This morning's swim was lovely. We met at the railing of the Corniche and climbed down the re-bar ladder to the rocks. From there, selected the dry rocks where we'd leave our clothes and towels. Ingrid and I have gotten used to being the only females on the rocks. It is just a 15 min. walk from our high rise flats. We always swim together, and Phil loves the swim too. We take off t-shirts and shorts, folding them next to our towels, grab goggles, then pick our way, barefooted, to the rocky edge. The deep blue green water rushes up and around our ankles, inviting us in. The water resembles a high tide although we don't see much tidal action in the sea.
Diving into the warm water is absolutely fabulous; refreshing all over. I find myself smiling as I come up for my first look around.
This morning we try swimming, 3 of us, side by side. It is a bit awkward at first as Ingrid weaves in front of us, then I plow into Phil. A group of swimmers coming from the other direction suddenly broke between us. "Bonjour! Sorry!" they yelled, stopping to see that we were all right. "Bonjour! Okay!" we yelled back. We get better at swimming side by side.
When we reach the marina wall, we stop, float, and talk about how great the water is, the city, the sky. We love being out in the water, looking back at the city, perfect and clean.
We start the return trip sighting off the AUB tower, facing a rising sun. It is always a smoother trip back, moving with the rolling current.
Phil climbs out at the ladder. Ingrid and I opt for the rocky exit; the mermaid exit. Water is so high that we literally are "lifted and swept" up onto the rocky ledge, where we stand up and follow a slippery path to the towels. As we are drying off, a group of men to our left offer us hot tea, and pass each of us a steamy plastic cup. Next come the grapes. After that, walnuts in the shells. Oh my gosh! Every sip and taste is delightful. "Why does food always taste so good after a swim?" muses Phil. We sip the tea and acknowledge the kindness of these fellow swimmers, feeling a tremendous sense of belonging. Americans or not, air strike or not, we felt welcomed and comforted.
Diving into the warm water is absolutely fabulous; refreshing all over. I find myself smiling as I come up for my first look around.
This morning we try swimming, 3 of us, side by side. It is a bit awkward at first as Ingrid weaves in front of us, then I plow into Phil. A group of swimmers coming from the other direction suddenly broke between us. "Bonjour! Sorry!" they yelled, stopping to see that we were all right. "Bonjour! Okay!" we yelled back. We get better at swimming side by side.
When we reach the marina wall, we stop, float, and talk about how great the water is, the city, the sky. We love being out in the water, looking back at the city, perfect and clean.
We start the return trip sighting off the AUB tower, facing a rising sun. It is always a smoother trip back, moving with the rolling current.
Phil climbs out at the ladder. Ingrid and I opt for the rocky exit; the mermaid exit. Water is so high that we literally are "lifted and swept" up onto the rocky ledge, where we stand up and follow a slippery path to the towels. As we are drying off, a group of men to our left offer us hot tea, and pass each of us a steamy plastic cup. Next come the grapes. After that, walnuts in the shells. Oh my gosh! Every sip and taste is delightful. "Why does food always taste so good after a swim?" muses Phil. We sip the tea and acknowledge the kindness of these fellow swimmers, feeling a tremendous sense of belonging. Americans or not, air strike or not, we felt welcomed and comforted.
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