The story of Three Irish Girls… a fairy tale. Chapter Six.
Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 5:18PM Read the previous chapter here.
"You'll be sure to take good care of them, right? I showed you where the food and water was?" the girl asked her roommate.
"No, where was the water again?" the roommate asked. "Is that the liquid stuff that comes out of the faucet when I turn it on?"
"Thank you for doing this. We'll be back on the 19th."
"Can I get a number where I can reach you in case I forget where to obtain water for these animals?" The roommate pretended to rummage for a paper and pencil.
"You can reach me at 640-S-H-U-T-U-P. Come here and give me a hug. Thank you again, I couldn't have done this without you."
"You couldn't have met the man of your dreams, planned a long-distance wedding and honeymoon, made plans to move to California, attended grad school, inherited many cats, knit two scarves, and designed your own floral bouqets all while teaching in an inner city school without me? I'm flattered."
"I'm going to miss you. A little." the girl answered.
"Good luck with the wedding and the international flights and all that."
"I'm sad you can't come to the wedding."
"Yes, well, if these cats didn't require so much of my time..." the roommate trailed off.
"Have fun teaching summer school. I'll see you when I get back. For like ten minutes while we're loading all my belongings in the U-Haul."
"Bye!" the roommate shouted, turning and jogging down the hall of their apartment. "The cats are calling!"
The teacher knew all the joking was avoidance behavior, designed to keep the roommate from having to display any kind of vulnerable emotion. She picked up her duffle bag and yelled one last time. "Bye! Thank you!" She shoved the bag into her car, wedging herself into the driver's seat, barely able to see outside the windows or move her arms more than required to operate the car.
She headed up the freeway and out of the city, where a wedding in her hometown awaited.
********************
The girl walked down the aisle to bagpipes, wearing her grandmother's veil. Her fiance grinned like a Cheshire cat through much of the ceremony, while she cried through most of it.
Their almost-missed international flight to Sweden was exceedingly hot and crowded. The newly married couple played travel backgammon to pass the time.
Sweden was beautiful and friendly. Stockholm managed to combine the best of its Viking history, old European architecture, and modern amenities. The newlyweds found themselves to be compatible travel partners: they both loved history and culture, and neither was content to sit and do nothing when there was so much to see. The weather was beautiful. Warm sunshine and cool breezes. They walked all day and were exhausted by nightfall.
The held hands as they walked through Gamla Stan, the old city.
In Estonia, they walked arm in arm through the 13th century ruins. Who knew this was here? When was the last time someone we know visited Tallinn? they wondered.
Tallinn was surrounded by a thick wall with many towers. Inside the city, cobblestones, churches, and shops lay scattered about.
Knitting was everywhere in Tallinn. Clearly proud of this part of their history, many shops sold yarn and knit garments.
The knitting for sale in Tallinn was far beyond what the girl could ever hope to attempt.
She couldn't resist buying a gray, white, and red cardigan with a geometric pattern and some bright purple local yarn. All very scratchy, but all very lovely.
The newlyweds fell in love with Helsinki. The city on the water captivated with its Western European and Russian influences.
Two cathedrals dominated Helsinki's waterfront. The Helsinki Lutheran cathedral -- spare and serene.
And the Uspenski Cathedral: Eastern Orthodox, ornate, and breathtaking.
St. Petersburg was in stark contrast to the other European cities the couple visited. It was as if the city lay dormant under an evil spell. A cold wind blew. Few people smiled. The city appeared to be crumbling.
Even beautiful palaces had peeling paint. No flowers could be seen anywhere.
The Hermitage Museum, one of the world's great treasure repositories, had worn carpet and missing glass in some windowpanes. Dust covered many surfaces.
Too soon, it was time for the couple's last stop, the magical island of Gotland, off the coast of Sweden. The little city of Visby seemed to glow with happiness and optimism. Roses proliferated. Medieval ruins were lovingly cared for. The sun shone brighter.
The city of Visby had 17 medieval churches within its walls. The couple was enchanted and wished they could purchase a small cottage to live in, never having to return to their frenetic lives.
Visby was too beautiful, and the couple's camera inadequate. Their experience is better detailed by the work of a professional photographer, here. This virtual visit will not leave you disappointed -- the island was all it promised, and more.
Their honeymoon, the small niche of time carved out for them alone, had ended. Waiting for them at home was a U-Haul moving van, four cats, an exasperated former roommate, new jobs, and a new apartment in an unfamiliar city. The next leg of their journey loomed, imminent and immovable.
Continue reading...
Reader Comments (10)
OMG I did basically this same thing for my honeymoon- did you take a cruise??
Tallinn was absolutely fabulous.
Are you going to put up a photo of your hand-knit, off-white, silk yarn wedding dress that took you seventeen months to make?
Oh yes, please show us a pic of the hand-knit wedding dress!!! Loved all the pics, especially Helsinki, since I'm part Finnish.
Can't wait for more!
I have a Norwegian sweater friends bought for me. I was their Nanny for a few months while they prepared for his job as a US Diplomat in the State Service going to Norway. She is a civil rights attorney. They have two wonderful children.
I also was taking care of another couple's child and she was the Diplomat headed to the Dominican Republic. He was a domestic engineer :-). This lovely couple ended up adopting his sister's infant son (she unfortunately died of cancer and the father wasn't around) and became pregnant at the same time. The daughter was one at the time. The sweater is lovely and has gorgeous clasps, similar to the ones in the picture you have of sweaters.
I kept looking in your pictures for your husband or you. Are either of you in any? I was thinking, "Well, maybe that's Sharon? No, not tall enough." :-))
And about that hand-knit, off white, silk wedding dress you made? Did you wait until you finished the dress to get married, or is it just a rumor that you made one?
Sure sounds like a lovely honeymoon.
Wow! All those nice pictures! Looks like you were lucky with the weather as well with the choice of DH :-)
Next time, I recommend visiting Norway. Summer is incredible; at midsummer we have just a few hours of darkness - those long summer nights are just made for sitting out with a cool drink and good company.
Sadly, the girl was not proficient enough at knitting to make her own wedding dress. She did, however, make all the floral arrangements for the entire wedding. Bouquets. Centerpieces, All of it.
If you're wondering if anyone's reading, the answer is a resounding YES. :-) Loved all the pictures this time too.
Sharon! What amazing places. It always warms me up knowing how treasured knitting is in other places around the world.
Can't wait for more :)
Yes, we are still reading! You have a gift for writing and I can't wait for the next installment.
What an amazing honeymoon! I visited a coastal city in Norway several years ago and have wanted to explore more ever since. Charming!
Heard about this site from my friend. He pointed me here and told me I’d find what I need. He was right! I got all the questions I had, answered. Didn’t even take long to find it. Love the fact that you made it so easy for people like me. More power