17 Comments
Jul 26, 2022Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍

BTW. Madrid 40.4168° N, New York 40.7128° N and Boulder 40.0150° N (Denver very close) are on the same Latitude . . . 'hot dog' how about that (-:

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That's one of my favorite world geography facts. I usually went with Rome instead of Madrid.

People who don't know never get it.

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Fascinating!

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Jul 26, 2022Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍

“Laughter filled the hot evening air”

Sounds like the first line of a great song (maybe one by the Boss 😉). Very poetic and conjures vivid scenes that transport the imagination to an exciting place where even the heat can’t dampen the fun and thrill of a summer night.

Though just a few words, you’ve crafted a volume of thoughts that bring smiles of how great memories are built.

The icing on the cake is the wonderful photo that allows the fun to leap off the page.

Wonderful!

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You’re the first to make a connection to a song. Bravo. There are several in there. Listening to music shaped my English, it’s still an influence. These few lines are full of examples.

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Jul 27, 2022Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍

In retrospect I can relate several. A thoughtful piece calling on lyrics that have touched your soul.

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I think I would enjoy the siesta and up late lifestyle, but it's just getting too hot. My body refuses to function at temperatures above 30°C.

Love your description of what you saw. I can just picture people hopping (okay maybe not hopping) from one small area in the shade to the next. I'd definitely do the same.

I also love the technique you used on that photo. Very creative. Thank you for sharing. And stay in the shade!

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Nice to hear you liked it. The image is the result of combining many techniques

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Aug 2, 2022Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍

A new type of AlexNote?

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Aug 2, 2022Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍

That’s 86°F to an old Luddite American!

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Yes, sorry - I should have said.

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Aug 2, 2022Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍

No need! The world does not revolve around those of us who, for whatever stupid reason, insist in remaining in the past! We should advance! Thanks, however, for your kind thought.

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Jul 26, 2022Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍

Have you been taking the afternoon nap?

In Spain most businesses and stores close between 2 and 4 p.m. so employees can go home, eat, and take a break from working during the hottest part of the day. I believe that stores stay open late in the evenings. and open early. Midnight is party time . . .

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Sometimes I did in the past six weeks, if I had started walking early enough to have a bed before it got too hot. But often there was no time for a siesta

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Jul 28, 2022Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍

I love your writing, Alex. So descriptive and your use of exquisite adjectives and language (s).

I ❤️ the phrasing here 'The Anthropocenic afternoons have increasingly become too hot to comfortably walk the streets of Spain’s capital. Soft lies have led to a desperate world.' That sold me (Again)

I resubscribed. Looking forward to reading more sensational works. Thanks for sharing your gift.

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Thank you Kathleen, I am so happy to hear that. For Doors fans: there is a bit of Jim Morrison in that quote, but rather out of context. Thank you for resubscribing!!! :-)

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Commenting a year later, 06/27/2023, the lifestyle adapted to the heat with afternoon siestas sounds restful; the remaining up late is my preference as well. I’m sure residents might prefer a cooler summer but we adapt to what is available, simply what is now.

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