Magic Moments: 2002
Just a few magic moments in a trip can make it a success in your mind for the rest of your life. The moon rising over the Jungfrau...being alone at your own private Stonehenge...feeling Celtic pride well up in your non-Celtic soul after hours of traditional music in an Irish pub...meeting your "Old World" relatives for the first time. Do you have a favorite magic moment from your European experience?
toilettes
My reunion was a full magical 5 days in Portugal! One magical moment was finding
my house after 36 years on Avenida de Hollanda. We thought it had been replaced
by condominiums! Another moment simply tickled me. We were at the Castelo de
Jorge in Lisbon taking in the views. I needed to use the toilete. As I descended
the stairs I saw a Portuguese woman sitting in her chair waiting for her tips.
I remembered from school days one must always leave a coin. So I did, then proceeded
down a long hall to wait in line behind three other women. A moment later I heard
a hissing sound. I turned around and the old woman was 'pssst' and waving to
me to come use the men's room. I did, hurriedly. When I came out she had kept
watch for me so no men could enter. We smiled and I thanked her in Portuguese.
Kindness begets kindness.
Eve Dorf <email>
Fair Oaks, CA USA 07/27/02
Bike Ride from Bellagio
I rented a mountain bike for a day for 15 Euros from Arco Sports in Bellagio,
at Lago di Como. It was well worth it. I rode up into the mountains for 10K.
On the way, I passed an amazing view of Bellagio and the two arms of Lago di
Como coming together and a panoramic park with a monument to the Italian Alpini.
My destination was Magriglio, with the chapel of Madonna of Ghisallo, a shrine
for bicyclists. Inside this chapel, there was an altar, and countless signed
cycling jerseys by riders like Gianni Bugno, Claudio Chiapucci, and Miguell Indurain.
There were also bicycles that had been ridden by Eddie Merckx and others. Next
to the chapel was a monument to riders, and an amazing panorama of the lake and
mountains on the opposite side. A full bicycle museum is being built adjacent
to the chapel. I ascended a bit more before reaching the pay-off — a 10 K coast
downhill all the way back to Bellagio. The ride up is a little challenging, with
some fairly steep grades (14%, with 8 cut-backs at one point), but it was well
worth it. Andrew
Andrew Geller <email>
Durham, NC USA 07/02/02
3 magical moments from a trip full of them
My top 3 magic moments after six weeks in England, France, Italy, Austria, Germany
and the Netherlands: 1. Walking down a cobbled street in Monterosso and happening
upon a group of locals extemporaneously (and beautifully) singing opera at a
cafe. 2. Seeing the Eiffel Tower at night. As beautiful as a man-made object
can get. 3. Watching the wonderfully expressive face of a 3-year-old Italian
girl, with her grandparents during her first train trip. Her precious smile was
brighter than the Eiffel Tower at night!
Steve
Minneapolis, MN USA 06/11/02
New Years Eve
Lived in The Netherlands 6 years ago. Over the Christmas break took a 10 day
driving trip to visit family in Italy. The entire trip was magical. Returned
home to Zandzort at about 4 in the afternoon on New Years Eve. Quickly went to
the market for supplies and then back to the apartment. I was very tired after
the trip so went to bed at 9:30 or so. At 11:45 my husband came in and said "I
think you should get up for this". So got up and watched the night explode with
fireworks over the village, over Haarlem and Amsterdam. I have never seen such
a wonderful sight. (It was also loud!) Will never forget leaning over the balcony,
sipping champagne and watching all those colors in the night sky.
JoAnn
Laguna Niquel, ca USA 06/03/02
Matera , Firenze and Goreme
Three magic moments comme to mind: two in Italy and one in Turkey. The entire
four days in Goreme, Cappadocia can be called magic but two events come to mind:
the full moon over Love Valley on our last night there, and the sunset in a ruined
chapel overlooking one of the magificient valleys! The two others were in Italy
the next year: once at the Uffizi at night, in Florence: looking at the outdoor
sculptures and listening to a wonderful violinist, the other in Materra in the
Basilicata region in the south. In the section of town called the Caveo, while
walking in the alleys, from one of the cave houses we heard the music of Erik
Satie being played on a piano. These two times, we stopped, sat down on the sidewalk
and listened while weeping because of the perfection of the moment, when everything
in the world (at least our world) was at peace. Matera is a wondefull "backdoor" in
the south of Italy.
Antoine <email>
Montreal, qc canada 05/07/02
Mid-Vineyard Picnic
While in Alsace-Lorraine one late September, my wife and I were off the beaten
path in one of the many small villages trying to get to the town church, a favorite
pastime. We circled round and round and finally ended up at a dead end. Looking
up the hill, I spotted an opening in the vineyard about half-way up. We picnicked
in the opening, plucking a perfect grape or two off the vines, listening to the
sounds of the harvesters over the next hill (or the one after that), and enjoying
a great view of that gorgeous old church — -which we never DID get to visit! It
was a lovely moment of serendipity!
Dean <email>
Kansas City, MO USA 04/25/02
Vienna Calling
When I was in Vienna on a school trip, a band was playing in the marketplace
next to a train station. Elections were that sunday, and the band (the Stilletoes)
was playing for the yellow party. They were my kind of band: long hair, leather,
and playing "Honky Tonk Woman" and "Bed of Roses." After mimicking them, my friend
and I asked to take pictures with them, and they said yes! I got photos of me
with the lead singer, then he called the rest of his band over, saying "This
girl could put our picture in the New York Times!" The group photo is my favorite
picture ever, and the moment was definately magic, because that was the first
time I was really open with meeting locals. After a little chat, the band had
to go back to playing, so my friend and I said some danke shones and left.
Jorie <email>
Chicago, IL USA 04/17/02
Magical Moments
My husband and I were driving in the south of England recently, through some
charming villages. It began to rain though the sun was still shining. I looked
around for a rainbow and there it was — beautiful and ending in a meadow surrounded
by picturesque cottages. It capured all that I love about the UK. My husband
said that we should be seeing some hobbits soon!
Mary
Lincoln,, NE USA 04/15/02
My moments
1. Upon arrival at Rue Cler, Sitting at the corner cafe at Rue de Champ Du Mars,
eating onion soup, drinking wine and watching people. A man was there with his
son, which had a painted face, about 6 years old. They were laughing and having
fun. When my husband dropped a euro, the boy quickly picked it up and told his
dad he found euro. We all laughed together.
2. Snow at Schonnbrun Palace in Vienne. My hat blew off due to the wind. It rolled fast like a wheel. I had to run fast to get it, without stepping on it. I made an asian woman laugh her head off. it was funny.
3. Overlooking St Goar from the bench at Rhienfelds Castle at night. The hike
we had to make every night, up the 17% grade, was worth it, taking breaks along
the way, romantic interludes. We did not have a car, and no other place was
avialable, but the castle hotel. It is beautiful to look out over the Rhine,
with the church bells ringing, barges going by.
L <email>
USA 04/09/02
The best way to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time is to exit the subway
at Trocadero and walk along the back of the Palais de Caillot — the palais is
suddenly divided by a plaza and the twer jumps up as if out of your heart and
throat!
Carol
CA USA 04/03/02
Alhambra Magic
My husband and I were visiting the Alhambra in Grenada. We were looking at the
view from a beautiful terrace, when a hawk flew up and landed just feet from
us. It turned out she was nesting nearby, and the guards quickly moved us back,
but hawks have always been good omens for me, so it was pretty magical having
that happen in that setting.
Margi <email>
St. Paul, MN USA 03/29/02
moment of clarity
Having arrived at CDG at 6:00 on a Sunday morning, our rooms were naturally not
ready. Glenn and I walked around the Latin Quarter, where our hotel was located,
in search of coffee for him. After finding a reasonable substitute in espresso
("Oh no. I wanted coffee. This is espresso." This is Paris, honey. You have 5
days of espresso. Enjoy!) we wondered, still somewhat groggily, into the Luxembourg
Gardens. After a bit, I noticed that he was beaming, with a huge smile on his
face. What is it? "We're in Europe!" Of course: what do you think I've been planning
for 2 months? "No, no...its just that I never thought I would actually be here!" That
moment alone was worth the price of the ticket.
Maurice Higdon <email>
Portland, OR USA 03/23/02
Charming Men
I've experienced many unforgettable moments in Europe in several trips, from
Toledo to Vienna. Last year, though, one magical moment was strictly an ego-booster,
and took place in Paris, in a way that I can't imagine happening anywhere else.
I was with a girlfriend and we were crossing a broad street. Walking toward us
from the other side was a handsome man with longish hair and elegant, rather
flamboyant clothing. He abruptly stopped, looked at me, clutched his chest with
both hands, exclaiming, "Oh, my heart." After a second, he continued walking
toward us with his companion. He stopped us in the middle of the street, took
my hands and kissed them, and said, "You are so beautiful, Madame!" Then, they
continued on in the other direction, leaving me feeling rather glowy inside!
Many years ago, a man in Vienna asked me, "Bist Du ein Engel?" Thinking
he was asking if I were English, I said, no, I'm American. He then said
in English, "No, no, you must be an Angel!" Such moments are not the
major reason to go to Europe, but they certainly add charm to the experience!
Karol <email>
Seattle, WA USA 03/09/02
Magic in Catalan
In the early summer of 2000 I was traveling with my partner and stayed in the
small beach town of Sitges, just south of Barcelona. Sitges is full of magical
moments, but one that I will remember always, happened on a warm June evening.
The people of Catalan love to dance, sing and enjoy life. A fiesta was being
held in one of the many neighborhoods, and as always there is a plaza. Many people
were dancing, but I was struck by this beautiful woman who was dressed in black
with a red scarf. Her face was angelic and proud. I looked as this woman moved
to the music of Catalan with beauty and grace. She was probably about 80 years
old, but moved with the grace of a woman half her age. The men of the neighborhood
were lined up to dance with her. Young, old, teenagers and men older than she.
I was enchanted with this beautiful woman. As I watched her perfect movement
and beauty move with the night breeze I realized that this woman was blind. I
was almost moved to tears, not at her blindness, but at her zest for life and
her proud classic Catalan beauty. I have so many more memories of my magical
2 weeks there, but that's for another time.
Merrill <email>
San Francisco, CA USA 01/24/02
Magic moments in England
Watching amazing fireworks being launched directly behind the Royal Crescent
in Bath while standing on the beautiful expanse of green lawn...
Jan Weyer <email>
State College, PA USA 01/14/02
A Moment I shall Never Forget
I was flying from the UK to Newark on September 11th. Our Continental flight
was diverted to Stephensville, Newfoundland, as were many other flights. Over
the intercom came the announcement, "Our plane has been ordered to land, please
follow my crew members' instructions." The flight was totally quiet. Shortly
thereafter he made a full thrust landing. We remained on the plane for 10 hours
under intense security. It was quiet worrisome as some of us had family involved
in the events of the day. The captain and crew remained on the plane until it
was emptied, another 10 hours. The airlines provided our room, food, paid our
international phone calls and all expenses incurred. The captain of the flight
came and told us, "I don't know when you will return. Be prepared when I call
you."
I am in a wheelchair, and was provided every kindness. When I returned home, in a day or two a large basket of fruit, sweets, candy, breads, etc. arrived from Gordon Bethune, the CEO of Continental. His note said, "Please accept my sympathy, Continental's, and all of the world's sympathy on your family's loss. Words do not express our feelings." I thought that was above and beyond. It was not some computer generated note, but a hand written one. Well done.
I have already booked flights to Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Milan and
England so far this year, all on Continental. I was told this poem by
a priest from the Vatican, "And when the stream, Which overflowed the
soul was passed away, A consciousness remained that it had left, Deposited
upon the silent shore, Of memory, images and precious thoughts, That
shall not die, and cannot be destroyed." Wordsworth
Mom <email>
USA 01/13/02