Reflections of 2007 and 2008...

Many years ago I changed my new year's resolution. Rather than making my same ones I'd made and broken for years, such as losing weight, I came up with a much better idea. I made one simple resolution. It leaves a lot open, but has a definite focus. This morning as I was thinking about the upcoming year and my resolution, I began to reflect that I have actually succeeded in accomplishing it for the last two years! That is quite an accomplishment! It took a while to break out of the routine of life and take chances, but I did. And so once again I think I will stick with my great resolution, the one that has made my life so exciting, and do my best to once again, make it happen! My one simple resolution: MAKE THIS THE BEST YEAR EVER! And everyone who knows me knows I have done exactly that for the last 2 years! So I might as well get ready for one more incredible year because my resolution stays the same!

2007 ended and 2008 began as I returned from an incredible trip to Antarctica where I'd spent almost 3 weeks with my friends, Terry and Peter from England, in Argentina and on an Antarctic cruise. New people came into my life on that trip who have remained important parts of my life. There were Pat and Ernie, Terry's parents; Diana and Alec, also from England who I have seen throughout this year; Kevin, the 'polar bear' man from Churchill, Manitoba (polar bear capital of the world) who was a naturalist on the ship and who helped me with information about polar bear land, and who I saw again in the tundra of Canada; and Nestor and César, the gaucho performers from Argentina, who I hope to see again someday. Nestor and I keep in touch by email, not quite as much fun as communicating in person, but he still makes me laugh and when I miss him, I just watch his performances on youtube!

Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas on the Marco Polo was probably the most memorable holiday of my life! Christmas Eve was formal night on the ship so everyone was dressed up, we were served the best meal of the trip and I went directly on the deck after dinner, in time to watch as we sailed through a pod of humpback whales! When I went inside, long after we were sure there were no more whales to be seen, I spent the evening with Nestor and César, playing our usual game of Charades. They both spoke little English, although César had just returned from performing for months in the US so he had more English knowledge than Nestor, and my Spanish from my college days was rusty and muy mal! Our communication over the 2 weeks had gotten very good and we all learned bits of the other language and laughed a lot! So we spent the evening together and toasted the holiday, in Spanish, with eggnog served by the ship. Spending that holiday in the Antarctic meant seeing the midnight sun once again. I'd seen it on my birthday in July, above the Arctic Circle on my Norwegian cruise and I was ready to see it once again last year, but this time in the southern hemisphere. The weather was clear and when I went outside on the deck, I was alone in the middle of the night's stunning beauty! My pictures of the 'sunset', the sun sitting on the horizon at 11:58PM were beautiful! I took many and then finally went inside to bed. I had to be up at 5:30 the next morning because we were the first group to go ashore on Paradise Island to see the chinstrap penguins. I awoke at 2AM, looked out my window and once again the 'midnight sun' sky was so incredible, I had to get up, get dressed and go outside for more pictures! I could sleep later! (Little did I know that I would be very seasick as we sailed through the Drake Passage later that day and I'd be spending 14 hours flat on my back!) After the photos I took another nap before preparing to return for the last time to 'the ice'.

We were lucky to be the first group to the island on Christmas morning, we were the only group to get to spend the whole time on land, well on the ice. It was very cold and started snowing quite hard while we were there. Then the wind picked up and the ride back to the ship in the zodiac was the roughest we'd had. If it had been my first, I am sure it would have been my last! But it was the 4th trip and by then I had confidence in the zodiac pilot that he would return us safely to the ship. Unfortunately the wind continued to pick up and the next group had to leave the island quickly, which we were all prepared to do if necessary because the zodiacs could not be on the ocean if the winds exceeded 30 knots. The last two groups faced what was probably one of the biggest disappointments of their lives, they were not able to go ashore at all. So they missed the last opportunity to walk with penguins in the wild. We waited for quite a while to see if the weather would improve, it did not, so we headed back to Argentina. Each of us had our heads full of the most incredible experiences and I'm sure others were as emotional as I was at the entire experience.

The year was almost over, and I had seen and done things that I had never dreamed I'd do. Things most people will never do. Things that truly made my life incredible and when I thought about it, I realized that I had finally accomplished my new year's resolution, I HAD made it the best year ever! And so I decided that my goal for 2008 would be the same. As this year comes to an end, I realize that this has been my best year ever! And so, 2009 will be incredible because it will have to be, to be 'my best year ever'!

And to each of you, I wish you the same! Your best year ever!

Arriverderci Roma...Again...from home

I have arrived home, safe and sound, once again. I am always quite thankful when I walk off the plane back in America. This time was especially meaningful after what had happened at the airport in Mumbai. My heart goes out to all of the people who experienced that terror, even though I am not aware of many of the details. I was thankful to arrive at the Leonardo DaVinci airport and see all of the armed guards everywhere. It was Justin's first time flying out of a foreign airport and he put it well, he said he felt like he was in a James Bond movie! He even spotted guards standing on a ledge around the top of the inside terminal. So we survived the 11.5 hour flight from Rome to Atlanta and by the time I reached home I'd been awake 24 hours, with only a 2 hr. nap on the long flight.

Our day in Roma left something to be desired with the weather, but even in the cold, dark, stormy day, it was magnificent! We didn't get to see nearly enough, but what we saw was thrilling! And the Trevi Fountain was my favorite place! I never expected it to be so huge and awesome! There is no way a picture can ever capture the magnificence of it! One has to stand there in person! And yes, we both threw a coin in the fountain, with our right hands backwards, so we will both be back in Rome!* We stopped at a little pizzaria and chose our pizza from a large selection. It is flat, rectangular and has a thin crust. They charge by the weight, then heat it up, fold it and hand it to you piping hot to enjoy! What a thrill! However I believe that the gelato was the highlight for Justin. He tasted several flavors before he made his choice and said it was the best food he had ever eaten! And the way it is displayed is appealing to the eye and stomach too! So we ate gelato in the cold rain next to the Trevi Fountain, not a bad way to spend a day!

I had dinner at the hotel, we stayed at the Hilton at the Airport so it would be convenient for our departure the next morning. I usually do it that way and once again I was not disappointed. They had a free shuttle into the city so that made it even a better choice. I have discovered that the convenience minimizes my stress level greatly. I didn't expect dinner at a hotel to be that impressive, but I asked the main dining room manager what pasta she would recommend for someone who had only the one meal to try something in Rome. She had the chef create a special dish, one that was not on the menu but is the most popular in Rome. It was noodles thicker than spaghetti and the sauce was divine! I could not tell you the name, of the noodles or the dish, but it was the most perfect last meal to have in Italy, without a doubt! Unfortunately I didn't have an ounce of room for the gelato, so that will have to wait until the next trip!*

Sitting safely at home I can reflect on this latest adventure and although it was not the best, there were some definite highlights that will make it memorable in good ways too. There was the fact that my British friends, Peter and Terry, were on the trip with me and seeing them was delightful! We didn't get to spend a lot of time together, but as always, they took good care of me and checked on me and helped ground me with all that I was dealing with! And as always they were a wealth of information, they are quite the travelers! And I was back in Mykonos and that was amazing! I loved the other Greek Islands too, each spectacular in a different way and they were a delight! The interesting sights and experiences, were as always, inspiring. And I know that Justin will have wonderful memories of his first trip to Europe.

*I had planned for this to be my last European adventure for a long, long time, but since there were challenges and bad weather that prevented us from seeing and doing everything I wanted, the next trip is in the planning stages. If all goes as planned, I will be flying to Rome to meet César for a few days during his vacation in January! (you know, I did throw that coin in the fountain!) It isn't a high tourist time so it is looking like we can put together a nice trip for a reasonable price, and being with him will make it a delightful, exciting trip, regardless of the weather, one which I am sure I will be content with as my last for a long time as I head back to work and school. So, as is typical for me, I am ending one international experience as I am planning the next.

One really never knows where life will take us!

End of the Mediterranean Season

Today was a cold rainy day in Naples,proof that the season has ended and winter is settling in. Justin climbed to the crater of Mt. Vesuvius and although the climb wasn't long, it was quite steep and he said it was so cold and wet it was hard to enjoy the sights. But he did it, he stood on the edge of the still active volcano that buried Pompeii in the year 79AD. Incredible. He said the trip through Pompeii was interesting but cold and uncomfortable too after the climb. I think he was quite proud that he had accomplished that. He said he was sore, but didn't think it was the 5.5 mile hike they said it was.

I took a different, easier excursion to the Isle of Capri. I'd heard it was beautiful and was excited to see it but was really disappointed. Partly because of the cold rainy weather, but also because it was not as beautiful as the Amalfi coast to me. And most of the stores had closed for the season so there wasn't a lot to do there. We had a delicious lunch in Capri and had combined transportation of the something foil boat to the island, then a tiny mercedes van up the island to the top, then a funicular down to the bottom and back again on the something foil boat, which was the roughest ride I ever remember taking on a boat. I was lucky, I didn't get sick, but many people did and the crew walked around with plastic bags passing them out to sick passengers. What an ending to this trip! It reminded me of the rides at Disneyland and although I felt safe; after all, I've been in a bus on it's side in a ditch in an Arctic blizzard, I was glad when we reached shore safely! I am sure the island is much more attractive on a warm, sunny day. There was an elderly lady sitting next to me who was quite excited about this trip. When she was 10, a child in Argentina, her mother had her read a book by a Swedish doctor, called something like "The Story of St. Michel" and all her life she wanted to visit the top of the Isle of Capri to visit this home and finally she was there. It was so inspiring to see someone's dreams come true, reminded me of my visit to Monet's Garden in Giverny. She was not disappointed and one of her life goals was accomplished today. Touching!

We disembark in the morning and will take the shuttle into Rome and spend the day sightseeing there before heading home on Saturday. What a trip this has been, challenging, but hopefully there will be good results someday.

Ephesus was incredible, it was beautiful and amazing to walk on the same streets that Cleopatra and Marc Antony (the original one) rode on in a chariot. Cleopatra was an interesting character. She wanted Egypt and the Roman Empire to join and then she would have a child who would rule everything. She had all of her siblings killed and one of them, Arsenica (?) escaped and lived in Ephesus. Cleopatra found her and had a spy slowly poison her and there is a large monument to her because she was so loved there. And that poison, previously unnamed, is now called arsenic!

Another highlight of Kusadasi was the visit to the Virgin Mary's small little home that is where she lived until her death in 39AD. The authenticity has been confirmed and Justin and I stood where many popes have stood and prayed in the past. That was a wonderful experience, even not being Catholic. Very inspiring place and an interesting story as to how a German nun had revalations that led people all the way to Ephesus to find it.

Visiting Athens and seeing the Parthenon on the Acropolis was another exciting tour we took. After seeing it and learning that it is an optical illusion, we enjoyed some time to shop and have lunch at a sidewalk cafe. An optical illusion?? It appears to be a square, but isn't, a great story!

And so my last big trip with fascinating sights and people comes to an end, and now I will have Justin to share my memories with!

Stunning Santorini

Just when I thought I'd seen the most beautiful that Greece has to offer, we visited Santorini! The arrival and seeing the town up on top of a cliff is quite dramatic. We arrived at the island on tenders and had 3 ways to get to the top to the city of Fira. One could climb the almost 600 steps, ride up on donkey or ride up on a cable car. Justin chose the donkey and was whisked away before my very eyes to be put on the back of the poor burros who climb up and down the steps all day. What an adventure he said that was! I waited in the line to ascend by cable car and it went almost straight up and I believe it was even steeper than the one César and I took in the Alps. Arriving at the top was quick, and when I met up with Justin we began our exploration of the beautiful village. Just like all of the pictures! So many shops and so many beautiful things to see and well, buy! We had lunch overlooking the harbor and our ship, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect! Blue skies and cool temperatures. I tried some Greek cuisine, the Greek salad and a cheese pie and for dessert decided to try the chocolate banana crepes. All was delicious but I was surprised when the crepes came out with apples on top, guess there were no bananas there. Delicious lunch and then it was more walking and shopping. I am not sure I would ever tire of the view of the white homes on the mountain sides. We did not make it to the village on the other side of the island, guess that is something for my next visit!

Now I believe that all of the Greek islands must be incredibly beautiful and I will begin looking forward to my next trip to explore them once again!

Grand Day at the Grand Bazaar

Unfortunately the day was dark, cold and rainy as we approached Istanbul so the skyline was shrouded in a cloak of fog. As we disembarked for the day the rain was coming down lightly and did so off and on all day. But it didn't stop anyone from making the most of the destination! I was lucky that my British friends were willing to accompany me on the ship's shuttle to the area of the Grand Bazaar. I was pleasantly surprised as the surroundings, not at all the intimidating place I had imagined. However, without the two men with me, it might have been a very different scene. I didn't need a thing, but managed to find a few things I couldn't live without! Hmmmm, maybe I could have lived without the tiny Aladdin's lamp or the muslim hat or the ceramic dish, but probably not. I took some great pictures of colorful scenes, Murray will like them! I think I should do a book, "Colors of the Grand Bazaar". I really could have spent hours there I think, snapping pictures and purchasing delightful little trinkets!

We walked to the Blue Mosque and it was quite a long walk, we took the scenic route and were in places I'm not sure it was a good idea to be, but we did find the mosque and enjoyed the experience, so different from what I've seen before. Then we sampled the round sesame bread that resembled what I'd had in Greece. We went to the St. Sofia mosque and there I had a little bit of a problem. I was waiting outside for the guys and they closed and locked the entrance gate, with me inside. I tried to explain in English that I had to wait where I was for my friends and would have to get out later. In Turkish they were letting me know I could not get out later and it became a problem. Finally they went and got one of the representatives who could speak English and he convinced them to let me stay inside the grounds near the exit for my friends. I was afraid to stand on the street alone as it was getting dark. Finally the mess was resolved and I waited where I felt safe for my friends. Then I joined a tour bus and made it back to the shuttle point and safely back to the ship. Whew! I might take the tour tomorrow I'm scheduled for but I've seen everything except the Topkapi Palace so I might just stay on the ship and rest my legs! Probably not, I hate to miss anything in these exciting places. The ship is quiet tonight, many have gone ashore, but I was too tired and Justin has already gone to sleep in preparation for his early morning tour tomorrow.

So, good night from Istanbul!

Thanksgiving at Sea on Celebrity

Jenny asked, so here is our incredible Thanksgiving dinner menu, at least the foods we tried:
appetizers - crab and corn cakes, pumpkin filled gnocchi
soups - butternut squash soup, chilled apple caramel soup
salads - mixed greens with goat cheese, pecans and cranberries
main entree - delicious 'real' turkey with sweet potatoes, dressing and green beans
dessert - pumpkin cream cheese pie with praline sauce
Yes, a delicious dinner! And we have to remember that many people on this cruise don't even celebrate Thanksgiving! Here's hoping your dinner was delightful and your life filled with blessings to be thankful for!

Turkey Day in Turkey

Okay, this isn't totally true, we aren't in Turkey to celebrate the holiday but on our tour today we did see Turkey across the Aegean Sea, so that was pretty special! How many people can say they were near Turkey on Turkey day! In two days we will actually be there. It's strange to be away from America on Thanksgiving Day, there just isn't any feel of a holiday so far. One of the few choices for lunch at the buffet was a breaded barbeque turkey patty, not bad, but I'm hoping for a more traditional meal at dinner.

This trip is different from my last and has many challenges. Unfortunately I can say little good about Celebrity Cruise Lines. Princess excels by far in many ways and my friends agree. I guess it is getting us to our destinations safely and that is a big deal. Being with my nephew is a huge challenge, his life has fallen apart and he is having a hard time and is pushing the limits of acceptable behavior. I am not giving in and it has been a battle but I think now things will be a little more pleasant because if not, he will be returning home early and I will happily be alone on this trip. Outside of the challenges, the trip is nice.

We arrived in Rome to a terrible cold and rainy day, but we were lucky enough to get the tour of the city before heading to the ship. Seeing the coliseum was exciting and actually being in Rome was a thrill for both of us. We had time to enjoy St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican and then headed to the ship. We had a rough night and were both a little sick, but by the next morning all was much better and we had a great sea day relaxing and sleeping. Yesterday we spent in my favorite port, Mykonos. And it is still my favorite, I love the beauty and the calm feel. Most of the town was already closed up for the winter so it was quiet. Justin and I wandered and although my favorite bakery was closed, we did get to the shop where my friend was and luckily we were there then, it was the last day she would be open this season. We made the walk through the beautiful streets to the windmills, probably the most famous site there. And they were beautiful. People say you must see a sunset in Mykonos and we did, but from the village square, not as beautiful as from the windmills I hear. But it was lovely and my friends have pictures so we will get to see that beauty too. I was sad to leave, but looked forward to the other islands.

Today we were in Rhodes, and had a tour around the island. We went to an incredible ancient city, built in 600BC with running water! Amazing! We walked through the beautiful old town, inside the castle walls and it was charming. I think Justin is enjoying his first trip to Europe and all of the beautiful sights! Tomorrow is a new adventure, as we will ascend to the village of Santorini for views as beautiful as Mykonos I hear. Soon we will know for sure!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

It's a Small World After All - Atlanta, Georgia version

Well today was the big day, I flew to Atlanta where I met my nephew, Justin, for our big adventure. We arrived at the airport close to the same time, his plane was early, mine late, but we found each other easily and made our way to our hotel near the airport. Justin decided to take a nap and I checked out the surroundings and came to the computer room to check email, the last time it will be free for 2 weeks. So I come into this tiny 'business center' and there are only 2 computers and one is taken by a nice looking young man. When I opened my email I had a letter from my cousin in Austin with some suggestions of restaurants for a friend of mine from Denver who is visiting there. So I decide to call her in Austin and give her the names. I am trying to talk quietly because I didn't want to bother the other person. So when I get to the 2nd suggestion, he says that is one of his favorite places to eat, she should definitely go there! By the way it is a barbeque place called Iron Works, just in case you are ever in Austin looking for a good place to eat. I looked at him and asked if he was from Austin and he said he was from Denver and I said that was cool, I was too! So we had a discussion about other good places he knew of there and I hung up with my friend and she had quite a list by then. I start talking to him, as César says all Americans do, and we shared a lot of stories about travel and how much we love it. He said he was going soon to Europe, London and somewhere else but he wasn't sure where. I asked if he had considered Portugal because I have a friend who lives there and it is beautiful. He said he might consider that so I decided to give him César's email address and told him to contact him before he went to work out meeting him and seeing the sights with him. So we introduced ourselves and he has a very unusual name, one which I'd only heard of as a friend of some of my friends. A little history: I went to Paris with my friend Sharyn in March to celebrate her 40th birthday because her brother was working there at the time. César flew there from Lisboa to meet us and take care of us with his French and his European savvy. Well, it turns out this is a good friend of theirs and he had also heard a lot about me and has even seen our pictures that Rich took in France! AMAZING! So here, in a little room in a hotel in Atlanta I met a person who is a good friend with some of my good friends! Small world...again? still? He typed César a letter as we sat here and invited him to Denver and told him I had introduced them sort of! I guess there is no end to these experiences, wherever you are and whatever you are doing! I am sure this person and I will stay in contact by email now and who knows maybe someday he will visit Portugal and meet my friend César, or better still, maybe someday César will visit me and meet his new friend here!

Tomorrow morning we are going to the Georgia Aquarium with my friends from here and then we will have lunch and hang out at the airport for our trip to Rome and on to the Mediterranean! Justin is glad to be going and I am glad to have him for company, he needed this break and being with him will be like old times. Not to mention it is great to have a man along to help me with my luggage! More from Italy and the ship...later!

The Snow Walker/Summer Lovers

Just a week ago I was returning from the fabulous frigid polar bear adventure in Churchill and in just a week I will be on my way to Rome to cruise the Mediterranean with my British friends, Peter and Terry, and my nephew Justin. Quite a contrast in scenery and weather!

My last trip truly was my ultimate adventure and I am not quite ready to give up the polar bear experience so I rented the movie, "The Snow Walker" and watched it as Denver was getting it's first snow of the season. Our snow was melted within hours, quite a contrast to the frigid north where I spent almost a week. The movie was filmed in Canada, in Churchill and surrounding areas. I could 'feel' the blizzard in the movie, having just experienced one in the same place, and was quite glad I was not lost in the tundra like the main characters! I actually enjoyed the 'Making of the Movie' part of the dvd the best! It showed the places I was familiar with and even showed the Tundra Buggies that helped the crew make the movies. There were some shots of polar bears, lazing around in the summer and in one part they showed a male running toward the crew very quickly and the crew had to get on the vehicles, but the bear was darted and tranquilized before it reached the movie set. Watching him run, I understood how quickly the bears can run, up to 60 KM an hour they said on the film! I wondered if Kevin was driving one of the vehicles, that is the company he works for in the winter and next time I see him I will find out. The movie was good, the scenery and movie making explanations great! When you are in the mood for a wintry, survival film, check it out.

And to prepare for my upcoming travels, I borrowed the movie "Summer Lovers" from a friend and watched it again. It is an old movie and I saw it many years ago and remembered the main story line, but much of the rest was lost in time. It was filmed in Greece, mostly in Santorini, but also in Mykonos, two of the destinations I am heading to next week. The scenery was beautiful and reminded me why I love Mykonos so much! Unbelievably beautiful! I know that Santorini will be as beautiful and interesting to visit.

Watching movies that were filmed in places I have seen in person is an interesting experience. I usually get lost in a film, it takes me away, but I've noticed that if I have been there, it takes me back in my memory rather than to places unknown. Not a bad thing and the movies seem so much more real. I wonder if there are other movies I will watch and have the same reaction?

Just some thoughts to share. I will begin preparing for my next adventure tomorrow. Justin will fly from Dallas and meet me in Atlanta on Saturday evening and we will visit with some good friends who live near there who I haven't seen in many years on Sunday. Then we will leave in the afternoon for Rome. This is Justin's first transatlantic trip so I hope he loves it as much as I do! We arrive in Rome on Monday morning and take the shuttle straight to the ship that sails Monday night. I'm sure this will be a lot of fun, being with people I know!

Stay warm and enjoy my polar bear pictures...until the ones of the mediterranean are on my sites!

Snow Walker/ Polar Bear Memories/The Ultimate Adventure

Snow Walker...ever heard of that movie? Just the Snow Walker part is the title of the movie that was filmed just outside Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, polar bear capital of the world. I saw the little hut that was used in the movie so now this movie is on my 'have to see' list. It seems to fit this whole trip, snow walkers we became! Churchill was in the midst of one of the earliest snowstorms and we flew back to Winnipeg in their first big storm of the year too! I arrived to an icy, windy mess and was told that the snow would be very deep this morning. And it is! It is beautiful here, I'm getting used to a setting filled with the frigid white stuff and believe I wouldn't be too happy spending the winter in one of these places, but I know I will be back! What a polar bear dream this has all been!

When I try to write, my mind fills with stories of my adventures, stories of the people I've met and of images of the most incredible animal on earth (in my opinion) roaming free on the tundra. It all truly brings tears to my eyes when I think of it. Such a moving three days, that felt like it could have been 3 weeks or 3 months will all that I saw and did! And still it didn't seem long enough. This was truly the ultimate adventure!!

The weather was perfect for polar bears and they were much more active than they had been in the warmer weather. They are preparing to head out over the ice to once again eat. The bears go through the summer with little food and are hungry this time of year. The polar rover, the large tundra vehicle we were on for the 2nd day of viewing was a very interesting mode of transportation. It is a very large machine with a warm comfy interior. The windows go down for perfect polar bear viewing and pictures, and there is a deck on the back that is open and offers a great viewing platform. We were unbelievably lucky because a mother bear and her 2 cubs walked right down the tracks the rover had made in the snow and stood up to see us in the deck, putting them level with the bottom of the platform. Unfortunately, very unfortunately, I was not in the front and not able to get good pictures of this amazing happening. Hopefully some of the people who refused to move from their front spots are going to email me some of the incredible pictures they got, but it is an experience that makes me sad to have missed. I do wish the driver would have encouraged people to take turns at the amazing sight, but they didn't, so I missed seeing it all first hand. The floor of the platform is very thick grating and one bear, perhaps the mother was standing up sniffing that and I can say that her nose was about 2 inches from my foot, with the metal grate the only thing between us. That was a nice experience, but the pictures are not good at all. I got about a minute to see a cub close and get a picture before they all turned around and walked away, their curiousity leading them to some other unknown spot. Eventually we could see them in the distance, lie down and settle in for a nice nap from all the excitement. It was an amazing experience, being that close to those amazing creatures! Later we saw a great white male saunter up to the same platform, and once again I was not in the front so have no first hand pictures of his visit, standing on his back paws to get close to the people. We are constantly warned to not have anything, a scarf, camera, arm, hat, etc, over the side because in a flash a paw could come up and tear it away. The power of these majestic animals does not go unappreciated. Again, some of my tour friends got some amazing pictures, but I didn't. We saw many bears, over 20 at least in various activites, mostly sleeping.

Another highlight of the day was seeing my friend Kevin, from the Antarctica cruise. He is one of the drivers of a tundra buggy, the vehicle used by another company. My driver knew him and we were able to meet up with him in the tundra, so our only hello and conversation was from the windows of our vehicles, but he was very kind and glad I had made it to the arctic to see the bears. He understands my passion for polar bears because he shares that with me. We talked on the phone a little before I left town and it was nice to connect with someone from my past. I loved the fact that I was in the Arctic tundra visiting with someone I had met in the Antarctic. Small world?

There was a darling young couple on our tour and in chatting with them I found out they worked at the lodge where we stayed and have been traveling around the world working and seeing the amazing sights. If I were younger, I would do the same thing! The girl is from Scotland, went to New Zealand and met the young man and they have been doing this together for quite some time. They go out on the tundra regularly and said that this was the best trip of the year. We were lucky to have seen what we did. Usually the bears are sleeping. So the day of polar bear viewing was a complete success! It also made us all realize how nice the day before really was, even though we only saw one up close, we were really close to it and we all got to see him well and he did put on quite a show. So both days were amazing and I am sure that I will manage to go back out to the Churchill tundra again and witness the amazing nature of the polar bear, perhaps next year.

When I returned from the adventure I was exhausted and had dinner at the lodge and went to bed, one of the first times I was too exhausted to write in my blog. I forgot to mention that the second night there I had a delicious dinner of musk ox. I was surprised at how delicious it was! The next night I tried the caribou, expecting the same delicious dinner, and I didn't like that at all. I couldn't eat it and was disappointed it wasn't the delightful surprise that the musk ox was, but at least I tried it!

I made a friend who was great to be with because when I had an idea of what I would like to do, she always wanted to do it too. We decided to look into spending an extra day on the tundra, but as much as I would have loved it, I was afraid if any little thing went wrong I would have missed my plane back to Winnipeg that night, and if anyone remembers the missed plane in Lisbon story, they will understand that it was a chance I couldn't take again! So we stuck with our tour group and went on the morning cultural tour. It had some interesting parts, playing with the Canadian Eskimo puppies was one of them. The other was visiting the polar bear jail. It was fascinating to see what they have developed! I expected it to be an outdoor area with some cages, similar to a zoo, but it is a large metal building with no windows.

Well, time to get ready for the airport now, so more on the ultimate adventure another time! Stay warm!

Polar Bear Dreams

BRRR!!! After quite a flight, one which left late, had an unexpected refueling stop in Thompson, Manitoba. and arrived late,I made it to Churchill! Just in time for the earliest blizzard in many years!! It is amazing and all night I listened to the wind howling and watched the power going out. NOTE TO SELF: purchase and always pack a flashlight for these unexpected outages and never forget a battery operated clock.

I really was hesitant to leave the lodge this morning in a converted school bus for the tundra in the blizzard, but I decided I came a long way to see the bears so it was a good time to be brave so with great trepidation I boarded the bus. When our bus was lying almost totally on its side in a ditch I was sure getting on the bus was a mistake! Thank goodness we saw a bear along the way! THAT was amazing! I felt like I was in a National Geographic documentary!! Quite like being in Antarctica, although even more exciting to be 50 feet from my favorite animal in the wild!! A dream, for sure! Wait until you see my pictures, these have to be my favorites! I have a signed, limited edition print by Thomas Mangelson over my fireplace of a polar bear and a husky almost touching noses...today I was in the same place that picture was taken!! And supposedly I saw the dog in the picture and the bear, a different one very close today! I NEVER could have imagined that I would be in the exact same place that beautiful picture was taken! How good can life get?? What surprises there are! Seeing the bear with the dogs was special, and helped me handle the inconvenience of having the rear axle break and having to move all of my things to crowd on the other bus. What a day! Tomorrow is expected to be cold, snowy, but less windy and hopefully we will see many bears frolicking in the fresh snow. We will be in a much nicer vehicle, with a toilet that flushes, one that isn't a plastic trash bag! I hope that turns out to be a highlight of this trip! Not the toilet, but a day filled with polar bears!

Who travels this far north to see polar bears? Interesting and amazing people from all over the world! My new friends include a journalist from Vancouver, a business executive from Brazil and her boyfriend from Switzerland, some couples from England, a man from Japan, a couple from Australia, a rancher from N California with his wife, and many others whose stories I don't know.

A bit more from Winnipeg...when I went through security to fly here I met a man with my last name! Small world, Canada version! He was very nice and visited with me while I waited for my flight. He is Jewish, from Israel, and is planning to meet me when my plane returns to Winnipeg. As always, my travels hold surprises!

time to sleep and prepare for another day of arctic adventures! I hope I will get together with my friend from the Antarctica cruise, Kevin, tomorrow evening. Ciao from Hudson Bay! Brave Mitzi

Winnipeg, Day 2

I decided to write once again from Winnipeg, just before I head to the airport to wait for my afternoon flight to Churchill on Calm Air. It has been a relaxing morning after a good night's sleep. I was told my hotel was right at the airport and in my travels I've learned that can mean anything! I've never had one that was this close. If you are familiar with the lanes at our Denver airport, if you can imagine walking across 3 lanes, like I do everytime I catch the van to pick up my car, that is how close the hotel is. You walk out of the door of the very small airport and cross 3 lanes and walk into the hotel! So convenient and I was surprised at how quiet it is, not one plane could be heard in my room. This was the perfect place to stay for the gateway to my big polar bear adventure. I'll be staying here for a night on the return journey too.

I spent a little time shopping at the airport this morning, and only bought a couple of things, a little stuffed polar bear with Winnipeg on it was my favorite. I know I am going to see the polar bears in the wild, but had forgotten what a 'dangerous' place this would be for a polar bear collector! And this is only a taste of what Churchill will be like. I chatted with a lady at the travel store who told me that she sees people come and go on this trip and everyone says it is fantastic. I guess I shouldn't need any more encouragement, but it is nice. She also told me I was lucky to be on Calm Air and not the Bear something airlines because my plane has a bathroom...oh my!

I rode the elevator to my room with 4 British people who had just returned from the trip and said it was incredible. They said there was snow on the ground, making it all just picture perfect. And they assured me it is very cold there!! They stayed at a place called the Aurora, something I will check out for my future trips to Hudson Bay. After all, if Bob, the birthday boy (man) from yesterday has been 4 times, I certainly can do this again...but for now I just have to make it the first time.

Hopefully I'll be able to write from Churchill, but if not I will certainly share all the details when I return! And I did see on CNN they asked people to share where they were and the conditions when they watched the election results tomorrow. Wonder if there will be the capability to write or video us from the tundra buggy in the Arctic tundra?? Now that is a great place to be during the election craziness!

Speaking of crazy, that term has been used for me more than once in the last year and I hope my friend Murray doesn't mind my sharing his comments on this subject...he said I do choose the time, place and duration of my craziness. True and put so well, thanks Murray for putting such a positive light on my recent reluctant adventures!

Next stop...Churchill!

Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada

I arrived in Winnipeg safely, and was quite surprised at the smooth flight and how quickly it went. Evidently it was just over an hour and a half flight and we made good time, the weather was beautiful, thank goodness! What a tiny plane that was! Only 50 people and you couldn't stand up, I consistently hit my head when I stood up to get things out of the overheard compartment. I was quite uncomfortable in the small seat too and had to stand a good part of the trip to be comfortable. But it was a jet, and tomorrow I'm heading to Churchill on a prop plane I am told. Yes, that is when the adventure will begin!

I got to know the very nice flight attendent, she is from Denver and is a massage therapist. We had a great conversation, we have a lot of similar interests so we exchanged phone numbers and will stay in touch I am sure. I also exchanged numbers with the head flight attendent on the San Diego trip and she was such a kind lady. I was so surprised when she was also working on my flight home from San Diego. Who knows, maybe some day we will travel together. She recently went through a divorce and was feeling like she would never travel alone and then after meeting me and hearing of my adventures, she decided she could travel alone too. I'm so glad I can be an inspiration to some people by sharing my adventures.

There were several people on the plane headed to Churchill as their final destination, although I didn't get a chance to visit with many of them. One man is celebrating his birthday there and has family flying in from all over the country and they have the entire tundra lodge reserved and a charter flight to take them there. This is their 4th trip to see the bears, guess I picked a great vacation! I also met two delightful ladies who had to decide whether they wanted to go diving in Turkey or to see the bears in Churchill. The diving trip fell through so they ended up here. They also were in Antarctica so we will recognize each other by our orange red parkas! I hear that there has already been a blizzard in Churchill and it is very, very cold there. I am hoping for a good flight and a tiny person sitting next to me!

Well, I had dinner at a lovely restaurant that was recommended to me and am now ready to get a good night's sleep for the grand finale adventure that begins tomorrow afternoon!

Polar bears, here I come!!

Some Like it Hot - Some Not...

I'm nervously, hence the 'reluctant', anticipating my upcoming trip to Churchill, Canada. I leave tomorrow afternoon and fly to Winnipeg where I will spend the night before boarding a very small, Calm Air, flight to Churchill, on the shore of Hudson Bay to see the polar bears in the wild. If you know me well, you know that polar bears have been my favorite animal for many, many years and although I watched documentary after documentary of the polar bears of Churchill, I never in a million years dreamed I'd be visiting them in person. And yet, here I am packing all of my 'cold weather gear' that I purchased for Antarctica, for the journey to the subarctic destination. Last year I walked with the penguins of Antarctica and this year I will be watching and photographing the polar bears in the Arctic. A thrill beyond words for a polar bear lover like myself!

On the Antarctic cruise I saw the midnight sun in Antarctica, on Christmas Eve, after we had sailed past a large pod of humpback whales. It is a memory I will have forever, the thrill and the beauty of the bottom of the earth in December in their summer. Now, if I am lucky, I will be seeing the northern lights at the top of the world in the winter. I was actually farther north when I was in Norway than I will be this trip, but there were no polar bears in that part of the world. And it was summer so there were no northern lights to see that trip. So this is my first adventure to the north in the winter.

I will be staying at the Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill and taking their 3 day tour. I met a man from Churchill on the Marco Polo cruise to Antarctica and he shared a lot of information with me about this adventure. I am hoping that we will be able to visit when I am there, he has lived there his whole life and worked with the bears the whole time. Maybe I won't be alone and will see my old friend Kevin from the Antarctic cruise. What adventures await this reluctant adventuress!

Some like it hot...I was at the hotel where Marilyn Monroe filmed that movie when I went to San Diego early in the week. It was a short 2 day trip, to visit with my friends Alec and Diana, who are also friends from the Antarctic cruise. They are from Suffolk, England and visit California a couple of times a year where they have a condo. It was wonderful to meet up and the day included great Mexican food for lunch, the afternoon in Coronado, touring the hotel where the movie was made, and a wonderful seafood dinner at the Fish Market. What a nice escape, but so short!

And now I am headed to the place where I will like the weather better, the 'some not' place!

More later from the journey to come!

It's A Small World After All

So I have a wonderful tour of Padua this morning, where the 2nd oldest university of something is located. It is the university where Gallileo taught until they couldn't pay him enough so he left for Florence and many times wished he'd have stayed in Padua. The tour was fascinating but more about that later!

Small world stories:
I arrive at the airport after the tour, collect my luggage and go straight to the waiting hotel shuttle and arrive shortly at the Courtyard by Marriott. After getting settled I got explicit directions of how to get into Venice and decided I had to try it, although it was quite a journey for me to undertake alone. So I crossed the street and waited for bus no. 5. No one mentioned that the bus would be crowded and I'd have to stand for a long time. The bus arrived at the Piazza de Roma, the main bus station and I proceeded to a vaporetto, a water bus, and was told to take no. 1 or 2 so I took n. 1, it had more stops and more to see, I was told. I was nervous but so far, so good...I waited in line and got on my water bus and watched the stops and talked to 2 kind Austrian young ladies next to me who had a map and they told me when we were nearing St. Mark's Square so I got up and ready to jump off, actually you don't have to jump, just move very quickly! I walked along the canal to St. Marks, a little bit of a walk and then went through the square, the church is incredibly beautiful! I wanted spaghetti hoping for a repeat of the Florence experience. I didn't see a place in the square so I stopped in a place that said Americana bar and asked for a restaurant. I was told to go down a block and take the first right and there would be several restaurants. I followed her directions and chose a little place that had tables on the tiny street, and I do mean tiny! I sat and 2 sweet girls from America were sitting next to me and talked to me and had an interesting story. One was from Oklahoma, had moved to upstate NY to be a waitress for a change, met an Italian who sells pasta makers and has been living in Italy with him for a few months!! From Oklahoma to Venice, she said she never would have dreamed that would happen! I know that feeling! Her friend was visiting and they were enjoying a pizza. Shortly after I ordered a girl at the other table next to me asked if I was from the ship and it turns out that the 4 girls there were crew and in the photo dept. I didn't recognize the one because they all had on cute hats and glasses and I didn't know the others. We all started talking, Cesar would not have been surprised at all, however as the conversation progressed, the crew was telling the young girls how wonderful it is to work on a ship and how to get the job. I said that it wasn't all good, I had a friend Cesar from Portugal who'd worked in the tour office and really got burnt out. One older lady looked at me in surprise and said she knew Cesar from Portugal. I knew that just couldn't be and asked if she'd been on his ships and she said no, but she'd been on a ship on a different cruise line in the S. Pacific out of Australia and there was a tall kid with dark hair and skin who was from Portugal named Cesar...and amazingly, she was on the ship he was on in the S. Pacific on another cruise line!!! Yes, sitting at a tiny restaurant on a tiny street in Venice behind St. Mark's I had lunch with a friend of my Cesar!! Small, small world! I took a picture of her and will email him when I get home and want to hear his amazement at this meeting! We had a delightful conversation...and a fond farewell, with many comments about what a small world it is! And chances are I will see those photographers on another cruise another time.

Small world story no. 2---a few minutes later--- I walked back to the vaporetto landing and asked a couple who was in front of me if they spoke English. A very nice lady said they did and asked what I needed. I told her where I was trying to go and asked which line I needed to be in to go that direction. She was so kind and told me she and her husband were going back to the main place at the bus station so I could just follow them. She asked where in America I was from and I told her Colorado and she asked where. Well, it turns out her son lives in downtown Denver and is an architect there! She was so excited that I could call him when I got home and tell him I'd met his parents on a water bus in Venice. They live in the countryside of Milan and of course we exchanged names and phone numbers and she told me she has thought of her son all day because it is his birthday today and she hopes I can meet him in person and give him a big hug from her! He's adorable, they showed me pictures and only 28, but I will offer the hug! We had such a nice conversation that I relaxed and wasn't so nervous at all. We said goodbye at the station, and I got the traditional European cheek kissing goodbye and I waited in a line for my bus no. 5 to get back to the hotel. Well, a line isn't a line there, everyone just pushes on when the bus stops and it was quite a scene, rush hour and the bus was packed! I can see why pickpocketing is so successful in that setting! there are not many seats, so I was standing for a very long ride back to the hotel, but I made it before my feet gave out!

Small world story no. 3---The hotel recommended a little Italian restaurant a couple of blocks away for dinner so I headed there. When I walked in there were 2 couples I'd met at the hotel who had biked their way around this area and all the way to Slovenia. We said hi and then the couple next to me asked about why I was there, they were from California on a trip around this area. Then a couple sat down next to me and were telling me they were in Slovenia visiting relatives so I introduced them to the people who had just returned from that bike trip. Then a lady 2 tables down asked me where in Spain I was becasue they want to go there on their next trip. We talked about traveling and when they got ready to leave she came over and shook my hand and thanked me for helping them plan their next trip and it turns out they were from Canada, where the couple who had been to Slovania were from!! Pretty soon the whole room, about 4 tables were chatting. Cesar would have been laughing at me, the way I was introducing people to each other with stories or homes in common. What a delightful, not to mention delicious, dinner I had!

Now I am at the hotel and ready to call it a night so I can get up early and leave for home. A long day tomorrow, but then I'll be home and able to relax and get ready for the next adventure. I will also write about my 2 days in Venice then, just had to share the small world stories tonight before I went to sleep.

Sweet dreams all!

Ciao Venizia, Ciao!

Venice, gondola rides, St. Mark's Square, Murano glass factories, the Grand Canal, water taxis, belfry towers...

been there, done that!

more when I return home this weekend, until then, thanks for sharing my adventures!

Bits and Pieces

So many thoughts crowd into my head on this calm, relaxing sea day. I actually slept until almost 8AM, it is a cloudy day so no sun snuck in through the crack in the curtains to start the day. Some people say it is humid, that I don't notice and I'm looking forward to sitting out in the cool weather reading, although I had hoped to soak up a little sun rather than get soaked by the few raindrops that come down intermittently. Many people are already out there, mostly sleeping! This has been an exhausting cruise and I've taken it easier than most people so I might be a little more rested.

I realized that I didn't print out the information for my hotel in Venice so I hope there are no problems and I have written Marriott an email hoping they will respond while I still have access to email with my confirmation number. I found out today that the airport hotel is 6 miles from the city, but the man with all of the information helped me and showed me how to take a bus to a place where I can then get a vaporetto on the Grand Canal to get to St. Mark's square so I don't feel as nervous, well I am as nervous really, but like having the information. I am spending most of my time in Venice on the ship tours, but he encouraged me to go back in even at 10 at night to see things lit up, the pictures are beautiful! But since I will be alone, that might have to be another time, and I believe there will be another time in Venice! Peter told me where to stand on the ship as we arrive into Venice so hopefully I'll get a good spot before the decks fill up. I'm excited to watch this entrance to this beautiful Italian city, one I have taught about for years and never, ever thought I'd visit! A poster of the Grand Canal has been up year after year in my classroom and I've read books about the city whose streets are water, and now I will be right in the middle of that poster picture and the stories! Hard to believe!

I think that as interesting facts I haven't written about come to me, I will just include them here and add them as I think of them. For example I forgot to mention the amazing bridge we saw in the countryside of Marseilles, it was built in 300AD and was made just of large stones, no mortar because it had not been developed yet. The bridge had archways in it above the water line to help when the river flooded, the water could go through the arches rather than over the bridge. The construction was really brilliant! And since one year I did a unit on bridges around the world and throughout time, this will be an interesting one to add. I was amazed the kids loved learning about bridges. I asked if we were near any ancient aquaducts and we were about an hour away from the closest, so I didn't see that this trip.

Well, now I am off to read...and dream of places I'll see in the future...

ADDITIONAL bit and piece - I believe I forgot to write about an interesting thing our guide told us in Kusadasi. Sometime in the years BC, the Amazon women lived in the area of Ephesus and they were very big and very strong warriors. The story is that they cut off the breast on the side of their dominant hand so it wouldn't get in the way when they used their bows. She told us that she is privileged each year to be the guide for a group of women who have had mastectomies and come to this place for the strength that the Amazon women showed in ancient times. What an experience that must be for all involved, it is such an amazing place!

I'm feeling a bit better about the time alone in Venice, other than the quite common warning to be careful of pickpockets, I'm told it is very safe and easy to get around. Robbie, the tour person, in the same job as César was, has been very helpful and is very knowledgeable and has helped me with things since I first got on the ship. So many people are new or don't really know what goes on so I always feel very lucky to find someone who is smart and knows everything about the ports we are going to. Being alone makes me have to plan a lot more and make sure I can get from point A to point B on time! He told me that the most beautiful part of the arrival will be at about noon until 12:30 so I will have plenty of time to then go down and get ready for my first tour of Venice, one of the basilicas, the Murano glass factory and a gondola ride. Then I will be back for an hour before the serenading gondola ride and now it seems I will stay in Venice to see the magnificent St. Mark's Square lit up at night and then return to the ship by water taxi...and hopefully it will all work out well and easily. We won't be the only ship in, and I am sure there will be a lot of people who will be boarding the Emerald for the transatlantic trip it will be making when it leaves Venice. It is an 18 day trip and I have to admit I am quite tempted to try to get a cabin and stay on it, but I'm doubting that would be possible even if I did want to spend 18 more days at sea! It goes to some of the same ports, which is always exciting because you can do different tours, and just happens to stop in Lisbon for a day! Now that would be the highlight I think, but it may not work out as César is now working midnight to 8AM and is in school from 8AM to 1PM and then has to study and sleep, so seeing him probably wouldn't happen anyway. With all he is doing it will realistically be 3 years before I see him again...so I might as well travel to new and different places!

The weather cleared up, I'm almost packed and I have to say that I didn't get a lot of gifts this trip, but several souvenirs that will make my home, which needs so much work, on the verge of being an international museum! Yes, this was a wonderful way to spend the new year!

Goodbye Greece

I'm sad as I write this, we are now leaving the last port before we dock for the end of the cruise in Venice. The cruise is not over, but the port visits are and this is probably the last entry. Tomorrow is a sea day and we arrive in Venice on Thursday afternoon and as busy as I will be with one tour after another, I doubt I'll write that night and then I'll be off the ship early on Friday morning for one more tour and then a trip to the airport where I'll get a shuttle to my hotel for a day in Venice and then leave for home the following morning. This has been so much in so short a time, a feast for my eyes and mind, but exhausting all the same. Time flies on a busy trip like this one and so many emotions are stirring inside...

But, now to the day in Greece...we arrived in the port city of Pireaus, again my spelling may be off, but we took the drive into Athens, what a crowded busy city it is! On one busy one way street, one of the typical little cars came the wrong way down the street to avoid the traffic!! There wasn't even a look of concern as he approached our large tour bus, he just pulled around us, I would have sworn he wouldn't fit, but he did and he proceeded the wrong direction!! That was the first time I've seen anything like that! People just park their cars and leave them when they want to and there was one parked in the middle of a turn and a man was out yelling at traffic as cars had to back up because they couldn't get through. Amazing that we didn't see one accident the whole day! So after an interesting, to say the least, drive, we made our first stop at the Temple of Zeus. Incredible sight, the large columns that are still standing. I decided not to stand and listen to the tour guide, she was quite dry and boring, and I walked around getting pictures of the magnificent remains. So amazing and so ancient! I asked a couple of people to take my picture with the ruins behind me and I think that people should be forced to take a photography class before boarding the ship for a trip like this, in all but one picture the people got more of the cement and gravel ground than the columns behind me. Very much like the picture of César and I at Nordkapp, such a disappointment. I should have said something or made a point of checking, but I believed that people would know how to get a picture in a famous place with famous ruins. Wrong, Mitzi! So I will know from now on to be specific! Oh well, at least one picture came out. From this location we could see the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Stunning on the hill in the middle of the town.

After this stop we went to a hotel to have refreshments, tea and a plate of Greek cookies and pastries, nothing exceptional like I had in Mykonos, but nice. We drove down Amalea Avenue, named after the first Queen of Greece, who was from Bavaria. We drove through the city and finally went to the pedestrian walk below the Acropolis. I snuck into a gift shop so I could bring home a small statue of Athena and purchased a couple of other little souvenirs and told them about my Greek friend in Houston and they gave me a religious magnet to give Mary. Again, such big hearts they have in Greece! There were so many people and it was so different than the relaxing beautiful setting in Mykonos.

We saw very large plants in a little truck in front of us and the guide explained that the gypsies drive through the streets with a loud speaker announcing the sale of plants so housewifes can come out and choose one for a small cost. We passed many important buildings and at one there was a big ceremony to place wreaths at the site of the grave of the unknown soldier. It was quite a production and I was sorry we couldn't stop and watch the whole event. There were Greek soldiers in their holiday white skirts and they looked quite important. She explained that all of the guards had to be 6'2" so that they matched when standing at their posts AND they had to have nice legs since they wear 'minis', as she put it! Who'd have thought about that?? And I will admit that they did look quite nice standing at their posts! Again there were stray dogs, but I was assured that they are cared for and indeed they did look better than some in other places. So different than in the United States! And there weren't more than a few at each place we visited and they were calm and happy, it seemed.

I did enjoy the information that the tour guide gave us, when I was listening. Do you know where the name Marathon for the races came from? Sometime in the BC years, there was a war between Persia and Greece called the Marathon war and when the war was over one man was sent to give news of the war and he ran all the way to Greece, said 'we have won the war' and collapsed and died. Ever since there have been marathon races to honor this young man. This guide also shared many important things that Greece gave to the world and said that the rise of Christianity was the one thing that created the fall of Greece. She said that the schools of Plato and Aristotle helped to revive the Greek influence in about 600 AD.

And so my visit to Athens and Greece is over for this trip. What a wonderful experience and I know that someday I will be back in Mykonos for a longer visit. What kind people and the most beautiful place! Maybe I need to start learning Greek for that visit! I've already written César and although he said he would love to go with me, he reminded me that Greek is one language he doesn't speak! Oh well, I'm sure we would be fine anyway! I told him to start learning it now! And I do have my new Greek friend there and many people spoke English.

Ah, my dreams!

And now we head to Venice, the promised highlight of the trip. Sailing into Venice is supposed to be the most incredible sight of the entire cruise. This is the reason César wanted me to take this cruise, and although he had seen it more than once, I will be sad that he is not with me, this is the one thing he wanted to do with me, he wanted to be with me when I saw Venice for the first time since it is supposed to be such an incredible experience. But he is busy back in Portugal in school and working and is just glad that I will get to see it. And so, Venice awaits!

Turkish Delight-Part 2

Kusadasi, pronounced Kush AH das, was a delightful surprise!! Much more comfortable than Istanbul and the tour guide was wonderful. In fact we exchanged addresses! Now I have a friend in Turkey! We arrived at the port an hour late, the dock was not available in time, so we arrived in the afternoon for a change and many people were out on their balconies watching the amazing way the captain got this giant ship into what seemed like a very small area to dock. Then we left for our tours. By the way, we were in Asia today, the part considered Asia Minor.

This is a small village by comparison. Our guide told us the crime was %0, (that is how she said it and I thought that was cute) and everyone was friendly and it certainly seemed that way on our trip today. Very comfortable! There is a statue of the first president of the country on the hill in front of where the ship docked. She told me that he was a very good man, loved by all like our George Washington. He became the first president in 1938, not so very long ago! I don't understand a lot of the history of this era, of the Ottomans and Romans and Greeks, but will be interested to learn more when I am home.

We left and headed up to the hills towards the house where the Virgin Mary was supposed to have been when she died (I think). We did not go all the way to the house, it is a long, rough road our guide told us, but we went to a beautiful statue of her that was a gift from France, she compared it to the Statue of Liberty they gave us. On the way we passed and were able to take pictures of the famous, ancient city of Ephesus, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. We saw parts of it for miles and she said there is much more to be excavated. It is hard to imagine it was started about 100BC and was active until about 300AD. I have some amazing pictures of the city remains from the hilltop and from inside the Ephesus museum. I actually touched a piece that is believed to be from the year 200AD! Can you even imagine?! What a thrill it was to see so much that is from so long ago!! We passed the Greek amphitheater that is still the venue for famous people, and she listed many who had performed there. A smaller one was in the city of Ephesus, a Roman theatre she told us. So many facts it is hard to remember them all!

When the president took over the country he arbitrarily moved the Greeks who were living in Turkey to Greece and the Turks who were in Greece to Turkey. Men actually just showed up at the homes and people were forced to leave immediately with their children a few of their belongings and their money and they were taken to homes in the other country. So if you were Greeks in Greece, you suddenly lost your neighbors who were Turks. Our guide told us it was the hardest on the women to leave their friends behind. She said people still visit the other country and find the homes of their grandparents. Imagine?? In a way it reminded me of the stories I heard in Poland and Estonia. So sad for so many but she said many believed it was the right thing to do.

After visiting the fascinating (by the way we were told the derivation of the word fascinating while standing in the bordello section of Pompeii-look it up, fascinating!), museum, which by the way did include some remnants of the ancient city's section 'of love', we proceeded to a little mountain village. It was very pretty and we were able to have a wine tasting but I decided to pass on that, the road was curvy and I didn't need anything that might add to my tendency for motion sickness! I had the delicious apple tea instead! I had asked the guide where I could purchase turkish delight, you know I have to try a food in each country! She walked to a little market in this village and bought a box for me and a box to share with all the people on the bus. You see she said their big celebration starts tomorrow, the end of Ramadan and it is a time to celebrate with everyone so she wanted to give us a gift. Most people loved it and I will enjoy my box of treats too!

After that village we were told we were going to another village, which in fact was a large carpet making store. I loved seeing the women sitting around actually weaving the elaborate Turkish rugs! We even saw how they get the silk from the cocoon and although I felt terribly sorry for the worms inside, the whole process is very interesting! We actually watched the silk being taken from the coccoons (?) and made into the thread for weaving!! And then we once again saw the amazing carpet demonstration while eating a nice place of cookies and drinking apple tea. Our guide had told us that this was a very good place to buy a rug because they are very fairly priced and this shop and weaving school was owned by the government. So yes, I am now the proud owner of a very small square of Turkish rug, all silk! I'm crazy, I know that, but it is beautiful. And it is a design that could only be used for the sultans before 1928...so I am sure I will feel like a sultana every time I see it hanging on an old wall in my home, paint peeling, metal showing, but an authentic Turkish silk rug will be hanging there! I liked this place much better than the one in Istanbul, and the young man spoke wonderful English and shared such interesting information. Even the colors of the rugs have meaning and along with the patterns tell you which part of Turkey they are from. I don't have all of that information about mine yet, I have to email the salesperson to get that. It is a deep rich turquoise with other colors in the design. Absolutely beautiful!!

We returned to the ship and I enjoyed looking at a few souvenirs, but nothing much was interesting enough to buy. So I am coming home with a few things from Turkey, a bookmark, the tiny pretend rug, 2 pashminas-one casual and one dress, and my authentic Turkish rug! AND the memory of a wonderful experience today and a new Turk for a friend! This is a delightful place in Turkey to visit! (Now I probably know the source of the candy name.)

A wonderful day in Kusadasi, Turkey!! And now I'll have a nice dinner and a good night's sleep and awaken tomorrow to explore Athens, Greece! Adventures abound...

Turkish Delights...

...not! I have to say that I am not impressed with Istanbul at all, other than the fact that I am in Turkey! We had a nice tour guide, but it seemed that the whole time he was selling us on Islam, not the way I wanted to spend the day here. Luckily I didn't meet the British couple until I returned from the tour who told me that there was a bomb here a month ago. I just wasn't comfortable here. I was on the bus before the tour and the guide started discussing our politics and upcoming election with me. I have yet to visit a country where someone doesn't have an opinion! I am amazed at the way American politics must effect the world, it is a surprise how much knowledge people seem to have. But back to Istanbul...

We went to Sophia mosque, named after a Sultana. It was a little harder for me to understand and hear this guide so I did not learn as much as I have been learning. The mosque is quite famous and is now a museum and was filled with many people, tourists. It is Sunday here so many people were quite sad that we are missing the Grand Bazaar, but we did have an interesting time in the Turkish rug store. I was sitting on one of the fancy divans having rugs thrown on the floor for my inspection as I sipped apple tea in a small delicately shaped glass cup. That was quite fun and the men were charming, but I decided I really didn't need an all silk 2x4 turkish rug that cost $1800!! Even though it did include shipping and insurance! I almost bought a small one, but they didn't have the colors I liked, but it is a memory I will have for a long time! Who would have ever dreamed I would be sitting under one of those canopies inspecting Turkish rugs!? Not me! And don't despair, I did quickly purchase a tiny souvenir rug for 5 euros on the walk back to the bus, something tells me it isn't real silk! And it is about 3 inches x 5 inches. Perfect for the classroom!

After the rug store experience we drove across a suspension bridge that took us to Asia. I guess it's not a bad day when you've been in 2 continents! We took a walk to a scenic point and I had the choice of turkish coffee, water or a coke so I had a good old American coke standing in Asia! Okay, not a bad way at all to spend a day! We drove back to the ship with a few hours left and I asked about going back into town and the guide actually discouraged us from doing that, so I decided to follow his suggestions, and of course was glad later when I heard the bomb story. We have all but 2 passengers aboard now and are about to sail for Kusadasi. So everyone is safe and we are on our way.

I asked our guide, nickname Ali, about trying Turkish delight and he said to wait until tomorrow, I will find a place where it is good for sure. I hope so, I would hate to leave Turkey without a taste. I have a feeling I will enjoy tomorrow, it is a smaller place and people say it feels safer. I guess I am not going to Epsesus after all, one of the ancient cities. Oh well, I've seen ancient this trip and on others, so I will survive!

Some people who were in Rome have a wonderful story to tell. They were in St. Peter's square and noticed a lot of movement and before they knew it the Popemobile drove in and the Pope got out and waved to everyone!! People, even those who aren't Catholic are thrilled with this unexpected event. I'm a little jealous, I would have loved to have gotten to see him too! He did address some school children who were there from Poland and then did a short service, in Italian. That would have been even better than eating the spaghetti in Florence!

Food on the Emerald, still wonderful! The sandwiches at lunch thing must be daily here and now I'm quite used to the options and enjoyed a couple of nice combinations with a little fish and chips in honor of my British friends! I met another lovely British couple at lunch and we chatted for a couple of hours and enjoyed it. I have met many wonderful people on this trip, however I never see them more than once! I really like the lady from Spain who is traveling alone and we speak Spanish when we speak. Her english is wonderful, but what good practice for me! She lives about 5 minutes from Mijas, the beautiful place I visited in Spain last fall so I know how lovely her village is.

Well, I am headed to the top deck to hear the man talk about all that we will see as we leave Istanbul, one of the busiest ports in the world. Right now there are 4 ships docked in a row along the dock, so it will be interesting to see how we get out from between them.

So Istanbul will soon become part of my past and I will look ahead to Kusadasi and whatever adventures await me there!

It's Greek To Me!

Mykonos, totally enchanting! Another favorite place, another place I will return to! It doesn't look real, so much like all of the pictures of Greece, and yet, so unreal. It truly is all white with blue accents and the beauty and peace touches one as you look at the town on the side of a mountain. I found myself smiling from the time I walked off the ship until I headed back. Yes, I am sure, once here is not enough! And the people were the kindest so far! I purchased things in 3 shops and in each the people could not have been kinder and each gave me a personal little gift, so touching! I really didn't believe that such a place existed!

I wandered through the narrow streets made of large stones and looked in awe down each little street and up narrow, tiny staircases. We had been told there there were very few street names and that was quite true! I was on a mission, I have always loved the koularakias that mom's lifetime friend Mary baked for us, so I was going to try a Greek cookie in Greece. I have never received directions like I did in this beautiful little town...go to the other side of the square and ask someone where the bakery is, I did that and the very kind man said go to the red coke machine and turn right and go a little way and ask another store owner where the bakery is, I did that and chatted at length with a very nice girl who said, go to the 2nd right and go down the street, you will smell it! And that I did!! I walked into a small store with large metal baskets filled with loaves of bread, cookies, a variety of pies and other delectable treats. I watched in amazement as many Greek people, men and women, young and old, walked in, grabbed something or a few things and went up to pay for it. One man told me everyone gets breakfast there every day, it is the most popular bakery in town. I could see that!! The koularakia were different, rather than small twisted cookies, which they did have, the official ones were in great big circles and covered with sesame seeds. I purchased a few things and went back to the shop with the very kind girl and by then I'd tasted some things and had to go back and buy more. The girl, with a name I can't spell or pronounce, was so kind and we ended up exchanging addresses, she doesn't have an email or a website for her family store. What kind people I met the whole morning!

I walked out of her shop and gasped, looking into a store across the little street from her was a pelican, easily almost up to my shoulders!! He just stood there and my new friend laughed and said she hoped he didn't visit her shop, he doesn't like to leave when he goes in! He is the island mascot. And truly, you will see that it was almost up to my shoulders, she took pictures of me petting him!!! His feathers were so soft and his bill so absolutely beautiful, I NEVER would have dreamt I would ever be close to a pelican! I had no idea of the size and gentleness of that bird! Delightful, as was everything else in Mykonos!! I just couldn't quit smiling, really! I wandered through more streets and saw beautiful sights, some kitties and a couple of dogs, some people painting things white and sweeping and setting up shops. Such an incredible beautiful experience!! The little village, the gift stores, the many little cafes and restaurants along the streets and square, so much to enjoy! It was just too short a time to be in Greece!

I paid a taxi driver to take me to the beach and wait for me to put my feet in the Aegean Sea. I'm not sure how many seas that makes now, but it was so clear and what rich colors!! They told me that there is a large family beach and around the corner from that one is a topless beach, down from that one is a nude beach and past that is the gay beach!! As the girl told me, there is something in Mykonos for everyone!!

The setting was totally different than anything I've seen, but had things in common with so many other places I've been. The houses on the hillsides reminded me of the Amalfi coast, but they are much easier to get to. The blues and whites reminded me of Antarctica, the windmills-although so different-remind me of the Netherlands, and on and on. The joy and thrill of seeing the world!! Greece! What an enchanting place to spend a day! On the shuttle on the way back to the ship there was the most incredible hotel with a gorgeous pool and you could see inside the rooms to a elegant bed and I asked the person at the ship the name of the hotel and yes, I think I will figure out how to get back to spend a week immersed in the peace and beauty of Mykonos! Building is going on and I know it is not a cheap place to live or visit and too far from home to even consider buying something, but surely a week would be do-able!!

The departure of the ship was delayed because someone needed to be moved from the ship to the hospital. That is the kind of thing I worry about on these trips, but I just can't stop traveling in anticipation that it could happen. I'm sure that person had someone to help and hopefully will be fine and able to enjoy the beauty at some point.

I didn't find Zorba the Greek, although I will say the the Greek men were handsome and kind, who knows if I will meet Zorba the next trip!

For now, I still smile when I think of the beauty and uniqueness of the place we just left...and tomorrow we will be in Istanbul and I am going on a tour again and will be in Asia...the excitement just doesn't end!! This is feeling like so many of the trips I was on last year, when I would be smiling in the morning when I saw César, so excited about what I was about to see, and still smiling when I returned at the end of the day to share what I had seen. I guess one is never too old to enjoy new things! I only wish there were someone here to share my excitement with. I suppose there is, I am sharing it with all of you who are reading my blog!

Save those pennies for travel, so worth it! Until later....

Sailing...Sailing...over the ocean blue...

Yes, finally it is a sea day, a day to relax and enjoy the comfort and wide variety of activities on the ship! I thought that 9 hours of sleep would be enough, but I just looked in the mirror and my eyes are quite red so I think I will rest them soon.

My day started with a little breakfast and a couple from Toronto joined me and shared that this is their first trip to Europe and their first cruise. They love it! I was happy to see another large spread of sandwiches for lunch today so I was able to try a couple of different types. Very nice lunch! I was joined by 2 couples from Toronto! Seems this is Canada day. They have taken many cruises and were quite delightful to talk to. As it seems often these days, the conversation turned to politics. I think it is interesting to hear what people from other countries think of ours right now, and to learn about theirs. I had a lesson on a democratic republic when I was in Barcelona from César about Portuguese politics and that was interesting too. I watched the lecture about Mykonos and decided that I really do want to see the beach, so I will have to be brave if I want to go there! I am not on a tour, all of them were strenuous except for the beach tour, and I didn't want to be at the beach for 3 hours with no shops or anything around. There are only 40 taxis in the small town so I don't know if I will be able to get one to get to the beach to put my feet in the sea. I'll try. The island looks incredibly beautiful from the pictures and I am now quite excited about going there. This is the island where Hercules slayed the giants, quite historic! The man at the tour desk told me that it is a very easy and safe place to get around alone, so I should be fine on my own.

Tonight is formal night and after the nice dinner I will either go to the musical show or go to watch the movie under the stars tonight. I've never watched the movie, it is a very large screen out by the pool and they put cushy cushions on the chairs and pop popcorn and cover you with a blanket to watch the movie. It gets cool and that would be great for me!

Yes, this is a do nothing kind of day. I planned to sit on the deck and read but with my red eyes, I think I'd better rest them for a while longer. So this isn't an exciting post, but be assured it is a much needed rest day!

And tomorrow, Greece for my first time!!

The Long and Winding Road...

What a day! This title could just as well have been, MAMA MIA!! I knew the drive along the Amalfi coast was supposed to be beautiful but the treacherous part I didn't really know. Today had to be the best yet, and I don't think it can get any better than this!!

I was on the bus at 7AM to be sure that I had a front seat so I wouldn't have a problem with motion sickness on the long and winding road of the Amalfi coast drive. If you have never seen that part of Italy I suggest you look it up online. It was the most gorgeous place I could imagine, definitely my favorite part of Italy! The terrain was spectacular, beyond anything I could have imagined! Houses that were 3, 4, and 5 stories high that the residents have to climb many stairs up or down to get to, were amazing. I'm not sure pictures can do justice to what I saw. I was on the wrong side of the bus so I didn't get as good of pictures as I wish I could have on the other side, but I think they will still show the incredible trip! Steep mountain cliffs dropping right down to the crystal clear emerald and bright blue waters! From the top of the cliffs I could see the rocks below the water, it was that clear! And the homes, incredible. Yes, I know now why the Amalfi coast drive is one of the most beautiful in the world. It wasn't an easy drive in a large bus, we had to keep stopping, honking when rounding corners and taking up the one lane many times. There are traffic people to help monitor and control the busses at strategic points and I'm sure that if I weren't used to mountain driving I would have been terrified! I just trusted that Giuseppe would get us through safely, even though the tour guide told us it was his first day and he could only see with one eye! She was hilarious and the day was filled with interesting facts, fun stories and jokes and adventure. After the 2 1/2 hr. treacherous drive she told us a story about a bus driver and a priest dying at the same time. The bus driver was sent straight to heaven and the priest to hell. The priest complained and St. Peter talked to the boss and went back and said, "When you preached your sermons, everyone slept, when the bus driver drove on the Amalfi coast, everyone on the bus prayed, so he did more for us than you!"

We drove for 4 hours before we stopped for lunch at a seaside restaurant in the town of Amalfi. Lunch left something to be desired, I was disappointed with the plain spinach canollis and the pressed chicken breast with a little cheese and marinara sauce on it. But nothing is perfect and the rest of the day was incredible!! I ate lunch with a lovely lady from Spain who works at a hospital as a dietician and spends 2 weeks of her vacation each year taking a cruise. She agrees with me that it is the best way to travel alone!

We did stop at an inlaid wood factory and had a demonstration of how that is done, truly amazing! I did purchase a purple inlaid music box, much less expensive than the lavendar leather purse I passed up the other day. And will bring me such good memories of the best day ever!

After lunch we had another hour of the magnificent drive on the Amalfi coast and then got to the 'motorway' to get to Pompei. To be honest, I was so excited to see the place I had taught about for so many years, I got little sleep last night. I just kept imagining what it would be like to stand in that ancient city. After the 11 hour tour today, I am beyond exhausted and am sure I will sleep well tonight and into tomorrow which is a sea day. And when rested, I will be overwhelmed by what I experienced today!

But back to Pompei and my incredible adventure...did you know that Pompei was built beginning in 600BC? And the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius that covered it in ash was in the year 79AD. Everything is left the way it was found although many things were taken and put in museums and many other things are behind bars in a large area that you can look at. Yes, I stood in the middle of a 'city' that existed 2000 years ago!! We toured the remains for almost 2 hours straight and as tired as I was, I was not going to miss a minute or a detail of the tour! We saw houses that the noblemen lived in, and houses of the street peasants. We saw the temple of Apollo and the temple of Zeus. We saw the bronze cast of the man, dog an dchild that were found when the remains were unearthed from under about 60 feet of ash. We saw pictures on the walls and the arena where the gladiators were trained. And the stories moved me to tears at times. It has been estimated that 15000 people were living in Pompei at the time of the eruption and to this point only 1000 bodies have been discovered, making one wonder what happened to the other people...did they die trying to escape, or in other places from the air they breathed? We will never know. In the middle of the tour the sky got dark and the thunder started. Our guide told us it was Vesuvius and it did seem possible, although we knew it was just a good old fashioned thunderstorm, what timing! We walked a while in the rain and finally a rainbow came out over the ruins of Pompei, what a meaningful experience, rain and all! We saw the brothel part of the city and since the girls were brought in from Greece and didn't speak the same languages, there were pictures painted on the walls so the men could simply point to what they wanted. Those paintings are still in amazing shape today, no pun intended. There were phallic symbols around and the guide explained that they are the symbol for abundance and good luck. She said that since they can't wear them on a necklace for good luck in this day and age, it has changed to be the horn shape that they can wear. The signs of the ancien buildings was more exciting than all the stories I have read to the kids over the years. It was the hardest to believe that it was all real and everything was over 2000 years old! Standing in the past was thrilling!

There were a few dogs around the ruins, and they weren't in too bad of shape, but didn't look the healthiest. Evidently there was a documentary that one of the passengers had seen about the 'dogs of pompei'. Our guide explained that each guide in Naples, about 40 or 50 of them, donates $10 a month to their care. A security person at the ruins collects the money and gets them the veterinarian care they need and their food. They were sweet and calm and I loved seeing them there. They loved the attention, but didn't seem sad at all. One small lab with some fur missing in places was playing with a cashier one of the food places with a towel and it was so cute! They aren't ignored at all. Of course I donated money to their care, how could I not when I thought of my spoiled little boy home playing in his swimming pool and being adored by all of his temporary keepers.

After returning to the ship from the 11 hour tour, I was not the only one dragging to get on the ship. I noticed a crew member who looked familiar on the shore when we returned who I believe is the manager of the tour department. I went up and asked her if she was on the Crown Princess in the Baltic and she said she was on the Dawn Princess in Mexico and at that time she remembered me and remembered that I was a friend of Hernan's and we'd been introduced. She even remembered the story of how Hernan and I met on the Grand in Europe last year, and said she would take good care of me since I'm alone. I am not sure what that means, but it was nice to find a 'friend'. I'll look forward to seeing her again. How nice to run into someone I know this far from home!

I am headed to bed for a nice rest and since tomorrow is a sea day I am sure I will spend it leisurely! Ahhh, the joy of travel!

Once again...ciao for now!

Arrivederci Roma!

"Welcome to public computers" was exactly what the internet cafe administrator told me when I said that I wrote in my blog for 30 minutes and when I clicked on 'publish post' it was all lost!! Not the answer I wanted to hear, but I guess there wasn't much more he could say. So he is crediting my account and I will try to remember all of the pearls of thought that were in the first draft!

Today was a calmer day and I believe I am now caught up with my sleep! I took a long nap yesterday, slept all night and slept most of this morning and now feel like I'm on the right schedule. I had a very nice lunch in the Horizon Court, one which I haven't seen on any other ship. There was a large variety of sandwiches, hot and cold, on a variety of breads and rolls. It was a lot of fun to make my selection and I didn't have enough time to try more than one, so it was a big decision. Yes, the food on the Emerald is the best from all the ships I've been on so far.

After lunch I went out to get on the tour I had scheduled. I was going to the countryside here and then to an olive oil farm. The drive through the countryside was not like the other trips, the land was much browner and not as lush. They are in between crops right now, the tomatoes and melons have been harvested and some melons are left in the soil to fertilize it for next year. The artichokes are growing, and soon they will have the fennel and asparagus growing also. Our driver told us that there is even an artichoke festival in the spring when it is time to harvest them. It was an interesting tour, as they all are, filled with fascinating information, along with some not so fascinating information. You can make your own decisions about which is which!

Civitivecchia is the port for Rome and was built by one of the ancient popes, back in the day when they were allowed to have families. The port has a castle like structure with a crest of 6 clovers, representing his family of six. Long, long ago! This area was settled by Etruscans, who were the tie between Greeks and Romans in ancient times. There were many, many churches in the middle ages, 40 in a very small area, along with many hospitals and hospices. My first thought was that they must have had a lot of sick people. But then the guide explained that they were named for the word hospitality, and were the places where people on their pilgrimages would rest. Rome was a major destination for pilgrimages, as was Santiago de Compestella in the early times. We drove through some cypress tree lined roads that were beautiful and quite a contrast to the dry terrain. There were some eucalyptus trees and some grapevines too, although the grapes have been harvested. Olives will be harvested at the end of October and in November.

I learned how olive oil is made, not what I had thought. The olives are crushed, pits, skin and all and made into a paste. Then the paste is spread about 2 inches thick on a huge disk, and several disks are prepared this way. Then they are put into a press and pressed and what comes out is the extra virgin olive oil, the healthiest of all with almost no fat. The 2nd pressing provides the regular olive oil, not as healthy as the first press because more fat from the paste is found in it. I thought there were 3 levels of olive oil; extra virgin, virgin and regular, but today I was told there are only 2 presses. Interesting??

We took a short walking tour of Tuscania and it was a beautiful walled village. We stepped into the courtyard of a very old home, it was beautiful and had an old cement tub that was where the wash was done. I was suprised that there were several cars in there, on the old cobblestone streets. Lovely, short walk into ancient times with a magnificent view! This was because people had to be able to see all around to protect their town. After the tour of the village we drove to the olive oil farm.

I was sure this was the one that was visited by my friend in the spring but found out that there are 4 different farms that the tour goes to so there is no way for me to know if it was the same or not. We were given many samples of foods made with olive oil and had their homemade wine. I don't drink as you know, however I think I can't say that much longer. I've had sangria in Barcelona, a nice French pink blush wine at lunch in France, and a mix of merlot and chardonney today in Italy. Maybe I do drink! The food was delicious and plentiful and represented samples of Italian specialties. I found out that bruschetta is pronounced with a k sound for the ch, see, there is always something to learn on a trip! I did purchase a couple of things from this organic farm, and not the wine!

Artichokes, prepared the Roman way, have the heart cleaned out and anchovies, mint and garlic are added to the middle, it is drizzled with olive oil and cooked in a little water for a long time at a low heat. I think I will try it and see how I like that! There are other alternatives too, it is one of the favorite dishes in Italy, another fact I never knew.

Arrivederci is an interesting word and the guide was excited to tell me the exact meaning so I will pass that on. Arrive (again) veder (to see) ci (you). And when we pulled away from the docks I thought to myself, arrivederci roma, I will see you again!!

Tomorrow is a long day, a trip on the Amalfi coast and a tour of Pompei. All the years I read books and taught the children about Pompei I never, ever dreamt I would visit there in person. I am so excited to say the least!! Mt. Vesuvius, just keep sleeping!!!

Ciao! for now...

Under the Tuscan Sun

Yes, most of the day was spent 'under the Tuscan sun'. We left the ship and the wind was cold and of course I loved it, but it appeared to be a cold, cloudy day. The tour guide assured us that indeed the Tuscan sun would appear and the day would be beautiful, and she was right, the day was beautiful and very pleasant, none of the sweltering heat you hear about here in the summer!

I took the tour into Florence and was in for quite a treat. Riding along I decided the name for today's blog and only a short time later our tour guide told us that we were going to be about an hour's drive from Cardona, the setting for the movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Life is Beautiful", the latter of which I haven't seen yet, but will when I return home. Today I did something different, I tried to take notes because there are so many interesting facts that I forget from each trip. My idea to write the interesting things on the back of a post card is a good one, but one which I never get around to, so today I boarded the bus with note paper from the ship and have some interesting bits of history to go along with the day. My spelling may be incorrect, so keep that in consideration and don't hold it against me! I am trying to do my best in foreign languages. Today I became an expert at bonjourno and grazie, such an international girl now!

We took a drive through the Tuscan countryside, one of 18 areas in Italy, and the rolling hills covered in cyprus trees, olive trees, and grape vines looked exactly like the pictures!! With beautiful old buildings on the hilltops. It all seemed like I was driving through a movie set! We stopped along the way at a leather shop, where we were told that the prices were quite reasonable and that it was the same leather that Prada, etc. put their names on. Yes, I bet they do and I did resist the little lavender purse that cost 200E, which would be $300! Beautiful and the leather was so soft, but alas, I didn't need a $300 purse...in purple!! So I settled on a very inexpensive lavender coin purse. When I asked for one of the nice bags, the man behind the counter had quite a lot to say to the saleslady and I told him that I assumed he was saying I didn't spend enough to get a nice bag, but since I was a teacher, relatively speaking, I did! He smiled that I had figured out his Italian speech and said not to tell anyone my secret. My goodness, a bag, yes just a paper bag, is a secret!! Whew, I'm in Italy I guess! I think I may have spent enough to cover the little bag actually! And people wonder why I save bags, now I know, they are more valuable than I ever knew!

After the leather shop stop, we went to a beautiful overlook to see the city of Florence where we were headed. Absolutely thrilling, to look out over the roofs of the city, the city that is so important in history. Did you know that America is named after one of it's ancient citizens, Americo Vespuchi? He was a member of the ruling Medici family and went to map the new world with Columbo. (One time I asked César why Columbus was called that in America if his name was really Columbo, and in his special way of seeing things, he responded with, "How would I know, you are the American!") I never did find out the answer to that! Florence is the city where the author of Pinocchio lives and we passed the church where he was buried. I'd hoped to find a small Pinocchio to bring home, but I didn't. DaVinci painted the Mona Lisa here, in Florence, and it was one of his favorite paintings so he took it everywhere with him. He traveled to many places and spent his last years in France, where he died, and that is the reason that the famous painting is hanging in the Louvre! Quite interesting I thought, along with the fact that the guide told us that the background of the painting is of the Tuscan hillsides, I can't wait to find the picture and check that out!

So down from the hills we traveled and were dropped off outside of the main part of the city and walked the few blocks to get to the town. Unfortunately we didn't have time to see everything, so I had to decide whether to head to the Pont Vecchio bridge, the only remaining original bridge, or to the center where the duomo and the statue of David was. Well, you know me, and seeing David, the 17 ft. high statue, had my interest! So I missed the photo opportunities at the bridge, although it is said that if you don't have any friends you can stand under the arch for 30 minutes and you will have a new friend...although it was also explained to us that ladies would stand there and the men sailing by would often appear on the bridge to be their 'friends'. Maybe I should have chosen that direction after all! Next time... I went into the square and took many pictures of the replica of David that is now the only one in the square, the real one was inside with a wait so I settled for that one. Many statues fill the square, some more impressive than David we were told. I wandered up and down the quaint cobblestone streets and enjoyed the different feel of the town, different from other places I've been. I stopped for a gelato and loved the way it was displayed in the shops! Wait until you see the pictures. It was good, but I didn't pick a good place I think and I enjoyed it, but hope to try more before leaving Italy. I had a little time and stopped into a little cafe in the square and wanted to look at Italian spaghetti. Looking was not enough and before I knew it I was eating a bowl of spaghetti and pesto linguini. I have to say America does not know how to make spaghetti! The flavor was so incredible, soft and a slight flavor of cheese, that I wished I could bring home lots!! The pesto linguini was also a soft flavor, but delightful and this not hungry person ate every piece of pasta! Delicious and I will be sampling this any chance I get! We boarded the bus for the 1 1/2 hr ride back to the ship. I was glad that I wasn't leaving on the next tour immediately when we returned, the trip to Pisa, maybe that will be for next time too!! I did see Pisa on my last trip here from the highway so I feel that I've seen it and there is so much more to do in this area!

I returned and enjoyed a nice long nap and am on my way to dinner now. Tonight the show is "Revolution" a tribute to the Beatles. I can guarantee you that everyone here remembers the Beatles! Right now they are making announcements for the crew members that are not back on the ship for our sailing. This is a big deal and on 3 of my other cruises I knew Louise, the person in charge of the crew, who made these announcements for the crew members who have not returned. I'd love to hear her voice now, she is from Scotland, but she is currently working on the ship that is going to Hawaii. I know none of the people on this ship and I'm sad and a little bit lonely. I'd become used to seeing someone I knew or at least someone César or Hernan knew to chat with. César does think one of his friends from the South Pacific is in the shops so I will look to see if she is here sometime. For now, I will meet new people. As I write this blog I am near the center of the ship listening to the beautiful piano music. When I read these entries I will remember the music which is so beautiful, on that white grand piano, that it can bring tears to your eyes. I'd even had a little hope that my drunk piano player from another cruise might be on this ship for entertainment, but he is not.

Good night and until tomorrow, smile and plan a future of travel!

Postscript - I just finished dinner at the any time seating, meaning you are always at a table with new people. Tonight was delightful, among the 8 people there were two ladies from England who are retired 'head teachers' and when I inquired as to the meaning of that, I was told it was the equivalent of our principal. Interesting to talk to them and compare retirements. At 39 years they receive only 1/3 of their salary for the rest of their lives. At 40 years they receive 1/2 of their salary! In Colorado we are much luckier! And one of the ladies has been to a garden party hosted by the queen twice, what an interesting event that sounded like! Both ladies have worked with the Girl Guides, the original organization that became Girl Scouts in America, but only one has been invited to this event. The invitation comes from the Lord Chamberlain and a follow up call is made to assure the invitation was received. They must wear a large garden party hat and tiny sandwiches and tiny cups of tea are served and they have to stand around holding them, there is no where to sit! They do receive a list of how to act too!! One of the ladies took time off of work to go to the castle to see her friend go into Buckingham Palace for the party. Such a cute story, I wanted to share it! Imagine, I just had dinner with a lady who has been in the presence of the queen! Such interesting people to meet!!