Valparaiso is a place that wraps itself around your heart like a flowering vine. The sound of a fog horn, the gritty streets, the music in the air, the couples kissing passionately on the street corners, the sound of dogs barking, the ships of all shapes and sizes in the Bay, the rickety funiculars, the crowded trolley busses, the smells of the Central Market, the kiss on the cheek at greeting a friend and the art anywhere you look. These are some of our memories of this place of small raptures.
And now, to home…New Mexico, our beloved land of azure skies and starry nights, of coyotes and red rocks, of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Pecos River. A place where quiet settles like a dark blanket and the air is pure and clear.
We have been given the gift of getting to know Siracusa, Cape Town, Adelaide and Valparaiso from the point-of-view of people who love it as their home. They have shared their favorite places, foods, drinks, flowers, birds and friends. We are grateful for their open-hearted sharing. We got the chance to visit where others seldom do.
We will miss you dear readers. You have been an essential part of our trip. Seeing through your eyes helped us see more than we ever would have as just we two.
Ciao with love, Dana and Jill
MedFlies 
hi Jill and Dana, remember me? I’m the crazy taxi driver who drove you to Cape Town Airport as you were leaving CT. If you find the time, do read the blog I started about the corruption here in the Cape Town taxi world. Be well, keep well, hope to see you again some time. Jonathan
I think that those of us who have been reading your blog this past year are especially grateful, too, for you both and how you have introduced these wonderful places to us. Welcome home – hope to see you soon!
Ellen: Thank you for being such a great reader. See you in the garden if not before.
Please leave the 6th open for an apron baptismal organic welcome dinner here at our house. Looking forward to seeing y’all again. Bienvenidos! Como bien ahora y’all hablan el Espanol del Sud?
How thoughtful Neil. We would love to baptise that apron.
We entered your blog trip late but enjoyed your stories and pictures. What a wonderful adventure. Now you will have to travel to Michigan and say Hi to us. Jeannette and Bill Maxey
We’re so glad you joined us and added your comments. I didn’t remember that Michigan had a Mediterranean climate.
Can’t believe it has been a year and that you are now heading home. Even if we didn’t always comment on each entry, know that we did read and enjoy them all. Once you are home, you will have to take a second look at Santa Fe through fresh eyes and post photos and commentary on life in your reclaimed home of Santa Fe.
I am sure we will. We have already begun as we head for home and look forward to the known and unknown to come.
See you soon, it was quite a ride! BTW, where was your dog while you were away?
Hi Ursula: Trolley is with Laura Mack and Josh Priddy. Laura is a teacher at Eldorado Community School and a good friend who has been very active in the garden. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday and in the garden. J & D