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| ...and the heat goes on...and on...and on... |
My Portuguese vocabulary has increased by 2 words: muito calor (very hot). Ya might say!! Those are the words on the lips of every person I meet. Right now it's 42* and it's actually frightening to be out in some vineyard somewhere and away from civilization and a bit if shade. I walked 15 km today (the full day was 29) and I know that's my absolute limit. But, as my new buddy Leo said, " Each of us in on our own Camimo and no one cares how many steps you take."
I am in Tomar right now in a little cafe and a can of 7-up in front of me
I didn't push send! Really!! I have no idea what I do to send these things off prematurely anyway......
So, I'm in this little café with the can of ice cold 7-Up in front of me and nothing in the world could feel better than that. I'm in a town called Tomar. This town is where the Knights Templar had their beginnings. Their Gnostic belief was that the sanctity of the God that lies within every individual makes us less dependent on external church authority. Clearly, the Vatican wasn't impressed and outlawed the Knights in 1312. There is a Templar castle and I'm going to go see it now.
Physically, (aside from my right baby toe who screams obscenities at me but whose howls I'm able to smother with a blister bandaid), I'm doing fine. I love Portugal and Portuguese people. Just take. a log off the fire!!
Much love (and dreaming of a good old fashioned blizzard) PortuGal.
Judith
Woke up on Coney Island, sooooo freezing that not a single person hot out of bed for ages. I just kept thinking about how much I wanted to somehow bring you to this little 12 degree paradise. Just to give you a break from the heat.
ReplyDeleteJust waking up on Coney Island. It's 30 degrees cooler here, and everyone is walking around with blankets and cocoa/coffees. I wish I could transport you here, just to cool off for an hour......
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, I love your posts, informative and humorous. Other than salt pills to reduce sweating/maintain hydration, nothing comes to mind in combatting 42 weather that you haven't thought of, so keep hydrated, love Jamie.
ReplyDeleteRobert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.
1. The Road Not Taken
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 10
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 15
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 20
Your friend Leo is right! This trip is for you and you only, listening to your body and opening up to the beauty of the nature, the people and the energies around you are the only things you should be doing... well... and walking :D
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave and beautiful woman! Enjoy every minute of every experience there; you have earned it!
~Shannon
I sure hope you don't overdo it Judilee. It sounds like it’s hotter than the hinges on the gates to hell there. This is a time to listen to your body and if it says enough walking today in the inferno then please do. I hope you are drinking lots of water and staying off those insane highways. I couldn’t imagine +42, I have endured that temperature on the other side of the freezing point of water but never on your side. Try taking afternoon siestas inside those beautiful stone castles.
ReplyDeleteSure wish we were on Coney splashing in the cool waters of the LOTW. In the words of your late dog’s name “ You can go but come back soon” SB
Tomorrow I run the MB marathon.. every step a thought of you, every breath a prayer for you, every heartbeat a source of pride for you. It's a good day to be alive. Mick
ReplyDelete