Day 1 (or 6)
Sunday, September 13th, 2009Ok, so I sort of borrowed the blog title from a certain well-loved movie. But I’m really bad at naming things. Except, of course, when it comes to applying new monikers to people whose names need some fine-tuning — Troll, Chipmunk, Stay Puff (whose doughiness seemed to expand when he got mad). In any case, it suits me perfectly — me, my many selves (no, I’m not insane, just multifaceted) and an incredible city.
The beauty of Barcelona is difficult to describe. The intricate architecture, the patterns carved into the sidewalks, the constant play of shadow & light, the……oooh, H&M! Yes, I know I can go to H&M at home but I didn’t bring sunglasses and it’s really, really bright. Maybe just a quick look…
Now, adorned with huge new shades (an undisclosed amount of time later), I blend in with the effortlessly chic style of the local women – hobo bags, eclectic accessories, bohemian ease & flow – or so I will continue to tell myself each time I look in the mirror to find these glasses attempting to swallow my face.
Most evenings I’ve spent sampling tapas on La Rambla, the local pedestrian walkway, observing, absorbing the slowly shifting light, natural softness to an artificial glow as the bulbs under the canopies begin to buzz, cigarette smoke swirling, walking, talking, sangria and beer, the woman in the wheelchair with her missing teeth and leg brace and animated exchanges with anyone who looks her way (or doesn’t), the smile that doesn’t leave her face. Drink the wine, feel the warm night air, eat the gelato….aaah.
crystaln