Sao Miguel: Day 1

My family and I recently completed a short stay in the Azores.  Previously, I didn’t know anyone who had visited these islands sometimes called the Hawaiian Islands for Europe.  In my opinion, they (at least the one island we visited called Sao Miguel) are a must see.  I know my whole family wants to return to see favorite spots and visit places we couldn’t fit into our agenda. 

Joao Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada is a small yet modern airport. I don’t typically sleep well on an airplane but my wife woke me to see the beautiful sunrise.  I know I was fast asleep but excitement filled me to see the first rays of color and light.  We arrived and deplaned to walk across the tarmac.  We quickly cleared customs and were in the public area of the airport.  There are several rental car options and a couple places to eat and get a drink.  Let me say now if you like coffee, the cappuccinos and lattes sold are top notch.  Every cup of coffee I and my family had was very good. 

One of the better shots of my view after waking on the flight to Sao Miguel.  You can see 3 of the Azores islands in this photo.  From farthest to closest they are Pico, Graciosa, and Sao Jorge.

We booked an Airbnb in the northeastern part of the island and our host, Paul, was picking us up.  After connecting to the free airport wifi, I saw a note detailing the vehicle to look for and Paul’s phone number.  Originally from Massachusetts, Paul has lived in the Azores since he was a child.  Driving us to his home, Paul was a wealth of information about the island and offered many tips of places to visit.

We previously arranged to rent a car from Paul which perfectly fit our family.  However, we took a quick nap and only planned to visit the surrounding area and little town of Achadinha.  After resting, we headed to a trail Paul suggested that was quite picturesque with its steep trails, amazing waterfalls, and chilly ponds. 

Like Hawaii, the Azores were made from volcanoes. Therefore, much of the island is made up of volcanic rocks.  Once at the coast, we were amazed to see the entire area was covered with lava boulders.  My son wanted to swim around the area but the waves were crashing in and we agreed it was dangerous.  Nonetheless, it was refreshing to feel the cool breeze as we watched to the beauty around us.

Unfortunately, what goes down must go back up.  Rather than retrace our steps to return to the house, which was a long hike, we decided to return via the road.  Though much easier to traverse than the trails, the road was very steep.  Still, we were met with wonderful views of the coast and made a few stops to rest and take photographs. 

There are many cows in this area.  Paul told us he himself owns more than 100 head of cattle.  Since my father grew up on a farm, I feel related to this type of life through him.  My family and I enjoyed the cows who watched us walk by.  Shortly, we were back in town and passing homes in the village.  Many people have dogs and/or cats and the dogs had to announce their awareness we were near.  A few cats walked out to get some appreciation. 

Then it was time to eat.  We decided to try one of the 2 restaurants in Achadinha.  Os Melos was our choice this night and we wanted to do an authentic Portuguese meal.  We started with bread and cheese with a bottle of wine.  We typically order different meals and everyone gets a sample of what the others eat.  Let me say, we loved every morsel.  The bread and cheese were so good we ordered some to go.  We planned to eat it for breakfast. 

The sun was rapidly falling as we walked home.  Several ladies were walking up the street ahead of us and some locals watched us as we passed by their homes.  Spanish is the second language in our house and we thought/hoped this would ease any communication difficulties.  Most of the younger generation in Portugal speak some English.  This was the case in Os Melos.  However, we found the Portuguese spoken here was difficult to understand.  Once back in our Airbnb, Paul and his lovely wife, Natérsia, confirmed for us Azores Portuguese is different.  They tend to cut off their words. 
We discussed our travels and meals that day.  The whole family took a special interest in us and we felt a bond with them.  We discussed our hike and meal and mentioned we ordered extra bread and cheese for breakfast.  It was then we learned we would have fresh bread and homemade cheese provided for us each morning.  We also had marmalade, fresh fruits, milk, and eggs. 

We had the whole upstairs area of the house.  It was complete with every appliance needed in the kitchen and a washer for our clothes.  The bathroom, or water closet, is small if more than one uses it at a time.  Soap, shampoo, and conditioner are provided.  Washcloths, large bath towels, and towels for the beach or hot springs are also available. 

Paul asked if we wanted to see another waterfall.  I think he gave us the name but I don’t remember.  Still, as soon as we saw it we knew it was one we wanted to see.  Since the park was closed, we could do little exploring but we were quite happy Paul took us to Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões and were surprised it was so close to his house.  Leaving the park, Paul gave us more information about the island as well as his personal history as he drove.  He proceeded further up the mountain in hopes we could see the setting sun.  Alas, the top of the mountain was covered with clouds and we could barely see the windmills atop the mountain.  Then we returned home.

We spent the remaining time before bed going through emails and doing Facebook and Instagram updates.  I sat on the balcony for a while watching the sunlight fade away and stars brighten.  I love to stargaze and relished these moments while feeling the cool breeze and listened to the crickets and occasional motor vehicle.  I looked around to take in all I could.  From the lights of the next town to the street lights of Achadinha, all seemed marvelous to me.
Finally, we settled down for some sleep. 

Day 2 coming soon. 
#azores #travel #travellocally #travellover

Empty Space

My hands reach out

To feel your face

But all I touch

Is empty space

© Aug 2019

DWP

Shorties: Number 70

Liyana’s words cracked like thunder and Toby reeled back aghast.  It was only a week ago Liyana was introduced to the class and took the desk next to Toby.  Everyone was 10 year old Toby’s friend and the teacher knew he would make Liyana feel welcome.  How right she was.  A bond was instantly formed between the lad and lass.  Toby injected the shy girl into his large group and they all enjoyed playing on the playground. 

It was always the same group walking home after school and Toby didn’t mind how many friends were there as long as he walked next to Liyana.  In such a short time she was his favorite.  Something about the way she looked at him, he believed she felt the same way. 

Now, he was devastated to hear Liyana say they could no longer be friends.  Toby stammered in protest, “But we’re friends.”  Liyana’s eyes betrayed the struggle in her soul as pain spread from Toby’s heart and radiated out with frosty tendrils.  How could this be?  Liyana opened her mouth to reply as Toby blurted, “What’d I do?”

“You’re a Christian and I am Muslim.  My parents say we can’t be friends.  You will want to convert me.”

Thoughts swirled in Toby’s mind but none of it was coherent.  What did she say?  What was that all about?  No convincing argument formed in Toby’s brain but the reality of losing his friend broke his heart.  Desperately, his mind raced for reasons.  Finally, he latched onto something he said the day before. 

Having lived her early years in Pakistan, Liyana’s English, though very good, had a thick accent.  A couple boys teased Liyana that day about the way she spoke.  Toby immediately defended Liyana.  When the boys were gone Toby spoke his heart and said, “I like your accent.  I think it is pretty.”  Liyana averted her eyes and blushed but her heart was warmed. 

That had to be it, but why?  Did she think Toby loved her?  Even if he did, is it wrong to love someone?  He didn’t want to marry her.  She was just his special friend.  Grasping at straws, Toby asked, “Is it because I like your accent?”

Liyana was stunned by the question but remembered her feelings in that moment.  Then, fighting back tears, she replied, “No, no not at all.”  She paused and exhaled, “I don’t know but my parents said you and I cannot be friends.  That is it.”

By this time, other members of their group who were playing on the playground started to gather around them.  They plainly saw the anguish on the faces of Toby and Liyana and asked what was wrong.  Toby couldn’t answer.  The pain of losing his friend muted him.  Liyana felt guilty and embarrassed.  Finally, she ran to the school building and into a bathroom stall.  She latched the door and buried her face in her hands.  She knew she wounded her friend and wondered if she would ever forgive herself.  How could he ever forgive her?

The rest of the day was awkward.  Toby was afraid to look at Liyana sitting at the desk next to her.  Liyana wished Toby would cast his gaze toward her.  She pleaded inwardly with him to give a hint that everything would be alright.  How could it be?  She knew she had to obey here parents.  The price of that obedience left her and her friend with broken hearts.

(Note:  In no way do I want to cast Islam in a bad light by telling this story.  My point is simply to highlight differences can cause problems in relationships. Sometimes we must be true to our beliefs even if it hurts someone we love.  But I believe love doesn’t die even if there is a rift of any kind,)   

August 3, 1998

On this day I started again to work at Delta.  Started again, you ask?  Yes, I left the company for a couple years when the headcount was being reduced.  For a variety of reasons, one that includes my longing to again be in the transportation industry, I applied for an open position and was rehired.  Here are a couple true things about my first day on the job:

1.       I was told to report on a particular day to start working.  Instead of coming on that day, I purposely showed up the day before and said it was the day I was told to begin. Why would I do that?  It was my understanding I wasn’t the only person hired.  When multiple people start working on the same day, they oldest person has highest seniority.  I wanted to have a leg up on anyone who might be older than me.  My hunch was right.  Also, I was sure I could show up and say it was the day I was told to start and no one would know.  I was right again.

2.       For training that day I was to work side by side with a seasoned agent.  Let me say this:  I had previously worked a little more than 6 years at Delta in several different positions.  Also, my preceding job was in a reservations call center.  I was well trained and, for the most part, still remembered all the entries.  All I needed to learn was how to check in a passenger and do the luggage tags. 

A man came up to me with a reservation for international travel he wanted to purchase.  At the time, international and domestic pricing were done by different systems and most people at the airports, unless it had international flights, didn’t know the international system.  I did know and remembered it.  I verified the fare, confirmed the itinerary, and entered the form of payment.  Then I looked at my mentor and asked, “How do I issue a ticket?”  He thought I was joking.  In reservations, we didn’t issue tickets.  The reservation was put on a queue and the tickets were mailed out. 

I later started training new agents working the ticket counter.  In just a couple years I took a new job that moved me and my family to Atlanta.  That’s another story.

Memories of my kids

I am blessed to have four kids.  Today I remember moments when they were little.  

The oldest was a very bright young man.  Even now he is no dummy but his desire and capacity for learning seemed boundless.  Today there are two things that stand out to me about him but they have nothing to do with his intelligence.  

One time we were visiting my in laws in Florida.  They have a pool.  My wife and I were going to take a night time swim.  He wanted to go also and wasn't happy he had to go to sleep instead.  He was in bed on his knees and leaning over and hugging his pillow.  So it his butt being up in the air seemed accentuated.  He was crying, "Its not fair.  Grown ups get to go to the pool but little boys have to go to sleep."

All of a sudden he stopped crying.  Then my wife said he's asleep.  I couldn't believe.  He did.  He fell asleep in the middle of wailing about the unfairness of the situation and his butt was still up in the air.  

A few years later he and I were wrestling on the floor while we waited for mom to get home from work.  In the process something happened and he got hurt.  He started to cry but stopped because he wanted to keep playing.  We played for a minute and mom walked in.  He started crying again about how he got hurt.  

The next child was a girl. She was a very happy child.  I have a video of her happily playing.  Her baby brother was just a few months old and his diaper was just changed.  I asked her to go be with her brother who was still lying in the middle of our bed. She climbed up on the bed and hugged her brother.  Then she gave him a kiss but he had slobber on his face.  Then she said, "Yuck!  Baby babas!" (Spanish is our second language and babas means slime but it means spittle to us)

Several years later she showed us how she stands by her morals.  She was spending the night with a friend who had a large group of girls there.  They decided to go and TP some houses. The mom was part of all of it.  My daughter didn't think it was right and wanted nothing to do with it.  Even the mother added some pressure to participate.  My daughter stood her ground and called us to come and bring her back home.  

The next son, like his older brother, nearly killed my wife at childbirth.  As a result, he come home from the hospital about a week before mom did.  That left me to care for him.  Call me crazy but he had the unique ability to poop in brand new diapers.  Every time. I put on a new diaper he gave it a fresh new deposit.  This happened at least 2 times per day.  In exasperation, one time I pretended to put on a new diaper but put the wet one back on.  All the while I asked if he was happy with the new diaper.  Then he pooped and I didn't have to change him again.  It made me happy.  lol

When he was three years old he once wanted to help me put gas in the car.  As you may know, active three year old boys get bored easily.  As I chased him around while the car was being filled, I was getting exasperated.  When the car was full and I paid the bill, I strapped him into his carseat and drove away.  Only to find I was still hooked up to the gasoline dispenser.  

Needless to say, I was horrified.  Thankfully, it was made to disconnect.  On the bright side, I used this experience in a humorous speech contest and competed at the state level.  It has been well received each time it has been delivered.  

The baby, my little girl who is set to graduate college next spring, always had to do things her older siblings did.  She is our foodie and even has a food Instagram where she posts photos of different foods.  Also, she wants us send food photos.  One thing I appreciate about her is her childlike approach to things she loves.  When she knows she will eat a new food she has wanted to try or go to a restaurant she has wanted to visit, her excitement bubbles out of her.  

One memory of her will always stick with me.  That is the first time she pooped in the toilet.  When she was finished, she got down to look at what she did as I congratulated her.  Beaming, she said, "Look daddy, snakes!"  I looked and said, "Yeah, sweetie, but they look like rocks to me."

Soon my wife and I will be empty nesters.  We are blessed

One of Half

I am half of one.  Created to be one but I am only half.  In my cave I hide.  I yearn.

I ponder.  Eyes opened, I deliberate. 

You are the receptor and, when switched, our lights shine.  Two halves to make the whole.

But even the halves must be engaged.  Too often we are disjointed. 

Unrelated.

Disconnected

So I am paused awaiting our conjoined engagement

Frustrated

When Google+ existed, other G+ers and I used to complain from time to time about the shortcomings we experienced.  It seems the blog isn't much better.  I got a comment or 2 and commented back but I don't see my own remarks.  I've tried 6-7 times now.  I have no idea what the problem is.