I’m in another coastal area in Almograve. It’s just unbelievable. What I love about this Alentejo coastline is the fact that you’ve got miles and miles of nature – no resorts (unlike the Algarve). It’s just nature; that’s why I guess it’s preserved to maintain the wildlife and natural resources. Every cove opens up to fabulous views.
I was photographing a young man getting ready to surf. I’ve never actually seen somebody set up for surfing before. And I didn’t realize they waxed the board, for the opposite reason that you wax cross country skis. For example, the wax keeps you on the board, not slipping off. It’s put on the top side of the board, which was interesting, because if not, you would definitely slip off the surface of the board when wet. He’s just getting ready to set out ; he’s just gone down to the sand, pulling up his wetsuit as he goes and getting his board ready. I had to laugh- he had a cigarette before he went down to get into the water.
The surfer used the current (I was told) to get him out far enough to get the ideal conditions. By using the current it only takes about 10 minutes to move far out to a spot where it’s perfect to catch a wave. I can see as I’m watching , the waves are building – it must be the time of the day. I can’t believe the amount of strength it requires. This young man has only been surfing for a couple of years. The older man said he, himself has been surfing for over 30 years, and now as he is older he is much more cautious; and then another friend of his came by who lives in the area and he’s also been surfing about the same amount of time, 30 years.
Watching surfing exhausted me! I am now sitting in the middle of Almograve at Restaurante O Lavrador, having a soup and a beer! The waiter looks like a young Dustin Hoffman. Exactly the same smile. And I think he’s the same height.
Regarding two of my friends who were to arrive here in town tomorrow afternoon- they are still under the Air Canada weather block at the airport in Toronto. I can’t imagine having your Air Canada flight cancelled one day because of staff shortage, going home,coming back the next day for a flight, checking in, going through customs, getting on the plane and then sitting on the tarmac for six hours. Then, because of the weather, the flight is cancelled and you’re stuck in the airport because there’s no transportation back due to the weather!
That’s what happened to my two friends who are on their way here to join me. I messaged them this morning thinking they were in Dublin ( in the same time zone as I am!) and they’re still stuck in Toronto. I know they’ve also missed their connecting flight in Dublin as well as the hotel that was booked and paid for in Lisbon!! The expletives that came out of my friend’s Irene’s mouth were priceless.
Travel can be so frustrating. I told them that they can stay a few days more to make up for the delay. My other buddies don’t arrive until the 14th of the month!
