where will the sunset happen tonight?
SUNDAY 19th AUGUST
I went to the folklore fest last night, with a German girl from the hotel (Sophie), we were joined by a Polish boy who I d been talking to earlier about sleeping on the beach. But I didnt see Giora. And it was a bit disappointing overall, the trio a modern jazzy take on fado but not totally convincing. They left to eat, I stayed for another 20 minutes then went back to the hostel. There was a bicycle traveller with cardboard over his bike that looked like Kurt Cobain. Had a spliff downstairs in the yard then went to bed alone in my basement room –
This morning I slept in – til after 10, nice – went looking for yoghurt – I wont eat today or tmoro – but that sushi is still in my mind – Took the 1134 to Tavira – past Olhao and salinas galore – found the ferry to the island and hurrah! people with no clothes on! (but my new rainbow bikini is gorgeous) There is camping on the island, I m an idiot, I should have come here to stay for those few nights, still, I would have had to carry the bags a long way –
why is it called the solar plexus? suncentre…
Maybe buying a litre of beer to drink in half an hour before the next boat was a crazy idea. I ve drank nearly half of it already though. This evening the party is on the beach at Olhao. I ll check it out – want to take pictures of the grafitti in the town anyway –
Peeking on a nudist beach – everyone peeks and checks each other out, a little – most of the people there today were in couples though which is comforting to me, a single female – one Italian guy (textile, with trunks on, blue) came over to ask for a cigarette, I said no (I only have weed or Pueblo, yes its a bit of a lie but I didnt want to chat) he sat there, on his heels in silence for a second and when I lowered my head to diregard him he said ‘Va bene’ and went off. I said ciao, at least –
Later –
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A trip down and around Olhao – I didnt find the jazz on the beach – and the battery on my camera died so I couldnt capture the cool street art – the lollipop lady, the macabre – met Giora at the train station where I was re-reading my book for the nth time – at the hostel I change rooms – I prefer the basement – the fan in the new room does not work, it is roasting hot and we are packed like sardines – so after a shower I head out for the fresh air – there is a traditional dance group performing as part of the folk festival – white and red – big crowds – i treat myself to ginja in a chocolate cup – walk past the sushi place, lovingly – but I should head off earlier tmoro so an early night is good – the guy at the hostel completely confused me earlier by saying ‘Who put you in that room?’ (he did.) – an email from Taimur about armpits4august and other nice things –
Why does everyone travel with their laptop these days??
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MONDAY 20th AUGUST
Today: tmoro
Sitting naked and oiled on a nudist beach. I didnt get up early, I didnt sort out accomodation for tmoro night. I found a book in english on the shelf of the hostel though, Sue Miller ‘Lost in the Forest’ .. its alright.
Your thoughts dont have words every day
They come a single time
Like single esoteric sips
of sacramental wine.
Which while you taste so native seems,
So bounteous, so free,
You cannot comprehend its worth
Nor its infrequency
-Emily Dickinson
Ophelia. The Human Cannonball.
Yorick.
‘Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now, your gambols, your songs, your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar?
Now get you to my ladys chambers and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come. Let her laugh at that.’
In the sea – the Mediterranean sea – not an ocean – I feel good, the salt brine, the play of the sunlight in ripples over my body underwater, the rythm and rock and roll of the waves as they signal the immense power of the water – i hadnt been in the sea for so long before this trip – when was the last time, did I even dip, in Brighton, in Parknasilla?
Where will the sunset happen tonight?
But then thats a stupid question, the sunset happens everywhere, it happens at the horizon, the stars that later come out occupy the zenith –
(who occupies the nadir? me?)
of the two romances i have had in Portugal, both talked about pregnancy, wanting to get me pregnant, with both I had to repeat myself – Nelo because he talks too much to be able to listen, Joao because I dont answer his phonecalls –
I imagine a weird conversation, around the table at home with the family for Christmas dinner, for sure Mam is going to ask my brother about his Japanese girlfriend, and then they ll ask me about loves in my life –
‘I am destined to become a spinster’ I will declare, only semi-jokingly, ‘because I find men far too annoying for any longer than 72 hours – and I m way too shy around the girls.’
Its true. If only they knew when not to talk.
Thinking about: basket weaving. CELT. sending a postcard to Grandad.
Things that annoy: people (usually women) who put their bags on the seats beside them.
I saw the sunset from the boat as it wound its way around Ria Formosa from Ilha da Tavira to Tavira Town. I stared until my eyes hurt. The sun goes down just after 8 these days, the days are getting shorter already as the dark half of the year takes over.
Thinking about: Manannan, he must be an Atlantic sea god – who presides over the Mediterranean? Neptune, Poseidon? I fell asleep in the sun this afternoon and was woken by the waves splashing over my feet. I had to move my stuff twice as the tide rose.
there are freckles on my breasts now, there are freckles everywhere –
This adventure is nearly over, a page turns, but London for a month will be ok, right?
I ll keep myself too busy to think.
And Kerry for a month will be quiet and relaoxing, I will do yoga in the mornings and cycle to Kenmare and the Holy Well in the afternoons.
I might need to work over Christmas though… got to sort something out as Bob will be home for Christmas and I dont want to miss him –