European Cruise - Cadiz, Spain

So last year I started posting our European trip but just didn’t get too far, primarily because I was just too busy. But the other and maybe the real reason was I just enjoyed looking at our daughter's posting of the same trip and I new I couldn’t complete with that. But like she says, my approach is different; different for sure!

Anyway I have already posted our visit to Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga and Casablanca. You can go to previous posts to check out those visits. As you can see by our itinerary, today we will visit Cadiz, which is the gateway to Seville. We elected to stay in Cadiz and not go to Seville.

Plaza de San Antonio named in 1669 after in inauguration of the San Antonio Church in the same year. Prior to this the Plaza was called Campo de la Jara. Along with Plaza de San Juan de Dios, Plaza de San Antonio is and has been one of the most important squares in the city.

The picture turn out a little better with the rain shower we had just before arriving in the square.

One of the many narrow streets leading to the Plaza de San Antonio.

Plaza de San Juan de Dios

Don't you think that it looks as though these cruise ships are parked on the street?

I love this building and walkway under the building.

Isn't this a lovely sign for a restaurant? I noticed many signs for other places as well. Really adds a lot to this beautiful city.

I like this picture for a number of reasons: one I took a similar picture in China so many years ago. With the narrow streets these motocycles would really come in handy.

One more narrow road in the city!

So you can now see why we decided to stay in Cadiz. Yes, Seville would have been a great place to visit with its history, museums, and World Heritage Sites, but maybe another time.

AARP TaxAide Program

I’m Back! I stop blogging last year because I couldn’t find the time with traveling and then, since November, having to get prepared for AARP TaxAide Volunteer Tax Program that I participate in and have for about ten years. It is a great program, even if I have to say so myself.

I serve as a Tax Counselor at the Glens Falls Senior Center as part of the AARP/IRS TaxAide Program. AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. It is available to taxpayers with low- and middle-income with special attention given to those age 60 and older.

The TaxAide program was started in 1968 with four preparers serving about 100 clients. In 2008, the latest information available, there were 32,000 volunteers serving in 7000 sites; these counselors assisted seniors in the filing of over 2.2 million Federal Tax Returns. Of course, we also do the State returns as well.

Our site has about ten counselors; we did about 725 Federal & State Returns last year. We file all returns electronically, except those few that cannot be filed electronically. Now my question is: How much money do you think we have saved the IRS over the years? First, they no longer have to have personnel to serve these clients and secondly, how much are we saving IRS because they are not dealing with paper. I think it is hugh!

A word about our counselors; the most important aspect about this program. We are mostly retired. All are great to work with and give of their time freely. They are good people! I’m amazed at the number of people who donate their time each year to help seniors get their returns prepared especially the leaders in our region who almost work full-time in this program as volunteers. They are great people and wonderful to work with!