00:11 24 January 2014 by GS Jade Barrett CsbNews correspondent
“The bridge will only take you halfway there, to those mysterious lands you long to see. Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fair, and moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share the twisting trails and wondrous worlds I’ve known. But this bridge will only take you halfway there. The last few steps you have to take alone” – Shel Silverstein
The trip to Bermuda requires an overnight stop in Atlanta for those of us traveling from the American Midwest. Despite its location in the USA Deep South, the 8° Fahrenheit was just a bit warmer than our hometown -3°, so the subtropical island becomes even more inviting. Not to mention a fine [ilink url=”http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/dark_and_stormy/”]Dark and Stormy[/ilink] to warm the soul.
Bermuda is an odd combination of the traditional British culture and the surreal, its own history built upon the reefs that surround the United Kingdom’s Gibraltar of the West. The wreck of the Sea Venture which ultimately lead to the colonization of the island influenced Shakespeare as he wrote The Tempest, where the magnificent storm created by the magic of Prospero plays such a central role. When the wind blows hard at night, the range of sound from whistling to howling is heard as it passes through the trees, cliffs and caves that face out from the Southern shore of the tiny country; its nearest neighbor some thirteen hundred kilometers away.
Modern in every way, the former colony somehow seems stuck in time, with its own microcosm of dress, conduct and traditions. It remains a vibrant and colorful place, where pink beaches and beautiful pastel painted domiciles warm the heart. The residents welcome and inviting, share the joy of this treasure, quick with a smile and a helping hand to the visitor. I have loved this place for years.
The marvelous bridge club they have certainly completes the environment.