La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
We’ve been watching “Those About To Die” on Amazon Prime. I don’t really know what I think of the series, but at least it’s kept my attention. We’re about to watch the final episode of the season tonight, but I’ve already figured out who’s about to die. It’s a fictionalized account of the Flavian Dynasty in Rome and focused on the empire’s games and politics, and the building of the Colosseum. At worst, it had us both reading this week about that dynasty and that period in history.
I’ve been planning to visit the newly opened Roman baths (ruins) in town. But they’re only open a few hours Friday to Sunday mornings. I might have to set the alarm clock this week. There’s also an apparently fascinating virtual reality experience on the Paseo. I’d better get there before it closes for good.
The weather continues warm and humid. San Geraldo got hit in the face with it when he went out on the terrace this morning to empty the water bucket from the air-conditioning. He hasn’t gone out again since. I’ve been on the terrace a couple of times (once to again empty the bucket), but that’s the extent of my outings. I am so glad August and the tourists and vacation home owners will be gone soon, although it won’t really quiet down completely until late September. The heat and humidity are bad enough. The heat and the humanity are enough to drive us crazy. There are many pleasant people around, but the jerks make it too easy to forget them.
The other day, San Geraldo was waiting in the lobby for the elevator. He was soaked with sweat and had an enormous cartload of groceries. We have two elevators, each just large enough for SG and his grocery cart. A man came in from the pool. The elevator door opened. The man walked round SG, jumped in the elevator and, without saying a word or making eye contact, let the door close in SG’s face. That should be the worst of our problems, I know. But it does make one think less of people.
At least we have our selfless (ahem) cats. Dudo just tried to get treat #7 out of me and he wasn’t successful. He slapped his paws against the vertical blinds and before exiting my office with a harumph, he pounded twice on the closet door. Moose has been sort of angelic today. Tomorrow, I’m getting out of the damned house — even if I melt.
Hemos estado viendo “Los que van a morir” en Amazon Prime. No sé muy bien qué pienso de la serie, pero al menos me ha mantenido atenta. Estamos a punto de ver el episodio final de la temporada esta noche, pero ya he descubierto quién está a punto de morir. Es un relato ficticio de la dinastía Flavia en Roma y se centra en los juegos y la política del imperio, y en la construcción del Coliseo. En el peor de los casos, nos ha tenido a los dos leyendo esta semana sobre esa dinastía y ese período de la historia.
He estado planeando visitar los baños romanos recién inaugurados (ruinas) en la ciudad. Pero solo abren unas horas de viernes a domingo por la mañana. Puede que tenga que poner el despertador esta semana. También hay una experiencia de realidad virtual aparentemente fascinante en el Paseo. Será mejor que llegue antes de que cierre para siempre.
El clima sigue siendo cálido y húmedo. San Geraldo recibió un golpe en la cara cuando salió a la terraza esta mañana para vaciar el cubo de agua del aire acondicionado. No ha vuelto a salir desde entonces. He estado en la terraza un par de veces (una vez para vaciar el cubo de nuevo), pero eso es todo lo que hago. Me alegro mucho de que agosto y los turistas y los propietarios de casas de vacaciones se vayan pronto, aunque no se calmará del todo hasta finales de septiembre. El calor y la humedad son bastante malos. El calor y la humanidad son suficientes para volvernos locos. Hay mucha gente agradable alrededor, pero los idiotas hacen que sea demasiado fácil olvidarlos.
El otro día, San Geraldo estaba esperando en el vestíbulo el ascensor. Estaba empapado en sudor y tenía un enorme carrito lleno de comestibles. Tenemos dos ascensores, cada uno lo suficientemente grande para SG y su carrito de la compra. Un hombre entró desde la piscina. La puerta del ascensor se abrió. El hombre caminó alrededor de SG, saltó al ascensor y, sin decir una palabra o hacer contacto visual, dejó que la puerta se cerrara en la cara de SG. Ese debería ser el peor de nuestros problemas, lo sé. Pero hace que uno piense menos en la gente.
Al menos tenemos a nuestros desinteresados (ejem) gatos. Dudo acaba de intentar sacarme la golosina número 7 y no lo logró. Golpeó con las patas las persianas verticales y antes de salir de mi oficina con un resoplido, golpeó dos veces la puerta del armario. Moose ha estado como un ángel hoy. Mañana saldré de la maldita casa, aunque me derrita.
• Seguimos con ganas de fruta. El melón piel de sapo estaba delicioso.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Boud here to agree: manners makyth man! Year round resort residents have a lot to put up with in summer, people being less considerate where they’re unknown. Roll on October!
Boud:
A lot of locals are looking forward to the end of the “season.”
That closeup of Moose looks a little demonic, lol!
Debra:
I thought it looked adorable but on second look I see what you mean. Adorably demonic or demonically adorable.
Thank the goddess for the cat photos because it took my mind off the %$&#ing moron at the elevator,
I’d go knocking door-ro-door until I found the jerk and then I’d … oh who am I kidding? I hate people.
Bob:
I like people, except in general.
OK, that WAS super-rude of that guy to jump in the elevator. Too bad SG didn’t have a spare grenade to throw in after him.
Steve:
Or at least a stink bomb.
We feel your pain! Turned very humid here today as well! Fall will be here/and there soon!!
Jim:
I assume you don’t have air-conditioning? Not often needed there. STILL hot and humid today. And majorly overcast.
You empty a bucket from your AC? I keep reading articles about the citizens of European countries who are fed up with tourists and don’t want them anymore, although I thought some places depended on tourist dollars to help their economy. SG should have lobbed a couple of grocery items at the asshat who took over the elevator.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
Fuengirola was a small fishing town until tourism was encouraged. The problem is that the tourist market is pricing locals out of everything. No available places to rent or own at reasonable prices. Food and restaurant prices soar. A balance has to be found. We don’t have it as bad as bigger cities like Málaga and Barcelona. Our AC units are known as split units — one indoor and one outdoor. The outdoor unit has the compressor and condenser components and the AC dehumidifies which means water drains from the outside unit. We have hoses draining into a bucket. When it’s humid, the bucket fills three times a day. When weather is dry, we can go days without emptying it. We’ve bene at 3 times a day for a while now.
Oh, those Flavians!
I think I’d have rammed that bastard in the lift with my shopping trolley! Jx
Jon:
I would have said something… at minimum.
Since it was in your apartment building, it sounds like the man snatched San Geraldo’s elevator wasn’t even a tourist.
Kirk:
Our building has 45 apartments with perhaps 6 lived in all year. Some are vacation rentals and the rest are 2nd homes for out-of-towners, mostly from Córdoba. The guy SG saw (and hadn’t seen before) could have been a tourist or a family member. Whatever, he was clearly a jerk.
Meaning jerks can be both imported and domestic.
Kirk:
Fuengirola fills with people from Córdoba in season. It’s a beautiful interior city only a couple of hours drive, and very hot in summer. Of course, there are many very nice people from Córdoba, but “season” brings out the worst in people. And yes there are imports (like us).
the dears !
Ahah… you’ve solved the water shortage problem. Use AC’s to generate water.
Humanity – don’t get me started on that one. Must be an age thing but now everyday I say to myself ‘And what are the humans going to do today?’.
Went for a beautiful walk yesterday around Lac Joux in the Jura mountains, end of holiday season. Just nature and few ‘humans’. Peace.
Karen:
I use the AC water for the plants, but in this humidity, it produces too much. Nature and few humans sounds so good.
Only a week left in August and then the kiddies will be back in school. The tourist tide will ebb. You’ve got it worse than we do. it seems. The beach trumps (sorry) castles and a huge zoo.
Walt the Fourth:
Yes the beach does trump (argh) history and culture. When we lived in Sevilla in summer, everyone asked “When are you going to the sea?” Apparently, there were no other options.
People are so often just ridiculous 🙁
Olivia
Olivia:
SG comes home with a grievance every time he goes grocery shopping.
What always fascinated me about Rome was the instability of dynasties.
Augustus fumbled with heirs and it was a mess ever since.
Also not making Rome the capital for its Christian existence was rather… Ironic
Bring back the pagan glory of Rome!
Or at least arrest Benito Mussolinis granddaughter 😂
Adam:
Are you referring to Rachele Mussolini? She seems to be a nightmare. It’s incredible how much the Romans achieved given all the corruption, egotism, insanity and incompetence.
“But it does make one think less of people.” Oh, I solved that problem years ago. It is impossible to think less of humanity than I already do
wickedhamster:
That’s been my problem all along. People continue to surprise me (and not in a good way).
As my friend Lon says, “I like people. OUR people.” Having spent some years living in a tourist town, I know that people on vacation can tend to feel superior towards the lowly local peons who serve them and aren’t afraid to express that.
Okay. Let us suppose that rude pool man was having a bit of a gastric emergency and needed to get to his own bathroom as quickly as possible. Or, he could just be a jerk.
Do Dudo and Moose take turns in the roles of Good cat/Bad cat?
Please don’t melt.
Ms. Moonsigh
Ms. Moonsigh:
Dudo and Moose do take turns and each pretend they’re the good one. I think elevator guy was likely a jerk. And, yes, there is that superiority thing. One holiday neighbor from Córdoba treated us like we were invisible the first year. Then he found out we were American (so we must be rich) and he became our best friend (in his mind). Currently 94F and around 70% humidity. Could be worse. But it feels like hell and there is no breeze whatsoever. Oh, Dudo just slapped the vertical blinds and raised his voice. Time for treats!
As Jerry (Seinfeld) once said, “People… they’re the worst!”
Dudo and Moose continue to delight me every time I see them, and I’m so happy for you, that you have real fruit.
Judy C:
I think perhaps I should cut back on the fruit! (Nuff said.) I love the Jerry Seinfeld line.
The only solution to cabin fever, is getting outside for a while. Is there an air conditioned museum or shopping center nearby?
David:
Fuengirola museum is not worth the trip in the heat and humidity. The enclosed shopping center is apparently mobbed all the time now, and also a trip in the heat. It would help if I felt better, but I’m not really up to forcing myself to get outside, although I do try. We’ll go out for dinner tonight.
I love reading about Ancient Rome, both fiction and non-fiction. My favorite period is probably the Republic, but I do love the Flavians. Lindsey Davis has two long running mystery series that are set in that era.
The elevator guy was a real jerk. Actually asshole was my first thought. But as much as I would have wanted to say something to him, I tend to be “big talk, little do”.
Kelly:
I’m fascinated by all kinds of ancient history lately. I definitely have to check out Lindsey Davis. I don’t think I’ve read anything by her. Thanks!