CURIOSITIES

                                           Odds and Ends
  

            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 18^th 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!

WAR MEMORIAL

                       SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE

In Melbourne, Australia one of the must-see attractions is the Shrine of Remembrance.

During World War  I (1914 –18) 114,000 young people from Victoria enlisted, and of the 89,000 who served abroad 19,000 were killed. In those days people didn’t travel like we do today and with so many loved ones buried overseas, the people wanted to build a memorial. The original idea was to build a Victorian memorial, but after committees were formed the end result is what we see today. During WW II thousands more Australians lost their lives so the Shrine of Remembrance is a memorial to all who served in all wars.

This memorial cost $470,000 and required a great deal of effort. Our guide told us, “There is an extensive war museum inside which you’ll have plenty of time to see, but first follow me to the center of the memorial.

“This part of the memorial is built so that on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (the exact time of the end of WW I) a shaft of light shines through the ceiling to illuminate and move across the heart in the center of the floor.

“So many people wanted to see this that it is now mechanically reproduced each day." 

We arrived just moments before 11 AM. A hush fell over the crowd as we watched this most spectacular sight! It was a very moving experience.

The sanctuary contains the   marble  Stone of Remembrance, upon which is engraved the words "Greater love hath no man." The name of every serviceman who died defending his country is engraved on the  walls. The names are alphabetical and grouped by  conflict.

 The portico on each East and West side is approached by wide flights of steps which rise in stages to the podium on which the Shrines sits. The east and west facing fronts are marked at the corners by four groups of statuary  representing Peace, Justice, Patriotism and Sacrifice. The museum covered two floors and was most interesting.   The Eternal Flame burns outside in front of the memorial.

On my second visit Down Under the shrine was not on our itinerary. I wanted my traveling buddy to see it and made such a request to our guide. She was willing but she had quite a conversation with the driver before he finally relented. I was chomping at the bit because of the time restraints. But we did make it in time to see the light pass across the heart, and I had just as many chills the second time as I did the first, five years earlier. We had to skip the museum that time but we at least saw the most moving part. I made sure to thank all who made it possible.

RUSSIA'S WAR MEMORIAL

VICTORY PARK

In Moscow, Victory Park covers 182 hectares. It opened in 1995 with representatives from 56 countries, including President Clinton, present. The metal relief 462-foot high oblique is beautiful. A Mosque, Synagogue, and Russian Orthodox Church are in the park.

We entered the main building to find a Russian band waiting for us. The director stood at rigid attention in a uniform that looked a bit big for him. After they played and sang the Russian National Anthem they swung into the Star Spangled Banner. We all stood at attention and sang loudly along with them as more than one of us had tears in our eyes. What a delight! So far from home, on foreign soil and to have such a warm welcome was wonderful.

A local, very Russian, docent then toured us though the excellent museum. The many dioramas were some of the best I’ve ever seen. Svetlana interpreted for us as we moved through the museum. The guide said, “Twenty-seven million Russians died during WW II, seven million were military and 20 million were civilians. The Battle of Moscow in 1941 was followed by the Battle of Stalingrad, which lasted 200 days killing 4 million people. That battle ended in ’43 when Russian soldiers surrounded 90,000 Germans.

“The Nazis couldn’t capture Leningrad so they bombarded it in a siege that lasted 900 days! The Russians would not surrender. People had no heat, water, or food and were given 4-inches of bread a day. One million died in the first destruction of Leningrad in 300 years.

“Kiev was liberated in November ’43. The Nazis lost 70% of their forces on Russian territory. The siege of Berlin lasted 22 days.”

In the Hall of Glory 12,000 hero names are engraved on the walls. Reliefs encircle the dome and in the center a bronze soldier welcomes and represents the drive from Moscow to Berlin.

It is an excellent war museum with outstanding displays.
At the time of my visit Moscow was in high gear for the 65th D-Day anniversary celebrations. President Bush was due in the city in a few days. Orange, yellow and red flags were all over town. Thousands of flowers---tulips and pansies, were being planted.