Finally, the steepness gave way to a gentle slope, a rather wide meadow that is the top of this mountain. He slowed down but continued walking briskly toward the higher ground. As he lifted his head, a beautiful scene gladdened his heart: gold beaches from down afar were glimmering just over the peak.

At last, he reached the highest ground of this strangely tame-looking meadow. Only the wind gusts betrayed a rather extreme nature of its location. And the cliff at the other end of the peak. And the view. Wonderful view.

He sat. Two seas, one before him, the other behind. Both rimmed with gold beaches. Two cities between them. Cities with much personal and national history.