May Day

May 1st is a big holiday here - shops and businesses are closed and only restaurants and the like are open.  The schools participate in a big parade from 7am until about 9am and many organizations have a party.

We took advantage of the day off to head to the pool as soon as it opened at 9am.  Imagine our surprise, when we became the 'next attraction' after the parade with a growing crowd of children watching us swimming our laps and playing 'shark in the meadow'.  Fifty became one hundred and more - standing around the edges of the pool barrier, and then sitting on the benches watching, watching (with the odd giggle).  Most were still there when we finished, and only began to drift off when we climbed out of the pool - we were not inclined to linger, although I did joke about a diving exhibition and autographs.  I'm still not sure if they were that short of occupation (probable), or eyeing the peculiar people who were silly enough to swim in cold weather.