I thought you might like to see the first of the Tall Ships to arrive in Halifax Harbour this year. It's the Simón Bolívar, a naval training barque from Venezuela. We just happened to see her parked (oops, moored) next to the Murphy's Restaurant when one of our infrequent walks downtown took us to the commercial waterfront. Best of all was being welcomed aboard at no charge and without having to wait in a long line of the tourists and visitors who'll surely be here when the main fleet arrives in mid-July. It really is a beautiful ship and I only wish we'd been at our favorite beach park when she sailed in a few days ago. Next time I'll be paying more attention to the arrivals.
Meanwhile, I read some fascinating quotes by Simón Bolívar himself, the man who is beloved by South America as the liberator from Spanish rule:
"A state too expensive in itself, or by virtue of its dependencies, ultimately falls into decay; its free government is transformed into a tyranny; it disregards the principles which it should preserve, and finally degenerates into despotism. The distinguishing characteristic of small republics is stability: the character of large republics is mutability. "
"Among the popular and representative systems of government I do not approve of the federal system: it is too perfect; and it requires virtues and political talents much superior to our own. "
"Nations will march towards the apex of their greatness at the same pace as their education. Nations will soar if their education soars; they will regress if it regresses. Nations will fall and sink in darkness if education is corrupted or completely abandoned "
"The Ignorance the people live in leads them to commit mistakes against their own happiness "
"The United States appear to be destined by Providence to plague America with misery in the name of liberty."
"To do something right it must be done twice. The first time instructs the second. "
It's easy to see why he's still well liked.
"The United States appear to be destined by Providence to plague America with misery in the name of liberty."
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't mistaken!
I know :-)
DeleteLovely to see such grace upon the waters..
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice surprise.
DeleteGorgeous ship! How lucky you were to see it inside too.
ReplyDeleteAnd great quotes; my favourite is "Nations will march towards the apex of their greatness at the same pace as their education. Nations will soar if their education soars; they will regress if it regresses. Nations will fall and sink in darkness if education is corrupted or completely abandoned " It's a favourite topic in our home.
It was very pretty and bigger than expected with a crew of nearly 200.
DeleteYes, that is a good quote. The most important thing should be to teach children how to learn.
Oh, you gentle Canadian hippies are easily fooled by such an obvious bit of Chavez-fueled subterfuge.
ReplyDeleteI'm just so transparent :-)
DeleteTall ships! I love going ob board them. You've also introduced me to Simon Bolivar and his brilliant quotes. This isn't just a blog - it's a public service. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteIt would have been more fun to go sailing off on her the next day but we take what we can get and are thankful. Right?
DeleteSimon Bolivar was prescient for sure.
.. and thanks xoxo
I love the tall ships. My one lament in life is that I didn't take the cooks job on a three masted schooner that sailed out of Long Beach back when I had the chance. How lucky for you to be able to go on deck. I'd like to do the rigging climb on the Joseph Conrad moored at Mystic Seaport. (Living out my dream of having been a Pirate in a former life)
ReplyDeleteBolivar was way ahead of his time. I have heard that it is against the law NOT to register at the polls on election day in Bolivia. No one makes you vote, but you must register at the polls that day. 100% turnout. Something 'Mericans need to learn, especially since some of us supposedly fought for the right for them to have a free election. What's the turnout like in Canada? This law is not enforced in Bolivia, but it is inn the books. Also, they have many political parties, so no one party ever controls everything. I believe these all to be Bolivar's creations. I agree and like him a lot.
Peace
I love them too and did see the Joseph Conrad when we lived in New England and visited the Mystic Seaport. The Simon Bolivar is bigger but I was still surprised to learn it had a crew of nearly 200 - mostly naval sea cadets in training.
DeleteAll is not roses with the Canadian voting system. There's something of a scandal going on again now that it's been determined there were many robo-calls initiated by Conservative leaning groups on the last election day. It seems somebody became friends with Carl Rove.