Life As Canvas

I stocked up on all of the French treats I’ve been missing and made for Barcelona, my last stop before Bangkok. In the train my Frenchy lover and I watched France melt into Spain and I silently said goodbye to that country that ever pulls me back. I will see you again. A bien tôt.

Heavy rain flooded down the sides of the train windows, rendering the passing red tile rooves and green trees a moving blur of color. But rain gave way to wide open clean sunny blue and Barcelona seemed to welcome us into its sparkling streets. What a city! It’s almost shocking to go from the unpaved hot grime of the streets in Ecuador to the cool ones of Barcelona. From taxi drivers like vultures upon us to ones snoozing in Mercedes, not caring too much whether we want a ride or not. From women with babies strapped to their backs in traditional blankets to la mode en talons. From 4 Dollars a night to 50 Euros a night. I took advantage of the rare chance to spend an afternoon in such a glitzy city, going all-out. Sushi for lunch, Gaudi in the afternoon, long walks along tree-lined streets, beautiful steaks for dinner, high quality sheets when I turned out the light.

The next day, tears at the airport. Goodbye. My French magnet goes back to work and I continue on. What a path we’ve walked together.

On the plane I struck up a conversation with a German man (perfect English, of course) who asked what I was up to and when I told him about my travels he told me this:

“When I was your age I could have done what you are doing. But I bought a car instead. (thoughtful pause) Now I am 40 years old and I am married and I have to work. I can only travel for two weeks at a time, maybe three. I like my job but I can only do it for ten more years. I told my wife ten more years. I’m going to Thailand on vacation because I like to travel. I’m going because I am empty. In the end, the money doesn’t matter.”

He didn’t say it sadly or dramatically, but thoughtfully. I don’t know what I think about the last sentence. I think it matters when you have a life dream in mind and need to work towards it. But it was nice to hear him say what he said rather than asking when I might get around to getting on with life. He understood what I am doing and, though he’s a stranger, that reassured me.

In the plane I slept well.