Ahab directed them to a comfortable hotel in Siena that was just a stones throw from the sea. The hotel was set among the greenery of age-old oaks, Holm oaks and chestnut trees. The earl and his family resided in the hotel for three days enjoying the peace and beauty of the country. Before they departed Siena, they wanted to see the Grand Piazza of the city. It was amazing and very ancient.
The children told their parents they would hold it in their memories always. The earl had told Ahab they would meet him in Rome, as they wanted to see more of the Etruscan countryside. Ahab introduced Eric to a trusted acquaintance of his who would drive the earl and his family by carriage to Rome by the Via Francigena road that reached from Rome to Europe. He would also provide guards for the trip. The driver and guards were very proud of their ancient and beautiful country and told age-old stories that kept the English family spellbound. Their driver, Ernesto, took them to visit old villages and churches that were Etruscan origin. From the Via Francigena he pointed out many buildings that were also Etruscan that sat upon several hills. Eric and the children had no trouble understanding the people of Tuscany as they spoke Latin. “I am certainly glad I paid attention when Brother Patrick was teaching Latin. I would have missed out on the best part of this trip otherwise,” Brandon said. The other children nodded their heads in agreement.
Ernesto was an excellent driver and tour guide. He and the three guards were kind and patient with the children and their bombardment of questions. By the time, they reached Rome; Ahab’s sailing ship was there and waiting in the Tyrrhenian Sea. They spent two days in Rome. They saw the Coliseum and listen to the stories about how Gladiators were trained and how they fought for public entertainment. Their mother told the story of Spartacus who was a special Gladiator and how he set many slaves and prisoners free and how he with a band of followers fought the Roman army.
She told them how the Caesars condemned many members of the new Christian religion to death in the Coliseum along with thousands of animals. Stacey wanted her children to know and experience as much of the known world as possible. After seeing the Forum and statues of all the Caesars who ruled Rome, the children were quiet and ready to go back to the ship and rest.
Although the Middle Ages were a dangerous time the world over, it was still difficult for the children to grasp the might and the cruelty of Rome. Some time during the night Eric, Shane and Brandon became ill with stomach gramps and vomiting. Stacey asked the ships cook for herb tea to help settle their stomach. She had warned them when they ate the shellfish that it wasn’t such a good idea, but the vendor assured them they were fresh. Ahab checked on his important passengers and offered his help in anyway, he could. Stacey thanked him and said, “I think we have it under control thanks to your amazing cook and his wonderful herbs with which he has been so very generous.”
They sailed into the beautiful Bay of Naples; Eric and the boys missed seeing Naples, however, were back on deck when their mother asked Ahab about Mount Vesuvius the volcano that erupted in seventy-nine A.D. and buried the two cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Ahab was amazed that the English lady knew about the ancient cities and asked how she knew. I have read about them, she told him and changed the subject. Later the children asked about the mystery cities, she told them what was safe and that the volcano buried the cities beneath the earth. The next couple of days they sailed round the boot toe between Italy and the island of Sicily. From the Mediterranean Sea, Ahab skillfully sailed the African Queen into the Adriatic Sea where he took on cargo to sell or barter in Venice. Captain Ahab’s passengers stayed below deck as a summer storm hit the Adriatic Sea and churned the waters of Poseidon.
The darkness and the tilting of the ship against the heavy waves had everyone nervous. Eric and Stacey held their daughters while Shane and Brandon tried very hard not to show fear. Eric told his sons, “It is normal to be afraid, how ye handle fear be what defines ye as a man.”
The winds and the sea settled down as the storm blew itself out. The African Queen sailed into Venice no worse for wear. This was a city to see. Stacey had never been here before but knew some of its history. Ahab shared his rowing boat with the earl and his family to the Rialto, the commercial center of Venice. From there Eric hired a Gondola and a young Gondolier to tour the Grand Canal and locate a good hotel for a couple of days. After accomplishing this, they ate and took their rest for the next day of touring. The next morn after breakfast as the family now called the first meal of the day; Eric suggested he send his card to the Doges of Venice to make his acquaintance. Stacey was not in favor of this as she had read numerous stories about the Doges of Venice and the horrors that occurred in his fabulous Palace. She didn’t know which Doges she had read about but she didn’t want to take any chances with their children with them.
The young Gondolier that Eric hired was waiting as they left the hotel. Today he would take them by way of the Grand Canal to the gardens of the Doges Palace, then to bridges, churches and warehouses where he offered them glasses of sparkling Prossico wine, cheese, bread and olives for refreshment. At the Rialto, Eric, Stacey and the children purchased a few items. Eric and his sons were interested in knifes and daggers from the Middle East. Stacey and the girls were fascinated with the jeweler, glassware and silk fabrics from the East.
The Rialto, brought alive the magic of Venice where luxury goods arrived from the East, while raw materials arrived from northern Europe. The FitzMorgan family was fascinated by this city built on water. “Mother, how did they build this city on water?” Jackie asked.
“I’m not sure sweetheart, I have read there were small islands in the lagoon where they built foundations by pounded long post through the water into the sea bed below. Then they were able to build the buildings you now see. I believe the Venations started building here sometime in four-hundred B.C. in order to escape the northern tribes that were conquering Italy at the time.”
Captain Ahab sent one of his men with a note to Eric to inform him and his family that the African Queen would be sailing early, so it would be prudent to board ship early. Therefore, Eric, Stacey and the children were on deck gazing at a beautiful star sparkling sky as the African Queen sailed down the Adriatic on it’s way to the Aegean Sea and Greece. Stacey was looking forward to Eric and the children experiencing Greece. She had not been here since she, her foster brother Eric and Professor Anne Rutledge excavated a dig here many years ago. Ever so often a sadness engulfed her and she missed her other life until she gazed upon the faces of her children and her husband, then she knew in her heart there was no other place she would rather be other than here with them.
Once more, the wind and rain attacked the mighty ship. Eric and Stacey woke and held hands, but the children slept right through the storm. Eric kissed Stacey’s hand and whispered, “We have adventurous, good traveling children.”
“Yes, I know, but they won’t be children much longer,” Stacey said with a sigh.
Once again the next morning the sea was calm and Captain Ahab dismissed it as a small squall and said, “Ye ladyship, wait until we sail the Mediterranean up the coast to Alexandria, ye will think of this as a tempest in a teapot.”
A few days later, the Aegean was calm as the ship docked off Athens. Stacey was so excited to be in Greece again. It didn’t take her long to realize the Greece she remembered was hundreds of years ahead of the Greece she was experiencing now. From the city, they saw the sacred rock Acropolis and the Parthenon. In a carriage, they rode out and then walk up to see the frieze of the procession sculpted on the Parthenon. They saw temples and statues of Gods and Goddesses. They found Athena the goddesses of Athens, Aphrodite, Dionysus god of wine, Apollo god of love and others too many to name. On their way down from the Acropolis, Stacey remembered an ancient theater that was a symbol of Athens monuments. It was a theater built in 161 A.D. by Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes. Ancient poets such as Euripides, Aeschylos and Sophokles had performed there. Eric and Stacey sat high upon the seats of the theater, watc
hed and laughed at the antics of their teenage and preteen children as they dramatically recited poetry.
As Stacey was applauding, tears came to her eyes and she said, “This trip is the best thing we could
have ever done with our children. I know Shane is a man almost full grown but watching him on this trip, I still see the boy in him. I love it that our children are so enthusiastic about life.”
Eric kissed her and said, “Tis ye my love that has encouraged our children to be curious about the world and to grasp it with both hands.”
“Eric, I’m so glad you have a friend like Captain Ahab or this trip could not be possible. Thank you, my love,” Stacey said as she kissed his cheek.
Everyone was tired and hungry, so they stopped at an outside café to have supper and watch the people go by. Cassie asked, “Mother, how long are we going to be here and where do we go from here?”
“I’m not sure, sweetheart. I’m sure we’ll be here a couple more days for Captain Ahab to finish his transaction. Why, are you tired of traveling?”
“Oh, no,” the children all chimed in. “We like touring, however, I like the ship and the sea best,” Brandon said.
Three days later, they stood on deck and said goodbye to Greece as the African Queen sailed out into the Aegean in route to the Mediterranean Sea on their way to Egypt the land of the Pyramids. Once again, the Dolphins raced along beside the ship. Their intelligence was amazing. The Middle East was a hotbed of unrest; therefore, Captain Ahab set his course straight to Alexandria on the coast of Egypt.
Just as Captain Ahab had predicted, a turbulent storm raged in the Mediterranean off the coast of Egypt. Below deck, the FitzMorgan family was holding on to each other. As the fury of the storm increased, Eric told his family, “I know it is rough and scary down here in the dark, however, I have every confidence in Captain Ahab. If we were in danger, he would have told us.”
Their father’s confidence seemed to be all they needed to calm them and their mother helped by singing silly songs she had taught them when they were very young. The next morning, when the passengers came on deck to watch the captain maneuver the African Queen into the harbor, he said, “I see my brave passengers are none worse for the ware. Ye did well, my young friends”
He put his arms on the shoulders of Shane and Brandon whose faces were beaming and warned them man to man, “We are no longer on the European Continent; therefore I must encourage ye to take great care of the women of ye family. I do understand ye will want to see as much of my beautiful country as possible, however, I feel I would be derelict in my duty should I not warn ye of the dangers.” As he said this, he nodded to Eric.
“Thank ye, Ahab, Omer has spoken with my wife and daughters about the dress regulations in the Muslin countries. I assure ye we will take precautions not to offend.”
The captain gave rapid orders to his crew and then turned to Eric, “I would be greatly honored for ye and ye family to lodge in my home while we be in Egypt. My wife and daughters have a great curiosity about English women.”
Eric looked to Stacey and she nodded her head, “We will be honored to accept ye hospitality and we hope one day to return the favor.”
Chapter 25
Egypt and North Africa
Soon after they docked two carriages arrived, one for the women and the other for the men. Eric and his sons were a little apprehensive and so were his daughters, but their mother did not seem to be phased by the situation whatsoever. Within half an hour, the two carriages arrived at a walled and gated villa. As the gate opened, the visitors were engulfed by a beautiful garden. Omer greeted them in his most eloquent English.
“Greeting Sire and ye Ladyship; please enter our most humble home and meet my sister Feeshla, my nieces Marsha and Kalia.”
The woman and her daughters came forward and bowed. Feeshla said something in the language of Egypt and smiled. Omer smiled, bowed and translated, “My sister says welcome to our home and please come in and have tea. She feels sure ye are fatigued from ye long journey.”
“You are most kind Madame, tea would be very nice. May I introduce to you my daughters Jessica, Jacquelyn and Cassandra, my sons Shane and Brandon and my husband Eric?” The girls dropped a curtsey and Eric and the boys bowed in respect. Feeshla said something to Omer and he invited the men folk to a large room with overstuffed cushions to sit on around a very low table to partake of tea and sweets. Stacey and the girls were taken to a room off the big room for tea and sweets. The lattice wall kept the women out of sight, but at the same time, they were able to see and hear the male conversation. Ahab arrived, a male servant served the men, and at the same time, a young woman served the women.
Ahab and Omer were explaining about the Egyptian language being one of the oldest languages. “Our language is Afro-Asiatic closely related to Berber and Semitic. Here in Egypt we have spoken this language from, three-thousand-two-hundred B.C. up to the present day. We are a country of many peoples so perhaps it will change someday.”
While the earl and his family were dining, their portmanteaus were delivered to the home of Captain Ahab. Omer and three of his cousins came with carriage to escort the earl and his family as they toured Egypt. Decorum was kept as the family toured the city of Alexandria. The Egyptians spelled it Esrendereyya, and when spoken it had a pleasant sound. Ahab’s wife and daughters went touring with them to show the most interesting places such as Pompey’s Pillar located on Alexandria’s ancient Acropolis. Next, they shopped at the Bazaar for clothing more indicative to the weather. The girls loved the thin gauzy silk the Egyptian women wore and covered their heads. The men bought male garments made of cotton. It was amazing how much more comfortable the cotton garments were than the wool and velvets of Europe.
The next day they toured places where Caesar, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra made history. They saw Obelisks of many of the pharaohs and temples. The Serapeum was one of the most famous of all the Alexandrian temples, as well as the Temple of Poseidon the sea god.
Some days, Stacey and the girls stayed with Feeshla and her daughters. It was cool and refreshing in the villa. The women were talking and laughing from trying to speak one another’s language. The four girls were doing better at conversing because the girls spoke Latin. On the days, they didn’t go touring Eric and his sons worked with Ahab and Omer. On Sunday before traveling south to see the Great Pyramids of Giza, they all went to explore the ruins of the Lighthouse of Pharos. A Temple of Hephaestus also stood on Pharos. Stacey was amazed and pleased to be able to see the Lighthouse of Pharos almost intact. By the time she was born, the Lighthouse had already disappeared under the sea from an earthquake. Much of the ancient world that still stood now would be long gone by the twenty-first century. There was so much of the future she wished she could share with her children, but she knew the Middle Ages was not a safe time for people to be too knowledgeable.
Ahab was busy getting the African Queen’s cargo stored and ready to sail in two weeks time. Omer and his cousins sailed their Falucca with the earl and his family south. Omer rented horses for the men and a carriage for the ladies to visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Down the river, they visited the ruins of Memphis, Thebes, Saggara the city of Luxor and Cairo. In Cairo, they visited the Coptic Christian Community. Farther down the Nile, the children were impressed when they encountered Hippopotamuses and Crocodiles. It didn’t take more than one warning for them to keep their hands out of the water. The trip down the Nile had invigorated everyone, but it was good to return to Alexandria and the comfort of Ahab’s villa.
Feeshla and the girls happily greeted them. They served Bakiava with toasted pistachio, Barazikse
covered with sesame seeds as well as dates and dried fruits of many kinds. The foods were delicious and every night was like a celebration. They were served Pita bread, Tabouli, Tahini and Cuscus. Stacey received many recipes so she could try to replicate them back in Yorkshire.
The time had arrived to start their journey west. The Afri
can Queen was packed and ready to depart. Feeshla and the girls took a carriage to the harbor to say goodbye to their new friends. Eric and Stacey thanked Ahab and his family for their wonderful hospitality. Between Ahab and Omer, they had a huge extended family. Their first stop after leaving Alexandria was Jebel Akhdar. They were in port only a few hours then on to Benghazi. Dressed in their Egyptian garments they took a carriage ride through the city.
A few days later, Ahab moored the African Queen off the coast of Tripoli for Eric and his family to wander through a deserted Roman city by the name of Leptis Magna. Stacey had heard of this Roman ruins, but had never been there. She remembered her grandfather telling a story about World War II and being in North Africa with General George S. Patton who commanded the WTF and Operation Torch in North Africa. He told his Officers when he saw Leptis Magna; he felt he had lived there in another life. Remembering this made Stacey start wondering about past lives and if it were possible.
Soon the children were running and laughing at the many statues and the outside toilets of the Romans. They had all been cooped up on the ship for some days now, so they were ready to stretch their legs. In the late afternoon, Ahab anchored the African Queen in the harbor of Tripoli. He smiled at the expressions of wonder on the faces of his passengers when they saw the glorious port and white buildings of the medieval city of Tripoli. Standing behind Stacey, Ahab said, “Tis a most beautiful city, tis it not, ye ladyship?”
Without turning she said, “Yes, Captain Ahab, it most certainly is. Will we be able to tour the city?”
“Yes, I believe I can make arrangements for ye family to see the Palace, the Bazaar and of course the Promenade will be safe for strolling. But I think it best not to venture into the old city.”
A Fall Through Time (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #1) Page 13
