A STROLL AT THE LAKE PARK



I am taking you to the Salt Lake Park this morning . I arrived home from the mountains a while ago but the day is so beautiful that nothing can keep me indoors.



My sister drops me off at the starting point of the path by the road that goes to the airport. The other end of the trail extends as far as the old Roman aqueduct of 'Kamares' but I don’t plan to walk all the way out there today firstly because I have to be home for lunch and secondly the path will take me way far from home. I wish I had somebody to walk along….then I would not mind at all.



Purposely I did not take cash with me thinking that if I had it I would probably take a taxi and get home.



I am told that I am going to come across the birds’ observatory on the way,…. I already hear the flamingoes from a distance and see several as well but to my bad luck they are not that close as I expected .



The Salt Lake attracts a large number of migrating birds besides flamingoes and the latter form a blaze of pink as they gather in the centre of the lake. Flamingoes are said to be fed with a kind of shrimp that lives in the salt lake.

Everyone says that this year the population of these birds and flamingoes are thousands. They always come in December and stay till March.

When summer comes the water evaporates leaving a crust of salt and a haze of gray dust by the banks but it is white salt in the centre and it is much… I have a faint picture of how salt was collected when I was a kid. Salt is no longer collected because of the airport which is very close.



I climb up the birds’ observatory for a better view to find that there is hardly any space for me up there . The four men seem professionals judging from their cameras and they are totally absorbed. One lens is particularly huge –a bazooka type of thing. Even if I had the money to buy a similar camera it would be impossible for me to carry!





** In one of the photos you see somebody walking in the water. He was a Russian and was asking if the water is deep. I noticed the tourists could not help and I told him that the waters are shallow, but muddy.

He seemed arrogant and without even thanking me or saying something, he turns and starts walking sideways in the water leaving behind the two ladies who were with him. We all watch him sheer off and for a minute I believe that it won’t be long when he gets stuck in the mud and fall or start calling for help. I remain in the round area for at least 15 more minutes enjoying the beautiful warm day and the bright blue sky but it was already late and I thought it was time to return home . I cast a glance ….he is quite far by now but still walking next to the river bank and always sideways.



I had walked for at least 400 metres in the park when suddenly I hear much noise coming from the lake.

I hurry back as fast as I can but it is too late. Those who were present told me that the Russian had walked that close that scared the birds and of course I lost the best scene!



I was exhausted by the time I got home and disappointed as well, but anyway I might be luckier another day.  

I only hope my photos won’t disappoint you.