This week Pegman takes us to Pena, Portugal.
Feel free to stroll around the area using the Google street view and grab any picture you choose to include in your post. Note that there is both streetview and photospheres at this location.
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A view of Pena National Palace – Welcome to Portugal
If you think you’re seeing double, you are. 😉 I’m double dipping this week. The following is also an expanded Friday Fictioneers story I posted two years ago. When I saw Pegman in Portugal, I decided this one fit. When I saw that some of the commentors from that time are now participating in Pegman I decided to post update and earlier piece. By the afternoon I decided to post this one, too. It’s as old as time and as current as today’s newscast. 😦
Shalom,
Rochelle
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 150
THE FINAL SOLUTION
“These madmen rob us of everything we’ve worked so hard for—our tapestries, jewelry and, even our furniture.” Leah fingered the yellow badge sewn on her cape. “If that’s not enough, they brand us like cattle and you do nothing.”
“What can I do?” Abraham rubbed a painful lump on the back of his head. “One taste of Jewish blood sends them into frenzy, like rabid dogs. Finish packing. We set sail in the morning while we still can.”
Leah held a golden bracelet to her breast. “They cannot have this. It belonged to my grandmother, may her memory be blessed.”
Abraham’s heart thrashed against his ribs. “Leave it! What’s a bauble when our people are being exterminated like cockroaches?”
The bracelet fell from her fingers and she collapsed into his arms. “España is our home.”
“Querida, you are my home. 1493 in Portugal—it will be a better year.”
There’s nothing new under the sun.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Sadly, no, nothing new. We have our own tales of persecution here in the UK, one notable one dating back to the 12th century. Time repeating over and no lessons learned. Sad but well written tale, Rochelle
http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/norman/the-1190-massacre
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Dear Lynn,
Thank you for that link. Another facet of Jewish history I knew nothing about.”Ayn hadash takhat ha shemesh. There’s nothing new under the sun.” I fear we’re in for another wave of it. Thank you for your comments re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sorry for sharing such a shameful episode in British history. The tower still stands, a respectful plaque commemorating the poor souls who died there. It’s a beautiful, sad, eerie place. If we could only imagine an end to such tragedies
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Double trouble this week! This is great. The antisemitism everywhere in the world has made Jewish life difficult for centuries. Good to remember in these troubled times.
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Dear Josh,
I almost didn’t post this one, even after I expanded it and many of you read and commented on the first one in FF. However, I couldn’t fight the feeling that it needed to be shared again. As Tevye said to Adonai, “I realize we’re the Chosen People, but once in a while, couldn’t you choose someone else.” Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It seems two different countries practiced a type of ‘final solution’. It was a great twist, Rochelle to make it sound like the 30’s and then switch to Spain. This is the kind of idea the neo-nazis seem to have in mind for the U.S. People have now shown they’re not having it. Good writing as always. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Indeed, I did want the reader to think it was the 30’s. 😉 Interesting times we live in. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The late reveal of the year really slams the message home. Beautifully done. I have a friend who is writing a novel about this particular place and time. This makes me wonder how she’s coming along…
Lovely to see you double dipping this week! I still have a Friday Fictioneer from last Wednesday half-written. Every time I go to finish it out, something comes up!
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Dear Karen,
Maybe this will make up for my absence last week. 😉 Glad you like the story. Thank you.
As for Friday Fictioneers, I’m still playing catch up on reading, commenting and replying. Busy week.
Again, thanks to you and Josh for hosting Pegman. Something fun and different. Not to mention it gives me an opportunity to expand some of the oldies.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We are so delighted to have you here 😀
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1493… that was unexpected indeed. Yet more proof the Jewish people have been persecuted all over for so long (I know, we can go back even further…)
You are the queen of this genre. Don’t you DARE ever quit!
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So terrible, hounded not only from town to town but across the world. One wonders how this sort of thing can still be happening so many years later.
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I certainly don’t understand it, Ali. Thank you for your comments. 🙂
Shalom,
Rochelle
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To say this instantaneously filled me with unimaginable rage and sorrow is a gross understatement. However I thank you for sharing. In this case ignorance is not bliss. I will endeavor to educate myself on this matter. Thanks again
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Dear Lyneane,
Thank you for taking the time to come back to this story. As you can see, the Nazis were anything but original in their approach. There are untold stories out there…more than we can ever count. Again, thank you.
Shalom,
Rukhelita
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