August 2010

[Sweder]

No more running to report in August; there's way too much surreality going on, real parallel universe stuff. An expedition to track down a Guinness in Salvador lead me to a bar straight out of Twin Peaks complete with freakish occupants, bizarre features and spine-chilling atmosphere. More of that anon (when I finally get into September).

This morning I looked out of my window to see a riderless horse plodding along the street. This beast lives in a rundown shack up the hill and is, so far as anyone knows, a free agent. He's a little on the skinny side but seems happy enough. Every day he trots out into the highway (where auto-mayhem ensues) to access the slightly greener grass on the roundabout. He proceeds with the air of one who has a devine right to roam, oblivious to the angry fists and latin curses filling the warm Bahian air.

Meanwhile the World Dental Congress opened today. Last night, with 14 hours to go, the venue decided to test the brand new water-based cooling system with disastrous results. Around 16 lakes appeared - on carpets, booths, equipment - and it seemed we'd have to cancel the opening. I stood still whilst the event organiser wept gently into my shoulder and the venue coordinator, dashing in his big floppy shoes, red nose and curly wig, proceeded to wonder who was at fault. I took my client gently by the arm and fed her ice-cold Bohemia pilsner and cheeseburgers until the colour returned to her cheeks and she felt well enough to return to the fray. The local crew pulled an all-nighter and voila! We're up and running and highly regarded with lines of visitors queueing around the block to come see the latest instruments of oral torture and gum disease prevention. Welcome to my world of infinite glamour and prestige.



'If you build it, they will come'.
We did, and they have.
Salute!