At This Moment

Sunday June 3rd.


Sunrise was beautiful, and as the sun rose above the sea, how thankful I was to this glorius sight God created and thankful to be alive to enjoy it.

Sunrise

One of a series of steps, 75 in all to our room and back

Resorts are basically the same worldwide, but this part of paradise is so enjoyable because we get to enjoy it at this moment. At least I do. Rosemary is already off to her duties. Let me take a moment to inform those who may be jealous of her job  of organizing such events is glamorous and exciting. Far from it. She works three times as hard here then at home and for those who know Rosemary she works very hard. There is a team here but Rosemary is ultimately responsible. Gone early and returns late, exhausted. Try to please the number of people that are here; it is an impossibility. Yet everyone knows Rosemary and she makes them feel special and individual.

Early morning is preferably the time for breakfast for me. The resort beginning to come alive. "buongiorno come possiamo essere del servire a void"  ..."Caffe e Latte".  mmmm,,,,,,coffee and hot milk and "cornetti" I sit off to the sitting area next to the precisely organized tables with fresh linen. It is under the shade of older pine trees well over 200 years old.

Super views no matter where you look.

Always impeccably arranged.

fruita

As I sit sip coffee and enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings, above me, not too far is a majestic looking black pidgeon. Asked the young girl what is the Italian word for 'pidgeon'?   she smiles and says 'pidgeon' Why does this bird look majestic? It is perched nobely with its long black  neck so straight and looking perfectly coiffered. Its heritage may be as old or older than the pine trees we are both sharing. We make eye contact and I wonder what is on its mind.  Looking around, I accidentally spill a few crumbs on the terrace. Instantly she dives down and accepts the offerings.  Gasps and cringe to myself as I observe this noble bird. She has one good foot and a stump instead of another. Nobely she limps and takes her crumbs and very quickly returns to her perch.I sigh and look up and ask myself, how did this happen to you oh M'Lady of the Pine Tree? In the land know for vendetta, was this punishment? Was this a payback for infringing on another birds territory? Was it on purpose to persuade you not to seek vengeance for some act apon your family? Sighs...who can say? You sit their so majestically and look content with what you have and what you can get. Another accidental spillage of crumbs, this time larger pieces. (the staff frowns on such charity)
A nearby gekko scurries about and helps itself to one piece.  It appears the local animal inhabitants are well trained in commando type maneuvers. Get in fast and get out fast.


As more guest begin to arrive for breakfast and more staff now, they pass by in Sicilian (translated by me, best I can) " Look at what those nice pidgeons have left for us on the terrace"  Quickly and efficiently, and quite sternly the Manager, who by the way is impeccably dressed in a suit and looks like he has fallen out of a fashion magazine, instructs his staff, "Quickly, quietly  and immediately clean this" A scurry of staff that are quicker than the gekko i had seen.  At his time I nonchalantly look around my immediate surroundings for tell tale crumbs, for  I fear I may soon be limping as my majestic pidgeon. None to be seen and as a commando I move to retreat quickly to my room, draw the blinds, double lock the door and put do not disturb on the door and sit quietly from my perch.