Caption this: December 8, 1980

On December 8, 2016 By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I don’t actually remember the night that John Lennon was killed. I was only nine at the time and probably knew Beatles songs from my parents listening to the oldies on the radio on a Saturday night. I guess that happens with historical events, over time and age you learn more and they develop and have more importance in your life.

I have a Rubbermaid tote at my parents house with magazines, and I can tell you that there is a People magazine in there with John Lennon’s face on it. I will have to go and find it and share it on a random Instagram photo. Indelible moments in time.

This year I watched a special with Barbara Walters and she interviewed Mark David Chapman which was fascinating. His personal history of mental illness, the time line before and the affect of his actions after. These are the types of shows that you can appreciate in adulthood to give you a broader understanding and knowledge.

The f nyc1 irst time I went to New York and took the Hop On Hop Off bus I hopped off at Central Park West and 72nd street. The intersection of The Dakota – the home of John and Yoko, where he was killed.

It will always be ‘the place’ where John Lennon was shot and killed. There is an entrance to Central Park across the street from the Dakota and the home to the beautiful memorial area and mosaic Strawberry Fields. I remember seeing it and just watching the people around this amazing piece of art in the park. There were flowers and pennies and of course lots of photos being taken. I didn’t see it, but there is a bronze plaque with the names of over 120 countries that gave money and sponsored the flowers and upkeep of the memorial area.

RIP John Lennon

Strawberry Fields

Let me take you down
‘Cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever

Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see
It’s getting hard to be someone
But it all works out
It doesn’t matter much to me

Let me take you down
‘Cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever

No one I think is in my tree
I mean it must be high or low
That is you know you can’t tune it
But it’s all right
That is I think it’s not too bad

Caption this: A day of Infamy

On December 7, 2016December 7, 2016 By thestampsinmypassportIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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“Yesterday, December seventh, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.” – Franklin D Roosevelt

In 2012 I had the wonderful opportunity of going to Hawaii not once but twice. Once was a personal vacation and the other was for work. A trip to Hawaii is not complete without a stop to Pearl Harbour. It is a pivotal part of world history, war history and American History.

My second visit to visit the USS Arizona came on December 6, 2012 just a day before the 71st anniversary of the day that changed the world. It was very different from my first visit earlier in the year. They were preparing for events for the next day, there were a lot of folks in uniforms from the Navy, Army and others. There was pomp and circumstance which enhanced the visitor experience at the memorial.

Just being at the memorial close to the anniversary was special. Inside the entrance there were a few tables set up. As I approached the table I could see by the age of this gentle man in a Hawaiian shirt with a navy cap on that he was special. He turned out to be very special. His name Al Rodrigues, then 92 years old, retired Naval officer and one of the 13 left survivors of the USS Arizona.

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He was so kind and humble. He knows his place in history. I stood back and watched him talk to adults and children in the same way. He was sharing his experience about swimming through fire and debris and trying to escape the sinking ship. He speaks about loss and survival, destruction and more.

The USS Arizona represents the largest single loss of life in naval history – 1177 souls are interred in ship at the bottom of the bay. There were 23 sets of brothers on board the ship on that fateful day.

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The site tour is narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis, whose father Tony, also served. You walk through the history of the lead up of the attack by the Japanese and so much more. You continue walking through the exhibits and then onto the boat to take to you the memorial.

Once on the memorial you have time to be reflective. It is a quiet place, as it is a memorial and a cemetery. Much like my experience while taking the narrated tour of Alcatraz there are moments that give you time to pause and take in the depth. She tells you to look our at the water to your left. If you can see the small bubbles floating at the top, that is oil, still leaking, 71 years later.

Today we stop and think about the events of 75 years ago. Soon all the survivors will be gone, but their stories will remain and indelible part of who we are and what can be in the future.

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Caption this challenge: Alice the camel

On December 5, 2016December 7, 2016 By thestampsinmypassportIn Uncategorized1 Comment

camel

I was driving home from work today and thought to myself, the water slide wasn’t the first (or second or third) time I did something that terrified me. I rode a camel. Yes, you heard me correctly, a camel.

I was in Israel on my JWRP trip in June 2012. Our day started off at Masada. After that was time to put on some dead sea mud and float for a while. Nice and relaxed from floating in the dead sea and now we were on our way to Genesis Land in the desert. camel1 To meet our forefather Abraham and Sarah for a meal in their tent in the dessert. But not before we had a camel riding experience. Oh yes, I said camel riding.

We were almost 200 women on this trip and everyone started to scramble to find someone to go on the camel with. I was not having any part of the camel experience. All I had to see was how they actually stand up and sit down while you were on their backs and I couldn’t see myself getting on (or off) a camel.

abe1 I watched as my friends and trip mates got on, went on their rides and came back. I took all their photos and everyone kept saying, you are next. Ah, yeah, I don’t think so. Wait, time for lunch, great – saved by the lunch bell. Whoever didn’t have a chance before lunch will get a chance after, great, not saved just yet.

After we ate the rest of the group had their chance to ride. Everyone said to me, you will go home and wish you had ridden the camel and then the chance will be gone. A really nice (and very fit) sister I met from the Montreal group said she would go with me. What the heck, when in the dessert…ride a camel.

Someone had my camera and there are many undesirable photos of me getting on, trying to stay on and going on my camel ride. I did not like at all. They smell, they snort and they are really not the nicest of animals. We almost went off the side of the road as well.

When it was over everyone asked if I was happy I did it. I am once again drawn to the water slide experience and the lessons I learned. This group of women were all experiencing a abe life changing experience. We all share that in common and there was a safety in numbers and in sisterhood. Funny thing is that I never did see or hear from the Montreal woman again after the trip. But for that short period of time she was sitting in front of me on the camel and made me feel safe and comfortable doing something totally out of my comfort zone. I will always remember that.