21 Days to Love: A “Journey of Joy”

© 2013 by Marcus Tempus. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/02/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-2763-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-2764-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-2789-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013904587

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Contents

Thank You

Why This Book?

What Anastasia wrote in the book Do not get between a woman and her chocolate.

An Idea Is Born

Planning the Route

Anastasia Spends the Day with Marcus

Lunch Date

Santorini—Day One

Santorini—Day Two

Santorini—Day Three

Santorini to Chicago

Is This a Good Idea?

Twenty-Four Hours in New Orleans

The Journey Starts

Arrival Day—Paris

Swan Lake—Paris

Sightseeing—Paris

Paris—Last Day

Travel from Paris to Killarney

Killarney Spa Day

Drive from Killarney to Dingle

Dingle Beach Day

Raining in Dingle

Dingle—Cooking Day

Dingle to London

Travel Day—London to Marrakesh

Marrakesh—Day One

Marrakesh—Day Two

Marrakesh to Kuala Lumpur

Arriving in Kuala Lumpur

Marcus’s Day in Kuala Lumpur

Anastasia’s Day in Kuala Lumpur

The Chinese Fortune-Teller

Con Te Partirò

The Long Ride Home for Marcus

About the Author

Appendix 1

Illusion is the first of all the pleasures.

Voltaire

Thank You

So many people have helped me write this book. Most of them knowingly made a very helpful contribution, and others influenced my writing by being a part of my life. I have a few people to thank: Alison, Claire, Jane, Susan, Lisa, Michelle Maria, High Priestess Miriam, and Nicolle.

Of course, the biggest thank you goes to Anastasia for the idea and her written contributions.

I have no idea whether this book will sell or be a success, but one thing is absolutely certain: to write and research it has been great fun.

Love

Love breathes away so much:

Vapor feeding the desire to touch

Attaching words confuses purity.

Unconditional and true

Spiritual, emotional… all new.

These words maybe will do,

Maybe reach the inner you.

Silent feelings, not a word

Quiet reflection,

No sounds heard.

Deep inside the connection…

Is it true?

Will just the word alone do?

I believe that it will

Make time stand still.

Here it comes all alone;

Nothing attached and free.

Will it be enough from me?

Love.

Why This Book?

Marcus had written a book called Do Not Get between a Woman and Her Chocolate, which was about chocolate and the pleasure that it gave women. To do the research for the book, he asked several women whether they preferred sex over chocolate. Anastasia was one of the women that took part in the research, and she said that eating a piece of chocolate was like having a party in her mouth.

Before the book was finished, Anastasia asked Marcus whether she could write the concluding chapter of the book and explain what she meant by her chocolate comment. The following two pages are the result of that writing.

When Marcus read what Anastasia wrote, he was not only intrigued, he also found the writing incredibly sensitive and sensuous. Therefore, he asked Anastasia to explain further.

During a long and interesting discussion, it became clear to both Marcus and Anastasia that there was an instinctive attraction between them. And there was also an opportunity for an exceptional, incredible relationship.

Anastasia explained to Marcus that she had an idea to write a book called A Journey of Joy. It was going to be about her experiences and how to experience life to the fullest. Marcus suggested that instead of just writing about a metaphorical journey through life, they should go on an actual journey together and write about that. An idea was born.

Anastasia and Marcus agreed to take a three-week journey to some interesting places that would create an opportunity for their relationship to develop and grow on an emotional and physical level. They hoped to have the ultimate bonding experience.

They planned to visit Paris for its beauty and quality of life, Ireland for its wild and romantic charm, Casablanca for its totally different culture, and Asia to experience some unique spiritual activities. Despite the tremendous attraction between them, they agreed not to be too intimate until they reached Paris. They would just meet and talk and get to know each other before the journey began. Paris would be the first time they would make love—at the start of their twenty-one-day journey of joy.

This book is all about their journey and experiences as they developed a passionate relationship with each other.

What Anastasia wrote in the book

Do not get between a woman and her chocolate.

What I simply meant—so that there is no misunderstanding—is that, when I eat chocolate, I do have a party in my mouth. But that party, for me, is the bursting of the sugar molecules that dance and linger in my mouth, hanging on to all of my salivary glands. Indeed, the flavor of the party hangs on for some time.

But there is no comparison to making love to the right man. Not just any man—the man that makes you quiver at the very sight of him, the one who adores you and you him, the one you want to wake up with and spend all your waking moments with. I’m talking about a man to accompany you for a quiet, romantic dinner out (or maybe in your home). A man to cuddle up to on the sofa and watch a movie with—or just share a bottle of wine with… or some champagne with some cheese and fruit. A man you would want to take a walk with and share conversation with or accompany on the veranda during a beautiful summer evening. A man that wants nothing more than to take care of you when you are sick. One that you would not mind getting wet with while taking a walk in the rain. One you could share a laugh with as you recalled being a child, walking in the rain, taking off your shoes to feel the water sloshing on your feet as water trickles down your face. A man who recreates the magic of that special first time every time you make love. One you would love to spend a weekend or lifetime with.

Please know that there are many good men out there. You water to bring about blooms, and you feed to nourish things and help them grow. These two rules apply to everything in life. Just think how wonderful life would be for so many women if each one of us took these simple rules and applied them to someone special. We would all see the sudden blossoming of our lives and our love.

Chocolate is wonderful, especially melted and shared with a special man. Maybe accompanied by some whipped cream that is spread all over his adoring face or his strong chest. Imagine that party with the sugar molecules bursting in your mouth, but most importantly, imagine the person with whom you are sharing your party.

Parties take planning and are never the same. So why should your life be the same?

Planning a new party creates a thrill. Think of life as such.

No party is perfect without love.

Parties should always be shared.

A party with just chocolate is no fun;

A party with your special someone is an explosion—

A party that anoints the prince:

An implosion and explosion all in one.

A real chocolate party!

Nothing is greater than

Loving something wonderful

With someone wonderful.

An Idea Is Born

Where else could the journey of joy have started than sitting in the Palais des Congrès in Paris? He was relaxing and waiting for the Swan Lake ballet to start with the recent memory of an excellent French lunch and the anticipation of making love later in the evening to the beautiful woman sitting next to him.

Marcus was reflecting on the last few weeks and why he was sitting next to Anastasia in Paris. This exciting journey of discovery that they planned a few weeks ago was starting to unfold before them. They planned to discover many things. They assumed the places they had selected to visit would be very interesting because they all had special charms. But above all, Anastasia and Marcus were at a time in their lives when they both really wanted a wonderful emotional journey during which they could fall in love a little… or maybe a lot. They hoped that their experiences in life had led them to this relationship. And they dared to think that it would be the ultimate and most intense bonding experience ever.

The word experiment did come to mind, but it was not really relevant because both Marcus and Anastasia had enough experience in life and with each other to know that the outcome would be exquisite.

Marcus was a writer and had recently written a book about sex and chocolate, which seemed to be two things that women liked to discuss and experience. Surprisingly, most of the women that Marcus interviewed had preferred chocolate over sex. Anastasia, however, had said that eating chocolate was like having a party in her mouth. The comment intrigued him.

Anastasia was a businesswoman and met Marcus at a boring cocktail party. She had been interested in his worldly experience, charm, and unusual occupation. It was not common to meet a writer—especially one who wrote about chocolate. Marcus had asked her what she thought about chocolate (and whether she preferred it to sex). Her answers gave him the impression that she preferred chocolate to sex. After the conversation, she reflected on her answers and decided that she wasn’t sure. She hoped that an opportunity to correct his misunderstanding would arise later.

Some weeks after that initial meeting, Anastasia bumped into Marcus again and asked, How is the book going?

Marcus replied, Well, thank you. Nearly finished.

They discussed his findings, which he admitted had been a revelation. He had no idea just how important chocolate was to so many women. At that point, Anastasia offhandedly said, I would like to write the final paragraph for your book.

That’s a great idea. Send it to me, Marcus replied.

They exchanged e-mail addresses and left. Neither one of them expected that she would send him the writing—or that their meeting would lead to them sitting in Paris watching Swan Lake a few weeks later. They both believed that it was one of those casual conversations filled with promises that would evaporate at dawn (after the alcohol wore off). But not this one.

When Marcus received the e-mail from Anastasia a few weeks later, he was deeply intrigued on two counts. First, that she had actually remembered the conversation and done what she said she would do. And second, that the attached, so-called final paragraph was about five hundred words—a substantial piece of work for a final paragraph.

When he started to read what she had written, he experienced those mixed emotions of appreciation and jealousy that pop up after you read something good that someone else has written. On the one hand, you appreciate the quality of the work, but on the other hand, you almost resent the fact that you had not written it. He thought it was a great piece of emotional, insightful writing. Without hesitation, he immediately copied and pasted the text into the final draft of his book with minimal changes.

Wow! he thought, Where did that come from? He had to find out more about this woman. He realized her name should have been a great clue. The name Anastasia is of Greek origin, and it means a new rising. Maybe she was another creative spirit with whom he could bond. Or maybe she was an old spirit from the past who was revisiting the world?

They had agreed to meet for lunch in a downtown Italian restaurant, and they had quickly and easily become comfortable with each other. Conversation was easy, and interestingly, the silences were good. Marcus always valued a person based on how comfortable they felt with silence (in his view, it was an underrated skill). The restaurant served a mixed plate of Italian and Greek hors d’oeuvres, which Anastasia relished in a very considered and knowledgeable way. Another one of Marcus’s pet theories about judging people related to the way they ate. Anastasia was a classy eater; she appreciated good food, and she knew what she wanted. Lunch was going very well, and Marcus was enjoying the conversation with the lively and articulate woman. But it was the eyes that did it. Bright, alive, full of life—with a hint of everything is possible between us. The meeting was developing into communication that did not require much speech or sound.

Anastasia had gone to meet Marcus feeling a little intrigued and somewhat surprised by his enthusiastic response to her writing. In her eyes, she had just plopped down a few thoughts to offset what the misleading impression she believed she had given him. Sex was much more important to her than chocolate. She felt the need to make that point clear by expanding the sex question into a more relationship-based comment; it was not just the physical act of having sex. Regardless, his enthusiasm had thrown her a bit—a professional writer praising what she believed to be a few quick comments. There had to be more to it, and she was (of course) interested in finding out what that was.

She was surprised by how easily they had got on with each other—and even more surprised that he did not seem to be hitting on her. She was aware of her beauty and attractive, worldly dress sense, so she naturally viewed all contact with men a bit suspiciously and apprehensively. Marcus seemed to be different, however, which was refreshing. He was an interesting man of the world who wanted to discuss her creative ideas. She had heard that such men existed, but she had never actually met one. This could be a problem, she thought, A nice problem.

Anastasia and Marcus had bonded instinctively and quickly at every level to the extent that they both wanted to slow down and be careful. They both wanted to enjoy that wonderful time of awareness and awakening that showed up when you got to know someone special. If the relationship did blossom, they both knew that it would be a joy—that was the word that Anastasia had used. Talking and relaxing into each other was the right thing to do… for now. They both had enough experience to know that the early journey into a new relationship was very important.

A few weeks after their lunch, Marcus had been invited to visit Anastasia at her home to talk about the planned journey over a few drinks. He arrived (after a short drive out of the city) at a lovely home that indicated its occupant not only cared, she also made the extra effort to add some finishing touches to the decor. It was a very nice and welcoming home, somewhere to live. Many American homes are so well organized—with everything perfectly in place—that actually living there seems awkward. As Anastasia explained, it was the difference between a house and a home.

Marcus reflected on the differences between his own country, the United Kingdom, and the United States in regards to housing. American women seemed to strive to create something like a showcase home—no doubt due to the power of the American advertising and media machine. But as with nearly all of the differences between the United Kingdom and the United States, his home country was not that far behind. He recalled an old saying in his former home: If it’s in America, it will be here in a few years’ time. Today, the same basic idea applies, but it’s probably closer to five minutes’ time due to the immediacy of mass media.

Anastasia invited Marcus outside to join her on the deck, which overlooked a tranquil lake. The silence was disturbed only by the odd bird and a couple of ducks waddling about. This was indeed an oasis of calm, and only a few miles from the million-or-so people creating the noisy cauldron of downtown Chicago.

Anastasia looked very relaxed in her own home. She was wearing a pair of dark, casual slacks and a pink sweater that nicely complemented her short, platinum, blond hair. Marcus took in this beautiful woman as she prepared a few snacks and poured the wine. He relaxed in the quiet appreciation of her beauty. She was petite, and she had a figure that was full of promise and expectation. She had full breasts, a petite waist, rounded hips, and a butt that he later learned had been the winner at an impromptu competition at her local bar. This was a confident and radiant woman in every way. He briefly contemplated what it would be like to make love to her, but he returned to the high ground as she came back to the deck and joined him. The welcoming glass of chilled pinot grigio made the whole experience that much nicer.

Well this is a surprise, she said, I did not expect to see you sitting here.

No. A strange and unpredictable world we live in, replied Marcus.

So what do you do? he asked. The relationship was still at the stage where they had to ask all those inane questions to try to put the other person in a box. Marcus hated it, but he still did it. This was the almost-inevitable rite of passage to get to know someone. These questions and the accompanying conversation created a complex series of decision trees in their minds. He hoped the result would be an intimate relationship. As the conversation developed branches were being considered in the mind as to which way the relationship would go; acquaintance, friend or I will call you.

They played the getting-to-know-you game, carefully shaping the questions to gain information without seeming too intrusive or too enthusiastic. And they hoped to remain interesting at the same time. At least while the intimate route was still a possibility. For most new relationships, Marcus had reached the diverting branch line away from the intimate route very quickly. He suspected that the same was true for Anastasia. This was not only a meeting of minds, but also (it would appear at this early stage) a meeting of equals.

They learned the basics about each other without taking any early risks with more personal or intimate subjects and opinions.

Anastasia had been born and raised in Chicago within a close Greek community, and she enjoyed the love and care of an extended family that had been in America for three generations. Atypically, she had a burning desire to start her own business when she was very young. She left school at sixteen to do just that. She had been successful over the years, and she described herself as a serial entrepreneur.

Her current business—and joy—was a chain of beauty salons that helped her deliver her skills and services to the great and the good… well at least the wealthy who lived in the myriad expensive condos and houses in the downtown area of Chicago. The business was doing well despite the recession because many of her clients were relatively recession-proof given their considerable wealth.

She had been married and enjoyed a good close relationship until it had ended a few years earlier. Her main joy was now work and having a good and exciting social life. She was also working on her bucket list. She had no special relationships at the moment, but she enjoyed the company of men and casually dated as a requirement of her social life. She was not too sure whether she wanted another permanent relationship or the restrictions of another marriage. Part of her would like that, but another part feared the level of commitment required. As an experienced woman of the world, she was also knowledgeable enough to have no illusions about how hard it might be to find that special man who would create the desire for a permanent relationship.

Marcus had been born in the United Kingdom, and he had only been in America for about fifteen years. He came over when he lost his wife, and he had consequently thrown himself into work, becoming a successful businessman. Over the last few years, he had become disenchanted with the corporate world. He loathed its hypocrisy and wasn’t interested in chasing short-term financial goals. He had decided to make a complete change for many reasons, which he told Anastasia he would divulge on another day. And then he became a writer.

Writing was more of a pastime. He was fortunate enough to be financially independent, so there was no pressure to actually sell his writing. This was a bit self-indulgent, but he didn’t care—it was what he enjoyed. He liked women, but he was not seriously involved with anyone at the moment for reasons that he wasn’t yet willing to explain. Maybe he would discuss his views on women if the relationship got serious enough to go through the things-that-you-should-know checklist. They were still in the early days.

They both passed the first-round test, and the relationship was still on the intimacy route—albeit at a very early stage of the journey. But this is what they both wanted and preferred. Marcus was thinking, This conversation is just like a chess game. And then one of those really spooky things happened that made him wonder what was going on in the universe.

Do you play chess? Anastasia said.

The question rendered him speechless for a moment. That in itself was quite an achievement. He had not played or thought about chess for years. The linkage of the question to his private thoughts was amazing. Can she read my mind? he thought, This could be dangerous.

Yes, a bit, but I have not played for a very long time.

Would you teach me? I have always wanted to learn how to play.

Within one hour, they had driven to the local store and purchased a cheap chess set. Marcus was explaining how the various pieces were allowed to move. He knew they were going to have a high-energy relationship—they knew how to get things done.

He spent an hour or so going through the fundamentals of the game when Anastasia said that she had had enough and wanted to take some time to absorb what she had learned and maybe practice playing the computer. Marcus had a feeling what that would mean for such a highly motivated lady. He needed to get some practice in of his own.

They sat back, relaxing, and poured another glass of wine. They continued to chat.

Marcus, I really like your poems. Where did all those emotions come from?

Marcus thought about the answer to that very key question. The truth was that it had been due to a recent relationship that had changed his life and opened him up emotionally in a way that he did not fully understand. But he was still a bit raw about how he had been treated by that woman. He had fallen in love in a way that he had never experienced, but he had chosen a woman who treated him worse than anyone ever had before. The ultimate irony. So he said the following to Anastasia: "I just hit this creative streak and the words appeared. They have actually surprised me. I sometimes read them back and think, Did I really write that? I have also found that using creative thoughts actually develops even more creative thoughts. It is not like using up money in a bank. Creativity seems endless if you open your mind. I also think that I have spent years finding creative solutions to business problems, but there is only so far you can go with an Excel spreadsheet.

Business can only partly satisfy the pure creative soul. More typically, it does the exact opposite: it stifles it. Predictable, steady growth with few surprises is the preferred corporate model. I have found that the army of boring directors that sit in most business boardrooms usually attack creative thought; the uncertain outcome of a creative excursion is not usually appreciated. I did try, but my views were often out of line with these boring and predictable directors. I frequently told them what I really thought, which was an even less advisable game plan. I felt the need for a more freewheeling, creative outlet and found it in writing.

Interesting. And are your books doing well and selling?

Oh no, he replied and laughed, "I just write for me. Self-indulgent, I know, but there you go. Who knows? One day, some influential person may find one of my books, say the right thing in the right place, and away I’d go. Who knows?

"The other thing about creativity that I remember is what Roger Waters from Pink Floyd said when being interviewed on a television program about creativity. I am a big Floyd fan by the way—The Dark Side of the Moon is my favorite album. Anyway, Roger said, ‘Look, I create a lot of things. And if people think that they are crap, that’s fine by me because at least it is my crap, and I enjoy it.’ Or something to that effect."

Marcus thought it was Anastasia’s move and said, So Anastasia, do you write—apart from the piece you did for the chocolate book (which I thought was great)? You have a talent.

Not really, but I did win a writing prize way back at school. But life has gotten in the way since. I have, however, started a book recently.

Tell me more. Marcus was now really intrigued. This woman was proving to be a positive gold mine of intrigue—the quality he most admired in a woman.

"I have had a good life and enjoyed many really good, high-quality experiences… and of course, some bad ones. I believe that, after a lifetime of experience, life is largely what you make it. The attitude that you have will shape how things work out for you. I am at a stage where I have been reasonably successful and now feel that I am on a journey of joy. I want to write about it. The book will be called A Journey of Joy.

Wow, what a neat idea! How far have you gotten?

Not too far. I am just thinking the plot through for now. Waiting for inspiration.

A thought started to form deep in Marcus’s creative mind. As was the case with many of his ideas, it was totally unrealistic and idealistic, but it was about to get some airtime.

Have you ever thought about actually doing a journey of joy"?

What do you mean?

Well you could go to some of the most exotic and interesting places in the world and experience some exciting things. And then you could make the book a factual travelogue as well as a commentary on the more emotional and personal aspects of life. Maybe even a love story.

Tell me more, Anastasia said. She was genuinely interested.

Marcus was in full flow; his idealism and total disconnect with reality was kicking in big time.

"You could maybe pick some of