Once Within A Lifetime (42 page)

Nearby
was a fairly large stream tumbling down the rocks fiercely and they could hear the rocks move as the water came down against them with such terrific force. This reminded them of the falls when they met. They looked at each other and smiled. Of course their lives had been enriched and expanded so much more than they ever could have imagined at that time.

The
afternoon passed as they took in the sights and it was time to go back to the charming little place where they would be staying for the night. They had dinner at a nearby restaurant, went back to the room and got ready to discuss the happenings of the day and think about tomorrow. Were there any places they wished to see again or should they move on? They decided to continue on and find a few more sights before they went back to their hotel in the city. They would spend the night there and move on to the next destination.

They
got into bed and held and loved each other, always wondering how each time could seem to be better but it did. The more they got to know each other they could share an intimacy just by looking at each other and not miss a single beat. An intimacy which they could not grasp without the experience of love. Their hearts raced and beat wildly until they got together to make love passionately and then fell asleep to rest the rest of the comforted and relaxed.

They
awoke and said good morning to each other and held each other for a while before rising.

"Where shall we go today, my precious?
he asked drawing her closer.

“
Let’s just look around here a little more and then start back to our hotel and make plans for the rest of our trip. I feel we have seen about all the major attractions we had planned here. What do you think about that?”

“
It sounds like a plan. Shall we get up and get ready to go for breakfast? I am ravenous this morning, how about you?”

“
Yes, I am hungry, too. It must be the invigorating air in these hills. We can have a really special breakfast and see a few more points of interest here. I think I shall wear the slacks I made. 

I
wonder how everyone back home is doing. They are no doubt wondering how we are doing, where we are, and what we are doing. Let’s call them tonight when we get back to the hotel. We should call both our parents and they can pass the message on to the others. Then we can find out how your mother is feeling and see if she is all right. I wonder how Leslie and Mitch are coming on their wedding plans. I so hope all works out well for them. I wish them the happiness we have.”

“
Really fantastic, I feel we should call them as well. After dinner this evening we will call them and talk a while. Maybe your folks can tell us if they’ve had any news regarding Leslie.”

They
showered and dressed and got ready to go, packed their bags and loaded them in the car. They did not bring many items for overnight. They went down to have a wonderful breakfast and enjoyed the quiet, homey little dining room they had come to love. They took some pictures and planned to add them to the collection. Coffee was on the table and they poured some to drink until the meal arrived. It truly was an elegant breakfast and they were overjoyed. Fresh fruit came first and then the wonderful omelet and toast made with bread right there on the premises. There was some Birnpot, bread made with dried fruits, a real delight. After they finished breakfast, they went up to get the luggage to check out. They told the proprietor what a wonderful time they’d had here and that they’d certainly recommend it to anyone they knew who was coming this way.

He
thanked them, told them they had been truly kind and thoughtful guests and it had been a real pleasure.

“
We can see you are newlyweds deeply in love. It is so encouraging to see such things these days. We do hope you will return sometime.”

“
We might just do that,” replied Todd. “We were looking around on our honeymoon and wanted to see the country as well as the sights of the city. We are so glad we did. It is a marvelous place and we do not want to leave, but we must move on. Thanks again for everything. We travel a bit, and no doubt, we will see you in our future.”

Todd
picked up the luggage and went to the car to get ready for one more quick little jaunt around the town, then they will go back to the hotel sometime after lunch. They drove through the village and saw a road that led up an incline and followed it. They drove for a ways and stopped to look around. What an exquisite sight. It was such a breathtaking view, one could see the Danube from here floating lazily along with the boats sailing to and fro. It was magnificent and they got lots of footage with the video and shots with the other camera to add to their memories for the future. The contrast between the near and far shots would be obvious.

They
drove back down the incline and looked at the houses on the way. They were nearly the same style with the alpine flavor. How cozy they looked and they were very glad they came here. They started back and planned to stop somewhere en route for lunch whenever they saw a place that appealed to them. They drove along slowly and watched the people around their houses, gardens and animals. They looked so peaceful and oblivious to the hustle and bustle not too far away. How cheerful and restful it all appeared. They were so glad they had not missed this. A picture of two different worlds adjoining each other.

Just
ahead on the left they saw an adorable little place which looked like it may have some food inside. They went inside where to their amazement, tables were already set for the noon meal and food items were already on the tables. They found a cozy little spot and sat to wait for someone to come to take their order. Soon a cute little girl with alpine-type clothing and braids came to take their order. She showed them a spot out back where they might sit and eat and watch all the outside activities of the farmers and gardeners.

“
This is grand,” replied Todd. “Thank you so very much. We truly appreciate this. It means so much to us. We are here on our honeymoon and are trying to gather up some of the atmosphere with our camera to take along for our future memories which can bring us back in a visual way to recall these wonderful trips and the wonderful people we have met.”

“
We are more than happy to help you in this matter,” replied the master of the restaurant. “We are very pleased that you decided to stop and share your time with us. Let us share with you some of our local delicacies. We are sure you will like them.”

“
Thank you,” replied Triessa. “You are so gracious and helpful.”

The
waitress brought them some local cheese and crackers with some wine. Also some
Banitsa
, flaky cheese rolls. These were to nibble while the meal was being prepared. They did just that and found them very delightful.

“
We must get some of these to take with us,” said Todd.

She
nodded her head and when the waitress came back with some meat and homemade bread, they asked her about getting some. She told them that it was not a problem and she would prepare some for them to take when they left. After the meal, dessert and coffee were brought, which was truly interesting. It was a special kind of cheesecake and had fruit on it. The girl gave Triessa a piece of paper and told her that it was the recipe for the dessert so she could make some for themselves. Many asked for it.

“
What a marvelous idea,” Triessa said, placing the recipe in her purse.

“
How very kind of you, I would love to try some. Thank you, my dear, for your thoughtfulness.”

They
finished their meal and said goodbye, thanking everyone again for their kindness and help and got back in the car to start back to the hotel and make further plans. They arrived around three o’clock and took their luggage up to the room and sat by the window to look out at the beautiful blue Danube while they talked about the rest of their plans.

“
We have been gone two weeks now,” said Todd. “What do you say if we go back to Monaco and get a room at the hotel where you stayed and spend some time there looking around and then go spend some time at my place? Our flight is scheduled for tomorrow, midafternoon and we can arrive there early evening. Do you think we had better call the hotel and make a reservation? Do you want the same room or would another be better?”

“
I think it would be nice if we have another room all our own with no previous memories. Rather like starting off on a new experience. Let’s start off with a room with no memories and make our own. Something special to add to our memory collection. How does that sound to you? Do you have any special preference?”

“
No, my darling. I think it would be great to start out there all new like it is our first experience. We want to be sure to get the best view possible. Let me call and see what we can do.”

He
called and got the manager at the desk and talked to him regarding the matter. He explained that Triessa had been there a number of times but that they were on their honeymoon now and would like a room with the best possible view.

“
Do you have such a room available at this time? We will be arriving early evening and would like to have dinner on the patio if that would be possible.”

The
manager answered, “I will have a really special room by then, the people there are leaving early tomorrow morning and I can certainly reserve the room for you and have it ready for your arrival. It will indeed be a pleasure to do this for you.”

“
Thank you very much, sir,” Todd replied. “That sounds like a perfect situation. We will be there several nights and it will be just superb. We will see you tomorrow evening, then.” He hung up and told her what the plan was. “I think it will be a very special room by the way he was talking.”

“
That will be wonderful. I look forward to getting back there and being able to spend time together in a very special way that we could not do before. How marvelous it will be. There will always be a special fondness for the area because we met there. What a truly spectacular day that was. It will always stay fresh in my memory as if it were only yesterday. A lot of wonderful things have happened since then, but it is still very vivid in my mind. Oh, my darling, do you know how much I really love you? I feel you do because it is mutual, but it is something that is so hard to fully explain. How can you describe such a strong emotion? There are no words which can relate the feeling. There are many adjectives, but they can’t do it justice. Wouldn’t you think someone could have come up with some words somewhere? We should attempt to do it ourselves. I guess it is because there is really such a gulf between words and emotions. Words are black and white symbols; feelings are, there I go again, looking for words. But I am sure you understand what I mean and feel after what we have shared and are sharing.”

“
Oh, yes, my Sweetheart,” he replied, “I truly understand just what you are saying and feel the frustration of trying to describe it. So let’s not try, let’s just feel it and hope everybody else has the same experience.”

“
Well,” she asked, “Shall we make the plans for your place or wait until we get there? We will not know for sure when we will want to leave. It will depend on how things go and what we plan to do, right?”

“
Yes, exactly. I think we will just wait until we get there and decide after we have been there a while. No doubt, you will want to see Phylicia and spend a little time with her. Maybe while we’re there, we can take in a show at the Grand Theater of Monte Carlo, if one is going on we like. By seeing Phylicia, you can keep up on things so you will be in tune when you want to get back into it. Get to touch the pulse of the business. I know it will come up one day when you get some fantastic ideas swirling around in your pretty head. Do you want to call her now or wait until we get there?”

“
Oh, let’s wait,” she replied. “After all, this is our time and I would just rather do it at the right time. It is a little difficult to plan anything when we have no idea what we will be doing or where we will be. Our time is our own and we will have lots of new things to see. Before, it was pretty much dictated by what I had to do to get ready for future showings. We won’t have that type of pressure now. I am grateful, aren't you?”

“
Oh, for sure, I am. We can pretty much do things as we have so far. We will look to see what’s available and make a schedule the next day after we get there. We will just get there, eat and settle down for the night and then the next day we can plan. Doesn’t that sound much easier and more pleasant?”

“
Sounds perfect to me. Now, what’s the time schedule? When shall we call our folks? We want to get a good time and not be too late. I think the time will be best after we have dinner. It is now four-thirty. Why don’t we shower, dress and go see what is served for dinner? Then we can come back up and call and sit around for a while, unless you feel like turning in.”

They
showered, dressed and went to the dining room, which was still fairly empty. There were one or two couples there. They found a table by the window, sat down and were watching the sights when the waiter came to take their order. They ordered some wine which was brought for them to enjoy while they were waiting. It was beginning to get dusky and the lights were beginning to come on. This was always a grand time of the day and they immensely enjoyed seeing the lights flicker across the landscape and glimmer like small stars.