venezuela on my mind

For weeks, Venezuelans have been flocking by the busload to San Antonio del Tachira, a border town of some 62,000 residents, fleeing as President Nicolas Maduro consolidates autocratic power. The Simon Bolivar International Bridge is the avenue for an outpouring unprecedented in the history of this oil-rich nation. Crowds stream toward the bridge, attended by street hawkers selling juice, fried pastries and bus tickets and men who ferry their meager possessions to a new life. According to Colombia’s migration authority, the number of foreigners entering Cucuta, the first major city across the bridge, more than doubled this summer. Over 50,000 came in August, up from 22,700 in June. The numbers don’t reflect dual nationals returning to their homeland, or thousands simply crossing into Colombia without passing official checkpoints.

- Bloomberg

my thoughts are with Texas

Sending my love and best wishes to my family and friends in Texas as they face catastrophic circumstances.

More photos of the Hurricane Harvey disaster at CNN.

força barça

I, too, stand with our Spanish friends. Força Barça!

chicken soup for the soul

A walk on the Zen Path helps when your soul is hurting.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

my thoughts are with manchester

Heartbreaking news.

my new world leader in action

The admirable Mr. Trudeau. A man I think we can all get behind. #newworldleader

louisiana on my mind

Sending good vibes and best wishes to the good people of Louisiana as they face these difficult, challenging times. Home to my alma mater, Louisiana holds a special place in my heart.

love to orlando

unique tropical experience

Dear Davinci,
Paradise ended when we left Paya Bay Resort. Paul and I talked about how different Paya Bay is from the other resorts. Even staying at Infinity Bay [West Bay, Roatan] where they have all the amenities, this resort doesn’t even come close to the unique tropical experience Paya Bay offers to its guests. Thank you for everything you have done. As long time guests, Paul and I truly appreciate your hard work and creativity. Keep up the good vibes as well as your always cheerful spirit. It certainly is contagious!!!
Warmest Regards,
Noemi and Paul

Special guests Noemi and Paul have been repeat clients of our family business since circa 1995. They sent me this note after their most recent stay with us. Their current visit to Roatan is concluding with a three-day stint in West Bay, where Paul will be attending a business conference being held at one of the big resorts on the other, more developed end of the island. It's so nice to get these warm, sincere, unsolicited "pats on the back" from people who have supported my family's enterprise since the very beginning. I'm so grateful for your solidarity, my friends. Namaste.

let there be art!

This afternoon I delivered to Ruthlen sixteen blank "canvasses" (24-inch marine plywood squares painted white). Ruthlen is a local artist we are engaging to create original art for our rooms. It will be exciting to see the progeny of her creativity!

heartbroken

I stand with my sisters and brothers in Belgium, a country I road my bike through many moons ago. It has a special place in my heart. If we are to reach our full potencial as a species, religion is a virus that must be neutralized and, ultimately, eradicated from human consciousness.

vive la France!

absolutely outraged

I am outraged -- ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGED -- by the unspeakably tragic news of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

I stand in full solidarity with the French people (and the Russian people) as they confront this horrific catastrophe that has befallen them.

May the leaders of the Free World leave no stone unturned to rid this planet of the vermin responsible.

fraternité

surreal

Thoughts of empathy and solidarity go out to the people affected by Sandy. Surreal scenes from the U.S. East Coast.

lending a hand

Here at Paya Bay we have a Good Deeds policy that includes supporting local micro-entrepreneurs from our surrounding island community who are making well-intentioned efforts to participate in Roatan's nascent tourism economy. For example, Carolina, a single mom, has our permission to display the jewelry and pepper sauces she sells on Paya Bay's main deck a few days of the week. This young lady happens to be a vessel of good energy who lifts one's spirit immediately with her beautiful smile. We wish you much success, Carolina!

admirable grit

YANGON, Myanmar — She struggled for a free Myanmar for a quarter-century, much of it spent locked away under house arrest. Now, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose nonviolent campaign for democracy at home transformed her into a global icon is on the verge of ascending to public office for the first time.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 66, was elected to parliament Sunday in a historic victory buffeted by the jubilant cheers of supporters who hope her triumph will mark a major turning point in a nation still emerging from a ruthless era of military rule.

- Associated Press

An indomitable spirit, this remarkable human being is one of my heroes (see video on this page).

a beautiful tale of two friends

Team members Evelyn (on the left) and Zulema are servers in Paya's restaurant and have become close friends. About six weeks ago Zulema had a terrible accident on her way to work. She was taking a shortcut down a cliff side in the early morning and somehow tripped and fell. She hit a rock with her head and was knocked unconscious, suffering a severe laceration and concussion. What awakened her was bloody sea water lapping on her. Miraculously, Zulema was able to reach deep inside and summon the strength to climb back up the cliff and seek help. She was rushed to hospital and has been slowly recovering ever since. This last week she felt well enough to return to work. At the hospital they removed her hair in the area of the wound and she now wears a band over the area to cover the still-healing lesion.

This weekend I noticed that Evelyn was wearing a band on her head, and I commented on what I thought was a new look. Evelyn then explained to me that she was wearing the head band in solidarity with her friend, as she didn't want Zulema to feel embarrassed by having to wear a band to cover her injury. I was left speechless by the beauty of this gesture! What an amazing friend! Que hermosa persona eres Evelyn!