Sunday afternoon Tea

 There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

Had tea with Joy at a wonderful spot in Bagatelle Barbados.

The house is part of what was once a Sugar Plantation. The story is interesting.

The grounds are beautiful and I finally saw my very first Barbados Green Monkey!

Green Monkey

What a lovely spot to get to know someone. How easily conversation and laughter flowed. Shared food and comfort can never be too emphasized. Natural and cared for beauty were all around us. Thank you Joy for sharing the absolutely special place with me.

The tea itself and the service were suburb. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about the tea, food and also the grounds and history.  Spending an afternoon chatting, drinking tea and all the lovely food was heavenly. The afternoon shadows deepened to night before we finally and somewhat reluctantly left to return to the active world beyond the house and gardens......

All trips have a beginning......

The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly


The day of my trip arrived. Suitcases are packed. I have a head cold and am not really happy about flying. Taxi ride to JFK was easy. Check in at airport surprisingly fast. Place is empty.Quick stop in duty free shop to pick up 2 bottles of Spirits.  Maybe everyone is still in a food coma from Thanksgiving?

 Landed in Barbados on time. Was at the Immigration booth quickly, and then crash, splash, oh no! One bottle of very expensive scotch is broken on the floor. All over the floor.... At the Immigration booth. After pointing down, and explaining she just said go..(Not even sure she even looked at me). Grabbed the wet bag full of leaky broken glass and dripping. I walked baggage was claimed and customs took about 1 minute  I am. free in Barbados. As I walk out the door, my bag is searched for my phone to call my friend Ownway and Irene as they were to meet me. Surprise! In 10 seconds I am holding a Banks Beer, sugar cane, and being greeted and hugged by Brad. Nice surprise! Right behind him is Ownway, and more hugs. Next to car and Irene. Out of airport in 2 minutes. Day is beautiful and Sun is shinning. We head for lunch......Chinese take out. Okay. (smile). Gives us all a chance to talk and exchange news.

Check in at Coral Sands Hotel, went easily and room was waiting. We all gathered on the terrace to lunch. Day perfect for it. At some point during lunch my ears unclogged and hearing was restored. Afterwards unpacking and relaxing.  At some point the rains came and went...and the night was great...Had dinner at Mojo's....Good company, food, drink and vibe!

 

Journeys: Here I go again!

Journeys: Here I go again!: Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. ~Seneca The funny thing about Thanksgiving, or any huge meal, is that you spend 12 ...

Here I go again!

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.  ~Seneca

The funny thing about Thanksgiving, or any huge meal, is that you spend 12 hours shopping for it and then another 4-5 chopping and cooking and braising and blanching and roasting. At least an hour to set the table. Then it takes 20 minutes to eat it after which everybody sort of sits around in a food coma for awhile. Then it takes four hours to clean it up. 

So... I am almost finished packing for my return to Barbados. Many of you know how much my last trip was enjoyed. When just back found a wonderful airfare. That made this trip an easy one. Also booked my Hotel at a very nice rate. Same one I ended my trip in last time. Small, spacious, and right on the beach.Will be on the Island for 15 nights. Hope to visit and do places and things not done before as well as a few returns to some of the ones I liked best, to get to know them better. My hope is that you will take the Journey with me, and share my experiences.

First and foremost is packing! Knowing what I needed before should help me limit me. Also going for less time. So....why didn't it? Still the same amount  of suitcases and the need to really...really push hard to get the zippers closed. Why?? Don't know and after a certain degree of frustration I gave up and just allowed myself a second suitcase.

Haven't been writing much, but in the midst of packing felt inspired! Those of you in the US Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoyed all the football games.  

As for me.....back to packing and some sleep. My flight leaves at 8am.....


See all of you back here soon.....

Late, late, late Summer............

Oct 2, 2011

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here
With summer's best of weather
And autumn's best of cheer

  We have arrived at the end of Summer. Days are shorter and Sunshine less bright. Windows are open and the AC is getting lots of rest. The US Open has its winners and Football Season is in full swing, and World Series teams are all but set. Talk is of falling leafs and last days at beach houses. Time to unpack my down blanket and find those great flannel sheets I bought last year.




   The UN General Assembly has  opened and New York City is an even larger mass of barriers and No Parking signs. Each year this happens and disrupts the place for several weeks. It is one of the true signs of Fall approaching.  There have been demonstrations from almost every group of people and counter demonstrations from the rest. The Police  are earning  money in overtime.  Major Hotels are all booked and taxis are much harder to come by. Buses change their routes, and subway stops are bypassed. Since 9/11 the sight of fully armed troops and dogs is not new. Going into the subway may entail having your bag checked. Civil Liberty's appear to have been curtailed severely.
  

 There are a group of people protesting on Wall Street. Calling themselves the other 99% . They want their story heard and issues addressed. Its been more than two weeks. Many issues are being talked about by them. Grievances about the corporate world as well as government. The mass media is basically ignoring them. Police have been there from the beginning and some of the videos show real clashes. Many arrests, some for simply  talking have been reported. Methods used to control the protesters movements are questionable. Macing any unarmed person is not acceptable. If the Police are scared of words, perhaps they should leave?  Certainly not use force and mace.  Has anyone read the story of how this nation came to be? In just a few words and simplifying it. We were a British colony. The Crown ignored many protests about how money and taxes for goods were forced on these colonies, and restrictions on trade which  was a mainstay of the economy. They wanted to have a say in their lives....No one thought of starting an independent country ...at first....The  British response to entreaties and  protests that were basically peaceful was to send fully armed  troops to  control  the people....Arrests were made..Jail and executions followed. Laws were enacted to curtail many freedoms.  Eventually,  it seemed one by one the colonies saw that they had no choice but to declare their Independence...and did..voice through "The Declaration of Independence, but our Nation was not formed in  peace and protests...but a war for independence.... The United States.... The Declaration begins, "WE, the people......"


As I read about and watch (on youtube) and reports from other countries,   videos from the site and now from other cities around the country, I wondered..Is history repeating?.... Very much the same is happening here now. Albeit just starting.


Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it..

Setember 11............

Remembrance

   Its a beautiful 78 degree day here in New York City. The sky is clear a blue. The US Open is on....Love watching tennis. Something is disturbing though. Calls and texts keep coming in..."Where are you? Are you going to be home tomorrow? Are you OK? So many are asking...so many are remembering what happened a decade ago tomorrow. I live here. Will be here tomorrow and the day after and the one after that. In the days that followed that September morning many life decisions were made by me and countless others as we walked this city in tears and shock. We stayed. Many left. Both groups were/are still affected by the sight, smell, and deeply wounded psyche that caught us unaware that day. So many friends lost....so much....but all of us lost our innocence. True innocence of the world and our place in it.

I remember the amazing outpouring of sympathy, anger, love, and caring that came our way in the days after. How many traveled here and helped us. How we helped and cared for each other. The City of New York was never a shiner example of how special people are. In the years since much of that has faded and lots of criticism from the world has been leveled at this Country and City. It really annoys me when I hear or read how how many in that world say that we caused this to happen, that they hate America, but not Americans. Not really understandable since "We the people" are America. Not looking for a political debate here. Just stating my opinion. I am American. No apology.  Lots of reflection done in the last few days. My journey has made me a witness as well as a part of this event as well as the world events that this day started.

Am now used to the sight of soldiers and police in combat gear, with assault rifles and German Shepherds standing guard in the streets, subways and airports. Having cars and trucks stopped in the middle of Manhattan and searched. Drivers detained and interogated. Barricades all along Wall Street and in front of so many buildings are the norm. I have been stopped and questioned and searched upon entering buildings. Houses of Worship. Spent too much time in many airports and flown countless times since that day. It has never held me back. Been on long lines, at most  had a small tube of hand cream confiscated, searched, scanned, taken off for a special bag search, taken off my watch, hair clips, jacket,shoes, opened my computer, been asked questions to verify my information, and generally been made to feel bad before each flight. Have watched others and have myself watched each person as they board flights, buses and trains and wondered if they mean me harm. I am so different from who I was when I awoke that September morning 10 years ago. Not so innocent.


PS..... I never went to view the site, where they stood though have seen it countless times on TV, newspapers and film. Couldn't make myself take the Subway to the station that is still called "The World Trade Center".  I will go to the Memorial in time....I still cry and morn those who are no longer here. Know I  always will.

But mostly.....

I REMEMBER

The only journey is the one within............

The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.

So ....here I am in NYC with Summer just about over. Labor Day was this Monday, US Open is in Progress and the leaves are just starting to turn. Its a cooler, and seems to me gentler time.Lots of rain and wind....signifying change to me. Less pressure to spend every waking hour "doing" something.

There is a journey that I am on. Its my life and all that surrounds it. Awake or sleeping this is my being. Without artifice or even a mask to disguise reality. What happens does. Belief in the paths traveled and courage to take that extra step even when the path is obscured. There is no destination.....just the road and traveling down it.

Having shared lots of what the last year has been like with so many has helped me understand and even cherish both the good and not so good sections of my path. Many have written and asked how I am and what am I doing. Because of this I have chosen to continue documenting what is happening to me and those around me. My hope is that you all continue to "tune in" and enjoy all with me. Perhaps even commiserate when things are not easy or fun....or without some angst. My life up to this point has not been one of ease....many bumps, speed traps, mountains, rough waters, and in general challenges that I have faced at times very reluctantly and even at times fearfully. However./..here I am. All experiences have made me...well...me! This blog will not be less of a travelogue and more of my inner journeys  and how the world around influences and is influenced by my essence and view of this small Planet and my even smaller place in it. There is a great chance that you will see yourself and identify with the struggles and joy of living life in these days. As usual comments and your thoughts are wanted and appreciated.