The African Heat Wave

It seems that Spain is right in the middle of all the extreme weather patterns.  Remember the Siberian cold snap we had back in February that left my patio completely frost-bit?  Well this past week temperatures have been consistently in the nineties with highs of 107+.

The Sunday of our romería--we walk about 7k and spend the day partying and picnicking in the countryside--it was 42 degrees Celsius (107ºF)!!!!  My poor sister who's now accustomed to Portland weather, meaning that she puts on a bikini when it's 70 and sunny, was about to die.  She wasn't the only one who suffered mild heatstroke, however.  There were several people who were throwing up from the heat and at least one who ended up in the hospital.  Maggie made it up there okay (lots of water and rebujito), and with some ice and cold gazpacho she revived a bit; but we decided to put her out of her misery and take her home to my cool casa before the day was through.  I can guarantee this weekend was an experience she'll never forget...though she claims she had fun until the heat began to blur her vision!

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story:

Bringing down the saint Friday night.

Outside the church.  This year was the first year there's been a mass held for San Pancracio--a really big deal. :)

San Pancracio during Saturday night's procession.

Special sister time, Spanish style.

The altar prepared by the neighbors of the host street for Saturday night's street party.

Maggie and Bela before the camino.  Bela stayed home--smart dog!

Maggie's first baptism.  First-timers on el camino get baptized with rebujito (seven-up, white wine and mint, served COLD) by the Hermano mayor. 

This is the dress that my sister-in-law altered for me.  She shortened the skirt so it would be better for walking and this way you can see my boots! :)

Other than roasting in the romeria, we mostly relaxed at home--special sister time.  I had classes during the week so much sight-seeing was out of the questions, though since Maggie visited us twice last year, we didn't feel the need to be entertaining her at all and weren't stressed trying to squeeze in any touristy visits.   It felt completely normal to have her around.  She fell easily into our Spanish rhythm...with a few snacks between mealtimes. ;)

Chillin' with Aunt Maggie

On top of suffocating heat, our neighbors are remodeling their house and all the jack-hammering and racket they make reverberates through our entire house.  I'm afraid my poor sister didn't have a very relaxing vacation!  Monday after the romeria the noise was so bad that we opted to spend the day out.  We packed up an ice-chest, threw the dog in the car and headed to el Chorro to cool down.  I've mentioned el Chorro before it's a huge reservoir about forty min. away.  The water was perfect, not too cold at all, but still refreshing and most fun of all, this was Bela's first experience swimming.

Encouraging Bela to jump in...

If you can believe it, just prior to the nasty heat wave we had about a week or so of heavy rains (the first rains since Jan. or Feb. I believe) and Bela had become quite fond of all the puddles along our normal walking routes.  She misses them dearly, now, let me tell you.  When we let her of the leash at the lake she raced into the "puddle", but didn't expect the shore to drop off so quickly.  She took a few panicked strokes to turn around and climb back out of the water wondering what on Earth just happened to her.  It was pretty funny.  Still, by the end of the day she was getting in more and more often, swimming a bit more each time and finally she even did a water retrieve!  So my little puppy is now fully initiated into Lab-dom. ;)

The reason Maggie comes to visit despite African heat waves. :)

Maggie's visit went by far too quickly.   She commented on the changes in my lifestyle since her first visit here four years ago: before I was always out and about; now I have a house, my classes...I'm more "settled," in her words.  And it's true.

Preparing gazpacho for the romeria with my favorite sous chef!