Always take the weather with you
It’s not just Europe that’s experiencing freaky weather. We hit the streets of Buenos Aires in the second week of August - the tail end of the southern hemisphere winter. There’s a wind that would cut you like a knife and the locals tell us it’s the worst winter they’ve experienced in over fifty years. A few days later we escape the bustle of the city, crossing the River Plate to the tranquil cobblestone streets of Colonia in Uruguay. Here it’s a pleasant 25 degrees celsius. It doesn’t last for long. As we head north to Paysandu and beyond to Salto, temperatures drop and it feels like an Irish winter, damp and grey.
Still, there’s nothing like a trip half way around the world to give you a bit of perspective on life at home.
On the way back we stopped in Madrid for a few days, expecting to bask in the blanket of searing August heat that sends the madrilenos flocking to the sea. Again, we were disappointed. The heat was comfortable in the day and the nights were cool, perfect for the Irish temperament but not so impressive to the Spaniards - the public swimming pools were deserted except for forlorn lifeguards and security men. Indeed, the whole city was quiet, perfect for recharging the batteries after a 12 hour flight.
Anyway, I’m back to the grindstone now with no more holidays planned ’til Christmas. And I’ve got a touch of the flu’ into the bargain. Damn climate change.
Mark Waters marked time at 7:26 pm on August 27th, 2007 | Add a comment .
