Thy Sweet Love Remember'd
July 8-10, 2011Once
upon a time
. in the kingdom of NOLA
by
Andrea & Gonda
Once
upon a time in the tunnels in the far-far-away land of Austria there
lived a lady and her alien. The lady had fallen in love with the
dream of the tunnels of the city of New York, the tales of love and
hope. The alien was addicted to traveling and adventures and
to the lady...
Connected
by a virtual bond with others with the same dream in mind, they set
sail or wings to cross the ocean (about 6.000 or
7.000 miles), rented some horsepower to travel the land (about 14
states, 3.700 miles, passed millions of trees....) to reach the
sacred place of NOLA. On the way they picked up the lovely fairy
godmother Joyce and her little helper Lucy. Their magic showed them
the path through the enormous forest of Elvis, the dark sea of Coca
Cola and the breath taking history of Nottaway and Oak Alley. They
guided them safe and shared their discoveries and laughter.
***
After
mastering their challenges and enjoying every minute of their trip
they reached NOLA in the early afternoon in Mid-week. They were
welcomed in the kindest way, with gifts of hearts and hugs of caring
and love. Just the black magic of Reservation Glitch darkened the
beauty of the moment for a few minutes.
The lady
and the alien moved into their chamber with the beautiful Lady Lisa
from the kingdom of Kentucky and the fair and magnificent Lady Sonia
from the kingdom of New York. Lady Sonia just stayed for a day at the
beginning and the end of the week to meet some other fellow dreamers
in between. The fairy godmother Joyce had the honor of sharing the
chamber with the radiant Lady Cathy from the kingdom of Pennsylvania.
The rest
of the day was gone in a flash meeting beautiful people,
getting bags ready with enchanted gifts and magic words, meeting more
people... O'Brian's refused to offer some food, so the castle of
Oceans was selected to provide meals and drinks. The
gator Po-Boy was delicious. But soon the journey's burden showed
effects on the fierce travelers and they returned to their beds for a
good night's sleep.
***
The
morning sun woke the dreamers to a beautiful day. The daily
breakfast, the fair and brilliant Lady Deb had organized for
everyone, was enjoyed and the joyful group came together to meet the
honorable gentleman Bill Coble. He was a studied man, who had
traveled the universe of Courtyards. The beauty of the places
captured their minds and hearts, the pleasure of following his words
was delightful.
The
afternoon belonged to the dreamers! Helping hands were welcome and
the spirit of the family spread. The market (dealers room) had to be
arranged, boxes to be stored. Lots of new faces (thank god for the
name badges!!! - 'cause the aliens memory seemed to overflow) and
some that were familiar by now. The alien was presented the honor of
arranging the original cloak and clothes of Sir Vincent. The tables
were decorated in the colors of Mardi Gras. Soon the deed was done,
and they were banned from the hall, until the market would open when
the clock struck 8.
It was
time for a short and refreshing visit to the pool. Nothing can beat
that at about 90 to 100 degree...
The
clock struck 7:45 and the Lords and Ladies came impatiently together
waiting for the market to open its doors. The lady picked a little
crystal, and lots of papers of wisdom (zines), getting confused by
too many choices. But she was saved by the fair and magnificent Lady
Cathy, who provided the bible of fanfiction, the Qfer to the lady.
The alien had to watch the prey of the lady and keep it safe. The
goods were bought, money given to the wise merchant Larry, the guard
of the market.
The
beautiful day came to an end with a chit and a chat about this, about
that... in the lobby.
***
A busy
day started with a quick breakfast and then the eye of the world was
on them a few blocks from the Castle on Bourbon. They gracefully
greeted the world far-far-away and wandered back to the great hall.
Here the family came together they traveled from close, they
traveled from far to meet and share, to greet and care. The
celebration began.
The
first task was a quest with juicy questions and suggestive clues -
the minds were dirty thanks to the Chesapeake folks (thanks so much,
you are great!!!)!
To cool
the imagination the ladies and gents were invited to share their
colors. Beautiful masks were designed, colored and glued. Some
sparkled like stars, others looked just like owls, blue birds not
ripe in green, yellow and red, feathers and flowers in every
beautiful shade will hide their wearers at the masquerade.
It was
time for a meal that had to be served at the place of wisdom for
preparing food (School of Cooking). Fruits of the land and the sea
were arranged deliciously while the wise cooking-jester entertained
the fellow group. The laughter was not ladylike anymore, but like
from out of space! The soup and the gumbo tickled the tongue, but the
pecan pie made the tummy fly at least the one of an alien!
Such a sweet desire but the show must go on, and the family
had to leave.
A full
belly has to rest, but the spirit of creativity is free. Though not
specially trained or even talented, the next task was started. With
the guidance of helpers everybody was able to build a wonderful candy
dish. The surprise was stunning, the dishes looked great and it was
even possible to fold them flat to transport them easily.
Exhausted
by the labor of the day and to rest and dress for the evening, the
party folks retreated for a while. The evening would bring the
masquerade and something unimaginable for the virgins
something nobody could ever even dare to dream of.... but we should
not overtake time...
Masquerade
dazzling colors, glittering dreams, worlds on the move. Who
would have expected to meet Vincent's wild things, Cleopatra,
mysterious women in black and white or even Vincent himself? Music
and talents enchanted the hearts and minds. Lost in a kaleidoscope,
flying in pink clouds of imagination they were brought back to
reality by the call of the wrangler: Get out the virgins!
All of
them, including the lady, the fairy godmother, the alien and some
other enchanted ladies and gents, had to come to the stage, led by
the virgin wrangler. Were they properly prepared? They had been
warned! Did they wear their best undies? It became dark, a sound, a
flash of light.... Nobody will ever know. Just try it yourself
if you dare!!!!
After
this shock the evening faded away in a little lobby party.
***
Terrible
sounds of the morning called the lady and her alien out of their bed
(Pfui Teifi!). The time for breakfast was tight, the market opened at
8 sharp! There seemed to be still room in their trunk for
more delightful things.
Before
the challenge of drawing Sir Vincent their minds were taken on
another dirty trip. After coming back the talented Lady Beverly
guided the hands of the unworthy beginners through the jungle of
lines and shades. Surprisingly some of the pictures reminded
well-meaning dreamers faintly of someone that could be related to
their hero (ugly cousin, comic like younger brother,...). The real
talents remained hidden, but the merry fellowship shared laughter and
happiness.
The
striking news reached the family the next reunion will be in
Dallas. Let's hope for this wonderful dream together! The pictures
are breathtaking, the castle for the event a gift.
To give
hope to those that are less fortunate is a call to everyone in the
tunnels of the world. Dark times come to women whose dream of a child
is destroyed by losing it. A word in a card, a few comforting things
a mug, socks, tea
should tell them, that there are
people in the world sharing their grief. The cards were made with
love and caring, the bags were packed with tenderness, to bring light
to those that are in darkness.
The
market was open, while everyone had fun with Beast Bingo. Luck was
kind to the lady and the alien, each won once and got more beautiful
things to fill up the trunk. And of course the lady could not resist
to the tempting goods merchant Larry was offering.
Aliens
are good at pretending to walk or talk like humans to blend in with
ladies and gents, but if you ever want to unmask one, make it dance.
Line dance works fine. The first few steps might still work, as long
as there is no music involved but trust me two feet
and music at the same time is more than any alien can manage! Lady
Peggy did her best, but there is no hope in that just laughs!
This
called for a break! The alien had to work out a way to untie her
feet, and the lady joined an afternoon chamber party. In the presence
of Sir Devin and Sir Vincent the illustrious ladies scared possible
boredom away, by sharing the story of Sleepless in
Providence. Like noble ladies do, they did their sewing and
prepared the clothes of their men. They got their most beautiful
outfits ready to impress later, at the social hour and the banquet,
with their breathtaking radiance.
Never
before the great hall was decorated more gorgeous, never filled with
more love and caring! How can someone create something like those
center pieces? Even the alien was touched by its beauty! The feast
was delightful, the food delicious, the company divine.
Well-fed
and satisfied the noble folks leaned back, to be once again
surprised by the turn of the events. The magnificent Lady Deb made
clear, that there was no jester needed to entertain and raise money
for those life seemed to have forgotten. Wonderful artifacts of the
world Below were auctioned. No words will be wasted here, since not
even aliens have the power to put this into words it had to
be experienced, including the science of DNA.
After
this lovely feast the fellowship walked into the night, to find the
rhythm of the city. They parted after some time to come together a
little later in the lobby. The dark spirit of Reservation Glitch
appeared once more to block the room of Lady Lisa, the lady and the
alien, who fought him fiercely. The fight went back and forth, Lady
Cathy and the fairy godmother Joyce came to rescue, and the dark lord
Reservation Glitch was defeated once more. He used his last power to
strike three more times by sabotaging the keys, but had to flee in
the end!
***
Another
morning, an even earlier start. The lady and the alien just picked up
some tea and went to ---- everybody VERY classic, please skip this
paragraph!!!! ---- the third season panel. An Angel joined them from
the tunnels of California (the state that likes to be bold by
selecting their kings, and even had one from far-far-away Austria).
It really was an interesting chat, though problems with the
connection changed the Angel's voice to sounds of a demon.
They had to part too soon, but will meet again in another
place, another time, in the tunnels of the web, in the web of the
tunnels.
A feast
was prepared for the whole family. Since the beginning of friendship
humans and aliens came together to share food as a symbol for their
love and caring. This brunch gave everybody enough food to share and
enjoy being together in this magical place, the tunnels of NOLA,
where the tunnels of the world (and space) joined for an enchanted
moment to leave no one untouched.
Another
round of Beast Bingo was played, and the alien won the special Sir
Vincent price. After this some wonderful pieces of art were auctioned
by our indescribable Lady Deb.
The
writing panel was sabotaged by the dark spirit of Technical Glitch,
the little brother of Reservation Glitch, but Lady Amber and her
improvisation panel and the Chesapeake folks with Beast Bingo saved
the moment. The fairy godmother Joyce was kissed by the angel of luck
and finally won, the first, but not the last time for that
day! She also won the beautiful box of dishes and the Lady Catherine
basket. She really deserved it. (Joyce, you are wonderful).
Time to
say good bye. But first all virgins were welcomed by the ever true
words, spoken of the one that started the dream of the tunnels,
Father:
You're
part of us now, come complete the circle. The darkness almost
engulfed us this year but our unity gave us strength, our shared
light showed us the truth. As we part for another year let us
remember darkness is only the absence of light and all winters end.
Nobody
could have imagined the love and comfort of this moment, the feeling
of being part of a wonderful caring family. Hugs were shared, smiles
exchanged home is where the heart is. So home is here,
in this moment. Please freeze it. Not possible? So keep it save in
your heart to warm you, whenever you need it. That's
what the lady and the alien thought...
Thank
god they had decided to stay until Mid-Week to leave now,
would have been impossible.
Aliens
love cats just ask Alf... so they all together went to find
some at Cat's Meow. Karaoke instead of real cats, or at least Sir
Vincent or Lady CATherine??? Sounds strange for one from out of this
(tunnel) world. So no chewy cats, but great Fruitcake, the whole one
and some parts of it. They enjoyed more chamber music and enchanted
dances.
Goodbye
kitty...
hello
ghost tour! Uhhh, was that scary. NOLA is the city of haunting
there is no decent house with no history. Voodoo and magic live in
this ancient place. But who is this strange gentleman that seems to
ignore, that most of the group disappeared after not even half an
hour? Maybe he believes in black magic, and that those bewitched
guests from all over the world disappeared into thin air (though air
seems to be thick with heat and water in NOLA)? Guesses are that he
is the ghost of some court jester - that was not funny at all. He has
to come back and work as a guide every night, until he really
entertains his tour group. Poor thing he will be stuck in
this world forever.
What
else could round up the day better than a nice lobby party to re-live
the day, laugh a little and enjoy the royal company from the kingdoms
of the world?
***
Our
noble heroes and their family paid their respect to the Court of the
Two Sisters, and were treated to the most exquisite food and music
the kingdom of NOLA had to offer. The company was divine, of course.
While a
part of the royal group ventured to the swamps, they had to rest to
freshen up for the activities of the night.
When the
evening fell, a river boat took them away into the night. After the
burning humidity of the day, the little breeze was a blessing. The
old man river showed them his lazy flow, his sparkling music and the
beauty of the sunset. That's how dreams are born.
Tradition!
Everybody met in the lobby, shared the last snacks and enjoyed just
being there.
***
The day
of so many lasts has started. Part of the dreamers left
in the morning for the City tour, and in the afternoon for the Laura
plantation.
But the
lady and the alien started a little later for their own walking tour.
They visited the cemetery. Since NOLA is partly more than 10 feet
under the sea level, the graves here are above the ground. The voodoo
priests and queens were presented gifts, even after their deaths: rum
and money, beads and coconut milk, little notes with wishes and
hopes... Parts of the grave yard were still damaged from Kathrina.
But it
was really hot, so they fled into a little church to cool down. Their
trip led them by streetcar through the garden district and in the
early afternoon back to the castle on Bourbon.
Here
they had to face their enemy Reservation Glitch again. One last time
he rose from the darkness to mess everything up. The fight was fierce
it took them more than 60 minutes to defeat him for good and
darkness had to leave.
This
time was spend in the lobby and used for farewells. The glamorous
Lady Rusty had to leave, and others, said good bye as well. So many
people had become friends and family. Leaving them now seemed to
break their hearts. It is better to lose it all than to never love at
all and they were not losing anybody, it's just miles, the
hearts remain connected.
The last
supper was in Muriel's a haunted place. Their ghost used to
drink the wine of the guests and sometimes even stole their food. So
they set a table for him, every day, and he leaves the guests alone.
His rooms were upstairs, red sofas and old pictures, some of dancers
(which he loved)... kind of spooky. He was very fond of beautiful
women, so nobody wondered that he was interested in Lady Jodie of the
kingdom of Australia. He stole the energy of her camera to get in
contact. Lady Lisa, Lady Sonia and Lady Cathy felt his presence as
well.
More
good byes
more sweet sorrow. And soon time to go to bed
the lady, the fairy godmother Joyce and the alien had to leave early
in the morning the next day.
***
After an
early breakfast and lots of hugs, the trip back had to start. More
miles were waiting, with more to see on the way back. Hours of
driving, and another beautiful day with the fairy godmother Joyce and
her family at Biltmore waited for them. And then another good
bye.
They
were crossing mores states, following the shore. And soon they had to
bring back the horsepower and spread their wings to return to the
normal life in far-far-away Austria.
***
This is
a fairy tale, but a true one. We are back and though while we are
writing this, our last day in the US is less than three weeks ago, it
seems to be far-far-away in time and miles. But as soon as we are
listening to our hearts, y'all are right here. See you in the tunnels
of the world hope to meet you soon in person again.
***
And
they all lived happily ever after.... Back
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