Completion of my collection - Day 7

October 5, 2018

I was up past 3am...back at hostel too late and just wired a bit. So...I slept in until 10:30.

Another restless sleep, don’t know what’s up with me.

I started by booking reservations at the different sites and museum that I wanted to visit. La Segrada Familia only had a 3pm on Saturday, guided. I booked it only to receive an email telling me that the last booking had been make and the next one was October 8th. UUGGHH!! I should have booked earlier but there were Extenuating circumstances.

Next, I tried for Parc Guell and Saturday was only available at 8 or 8:30am...seriously. So, I biked 9:30 on Sunday but Judith would not be able to join :-(

Finally, Picasso Museum, was my target. There was much availability so I decided to go quickly It was 11am and I booked for 1pm. I quickly readied myself and headed out. I took the metro as I had the card and that would be quick enough to allow for some food. I exited the Gothic Quarter and found a cafe for a quick dish of fried potatoes with 2 fried eggs on top, interesting.

At 15 minutes until 1pm, I headed to the museum. I snaked the quarter instead of the Main Street, much more interesting. The terraces, hanging plants, shops and cafes are so cool.

Having seen the series on Picasso recently, I had perspective on the art and it’s transition I wouldn’t normally have. I appreciated the different periods as I knew the story behind them without reading the passages. I did read them anyway. I will say that the museum weaves the story well. You will not find the most famous pieces but this history is important for and fan. There were a few, one of which is a fuitbowl in a cubist take on it. Having lived in the land of the Dutch, I had seen many in the realist viewpoint and this was something different. Another favorite was his take on a Velasquez masterpiece, Las Meninas?

No photography...no surprise here. I did buy a great book of his life and work, along with a print of the Fruit Bowl :-)

The alleys revealed a store front I called into. There was a really cool hoodie...I’m a hoodie guy. It turns out that this store showcases a few Catalan designers. I inquired but this was the last, an XL. I tried on one of the designers business casual shirts, very cool but not me. So...I asked to try on the hoodie. The pieces run small ( European ) and the XL might be fine with a shirt underneath. I do live in a place with extended winter. It was a good relaxed fit...whoohoo! The sales person told me that the designer only makes small collections and this one only had 1 of each size. So I have one of 4, that’s it. Wow! It was a reasonable price for such a special piece so, I’m happy with it and I will certainly be unique.

Ambling through the quarter, I happened upon a charming cafe (Bornet). I went in to check out the treats and decided to stay for a snack and drink. Wow, what great food, drink, and atmosphere...lounge music in the background. I had carrot cake with real cream cheese frosting ( an anomaly in Europe ), and a drink (gin, bitter ciao, lemon, and mint.

I messaged Judith and we met up at the park near one of the universities off the Gran Via. It was tucked away behind the buildings so very quiet. We had a nice chance to work continue our conversation and for me to get to know Abigail a bit she such a friendly child and so quickly was saying my name and interacting with me. She even made me a little leave sandwich. She’s so cute.

I watched it back to her hotel and then return to mine. I have a good hour to flags take my shoes off before I did it to clean up and get ready for another union.

I went to meet Judith in front of the hotel and we would take an Uber to the restaurant where we were meeting Natasha and Bart. She was running late and actually bar was running late also. By the time Judith got that front wheel only had about 10 minutes. I called for the Uber but after five minutes they have not responded. I tried to cancel but even that get no response. I started trying to find a cab. There always seems to be in your way do you need one and then you can’t find one at all. We started walking towards the restaurant… At least we thought. Eventually we were able to find a taxi but he seemed uncertain of where we were going. Ellen not touch her know we would b there always seems to be in your way do you need one and then you can’t find one at all. We started walking towards the restaurant… At least we thought. Eventually we were able to find a taxi but he seemed uncertain of where we were going. I let Natasha know that we were going to be quietly as the issue with the Uber in the taxi were causing delay. At 8:15 I’ll let her know that the taxi driver was lost but we were trying to get there. The drama ended when we got out of the taxi not knowing exactly what we were but somewhere near. We walked around in a big circle, honestly found the restaurant 30 minutes late

If it wasn’t for the fact that bar knew someone at the restaurant from the gym, they would’ve asked them to leave. What a rough start to the evening. It was really amazing after all these years to easily connect us once again after experiencing a day traveling in Israel together.

We talked about what is been going on in each others lives to get us to this day. Each of us that our story. The chart about the universal commonality of travel and it’s effects on people, what I can give you, and how you should treat it in return.

Natasha asked me about five favorite countries and I had to think about it but wanted the ones listed to be represented well. I listed my second home, Netherlands, also Austria, Ecuador, New Zealand, and St. Lucia, And honorable mention must go to the Faroe Islands for all the for all that they have given me.

Natasha talked about her relationship coaching and Bart talked about his MBA counseling. They both seem to be doing very well and life is good. I’m happy for them.We had an evening of amazing vegetarian food at flax and Kale, a flexitarian restaurant. Place was filled and everyone was enjoying the evening‘s meal. We did as well. I had a zucchini carpaccio, Cheese filled ravioli’s with walnuts cream sauce and roasted Pear. And then I had thinly sliced eggplant with cheese with mushrooms. For dessert I had a couple bites of Barts apple crumble.

We talked almost midnight, Judith left about an hour earlier. Part was very tired and fading fast but Natasha and I could’ve kept going. I was trying to get to sleep earlier tonight as last night was at 3 o’clock. It took a taxi back for a very reasonable five euro and brought my evening to an end.

I’m so touched by the willingness the people who have been in my life for a very short amount of time, or even just a few years would Take the time for me. It means so much that they did. I did make an impression and it was real. It is real.