Reading is Fundamental.  That is a superb name for a truly superb program created more than four decades ago to motivate children to read. But it’s not just a great name for a great program.  It’s also a fundamental truth for those of us who count ourselves among the “voracious readers” of the world.  We read for pleasure every day …

First things first: I can’t say enough good things about Baja Spanish School in Ensenada (www.spanishschoolbaja.com).  My two weeks of Spanish Immersion were un gran exito (a great success). Sunday afternoon arrival at this small and intimate school found me welcomed by the Director and then seated at a round table with a few others to take the written placement …

I do. Sort of. Translation: my English-speaking friends admire what they take to be my fluent Spanish; my Spanish-speaking friends know that is far from the actuality.  I do try. I try hard. I’m not afraid to make mistakes or sound silly.  So if I find myself where Spanish is spoken (even if English is spoken too), I’ll be trotting …

Not hardly, these days, if it involves commercial air travel and it’s not First Class…getting there means mostly hassle and discomfort.  Our redeye flight to Berlin was unexpectedly pleasant (a little plug here for Air Berlin – free drinks in coach! Inseat Entertainment with your own monitor and program choices, decent meals free in coach).  Our first stroke of luck. …

Just out of college and newly married, we spent the summer doing “Europe on $5 a Day” (yes, you could really do that).  Our total advance planning took about 2 hours -get plane reservations (student cheapo fares, cattle car style), buy Frommerʼs book, pack a duffel bag, think about cities we might like to visit. Go! Fast forward (well, maybe …