Non-Fiction

We stepped off the ship onto new land, somewhere new, and unfamiliar. To wake up in a place different then where you fell asleep adds wonder to the mind. The air was cool and crisp near the sea as we wandered farther from the port to the mainland. I walked down through dark alleys, hidden in the shade, touching the walls of the old homes and buildings as I walked, knowing that these old stones held significance to the beauty that made up this city. I studied the structures, the houses all white with blue roofs. All decorated in simple but vibrant flowers at each window. The buildings had seen more than I had seen, been here longer, experienced more. The town was busy but nothing made it past these walls, every secret was heard, every story reassured of living on with in the solid stone.

We wandered through the streets, with no set destination in mind and began to explore this new territory with fascination. The warm sun on our backs and the faint smell of the sea below encouraged our endeavor to find more unknown. The faces were unfamiliar yet friendly and we found ourselves comfortable being in their presence, wandering their streets, and uncovering their home little by little. Whether it was the nice weather or the residence's welcoming faces we were encouraged continued on through allies and walked farther into the town.

The main port had been busy, the smell of fresh fruits and fish mixed pungently in the air. Kids wandered the beach as dogs lay in the shade of boats on land while birds flew above diving in the water for fish. Marketers welcomed all with a smile and entertained with art and music. As we made our way through town, it became quiet being that it was only mid morning. We knew neither where we were going nor the time and although we were strangers to this place we were content in not knowing because the city had a sense of peace about it. We enjoyed the new sites that were fresh upon our eyes as the sun brought definition to the colors that had seemed blended the night before. The colors lining the horizon accented each other, graciously accepting other shades and hues as part of their own and blending them in a graceful manner, which was easy upon the eyes. There was a slight breeze that blew my hair in my face, the same breeze that helped in the blending of the few tree's colors, forcing them to sway in unison, cooperate and coexist. The city was a mystery waiting to be discovered, and the day had only just begun.