Rain!

Yesterday, after a late lunch at a tiny restaurant in the city of Capri (pleasant, delicious but stunningly expensive) we opted to relax on the hotel veranda with bruscetta, mozzarella, prosciutto and a bottle of chianti. We struck up a conversation with a young Irish couple and watched, somewhat in awe, as they decimated the hotel's supply of Budweiser. Marlena informed us that John had insisted the hotel she selected had to have a pool, be on, or very near the water, have air conditioning and sell Budweiser! When our Argentine waiter, Diego (who speaks five languages, including english) informed them that cupboard was bare of Bud, they grudgingly switched to Heineken and downed another four bottles apiece.

We made no attempt to keep up!

Their delightful, but thick brogue was a challenge to understand and grew more so with each round of beer. Both had been to the U.S. on brief holidays and were very pro American, but were utterly mystified that an otherwise seemingly intelligent nation of people could elect George Bush to any public office whatsoever! Twice! "And now that we know what an moron he is, why don't we just throw him out!"

I had no answer for them. Who can explain President Dumbster!

Fortunately, the days increasing humidity finally produced the inevitable thunderstorm - with a near tropical downpour and spectacular lightning show. Looking south, over Marina Piccolo, was like watching Fourth of July fireworks, without the colors.

The storm cleared the air and the starry sky that followed was almost as impressive as the lightning. But at dawn the sky was largely overcast and by 8:30 another deluge began. Yesterday's calm seas have been replaced by a nasty chop, so our plan to visit the Blue Grotto will have to wait for better conditions. The Grotto excursion boats, which pick up their passengers at a rocky point, just below our hotel, are all riding at anchor - unable to negotiate the tiny entrance in these rough seas. The sun broke through, just before noon, but the humidity is climbing and the clouds are building, so I expect more rain before the day is done. The public beach just below the hotel, packed yesterday, with day-trippers, is virtually deserted today.

Looks like today is "hang at the hotel" day.