Devil's Island
This was a French penal colony for 100 years until 1953, where convicts went to die of disease or harsh conditions as 75% died within their first year. We have each seen prison cells (from the outside of the cell!) so we will not tender to this 35 acre island.
My most recent post worried our family that we are not enjoying our journey. Quite the contrary, we are walking an hour every morning and working out at the fitness center 3 times per week. We have danced, played scrabble, dined with other couples and we have each finished a book. Our travel consultant gave us good suggestions for future excursions. I believe it is important to not only record the positive experiences but to also write about the unfavorable accounts, as well. I tried to add a bit of humor to make them more pleasant to read and recollect.
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Anthony Bourdain
George Li, guest pianist with the CSO, was astounding in his performance playing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto #3. We were exhausted just watching him play for 30+ minutes. He garnered a 15 min standing O from the audience, yes Cincinnati is well known for its’ standing ovations, but this one was well deserved. Interestingly, he took a seat in the audience to listen to Copland’s symphony #3. Thank you for sharing your tickets with us. We could quickly get used to sitting in box seats.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. We're glad you enjoyed the performance.
DeleteGlad to hear that there are 2 life jackets and that neither have yet been used. We hope that both will still be dry at the end of the voyage.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered hiring a private local guide to explore the ports? This might allow you to have the experience and interaction with the locals that you prefer. Take a look at "Tours by Locals"
Yes, we met with the manager of destinations on board and enjoyed a wonderful private tour today in Belem, Para, Brazil. All of our large group tours will be replaced with private tours.
DeleteLast night our taste buds were tantalized at the Mita’s collaboration dinner with Chef Dissen from Asheville. It was a fund raising event to support recovery efforts from the hurricane and flood damage. We also had the opportunity to chat with Keith Pandolfi and we mentioned you and the drink you treated him to at Fillo.
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of food, finally – a mention of the desserts you are enjoying. We were expecting Ruth Ann’s daily critique of the desserts at each meal.
Good story! Ruth Ann has agreed to become the dessert critic.
DeleteDessert critic....great.....but what about the BEST BATHROOMS??
DeleteShe hasn't found the best bathroom, yet. Still looking.
DeleteWhen you were near Devil's Island was there any mention of Papillon or the filming of that movie there or elsewhere. I don't know if that is the same island. I thought that island was in the Pacific, but I don't really know. You are still are on the east coast of South America, aren't you? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteYes, Papillon was filmed at Devil's Island. It is surrounded by shark infested waters. We are off the coast of Southeast South America on our way to Uruguay.
DeleteI am officially catching up on your travels! So glad you are having a wonderful time and making space for the good and bad of travel. There is good and bad in every trip. Love the quotes! Especially the Anthony Bourdain quotes. Can’t wait to read more. Miss you both!
ReplyDeleteThe French have a word for the inevitable, yet transformational discomfort that comes from travel: dépaysement. No real English equivalent, it refers to the feeling of disorientation, unfamiliarity, or culture shock when you're in a new environment, far from what you are used to. It can be positive, like the excitement of discovering a new country, or negative, like feeling lost or out of place. The end result is always growth !
ReplyDeleteWell written by our favorite French teacher.
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