For the past five years my family has hosted foreign exchange students through AFS. In August a high school student arrives at our house and spends a school year as a family member. He/she attends high school, learns/perfects their English, experiences our culture, and at the end of June, goes back to their natural parents. We have hosted Zeno from Verona, Meli from Frankfurt, Luciana from Argentina, Cecilia from Paris, and currently hosting Caterina from Lerici, Italy. It has been a wonderful experience. The kids have all had incredible school years. We are still in touch with each student and have expanded our family across many borders.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day in NYC. Caterina and I set off on a bike ride to Governor’s Island, the retired command center for US Coast Guard North Atlantic operations, just off the southern tip of Manhattan with incredible views of NY Harbor. Unfortunately the ferry does not start running until the end of May. We decided to ride through Red Hook, Brooklyn instead.

Coincidentally I am planning on shooting a fashion editorial for an online magazine and promised the editor location photos of Red Hook. Perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

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