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!