This particular morning, I thought the street sounded a bit crazier than usual, but thought nothing of it … until we heard the sirens stop a little too close to home. Thushan called me out to the balcony to look at the smoke. Yup, way too close for comfort. We walked to the elevator to find it off. Now all signs pointed to “Do not panic. Walk quickly and safely to the nearest exit.” Then, one of the building managers came panting up the stairs to tell us that it is not our building that’s on fire. “No, look.” Right next door:

Sixteen homes and 27 motos, but thankfully zero lives, were lost in the fire.

The day ended on a much more positive note, with green beer in honor of the birthday of one Vintage Cookie (officially, it’s on the 16th but we are 12 hours ahead here so, I mixed the celebration which I think she would have preferred, anyway). I rallied a small gang of “oh yeah, it is St. Patrick’s day, isn’t it?” beer enthusiasts. Turns out none of them were *green* beer enthusiasts. Can’t win them all …

Great conversation flowed easily … good times: