I am still feeling inspired by all the wonder from our recent vacation. One of my favorite things was getting close enough to gently blow the dust from an ancient sculpture and I imagine the same dust on an artist’s hands from over 3000 years ago. To me it is the ultimate time machine.
Looking at the partial pieces of sculpture, I also wonder if the artists got as triggered as I do when accidentally breaking off a key piece of work. I imagine so but couldn’t it also be the alternate explanation to the missing arms/penises/noses of ancient statues?
How do they KNOW it was the uptight Christians knocking off penises? Could be just an artist that can’t get the penis exactly right, or perhaps the removal of appendages is like the selfie editing of today “Eww I look awful in this lighting, take it again on my good side”. So MAYBE even a famous sculptor such as Alcamenes had to edit his creation like this: 
We took a guided tour through the ruins and I was very pleased with the tiny yet loud archaeologist guide. It always surprises me how many rude tourists seem to be missing out on the wonder of what we are experiencing. 
For example; a man pushed by knocking us off of the narrow path to get to, well, just ahead of all of us I guess. G: “It’s been here thousands of years, I don’t think it’s going anywhere” 
Rocks that were stacked using no mortar outline walls that are still standing today. Guide: “If you see cement that’s where it has been repaired.”
Arches that are are part of a water catchment system. Take a look at the keystones at the center of the arch in the picture below. Still as solid today as when the mason placed them there. 
While the guide weaves tales of antiquity, G & I place our hands on the cool marble stones. With my back and hands against the marble and my face toward the sun I swear I can feel the vibration of a thousand voices heard from those who passed this very window. 
Delos is the birthplace of Apollo who is also known as the god of light. Using the huge local mica deposit on the island the walls sparkled in all directions. 
It’s not hard to imagine approaching from the sea, buildings shining in the sun, a row of roaring stone lions leading the way to bustling shops and palatial structures.
Someone asks the guide who these people were located in the middle of a group of houses. The answer is they don’t know. Not royalty, possibly a rich merchant’s family. They were obviously very fashionable. 
We end up with a lot of free time after the tour and before the ferry returns. We walk the fringes of the Island where nature has reclaimed her rightful place covering man’s structures that may be lesser known or simply ignored.
I even found a couple of pretty little snails stuck on a wall. These Delos Island snails are super strong. I couldn’t pick it off the wall which was probably best anyway for the snail.
We climb as high as we can and overlook the layout of the island.
And visit the temple while we were up there
We venture down and dip our toes in the nearby sea. The water is cool and so clear. It’s quiet except the soft waves. This little part of the ocean was a crossroads for trade for thousands of years. This little part of the sea was a sole source of life. 
Together in silence the two of us enjoy the complex history of this place. 
and reflect on the phenomenon when these places are abandoned and left to ruin. 
Together we whisper to each other and express our awe of human creativity 
and the need to write it all down.
This simple unique rock placement of the wall below makes me so happy.
Mosaic flooring, frescoes, sculpture & pottery have been recovered and preserved in the museum. 
We are grateful for the opportunity to visit.
R Rating Below
This collection:
By today’s standards the boys would be considered too young to be making a fire, climbing trails, staying on a mountain all day, shooting 22’s at an imaginary enemy. It is their experience to share and their memories together.
When someone shares a piece of their artistic soul, their art, you just KNOW that you are holding a piece of their heart in your hand.
Thank you Uncle O for such a memorable gift.
Actually it’s a pool cover rolled up in a bag that nevertheless scared the holy poop out of me. UPS delivered the giant box after dark so G opened it up & put it in the kitchen to take out at first light. THE REST of the story is that about a half hour later, I shufled back to the kitchen, left the light off and jumped again! Stupid haunted pool cover. MORAL of the STORY: While it’s fun to have short term memory when rewatching a Netflix series, forgetting there is a spooky haunted pool cover in the kitchen is recipe for multiple frights. 
A friendly man saw me taking pictures and came out to tell us that yesterday the streets were flooded with 5 or 6 meters of rain. He showed us the pictures of the arches across the street barely above the waterline. I didn’t get his pictures but below is the picture of the approaching storm. We are all hoping it would not flood like yesterday. Shops were ready with sandbags and everyone was optimistic. 
It seems Nogales has grown up right along with me. Medical tourism is now a large source of income. Pharmacies and dental offices line the streets where blankets once hung over sidewalks. Medication may cost less than half here. My favorite dentist is here. We like to wander before and after appointments. Of course one MUST stop at 
The plaza is cool and inviting. 
Bright Colors and art adorn the sidewalks.
Walking back over the bridge we are above the lines of cars crossing the border from Mexico into the USA.
There are still some tourist shops. These young men played dominoes to pass the time during the slow summer season. The intense one on the right is winning. 
Curios still line the streets as traffic leaves Mexico to enter the US.
Old meets new. 
There is a feeling when I cross the border through the turnstyle, walking on slick tile, then the bricks, past the chatter of the taxi drivers, toward the main street of Obregon. Although the city changes with the needs of the tourists, the people and the city we love stays the same. Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
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