AUTHOR: Francesca Gray TITLE: A Mid-life Adventure: part 4 DATE: 2:30 PM ----- BODY:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Friday, 2nd July 2004 I slept with the balcony door wide open. Just the net drawn across to discourage any insects that might have decided to visit. It felt wonderful, the nearest thing I can imagine to sleeping outside. Cool enough to need a sheet but warm enough for it not to really matter. The birds woke me again. I can't see them, only hear the jumble of sounds. There is one particularly loud and insistent cheep cheep that I wish I could identify. The sky is a clear, light blue, a slight breeze cools the delicious warmth of early morning. I'm sitting on the balcony eating peaches and plums from those supplied by my 'admirer' before going down to breakfast. The food here has been a pleasant surprise. As well as the self serve, there are two a la carte restaurants where we may also eat at no extra charge. You do have to book though. I have booked a table at La Gardenia (Italian) for Sunday evenings. 6.15 am. Time for a quick shower before breakfast then it will be time to wait for the coach in reception. My trip to Dougga and Thuburbo Majus leaves at 7.50. Oh, an unexpected extra. The TV in my room receives BBC World (just about), so I will not have to do without my daily 'fix' of news!
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Through a series of unexplainable mix-ups I did not go on the Roman Encounters trip after all. M, the rep was very helpful. I really like him. He altered my bookings so that today's adventure will now take place next Friday and I will go t to 'Showstoppers' tonight. I wondered down to the beach this morning. It is not too far to walk. The sand is the palest of gold, warm and fine underfoot. I found it almost impossible to walk on even with the aid of my stick and once I had managed to stagger to the nearest lounger stayed put. The sea so calm and blue was very inviting and I wished that I could swim. I lay in the shade reading and listening to music until it became to hot even for me. Its amazing how many people continue to sun bathe, even when the sun is at its highest, slowly turning red as their skin burns. I would love to have a deep golden tan, but don't think that some thing so transient is worth the discomfort. It has been a very, very hot day. Somewhere around 40? I'm afraid I don't speak decimal...Laughs. Even sitting in the bar I was soon soaked with sweat. Siesta is a very civilised custom. The fruit in my room had proved very welcome. I lunched on oranges, bananas and plums. The oranges are large and incredibly juicy. They taste delicious. I wish fruit tasted this good at home.
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I enjoyed the show put on by holiday reps from all the different hotels. It was a little tacky, but tackled with such enthusiasm one had to relax and enjoy. The professional act that shared the bill was 'The Dream Girls', an international drag act. For personal reasons, I am not fond of drag, it makes me uncomfortable. But I have to say that they were very good, funny too. Both the reps, A and M, are excellent at their job. Very friendly and helpful, their desire to make sure that everyone has a good time seems genuine. Although I could do without the 'jolly holiday camp' atmosphere that erupts at times. That's just me, I'm not much of a joiner. There were moments of intense loneliness this evening and discomfort. I was seated at a table alone and as it was waiter service there was no occasion even to greet another person. I felt self conscious sitting there. A lone woman at an empty table in a crowded room filled with couples holding hands, groups of friends and families. It took a lot of will power to remain, to keep my head high and a smile on my face, but I did it. That aside, I am glad that I came on holiday. I am sleeping well, eating regularly and feel more relaxed than I have for a very long time.
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