Tossa de mar-Day two

This town is peaceful. Nothing is hurried. No one is pretentious. The nights are silent with the exception of the crashing waves that can be heard from my hotel window. Time seems to have no meaning except the hours are announced by the church bell. The waves are unexhaustable and perfect. I explored the castle yesterday afternoon, even after negotiating with myself that I would save it for today.

From barcelona

Then, after dinner last night I explored it again and then AGAIN after a walk up the beach. I can’t seem to get enough of the serenity I feel when I am near it. I attempted to take some self portraits, which I will share with those who are questioning if I am truly in Spain or if I decided to be held up in my bedroom for the duration of two weeks.

From barcelona

The structures here are like visions you see on postcards. They have character and charm and they instantly invite you in with their warmth. I can't seem to take enough pictures. As soon I as promise myself ENOUGH, there is another structure far to beautiful to pass up.

From barcelona

Largely a tourist town, the towns people are not necessarily rude, but certainly not embracing as I had hoped for. I have yet to find this on the trip and I wonder if my look of loneliness does not cause them to run the other way. I feel like laughing and that is one emotion so hard to do when you do not have someone else around. In my head I seem to be making continuous lists of the pros and cons of traveling alone. (pro: You get to make all the decisions of where to go, what to eat, when to wake up without interference from someone with much stupider ideas) (con: You only have your voice to hear in the you head and after awhile, I must admit, does get annoying. For those of you who made this discovery years ago, I do apologize).

From barcelona

I decided I do want to go to the futbol match tomorrow and so I booked a hotel for tomorrow, went to the bus station to purchase my ticket to Barcelona and canceled my accommodation here for tomorrow evening. I just felt that when I had purchased the ticket, it was what I was supposed to do and I am attempting to no longer interfere with fate. As controlling as I am, this is much easier said than done. Everyone around here is getting very excited about the match. Banners of all shapes and sizes are making their appearance in windows, across balconies and on cars.

While wandering in and out of shops today I kept hearing songs like “My name is Luka” or “Manic Monday”. I felt like I was stuck in the 90’s and desperately wanted to crawl forward to more modern music, but just as I thought that George Michael came on the radio and could only roll my eyes.

I went on a hike today (note to self: bring hiking boots next trip/adventure). I asked a local to tell me a great place to go and they pointed me in this direction: To the side of the castle (which I vowed to not take any more photos of. Yet. Broke that vow within five minutes when I saw it from another angle) I wandered up, up, up this hill. The views were spectacular. Breathtaking. And then I wondered why are the best views from higher up and what if that is the reason we (I) always think that this mountain or that mountain will have something better to offer. I continued thinking about that whole theme on my way down the hill. Why is going down hill so much easier and isn’t there a lesson to be learned in all of this? If we (again I) want better views, climb the mountain, but know that other mountains will have equal if not better views and (by this time, I know I have lost at half dozen of you, namely Joe, who is likely calling me a hippie right now) the air will be easier to breathe, and the grass will be greener only until we (yes, I) see that other mountain or snow covered peak…constantly searching…seeking…anyway, as I transcended, the thoughts just raced through me.

From barcelona

This part of the blog is written to you as I am three (maybe four) sheets to the wind. I spent the evening in a local bar (bar josep) with a group of attractive and unattractive Spaniards. I am only drinking Jack-n-cokes while I am on vacation, but it's funny. You have to actually say you want a "jack daniels and coke-a-cola" when ordering or they look at you strangely. At the bar, one man, who had wished I could stay until tomorrow night to watch him play the guitar, flattered me by announcing he liked woman such as myself, but he quickly realized that I liked the younger variety as I kept looking toward a much more handsome (and inexperienced) patron. As the older (wingman) left the bar, I am certain that he spoke to the young man in Spanish or Catalan or whatever language they speak so gracefully, to make a move on me. The shy young one, did no such thing. As I left, I felt the disappointment in his eyes that I did not pursue further. I admit, that like Scarlet (as some of you have indicated) i like the attention of a fine looking man. But, as Ashley has just pointed out to Scarlet in the portion of the book I am on, men (such as him) could never be enough for her as she desires their full attention. Anyhow, I left the bar and wandered to the beach, stopping off for a desert (happened to be dinner) and took myself to the sand to eat the scrumptious treat.

The Mediterranean sea is colored in greens...to be specific, jade and emerald (just like in Steel Magnolia, her colors for pink were "blush and bashful"). It is a gorgeous combination of colors, marrying themselves together, forgetting to draw distinct lines. They merge as lovers should, as one. I had almost forgot, until tonight, to dip my feet into the ocean. I can proclaim that the Mediterranean Sea feels much like the Pacific Ocean...wet. But now, thanks to my memory kicking in, I can attest to the fact I have touch my glorious feet into this emerald/jade water.

From barcelona

Tomorrow my plan is to enjoy this region a bit more before boarding a bus to Barcelona. I will attend the Futbol Match and then chose my next destination. I have no idea what is next. My plan is to go to the train station and book whatever train they suggest. I will keep you posted on the progress. I am very much enjoying this way of travel. Aside from my loneliness, I am having a remarkable time.

From barcelona