It was during the latter part of last September that Mary Jane mentioned to me that she had found an extraordinary price for a western Caribbean cruise in January.  When we were still working colleagues had admonished me that once I retired I would be happily available for the rock bottom low cruise prices that appear suddenly and have to be utilized by people who have virtually no commitments that burdens their calendars.  Although we have been faithfully looking over the past four years of being foot loose and fancy free…we have not seen that many offers that have caused us to drop everything and jump on board.  The cruise aboard the Emerald Princess disembarking from Houston, Texas and stopping in Roatan, Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel was the wonderful deal that we had been waiting on.

As we arrived in Houston Saturday afternoon, to be certain on being on time for our Sunday afternoon boarding, we noticed how chilly, rainy, and cloudy it was.  Although it was in the forties the Houstonians that we met expressed that they were darn cold!  After a flawless bus ride to the ship we boarded early with no problem.  I could not help but notice the enormity of the vessel, it holds over three thousand passengers, and it is one of the largest in the Princess fleet.  We leisurely toured the stunning ship and were more than ready for the obligatory safety drill prior to setting sail.  As the time for our sail away came and went we suddenly were informed by our Captain that due to fog the Galveston channel had been closed by the Harbor Master.  The Captain went on to estimate that we probably would not be underway before 4am Monday morning.  The fog did not lift until mid morning and we set sail finally at 10am.  Due to the seventeen hour delay, Roatan, Honduras was replaced with Costa Maya, Mexico.

Cozumel was our favorite port.  This lovely island is distinguished by its exquisite beaches and the beautiful crystal clear azure blue water that surround it.  Cozumel is known for its black corral which the residents dive for and subsequently fashion into rare jewelry.  The island’s residents are Mayan.  Our tour guide took us to a small Mayan Ruin that had an original entrance door of no more than four feet hight.  He told us that the original Mayan people were very short but that the Mayans we saw on Cozumel now looked very different due to interbreeding with the Spanish.  He went on to expound on how cold it was and that we were visiting them during their winter.  Although the temperature was 75 to 80 degrees he said that many of the children in the poorer section of the island were coughing and sneezing with colds due to the low temperatures.  During summer our guide told us that most Cozumel residents slept in hammocks very near a fan as the temperatures can be one hundred and fifteen degrees.  Hotel rooms during the winter run $190.00 per night and are booked solid while during the summer the cost falls to $90.00 per room per night.  During our boat tour around the island I counted seven cruise liners in port…while during the summer they have only one per day.

These are scenes from the beautiful rocky shore lines of Cozumel.

Our guide illustrating how low the original door was into the Mayan Ruin.

I was struck with the dignity and easy manner of our guide.  He recounted the original physical strength of his ancestors by talking about his grandfather who is ninety-five years old and still farming.  He mentioned that his grandfather does not need glasses to read the paper while he, our guide does.  He went on to say that when his grandfather comes in from the fields for the day that his wife not only takes his shoes off but goes on to undress and bathe him.

The more that I travel the more I am convinced of the rich diversity of people who inhabit our planet…and I wonder why do we continually fight each other during our short journey together.

As I mentioned in my last post our recent visit to Hawaii afforded us, due to my brother-in-laws careful planning, a beach house directly on the beach.  I could not believe our good fortune when it was apparent that the Pacific ocean would serenade us for our entire visit.  Two elements of nature fascinate me and they are large bodies of water and the sun and how the sun interacts with the water.  I simply do not become weary of watching both.

There is something mesmerizing about the vastness, movement, and majestic splendor of the ocean.  During our week-long adventure we were able to visit many points on the island of Oahu with the three ocean picture settings of; the north shore, which is noted for it’s extremely large waves and rocky shore, Ewa beach, which provided me with a limitless number of digital photos, and finally Waikiki beach.  I remember my first camera which was a Big Swinger Polaroid camera that I received for Christmas when I was a boy and now marvel at the visual clarity and seemingly limitless photo taking opportunity of the current generation of digital cameras.  Photos are really a bit of magic in our all to fast-moving lives where we can for a moment stop time and remember where we have been.

The North Shore.

Ewa Beach

North Shore

Our Hawaiian cousins.

Our beach.

As 2014 draws to a close I hope that each of you enjoy good health and happiness.  Let us try to remember that the truly valuable things in our lives money did not buy.  Is God a capitalist…or would he like for us to learn a better way while we are sojourners on this beautiful Earth?

After being associated with Southern Illinois University for over thirty-six years I am still spell bound by it’s natural beauty.  SIU Carbondale began as a teacher’s college in 1869 in beautiful southern Illinois near the Shawnee National Forest.  Contained within the campus is both Thompson Woods and Campus Woods which surrounds Campus Lake.

Under the presidency of Delyte W. Morris the teacher’s college was transformed to a nationally and internationally recognized university and grew in enrollment from 3,500 to over 23,000 student between 1950 through 1980.  During the phenomenal growth of the Carbondale Campus Dr. Morris emphasized the retention and development of the natural beauty of the physical location.  Upon Dr. Morris arrival at SIUC it was soon noted that he had a great interest in the trees on campus and said in one of his first tours of campus that the library and the greenhouse were two of the two most needed facilities.

It is often said by both new student and their parents that SIU is the most lovely campus in the state of Illinois.

The following is a photo of President Morris planting a tree at the Edwardsville Campus during his tenure.  Indeed he not only grew the Carbondale Campus but added a Campus at Edwardsville and a Medical School in Springfield, Illinois.

A commemorative bronze statue of the man responsible for much of not only the growth of SIU but also it’s continued physical beauty.

Have you ever known a person for whom Christmas lasts the whole year round?  How about someone who sings Christmas carols in July?  Or indeed a person who enjoys seeing the first Christmas trees and the other holiday revelry in the merchants windows before Halloween.  That would be me and thus it has always been.  For some reason or reasons Christmas has always elicited the warmest and fuzziest emotions in me.  I am transported to a more peaceful and happier world where peace on earth and good will toward men seems possible.

As a child I recall a stuffed toy Santa Claus that had a wind up crank protruding out of his back and the most joyful of smiles permanently affixed to his face.  When I turned the crank…peal after peal of side splitting laughter emerged somewhere from his belly.  We called him laughing Santa.  Another memory was of Santa Claus visiting my house.  There he was in his red suit, his long white beard and his red cap!  It was simply incredible and I could not believe my good fortune!  Finally I recall fondly the temporary pervasive happiness that filled my childhood home in Chicago on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  It seemed that there was a special dispensation for these two days…a time out…for trouble and strife…and uncertainty.

I later discovered that Santa was really one of my Dad’s friends dressed up in an impressive red suit and beard.  Also, my Mom and Dad went on to separate and then divorce…and it was terribly sad…and caused uncertainty…fear…and the rapid acceleration of maturity for one small boy…and laughing Santa.

When Aaron and Jonathon came along Christmas took on its’ former significance once again.  We decorated our little four room house with a seven foot Christmas tree that dominated the small living room that its’ majesty was contained in.  We traveled to St. Louis to the headquarters of Famous Barr and then to the seventh floor to see the magnificent Christmas village that took up a large area of the entire floor.  The boys eyes were always wide with awe and wonder…all three of us.  The gifts were always purchased with great care and aplomb.  In those early days we still had the Sears catalogue or wish book and much perusing of that occurred.

During the latter part of the nineteen nineties we began attending First Presbyterian Church just before Thanksgiving.  I could not help but notice shortly after our arrival the emergence of a beautiful Christmas tree in the narthex.  That year we began attending the Christmas Eve Service at the church and have done so for almost every year since.  Presbyterians do Christmas right.

When we moved to the New House…although we have now been here over thirteen years…we were overcome with the additional room we had.  We discovered that our basement was larger than our former home.  Thus when Christmas time arrived… not one tree but two.

We enjoyed a Christmas Season gift exchange with some special friends for many years…and marveled at the splendor of their Christmas tree…and the rich holiday appropriateness of Irish Coffee.

This year is good.  My sons are employed.  Mary Jane and I are retired…health reports are good…and travel is in our future.  However…I do miss laughing Santa.

In January of 2012 I faithfully kept my vow of going somewhere for holiday every January during my retirement.  Since January 2012 was my second month of January of retirement, as I retired at the end of 2010,  I was on a roll.  Ron, my brother-in-law who is much more like my brother accompanied us.  Ron had some minor trepidation prior to disembarking due to his having never cruised before.  This soon yielded to happiness and the sheer joy of the beautiful accommodations and delicious cuisine along with the uniquely singular experience that cruising offers.

We first flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico and stayed at the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino on Condado Beach.  The next day we embarked on a walking tour of old San Juan until we happened upon a tobacco store.  I subsequently rushed in as Mary Jane and Ron followed and announced with some savvy traveler glee…” I would like your best cuban cigar”…to which the proprietor replied…sir you are still in the United States.  Somewhat chagrined, but not defeated, I replied that I would like a quality cigar.  The astute storekeeper instructed his assistant to give me a Churchill…on the house.  Being more than surprised I began to professionally puff what was indeed an excellent cigar while Ron proceeded to purchase one as well.  As I mused among the cloud of delicious smoke…that perhaps Ron was going to join me in my vice…the friendly cigar aficionado began to show me moderately priced box sets for shipping home.  By this time Mary Jane and Ron had exited the building and I was left alone with my generous new friend and under the influence of cigar delight.  Mary Jane said that it was at this point another tourist exited the store and told her that I was just about to be talked into a large purchase of cigars…with no one to protect me.  She quickly entered and announced that we must go and pulled me from my revelry.  As we proceeded through an extremely busy open market I told my party to go ahead and that I would catch up after Churchill and I had completed our visit.  Later I discovered that Churchill had a brother that had been purchased for me.

As we prepared to leave our short pleasant stay in San Juan a fellow guest told us of the sinking of the Costa Concordia on January 13, 2012.  A terrible tragedy…and a sobering occurrence happening just prior to our boarding the Caribbean Princess for our vast ocean journey.

I never tire of the majestic beauty of the ocean.

The Caribbean offers such a variety of cultures and peoples that it is astounding to me that although many of the islands are close in proximity to each other…the people speak often a different language than their neighbor and have a totally different culture.  For instance the island of Saint Martin in the Northeast Caribbean and 190 miles east of Puerto Rico is divided between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  France has twenty square miles and the Netherlands has thirteen square miles.  St Martin is the smallest island divided between two nations.  The northern French part is referred to as the Collectivite de Saint-Martin.  We shopped in the French portion of St. Martin and had a lovely experience doing so.  The very friendly store owner encouraged us to make a toll free telephone call from the store’s phone to our sons.  We did so and got voicemail.  Following our purchases he invited us to partake in some small Heinken beers for the returning bus ride to the cruise ship.  When we asked if this would be all right with law enforcement he replied that we were not in the United States anymore.

A preponderance of the pleasure of cruising the Caribbean in January is the sure knowledge that it is winter at home.  An assistant in this joyful period is the daily inquiry as to the temperature back home and finally the discussion of that abysmal temperature with friends old and new.  Cruising is somewhat like Disney World was to me and my family many years ago.  It is the transference into a world of luxury and seemingly worry free atmosphere for a few days.  Or as Ron commented the first morning at breakfast…”they heated my milk for my oatmeal…they do not heat my milk at the Corner Cafe!”

Recently we were privileged to attend a lovely wedding in Arroyo Seco, New Mexico.  However I am getting ahead of myself as our plane landed in Albuquerque.  This southwestern city is simply beautiful.  We visited a house near the mountains and were spellbound by the beauty of the sun setting over the mountains and producing a red hew on their surface.  The city has a population of 558,000 and a peaceful demeanor that is captivating.  Not forsaking that Albuquerque is where the popular television show Breaking Bad was filmed.  My sister-in-law’s face lit up and her eyes sparkled when we arrived, as she had lived in New Mexico, and I could soon see why she was excited to return.  We stayed at the Hotel Nativo which had lovely southwestern decor and the friendliest staff I have encountered in some time.

The next morning it was time to begin our pilgrimage to Arroyo Seco by way of Santa Fe and Taos.  With a population of 67,947 the artistic haven of Santa Fe has a small community feel to it.  As we walked Canyon Road to visit the many shops I could not help but notice and feel the laid back…friendly…live and let live attitude of everyone we met.  Santa Fe is at an elevation of 7,260 feet and it was only up hill from there.  Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico.

When we arrived at Arroyo Seco I noticed that I was somewhat short of breath.  I first thought that it was my continuing cold that I had been battling for over a week but then recalled that we were in the mountains.  Arroyo Seco’s elevation is 7,634 feet.  After a long day of site seeing and travel we sought out a good restaurant and found one that had delicious food and some of the best pie I have ever tasted.

I was seeking a turquoise ring to commemorate my New Mexico Adventure and found just the one at Claire’s Jewelry at Arroyo Seco at a very reasonable price.  Turquoise is the stone of the Navajo and although I did not know this at the time I purchased it…I found out shortly thereafter…and the significance of it grew exponentially.

The beauty of the wedding was breathtaking.  The poignant Navajo traditions that were part of the celebration were deep and moving.   Mary Jane and I were honored to be a part of the day.

I must leave you with some pictures of this beautiful country.  

New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment and after visiting I heartily agree.

As we were sailing toward Scotland I noticed how chilly it was becoming.  I really had not thought about how far north Scotland is.  It’s only land border is with England and it runs for sixty miles.  The Atlantic Ocean borders the West coast and the North Sea the East coast.  It was about this time in our United Kingdom and Ireland Cruise that we encountered extremely rough seas.  Now I must confess that I was…to this point…extremely proud of my having never been afflicted with sea sickness.  In fact I looked upon those unfortunate souls with the little white patch behind their ear as somehow not cut out for true sea faring.  When the jostling began I greeted it with joy as it added some adventure to the holiday.  However I did wonder when it became apparent that I could not walk without holding on to a solid objects and when the nightly Broadway type show was cancelled for two consecutive nights for the safety of the performers.  As I lay in bed…on the first night of the heaving and swaying I felt the front of our little ship rise what seemed to me to be an interminable height…and then come crashing down with a tremendous jolt…time after time after time.  It was about this time that it occurred to me that ships do sink…even small ocean liners.  I reflected on the Titanic and Gilligan’s Island…and became extremely ill.  Or, as Jonathon remarked the next morning…he woke up and was somewhat concerned for our safety…prayed and returned to sleep.  The next morning I made my way slowly and carefully to the front desk for my free ration of sea sick pills or patches.  The somber attendant told me flatly that they were out and that I might try the on-board hospital.  As I entered humbly a stern nurse from South Africa instructed me that they were not a store and that if they gave me sea sick pills I would have to pay for their medical services…I replied whatever it takes…and thank you.

So, we landed in Scotland and were greeted by a wonderful jolly appearing gentleman in his kilt and playing a bagpipe.  As we made our way into the port shops area we again were greeted with very happy Scotsmen in kilts and rosy cheeked and offering us free whiskey.  As the Russian actor said on an old television commercial, “What a country!”  

I don not think that I have witnessed more verdant, majestic country in any of our travels.  It was simply beyond description.  

One of our most memorable stops was at a little village.  The quaint shops and homes were delightful and the residents majestically colorful.  

As we were entering one of the lovely shops the proprietor welcomed us in while he continued a seemingly passionate discussion with another patron as I heard him say, “I do not care what the Pope says…I have never believed that religious stuff…I am a pagan.”  I was reminded of the well known movie the Wicker Man…and thought what an interesting country this would be to have a lengthy stay in.

We walked Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and toured Holyroodhouse which is the Queens’ official residence when she is in Scotland.  I was also fascinated by the ruins of Holyrood Abbey.  

The Ocean was especially beautiful as we made our way toward Scotland.  The combination of the clouds, the chilly temperatures, and the sunlight shining on the water gave a special air of mystery to this enigmatic land.  

Ireland had been a country that we had wanted to visit for some time.  Along with purchasing books on the subject and discovering authentic Irish hats and wearing them proudly and observing St. Patricks’ Day with a pint of Guinness…or maybe two.  I think that perhaps Ireland was the most anticipated stop of our cruise around the United Kingdom and Ireland.  We docked at the Republic of Ireland which covers five-sixths of the Irish Island.  The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign nation and its’ currency is the euro while Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and its’ currency is the pound.   Our first stop was the town of Waterford which is the home of the renowned Waterford Crystal.  We toured the House of Waterford and marveled at the craftsmen’s expertise.  

Waterford Crystal had actually been shuttered for a few years due to financial issues but had been re-opened and purchased by the employees.  After our extensive tour of the House of Waterford and some necessary acquisitions we took a guided tour of Dublin Castle.  This group was led by the best tour guide I have experienced…this young woman simply brought the castle and its’ rich history to life with her detailed accounts of what had transpired in the past within the castle walls and the lively current history of the edifice including the up-coming visit of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton alone with fifty foreign ministers scheduled for December 2012.  Her moving account of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visit in May 2011 and the historical significance of the Queen recognizing the sovereignty of the Republic of Ireland was palpable.  

Our guide said that especially the Queen beginning her remarks in Gaelic was an honor to the Irish.

 At one point she was trying to recall an american movie and she asked the crowd of mostly americans if we could tell her the name of it…as the silence was permeating I said in a low voice…This is Spinal Tap…and she exclaimed that I was correct.  I have never seen the movie.

We had a delicious lunch of fish and chips at a local pub.  It was extremely full of happy people and one not so happy person.  As we were crowded against a table of young men who were throughly enjoying their Guinness I noticed that they regularly bumped against our table…with no ill will…just full of joy of life.  Thus when the opportunity availed itself we moved to a table with a little more room,  I looked up to see a gentleman glaring at me as he drank at the bar…and I really think he thought we were being disrespectful in some way.  However I returned to my delicious lunch and he left…ships passing in the night of different cultures.

Our bus tour guide told us that drinking and driving had become so prevalent in Ireland that there had recently been instituted a zero tolerance of it.  At almost the conclusion of our tour our guide sang Danny Boy…and her rendition added such a personal touch to our short visit that it brought goose bumps to the audience.  

There is a reason that everyone is Irish on St. Patricks’ Day…Ireland is a beautiful, magical, mysterious land that permeates the soul of its’ inhabitants.  

We had talked about it for roughly ten years.  The last time we had a family discussion regarding a trip to the United Kingdom…we chose Maine instead.  Now do not misunderstand me, Maine, is wonderful and we have since returned there for a repeat of what was an outstanding holiday.  However we seemed to never settle on our UK adventure…until we did.  In August 2012 we flew from the United States to London Heathrow Airport where we caught a shuttle to our hotel.  Upon arriving at the hotel, once again… this being our second transatlantic flight, we felt somewhat zombie like.  Thus we thought a traditional English Breakfast would be in order.  How delightful and delicious with plump sausages, blood pudding, and baked beans we ate our fill with workmanlike proficiency .  Now we were beyond sleepy.  As we sat on a couch in the ornate reception area Mary Jane was told that our rooms would not be ready for several hours.  I wondered if we looked somewhat like the characters from the old television show the Beverly Hillbillies?  I received my answer when I told the smartly dressed hotel professional that we had no where to go and were much to tired to do so if we did and therefore she could find us on the couch for the duration of our multi-hour wait.  She suddenly found our rooms…all clean and ready for our arrival.

We had arrived at the beginning of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games held in London.  As we flipped on the  television in our room we quickly noticed that the coverage from the British point of view looked like a different Olympics than what we had been watching just before we left the US.  Soon sleep overtook me and the events of the time prior to our embarking consisted or much needed rest and a lovely Indian meal at the hotel restaurant.  

We boarded the Princess Ocean Liner at Dover…and the cliffs really are white.  The ship was the smallest in Princess fleet and held under seven hundred passengers.  By contrast the Caribbean Princess that we had sailed on twice is one of the fleets largest vessels holding over four thousand passengers.  I thought that the smallness of the ship would be enjoyable…not so many opportunities to get lost.  Later during our voyage I discovered that there was a drawback to being a small vessel…but that is for another blog.  

Our first stop was the island of Guernsey.  It is a British Crown dependency.  It was liberated from Nazi Germany on May 9, 1945.  Guernsey had its’ own currency or the Guernsey pound…but we were cautioned on ship to insist on trading in British pounds as the Guernsey pound was virtually unusable anywhere  but Guernsey.  We toured fort Grey and marveled at the gun casements and the cannonball that was forever lodged in the wall of the fort.  We stood in rapt attention as the cannon was shot at noon sharp…as it is every day for hundreds of years by persons dressed as british soldiers from the era when the practice began.  

We also discovered that the famous author Victor Hugo lived in Guernsey.  Also that the island was famous for its’ ice cream…of which we partook, but insisted in paying in British pounds.  

I have chosen in this series to jump around a bit and so comes our bus tour of Scotland that culminated in the fascinating Inveraray Castle.  If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, as we are, you may recall the Christmas 2012 episode where the Grantham family visit the home of their cousins in Scotland called in the episode Duneagle Castle.  

Inveraray Castle is the home of the Duke of Argyll who is the chief of the Campbell Clan since the seventeenth century.  Our tour guide was a delightful woman of respectable age who simply brought Scotland alive with her lilting speech and stories.  As we rode through the Scottish country side I think that I have never seen such natural beauty.  

As we drew nearer the castle our tour guide began to be more excited.  She cautioned us that indeed the current Duke and his family did reside at Inveraray and that if we were lucky he might come down to greet us.  She went on to instruct us that we must not say, “How ya doing duke?”  But rather we should refer to him as, “Your Grace.”  So, with much fear and trepidation at the prospect of really meeting royalty we arrived and soon discovered that the Duke had not only agreed to come down but that he was assisting in the gift shop.  

The castle is a magnificent structure.   

Seeing the Duke dressed in his apron that said “Duke” on it was somehow reassuring as was his strange expression when I referred to him as Your Grace.