One thing I didn’t count on facing in Madeira was snow. I did experience colder than usual December last year, where jackets and scarves were needed to be able to enjoy our usual outdoor dining… But this cold and this much snow was highly unusual.
Lately I might sound like a weatherman ( woman) or like a true British who can spend hours about talking about the weather. I don’t care. Weather fascinates me, especially the sudden changes that occur in Madeira.
On our last Saturday when nothing special was planned we met up with Anne and the boys for the afternoon. We all agreed to go up to see the snow. Unfortunately just one of them could come, the other boy had fishing practice. Just one more thing that you or the kids can do in Madeira.
Soon we realized that getting to Pico Do Areeiro is not going to be easy. Traffic was heavy, than we came to a standstill, moving meters only once in a while.
We reached as far as we could by car, at Poiso the road was blocked by the police.
Wish we had more time, would have liked walking all the way up to the peak, trekking in the snow, though I didn’t even have the right gear for such adventures.
However the atmosphere in itself was worth it. Lots of, lots of people walking, chasing each other in the forest, having snowball fights with the little snow they’ve found.
Magical. Though we see snow all the time – as a matter of fact it is snowing right now- the childlike innocence and happiness of the locals took me by surprise.
I was still an outsider, observer, continuously taking pictures. Not the one who takes shots of people normally, but had to capture these emotions.
Wish we could be like them. Enjoying the moment…patiently waiting in their cars to reach the so awaited snow. Didn’t see angry, impatient drivers, no loud voices, just happy relaxed ones.
2 flights later back home, back to reality. The “shock” was softened by an extra day at home, lunch at Baalbek – a new Lebanese restaurant – , and an evening walk to the mall and back.
M back to school, me dealing with tenants, lawyers the following morning, then driving straight up to the mountain.
If you are away for a few days, the scent of the pine wood is so intense when you open the door, it takes your breath away.
It took mine. And something else…
No, it wasn’t a mouse in the mouse trap. 