Here we are, in a corner of the World far from our own.

 The money is an interesting shape and the values of that money are different from ours.   The language is the same.  It requires a more listening ear and a certain caution when asking questions.  Even where words are similar there can be differences in meaning.  

There are coffee shops, pastry and bakery cafes, Every block has one or more eating establishments where you can get your fill or just a few bites.

 

So many flaky, delicious temptations that I choose to savor, while the chance to do so is right in front of me.  

Beauty for the senses is in front and behind.

I walked along one of the three streets designed for shopping and eating and meandering and looking.  Suddenly, on the breeze I smelled the sea and remembered I was but a stone wall or two away.

There are gardens behind wrought iron gates and surrounded by stone walls.  The pathways are dotted with benches meant for resting just a moment, as you stroll.

There are churches.  Many.  They have their own gardens and grass that is rich and green.  So it is in this land where rain is more frequent than sunshine.

 

Back here, at this place called Aslar House, we are hosted by Stan and Mary and made to feel at home.

I wind my way to the third floor.  To the turret suite.  It is not fancy but clean and comfortable.  I prefer this to large hotels where there is air conditioning blowing all over and the ambiance is almost as cold.  The views from this guest house are not of the sea but of old rooftops and backyard gardens.  Quaint and lovely.

There are seagulls outside this window and they are calling and crying and I can’t tell if they are happy or annoyed. Perhaps they are unaware of how they sound. Quite rude and disrespectful of the beauty.   From here I can see no less than 12 chimneys and picture these buildings as homes three hundred years ago.  Smoke from fireplaces rolling from the stacks. This is one reason why I am so taken with this place.  The history.  There are church bells ringing and then again.

The beauty is great.  Old meeting new.  Idyllic really.  A remembrance of decades, no, centuries past.