It's been quiet moments after the family left. There is a void temporarily in my being which I cherish as much as the joy of being surrounded by loving family and friends. Reality is reality, nothing can be done about it. Only to face it, accept it and let it go. We each have different paths to lead.
I have lived a life in the fast lane for so many years and still do, which I hope will go on for as long as I shall live, but for now it is the appreciation of the time I spent alone... Me, myself and I, reflect on all the past. Good and bad. Happy and sad. What have I learnt? It's like putting issues on a scale and weighing them up and down. And... Making the necessary changes. Solitude, walking in the streets, through the parks, is another form of meditation. I try to put matters in perspective and give credit when due. It is not my stubbornness that comes in the way, because I know there is a good trait in there! But I call upon the angels to help me with my decisions, in terms of thinking real and pure. Life takes its course. Some things are best left aside till further notice.
Now... Let me take you to one of the most romantic places I have been.
About two years ago, Heidi called to ask me if I would join her, Berto (her husband), Anna and a couple (their friends) on a trip to Lisbon.
"Baby, you've to come. It's my birthday," she pleaded with persistence.
"I've never been to Portugal." And of course, I agreed to go.
We spent a splendid two days exploring the historical city of Lisbon.
The first sunny day, we took a taxi to Rossio; one of the city's main squares since the Middle Ages!
Walking through the pedestrianised shopping streets, we saw the 'Elevador de Santa Justa. Constructed by 1902; originally powered by steam, then converted to electrical operation in 1907.
We walked up a hill to get to the Castle of Sao Jorge.
It became the Royal palace in 1255, renovated around 1300 by King Dinis I.
The castle's period of neglect then came to an end, after two major earthquakes in 1531 and 1788, when a well-needed extensive renovation was undertaken in the 1940's.
For such a small capital city, the sites to visit were endless.
One evening, dinner was at The Hard Rock Cafe, with a car hanging upside down, almost on the high ceiling!
After dinner, we visited the nightclub by the river called 'Luxe'.
Very elegantly decorated on two floors with different djs playing on each level.
Heidi and Berto being newly weds, were all smooched up. Anna and I wondered around until I found myself lost on the dance floor. Fine by me. I continued people watching and dancing.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted a table of about 8 men in a celebration of some sort. As I watched, one of the men spank the other on the left cheek bottom, they noticed me and their stare turned my way, smiling at their action. So... I had to intervene.
I got closer and through a gesture of a slapping hand in the air, asked if I could do the same!
Ayayaya... They looked delighted by the idea and the good-looking trendy man in a white shirt and jeans offered the left cheek of his bottom by bending close to me. It was not to be missed.
I spanked him gently.
"Harder. Harder." Came the shout of his companions all gathered around, thrilled as 'school boys'.
So I hit harder.
"Now my turn." Offered the cheeky victim.
I gathered he meant, his turn to spank me! Oh dear, Haldita. What situations do I get myself into?!
Guess fair is fair. Had to pay my dues.
The same man then came closer and offering his body said: "You can do anything you want to me now."
With all the ideas going through my naughty mind, I put my right hand under his loose white shirt and tickled his stomach, going up to his chest.
His mates were all clapping with excitement!
At this stage, I heard my name being called.
"Haldita... Haldita. What's happening? Let's go." Heidi was there to save me from further mischief.
It was time to go and I was dragged out of there, sulking as a child, leaving her playmates behind.
On the last day of our visit, we drove to Sintra, half an hour from Lisbon. I had no idea of the state of reverie this place was going to take me! The magnificence of 'Quinta da Regaleira'.
The origins of this Quinta (palace and estate) date back to 1697, when Jose Leite purchased the tract of land at the old quarter of Sintra. Through the decades, it passed hand in hand.
At the beginning of this century, Carvalho Monteiro, a man of great culture with a law degree, invited Luigi Manini, a great Italian architect (1848-1936) to design and build the house at Regaleira.
A fabulous assemblage of styles and constructions of gardens, wells, towers, statues, mysterious grottoes with exceptional characteristics gave an air of magic to the whole surround.
The project was completed in 1910 by Manini.
The Quinta da Regaleira was purchased in March 1997 by the Sintra Town Council to be opened to visitors.
There was an element of surprise on every corner we turned. A memorable day, repeated ten months later with Sinalda. I had to go back and feel the magic of the place again.
Before I leave, the words of a friend touched me deeply today. He wrote to me...
'To combine passion with imagination and curiosity can be electric.'
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