Blow Wind Blow

We take a break from our Málaga history programming (see previous post) for this special weather report.

(CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR MORE DRAMA.)

Although after our frigid month in New York San Geraldo swore he would never again complain about the weather in Fuengirola, I didn't give that statement much credence. Good thing, too. We just had quite a day and a half. High winds Tuesday that continued to build all through the night and into Wednesday. San Geraldo moved plants and furniture to safer spots on the terrace, we rolled down our storm/security shutters, and hoped we'd find everything still out there in the morning. The surf was so high that the water washed over the beach clubs' chaise lounges and "sombrillas," and nearly reached the pavement.

By Wednesday night, the winds had calmed and the surf was just a little less aggressive. Then it rained. And hailed! And then came a brief and very close encounter with thunder and lightning. I found it captivating. San Geraldo (and the cats)... not so much.

I'll be back tomorrow with more Málaga history.

Glimpses of Tuesday

And Wednesday

Wednesday's seas made me think of Muddy Waters.  So, blow wind blow.

Up On The Roof

I have a 28-year-old second-cousin-once-removed named Robin who has been spending the year studying and working on the Spanish island of Ibiza. We had only met once before about seven years ago at the wedding of another second-cousin-once-removed. At that same time, I also met her mother, Lauren, as well as her two sisters. Until then, we didn't even know of each others' existence. Lauren is in Spain to visit Robin and they flew to Málaga just to get together with us.

I met them Monday at their hotel, Hotel AC Málaga Palacio, and we spent the day seeing some historic sites and enjoying each other's company (well, at least I enjoyed theirs; I hope they enjoyed mine). 

San Geraldo had Spanish class, so Lauren and Robin came home with me in the evening and the four of us went to dinner. The day started with a trip to the 15th-floor rooftop of their hotel for amazing views of the city. (Click here for our first visit to Málaga in 2011 including views from our balcony at the same hotel.)

(Click any image for an even better view.)

THE CATHEDRAL, KNOWN AS "LA MANQUITA" (ONE-ARMED LADY),
DUE TO THE NEVER-COMPLETED SECOND TOWER, FOREGROUND.

THE PORT,
A CRUISE SHIP SETTING OFF FOR OTHER MEDITERRANEAN DESTINATIONS.

WHERE WE WOULD END UP LATER IN THE DAY.  (ON FOOT!)
THE ALCAZABA HALF-WAY UP THE HILL; THE CASTILLO AT TOP. 

THE BISHOPS PALACE, STILL ADORNED WITH SEMANA SANTA BUNTING.

Still to come this week:
— A visit to Málaga's Alcazaba (11th-century palatial fortification) and Castillo de Gibralfaro (10th-century castle).
—  Views of our current weather (San Geraldo's been complaining again).


Right smack dab in the middle of town...

Except For The Hernia

All is well here. Or, as my friend Seine Judeet might say, all is well"except for the hernia."

(Click any image to make little things grow.)

WHY I COULDN'T STAY IN BED THE OTHER MORNING.

GETTING READY TO HEAD BACK INTO PORT.

THE DARKEST HOUR IS ALWAYS JUST BEFORE THE DAWN.

"You got to speak your mind if you dare..."

Semana Santa: It's Not Easy

The second segment of the large Semana Santa procession we saw in Málaga brought Maria Santísima De Nueva Esperanza (Blessed Mary of New Hope). After the lush purples of the previous penitents (see the previous post), these penitents in green and white seem very understated.

(Again, click any image for biblical proportions.)

TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE SCATTERED PENITENTS.

STOP IN THE NAME OF...

HOODS POINTING DUE NORTH.

MARY IS ON HER WAY.

SAD-EYED.

BAREFOOT.  UNSHOD.  DISCALCED...  DESCALZO.

SILVER HATS FOR THE AFTER-PARTY?

MARY ARRIVES IN A CLOUD OF INCENSE.

READY FOR HER CLOSE-UP.

IN PERFECT POLISH.

AND THE BAND (ONE OF THREE) PLAYED ON.

A "SAETERA" SINGING FROM A TERRACE.
(A SAETA IS A TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS SONG.)

LOOKING BACK FROM ACROSS THE STREET AS WE HEAD HOME.

It's not easy...

Semana Santa: Deep Purple

The first portion of the procession we saw in Málaga on Tuesday (see previous post) brought the trono (throne) of Jesus Nazarene del Perdón (Jesus of Nazareth of Forgiveness).

LEADING OFF.

PURPLE PENITENTS.

UP-CLOSE AND PERSONAL PURPLE PENITENTS.

A WATER BREAK?
ISN'T HE SUPPOSED TO BE SUFFERING FOR HIS SINS?

JESUS IS COMING.

DEEP PURPLE.

COZY COSTALEROS (THE GUYS CARRYING THE FLOAT).

I LOVE THE ANGEL GIVING A HAND.

When the deep purple falls...

Semana Santa: Women And Children First

San Geraldo, our friend Kristina, and I decided take in one of the several processions slowly making their way through the streets of Málaga yesterday. There are five to ten processions every day of Easter Week. Málaga's processions are much larger and grander than what we have in our nearby town of 75,000. And they're very different from Sevilla's processions, which can make you feel like you've gone back in time 400 years (not a good thing here in Spain, but fascinating).

I'D RUN, TOO.

I suggested taking in a day-time procession. The crowds would be smaller and we might get some better (although less dramatic and mystical) photos. We ended up watching from a great spot in a contemporary section of the city. Seeing the processions in the old city center is much more picturesque (and, again, more dramatic and mystical). But we managed to catch the one early procession of the day (which began around 3:45 p.m. and would run until 2:30 a.m. or 4:30 a.m. depending on where you got your info. The procession we saw had not one but two pasos (floats) — also called tronos (thrones). Those are images to come this week. Here, first, are some of the women and children (and some men).

(Click any image for biblical proportions.)

FRIEND OF A PENITENT?
(TOO MANY OF THESE SEMI-PARTICIPANTS, IF YOU ASK ME.)

"DO YOU SMELL SMOKE?"

BLACK LACE AND MANTILLAS...
TO SIGNIFY MOURNING THE DEATH OF JESUS.

LOTS OF BLACK LACE.

VERY STYLISH MOURNERS.

TALK ABOUT SUFFERING!
YOU TRY WALKING IN THOSE HEELS FOR 10 HOURS.

I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO ATONE FOR.

THIS LITTLER SINNER HAS HAD ENOUGH.
TIME FOR A BANANA ... AND A NAP.

MORE 'FRIENDS' GETTING IN THE WAY OF THE CAMERAS.
APPARENTLY, BLACK IS HER HAPPY COLOR.

"LET ME BE THE FIRST TO SHAKE YOUR HAND!"

THE SMOKING SECTION.

The Platters...