Hors d'oevres are great...
                 BUT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE            
                              MAIN COURSE

                                                           My Oyster

   my book...my fourth child (took a lot longer to     produce than the first three)...a "labour of love."

It truly was an adventure, reliving all those lovely, crazy, sad, thrilling, happy memories...crying sometimes, laughing out loud, hugging myself with delight the way the words tumbled over themselves racing to get on the page! 

Not the usual "how to, where to," travel book,  I looked for different, out of the way places and even when hitting the tourist hot-spots I experienced them in unique ways.  

I enjoyed it so and I hope you will too.  Here are just a few quick trips to whet your appetite:
     
[1953 London]  ..."Are you Marilyn Holdsworth?"  A gorgeous, tall , blond young man in a tuxedo is speaking to me.  I feel like Cinderella. I had booked a tour, "A Night in London" at home before we left and was explecting the usual toutist bus to lumber into Picadilly Circus.  Instead here comes a luxurious limosine replete with Prince Charming.  Eric is our guide and escort for the evening which includes stops  at Hemicky's Wine Bar, Collins Music Hall where we see old-timey vaudiville and a nude tableaux, Nag's Head Pub and a visit to the Stork Room Club where Eric dances in turn with Marilyn McBride and me, walking us back to our hotel at 3:00am. These English sure know how to give a tour!

[1988 India] Morning is just beginning as we catch our train to Poona and the Ashram.  The overcrowded car is filled with smiling coach mates offering to share their breakfast bits. I, smiling also, answer pointing, gesturing...I really don't know what they are saying...I hope I am making sense. Actually, it doesn't seem to matter.
Giving in, letting go I giggle and clap my hands when everyone else does, absurdly happy to be just where and when I am...on my way to Osho and enlightenment!

[2011 York] York is an ancient, venerable city, established by the Romans, politically important through the ages since, somber...

    BUT NOT TODAY....

Today, York is a carnival The massive Bootham Bar is our gate to the side shows, ancient displays in murky glass shop windows, underground rides through Viking Land, and the twisting alleys called Snickleways that take us from here to who knows where...the Shambles horror street, Clifford's Tower, pubs tempting with their lucious smells, the Midway, a pedestrian mall in the center of town filled with people enjoying themselves, calling out to one another.Wrapped around , holding it all together is the carousel Wall.

There is so much more...but enough for now.  I hope you like what I shared. Be aware, however, that there were 'rough' spots and I will be telling you about them too.  

Thanks for listening!            






   


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