Tag Archives: River Cruise

Life at 65

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AMA Vida River Cruise

I was very anxious to be ageless this summer. All year long, I am reminded of my age as I deal with business people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. I am okay just as long as there are no mirrors around. The minute I see myself surrounded by all the youngsters, I am shocked. I can’t believe how much time has gone by.

A few months ago, I somehow felt that if I could escape to Europe for a few weeks this summer, I would not constantly be reminded of my age. I would tour around and fantasize about all of the possibilities that lie ahead. Eliot and I finally planned a trip to Portugal and Spain. We booked an AMA Waterways cruise on the Douro River and then a few days in Madrid.

That is where I am now. I am typing to you from my riverboat suite. This trip was everything I imagined, and more. In addition to my clothes, all I needed was my laptop, iPhone, and iPad to make it work. I am five hours ahead so the work schedule is very accommodating. When I am out touring around, New York is sleeping. When I am back in my hotel room at the end of the day, New York is just getting ready for a full day’s work.

I am free to be me. For the last 10 days, the riverboat cruise has renewed my energy. Most passengers are in their 60s. A handful are older than that. We also have several couples in their 30s and 40s. A real mixed bag.

It was pretty evident that there were many people on this trip who felt just like me. We all wanted to see every inch of Portugal plus spend a decent amount of time relaxing, schmoozing, and tasting the wines and ports of the region.

Life doesn’t get much better than this. Thanks to the Internet and innovative technology, I am able to be where I want to be, and take on whatever persona I want to for an hour, a few days, or even a few weeks.

A must watch video of seniors pretending to be young again on the sun deck of the AMA Vida. Catch Eliot making his moves.

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Visiting the only Synagogue in Porto

The following pictures are from the day in Porto.

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SENIORS OCCUPY TECHNOLOGY

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The notion that many people over 55 are afraid of technology, is really something we’ve brought on ourselves. Did you ever notice that when someone really wants to learn something, they somehow do it quickly? I marvel at how many of my friends own iPads, read books on a Kindle or a Nook, text all day long, play Words With Friends and spend hours on Facebook.

I don’t know why, but I just love when I see people around my age or older using technology. I guess that is why I decided to write this blog. I have said it so many times before and I will say it hundreds of more times, now is a great time to be alive. The digital revolution never ceases to amaze me.

Last summer I was on a riverboat (AMAWaterways Amalegro ) cruising the country side of Germany on the Mosel and Rhine rivers. We started in Luxembourg and ended in Amsterdam. This type  of cruise usually draws the 50-and-above crowd who want to see the world after a lifetime of working. While we saw some of the most incredible sights in the world, the one that surprised me the most, was watching this crowd embrace their electronics after a day of touring.

Yesteryear, most older folks would retire to their staterooms for a nap. Not this group. Everyone rushed to the main parlor with its oversized panoramic windows to send emails, read their novels on ebooks or play electronic games. I remember vividly sitting in that room day after day with tears in my eyes and my heart filled with emotion because I was witnessing a dramatic lifestyle change.

Just because I worked in the tech business, it doesn’t mean that I was the only one exposed to the advantages of electronics. The word was spreading. Just a year ago it was novel to see the senior generation reading an ebook. Today it is totally weird to see them with the printed version. We are now at a place in our lives, where my generation, who’ve worked hard for the money they’ve made, are enjoying the comforts they’ve earned. Technology being one of them. Watch out world. Hear us roar. We are the ones who are going to dictate the needs of the digital revolution in the very near future.