more rustic lifestyle. He lives at one of the springs that feed the river. He lives in a grass hut and wears a loin cloth. We stopped at Ed’s for lunch and he spoke to us continuously. I think he is a bit lonely after 15 years out there. We were on the river for about five or six hours and never once went swimming. I am still getting used to the idea of canoeing all day and not playing in the water. But, it is the middle of winter and even if we were wearing shorts and T-shirts, it was too cold for a swim.

While in Gainesville, we were able to rent my favorite movie of all time - The Big Meat Eater. I was again able to see Big Abdullah, the wind-up aliens, and all my other old friends in Berquithlam, Canada. Of course, the movie is also a musical. I was able to hear “From the bonny, bonny banks of Berquithlam” and “I’m a heat seeking missile, and your my target tonight”. I don’t think a poorer grade-B science fiction movie has ever been made. It was great.

Then I returned to South Florida and the familial onslaught began. I hung out with Milo (my brother), David and Ann (my cousin and his girlfriend), my mother (mama), Dori and Uri (my cousin and her husband), Aunt Anne, Uncles Jim and Gary, cousins Rafaella, Hillary, Yitzchak and Josh, my father and Elizabeth (his wife), their daughter and my sister Emily, Great Aunts Shirley and Francis, my three remaining grandparents (Grandma, Grandma, and Grandpa) and many others.

Of course, a big family gathering means lots of food. I am now thoroughly sick of food. I have eaten kangaroo, lobster, bagels and lox, my mother’s rice pudding and zucchini bread, a million different kinds of dessert, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, pizza, Japanese food, Thai food, kosher food, brisket, and a couple of tons of other assorted food stuffs. I am looking forward to getting back to three normal meals per day. Every single day for the past two weeks has revolved around one large meal and usually tapered off into another meal a few hours later.

Dori and Uri have a very nice group of friends. We hung out a few times, went to the arcade, played football, and went out for pizza. Uri is a great guy and Dori is lucky to have found him. He has the good looks of Beavis and the brains of Butthead, all rolled into one.

Their wedding was last Sunday and they went all out. They had a bunch of friends and family, a rabbi, a chupah, a light bulb, a couple of rings, a cake topper, a band, a videographer, a photographer, a caterer and not one, but two guys to make omelets. They also had lots of food and great desserts. It was a very good wedding.

Just to make a great month off from work even better, I received a big pile of season’s greetings from former passengers and a few phone calls from Gillian. I had never before received a phone call from over seas. It was nice to shout into the phone at my end and hear her posh-Australian voice from the other.

While home, I also did a major re-stocking of my wardrobe. I head back to Los Angeles with a new T-shirt, a new pair of shorts, and a new hat.

In the last week I have shaved three times. Twice for practice and once for the wedding. Now that is over, I can begin work on a new beard. I also had a few inches trimmed off of my hair. Dori said I clean up real well. That may be the case, but I am now actively re-cultivating my grubby travelers look. I think it suits me better.

Trek America called and asked if I was well rested. I said I was and they invited me back to work early. I leave for L.A. today. I will be headed down to Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala to lead four trips. I will get back to L.A. on the 9th of April, just in time for a nice Passover dinner.

I have had a great month off and am now ready for another few months of work.