September

  Porto Petro, Spain
Sunday, September 3, 2006

After a long and tiring August, September was welcomed warmly in Porto Petro, especially by the seasonal workers who have now been able to wind down and breathe. It is now decision time for everyone who's come here to work the summer: what to do now?

A lot of the people I have asked usually respond "no idea", but some blurt out intricate plans clearly thought out with anticipation. Some say that next year they are not coming back, and some others say they'd love to settle down here in the island. Some say they have to go back to their home town to continue their studies, some others will travel around Europe or Asia and enjoy the government's seasonal unemployment aid. Some will go visit family or friends and others will rejoice in their own solitude wherever they decide to go. Some are preparing to leave now and others are planning on staying until the first days of November.

The destinations are vast and the plans are elaborate, but I haven't heard anyone mention they would like to stay during the winter. Apparently, the street lights illuminating the marina aren't even turned on during the winter-time; that's how desolated this place becomes. A curious contrast to the dynamic and animated flair of the Summer.

02 Day coming to an End

Ed and I are planning on packing up and leaving the first week of October. The destination is still obscure although we would like to spend a few days in Barcelona and then back to Madrid. Right now all we are looking forward to is the 4-day weekend that awaits us in Ibiza, earthly promised land for all clubbers throughout the world. We will be traveling with a group of about 15 people from all over the globe, courtesy of Mr. Trace Harris (Smartie Partie), flying in to the seventh heaven of the Mediterranean Sea in unison, for the sole purpose of dancing to the death. Then it's back to Majorca to rest for the next 48 hours and prepare The Cave for its closing party.

01 Lazy Sea-watching

We're trying to enjoy the last failing breaths of the heat and sun at the beach, although it is becoming overly cloudy during the day and windy during the evening. I am more and more convinced of my love for the water and the sand when I think of the countless times I have walked to the beach, and have not yet grown bored or tired of it. I've met many people here who don't even go near the beaches anymore due to the tediousness that it provokes in them after a while.

Two nights ago, Ed, Emi and I walked all the way to Mondragó with red candles, drinks and music. Guided by the intense brilliance of the full moon, there was no need for the different types of flashlights we had with us. Everything looked so distinguished when illuminated by the moon's glow; specially the Sea which appeared to be enchanted. A Moonlight Sonata repeatedly chimed in my head during the walk to the cove, and as I beheld the moon's effect on the landscape, I begun to understand Beethoven's tingle.

03 Moonshine and Candles

Spellbound, we all fell asleep in the humid sand under the thick shroud of stars but were untimely awoken by the growing wind. Freezing half to death, we lifted camp and began our long and silent walk back into town. How lucky were we to have the time and the appropriate geography to enjoy nights out like these?

With winter drawing near and the imminent need for migration, I thought about the things I was going to miss from living in a small seaside town. Luckily for us, our place here is assured for next year. So while we explore other worldly targets, we'll always have the Mediterranean summer waiting here for us in Porto Petro.