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A Curtsy for The Queen

Highlights of my Wednesday included: humorous observations while shopping at the pharmacy, wiping out (on the floor) at a charity dinner to preserve the use of the English Language, and of course, preparations for The Royal Wedding! 

A day does not pass, without some excitement... Even the most mundane activities, in Bermuda, can readily turn, on a dime.

It occurred to me that I had to pop into town to pick up some essentials. Perhaps I could find a hat for The Royal Wedding...

I strolled down Salt Kettle Road, admiring the reflections of the palms, from the sun. 

This little walk is so peaceful- to and from the ferry. Not too long- just right. And no cars, most of the time, so that you can walk in the middle of the street.

As I rode the ferry to Hamilton, I appreciated the turquoise color of the harbor. It is so calming.

Upon arriving in Hamilton, I knew just where to go- The Phoenix- a mammoth, bi-level store on Reid Street, that sells everything under the sun. 

Little Daisy and I had gone there, to get our Bermuda rain ponchos for Hurricane Bill- the Category 3 storm that skirted the island during our vacation, back in 2009.

While waiting for a prescription to be filled, I browsed the aisles, taking in the best of British and Bermudian products. Would I be needing any of them?

The names of some of the remedies had me amused- like "Day Nurse"and "Night Nurse"- what are those used for? 

I recalled a reggae song entitled "Night Nurse" that was popular during my first trip to Bermuda with Donna...I began to hear it playing in my head.

I was quite curious, to see a prominent display of Cod Liver Oil, in various forms. Isn't this stuff allegedly disgusting? It must be used frequently, with such 'product placement', I thought to myself. 

Thankfully, there were some products that even a naive foreigner can decipher- "Wind-eze", for one. Not for bad hair, after a day out on the water...

The swimming aisle was particularly fun. I was incredibly tempted to buy an inflatable realistic sea turtle- until I saw the inflatable Sting ray... If I had a pool, I would have gotten both.

The diaper cover selection was fabulous; they reminded me of the tiny little bikini I purchased for my nephew, Peter, while traveling in the Bahamas. Pete was so little then; he 'owned the bikini'. Today, he may have regrets that I photographed him in it, for posterity...


I was happy to see the full gamut of Cadbury chocolate- a remedy for anything that ails me. The polar fleece of the Bermudian flag also caught my eye- something to curl up with, during a hurricane, and/or when it cools down... which will be when?! Oh, yes! In about five months... 

The winner of most amusing product at the pharmacy, however, was the box of Tropical (fruit-flavored) condoms- with pictures of colorful fruit on the box. Plum perfect for catching a child's eye! "Mummy, can I have those candies?" 

I cannot imagine those for sale, at the Sag Harbor Pharmacy; how could one keep a straight face, while requesting such an item? Honestly! 

I wondered how often those must be restocked...Plus, if we are to be literal, they actually should be called Semi-Tropical Condoms in Bermuda...

Sad to depart the amusing pharmacy, I ventured into an interesting shop, called Urban Cottage. 

The merchandise here is widely varied- from antiques to lingerie. Not the typical island vibe, in here; it is more reminiscent of a salvage store with lovely things intermingled. 

At a loss for words, I asked the sales lady how she would describe the store. She replied that (at Urban Cottage) there is "something for everyone".

For my part, I loved the distressed metal street signs (replicas of old Bermuda). 

I was also intrigued to see pillows with retro images of Bermuda on them, made by a company called NettleInk

Fun decor for my Bermuda cottage, but I did not splurge! Job first (or husband). Periwinkle cottage second. Retro decor third.

Back at Salt Kettle, I was pressed for time- a quick turn around in the AC!

Janie had invited me to attend a charity dinner for the English Speaker's Union at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club. 

The group (of which her mum Hazel was a member) seeks to further the English language. 

How very proper and pertinent, I thought- in this world of texting and mangling
grammar.

I was in the midst of getting ready, when Janie's friend, Helen, stopped by for a drink with us. 

We all sat outside, awaiting the arrivals of a guest from England, and John Lowe from Hungary- coming in on the same flight.

Janie fed the Heron his supper (squid that they keep in the freezer for him). The heron comes right up the steps to the door, several times per day!

Once John, and the guy from British Airways had arrived, we took off for Pomander Road.

The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club sits on Hamilton Harbor, at the very end. As you look at the water, Paget is on your left, the city on your right. 

The Club has both an historic and nautical vibe. I was interested to see The Queen's portrait, during her younger years. 

(There is much talk about the Netflix series, The Crown, here- incidentally...)

I wish that I had some video to share of the dinner we attended. It was quite entertaining- for various reasons.

We arrived late; everyone was seated. There were only four seats left, so we hurried to make new friends at the table that was closest.


Janie and I both ordered the flank steak. Over wine, we got to know the rest of the table. Mind you, in my opinion, Janie is a master of British etiquette. I would surely need a course, to become as polite as she is.

The majority of The ESU is composed of senior citizens. They appeared to be happy to see some "younger faces" at the supper, as the next generation will surely need to work as hard (or harder) to preserve the spoken and written word.

The guest speaker of the evening was the highlight- a gentleman who has dedicated his life to filming the migration of humpback whales past Bermuda- Mr. Andrew Stevenson.

(Stevenson's book, entitled Whale Song: Journeys into the Secret Lives of the North Atlantic Humpbacks, is for sale on Amazon.)

With an award-winning film credit to his name, he is presently working on a second film about humpback whales, filmed with exquisite drone footage- all captured off the coast of Bermuda. 

We were privileged to see the initial rough cut of the new film- 15 mesmerizing minutes of whales in Bermudian waters. Narrated by his Stevenson's daughter, the movie seeks to target a young audience, inspiring respect for the sea.

Following his presentation, Stevenson mentioned that he was in need of some partners to complete his second film. I suggested potentially contacting a former news anchorman who lives in Sag Harbor. Perhaps he would take interest? 

I also shared hopes that Mr. Stevenson bring his films to our community for the Hamptons International Film Festival. The same whales that migrate past this island, migrate past ours!

At the end of the evening, Mr. Stevenson was given a beautiful painting of humpback whales (painted from one of his photographs), by an artist member of ESU. What a thoughtful thank you gift!


When the event came to an end, Janie and I lingered to ask some questions about whales. 

Janie then ran to the powder room, while I ventured to take a snapshot of The Queen. 


Don't even ask me how this happened! 

Strolling over to snap the Queen, and with no warning, I slipped, profoundly (!), on the shiny wooden floor, with joints going in all directions... 

There I sat, in a heap, with ripped gauzy white pants and a skinned knee. 

HOW EMBARRASSING!!!

A waitress, who was clearing our dining ware in the adjacent room, said, "OH MY GOODNESS! ARE YOU OK????

She then said,"THERE IS WATER ON THE FLOOR OVER THERE!"

Gee, thanks for the heads up.

(In the proper English language, this is called 'too little, too late'.)

I quickly tried to 'stick my dismount'-off the floor- before Janie exited the loo.

Oddly enough, I have a live shot on my phone, of the Queen's Portrait, as I was heading for the floor. A bit blurry...

Janie came out, and could not wrap her head around what had just happened! I was sore, but okay. We headed down to have a drink with Janie's husband, Mike, who hails from Oyster Bay, Long Island.

Today was one of those days when the power of my observation would lead me to laugh, would lead me to learn, and would lead me to bow to The Queen in an unbefitting manner.

Apparently, the person who spilled their water, in front of the Queen's portrait, was also being perceptive- enraptured by Her Royal Highness. 

The waitress who knew the puddle was there? Not so much!



































Comments

  1. Sounds like fun except for that nasty spill! Love the picture of you and Janie.

    ReplyDelete

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