Bom Fim Semana

The weekends here in Madeira are filled with activity, especially as the spring turns to summer.  The flower festival was a big hit.  Preparations for the parade were ongoing, so each walk into town gave us the opportunity to see lots of flower displays,

some of which were intricately designed.  The tiled sidewalks were lined with these flower paintings (for lack of a better term) which were constructed by arranging many petals.

There were also orchids,

and birds (which Farrar continues to want to purchase...ai-yai-yai).

The parade itself was pretty cool.  There was some traditional dress on display,

and tons of people lining the streets to watch as the colorful floats passed.

and lots of cute children clad in floral garb.  Or maybe better to say the floral garb was clad with children.

So much sidewalk time and scenery can make the sea very attractive.  As the weather warms, the shore continues to be a welcome journey.  Such trips are becoming routine, and to borrow from an old expression, "you can never step into the same sea twice."  The last time we went we saw yet another candidate for 'best dog in Madeira'

The competition remains stiff, but this pooch has an unfair advantage as she reminded us of our own Rosie, who also loved the sea.  We also got a very close look at the Santa Maria,

and a lizard got a very close look at us.

There are lots of lizards on the rocks, but they are very well-behaved and there is plenty of room for all of us under the sun, which is intense.  The water is inviting, to say the least.  It is a tad chilly, and the toughest steps are the first ones,

but once you swim out a bit, the body adjusts,

and as ever, the sea is relaxing.

Well, very relaxing.

We have also recently enjoyed a graduation ceremony.  It made for a very fun day in Funchal that began in the cathedral,

which was very crowded.

Now, before you think I am now on permanent vacation, the graduation ceremony here is just that: a ceremony.  We still have another month of classes. Quite a contrast from American colleges and universities, where we are counting credits and running degree audits furiously, sometimes only hours before graduation.  I suspect that my friends in the registrar's office at Limestone will now entertain dreams of working in Madeira.  

But the day itself retains all the symbolic meaning and is a real celebration. After an additional ceremony in the square, which included walking across the stage and photographs, 

we went out to eat and had some Brazilian cocktails (the name of which I forget) and espetada and sangria.  It made for a long and enjoyable evening that even included some card games with dessert.

And finally, basketball season continues!  While I have not been able to see as much of the NBA playoffs as I would like, I have seen plenty of playoff action in Madeira.  The women's team unfortunately lost in the semis, but the men continue to play.  They have advanced to the semi finals, which means two more home games next weekend.  Go CAB Madeira!  100%

To all the Moms, Happy Mother's Day, and to all, bom fim semana!