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!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
