Hi Chris: I just now finished reading your profile on Borderland Tours, checked out the photos and see what a privilege it would be to accompany you. I've briefly crossed paths with Rick Taylor a couple of times here in Arizona and, not surprisingly, have his book. We live close to Madera Canyon and often go there. Recently, I observed two elf owls mating when I happened by their preferred location at dusk. And when I was up there a couple of mornings ago I saw my first-time-this-year blue grosbeaks, varied buntings, and sulphur-bellied flycatchers.

My husband is not a birder, altho' he's been a very good sport and enjoys being out and about as much as I do. Since I started birding the late 80s we've been to Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Venezuela, South Africa, and of course Mexico (since we now live right next door). These trips have been of a more general appreciative-of-nature experience, since I've never been with a group. I've rarely encountered other birders (except here in Arizona and in Mexico, in the mountains east of Mazatlan) and my lists aren't very impressive. For instance, while in Venezuela, we didn't rent a car and had quite limited exposure to the country - only the Pico Humbolt Trail (we stayed at La Casona de Tabay - the only guests there) and four days in the llanos in the company of French tourists who were primarily interested in fishing and anacondas. Not that piranha, peacock bass, caimans, capybaras, and various other flora and fauna of the llano weren't interesting. They most certainly were. And I did get to see hoatzin, flocks of scarlet ibis and many other avian wonders. We stayed at a basic fishing camp near Bruzual and slept in hammocks. Given the cramped quarters, I arranged to have my hammock hung outdoors in the yard - a much more pleasant set-up. On the way back to Merida we drove right on by the cock-of-the-rock territory without stopping. My favorite all-too-brief venue was a shade-grown coffee plantation (can't recall where) - tanager heaven.

posted by tropics at 2:33 pm (EST) on Jun 7, 2008

I'm always up for recommendations of any sort, 'new' country or not. In terms of my challenge I only have Ecuador and Suriname to 'visit'. I have Jorge Icaza's 'Huaspinga' winging its way via bookmooch, which just leaves Suriname. I have found lots of Dutch Surinamese writers, but nothing translated into English. Do you know of anything?

posted by depressaholic at 12:12 pm (EST) on Apr 22, 2008

I wish you much happiness with Proust - really reading any of the translations is worthwhile and delightful and will fill up your life - lucky you!

Elizabeth or enevada

posted by enevada at 9:15 am (EST) on Dec 1, 2007

Hi Chris, you gave I. Compton-Burnett's Mother and Son two and a half stars?! What don't you like about it? I thought it was quite brilliant and should deserve 4 stars at least. :)

posted by hansel714 at 7:46 pm (EST) on Nov 26, 2007