Returned from US trip

Our trip to the US was marked by a few odd events: an emergency landing on the way to San Francisco (some poor guy had a heart attack), followed by a strike at the hotel where I was staying (they banged on drums, blew horns, and yelled through bullhorns to disturb guests--- almost around the clock). Then Julian came down with chicken pox. Aside from all that, the trip was excellent, and it was wonderful to see friends and family again.