“Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream…in the morning when the sardines fleet has made a catch, the purse-seiners waddle heavily into the bay, blowing their whistles.” John Steinbech, Nobel Peace Prize Author
It was in this part of the bay where men and women processed sardines and mackerel, until the waters no longer yielded any catch, due to overfishing.
Fast forward to now, schoolchildren and tourists flock to this revamped Monterey Aquarium, a two story building of interest.
We spent time watching the penguins. They were playing, kneeling, bowing, bending, and kissing.
“Penguins sing to each other to familiarize themselves with each other’s voices. Penguins bounce over the rocks for fun. Penguins also love to slide on their ice using their bellies as toboggans. Penguins jump from high ice cliffs and dive into the water for fun.” –Google.com
We had a great time under the splash zone, it felt like we were being soaked, yet not really. We were giggling, like all those who passed through, given the experience.
Then, we went to a space with overhead- AI-generated school of sardines were artificially swimming. It felt cozy and surreal as if underwater living with them.
The cumulus white clouds contrasted the blue skies, a temperate weather made for perfect images. Egrets, pigeons were aplenty and sea lions on the horizon.
A school of birds were flying above, similar to this group of school-based Ritarians, in their 57th Reunion, set a free to choose what their day would be. We were relishing each other company, moving fluidly from group to group.
