Sultry Reflections

  Porto Petro, Spain
Monday, July 17, 2006

The harsh Mallorcan heat has turned me into a pseudo hermit, choosing the shade of my apartment with it's turbo fan over the scorching sun of the beach or the pavement. When I first got here I didn't think the summer heat was too bad; I actually rather enjoyed the weather and cooling sea breeze, even though locals warned me it was going to get much hotter. I dismissed these warnings logically thinking that being so close to the sea would always lessen the temperatures.

So as I sit here in my terrace, drenched from head to toe, I feel silly for dismissing a local's weather forecast. I no longer think the Mediterranean heat is fun and what's worse is that I was told that it wasn't only going to get worse (we're talking about 40-something degrees) but that it isn't going to rain from here to about September-October. This explains the fact that there are so many open air cafes and restaurants.

I now find myself seeking air conditioning or the coolest spot in any bar or restaurant I walk into. I no longer prefer the open air table where I can enjoy the view or the sun. That would kill me right now. I've spent the last 2 days in my flat where, thankfully, people always show up for a conversation or something to drink. So even though I have been confined to these walls, I am never alone. I have decided though that it is time to stop sulking over the heat and start growing accustomed to it since it's going to get worse, so they say.

That's why tomorrow I plan to head off to the farthest beach (probably Mondragó) and spent the day there under the sun. And if I get much too hot to bear it I'll have a quick dip in the ocean. It doesn't sound too bad, does it?

03 Ed working

In the meantime, Ed has been working his ass off in Varadero. I find him to be exhausted and irritable, which of course is understandable, but Ed is not the kind of person who gets too tired or succumbs to bad moods. On the contrary.

He has talked to the restaurant's manager and they agreed on two half days off during the week. One on Mondays when he will start working at 5 pm instead of 11 am, and on Tuesdays he'll start at 3 pm. So all together it's a full day off, split in two, which is better than nothing. This'll mean that we will have more recreational time together and maybe he can even go diving again or kayaking like he's been wanting. That will definitely take the edge off from work, and I'll have my happy, easy-going, energetic Ed back.

02 View of Porto Petro

As for me, my lethargic state has even begun to worry me, and even though some may think I'm blaming the heat, it's hard to move around and be active when you're always uncomfortable and sweaty. That's why starting tomorrow I plan on getting back to my active routine of walking, sightseeing, tending to the apartment, laundry and cleaning (I never thought I'd say that....EVER) and most importantly, looking for a quiet part time job that will give me something to do until The Cave finally opens in a couple more weeks. Maybe some nice beach-side restaurant at Mondragó where I can keep my seascape view.

I also want to start meditating again which I put off when I started working in Varadero, when I was too tired to even sit up in bed for my meditation session. I would even fall asleep during my meditation so I put it off altogether. Now I know I have no excuse so I plan on getting back on track with that. It's funny how having all the time in the world for yourself just sinks you more and more into laziness. When you don't have it you yearn it, and when you have it you grow sick of it. The key is in finding the right equilibrium, which I plan on finding very soon.