Took my friend Glen from Sidney for a tour of New England10 years after 911Party UK people in Bournemouth My first and only Safari at Krueger National Park with German DoctorsSign at Nelspruit, South AfricaMen’s room in Swaziland in South AfricaDo you know this guy? Saw this in an art show in South Africa. Morgan FreemanFunny pictureSailing off Cape Town Brazilian beauty, I have that hat on a lamp in my. Bedroom ThailandIn the middle of a 200 mile bike ride in northwest ThailandLaos kids along the Mekong
I was trying to clean up my Gmail account and came across this 15 year old email. In 2009 I went back to Crete to visit Irapetra, a place I spent 3 months in, back in 1971 before I went overland to India.
After Greece I travelled to Serbia by train and spent some time with friends. I wrote this email after I got to western Romania.
Letter from Romania
Well, I am sitting in Hotel Roma in Timisoura, Romania on the western part of this country. Somehow it is now November 9, 2009 and I am starting to think of what I can accomplish in the next 3 weeks.
First of all, after an exceptional time on the Greek Islands I have been so very lucky to fall into the hands of some beautiful friends and families in Serbia and Romania… that makes travel so much better to have the people who love their countries and proud of them to show them off to you.
Serbia is one big memory of eating very good, Marko driving his family VW Passat very European style through the narrow streets of Smerdervo with Euro music blasting and a series of meet ups with his friends at cafes. Marko brought me to a great pizza party with about 10 of his friends, all spoke English and it was evident they all had very good educations. It was so nice seeing Valentina again…. I learned plenty about Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia, Croates, Roms and the American (NATO) bombing of Serbia 10 years ago. It was especially disturbing to see videos of the attack on the same train I rode from Greece to Belgrad which killed children from Albania.
Right now it seems all is calm there now and they are focusing on economic development and hanging in cafes….
Serbian & a Russian
Marko arranged to have me catch a van from a local town, across the border to Timisoura, Romania. The van had about 5 passengers and we stopped along the way and the driver bought me a cup of coffee. Most people seem to like New York City from all the TV and movies they see. The normal cable channels are available, Animal Planet, Discovery, Travel Channel… with local subtitles.
I was delivered to the Hotel Roma which is right next to the dorms at the Polytechnical University with its 20,000 students. Alex showed up between classes and gave me a big bear hug. He said to me, I can not believe that you are actually here in my country… I have a tough time with that concept myself.
Romania is different than Serbia. It had a revolution 20 years ago and ended it’s history of communism and it is now in the EU and signs of economic development are all over. plenty of new big stores which have been built in the suburbs and there is building all over. They have not had the wars Serbia has been having.
The land here is very similar to NYS, they do have flat agricultural land and some small hills and some great mountain ranges. One thing I noticed was the very far-out Gypsy homes which have been built. It is hard to describe. they are very large with roofs with decorations and plenty of bling… there are also some gypsy villages which are poor and ugly.
the first nite I got here Alex brought me to several of the large squares in town. the buildings are a mixture of old world Europe, Austrian Hungarian and ugly block Communist construction. They have an opera house here and I hope to see an opera on wed. nite.
so Alex and Laurentiu and some of their friends had dinner on the square. i was very surprised to find a live band, singers and a group of traditional dancers. Dinner was excellent, wine, sausages, polenta and pork and some other meats I am not too sure of…..
Romanians Skoal
On Friday, we loaded up Alex’s car, a Dacia made in Romania, and headed to Alex and Laurentiu’s home town of Hateg (Hatseg). Along the way we visited Castelul Corvinilor (The Castle of the Corvin family). this was a very old place set in a valley where the communists built steel plants which are no longer in use. There must have been 100 plus very large smoke stacks there… a very strange site.
We had some great times in Hateg with both families… I played Larry’s guitar (Johnny Cash) and Laurentiu’s dad played the accordion and everybody sang. We all had dinner one nite, and I asked what the Romanian national anthem sounded like. They all sang it and began to stand up…. a beautiful moment.
I got to see the first capitol of the Romans, which I felt was a better place than Knossis Palace on Crete. I have a video of Alex doing a victory run in the ampitheatre there.you can find in my Romanian pixs.
Friends
We went up into the Carpathians Mountains and saw one of the largest damns in Europe. Alex’s dad is in charge of the Hydroelectric plant there and I was given the opportunity to go into the mountain tunnel to see how the water is converted into electrical power and generates enough power for 2 million customers. it was amazing.
I was shown some churches which dated back 1,000 years and I said some prayers for all of you, especially Abigail.
I have a problem…. it seems everywhere I go I am given a bottle of wine and a bottle of raki…. my bags are starting to get very heavy….hehehehe
Last night we came back to Timisoura… I have my heavy coat in the event it gets cold again. It is actually very nice now, but not sure about the next town I will go to in eastern Romania. I hope to arrive there on Friday.
Sorry this was so long, but I have been doing plenty of things and wanted you to know I am safe, eating well and still have money…..
Luca is helping with keeping the fire goingSophia is pretty and smartJordan has taught Luca how to snowblow2 dogs visited usFamous guy who did NESTLES ads. We met him 60+ years ago. I sent him an email thanking him for being so nice to us. He sent back this nice picture.Zachary and John just got a new car….First class guys.
Well….way ahead when it comes to heating this big house this year. We have a new fuel tank which is full of oil. We have 4 full chords of fire wood. Half is stacked on our deck and I already started burning wood.
Warmth
We made some furniture moves on the first floor. Now we have a small round table in the kitchen. I think it makes a good fit.
Kitchen table
And now the large table has been moved into the living room. This will work better when Zachary and John come up for dinner. Here it is….
Dining Table
We have made several trips to Middleburg to get veggies at Shauls Farm Stand. My brother Bill and Alissa went to the Carrot barn to get cider donuts. We went to Freehold and bought some new shrubs which we planted on the back fence wall.
Bring me a shrubbery
They had open house at the Schoharie BOCES. Abby is taking culinary. Jordan sent this picture to me. She looks like her grandma.
Abigail Lynn Simpson… famous pizza maker
Abby is still playing the flute in the BKW band and Alissa is singing in the chorus.
December 7, 2023 Concert
My sister Joanne sent a picture of my parents and grandpa Mulligan. This goes back to the 1980s. Time marches on and we can not stop it.
Robert, Mary and John W.
Here are my two aunts, my mom’s sisters. They were both very good to us.
I bought that real painting at a restaurant near the Harriman Campus. I use to go to lunch at Cosimos with Ray Barbuti. Ray won 2 Olympic Gold medals in 1928 in Amsterdam. I ordered fish, some pasta and a glass of red wine. Ray had Manhattans.
The painting cost $45 and is the only real painting I ever owned. We did not have much money and my wife was not happy with me spending $ on frivolous stuff. After 40 years I am glad I did.
It reminds me of a grandma Moses piece and it also looks sorta like my rural neighborhood. My friend Kevin Neary always kidded me that it was only good for one season.
I am watching this NY guy doing a live stream from Naxos, Greece. Another place I visited 12 years ago. On a boat from Crete I met Glen from Sydney, Australia. They had cancelled our fast boat because of high winds. Glen pulled out his ipad and made new reservations. I was impressed with his Ipad and we started to talk about tech. I went to Santorini and we later met up in Naxos. Glen had a larger travel budget and we went around the island by a rental car. I chipped on for gas. We then went to Athens and had some great fish dinners.
Glen was a great travel buddy. I visited him in Australia and he visited me in Cape Cod. I showed him plenty of New England.
Love my indoor/outdoor thermometer.
Got this 10 years ago in Pai, Thailand. It is on my back and nobody sees it. It did lose some color but still glad I got it.My fuchsia did pretty good this year. Another tradition I have after living here for 50+ years.74….damnit
Nice to improve our home security. This camera/light works great. When some one comes up our driveway the lights come on and we can see it from anywhere.
Yeah….we got a Ring Security Camera setup. Brian Cranker installed it and it works great.Summer HangoutMy dad’s dresser (80 yrs. old) & my excellent Vermont desk. Lost all the drawers. I restored it, still works great. My parents bought it in Arlington, Vermont around 1960.Bob the đąMy wife and I went to Waymans Auctions in Middleburg on Saturday nights. We always came back with something. I gave this horse smoking thing to my mom who rode horses. Someday I will clean it up.A nice birthday party. Alissa turns 13 on Wed. and I turn 74 on Aug. 28. We had đ and chicken wings. It was low key and an easy party.
No alcohol in a year…this is what I getGoing to this thing for 45 years. They always have a team of OXENLilacs are back and spreadingI have been making the best chicken vegetable soup.Alissa spent Mothers Day with her mom and her sister AddyNew bread from Jeannie. Brioche…. I love good bread and I appreciate all the work involvedThis trueI bought this in Jordan and now I have 2 more which need to be hemmed. That baby is 12 year old AlissaBob the house cat. 12 lbs. And still hungry…..Why did I build such a tall house?Abby is beautiful and she is a hard worker . so proud that she has a job.
Last day of school..
Alissa and her math teacherAlissa and her English teacher
School’s out for the summer School’s out for ever…
Winter is ending and we got some real snow here. We have a good friend John Lutz who plows us out. He always shows up. The house is warm and we still have wood but it is buried under the snow.
My little sister Jeannie has been baking and sending us cookies and bread. I appreciate the good food and that last loaf of honey bread was the best bread so far. I got some good preserves, now the girls want the best kind…
Jeannie honey breadMy window
When I set at my excellent Vermont wooden desk this is my view. I try to keep the bird feeder full but the chipmunks eat plenty of it.
A clean refrigerator
One day I got up and cleaned our refrigerator. It was a good 3 hour job. Threw out half the stuff. I complain that I do all the cleaning, laundry and food buying. It keeps me going.
Jordan’s Shop
He got promoted. He is now the Manager. He is a great salesman and we are proud of him.
Our cat Bob is taking drugs.1940s ladies
Edith Simpson on the left, my dad’s mom from Portadown, Northern Ireland, in the middle is Rebecca Emmott, my mom’s grandmom from Burnley, UK. and on the right is my Nana.
Mary Alice Emmott, 17 years old, sailed on the S.S. Vestris with her parents James Henry and Rebecca Emmott from Liverpool on 13 March 1920 and arrived at the Port of New York 25 March 1920.
I remember all 3 of these ladies. Edith was a staunch Republican and loved Nixon. Rebecca Emmott had a little black and white TV and we watched it together in her room. She gave me butterscotch candies which I still love today. My nana had a lovely accent and loved gardening and was independent. She drove my mom and aunt Donna across the country by herself back in the 1930s.
My mom and dome in 1973.Zachary and John’s new kitchen
After months of planning, Zachary and John have a new kitchen. I think it looks great. Needs some plants and clutterđ. I am jealous and want to tear out my pathetic kitchen. That is now Jordan and the girls problem.
When I got back from my travels in 2014 my wife had passed and I was now responsible to get my house back together. The upstairs radiators had burst, half of the downstairs ceilings had collapsed and I was very depressed and had no idèa how to recover. Jordan had a friend Mike Snyder who lived down the road who worked on construction. Mike agreed to help me put the house back to “normal”.
When Mike started to get to work I immediately started to call him. MAGIC MIKE. He knew how to do it all. Mike saved my house.
So I saw him off and on throughout the years. Sometimes it was just a beep and a wave as I passed his house. I stopped by a few weeks ago just to say hello. He was so nice, positive and smiling. I did not know that would be the last time. Life is so damn short. Will miss you Magic Mike.
Michael T. Snyder
Michael Thomas Snyder, an East Berne native who cherished his children and life outdoors, died suddenly and peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. He was 42.
Mr. Snyder was born in the city of Albany to David Snyder and Deborah Smith, but raised in the rural Hilltowns, where he fished, hunted, hiked, and took to anything with a motor.
âHe just loved all of it â being out in the open space, and fresh air,â said his mother-in-law, Mae Roberts, who said he had been that way his entire life.
Preferring hands-on learning to formal instruction, Mr. Snyder had entered the workforce after graduating from Berne-Knox-Westerlo, and was most recently a self-employed carpenter, which allowed him to express his knack for putting things together.
Mr. Snyder had five children, whom he was raising as a single father after the death of his wife. He passed his love of the outdoors on to his five children, often taking them fishing off the dock of Warners Lake, or snowmobiling, or sledding down a trail they had made together.
âHe wasnât just a dad,â said his eldest son, Brodan, âhe was a best friend.â
Ms. Roberts called him âthe best dad,â whose children âwere his world.â
âThey were always together and there was just so much love between them,â she said.
In addition to memories of their time spent together, Mr. Snyderâs mother said that he gave to his children, family, and friends âhis large capacity to love.â
âMike has always made you feel loved and safe,â she said. âHis smiles will be greatly missed.â
****
Michael Thomas Snyder is survived by his five children, Brodan, Eliza, Landon, Cashton, and Lilyana; along with his father, David Snyder; his mother, Deborah Smith; his brother, Benjamin Snyder; his mother-in-law, Mae Roberts; his brother-in-law, Justin Dale, and Justinâs wife, Maria; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorial messages can be left at altamontenterprise.com/milestones
Captain Mike
Mike’s Life Celebration
Mike’s family and friends gathered at Thatchers Park on Sunday July 30, 2023. It was a large crowd and plenty of good food. I got to meet Mike’s Mom and Dad…very nice people which I expected because Mike was a great man. I was able to tell them how Magic Mike saved my house.
I tried to take a picture of Mike’s kids. As I looked at all the pictures of Mike and his family I became emotional but hid it well. The guy had plenty of life in the short time he was on earth.
Eliza and MikeAlways the smile.ElizaLandonCashtonLilyana
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