Friday, February 17, 2012

Lasting Impressions

I'm happy we have an extra day in February this year because, so far, it has been one fun, exciting, and busy month!

I'm on tour. A virtual tour around the Internet to celebrate my current release, THE RODEO MAN'S DAUGHTER. In this book, my hero takes a trip—back to his own hometown. It's a trip he'll never forget, as the visit brings him smack up against a number of memories, some good and some terrible.

Today, I'd like to talk about good memories.

I once took a trip—a real-life tour—that made a lasting impression: ten days in Europe with a large group of students. And with a smaller number of teacher-chaperones, all of whom actually survived to return home and teach again. LOL

Our adventure began in Spain, where we stood in hushed awe inside churches in Barcelona, felt our blood pulse to the rhythms of the Flamenco in Seville, and—for those who chose to do so—held our breath during a bullfight in Madrid.

We spent two beautiful, sunny days walking the beach and chasing the surf on Palma de Mallorca.

And before the trip ended, we took a ferry to Morocco, where we rode camels and ate exotic food and spent an afternoon at the Kasbah.

I sound like an ad for a travel agency, don't I? (smile) Sorry. But I can't help it.

In those ten days, we probably saw more breathtaking sites and came smack up against more history than I ever had in my life. The photos we took faded, but the memories have stayed bright.

Have you ever visited a place that's made such a lasting impression?


All my best to you,

Barbara

~~~~~~

Barbara White Daille
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com
http://www.facebook.com/barbarawhitedaille
https://twitter.com/BarbaraWDaille

8 comments:

Cynthia D'Alba said...

I have been fortunate to be on many trips that had lasting impressions. Three to Europe, one to Costa Rica, one to St. Thomas.

But I think I've enjoyed traveling around the U.S. as much as anywhere. Our country is SO big as to have a setting sure to please the most picky traveler!

Barbara White Daille said...

Hi, Cynthia - you're so right.

I've visited a few other places outside the U.S., but we do have many attractions right here, too.

Thanks for stopping in!

linda s said...

Enjoyed your party on the harlequin forums and really liked your new book.
I've never been to Spain but it sounds like fun. I think the most memorable thing we've done was stand in Christopher Columbus' living room in his house in his first settlement in the New World and stare out over the bay just as he must have done hundreds of years ago. All that is left is the wall markers but I felt a powerful pull of history.

Barbara White Daille said...

Hi, Linda - thanks for making the party so much fun.

And for your kind comment about THE RODEO MAN'S DAUGHTER--I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.

Reading your memory here gave me goosebumps. I know what you mean about that powerful pull. Isn't it amazing that we can stand in the same places as those who have changed the world!

Thanks for sharing.

Liz Lipperman said...

A few years ago we took a cruise that began in Barcelona and stopped in four Italian cities and Nice. It was lovely but a lot to take in all at once. I remember those gorgeous churches in Barcelona, and you're right, they were magnificent. The thing I noticed about Barcelona was that the people didn't look like what I thought Spanish people should look like. Remember I live in Texas, I am used to Hispanics. The Barcelonans looked like typical Europeans.

My favorite place on God's green earth is Hawaii, especially Kauai. I love that place.

Barbara White Daille said...

Liz - that *is* one of the things about tours and cruises with multiple stops--they offer a lot to take in at once.

And it's interesting to see how a culture changes when folks migrate, isn't it?

I've never visited Italy or Hawaii or so many other places. I have a lot to look forward to.

Thanks for stopping in!

Alexis Walker said...

Barbara, your post brought back memories for me. When I was 15 I got to go on a 7 days, 4 countries trip with a bunch of students and some high school teachers. It was life changing. We hit England, Holland, Belgium, and Paris, France. It started a life long interest in travel and living in different place. Thanks for reminding me where all that adventure started :-)

Barbara White Daille said...

Hi, Alexis - whew! That trip was more of a whirlwind than mine was. ;) You hit some countries I've always wanted to see, too.

It sounds like you had a great time, since it set off the adventure bug.

And yes, isn't it fun to look back at these memories?

Thanks for stopping in and sharing!