A Trip Combining Religion and Art - Stockbridge, Ma

Mairead has wanted to go to the Divine Mercy Shrine for a long time.  I was off this past week, and she was on April school break from Perkins School for the Blind. Originally I had thought of a day trip to Stockbridge - Dan wanted to see the Norman Rockwell Museum, Mairead wanted to see the Divine Mercy Shrine, and I was interested in Norman Rockwell and the Stations of the Cross at the Shrine.

Dan meanwhile invited me to travel with him to Seattle in June, and I hadn’t heard from Mairead so I put a trip to the Berkshires on a back burner to save my money for the Pacific Northwest.

Then Mairead explained to me that this was THE Divine Mercy Weekend at the Shrine - it was a 3 day event culminating on Sunday. She said that she had to be back to work on Sunday at 2pm so that day was out. Saturday had conferences - she was not sure she was interested in those so we decided to drive up Friday for the Rosary, Mass, and Divine Mercy Service. My plan was for her to take the bus to the Cape on Wednesday or Thursday, and we could leave from here around 8 am on Friday morning.

But, the best laid plans are always subject to change. She was attending a benefit Wednesday night for the two Boston firefighters killed at the fire on Beacon Street. She had plans for Thursday night until 8 pm. 

Meanwhile Mike was staying in Falmouth for a couple of days but had an interview Friday morning at 9 am in Boston and had no car. So Mairead offered to pay for a room in Stockbridge if I drove up on Friday morning.

Mike and I left the house at 6:15 am on Friday - thankfully Mike drove. There was no traffic until we hit the expressway, but we still managed to make it to his job interview an hour early! I drove to Watertown - got gas and went to the bank - and was sitting in the Perkins parking lot at 8:30. On my 3rd call Mairead finally woke up!! We hit the Mass Pike at 9:15. 

I was impressed with the two rest areas that we visited. Nice, clean environment with friendly people working there. Nothing like Burger King on route 24 in Bridgewater! Good start to the trip.

I hadn’t bothered to take directions so we just kept driving along the Mass Pike. I don’t think I had been out this way since I went with Hannie and Norman to visit Chris Navin in the seminary. They took me and Mary Patricia along with them.  Had the Mass Pike even been built about 1966? I didn’t actually realize how close to New York we were going until we got off at Exit 2.

We were saying, as we drove along route 102, that this part of the journey reminded us of route 28 in Wareham - small houses, some businesses, not too busy.

We drove into Stockbridge on the main street - reminded me of a small village in Ireland. We turned left at the Red Lion Inn where we were going to stay. The intersection was a 3 way stop - not even a traffic light - I had no stop sign on my side. We drove down the street  - surprised at how big the Red Lion Inn is!! We turned around at the train depot - it didn’t look like it was open - do trains even run on those tracks? I could just picture years ago when people took the train to Stockbridge and stayed at the Inn. We saw several inns as we  explored - as well as some big older houses - gorgeous. We took a left when we got back to Main street and drove out to the Country Club and back.

Train Depot

Then we headed towards the Shrine. It was about 12:30. We took a left when we should have gone right as we went up the hill. We passed Naumkeag - it is all fenced off as it is being renovated. It reminds me of the “cottages” in Newport - a huge, fancy summer home - quite amazing!

We turned right onto the back driveway into the Shrine - lovely setting. I had read on the website that there was no parking in the main lot - there would be designated parking areas with shuttles to the Shrine. But we pulled right into the main parking lot - hardly a car was there. 

We walked over to the Gift Shop to see if they had a schedule of today’s events. Mairead spent almost an hour poking around inside. I sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day - all the while wondering where all the people were - the girl in the gift shop told me that they expected 24,000 people!  There weren’t even a few hundred wandering around today.

When Mairead was ready, we walked to the Shrine. We passed tents set up for Adoration, Food, Medical Care/Hospitality, Mass. They would be used Saturday and Sunday. There were hundreds of portapotties - a necessity for sure with the crowd expected but still an eyesore.

The Shrine was much smaller than I expected - and very ornate. We arrived just in time for the Rosary at 1:30 - the sorrowful mysteries. This seemed comforting since Easter was last week, and I had recently seen The Resurrection cantata performed. 

Mass followed immediately at 2 pm - the celebrant gave a nice sermon pertaining to the reading and Gospel. I like it when I get something out of the sermon. I've found that, during the last couple of years, I have been questioning what I believe in. I had great faith as a child. I was positive that the Blessed Mother appeared to me in 2nd grade as we prayed the Rosary - the nun told us to concentrate on what we were doing - I had my eyes closed - suddenly Mary was there.  

We lived beside St. Patrick's Church until we moved when I was in 5th grade. I would go to Mass every morning in May and October for the Blessed Mother. I can still smell the incense from the 8 am children's Mass on Sundays. The smell would make me feel faint - that is when we fasted from midnight.

Now I often find that I don't get anything out of going to Mass - I am just going through the motions. I wonder if there really is a heaven - is there a God - is there an after life - how could Jesus rise from the dead? Or is this all over when we close our eyes for the last time? 

I believe everyone should try to lead a good life - help others in need, treat others as I would want to be treated. But I am not sure about this heaven business - and I definitely do not believe in hell. I do believe in spirits - especially as I learn about family members as I research family history. Sometimes I feel they are right here with me.

So this is another reason I went to the Divine Mercy Shrine - to try to get some of my mojo back.

The bells of the Shrine ring at 3 pm every day, and everyone gathers for the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I was very interested in this since I really didn’t know that much about it. I did get up after Mass for a quick look into a side altar - when I got back to the bench, two people had moved in beside Mairead. They let me back in, but we were so squashed!! Then I started that darn dry cough - even with a cough drop already in my mouth!! I had to climb out over the two who had just let me back into the bench. I coughed my way out of the Shrine and down the stairs. Ohh for a bottle of water!!

When I recovered from that fit, I couldn’t go back inside - the service had started and it was three deep at the back of the church. So I walked the outdoor Stations of the Cross - these were the other reason that I came. The figures are fairly new and are life size in a dark/black material. It was a beautiful day to walk the Stations - the sun was shining, it was warm but there was a slight breeze. The carving or sculpting of the figures was so lifelike!! They were so compelling! I took pictures of each Station but it was so bright that a lot did not come out well. Here are the best of the bunch.

2nd Station - Jesus has been condemned to death and is carrying his cross to Golgotha.

3rd Station - Jesus falls the first time.

6th Station - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

9th Station - Jesus falls a 3rd time.

10th Station - Jesus is stripped of his clothes.

11th Station - Jesus is nailed to the Cross.

12th Station - Jesus dies on the Cross.

I went back to the Shrine and sat outside in Blessed John Paul II plaza. I could hear the prayers and hymns from inside the Shrine. People were coming up taking pictures of the statue of Pope John Paul II with his arms outstretched. That pose reminded me of when Mairead, the Breens and I were in Rome with the Resurrection group from St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown. Mairead, the Breens, and I would go every night to St. Peter’s Square where Pope John Paul would appear on his balcony. We were there for his final appearance - he went into the hospital while we were there. We still went to St. Peter’s for another night or two before we left for home - it was lonely looking up at the balcony and no "Papa."

Here in Stockbridge, people were kissing their fingers and then touching John Paul’s statue or kissing the statue itself. People were talking about him and Pope John XXIII being declared saints on Sunday.

From the Shrine, I could hear them singing the Tantum Ergo and Holy God We Praise your Name - I love these hymns! 

Mairead said that there was a relic of St. Faustina that was displayed after the Chaplet. St. Faustina was a Polish nun who had conversations with and visions of Jesus in the 1920s and 1930s which she recorded in her diaries. Jesus spoke of his Divine Mercy - the purposes of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, which is a shorter prayer said on rosary beads, are to obtain mercy from Jesus, to trust in His mercy, and to show mercy to others.

Mairead walked the Stations of the Cross, and then we headed for the Red Lion Inn. We found a parking spot out front, and the car never moved from that spot. The porch of the Inn is famous - I read that someone once said that if you sat on the front porch long enough, then eventually you would see everyone of any importance. It is lined with rocking chairs and wicker furniture.

The Inn is full of antiques and old paintings. The tea pot collection especially caught my attention. The desk clerk was very pleasant, and we were checked in quite quickly. He reminded us that the room came with a continental breakfast that would be served in the main dining room.

Fireplace in the lobby.

We walked up the stairs to our second floor room. The floors are warped in the halfway and creak as you step on them. Some of the doors to other rooms are slightly lopsided. 

When we got to Room 222 (my address back on Main Street when I lived in Watertown,) we could not unlock the door. We fiddled around with the key, and Mairead finally got it open. The room was bright with two twin beds.

After we checked out the room, we decided we needed something to eat. We had arrived at the Shrine at 12:30 and stayed there until almost 5pm. So we decided to just eat downstairs in the tavern or pub. One problem though - we couldn’t lock the door. We were fiddling again with the lock when I spied a staff person talking with two women down the hallway. I ran down - I had met the two women at the Shrine - I had taken their pictures with Pope John Paul II. They said they were here for the weekend. The fellow from the hotel checked our door and told us that he would get a new lock and new keys while we were having dinner.  Just like that - he apologized and took care of it. 

Then he took us downstairs on the old fashioned elevator which is located beside the stairs. I hadn’t been on one of those since I did private duty for Mrs. Land on Brattle Street in Cambridge - her husband had invented the Polaroid Land camera.

We headed downstairs to the Lion’s Den Pub since the Tavern didn't open for another 18 minutes at 5:30. The hostess was very friendly - there were a few people at the bar and a couple of tables were taken. The pub was very cozy - had a nice bar area - a fireplace - tables and chairs as well as booths along the walls. They have entertainment nightly. I was trying to figure out if the ceiling was made of tin, but forgot to check it out when we were leaving.

Our waitress was a very friendly 20-something. Mairead ordered a home made hot dog while I ordered a turkey and stuffing sandwich with the cranberry mayo on the side. Mairead's dish came out with 2 extra long hot dogs, home made potato chips, and a small salad. My sandwich was big enough for the two of us - with real turkey - not deli meat! And the cranberry mayo was delicious!

A couple sat down in the booth behind Mairead. They recognized us from the Shrine - I suppose they recognized me from my hacking cough!! They said they drove up from Westerly, Rhode Island for the day - every year they go to the services at the Shrine, walk around the grounds, go out to eat, and then drive home. Like everyone else they were very friendly. Their waitress was the twin sister of our waitress - our waitress was pregnant, theirs wasn't.

I was stuffed after this delicious supper - I could hardly move. But we decided to waddle down Main Street while it was still daylight since rain was forecasted for tomorrow. 

Most of the stores were closed - it was close to 6 pm. The General Store was closed, but the Country Store was open. We poked around - it was a gift shop - they had some very nice things.  I bought some magnets of Stockbridge - I always like to get a magnet when I visit some place new. 

Below, the Country Store is the beige building between the white General Store and the former town offices in the brick building.

Former Stockbridge Fire Station on Elm Street - now it has been converted into a cottage for the Red Lion Inn - you can stay here.

House on Main Street

When we arrived back at the Inn, Mairead wanted to relax a while  in the room. I took my computer and went down to sit on that famous front porch. There were not so many people sitting there now, but people were laughing and talking - some had cocktails. I was starting this blog when I was suddenly attacked by mosquitoes!! I couldn't believe it. I put on my sweater to keep them off my arms. Eventually, I became tired of whishing them off my face.

View from where I was being eaten by mosquitoes.

View from my seat on the porch. That is my red Corolla parked on the street.

There is a second Lion on the other side of the entry way.

I decided to sit in the lobby for a while. The Main Dining Room is off the lobby so there were people waiting for tables. In a room off the lobby, a woman was playing the piano. It was lovely and relaxing.

Eventually I went upstairs to see if Mairead wanted to go to the Lion's Den to hear the duo that were playing there. There is entertainment nightly 8 pm to 11 pm. The gal came to turn down the beds. We interrogated her about Stockbridge - yes, she liked her job. No, there is no supermarket in Stockbridge. No, there is not much for young people to do in the evening. She was married. She was a nice girl but was probably wondering who these two were with all the questions!

I made the mistake of stretching out on the bed. An hour later, I took a shower. We were sharing a bathroom with the other rooms on this wing. So I took a shower in case everyone was in the bathroom in the morning.

We hung out in the room. I finally started falling asleep.

Saturday morning we went downstairs to the main dining room for breakfast. The room came with a continental breakfast. We showed the waiter the yellow card - he told us that it entitled us to $14 off the bill. Mairead ordered Texas Style French Toast. My apple pancakes needed 15 minutes to cook so we got a carrot, apple, zucchini muffin which was huge and absolutely delicious. Mairead's French Toast tasted great - my pancake was cooked a little too much but was good. The waiter was very attentive. And like everyone else, he thanked us for coming to the Inn and wished us a good day.

We looked around the first floor at all the antiques and went to the gift shop. There was so much to see! - I have to go back again to see more of it.

We hated to check out but managed to do it - only took seconds. Then we headed for the Norman Rockwell Museum. This was a couple of miles from the Inn. It was cloudy and misty. 

I have to say that I was disappointed that there were not more works by Rockwell. Two rooms had works by other artists which were nice, but I had thought there would be more Rockwells. I was disappointed but not surprised because I had read this on www.tripadvisor.com. I got $1 off the $16 admission by showing my AAA card - that didn't make me feel any better. One room had the Four Freedoms - paintings inspired by FDR's speech.  There were a few magazine covers from different magazines - mostly the Saturday Evening Post.  It was interesting to se the evolution of a couple of the Rockwell paintings - the earlier ones had the initial sketchings that Norman Rockwell painted from and the later ones had photographs that he used.

We decided to hit the road when we left the museum. It was still cloudy and misty. We passed through Stockbridge again on the way to the Mass Pike - pass the Congregational Church where the conferences for the Divine Mercy weekend were taking place - we could see cars and buses parked. We also passed the Mission House - another famous landmark. 

I drove to Watertown to drop Mairead off and take some of her winter clothes down to my house. Then I headed home to the Cape after a lovely weekend with my favorite daughter!

Goodbye vacation!

Sunday morning I jumped up out of bed just after 7 am and got dressed. I ran down to the lobby to say goodbye to Joan and Julie who were grabbing a cab to the airport at 7:30 am. They weren't in the lobby yet so I sat down and was checking my emails on my phone. A guy came in a while later and was telling the receptionist that some of the streets were  blocked off because of a bike race or ride.

When I realized that it was 7:45, I asked the receptionist if Julie had checked out. She said Julie and Joan had indeed already left. Boy, what time did they get downstairs?!?!

I went back upstairs and checked that I had my passport. I am always checking for it the day I am heading to the airport. Beth and I checked out about 10 am and went outside to wait for Elena. It was another nice day - very quiet because it was Sunday. 

We were still standing outside when the receptionist came out looking for Mrs. Murphy - there was a phone call for me. I went inside - Elena was on the phone - she said she had been trying for an hour and a half to get to us. But the roads were blocked off for the bike ride or rally - the police would not let her through. She asked if we would take a taxi and meet her  - I can't think now of the name of the plaza. I asked her to give the information to the receptionist so she could write it down for me. 

The receptionist gave the information to Michael - he seemed to be a jack of all trades at the hotel - and asked him to hail us a taxi. Michael came outside - there was no traffic on our side street. So he grabbed our bags and headed up to the main drag. There was no traffic on this street either!! An occasional car would drive by - we could see taxis coming down the street but they would take a right turn about 3 or 4 blocks away.  Michael was out in the middle of the street trying to wave down a taxi, but none came down our way. So he grabbed our bags, and we headed to the busy rotary where we took the tour bus - except today there was hardly any traffic - all because of the bike ride. We crossed the street, and he told us to wait there. We could see some cyclists passing throughout this plaza. Michael was up and down the street - he finally found a taxi, put our bags in, and told the driver where we were going. 

I was surprised at how far we were driving - Elena must live in the outskirts of Madrid. We took a turn off the highway and then found that road was blocked. I couldn't understand the driver, but knew he was not happy! He seemed to take  a series of turns - he must have been trying to go a back way. All of a sudden he stopped the taxi and told us we were there. So we got out - not knowing where we were and not able to speak Spanish. I was thinking of how students in Ireland have to learn Irish and another language - I think many other European schools are the same. I took French for almost 8 years at St. Pat's - first it was taught on TV and then some of the nuns taught it. But I could never really speak French, although I liked it and was able to read and understand it. I loved Latin which made French easier. I took one semester of Spanish in college - what good was that?! I learned more Spanish watching Sesame Street with my kids!! But none of that did me any good now!

I found the hotel where Elena said she would meet us. I ran inside but she wan't there. I figured she must be having trouble getting here as well. So we waited outside. I told Beth that, if Elena could not get there, then we would just get a taxi to the airport.

Eventually, poor Elena came running around the corner - she was out of breath from rushing. We threw our bags in her car, and we were off. She took us to a nice spot near where she lived, and we had breakfast. She ordered some locals dishes, and we had cafe con leche. It was lovely. There were families having breakfast or lunch - Elena said that they were coming from Mass.

I love to watch people - to see how one person interacts with another or how family members interact. So it was interesting watching these Spanish families and couples. No one seemed to be in a hurry. But we were in a bit of a hurry - we had to be at the airport around 2-2:30. The food was delicious - especially the churros. Elena went to buy a loaf of bread when it dawned on me that she was paying the bill. Just like when we all had dinner on Friday - Angel and Leon wanted to pick up the tab!! I think it was Charlene who got up then and beat them to it!

We next headed to Elena's house before she was going to drop us at the airport. I loved her yard and house! I was so happy to see it. When we went into that yard and saw all the fruit trees that Leon had planted - olives, figs, apples, pears and I can't remember how many more!! It was fascinating - Johnny and I have had a garden since we moved to the Cape - he has planted apple and pear trees as well as a vegetable garden. We have had hardly any luck with the apples and pears - crows grab them before they are fully grown. We have had chipmunks or something eating our tomatoes and strawberries. So I was really happy to see everything growing in Elena's yard. At the back door was a grape vine with paper bags over the grapes to discourage the birds. Elena said that they have the same problem with birds eating their fruit.

When I went into the house, I knew Elena was a kindred soul when I saw all the pictures and mementoes - things that belonged to their parents and Elena's aunt. I felt right at home! But we couldn't delay. We said hello to Leon who was watching TV. Elena told us to take a look around while she made us sandwiches for the plane. Then we were off to the airport - I grabbed one of Leon's apples as I left. I almost died when Elena told us that her niece was coming to visit, and here she was taking us to the airport!! We could have taken a taxi!! In the rush of dropping us off at the terminal, I walked away with her sunglasses.

And that was the end of the vacation except for the flight home. And what a trip it was! I love London - I love the age and the history and the busyness of it. I was happy to see something new - Buckingham and Kensington palaces and wondrous Westminster Abbey. I missed not strolling through St. James' Park - one of my favorite places. But getting together with Patrick Rogers was probably the highlight of that part of the trip.

And considering that I had never really thought about going there, I loved Spain - and for the same reasons - it is so old and there is so much history! England has Henry VIII, the Defender of the Faith, breaking away from the Catholic Church; Spain has the Moors and the Reconquista. And the trip to Morocco was fabulous! Some of the best times in the south were interacting with Ivan and the Moroccan tour guide and the two gals from the paella and Sangria classes - they each shared part of their story with us.

Having dinner with Polly, Angel, Elena and Leon and then visiting Elena's home had to be the high points of Madrid. I love history - I love to see as much as I can when I visit a place - but nothing beats personal contact - to see how the locals really live. 

Would I go back? Of course I would! Although I would have liked some cloudy or even rainy days!  

So Julie, thank you for inviting me to Spain and making all the arrangements, thank you for organizing everything, and thank you for keeping track of the expenses on that spreadsheet. Thank you for introducing us to your friends - Joan and Charlene. And thanks for arranging time with Polly, Angel, Esteban, Elena and Leon. It was a blast!! Adios!

I wish I had more time in Madrid!

I think Saturday was the one day during the trip that I stayed in bed late - until almost 10 am! I guess it had to do with drinking that pitcher of Sangria the night before!!

Since breakfast wasn't included with the room, Beth and I decided to grab something to eat before taking the tour bus through central Madrid.  Julie called and said that she and Joan were meeting with Esteban and Polly. So we all walked down the street to an outdoor cafe. 

This was the restaurant that had the outdoor seating.

Julie, Polly, Esteban, and Joan.

It was a lovely day to sit outside for a bite to eat. Julie was going shopping for a shower present. Joan was going with Esteban for a walk around Madrid. They were all meeting Angel for lunch at 3 pm in the main plaza. We were to meet them there under the clock tower. They helped us figure out what stop it was on the tour route.

Then Beth and I headed back to the plaza where we had picked up the bus yesterday.

We passed this huge library display of used books for sale. I guess they have it annually.

Of course, all the books were in Spanish.

The library stands were to the right of this fountain.

I loved the street lights.

We finally found the correct stop for the tour bus and jumped on. 

I keep saying it - I love the details in the buildings!

Love the colors as well.

We were heading down into a tunnel. 

 I think it was around this time that Julie called to see if we were meeting them for lunch. We were about 3 stops from where we were to meet them. Although I wanted to go to lunch, Beth wanted to see the Royal Palace. I have been to Ireland many, many times and Europe several times. At some point all the churches and palaces become a blur. But Beth had only been to Ireland back in 1977 with my father and myself.  Everything was new to her.  So we went to the Royal Palace.

Love the Church, but what about those clouds - they look like they are on top of those buildings.

Too bad the bar from the tour bus is in the middle of the picture. This is the same Church as above. I like the statues and crosses.

Talk about a rooftop garden! And the detail around the windows with their shutters. And the carvings!

All the plants and flower pots on those two balconies. And the blinds or screens are different colors on each floor. And look at the design above the windows

I love the yellow building with the detail above the windows. Then there is the contrast with the more modern building beside it.

The rounded building with the details - especially between the 2nd and 4th floors - caught my eye.

We were supposed to meet the others for lunch under a clock tower - I can't remember if this was it.

Colorful blue flower pots and the arches - some of the buildings like the one beside it reminded me of Wedgewood.

I was dying to get out here and look around this square - it is one of the busiest looking places we saw - there were loads of people and shops.

Isn't this building fabulous? 

Close up of part of the previous photo. There is so much to see on just this building!!

We got off at the Royal Palace.

Had to walk down this street to the entrance. 

The Royal Palace was built in the 1700s. I read that it was inspired by architectural sketches that Bernini made for the Louvre - which the French never used. This connection to Bernini sparked my interest. When I went to Rome with Mairead, the Breens, and St. Patrick's Family Players, I reread Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Bernini's works were prominent in that book, and I went to see every one that was mentioned in the book. So I felt a connection to this palace.

I guess the Hapsburg dynasty had died out by the time the palace was built. I remember studying about the Hapsburgs, the Bourbons, the Holy Roman Empire when I was in high school. Those royal families were spread across Europe. They married family to maintain and expand their holdings. But, there was so much inbreeding in the Spanish royal family in particular, that infant mortality and genetic diseases were common - and that eventually spelled the end of the line. 

The same was true with Queen Victoria's family - some of whom had hemophilia.  I remember doing family trees of all these royals when I was in high school - uncles marrying nieces, first cousins marrying, and on and on.  It wasn't easy to plot out! I guess this was when I first became interested in genealogy!

I'm not sure what it says but I do know that this is a memorial to the Spanish people who died in an uprising in Madrid on 2 May 1808. Napoleon's army had conquered Madrid and forced the King to abdicate. I think it was Napoleon's brother-in-law who was trying to move the deposed King's children out of Madrid. The people stormed this Royal Palace to try to stop Napoleon's brother-in-law. But the military opened fire on the people and put down the rebellion. There were hundreds of arrests and many of those people were later executed. Napoleon's brother Joseph was then made King of Spain. 

Spanish soldiers guarding the Royal Palace.

We jumped back on the tour bus after touring the royal palace.

The colorful sign for St. Christopher street. The saint carried the Christ child across a river - the child became heavier and heavier as Christopher tried to make his way - so heavy that he could hardly carry him. When they got to the other side, Christ identified himself to Christopher who became the patron sing of travelers and soldiers. Pope Paul the VI eliminated his feast day from the Church's calendar so many people think poor St. Christopher is no longer a saint!

Looks interesting!

Contrast of styles.

All the details!

More police

Interesting!!

When we finished the tour, we decided to get a quick bite before heading back to the hotel. We walked back to the same outside cafe where we ate in the morning. We were almost finished when Julie called. She was having a drink with Polly and Angel in the hotel before they went home. So we headed back to the hotel when we finished.

We had a drink and some snacks with Polly, Angel, Joan, and Julie before Polly and Angel left. Elena called to see what was up for dinner, but Julie told her that they had had lunch, and Polly and Angel were heading home. Elena offered to pick me and Beth up in the morning to go out to breakfast and see her house. Joan and Julie were leaving the hotel at 7:30 am, but Beth and I had a late flight in the afternoon. I thought it was a great idea. So Elena arranged to meet us at 10 am.

Polly and Angel eventually left. The rest of us sat for a while talking. It was sad saying goodbye to Joan after spending so much time with her the last 8 or 9 days. 

Then, sadly, we all headed to our rooms to pack our bags for the final time.