Robert K Stephen (CSW)

“Travels to a Different Time” : June 19, 1971: So Much for Italian Spaghetti Sauce in Venice! Good-Bye Fritz!

Woken up at 5 in the morning with Russian radio over the speakers! We had breakfast chugging along a canal and at 9 a.m. we docked in Venice. We grabbed a water taxi on the shore to take us to a bank where Fritz could change some money. After that we took a number 1Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : June 19, 1971: So Much for Italian Spaghetti Sauce in Venice! Good-Bye Fritz!”

“Travels to a Different Time” : June 17, 1971: An Onboard Romance?

June 17, 1971, Letter From Margaret Mary Stephen to Diane and Gerald Frank: We left Athens yesterday on a beautiful Russian luxury ship. We will be onboard 4 days and our first stop is Corfu right near Jackie O’s Island. Then to Venice and Dubrovnik in Yugoslavia where we will get off and stay forContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : June 17, 1971: An Onboard Romance?”

“Travels to a Different Time ” :June 18 ,1971: Vodka Flowing Like Water and Caviar Like Bargain Basement Fish Eggs: God Bless the Russians!

I woke up today like a new person with no temperature and my skin is no longer on fire. I went to the upper deck to get some fresh air and luckily no sun at least for today so far! I saw Fritz having a swim in the pool so I joined him after gettingContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” :June 18 ,1971: Vodka Flowing Like Water and Caviar Like Bargain Basement Fish Eggs: God Bless the Russians!”

RKS Wine: Trying to Find One of the Smoothest and Most Delicious Red Wines: The Tears of Christ

Was it the view of the Bay of Naples? Was it the sights of Capri and Sorrento? Or was it actually the wine? Four years ago when air travel was simply a pain as opposed to today’s huge pain and hassle I was in Naples for 5 days courtesy of the EU to do someContinue reading “RKS Wine: Trying to Find One of the Smoothest and Most Delicious Red Wines: The Tears of Christ”

“Travels to a Different Time” : June 6, 1971: Welcome Comrades on Our Cruise Ship Adsharia: Puking in My Shoes: No Corfu!

Diary Entry Margaret Mary Stephen: We boarded the Russian cruise ship Adsharia at Piraeus disembarking at Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia. We were delightfully surprised by the large cabin, air conditioning and a porthole. As soon as we boarded we were requested to go for lunch in the dining room which was painted a cool green with womenContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : June 6, 1971: Welcome Comrades on Our Cruise Ship Adsharia: Puking in My Shoes: No Corfu!”

RKS Film: “The Other Me”: Hansel and Gretel, Blindness and Sexuality

When is the last time you had a puzzle to solve? Would some hints have been helpful? In the film “The Other Me” you end up thinking what is the scene all about? Why was this and that said? There are numerous clues thrown at you in “The Other Person” and for me it wasContinue reading “RKS Film: “The Other Me”: Hansel and Gretel, Blindness and Sexuality”

“Travels to a Different Time” : June 12-16, 1971: In a Holding Pattern in Athens for the Next Big Move

June 12: We arrived in Athens from JFK at 4 a.m.and after phoning the Milagressi’s at 7 a.m. we took a taxi to their place. We went shopping with Niovi buying lots of fruits and vegetables. We enjoyed a big bowl of cherries and at noon it was 93 degrees and 87 in the house.Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : June 12-16, 1971: In a Holding Pattern in Athens for the Next Big Move”

“Travels to a Different Time” : June 11, 1971 (New York and Athens): Up Up and Away! Three Chicken Dinners and Two Lunches Down the Hatch!

Up at 8:30, had a shower and fully packed at 9:30. At ten we were out the door in a cab to pick up a stew Brigitte who would be working our flight to Athens from JFK. To our surprise at the ONA terminal office we ran into Barb and her friend Marx who hadContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : June 11, 1971 (New York and Athens): Up Up and Away! Three Chicken Dinners and Two Lunches Down the Hatch!”

“Travels to a Different Time” : June 9/10, 1971: Piddling Around in New York; Where in the World Are We Going? We are Going to Athens!

June 9, 1971: I woke up at 9 a.m. and refused a ham sandwich for breakfast. I went to Sloan’s Supermarket and bought some groceries. But then Mom told me to go out again and get some more groceries. For lunch mom made some hamburgers and not having eaten breakfast I had three of them.Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : June 9/10, 1971: Piddling Around in New York; Where in the World Are We Going? We are Going to Athens!”

RKS Wines: Portuguese Wines from Lisboa

My heart in Portugal for wine rests in the Douro Valley. I have been there numerous times and met many winemakers but it is getting tugs toward the Dão, Alentejano and Lisboa because of some very exciting wines that keep their Portuguese identity using Portuguese grapes but add Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Alicante Bouschet toContinue reading “RKS Wines: Portuguese Wines from Lisboa”