Suddenly I found myself in the middle of two extratropical cyclones
Being in so many places in a short time increases the possibility of unprecedented situations
A nomadic life allows you to experience things that you wouldn't experience if you weren't nomadic. In the past few days, I tasted that in the middle of two extratropical cyclones in two different cities.
On Friday, July 7th, in Porto Alegre, in the southern region of Brazil, there was great tension for the arrival of another extratropical cyclone. Two weeks earlier, the state of Rio Grande do Sul had experienced an extratropical cyclone that caused 16 deaths and left a trail of destruction in dozens of cities.
Several stores didn't even open that Friday. The scene was surreal: I had seen a restaurant the day before and planned to go there the next day. To my surprise, I found closed doors and a car parked in the open area where there should have been tables, chairs, and customers.
At night, the Uber driver who took me to the bar was concerned about my well-being. "Be careful, don't stay in open areas or under trees." Fortunately, it only rained moderately. But I understood the reasons for the local population to be scared.
From Porto Alegre, I went directly to Guarujá to spend a week with my parents, aunt, and uncle at the beach. In the early hours of Thursday, the 13th, I was awakened by another extratropical cyclone, banging on the window of my room like a rude intruder — and mind you, I have the heaviest sleep I've ever seen.
The noise at the window was so intense that I thought it might fall on me. I considered the illusion of being able to sleep in the living room, but the noise and shaking were even worse.
"I've never seen wind of this magnitude," said my 60-year-old aunt, who also came to the living room to see what was happening.
I heard, felt, smelled, observed, and ultimately experienced an extratropical cyclone. During the storm, I had many reflections. It's easy to understand why these events cause so many deaths. If I, in an upper-middle-class apartment, was sure the window could fall on me, imagine what it's like in poor houses on the hill.
The lack of flexibility in work also makes many people face unnecessary risks. Why go to the office on a stormy Friday? I heard about companies that allowed working from home and others that were inflexible.
Scientists warn that phenomena like these are becoming more frequent and intense. After these days, I don't want to live on a planet in climate collapse. The bad news is that maybe I already do.
This terrifying video and sleepless night will be part of my memories in the future. Obviously, an experience like this is not possible only in a nomadic life. But being in so many places in a short time increases the potential for unprecedented situations. And that is fascinating, even though it can be a little frightening.
