Wednesday, June 27, 2007

III. Viaggiatore ~ Sahara sand and the Mediterranean Sea

"It's so hot today." I whispered with a quiet sigh.

Viaggiatore turned and looked at me with those bottomless eyes. "It is warm, but it's not hot."

"You're in a fur coat and you don't think this is hot?" I gave him the 'single-raised eyebrow' of doubt.

"When I escaped from the evil chief of the Kilmuseri tribe at Mt. Elgon on the Kenyan and Ugandan borders, I headed north into the Sahara desert. It was 125 degrees. That was hot."

Both eyebrows shot up that time. "Wow... that is hot. How long were you in the desert?"




He swung his tail and shook his mane out and the scent of it's blossoms filled the air around us. "It took several weeks getting through that desert. It's about three thousand miles from Lake Victoria to Tunis, Tunisia. I ran as much as I could at night, I stopped at each little oasis that I could find. I met some friends along the way that were good to me, but it was a difficult journey. The good thoughts and deeds that followed in my wake were like rain in the desert to the people that I touched; it strengthens me when the idea of helping others is manifested in the lives of those that I meet."

I watched him quietly. I didn't want him to stop speaking.

"By the time I got to the Mediterranean Sea, I was feeling much better. I rested for a few days in Tunis, and then swam to Marseille, France. I stopped at a few random islands on the way but swimming in the sea was easier and faster than getting through the Sahara."



"You swam across the Mediterranean?" I was surprised to hear this latest twist in his tale.

"I am not a typical lion." he winked at me and smiled.

Viaggiatore stretched his legs out a little and wiggled his toes. "When I got to Marseille it was only a short distance to Lyon, France. I wanted to get to Shameless' place so that I could get into the writing circle. I have had such an incredible life, and it's only getting more interesting; the writing circle is just the place for me to share that, and it's good to have writing partners."

"You are definitely one of a kind, and I am so glad that you are with me now. Adopting you was one of the best things I've ever done." I said as I reached over and scratched his chin.

"We are a great team, you and I, and we are lucky to be in The Shameless Lions Writing Circle with so many other talented and wonderful writers. This part of our journey will be something wonderful."


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

18 comments:

S. Kearney said...

Very very nice,
Thanks for the smile today. :)

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Viaggatore is just too darn cute. I'm trying to get Leonardo to spill his story, but he's being a bit stubborn. Perhaps V can talk some sense into him?

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Good Morning!

Shameless,

Thank you, it was tricky keeping it short! He's so great to write with.
Every time I come here I get a thrill to see him, I can't even begin to thank you enough for coming up with this very creative and clever idea in the first place, and for granting me the adoption of this remarkable lion. I love being the circle.


Hello Sognatrice!!

Leonardo is a wonderful lion too, he's one of my favorites. I love that he wears his heart on his sleeve, I do that too a lot.
I am really looking forward to hearing his story! (and what about that bottle of wine on him?)
I know you will be able to write some great stories with him. Can't wait to read them all!!
V is the only one with sense around here... btw... *giggle*.
He hasn't let me near the kitchen since the brownie disaster... turns out he's a good cook too... perfect pal huh? hee hee. Viaggiatore does different dishes from all over the world, and I love diversity.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

exskindiver said...

perhaps tirso and viaggatore can go on a road trip one day?

have you voted yet?
its so hard!!!
can i copy yours? (heehee)

Jon M said...

I love holidaying in those Mediterranean Random Islands! Such fun! :-)

Kelly said...

I love Viaggatores "travelogue".

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful journey ...

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hey Chesca!

Road trips!!! YAY! We are ON!
I haven't voted yet... I am knee deep in a special project and I am letting it suck the life and my time right out of me... eek.
BUT I will vote this weekend...
I need to be able to give this vote 100% of my attention, to be fair and have no regrets, so I didn't want to do it while I am swimming around in said project.
I'll probably do it Saturday.

Can you copy me... you funny girl.
You make me laugh!



Jon,

The random islands are the best... better than any others I've ever heard of!


Myutopia,

I may have to incorporate that word. Travelogue. I like it!!
He's fun to keep up with!



Cleo!

There you are! It's been too long. I need to come by your page to say hello too. Glad you like V's tales! ...or, tails?
ha ha ha...


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Anonymous said...

They way you build stories with Viaggiatore is amazing. Leola extends another hello!

Thy said...

thanks for the blogroll add!

Leo is quite pretty.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely Saturday tale for me! Thanks Viaggiatore and Scarlett. Ecanus enjoyed it too.

Wilf said...

You are so good with your lion. Mine has to get out more.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hi Gautami and Leola!

So nice to have you back again. It's fun to write with Viaggiatore... the possibilities are endless!!


Me,

Of course! Love your site, had to put it on our list of friends.


Kat and Ecanus,

So glad you liked it. He's so fun to write with and he's got tons of good stories to hear. Makes me wistful for other shores.


Wilf!

I am so happy that you came to visit! Hope things are getting better for you.
...but you HAVE gotten out with your lion, you both came by here for a visit!
So come back again, it's good to have you here.



Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Anonymous said...

Such a tenacious lion you have there. Not typical at all, thank goodness.

rel said...

Scarlett & Viaggiatore,
Zach came outta the lab long enogh to bite my butt. Getting my attention (it's his favorite way...he thinks it's amusing)he admonished me for not visiting you guys lately. I asked "how do you know".

He replied, "I know, just believe me, I know".
I guess he sees more than I know under the microscope.
So here I am again. I like the the way you are weaving this tale, and I'm sorry for not staying in touch. :(
rel

Pawlie Kokonuts said...

Does V. live on Mane Street? No. Too much of a wanderer. He must've read The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers, by the sound of his aphorisms.

Jon M said...

Where are V and S now? :-)

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Ally,

He is quite an unusual lion, thank heaven! I love him tremendously, just the way he is!


Rel,

So nice to see you again! I've been gone a while too, so no apologies! We'll be over to say hello and peek under that microscope to see what the two of you have been up to!


Hey PK!

Mane St. huh? You are very, very funny... and methinks you are the quintessential aphorism.. ha ha ha... we'll be by to visit directly!


Dear Jon,

We've been out playing in the sun, splashing in the rain, and running through flowers.
There are two new posts to make up for the time we missed. So good to be back!


Scarlett & Viaggiatore