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Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Just Like Home...Or Is It?

Tarifa is the point of entry/departure for Europe to/from Africa across the Strait of Gobraltar.
On our return, we noticed a small stone structure with a tower and a main stone edifice. It has an Arabic look to it. We hadn't noticed it on the way over, we were so focused on the boat and our destination I guess. Now we noticed it as we headed from European immigration to the bus.

We said simultaneously, "Cabot Tower." It does remind us of Newfoundland and especially St. John's.

                                                       Stone tower at Tarifa

Signal Hill and the surrounding area is one of my favourite places on earth. There's nothing like the fresh air of home, the sea breeze or gale from a nor'easter, the sight of the fog bank offshore or fog slipping in through the Narrows, shrouding everything.

                              Signal Hill             Photo by: blog.brockwaybiggs.com.            

Then there are those glorious days when it's clear and the whole city and surrounding area spreads out before you. If you're lucky enough, there's a ship headed in or out through the Narrows while people walk around the Tower, inevitably holding their hats or shirts because of the breeze.

A clear night is even better. Then the lights of the city show the length and breadth of its growth more easily it seems. The various landmarks are lit for maximum viewing, The Rooms, the various churches, Confederation Building, just to name a few. They seem more impressive under the spot lights. 

A walk around the Tower is in order if the wind isn't gale force. A look at the Atlantic and the signpost showing the distances and directions to the various world centers are a must. Most important is that look over your birthplace to see the old familiar places and what has changed. 

We both looked at this unknown stone edifice and concluded, "It might have some similarities, but that's about it." However the memories it elicits are welcome. 

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