Whatever Wednesday - Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

 Nineteen year old Hai is ready to jump off a bridge.  Grazina, an elderly immigrant widow, calls him down. She's developing dementia. He's full of despair with no options. In  The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong, these two lost souls forge a path.  

cover blurb Over the course of a year, the unlikely pair develops a life-altering bond, one built on empathy, spiritual reckoning, and heartbreak, with the power to transform Hai's relationship to himself, his  family, and a community on  the brink. 

Love, labor, and loneliness can be the bedrock of  American life. It's hard to live on the fringes. Sometimes a chosen family can save a soul. 

This book can be a tough  read at times. The characters are rather haunting, and Hai often does not  make good choices. I was frustrated with him.  The author, Vuong, has a rich style and good descriptions. 

p. 282  Hai is talking to his cousin  "Touch me. Go ahead. That's it. Everything else, what I do, what I've gone, the goals and promises, they're all, like, ghosts. My ghost is in pieces. It's all over the place, caught in all the spots where I snagged myself. You get it?"

The Emperor of Gladness was interesting. I'm glad I read it, but...it's challenging.

Monday Moments - Costa Rica - Yes there's more

After hiking, it was time to kick up the feet poolside.  What a view!

Then, later a sunset view from our room

Peaceful

Can you hear some monkeys howling?

 Next morning, we hit the road early.  At this pitstop - a scarlet Macaw    Pretty tame and used to showing off for the tourists. 

Finally Friday - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

 Finally Friday.  

Well, many Fridays ago, while in Costa Rica I finally finished reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Amongst friends, this was THE book of  the season.  I was on  the library list forever. And, of course, it was ready for me a day before our trip. Turned out to be a wonderful read. I kept  the pages turning and it helped the four hour  flight time zoom. 

cover blurb - Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of her world and her place in it.  She writes to her brother, her best friend, to Joan Didion, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter. 

As the reader, we learn about Sybil and her life. The ebb and flow offers questions, sometimes  answers, and we slowly see a life story build. The writing has verve, shows strong character, and is delightfully precise with a touch of whimsy. 

This book is a gem - shows the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.  (cover blurb)

As a letter writer myself, I truly appreciated the author's skill in navigating Sybil's life via this form of communication. 

The Correspondent is a MUST READ.   Super duper!!!

Whatever Wednesday - Monteverde - More hikes

Another jungle adventure

Now we're in the Cloud Forest. The pictures might not show the difference, but in person, this area had different trees, plants, and vibe. 

As you can see, Ray even wore a jacket.  There was always a light mist, even in bright sunshine

so lush

The bright green in the middle of the picture is a Quezal - a treat of a bird to see.  My phone doesn't take super  duper close ups.  But we got to look through our guide's telescope. So cool.  Yellow beak. Tufted hair.  colorful underbelly feathers. 
 

Monday Moments - Costa Rican Miscellaneous

We had a free lunch period. Enjoyed a tasty burger and then walked the town square.  

I always like church steeple photos - dramatic sky

I'll stop for a colorful mural

Back to our  rooms and decorations adorned the beds

and we weren't on a cruise ship!

 

Finally Friday - Costa Rica - Mistic Park

Another day of adventure.  Do you like heights?  Mistic park features hanging bridges in a jungle
 

Are you tired of seeing lush greenery?

unique trees?

Ray crossing the bridge - what's on  the other side?

We lucked out with weather. The sky and clouds are fantastic

Always a volcano in the distance

Whatever Wednesday - Random Costa Rica

Never did see a sloth, so I settled for this fella as my photo op
 

Traffic jam  - Costa Rica style.  It was time to move  the cows

Fun restaurant/bar.   Basically -what happens, happens (I think)

A very tame parrot

Ray - ready for another feeding with a view.  

And shout out  today to my brother, David.  Happy Birthday!!