sábado, enero 04, 2003

So many happenings!!

Barcelona has been very welcoming to Mark and I. It's one of those places that is ever the same and yet it exudes vibrancy and life in every breath. We've caught up with many people but life goes on very much as it always does. A couple of new details here and there- one is in love, another is out, one is looking for something new in her life, another went away for a time but is happy to return to the same life that she had before and yet another is finally planning a move to another country. The same food, the same wine, the same clubs...everything the same and yet how glorius! It is a sameness that I wouldn't mind returning to.

I've planned my days around food (today is Maoz for falafel and the Biocenter for a vegetarian buffet). We've eaten fresh and beautiful calamari everyday. We've drunk more wine than I've drunk in the last 6 months..truly, this morning I feel as if I'm swimming in a vat of wine. Last night we polished off 3 pitchers full after an evening of drinking.
Truly a life of excess for a week and a half- if I've over-indulged it is so that I may re-stamp everything onto my memory.

I'm so happy to have returned to this country, this city which I love so much. Barcelona was a home to me like no other. The people are some of the best in the world. I've heard that Catalans are a cold people, but I've found them very warm and welcoming. If anything, occasionally TOO welcoming (damn insistent sometimes!) Thank you BCN for being home to me. (If only I could have had working papers too...) :-P

It's Saturday today, and on Monday I leave for Japan to see Junsuke- my favorite student/adventure partner ever!!

-yes, I have paused to reflect on the comedic aspects of my going to Japan and hanging out with a bunch of teenagers. Grin. Of course one of those teenagers was the only person I knew as crazy as I was in all of our adventures! Junsuke, if you read this, Thank you for everything. Teaching in New Zealand was a huge culture shock for me and you made it bearable. I'm very glad that we're friends. I would have a lot less adventure sports under my belt without you. We had great times!!

This has been the best vacation ever.