Sunday was quite the day here on the serene Mediterranean. We began the day with rough seas, which continued rougher until the sky exploded with thunder, lightning, heavy rain. And ... San Geraldo's cyclonic winds. A storm is "una tormenta," which seems especially appropriate for San Geraldo given how tormented he becomes. But he still calls them los ciclónicos (the cyclonics). This was almost deserving of the designation. I went out on the terrace to take some pictures, tried to go around the corner for a different view, and was almost blown off my feet. (So no photos from there.)
We moved (San Geraldo did) plants and brought in (San Geraldo did) some furniture. We also picked up (I did. See? I did do something) a couple of big cacti that got blown over. All three yuccas are finally well-secured and positioned (click here for a bit of their stormy history).
We were supposed to take a walk down the paseo with our friends/neighbors Jean and Ray for an always wonderful dinner at Sandpiper. But it was blowing and storming so hard at the time that we instead went downstairs to Cosmopolita, a restaurant right outside our front door. All the street lights went out for a short time as a result of a lightning strike. San Geraldo, whose great-grandmother was killed in 1909 when their house was struck by lightning, was slightly stressed (to put it mildly).
The surf actually came up onto the paseo in places (over the low wall separating the beach from the street) and even flipped heavy wooden trash holders and walkways on the beach. The walkways end far from the surf-line, usually.
(Click the images for a closer look at how things progressed.)
THE ALWAYS-CHIC JEAN MODELING HER WATERPROOF "STOCKINGS."
The name of the song is "Llueve," which means "It Rains." His name is Pablo Alborán (or as our friend Elena calls him "Mi Pablito" — My Little Pablo). He was next to me on my overnight flight from New York in September. He slept. I respected his obvious desire for privacy and quiet. Elena will never forgive me.
I love the drama of a storm, but not the destruction that often goes along with. As for Pablo Alboran, as a writer I would revise that story to, "I woke up and looked over at the beautiful guy asleep beside me. The world had moved under us that night, and I will never forget it." Huh? Huh?
I love storms... but it looks like that one did a job on the boardwalk.... It might be fun to walk along the beach and see what all the storm brought in....
Hey, for a second there I thought those shoes were the latest fashion and one of you squeezed into them for whatever reason suits you!! lol Your friend is one smart cookie! You were a very respectful 'seat mate' and I am sure HE was the lucky one here to to have you there.
Jim: You can't tell from the photo with the plastic bag stockings, but Jean has teensy feet. One of those shoes wouldn't fit Jerry's big toe. I'm NOT sorry I didn't talk to Pablo... but I AM sorry I didn't talk to Pablo!!!
I am glad you made it through safe and sound. And I will also never forgive you for not chatting up Pablo. Men who look like that should just plan on being chatted up ALL THE TIME.
Very messy on the beach but no permanent damage and keeping the City of F workers employed. You were lucky Pablo did not rest is head on your shoulder and dribble down your shirt. Maybe I mean unlucky. I think I would have to ask to be moved to another seat if he was sitting next to me.
Wilma: We've never seen the surf come up onto the paseo before. I took a walk yesterday and, further east it was clear the surf had crossed to our side of the street. The street was covered with sand from the beach (and debris).
Please visit www.movingwithmitchell.com if you would like to comment or stay up to date. I stopped posting here and reproduced all previous posts, as well, 25 September 2018. Thanks!!!
I love the drama of a storm, but not the destruction that often goes along with.
ReplyDeleteAs for Pablo Alboran, as a writer I would revise that story to, "I woke up and looked over at the beautiful guy asleep beside me. The world had moved under us that night, and I will never forget it."
Huh? Huh?
Michael:
DeleteI agree (about the storm). As for Pablo, your description is much better (and apt) than mine.
I am a fan of storms. In Miami, Carlos slept through Hurricane Katrina while I paced and worried.
ReplyDeleteAs for Pablo Alboran, you are a better man than i; I would have found a way to "accidentally" snuggle with him while he slept.
So would I! !!!!! I still can't believe he didn't even ask him for an autograph for me!!!!! Or something! But it's my darling Mitch. I forgive him...
DeleteBob:
DeleteI would have been watching Katrina; Jerry would have been pacing and worrying. You've obviously got a friend in Elena now.
I love storms... but it looks like that one did a job on the boardwalk.... It might be fun to walk along the beach and see what all the storm brought in....
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteI didn't feel like sifting through the trash. There was a lot of it! It's all cleaned up again.
Hey, for a second there I thought those shoes were the latest fashion and one of you squeezed into them for whatever reason suits you!! lol
ReplyDeleteYour friend is one smart cookie!
You were a very respectful 'seat mate' and I am sure HE was the lucky one here to to have you there.
Jim:
DeleteYou can't tell from the photo with the plastic bag stockings, but Jean has teensy feet. One of those shoes wouldn't fit Jerry's big toe. I'm NOT sorry I didn't talk to Pablo... but I AM sorry I didn't talk to Pablo!!!
I am glad you made it through safe and sound. And I will also never forgive you for not chatting up Pablo. Men who look like that should just plan on being chatted up ALL THE TIME.
ReplyDeleteMaria:
DeleteIf I had that flight to do over again...
Mitchell you live in a fantastic corner of the world
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteYes. Even on rainy days.
Very messy on the beach but no permanent damage and keeping the City of F workers employed. You were lucky Pablo did not rest is head on your shoulder and dribble down your shirt. Maybe I mean unlucky. I think I would have to ask to be moved to another seat if he was sitting next to me.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteDefinitely UNlucky. That shirt would be encased in glass.
Love those waterproof stockings.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteJean couldn't possibly go out in unattractive shoes.
Yikes - what a storm! Glad you two are OK.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteWe've never seen the surf come up onto the paseo before. I took a walk yesterday and, further east it was clear the surf had crossed to our side of the street. The street was covered with sand from the beach (and debris).