"Only the Shadow Knows" - An Eighth Grade Odyssey

It’s very difficult to get a feel for what’s running through your son’s/daughter’s mind at this point. I’m not sure that it will ever become “transparent,” (Yikes! what am I saying … not sure that doesn’t fall under the category of … “be careful what you wish for”). But … he or she is smack-dab in the middle of ….. ONE ….overwhelming …tangible …palpable … in-your-face “contact” with what I can only describe as “History you can touch …and feel … and breathe … and absorb” … AFTER ANOTHER. What I can see (so far) is a degree of engagement, and fascination, and “buy-in” that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. At Cave di Cusa, the look on her face, the movement of his hand, probing into the cracks and crevices of a partially “cut-out” (by whom and with what I might ask) column piece (… a huge monolith … a chunk of history … 2,500 year’s old! …2,500 year’s old!!!) that was destined to be moved (somehow … and it wasn’t in the back of a large truck) miles and miles to Selinunte to be used to construct the array of temples … that “look” on her face, and “touch of his hand” speak volumes. It’s hard to convey in words … you’re just going to have to roll with me on this … it’s simply a thing of beauty. Okay ..okay … I’m going to get off my pedagogical horse (I know … my horse is more of a pony) and return to a more BWIIC”ish” persona.

Did I tell you how much fun your Bulldog was having. So … put this one away in your bag of “questions” for the future. See if your son /daughter can confirm that it’s a really good idea that they do “not” allow pets (“dogs” in particular) into eating establishments in the the good ole’ land of the fee and the home of the brave? My sense is that you’ll get a long and quite humorous (at least I think it was humorous) earful from the breakfast scene at the Crystal Hotel. It’s the best part of international travel (ok … “a” part … I’d be crazy to say “best”) … seeing life from another angle.

Hey! … Did I tell you that we wrapped up the day with a “swim call” in the Mediterranean Sea … and make no mistake … there wasn’t an Italian for 50 kilometers that was even “thinking” about “thinking” about getting into the water … it was jusssssst a little “brisk” by Mediterranean standards. I’m here to tell you … that “brisk” ranks right up there with “Our current presidential election scene is just fine” …as an understatement of epic proportions. So … captioned pics will follow to try and keep the “feel” going for you.