“Experience, travel – these are as education in themselves”
Yesterday was perfect: sunny, breezy and cool. but today there is no sun which makes the air feel damp and chilly. We had a deluge the other night with thunder and lightning and nearly two inches of rain. It was dramatic and wonderful.
Tonight I’m going to the Red Sox game. It’s Peace Corps night. If you watch the game, look for the sea of red shirts in the bleachers, around 350 returned volunteers and their families. That’s me waving every now and then. Before the game, there will be a parade of Peace Corps country flags on the field. I’ll be one of the flag bearers. Between innings 3 and 4 and 7 and 8, we’re holding up tiles which will come together as the Peace Corps logo. You won’t see that. You’ll probably be watching a Sullivan tire ad or one for Dunkin’ Donuts.
Sometimes I wish I were money rich. I wouldn’t move into a bigger house or buy a different car, but I’d take my family on a huge trip. We’d travel on the Mediterranean and stop in so many places. I’d take a million pictures. Some would be in black and white like the travel pictures from the 30’s. They’re my favorites. I’d have the women wear hats and dresses for a few of those while the men would be in suits and wearing fedoras. My nephew’s son would wear short pants or knickers and an argyle vest over his shirt. In the family picture, we’d be lined up by height.
I would have loved living in the 30’s when people took the grand tour of Europe before they settled down into their lives. I’d bring a steamer trunk and fill it with satin like dresses, a few with flowers, hats with veils, a couple of pairs of fancy shoes and some sturdier ones for walking. A fox stole would be packed for those chilly nights. For the fancy dinners on the ocean liner, a few long dresses would do just fine. After dinner, before going to my cabin, I’d sit and have a drink or two in the bar, smoke my cigarette from a long black holder and have witty conversations with my fellow travelers. At every stop I’d buy a sticker for the outside of my steamer trunk.
After my trip, the trunk would be stored in the attic. In it would be a few souvenirs, some pictures and my diary. Years later, someone would find it, dust it off and spent an afternoon with me on my adventure.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: Boston Red Sox, family vacation, Grand Tour, ocean liner'1930's, Peace Corps, rich
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
August 4, 2011 at 12:19 pm
We never got either rain nor thunder here. I could see it in the distance but it decided to take their breaks in other places. But now we´ll have two cold fronts, one from the north and one from the south so I guess it will rain here as well.
I wouldn´t buy another home or a fancier car either, but I would like to go on trips like steamboat up the Mississippi River or the Amazon River. Or perhaps take a trip on the Transsiberian railroad over to China. Naturally I would like to have a butler with me so I didn’t have to think about anything practical at all during the trip 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
August 4, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Christer,
It was a terrific storm here. We have wonderfully cool days at 74° and down into the 60’s at night. I love the weather right now.
That steamboat trip has long been a dream of mine too. I even got a few brochures, but the trip is really expensive. Of course, you have a butler, and I’ll bring my maid on my trip!
August 4, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Hi Kat,
Question. Could you actually get your nephew’s son to wear short pants/knickers and an argyle vest? 🙂
We got thunder. We got 4+ inches of rain in 20 minutes. The dirt road across from my house is full of gullies.
I would not buy another house if I were money rich. I like it here. But I make a lot of improvements around the house. Like having room service installed. 🙂
I love the mental image of your steamer trunk.
Have a great day.
August 4, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Hi Caryn,
Ryder just turned five and wears shorts all the time. I’m thinking he’ll wear a vest with only a small bit of bribery.
I did all the house improvements I’ll ever do. I think I’m set here for life. I love my house exactly as it is, but I hadn’t given room service a thought!
August 4, 2011 at 4:12 pm
All those travel plans, and dreams … and then a Red Sox game.
Cheers
August 5, 2011 at 12:20 am
Minicapt,
A Red Sox game they lost!
August 4, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Also: http://hipstamatic.com/the_app.html
Cheers
August 5, 2011 at 12:22 am
Minicapt,
If only I had an iPhone!
August 4, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Sounds like a plan. Keep this post for the book. It flows beautifully and made me think of crossing Europe. My Mother had the trunk you described with colorful stickers of all the cities we visited too. Some I couldn’t pronounce even as a teen. But what fun combing through the archives in that trunk. I loved the photo of a bar maid dancing outside the patio at an Inn we visited in France. She gave us all chocolates when we left. I could do with some money from a Lottery. I think I’d buy a condo on the beach first.
August 5, 2011 at 12:25 am
Z&Me,
Thank you-I enjoyed writing this quite a bit. There is in me a huge sense of nostalgia for places and times long before I was born. They appeal to my sense of place and time.
I really do wish I could go back in time to take that trip with my steamer trunk!
August 4, 2011 at 4:55 pm
I often wish I were money rich– for peace of mind. I might get a house, I would travel, and I would build a warm pool. I would help my family out, when they needed it, and, and….
I am taking that tour with you in the on the ocean liner ( if you don’t mind). Tonight I am going to see Seussical (sp) the Musical.. as it pay what you can night.
I’ll be waving to you,
Lori
August 5, 2011 at 12:27 am
Lori,
I’d be delighted to have you join me on board.
One of my friends, who is a musician, loves to play for Seussical. It is one of his favorite musicals.
I’m waving right back!!