Discoveries on a small round beautiful blue planet.

Today was the last full day of our trip to the ocean. 

I walked the beach with Tellias. He looks all of 19 or 20, but he is an ancient Vampire, and I am just a Vampire. But to everyone else we look like just two friends walking along barefoot in the sand, with a large German Shepard on a leash carrying a stick. 

I looked out over the horizon. “Why didn’t anyone ever sail across the ocean to see what was out there? I know the Hawaiians did. They did something miraculous, finding habitable islands in the absolute middle of nowhere. But why didn’t the Europeans do it sooner? Did they think they’d fall off the edge of the Earth?”

“Oh, they knew the Earth wasn’t flat,” said Tellias.

“Then why? Was it the fear of the unknown? Superstition?”

“Oh people did cross the Atlantic before Columbus. A lot of people crossed. They just never came back. Some of them found land. Many did not. Some stayed by choice, and others had no choice.”

“Are there any records of these journeys?”

“Not really. Vanished. Hidden. Never recorded. Secret. Archeological evidence degrades over time and simply vanishes into the humidity, mud, scavenger animals and humans, and natural bacteria. Travelers die or assimilate into native populations.” 

He played a bit with the dog, then continued his story. “Just on a personal note, my world and my goals were much smaller at the time. Remember I traveled from whatever mysterious place I started life in, to Rome as an orphaned or stolen or abandoned toddler, I don’t know which it was. Then I traveled as an oracle and demigod to Britain where I met my love Eleora. It took a month or more for us, by us I mean the Roman Army, to journey overland to our strange new land. I finally got my freedom.”

“Freedom? My dear Tellias, you were practically worshiped. You had an entourage and slaves.”

“I made sure my entourage and slaves all eventually got their freedom as well. We went back to Rome a few times but after the year 220, that is AD, we never went back. And if you’re wondering about the age of my friends, well, I have a way of fixing that.”

At that point I knew Tellias had turned them into Vampires, like he was. Like I am.

Tellias is over 2,000 years old. I’m a mere 164. We were both born into the tribe, but we are both adept at bringing others in, that is, if they want to be part of our community, and know they’d fit in. 

From a mysterious beginning, to Rome, to the British Isles, to the New World, then to California during the Gold Rush was the amazing journey Tellias and his love Eleora went on. In between they traveled to other locations, but they always came back to California which had been their home for the past 175 years. 

We looked across Monterey Bay to the blue horizon, and watched the pelicans. 

“If we jumped in right now and swam directly West we’d end up in Japan. How about that.” Then he smiled and nudged me. “Are you up for that Juliette?”

“Not tonight. Maybe another time. Or maybe we should just fly.”

“Or take a boat.”

“I get seasick.”

“Oh right. That is so odd my dear. I can’t even imagine.”

“I love the ocean, but unfortunately, I can’t be on it. Now when I scuba dive or swim I’m fine.”

“I find it odd and destressing that I never knew that before, or maybe I did and just forgot. Oh to be young again and have the rusty file drawers in my brain in full working order.”

We walked back to the house we were staying in and brushed the sand off of our feet, and off of my dog.

I can see the horizon from the deck as I write this. It is magical. And yes, the Earth is round. Thank goodness. I can’t imagine where all the water would go after it fell off the edge.

Last night I looked at the sky and saw a zillion stars and the white streak of the Milky Way. I thought about how we are all on a small blue planet in a vast universe that we have yet to discover. But it didn’t matter because it was just so beautiful. 

Have a good week everyone. Stay safe. Love your dogs and cats. Love your children. Check in on those who might be alone or need extra help. And kiss a Vampire – you’ll thank me for it later. And never stop exploring your world – even if it just a walk around your own neighborhood.

~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman