Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Calima

 

Judy. In the five and a half years we’ve been traveling, we’ve experienced some interesting weather. None of them, however, prepared us for the calima that hit us in Málaga last week. 

Calima, or “haze” is basically just pollution. Here in Spain and parts of Europe, it’s the rust-colored particles that blow in on south winds from the Sahara. They generally happen here two or three times in February and March. We experienced it twice in two weeks. The first one was bad, but not awful, but the second was pretty wild. Our hostess said it was the worst ever here.

We woke to a rust-colored, pea soup type fog, and were warned on our weather app to avoid going out. 
Morning greeting


 In the late morning, the rain started, and for the rest of the day it rained mud! Acquaintances here told us they got caught in the rain and were absolutely covered in what looks for all the world like Georgia red clay. 
Evening








 





The light in our bedroom












Skies are clearer, but the mud is flowing















The next morning our windows were splashed with mud, and the streets packed with it. Buildings were stained red, and cars looked like they’d been on a Jeep excursion. Fortunately, it washes off. 


Stairs by our apartment















The rain we’ve had lately has finally filled the reservoirs and ended the fear of a drought. Neighbors say, though, that they’ll have to use all that water to wash the mud off everything! 

 Love our travel. Never a dull moment!

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Málaga Carnaval

Judy. You may recall that we were in Cádiz, Spain several years ago for Carnaval, the Mardi Gras-type celebration before Lent. The streets were packed with singing groups satirizing the government, and with people in costume. It was great fun, even if one didn’t understand what was being sung! 

Málaga, too, has a Carnaval, perhaps not as well known, but colorful and crazy, nonetheless. Living a twenty-minute walk from Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución, where most of it took place meant we weren’t as much a part of it, but we sure saw enough to have a great time. There are parades and singing groups and a lot of beer, yet it still has a family flavor. 

On Sunday afternoon we went down to see the second parade, filled with groups dressed in all kinds of costumes, and with the contestants for god and goddess of Carnaval, which were chosen the night before. EVERYONE seemed to be involved, and the fancy floats were actually pulled by the contestants as they walked the parade route! Once again, people dressed in costume—especially kids. 

Interestingly, Carnaval goes right past Ash Wednesday, with another parade on Saturday—“The Battle of the Flowers”, where the “battle” consists of throwing confetti at each other. It’s great fun—a guy got me good when he fist-bumped me and threw confetti all over me! 

 On Sunday evening, everything ends with a huge fried anchovy which is shared with anyone who wants to show up, then a funeral parade complete with mourners carries another huge anchovy to the beach, where it’s burned in a bonfire to mark the very sad ending of Carnaval. Sadly, we arrived too late to witness that.







Seeing Double Snow Whites



Little Leo gets his photo made with Mickey











Battle of the Flowers begins!

The evening ends with a Drag Queen show

 Casualty of the Battle!


Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Help for Ukrainian refugees

Ted. Along with the rest of the world, Judy and I have watched in stunned silence as events unfold in Ukraine. No matter the outcome, the refugee crisis will be staggering. 

We have contacted our good friends in Białystok, Poland to see how we can help. Robert, Ania and their two teenaged sons are actively engaged in shipping donations to the Ukrainian border (a little over 100 miles away) and receiving refugees into their town. 
 
First off, Robert asks for prayers for the people of Ukraine AND Russia. If anyone is inclined to help financially, he has two suggestions. 

Caritas is an international Roman Catholic organization that has been active in Ukraine for years now. They have established centers throughout the country and are assisting refugees at the border right now. They have set up a special fund targeting Ukraine where one can donate via credit card in US dollars. Here is the link:


Fundacja Dialog is a small organization that has been helping the needy in Białystok since 2001. They are on the front lines of refugee settlement in Białystok and Robert’s family is volunteering there. They have already welcomed 30 Ukrainian women and children into the city and more are on the way. Here is a link to their Facebook page where you donate via credit card in US dollars:


Just because we can’t do everything, it doesn’t mean we can’t do something!