David and I have both been working so hard over the last two week, and trying to catch up at work from all our summer travels. All this hard work has us reflecting on our past travel and working hard toward our current travels.
We are sharing a previous trip we took a few years back to Marseille, France and Chateau d’If. David insisted we go to the prison where the Count of Monte-Cristo (a mythical book published in 1844) was based. David loves the book of the man, Edmond Dantes, who makes a wonderful comeback from prison to a Count with revenge. David loved the book so much he insisted I watch the movie together prior to our trip, and I was impressed as well.
We purchase our tickets and take the taxi boat over to the island, it is a crystal aquamarine blue and green Mediterranean sea, contrasted by a harsh rock island.
The island was the extreme of beauty of views and horror of prison all in one site. We take our own tour, even though you could be guided. What stood out the most to me is the scratches inside the prison walls of time and dates and symbols. I could feel the sense of lost hope and despair all the way to my bones between the prison walls. While just a few steps up on the prison roof and grounds and beauty of the surrounding sea and weather was amazing. What a contrast. David and I soak in the surroundings and stop for a conversation of the site and to enjoy each other in the moment. We toasted the sea, the prison and how blessed we are to be together. Marseille, France in the background with a toast of coffee and wine.
