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Moon Over The Mediterranean

4/29/2014

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Picture
Our ship, moored in Villefranche harbor.
In September of 2004, my travel mate and I were lucky enough to be able to take a marvelous cruise (my first) – in the Mediterranean.  Thus, a whirlwind trip coupled with  my “infamous self-guided walking tours” in six cities, in three different countries was experienced.

On the first night at sea, after the flurry of arrival, a luscious dinner, and before the fatigue of traveling took its final toll (a plane to Paris, then one to Barcelona), a walk on the upper deck was desired.  It was quiet up there; the sound of the waves gentling lapping against the side of the ship and a slight breeze accompanied our stroll.  As I rounded the aft side from port to starboard, I stopped rather suddenly in awe of the sight before me.  High in the night blue cloudless sky, a bright white moon shed its luminous light on the deep inky Mediterranean – its reflection, shimmering on the water, spread as if in open arms of welcome.  Surely, this was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen!  And so began the trip.  The white, iridescent moon accompanied the ship each night – it was something to which to look forward at the end of tremendously busy days.

The first port of call was Marseille – we elected to take a small tourist train to the Notre Dame de la Garde which sits on the highest hill in Marseille – from this vantage, the breathtaking panorama of the city beneath with the azure blue of the sea glistening in the sunlight, surrounded us.   We had hoped to be able to visit Chateau d’If – the prison island made famous in Dumas’ novel, The Count of Monte Cristo - but the island was closed on Sunday.  It was visible, though, from the basilica.  There was much to see in Marseille, but we were only able to walk a bit in mid-town because we soon needed to return to the ship, and dinner.  The next day we docked in the small, natural harbor of Villefranche, France - passengers had to take a launch to the pier in order to reach shore.  The town, on the hill beside the sea, the epitome of quaintness, welcomed passengers.  Where to go, what to do? Nice? Monaco?  No, we choose Eze (a town in two, one by the sea, and one way up on a hill).  Eze sur Mer was a short train ride from Villefranche. Eze de Village (the first Eze), and medieval Eze, was high up on the hill.  A short bus trip up an amazingly hair pin road and Eze de Village was before us. Shops were delightful, but I wanted to see the medieval village.  More winding roads and a very steep walk!  Finally we were in the village of cobblestone streets no wider than a cart’s width and charming buildings.  An ancient protective wall surrounded the village, which is mostly shops now, but one can still feel its vibrancy.  We could see the ship anchored in the Villefranche harbor from the castle ruins atop Eze de Village.

After returning to Villefranche and the ship – the next port of call was Livorno.  This is a very busy, industrial port city in Italy; we took a shuttle, a bus, a train (a 30 minute ride), and another bus to the Campo dei Miracoli in Pisa (to the Duomo and piazza where the famous Campanile dominates). And so we spent our third day – then, back to the ship via bus, train, bus and shuttle!  Next was the port city Civitavecchi, an hour from Rome.  Well of course, we had to take the train to Rome (past Vatican City) to the main Stazione Termini and walked, yes, walked to the Colosseo and then the Fontana Trevi (and threw a coin into the fountain).  One can not help but be awed by all the wonderful architectural wonders one passes on such a traverse – the Forum, churches, piazzas, Roman columns.  Rome is fantastic!  The next to last port of call was Napoli (Naples) – the ship docked at the main maritime terminal and passengers disembarked right in front of Castle Nouvo (a 12th century edifice) near the main part of the city and now the “city hall.”  A 30 minute walk to the train station (dodging very fast cars) and a 15 minute train ride deposited us in Ercolano – the site of Herculaneum (a sea side resort covered by lava when Vesuvius erupted in 79AD). This was “molto bello” – not as large as Pompeii, but just as impressive with its many frescos and mosaics still preserved in the rooms of the remains.  I couldn’t leave Naples without having some “real” pizza and some fabulous wine!  Yummm, superb – nothing like it, not to mention the atmosphere!

The last day of the cruise was spent at sea – returning to Barcelona.  The moon still accompanied us in the evening.  The fantasy was soon to end.  But, not quite – Barcelona beckoned.  After saying good bye to the ship, only one day was available for visiting this “home” port. Barcelona’s diversity and cultural wealth soon enthralled us.  Its architectural wonders (Antoni Gaudi’s works are genius – especially the most famous Sagrada Familia) wide streets and the wonderful La Rambla (which is a historic avenue leading to the sea ending at a monument to Columbus).  All was alluring, to say the least.   A day, there, was not enough, but the time came to depart.   Moon over the Mediterranean, I’ll see you again.  Barcelona, I hope to be back!  

Picture
Eze de Village.
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Final April poem!

4/23/2014

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Indeed

A rare find,
Truly one of a kind.
Someone who's there,
Willing to share
Ideas, feelings,
Many revealings.
Nothing can impede,
Friendship, indeed.


May 1997


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A Road Trip, Easter 2010 – April 3.

4/18/2014

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How many shades of green can you imagine?  Close your eyes.  Now open them, and then take a drive into E. Texas (from S. Texas) – yes, please, I prefer that you drive with your eyes open.   And, you will see flanking the road, covering the hills, Mother Nature wildly using her crayons on her flora.  From the deepest green of a stately pine to the lightest yellow/green of a varietal not known to me, the trees of East Texas display their stuff, leafing out in profusion. Amazing!  In between the darkest and lightest of green, the fuchsia pink of the red bud peeks out, showing her splendor in contrast to the greens of the towering trees.  Occasionally, a dogwood appears like powdered sugar – sweetness interspersed among all the shades of green.  Suddenly, there is a curtain of purple wisteria taking over power poles, trees and fences, clusters reaching high and wide.  Some of these vines are less assertive and more contained in their lavender explosions, dotting a yard in controlled glory.  Stunning spring in Texas!  This profusion of vertical color is often accentuated with shimmering yellow fields of fabulous wildflowers.  And yes, the wildflowers were gradually blooming, depending on location.  Just north of Livingston, Tx., along the  median of the road many of our wildflowers began their annual demonstration – soft pinkish purple ones, Queen Anne’s lace like white ones, deep rust red ones, more yellow/gold ones, some small orange ones, a patch of bright pink ones, and a few Bluebonnets just south of Livingston!  I wish I knew all the varieties.  Certainly Mother Nature and her crayons provide joy, amazement, and a feeling of renewal.

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More poetry for April

4/13/2014

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ONLY ONCE

Once, only once in a lifetime,
Each minute, each day, each year,
Only once.

Moments unequaled, to be cherished.
Different each time, arrive 
Only once.

Celebrate the event, relish its uniqueness.
Treasure each occasion that comes,
Only once.

Special occasions living long in memories,
Though each memory is new
Only once.

Life's circumstances, seemingly redundant,
In reality are not, for each moment happens
Only once.

Love freely, live each occasion fully,
Enjoy simple times, for life is ours
Only once.


Written May 1997

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April Poetry

4/4/2014

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ONE GIFT

Beyond anything and everything imagined,
One special gift bestowed upon me.
Changes everything, making all things wonderful,
This gift has allowed me to see.
Opens doors, freeing feelings so long dormant,
This one gift is the key.
A blessing from above, such magnificent treasure,
This gift, rich in simplicity.
Meant to be cherished,  often gladly returned,
For so doing, it can again given be.

Written October, 1996

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April - Let's Celebrate National Poetry Month

4/2/2014

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WHY?

Sometimes I wonder why?
Other times I lament, why not?
Each day the dispute is renewed,
Never adequately solved.
Why does the sun come up?
Why does it go down?
Each day we all do what we do.
Some of us face great burdens,
Some of us only face a few.
Some of us love passionately,
Others never love at all.
Some of us are satisfied,
Others are constantly searching.
Many face challenges courageously,
Others run.
Some things change,
Others stay the same.
Each day, each one of us goes on,
Sometimes facing happy, joyful opportunities,
Other times sorrowful, agonizing truths.
The question remains,
Why?  Or, should it be, why not?

Written in 1996
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    Welcome!  Ginny Harrell's various thoughts and experiences, and an attempt at re-invention through words.  Please also refer to the "About" page.

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