Weekend Warrior: Riverbend Hot Springs

Welcome to
Relaxation Station!

“Long considered sacred by the Apache and Mimbres tribes of southern New Mexico, the natural, mineral rich water of Riverbend Hot Springs has been relaxing and rejuvenating warriors and peace-seekers alike, for centuries.

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Weekend getaways are always my favorite. Especially after a long week at work, “me time” is desperately calling. Riverbend Hot Springs has become a favorite hideaway for a few of my close friends and I. So much so that we try to make it out once every few months to just recharge, catch up, and ultimately relax. It’s the place we go to when we’re having rough patches, want to celebrate moments, or just appreciate nature.

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I was first introduced to this place via my old coworkers who have became family. We’ve been friends for over 10 years despite our lives changing, going in different directions, moving, coming back, break ups, new relationships, etc. We’ve been there for each other, despite it all. They’re the kinds of people that are rare these days. The people that can pick up right where you left off despite any length of time. Each personality, strengths, and weaknesses perfectly balancing each other.

View from the Navajo pool.

View from the Navajo pool.

After driving about an hour north of Las Cruces, New Mexico on I-25 take exit 79 into Truth or Consequences and turn right on to S. Broadway. About a mile or so down you’ll turn onto Austin and follow that road to this hidden oasis. T or C used be known as Hot Springs, NM and is better known for its outdoor recreation. If you’re a fan of camping Elephant Butte Lake State Park is not that far away. It’s a small town off the main highway that is easily missed while driving through to Albuquerque or El Paso. You’d stop to fill up your tank, possibly find some food, and go about your day getting to wherever you were going.

It’s not a place that many make their final destination unless you know people there, are fans of the hot springs, or are camping. At least, that’s my opinion.

Riverbend is an open-air hot spring that sits on the banks of the Rio Grande River allowing you to take in the fresh air and enjoy the views of Turtleback mountain. The moment you get out of the car you can just sense the relaxation that’s about to happen. Or it might be the soothing music that they play greeting your ears. With an enforced WHISPER policy throughout the area you know they take relaxing seriously.

There’s something to be said about getting out of your hometown even it’s an hour or two away. Taking that time to drive away and leave things behind does wonders for the soul. You become a new person to new people with a clean slate, even its temporary. Sometimes that alone is reason enough to escape. To breathe!

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Now, on any given trip to the mineral rich hot springs, you can choose to bath in the common pools (swimsuits required!) for $12 an hour or you can book a private pool (swimsuits optional!) ahead for $15 an hour. The I highly recommend doing a private pool especially if you need your me time. In my case, it’s always girl time. They have 7 different private rooms that you can choose from which you can view here and the temperatures range from 100-108 degrees Fahrenheit. We are partial to the Navajo room as it’s the largest private pool. However the other rooms are just as nice and have the same beautiful view of the Rio Grande and mountains.

Most of the time we drive up and spend a few hours however you also have the option to stay over night in one of their cabins (just be sure to book in advance!). The next time we plan a girls weekend that will be our intent.

Cucumber, strawberry, mint, blueberries, and lemon.

Cucumber, strawberry, mint, blueberries, and lemon.

Now, being that these are private pools you’re not allowed to bring in glass or food. It’s all about helping keep clean the environment. But you can bring in water in an ice chest (you could even bring in a little something stronger to drink as they rarely check… HOWEVER, you’re bathing in 100+ degree water… staying hydrated is what’s important. Follow our lead and make some fruit infused water the night before... or bring along some orange juice and champagne in non glass bottles.

On this excursion we booked a back to back session in a private pool. I believe you can only do three sessions in a row or if you feel like you want more time you can always take a dip in the common areas. They request that you arrive 20-30 mins before your scheduled session as you’ll need time to check in, pay up, and shower before entering your designated pool.

Once you’re pool ready you’re asked to wait by the gazebo and an attendant will come get you when your pool is ready. When you arrive to your private pool, which isn’t that long of walk between the office, shower area, and gazebo, you’re reminded to lock the door behind you. Private areas are clothing optional and you also don’t want people walking in and out of your booked room. Ten minutes before your session is up they’ll quietly knock on the door alerting you your time is almost up and to vacate the area. The pools have shower heads above them that’ll let cold water fall if you get over heated.

Other than the pool rules and not overheating, you’re set to relax.

You can’t go wrong with an outing at Riverbend Hot Springs.
But don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself!!!

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I AM WATER
by anchormysoul14

I want to be like water,
flowing freely with the current.

I want to be like water,
infiltrating Life into the seeds buried deep.

I want to be like water,
forcefully falling down then peacefully swaying to the tune of the serenity sea.

I want to be like water,
rushing and relaxing when need be.

I want to be like water,
making its way through the cracks even when the barrier’s concrete.

I want to be like water,
riding with the tide and tumbling over rocks.

I want to be like water,
quenching the thirst of the dryest areas on earth.

I want to be like water,
rippling the influence of the Rock’s first splash.

I want to be like water,
reflecting the beauty of a sunset that ignites every eye.

I want to be water,
resourceful for all.

I want to be water,
cleansing out impurities from within.

I want to be water,
sometimes uncontrollable sometimes in control.

I want to be like water,
connecting the world from distances too far.

I want to be like water,
flowing wherever You are.

I want to be like water,
transforming in motion yet ever the same.

I am like water.
I am free.
I am love.

I am, 
Life

I ever flow.... 

"It's part of me, Scotland....

….I'm still immersed it, even if I'm not there.”

- Irvine Welsh

Each time I took a walk through the streets of Scotland, no matter the city, I felt as though I was leaving pieces of myself behind. By giving myself up to the movement of the streets I was able to escape the need to think which brought moments of peace. It’s a country that has become one of my favorites in the world, as if every moment spent in its body my veins became affixed with its essence. It’s a place full of such natural beauty and many man made wonders that I feel like it would take me a lifetime to explore and fully appreciate it.

Scotland’s picturesque landscapes, towns, derelict fortresses, villages, castles, ‘monstrous’ lochs, and mountains have been inspiring writers, poets, travelers, and artists for centuries. With a history that stretches back 10,000 years it’s a country that continuously moves forward. It survived the Roman Invasion, the Wars of Independence, the Protestant Reformation, both World Wars, and it’ll make to the other side of the Brexit situation. Along with its fascinating history you can find ancient and mysterious standing stones, tales of ghosts, magic and witches, mythical creatures, fairies, and unsolved mysteries. A combination that beckons you to walk its footpaths.

There are too many reasons for my love of Scotland that it’s impossible to narrow down. I simply love it… no, I love it intensely. It’s more than the history and folklore. It’s the people and the feeling you get just walking down street. The friendly faces and smiles that greet you no matter where you roam. There’s always laughter in the air and a feeling of home. Its unique appeal includes the ease in which one can travel from bustling pavements of the city center lined with cafes, restaurants, bars, historic sites, and art to isolation in stark contrast with open countryside. It’s a place where you could can travel at ease and you can hear more than just the English language while walking the streets… just enough to make you feel like you are truly some place else.

On this latest trip, as I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, I was able to travel with two of the best travel mates around. They had never been to Scotland and I was eager to light the flame in their hearts for the place I love so dearly.

Mission accomplished.
Honestly, I didn’t have to do much convincing.

As they were first timers to Edinburgh of course we needed to hit the sights, a walk down memory lane. I’m also happy to report that a map was not needed to maneuver the city. It also helped that we stayed not even 3 minutes from the Royal Mile.

While I’ll not fully detail our trip, I will provide for you places that you should go and things you should do when you visit the country in hopes that you’ll fall in love just as much as we have.

In Edinburgh…

Edinburgh Castle

To control the castle was to hold the keys to the kingdom. The castle fortress dominates the skyline of the city from its position on the Castle Rock, which is the plug of an extinct volcano estimated to have risen about 350 million years ago. Its home to some of the most fascinating history like housing the oldest surviving building in Scotland, aka St Margaret’s Chapel established in 1070, or that witches were burnt at the stake or that the Scottish jewels were lost inside the castle for over 100 years until someone found them in a chest in 1818. The castle provides an almost 360 degree view of the city and is one of my favorites.

My first visit in 2017.

My latest visit 2018/2019.

St. Giles Cathedral

Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, has been a key place of worship for almost 900 years. Sitting on the Royal Mile. On this past trip we were able to catch the end of a choir practice, the acoustics in the church are amazing.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Was founded in 1561 and takes its name from the Franciscan friars who wore grey robes. This is also the graveyard where you can find the inspiration for some of the names in the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling would often wander through the graveyard while she was writing the books.

The kirkyard is also associated with Bobby, a terrier who became famous in the 19th-century for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, John Gray, until he died himself in January of 1872. The dog's statue sits opposite the graveyard's gate, at the junction of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row, in front of Greyfriars Bobby, a local pub, and its nose has began to turn colors from people rubbing it over the years.

Dean Village

Just northwest of the city centre you’ll find the lesser traveled Dean Village, home to some of the most scenic residential spots. Emphasis on residential, so be respectful while walking around. It is known as the "Water of Leith Village" it was a successful grain milling area for more than 800 years. You feel like you’re walking in a fairy tale, waiting for a Disney song to start out of no where. Or you could just break out into song yourself.

Princes Street Gardens & the Scott Monument

Lying in the shadow of the castle are two adjacent public parks in the city centre. The gardens run along the south side of Princes Street and are divided by The Mound, where the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy are located.  On days with good weather you can find people of all ages just hanging out on the grass and enjoying the sunshine and good company of friends. It’s also a great spot to people watch or curl up with a good book.

While walking through the garden I’m sure you won’t miss the the Victorian Gothic tower that sits 200 feet 6 inches high. It’s a tribute to Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott aka the Scott Monument. If you’ve seen Vampire Hunter D, it looks like the spaceship that Count Lee escapes on with Doris at the end. You’re able to walk up its 288 steps, aka narrow spiral staircases, to a series of viewing platforms giving panoramic views of central Edinburgh and its surroundings.

Mary King’s Close

Old Town’s grid system consisted originally of the main street, now known as the Royal Mile, and small alleyways/courtyards aka closes, that led off it to the north and south. Remember that the castle sits on atop a rock formation making this alleyways slope down which created the impression of a herring-bone pattern formed by the main street and side streets which is easy to see when looking at old maps of the city. Each of these closes, alleyways, usually took their names from a memorable occupant of one of the apartments. This particular close took its name from Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.

Granted that Mary King’s Close is a touristy thing to do in the city, I actually really like it as it gives you more of a sense of the history and how people lived in the city in the 17th century. Plus you get to go underground into historic sites. (You can read more about it here or here)

Calton Hill

Located just beyond the east end of Princes Street you’ll find the headquarters of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament Building and other notable buildings such as Holyrood Palace. It is also the site of iconic monuments and buildings: the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs' Monument and the City Observatory. However, you can also call it the hill of useless things because.. well.. they don’t do anything! You do get a fantastic view of the city and of the castle from up there though.

Underground Vaults

The South Bridge in Edinburgh consists of a series of chambers formed in the nineteen arches that was completed in 1788. For around 30 years, the vaults were used to house taverns, workshops, and storage space for merchants. In the mid 1800s, the vaults were a hotspot for the homeless and criminal activity like illegal gambling, illegal whisky distilling and, according to rumour, bodysnatchers stored corpses there overnight. The only way you have access to the vaults is to take a tour, whether you believe in ghosts or like paranormal stuff, it’s still a pretty cool area to discover.

Arthur’s Seat

Arthur's Seat is the largest of the three parts of the volcano site in Edinburgh, the other parts being Calton Hill and the Castle Rock. It’s a hotspot for outdoor activity and if you love hiking this is the place for you. It sits 251 m above sea level giving excellent view of the city, because we all know that you’ve got to experience the VIEWS in new cities. Just make sure to wear the right shoes and bring your camera.

Helix Park

The Home of the Kelpies - the largest equine sculptures in the world staring 100 feet tall and weighing more that 300 tons each. They are a magical man-made wonder created by artist Andy Scott who used Clydesdale horses Duke and Baron as models. The Kelpies represent the history of the horses of Scottish industry and economy that pulled wagons, ploughs, barges, and coal ships as well as reflecting the mythological transforming beasts that possess the strength and endurance of 100 horses. They jut out of the water giving the illusion that their bodies lie just beneath the surface.

Helix Park is also another outdoor activity area linked by two National Cycle Routes as well as the new John Muir Trail.

Stirling Castle

Located in the city often called the “Gateway to the Highlands" Stirling Castle is known to many as that place Mel Gibson fought for in Braveheart. It was the home for Mary, Queen of Scots and where she was crowned. The oldest football in the world was discovered here and it belonged to Queen Mary, as she was a lover of the sport. The ball was made from an inflated pig’s bladder, wrapped with cow’s hide and is around half the size of footballs today. It was the place where flight was first attempted in Scotland. It’s grounds are haunted by the bloody murder of William, 8th Earl of Douglas in February 1452, where he was stabbed 26 times and then was flung from a castle window down into the gardens.

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Doune Castle

If you go just 8 miles north of Stirling Castle you’ll find this medieval stronghold. If you’ve seen Outlander, this is Castle Leoch. Sitting on the River Teith, you can hear the babbling sounds of the water while walking the rooms.

Loch Lomond

Another place to wander through the great outdoors of Scotland. It is a lake in southern Scotland that is part of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. Enjoy some hiking, wander through old grave yards, and enjoy an ice cream at one of the eateries at the base of the park.

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Glasgow

Although I only spent a few hours in this city, there seems to be plenty to do, especially if you like to shop and eat. I do suggest you find the Equestrian Statue of the Duke of Wellington. You might find something odd …

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You can read here about how it happened.

You also need to venture to Glasgow Cathedral and walk through its accompanying necropolis. It doesn’t disappoint and you’ll find some color crypt doors.

Inverness

Pro tip: travel here by train. You get a perfect view of the Scottish Highlands on the 3 hour ride from Edinburgh. You can easily find your way from the lovely River Ness to historic Inverness Castle to St. Andrews Cathedral. At Inverness Castle you’ll be able to get a great view of the city and two rivers that run through the city.

Have you ventured to other places in Scotland?

Where have you gone?

I’m always looking for more adventures!!


My Heart's In The Highlands
by Robert Burns

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
A-chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go.

Farewell to the mountains high covered with snow;
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below;
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods;
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods.

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
A-chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go. 

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The man [and the place] that started it all...

 

L’appréciation est une chose merveilleuse. Cela fait que ce qui est excellent chez les autres nous appartient également.
- Voltaire

 

My father is one of the biggest attributes to my life in both work ethic and love of travel. If it wasn’t for him always talking about far off places and conjuring picturesque views of the place he grew up, things might have been a little different.

Born on August 1, 1955 in Grenoble, a city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, my dads childhood was spent roaming château's, playing in fields where Napoleon Bonaparte crossed, fishing, eating apples in orchards, ice skating on one of the three frozen lakes in the area, and getting into trouble with his best friend Yves. Despite being born in and growing up in France, both of my grandparents were Italian through and through. Hailing from the Bari/Naples regions in southern Italy (I guess ‘south’ is a trend in my family, as I live south as well). In 1966 though, his family made the decision to move to the United States, ending up in Niles, Ohio. A move that I’m forever grateful for despite the uncertainty it caused and the heartaches that I’m sure they went through.

Fast forwarding to my childhood in the 1990’s and being the last of three kids AND the only one who was brought up in the states since birth — eventually my dad had joined the military and my sisters were brought up in Germany and Holland for their formative years — dreaming of far off places was a common occurrence. Especially when bedtime stories consisted of exotic places. It wasn’t until my high school years that I was able to finally visit my dads hometown and let me tell you, it was just as magical as I had envisioned.

Panoramic view of Grenoble in the spring from the Bastille.

Grenoble

Known as the “capital of the Alps” by locals, Grenoble is often missed by first-time travelers to France. While the Eiffel Tower is more iconic, the majesty of the Alps that literally surround the city give you a Sound of Music “hills are alive” moment. It’s a city that holds over 2,000 years of history, starting from its inception as a a Gallic village (aka the Iron Age) through the collapse of the Roman Empire and into the 11th century when the Counts of Albon chose the city from several of their territories in the region and made it the capital. Mostly because of its fortified location at the meeting of the Drac and Isére rivers and proximity to the Alps.

One of the more interesting historical facts about the city is that it was the location of one of the first disturbances that set the scene for the French Revolution. Obviously, like the rest of France, Grenoble was facing financial hardship from the economic crises, however this was the city that sparked the fires of revolution. The solution the royal government came up with was more monetary reforms…. aka taxes. They wanted to enact a tax to deal with debt…. does anyone else see the irony in that? Well luckily the parlements (think of them as various local branches of governance that held judicial powers) did, making them the Robinhood to King John, if you get what I mean. So, the royal government tried to circumvent the lack of support from these local governing agencies by forcing through laws that effectively diminished their power despite the declaration that these laws were illegal. Anyone hear Jean Valjean singing yet?

As tensions continued to rise and the stress of poor harvests and high costs of bread, made worse by the refusal to relinquish any financial burdens on the poor, things weren’t looking good in Grenoble. In June of 1788, a group of 300-400 men and women armed with weapons, from stones to axes, rushed the city gates as the royal government ordered the local army to banish the magistrates within the local parlements. Literal alarm bells were rung as the riot ensued until they seized control of the city from the army. This day is referred to as the “Day of the Tiles,” and shortly after this incident the French Revolution would start. Allowing Grenoble to claim itself as the ‘cradle of the revolution'.

My Visit

A vast majority of the time spent in my dads hometown was visiting relatives in the surrounding areas. However, there are a few distinct places that I want to call attention to that I feel anyone who is looking for an “other than Paris” destination while venturing in France would appreciate. They are also the places that made me fall in love with Southern France.

Vielle Ville (Old Town)

On the bank of the Isère river you’ll find the old town which, like most old towns, can be explored by foot. Of the many restaurants and old buildings you’ll see the Place Grenette, the Grande Rue, the Place St-André, with the Ancien Palais du Parlement du Dauphiné, or the former parliamentary palace for the region. There’s the Halles Ste-Claire and the Place aux Herbes which are market areas and if you’re in any foreign country, their markets are a must. They’re the places you can people watch or feel part of the economy the most. Nothing like watching tourists haggle (or not haggle depending on where you’re at).

If you’re like me and love looking at architecture in the places you travel, in Vielle Ville you’ll find many interesting churches whose structures throw you back to the 13th century.

La Bastille

For those that love getting that unique view of the city from above, this is the place for it. Even though it’s one of the most visited tourist sites, because come on, views are everything, it provides one of my favorites; you get both the town and the surrounding mountains. You literally feel enveloped in the Alps. The Bastille, or fort, dates back to the Middle Ages, remember the Counts of Albon? To that time period. It’s location was important as it’s where the French Alpine frontier and the Kingdom of the Savoy (Italy) met.

There are two ways to get to the top, one requires great outdoor shoes and the other just a short ride via cable car. If you choose the cable car you’ll enjoy a 180° view of the town and the Isère river. Installed in 1875 for freight movement from the quarry below, the cable cars didn’t become a tourist thing until 1934 when the rock quarry was officially abandoned. To get to the top you ride in what locals call les bulles aka bubbles. Once at the top you’ll be able to walk through temporary exhibits, venture through the small military museum, walk the viewing deck, and pay respects to mountain troops of old. There are also two restaurants at the top where you can enjoy a nice beer at a higher altitude. [Side note for the foodies: restaurant du Téléférique, is great and has an overhanging terrace and Le Pèr’Gras – treat yourself to something sweet!]

If you venture up by foot, it takes about 30-45 mins at a leisurely pace to walk up the hill. There are two ways for the climb, divided by a footpath, making up the 205m of vertical ascent. If you’re really an outdoorsy kind of person the second portion is more challenging and might require some equipment. It’s easily one of the best recreational areas and the view you get from any angle is amazing.

La Salette and Château des Herbeys

If it wasn’t for my dads best friend Yves, I would have never known about either these two places. On one of our visits with him he asked for a full day to be set aside. He wanted to take us up to the second sanctioned apparition site in France. Now regardless of you being religious or not, it was a religious experience. Both in the miracle of living and for the views. I say the miracle of living though because to get up to La Salette you have to take many… and I mean many… hair pin curves/turns on a road that is only big enough for one car with two way traffic. I don’t get car sick or even motion sickness. That day, I was as white as the background you’re reading off of. I was ghostly. When we finally got to the top, I got out of the car and sat on the ground wishing it would hug me back. Luckily, Yves had brought soda with him (it’s not pop, I’m from the south y’all) and I was able to recover with a quick sugar boost. I will forever remember that day and have never NOT driven when it comes to windy roads since.

At just an hour and half outside of Grenoble and at an altitude of about 6,000 feet, you’ll find a church. With nothing else around but mountains. To the left of the church you’ll find a statue of the Virgin Mary and two children; a depiction of the Marian apparition. If you want to know more about the story you can read it here. The church itself is simple but has some amazing stained glass.

So picturesque.

After we walked around the outdoor area, venturing in and out of the church, we made our way back down. I fared better as I sat in the front, but not by much.

Yves knew how much I loved trying new cuisine so he made a surprise stop at Château des Herbeys that came with a five course gastronomic meal. The château was built in the 17th century and is listed as an historic monument. You can walk around the grounds and enjoy the landscape and deer in the surrounding areas. It was also converted into a hotel so if you choose, you can stay and also enjoy the many outdoor activities the place as to offer.

Château de Vizzile

If you venture south of the city 20 minutes you’ll find yourself in the town of Vizille where you will find more revolution history. It’s the home to the Musée de la Révolution Française that displays rare materials devoted to the revolution. The museum lives in the château that was once the grandest in the area and was built in the 17th century by François de Bonne, duc de Lesdiguières, the last Connétable de France. The château is surround by a hundred hectares (250 acres) of greens, sheets of water and canals, and a hunting park. In July 1788, just a month after the famed “Day of the Tiles” the Assemblée des notables gathered in the salle du jeu de paume, where their discussions led to the new vision of France. This is where opposition to absolutist monarchy finally came out into the open (again cue Les Mis and entre Enjolras).

This was my image of a fairy tale castle. I have always said I wanted to get married here, or at least take some pretty epic photos. My dad used to play in the gardens and often feed the ducks and swans that the pond sees during the warm months.

The Prairie of the Meeting/Laffrey & La Mure

Think of Grenoble as the circular part of a laddle and to get to the handle you venture up the neck and at the top you’ll reach the small towns of La Mure (where their open air market is one of my favorites) and Ponsonnas (where my great uncle/aunt live). However to get there you have to pass through the famed “Prairie of the Meeting,” which is a great spot for picnic or to take in one of the three lakes along the road.

Travel Legacy

With how much I love this place you would think I venture back often. But, I don’t… even though I really should.

The places that my dad ventured when he was a kid shine in my memory much like the sun does in the sky. It’s a place that no one can touch or talk me out of. It’s a place whereI learned to breathe and take in everything around me. It’s a place that allowed me to connect to a part of my dad that was only a figment of my imagination. When he came to the US, it seemed like his connection to the “old world” was severed. It was like when you found out that Santa wasn’t as real as you thought he was, and the magic disappeared. But we keep the magic of that jolly man in a red suit by telling the stories and reliving the feelings. So when those stories of apple eating in lavender fields and flying kites by Napoleon’s head were told, that magic reignited.

Without those stories and that connection, my love of experiencing all the “new” the world has to offer would not be as strong. The newness of the old and the wonder that I feel while wandering is because of the man that loved me first. It’s because of the place I loved first.

Dad
 
Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone.
— Unknown