Magnets with Memories

I bought another fridge magnet today. It is a fridge magnet of a camel and a palm tree. It came from the amazing souq in Muscat. Now I haven’t seen any camels in Muscat yet but the palm tree will help to remind me of all the glorious green I am seeing in Muscat, Oman.

The day before I left to come to Kuwait I took out of one of my five suitcases the three bags I had filled with my collection of fridge magnets from around the world. They weighed a lot but now I wish I had brought them with me. They are great reminders of so many interesting travel stories.

The flying nun magnet I got on a whirl wind afternoon to Rome. Jose, a shipboard waiter, and I had 6 hours off. That seemed like just enough time to take a train and tour Rome. We made wishes in the Trevi Fountain and he desperately wanted to mail a postcard from the Vatican to his grandmother. He kept saying, ” I want her to know I am thinking of her. I want her to know I was here. I want her to know I love her.” After a tour of the Coliseum we hoped on a train and made it back to the ship just in time for work. Jose’s Grandmother passed away a month later. He went home for her funeral and never came back to sea or to Rome. His Grandmother knew he loved her.

I’ve realized that I need to start putting dates, names and places on the backs of my fridge magnets. The tall buildings or Dubai skyline magnet that I bought last week will read, “Dubai 2009, 6 ladies, lots of laughter, friendship and red wine. I turned 33 in this fantastic city.” I do hope all that fits on one fridge magnet. I look forward to trying to remember the dates and stories behind the rest of my fridge magnet collection. I also am excited to add new memories and new magnets.

Today we are leaving Muscat and heading for Nizwa, then Sur and hopefully we find Bahla somewhere in between!

Apr 06, 2009 | Categories: Travel | Tags: adventure, fridge magnets, memories, Muscat, Oman, Travel, travel memories | 1 Comment »