I was tagged yet again for the “eight random facts about yourself” meme and I am of course flattered and honored – although I will also admit that if I get tagged yet again, I will be tempted to fight back by revealing things some people would probably prefer I did not. I have done this meme before, in an earlier version and a later one. I like the essay accompanying the later one, and I encourage everyone to read it. I am revising the meme to eight key facts, and half a fact as lagniappe. Why eight and a half? Because the creative crowd has modified the meme in this Fellini-esque manner.
1. I would rather live outside the United States than in it.
2. I not only prefer, but virtually need to live in large, cosmopolitan cities.
3. I like my garden a great deal. Before getting one, I did not know I would like gardens, but I like them a great deal.
4. I like high altitudes and mountainous terrain.
5. I adore the beach.
6. My favorite small town is Cusco, especially as it was before it got so touristy.
7. My least favorite metropolitan area is Dallas-Fort Worth.
8. My favorite country is Mexico. Given the material in items 1 and 2, this strongly suggests I should be living in Mexico City – although I would also be happy with Lima, which has beaches, or of course Paris.
8 1/2. I have had a star-like formation of spider veins on the inside of one knee since I was 28. I want to get it zapped. This costs hundreds, not thousands. I will probably buy a material object or a plane ticket instead.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 
I have a spider too (I’m not saying where). I also like gardens.
I love living in Hawaii. But I may be a little too content with it. I’ve lived in so many hard places, and Hawaii is wonderfully easy.
Of course I love, love Paris. Who doesn’t? It is a dream of a city, where paradoxically I always feel at home.
I lived in Germany for a while and in Switzerland for almost 13 years, so I have had the living and vacationing experience in Europe. Not to say that I don’t want to travel there again, especially in France and Spain.
I am very much into things German, but that’s more like work! There are places I want to see there too.
I’ve never been to Mexico, which is odd, since my grandmother’s family came from there.
Mostly, I travel to see my grandkids these days. Maybe the wanderfoot will return some day.
Well, I’m chatty, no?
Ah, Hawaii – so that is why the light is so beautiful in your photographs … I’ve never been there. I am sure it is interesting as well as beautiful.
I don’t have any spider veins but I have some hypopigmentation on my forehead. I don’t know whether to keep this or not, because they distinguish me from others and are like war wounds to me (albeit very subtle).
Yes, it is beautiful here and also historically and culturally fascinating, which you wouldn’t expect if you just go by the tourist brochures.
And of course Mother Nature keeps us well supplied with natural disasters so we don’t get too complacent.
Gotta go out on the deck and see how the volcano’s doing. (Truth.)