This weekend Granada is celebrating the annual meeting of international poets. And, last evening John and I stood for some time watching the celebrations and speeches in the central park here in Granada. There were people swarming everywhere in the park area and the event was being broadcast by an electrical system that ensured that every ear that was not already deaf would work on creating poor hearing in the future. It was loud and crisp even for these partially deaf ears. Before long, we decided that we had had enough and walked the block and one-half to our hotel where we retired for the night. Yes, we had our air conditioning on (at 18 degrees C). As near as I can figure, it was cool to cold and thick comforters were atop both of our beds.
We awakened this morning to a beautiful day. Since it was still early and our breakfast room was not going to open until 7, we decided to see the aftermath of the celebrations of the night before. The heat of the day had not yet penetrated the atmosphere but the humidity was perhaps as apparent as it had been since our arrival. Both my glasses and the lens of my camera suffered from the change of a dry and cool environment to this steam bath.
We meandered about the parque central and looked at some of the seller booths that were already in process of being set up for the day.
The cathedral which is encased in a high black retaining fence had none of its gates open to the public. Nor were any of the doors open inside the fenced area. And, the bells that were tolling the hours were still silent. I suspect that the weather here slows everybody and everything down. Good evidence of that was observed in the central park where both dog and man were in heavy slumber.
The only activity that we noticed this morning was from a couple of stands where coffee was being brewed and served as well as a few that were vending refrescos.
There were several men with long brooms sweeping up the trash that had overflowed the barrels. They were also busy in the common areas where the poets were celebrating last evening.
I suspect that by 9 things will be back to normal. I fully expect that the padre will also be vested in the robes in order to celebrate mass with the participants. At least this is my thinking.
In the meantime, the sleepers will continue their rest time. And, I mentioned dogs previously. I have never seen animals that so completely fall into the earth when sleeping. It could be the fact of poor nourishment but, then again, I think that they simply relax so fully that there is no space between the earth and their bodies.
The stands that were set up in the park had t-shirts, hand-crafted pottery, paintings, leather belts and other artisan objects.
There were also stands where one can purchase food or refreshments and we even saw some antique and new furniture available for sale. We noticed a good deal of caning on the backs and seats of chairs.
Do you suppose this fellow will still be sleeping when we return from our 6-hour tour of the area?
We walked further down towards Lake Nicaragua and found some nice but unusual flowers blooming. Those of you who tend the flowers and not the saints in the church might recognize the orange blossom to the right.
There are trees in the central park and elsewhere that have pods that resemble fruits. I do not recognize them and would be guessing at what they might be called.
On this same street leading to the lake we noticed a good number of hostels that were advertising rooms with or without air conditioning and with or without fans for prices anywhere from twenty-eight to thirty-eight dollars.
There are also a good number of restaurants advertising fares from different parts of the world.
As we headed back to our hotel, I noticed one fellow propped up against the Rotary statue dedicated to mothers. If he did not find his way home last night, he at least did find a matronly statue on which to lay his weary and perhaps hurting head. I wonder if she will have the balm to soothe when he finally awakens and sees the light of day.
More narrative and pictures when we return later today.
Have a joyful Sunday.
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