03 October 2009

poetry prompts & travel dreams

{descent}

nothing is quite so sweet
to this wanderlusting soul
as those words that interrupt
my in-flight movie:
"ladies & gentlemen...
shortly we will be making our descent..."

one single impression's prompt for this week ~ descent ~ takes a turn in the direction of travel for me as we gear up for a trip to Charleston SC, contemplate a december return to roma (for a very special friend's ordination), & begin to lay some groundwork for 2010 journeys...here (of course!)...but also here?...here?...or maybe here again?? i really do like the excitement of potential journeys, the comparing of places, all the hopefulness of new experiences! as i perused my romania photos from last summer, i got a lump in my throat about the possibility of going back...but that remains in God's hands right now!

after we left suceava, romania last summer, we stopped again in oradea & were blessed with a free day on our hands. we ambled around the city with melissa...mesmerized by the beautiful old churches & the communist-era buildings...i was so grateful that the old way had not been completely destroyed. my heart could not comprehend the events that my mind knew had transpired there in the last century. how i would have loved to join these two gentlemen on that park bench to hear the stories they could tell....but there were sobering reminders that spoke without words, like this memorial to victims of nazi occupation...an entire room just outside the moon curch (Biserica cu Luna) was filled with candles lit for loved ones lost...a short distance from this church was the St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church...where we had the sweet pleasure of meeting the sacristan who spoke fluent *english*! (the first time in nearly a week we heard our native tongue outside our little group)...he told of history, both sad & joyful, of those who gave their lives so readily in order that this time may be what it is. & he showed us the great treasure held in his church...a first class relic of St. Nicholas (some of his bones).

our stroll through this beautiful city continued...eventually leading us to this painted monastery...a place so incredibly beautiful & so peaceful...one was utterly removed from the world in the enclosure...the place has settled into my dreams now that i am home...as i organize & upload these photo reminders, i tell myself it is no wonder i am dreaming of 2010's travel possibilities!!
next stop on the journey of reminiscing is my very favorite~ budapest!
oradea, romania, june, 2009

20 comments:

Linda Jacobs said...

Lucky you to travel so often! Great photos!

anthonynorth said...

Some beautiful pohtos there.

Quiet Paths said...

I am excited for you in regard to your travel anticipations. The photos are so lovely - what a variety and the poem is well said. I love that feeling too.

rochambeau said...

Dearest Friend,
These are beautiful photographs.
So glad for you.
Would you please email me so I know your address?
Just sent you two that came back.

Hugs from Afar~
Constance

SandyCarlson said...

A wonderful, moving post full of excitement and fun and respect for all you have seen. I really enjoyed that.

sgreerpitt said...

lovely sentiment in the poem, and even lovelier photos of your travels!

Tammie Lee said...

descent in a plane always gets my attention. Wonderful photo journey, looks like you had a powerful and wonderful time.

Beth P. said...

Wonderful photos and I LOVED your take on the prompt! Yes, indeed, those are some welcome words!

bethany said...

My least favourite part of flying, but I so appreciate the way you see it as a positve.

Bonus points for using one of my favourite words: Wanderlust. ;o)

Tumblewords: said...

Such lovely journeys! Your photos are gorgeous and make me think I might have been there, too...(even though I wasn't):)

Annie Jeffries said...

I was struck by the image of the candles at the Nazi war dead memorial from World War II. Memories are very long there, aren't they?

We are going to an ordination in December also but at a much more prosaic place, Stockton, CA.

Anonymous said...

wonderful pics!

and ur take on the prompt was very different and witty! lovely! :)

casalba said...

I couldn't read any further than: "December in Rome". December in Rome!!! I'll hop on the train and meet you for a coffee. It would be lovely to see you again.

Yellow Tulip said...

lovely place:) beautifully captured moments...thank u for visiting my blog:)..

Anonymous said...

Wow, wonderful sights you've captured through the words and pictures. Travel has always excited me too.Thanks for sharing this post...fell in love with Romania.

if said...

those are very beautiful places...!

indicaspecies said...

These are lovely pictures. Travel dreams and journeys excite me too.

Jim said...

"Awe shucks, now if I finish it I will have to go rent it."
But I guess that is about the only bad thing about descent. Perhaps a slight twinge of anxiety.
I worked for NASA Houston for 17 years and have been to the Cape several times, both business and pleasure purposes. But Mrs. Jim nor I have either seen a launch. We keep saying we need to do that before the end of the Shuttle.
We need to compare travel notes sometime. We talk of S.C. for this fall but aren't there. Nor at Nova Scotia. Partly the new grandchild keeps us here.
..

Pearl said...

What an emotional journey.

when the flight crew tells me it's over, it seems an awkward time in the movie but we adapt soon enough the next more real adventure.

Patti said...

Beautifully written...and amazing photos! Happy travels and all the possibilities!