In 1974 a group of Danish
airline pilots bought a 1785 grain warehouse and remodeled it into the Admiral
Hotel. On a second trip to Copenhagen I stayed at the Admiral. Located on the
waterfront in the heart of the city, it was unique and lovely. The original granary
had a rustic charm. The thick brick walls had exposed beams and the graceful
brick archways were accented with 12 X 15-inch beams 200 years old. They sure
built things to last in the old days and Danes save and recycle a lot of their
old buildings and what a wonderful job they do of it! The hotel now is owned by
a large hotel chain.
Weeping Soldier
I have visited many war
memorials, cemeteries and eternal flames, but one memorial that really touched
my heart was the weeping soldier in Viden, Bulgaria. The bronze statue portrays a soldier sitting on the battlefield
with head bowed weeping for all the victims killed that day in battle. It is an
unusual statue as most soldiers are depicted on their horse. I’ve tried
unsuccessfully to find out more information about the statue. I believe it was
erected in honor of WWI soldiers.
A Favorite Food
It was a Sunday when I visited St.
Andrews, Scotland. After visiting the famous golf course, which is closed on
Sunday, and stepping on that legendary 18th green, we took off to walk about the small town. I can’t resist
foreign grocery stores, so when I spotted one, I had to have a look-see. My
favorite berry of all time is the raspberry, so when I spied the fresh big
berries I had to buy the pint. We strolled down the main street and I ate a
berry with every step. I did offer them to my friend but she refused. By
the time we reached the street corner, the berries were gone, hopefully they
were organic and clean, but it didn’t matter the box was empty! The trash can
on the corner was waiting for me to discard all evidence. I so enjoyed my indulgence!
A Naughty Boy
Walking down the Royal
Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland we stopped at the Deacon Brodie Pub to see and
admire the lovely ceiling we’d heard about. The ceiling is low for an old
building. It is wood with outlined squares of raised thistles and red rose
motifs. It is truly gorgeous. Brodie,
the son of a cabinetmaker, was born on Brodie Close. The wealthy pious citizen was elected to
Deacon Counselor in 1781, but at night he turned into a gambler and thief. He carried a wax plug in his pocket to
press key impressions. Then when he knew the residents were not
home, he used a newly made key to enter their home to steal jewelry and money.
He actually was an inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde.
Eventually he was caught and hanged at St. Giles in 1788. In a twist of fate he
was hung by a gallows, which he had improved upon. Both his birthplace and
death place are close to the tavern named for him.
And Your Age is…..
We were told that in China they are
not shy about asking anyone their age. I happened to be the oldest in our small
group and after our hostess learned this she assumed I was feeble. As we
ascended a flight of stairs she grabbed my arm and nearly hauled me up the
stairs. They respect age in all facets of life. Younger people yielded seats,
right of way etc all the time. It was kind of nice!
Monkey Business
At Manuel Antonio Beach in Costa Rica the light sand is fine, and the
turquoise blue water clear and calm. A
group of squirrel monkeys came from the trees to the beach to visit some
sunning tourists. Several carried a baby on her back. Playful they entertained
us for some time. One woman was surprised when a monkey approached her towel
and stole a cracker from her package then scampered off to eat it. Squirrel
monkeys travel in groups and like lower tree areas. They were fearless and so
much fun to watch.
More Monkey Business
On
one of my visits to the Schonbrunn in Vienna I stood in front of a painting of a
lovely lady with a monkey on her head. The docent explained that centuries ago it
was common for people not to bathe for months and inevitably little critters set
up housekeeping in women’s long hair. The monkey provided income for its master
as he made his rounds and relief from itching for the fair ladies!
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