So I thought the other cat was sleeping all the time, but in fact it is only lazy after breakfast.

In the morning it's very active. When we come downstairs it will run towards us and with loud 'miauws' announce that it's hungry.

We went for a nice long walk yesterday; the same 6 mile course that I ran on Saturday. No running today.

I arrived back in Georgetown late last night. The owners of the house where we're staying are coming back soon and they dropped off their two cats recently, so we have some nice company.

Most cats that I know pretend not to like people, at least in the beginning, but not Scruffy. It follows us everywhere we walk, and likes to play. It's twelve years old but very active. The other cat is pretty much sleeping all the time.

I'm staying here a week; Sasha's internship is coming to and end and we'll return together next Saturday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that effective September 8, 2010 a fee of $14 will be charged for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications.

An approved ESTA application is required to use the Visa Waiver Program. This program allows visitors from several countries, including the Netherlands, to travel to the United States for up to 90 day without applying for a visa under certain conditions. The ESTA registration does not apply to holders of a U.S. visa and permanent residents (green card holders).

All new registrations or renewals on or after that date will require a $14.00 fee payment by credit or debit card. Existing ESTA registrations remain valid through their expiration date. $4 of the fee goes to administrative costs; $10 will go towards funding the activities of the Corporation for Travel Promotion.

Background

A valid ESTA approval has been required since January 2009 for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States but up to now it has been free of charge. The Department of Homeland Security, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers fill out en route to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as they begin making travel plans.

More information at the Department of State.

Jonathan, Irena and the kids visited us in Georgetown yesterday and we had a great afternoon in the city.

It was very warm so we stayed mainly in the shadow, and walking along the waterside.

Some pictures.

It's nice to live in a city for a while. We were out of coffee so I just walked to CVS to pick up some.

Many houses in Georgetown are from the colonial era. This gives the city an European feel, especially in the smaller backstreets.