With my next paddling destination only a stones throw away I was eager to get into training, however with the course undergoing some maintenance work I had to settle for couple of days hanging out in Barcelona. Tough life right.
I was very grateful to Ada for hosting me in her apartment. Ada is a senior surgical registrar who was working in Tauranga for a few years. She quit her job and moved to Barcelona with her beautiful golden retriever Earnest to live the local life and learn Spanish. Ada is one of those extremely interesting people who seem to have fit a thousand different lives into one with plenty of wisdom gained and stories to tell along the way.
Prior to Ella’s departure to Mallorca we went for Tapas near the Barcelona Cathedral. Here we planned to meet Ellas friend from NZ Natalie. We asked Ada for instructions to give Nat to which she replied, “There is only one cathedral”. Simple enough, however, for the tourist mind we concluded she meant La Sagrada Familia and told Nat as much. We soon found out there is truly only one cathedral and no it is not Sagrada Familia.
All too soon it was time for Ella and I to say goodbye. I’m very aware how lucky I am to have a sister that I love having around and will miss so much. We wont see each other until November in the Cooks. So yes I cried.
I had been to Barcelona for only a fleeting visit a few years ago so there was plenty more exploring to do. Typically not one to idly let my days go by I developed a morning routine walking Earnest around the local parks while taking in the sights. Earnest is a very well natured happy doggo but bless him he cant drink from water fountains so I looked every part the crazy dog lady filling bags with water and holding them up for Earnest to drink out of.
What I love most when travelling is spending time with locals who can take you to their favourite spots and show you parts of a city off the usual tourist track. Somehow though we did manage to end up in a 30min line at a Ramen restaurant. The moment the doors opened it was instantly full with a raft of people remaining ready to take the next available seats. Have to admit it was delicious and well worth the wait, they are certainly doing something right in food and business.
Ada had heard about a Vincent van Gough exhibition in town, which we ventured to. An impressive immersive experience where his paintings were brought into 4D. I learnt a lot about his life story and how his art style and productivity changed through his mental state – far more than my prior knowledge of him chopping off his own ear. His works and life were presented via correspondence he shared with his brother Theo providing insights into his thoughts and person. In one letter he wrote “In my view I’m often very rich, not in money, but rich (although not every day exactly) because I’ve found my work – have something which I live for heart and soul which gives inspiration and meaning to life”. An important lesson to all in what can sometimes feel like an insignificant life.
And so the art education continues.
Often the best laid plans fail. No different was my last night in Barcelona where Ada and I tried to take Earnest to the park to enjoy some live Jazz music. We were met by a guard at the gate ushering everyone out of the park. He got distracted while taking pictures for a group of people allowing a few tourists to sneak inside resulting in quite the entertaining chase down and confusion from the tourists end. Instead we wandered toward the Placa Reial while stopping to listen to street performers along the way.
Although another fleeting visit I reinforced my appreciation for Gaudi’s work and Barcelona in general. Certainly one of my favourite major cities. Meanwhile Earnest brought back my desire to get a dog myself. Unfortunately with the life I am living its not feasible to give a dog the time and care it would deserve, maybe I can work on mum and Dad for shared custody – but given Ella’s two cats are currently under their charge I might be pushing my luck.
Time to head to La Seu D’Urgell to get stuck into training!
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