Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Just a girl in a red dress dancing

This evening there was a tremendous, but brief, thunderstorm. The rain poured off the roofs so hard that it looked like rivers, but we didn't mind as just as it started we reached our very favourite restaurant - family-run Spanish with great fish - and were able to watch it all from inside, with the waiters laughing. When we left, the air was so clear it almost hurt - you know the way it can be just after torrential rain? The clouds had gone lemon-coloured in the very last sunlight and all you could hear was swifts screaming. Walking home we looked up at St. Nicholas Church tower as something scarlet moved suddenly. It was a girl - high up, leaning against the balustrade - and dancing. She wore a bright red dress and waved her arms in the air as though she was conducting the whole crazily beautiful city. Some final rays of sunshine hit her and lit her up, and she threw her arms up in the air in sheer joy. Yes, I know she could have been high, or a bit drunk, or a show-off or simply crazy, but it looked as if - and I believe - she was just high with the happiness of being here on such a glorious, perfect evening. I love this city.

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