Sunday, May 22, 2011

The Storm



Images: The Rain!; SL at Dinner with Sunset.

Thursday's plans were scotched by the fates.
We got on the bike, fully intending to head to Antiparos, the small sister island with deep caves to explore. The caves are full of stalagmites and stalagtites, one of which is estimated to be 45 million years old. As we headed out of Parikia, the skies darkened and we thought we would head back to the hotel to see what developed. I sneered at the tiny raindrops, and poked fun at the paucity of water coming from the skies.
We decided to walk to the town to do our shopping while we waited for the spitting to end.
… and then it came. Brilliant flashes of lightning accompanied by crashes of ear-splitting thunder. The rain poured from the skies. We took shelter under a small canopy and waited for it to pass. It got worse.
Now you have to remember that Paros is an island, a small island where everything slopes down to the sea. The rivulets from the mountain paths became small streams on the hillside roads, which rushed down to become raging rivers in the streets before pouring into the sea.
Realizing that this was not getting better, and if, in fact, it got worse, we were going to have a real problem walking back to the hotel, we set off to return. The muddy water swirled around our ankles and crept up our legs, but eventually we returned, exhausted, like drowned rats to our room to dry out.
We did not venture far that night to dinner, as I was essentially barefoot in my beach shoes. Craving comfort food, SL had spaghetti carbonara, and I had the house special of pork in white wine sauce. The bonus to the whole day was that we were treated to a beautiful sunset before retiring early to bed.

1 comment:

  1. Hi guys,

    We love the blog and apologies for no posts yet. I still never know what to say when you two are living an amazing adventure and we are just going to work/school/hockey/gymnastics/soccer/swimming lessons/ballet/french school and preparing for another little one. Jocelyn is doing well, although anxious to hold baby in her arms rather than in her belly.

    Sad to see no pictures from "The Storm" (in particular we like the ones where Dad is quietly flexing in a tank top - looking jacked we might add!). Sounds like a crazy day. But all-in-all the trip seems to be going well and you are dodging some horrible cold and rainy weather here.

    Well, take care and we'll be sure to let you know when baby arrives.

    Love,

    Geoff, Jocelyn, Mia, Kingston and Quincy

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