Pawcatuck (AO 108) - Naval Cruise Book

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tically with no apparent access to the top. This was the mount called Monserrat. Winding roads led us to a place near the top where a temple, the Sanctuary of the Holy Grail, was built amongst the jagged rocks. Many tourists were here and upon entering this beauti- ful church we found the quite massive altar covered with gold and lighted by hundreds of candles. A chorus of monks from the nearby monastery chanted during the mass in progress, adding much to the impressive scene. We had lunch and then took a cable car up an incredi- bly steep incline to the top of the mountain. From this point we could see the Spanish countryside for many mi es. In the afternoon, upon our return to the city we went on a shopping and photography tour convinced that here was not only the largest but probably the most interesting city in Spain with its beautiful buildings, wide avenues and very friendly people. Many of us were able to see a bull fight while in Bar- celona. This is a festive event in the lives of the Spanish people and it is accompanied by colorful pageantry and stirring music. Although we were in Barcelona only a few days we feel that we have made new friends and are now fa- miliar with some of the customs and traditions of another European nation. THE RIVIERA TOUR Of the numerous tours afforded us on the Mediter- ranean cruise, that of the French Riviera was consider- ed by many to be the most interesting. A large share of the credit was due our guide, a charming French girl whose easy manner and sparkling wit put us immedi- ately at our ease. Leaving Golfe Juan at eight A. M. our bus headed in the direction of the principality of Monaco. A half hour's drive brought us to Nice, fifth largest city in France and world famous as a resort center. A few miles more and we were at the border of the sovereign state of Monaco, population 2500. This nation, whose area numbers but a few square miles, boasts its own ruler, army, navy, postal system, and just about everything else necessary for a country to operate as an independent unit. During World War II, while France was occupied by the Nazis, Monaco re- mained neutral. The country's main source of lncome is the fabulous Monte Carlo and it was here that we made our first stop. As we passed through the spacious rooms the operation of the various games of chance were explained to us. We were also given oa brief de- scription of the many safeguards taken to insure that chance alone decides the results. Before leaving Mon- aco we stopped at the Prince's Palace. Nearby were several souvenir shops where one could purchase tan- gible evidence of the visit. Resuming our trip we drove to an ancient. castle. Some of us recognized it as the site of the movie The Green Glove. From here we had an excellent view of the surrounding countryside.

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.+i,, 1 FLORENCE The trip to Florence, Italy, including a stop at Pisa, was the main conducted tour while the Pawcatuck was at Leghorn. Starting early in thenmorning and winding through the more industrial section of Leghorn., then through the semi-agricultural landscape that eklsts 1n the Province of Tuscany, the tour party arrived in Pisa. Although the surrounding area shows quite a few signs of the battles of the last War, the Cathedral, the Bap- tistry and the Leaning Tower, for which Pisa is so famous, remain unscathed. The Cathedral was very impressive but did not have the simplicity and beauty that characterized the Baptistry. And the tower itself, containing the bells to toll the events at the Cathedral, stands, as an engineering phenomenon rather than an example of Italian artistry and architecture. The trip from Pisa to Florence, although containing no specific sights of interest, was characterized by the North Italian agrarian landscape and glimpses of the local inhabitants and their Ways. Upon entering Florence, the visitor is immediately impressed by the higher standards of living visible as -compared to other Italian cities. Transportation, up- keep of the buildings, dress of the citizens and the higher quality of the local merchandise all impress one that Florence is a wealthy and prosperous city. Lunch was served in a fine local restaurant. Easily remembered was the narrow circular stairway and long climb to the head of the stairs. The tour visited the Medici Chapel containing statues of Michaelangelo of Dawn, Dusk, Day and Night, the residential district, ,a mosaic factory, a leather goods factory, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the most interesting and outstanding part of the trip, the Pitti Palace. At the Pitti one saw the world famous Madonna of the Chair gy liaphael, and paintings by Rubens, Titian and Van yc . Although much more of Florence could have been seen, and there certainly was quite a bit more to be seen, those in the tour parties feel they gained a bit of an insight into Florentine character and the forces be- hind her people's pride. BARCELONA The .Pawcatuck's first visit to Spain found many of us anxious to make a tour to the city of Barcelona, our port of call, and to the rather mysterious place called Monserrat. We had heard that Monserrat was the traditional place of the Holy Grail, the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, but other than that we were not well versed. First, of course, a bus took us around the city of Barcelona, starting out about 0800. We saw the Cathedrals and large buildings of this city of nearly two million inhabitants, and then began our ride to Monserrat. We were surprised and inspired when out Of 1'el3t1Ve1Y flat country a mountain seemed to rise ver-

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A few more miles brought US to the town of Em' This village has a famous outdoor restaurant called the Dove. Deanna Durbin and other famous personages often stop here when visiting the Riviera. Returning to Nice we stopped for a noonday dinner. Some of the courses were new to us but all were tasty. The highlight of the afternoon was the visit to a perfume factory in Grasse. This city has over forty factories and their products are sent the world o-ver. The intricasies of the conversion of lard and flowers into perfume were revealed to us by a delightful factory employee. She frankly admitted that we interested her more as potential husbands than as prospective cus- tomers. This coming from a woman well in her fifties seemed rather ludicrous. Before leaving we were given an opportunity to make whatever purchases we desired in the large showroom. A pleasant ride through the countryside brought us back to the scene of the morning's departure. Though many days would follow, this one would always stand out a bit from the rest. DAMASCUS While the Pawcatuck was in Beirut, Lebanon, during the latter part of October, we made a tour across the frontier to Damascus, Syria, considered by many his- torians and archaeologists to be the oldest inhabited city in the world. It is still flourishing today as it did under the Arameans, Romans and Arabs. In the streets can be seen many people dressed in the same manner as the inhabitants of over two thousand years ago. The mode of life has changed but little for some, while for others the manners and customs of modern Europe have been adopted. The Omayad Mosque with its three minarets is situ- ated in the heart of the old city. In ancient times it was the center of worship of Baal and others gods of the Syrians and later it became the church of St. John the Baptist. It was also the largest place of worship for the Moslems in Syria. The interior of the Mosque IS itself a book on Syrian history. The various shapes of its pillars and arches and the magnificent mosaics still seen th ll ' ' l . on . e wa s are as pages in the history of this ancient city. Walking along the street called Straight is an ex- perience never to be forgotten. Here are shops by the hundreds with people in various garbs milling around, buying, selling, shouting and begging. The shops had everything from the cheapest of trinkets to the cost 19St of gold brocades and bargaining was the favorite pastime. Another famous landmark was the window f St. o Paul set in a stone 'n th t ll f D the disci les f St1P egrea Wa 0 amascus Where . D o . aul contrived to let him down by night Emlong the face of the wall, lowering him to the groun in a hamper in order to save him f th who sought to end his life. rom OSS