On The Write Path

🇵🇹 Beachy, just beachy (Lagos, Portugal)

PartyBee and Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ 2025 This is the second entry for

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The Bard's Hall Contest  (13+) DECEMBER is HOLIDAY RUSH: Shape Poetry Prompt! #981150 by PartyBee

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🇵🇹 Beachy, just beachy (Lagos, Portugal)

Life's a beach... and Lagos has plenty.

I had wanted be in Lagos for my birthday (didn't happen... ) but couldn't arrange it without unnecessary stress. I have to monitor and manage my stress.

I almost missed the bus from Sete Rios (Lisboa) and arrived a tad late as Filipa (the Goddess of the Hostel World) had left for the day.

Not to worry. Timo (Dortmund) was working reception with Ana (Toronto-Serbia).

They were forewarned that I was coming.

Timo took me to the 8-bed dorm (I requested it because it's on the same floor as breakfast and therefore fewer steps). They put me in the same bed I slept in years ago when I first visited! Ah... the caress of clean sheets and the support of a good mattress. And a nice view:

Filipa laughed when I saw her the next morning and told me I did that on purpose .

I stayed one week. Ostensibly to relax. But I continued to not feel well.

The last visit (a few years ago) I had almost feinted at the market before our communal dinner (I still remember Naiomhe's colcannon). I told Filipa this visit that I may have had a mild heart attack the last time. I was looking forward to the next evening as I would be there for 3 dinners (Sunday, Wednesday, Friday) but by the time I got to market and back on Sunday I didn't feel up for it.

Lots of interesting guests from various countries: India (we talked Bollywood and Thai BL), England, Holland, Canada. Hannah from Devon advised me about Thailand where she taught for 3 months: anyone who is not family or friends is treated in a transactional way. In other words... like an ATM.

Still... life's a beach.

I did visit Praia Batata.

Lawrence and Patrick joined with Timo and others for a game of volleyball at Meia Praia. I got there late however. Saw the cheerful starbursts of Mesembryanthemum (flowers), sand dunes and sand for kilometers, and shells. It's a swimming beach. Watched a father/son play in the very gentle waves.

In town I searched and found grilled sardines octopus salad. Orange juice greeted me every morning at the hostel. I did chat with most everyone, was glad to see Filipa, Carmen, and Manel again. Especially thrilled to see Ourso, age 14, who is a big black hairy bear of a Newfoundland.

I feel good in Lagos... when I'm not ill. Ah... illness, let me count thy ways.

Fortunately, Evelyn looked after me for a week... but that's for a blog about the kindness of strangers.

~440 words