TBT & a MONDAY MUSING :SPLIT

Split as in Croatia... Our trip originally had us docking in Split but dock construction dictated otherwise. So the MS Diamond docked beyond the city and bussed us back to Split where we did just that- SPLIT, bid our boatmates a quick farewell as we all went our separate ways. 

The Happy Bookers checked our luggage in at a tiny storage place meters from where we had been dropped off.  The fee was well worth it since we had a city tour booked for early afternoon. Who wants to lug luggage? LOL . Good thing too as wet weather finally caught us during the day...

This was the only day in our journey we would be plagued by rain. And the heavens let loose with a vengeance... We found refuge under a large plaza canopy for the boardwalk restaurants. 

The rain eventually lifted, and we found a nice restaurant to dry off and have an early lunch. 

We had some time and since one of us didn't have rain gear, we went to the closest tourist shop to buy an umbrella. Unfortunately, there weren't any so the shopkeeper offered his. The Croatians are soooo nice! 

Finding our way back to return it after all the narrow walkways would provide a challenge...

Dr. Martino

Prof Martino would be our guide through the old town of Split which has been a UNESCO site since '79. 

Split started as a Greek colony in 3rd/ 4th C, then the Romans arrived. Emperor Diocletian built his massive retirement palace there. In the 7 th C, refugees from Salona moved inside its walls after their town was destroyed. 

The city has remnants of Byzantine, Croatian, Venetian, and Austrian hands before becoming part of Yugoslavia and then gaining its independence as Croatia in 1991. 

Today  ~3000 people are still there, and the emperor's mausoleum now is the Cathedral of St Dominus and the basement halls have turned into bars and shops. We witnessed a couple of wedding parties too! 

Magnificent architecture surrounds one... the pics can talk for themselves.

Historic craftmanship abounds... doors, gateways, creches, tile eo embellishments,

metal doors

intricate tile work

Even though we stayed dry in the basement, we weren't so happy when we learned its history... the dungeon was where all the dung literally was dumped. All of it had to be shovelled out when the space was repurposed in later centuries...

Gregory of Nin

10th C  Bishop Grgur Ninski in Croatian fought to use local language in services instead of Latin. 

People rub his toe for good luck!

Statue by Ivan Meštrović

Big hugs to my Wisconsin buddy who went online to arrange this tour after discovering the ship couldn't stop here. 

FOTO FRIDAY: ECHO

FOTO FRIDAY: Meet Echo, my newest charge, but I think they should have named him Milagro. Milagro is the Spanish word for miracle. 

You see Echo was found covered with ticks in the woods after he was shot in the head. They gestimated he was there a week in 100 degree weather. 

Echo is the sweetest guy...  

Now on to recuperation and finding him the perfect Family. 

                                     What a handsome guy.

Is this my good side?

 A milagro for sure...

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: THE 3 S's

Learning outside of the classroom took some LifeQuesters to Trio's private dining room for an early evening for some wine tasting, delicious h'ors d'oeuvres,  acoustic music and some good company.

Or as my cousin Sheri donned the event with the 3 S's: "Sip, Savor and Socialize."

We tasted 3 different French wines... I learned a lot from Trio's Wine rep.

Starting with a champagne.  Champagne is versatile for more than weddings and can be paired with anything.  This was my favorite of the 3.

Champagne Mandois: Brut Origine, a blend of Chardonnay,  Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier- a pale yellow with fine bubbles, white peach and apricot, honey and toasted hazelnuts married all of the h'ors d'ouevres.

Second was: Terre de Silex from Château de Sancerre, in the Loire Valley, a Sauvignon Blanc with a distinctive mineral edge and structure.

Third: From Burgundy the Savigny Les Beau from Domaine Laurent and Karen Boussey is a red Pinot Noir - deep cherry color, red and black fruits, discreet tannins, and a balanced, elegant finish.

Great assortment of heavy hors d'ouevres: roast beef mini sandwiches, skewered chicken, cream cheese salmon, cheeses, charcuterie board with salami, pickled okra, veggies and assortment of crackers with a chocolate mousse torte for dessert.

I made some new friends at my table.  Tammy and her husband inherited a vineyard of muscadine grapes from her Dad. It yields ~ 50- 100 bottles of wine annually.  I am lucky to be sampling it soon with my own bottle. Ya hoo.

I told you one is never too old to learn...

tUESDAY tUNES: MUSIC TO MY EARS...

tUESDAY tUNES with two greats who shared the stage and it was pure bliss. Take a listen and watch them make music to your ears too...  Gregory Hines & Sammy Davis Junior do a little impromptu...

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

MONDAY MUSINGS: INSPIRATION

We all need to be inspired so MONDAY MUSINGS is just that - a very special place to sponsor the arts. This past week, I was introduced to Inspiration Point Fine Arts Center in northwestern Arkansas, in a town known for years for its Passion Play, the once-quiet small town of Eureka Springs.  Yet, this is Inspiration Point's 76th season.

Sitting on the outskirts of the town, a new state-of-the-art amphitheater gifted by the Waltons, replaces the older dilapidated ones where I enjoyed the fruits of their program, the 2026 Opera in the Ozarks program consisting of:

 an operetta Candide by Leonard Bernstein, 

2 one-act Puccini operas, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi,

and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera: Le nozze di Figaro.

*and there was even a traveling children's play off site : Monkey See, Monkey Do... 

A pre-play discussion by the actors is offered on the front patio sheltered by the building..

/Indoors during inclement weather

"The Opera in the Ozarks Orchestra comprises young professional musicians from across the country. The instrumentalists enter fully into the artistic and social life at The Point.  Rehearsals began June 14 and culminate with their final performance is July 24.  After the main stage operas have opened, opportunities for chamber music, practice and relaxation abound.  First-year musicians receive a stipend of $1500; housing and all meals for the period of the six-week contract are included."

These amphitheater opera tickets were affordable to the public @ $40/ ticket so many more can experience opera and the fruits of these budding new artists. There is even a double cast so these music students can hone their craft by switching roles.  

Truly, I have been inspired and filled with an opera experience which my own city, the capital of the state, Little Rock, does not offer. Private funds are needed for everyday upkeep, housing for its students and staff, salaries, its kitchen, etc. 

Go patronize their programs, be inspired, and whether you can/ cannot be their in person, do help support their programs monetarily. 

It takes a village... 

                                                                                    

 The views are stunning... 

whether its day/night time.

Inside the theater, automated blinds lower 

before the performance begins, setting the stage...

Bravo to all those who made this happen.

FOTO FRIDAY: A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHICKEN

 FOTO FRIDAY: A new 'shroom for me that I found in the Eureka Springs Thursday market. 

Take a look...

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY

TBT: CARMEL BY THE SEA

TBT: All week long pics from my Carmel by the Sea visit have been popping up from a couple of years.  So many great memories. 

I'm so lucky to also have kids also living up in the San Fran area. Love their cooler temps !