Dear friends and followers of my blog,
This is my final post. I am now cruising across the Atlantic Ocean to arrive in Dallas in time for Christmas. We dropped the car off in Nice, 3 hours from our last home in Europe, Pezenas, France. We flew from Nice to Lisbon, spent an evening in Lisbon, and departed the next day on the Seabourn Spirit for a twelve day Transatlantic crossing. The ship is small by cruise ship standards, however, it is very luxurious and it is a ship that I have travelled on before. There are only 155 passengers on board - a full ship would be 200. The staff is wonderful, and the amenities are perfect. It is almost like a family environment.Each of the personnel knows your name.
Our ship is the small cruise ship on the right.
We made one stop on the ship. We spent a day in Funchal, Madeira. It was a perfect stop. We hired a taxi to take us to the various sites on the island. Madeira has been called the island of eternal spring, the island where summer goes to spend winter. It is the largest of a group of five islands. It is in the Atlantic, 350 miles from North Africa, and 600 miles from Portugal. Funchal is the capital. It is a beautiful city of parks and fresh flowers - purple bougainvillea line the walls of the town; mimosa fills the air with its scent; and jacaranda petals carpet the streets in blue.
We went to the famous Reid's Hotel for tea. The hotel has hosted such luminaries as Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw. The terrace is on a promontory that overlooks the Bay of Funchal.
Old Blandy Wine Lodge in the heart of the downtown area. This was formerly a 17th century monastery. Large oak, mahogany and satinwood casks and vats contain gallons of Madeira's finest wines. Winston Churchill's letters, and accounting books from the last three centuries are in the museum.
We ate the local fish - Espada - it looks like a long black eel. It was excellent.
The botanical gardens were beautiful with the exotic bird collection.
The Mercado dos Lavradores, has the most beautiful array of colorful flowers.
THOUGHTS ON RETURNING HOME
It was truly a "life changing" experience to be able to live in different countries in Europe. The countries in which I lived, I have visited on other occasions. However, to actually live there, communicate, and conduct daily life with the 'locals" was an incredible experience. Each culture had its own unique contribution to observe.
The Italians demonstrated such a strong sense of family. It could be confused with a laid back attitude toward life; however, each day when they closed their businesses for 2 hours to go home and have lunch with their wives and children, you must ask yourself - what is really important in life?
The Polish people we can learn so much with respect to forgiveness. Their country was torn apart, divided, renamed, reclaimed, and every horrific atrocity during WWII was staged in concentration camps built all over their country. And yet, they are happy, extremely hard working and do not harbor a feeling of malice or hatred toward their European neighbors.
The Bulgarians have so much kindness and love. Their country is treated as the "stepchild" of the Balkans. They are very hard working. They tend their land, fish the sea and produce a premium quality wine that is exported all over the world. They are generous with their time, and do not expect a reward for hard work.
The French, are probably the most misunderstood culture in the "American " world. They are kind, patient, hard working, and really extended a warm feeling of community in their country. They are happy when you attempt to speak their language. Their food and wine is an extreme source of pride for them. They sincerely felt disappointment if you were displeased with them. And, they are respectful of cultural differences. They love their family,and children are an important part of their lives.
An overall observation with respect to the Europeans that I feel we are losing in America, is the closeness of family and friends which is very important in their society. The material focus in life is not apparent. Families and friends join for meals, and laugh and talk with three generations present at the table. They are happy to be together. I did not see cell phones, texting, IPads and Blackberries on the table at family and friend gatherings. I attended carnivals, festivals, markets,concerts, in every different country. These were gatherings of community with happiness and love apparent. I don't see this interaction in our country. I find it refreshing and yet sad that we have let technology replace one on one camaraderie. It seems that we have lost the ability of intimate communication with the people we love. My grandmother if she were alive would be saddened by this.
Well, no more editorializing....I'm back home......the Two Girls From Texas in a Car hope to have another adventure soon. Until then, have a fabulous 2013 !!!
PS The "two girls" put 21,488 miles on their car!!
Love
Lynn
