I landed in Vancouver on Tuesday, staying with my mother in Squamish until she and Victor (he also landed here on Thursday) find a little time to drive me down to Seattle, so I can pick up a rental to get Wilbur and myself to California.
It was all very sudden, and very sad; I had no idea the people around me would have such an adverse reaction to my departure,tears, love, and even fits. I didn't plan it this way of course, although I was very open about the likelihood of it, no one said or insinuated I should stay, so I didn't think it would matter much…it did... I'm sorry, but who knows, nothing is set in stone. Edward was torn; I knew he was gonna miss Wilbur, he is very loving of animals, I just didn't realize how much. Despite his lifestyle, he was the best room mate, at least for me, we never fought about anything at all, or got in each others way. It was a hassle having to "disappear" every time his girlfriend came over, because of her allergies, but other than that we were like old shoes, just comfortable, and his love of Wilbur was the best part, every other room mate would either ignore him, or complain about him or any pet hair.
It was a series of unfortunate events that made me pick up the phone and call KLM, and once I hung up I felt very sad.
First was the let down with "ecologistas en accion", even as I was going, I knew it was not gonna be the same as the year before, that had been such an amazing experience, and although there were most of the same people, everything else was lacking, the organizers, different ones this year, couldn't even see it despite complaints; the river wasn't there, so we didn't have a visual cause, something to hold us together, no leaders or sweepers, people going in different directions and getting lost, just chaotic in general. That's not to say there were good moments, of course, the people are still great, but the problems were getting to be more than the fun, and I didn't want to bring anybody down by pointing out all those things, so on day 3, having arrived in Cifuentes, after having a lovely lunch with Marisa, I took a bus to Guadalajara, another to Madrid and yet another to Barcelona.
Next day, I went to the Registro Civil (Government), as I had received a letter from them requesting I bring them my father's paperwork. Now I will remind you this was the reason I was not able to process the spanish citizenship 35 years ago, as I have never met the man, don't know if he is dead or alive or where in the world he may be. I was told before getting started with the paperwork last year that this is no longer a requirement and that I had enough with my mother being spanish. They said if I had good lawyers it would not be a problem, which you can understand how that infuriates me, just that if you're rich you can get away with anything, otherwise "fuck you".
Then as this was boiling in my head, I called Victor in order to let out some steam, and he informs me that he needs to go to Vancouver asap to sort out some personal business, and since he is the only person who is able and willing to help me get all my stuff to the airport by 4am, I would have to wait for him to get back. But no guarantee of when, and since Edward's brother, Henry and his family are going to be occupying my mother's house till September, I would have to wait till after they left.
Also in previous weeks I had sent out feelers to several friends about the month of August, as this is a month that Spain stands still, what businesses are still left after/during the crisis are closed for summer vacation, everyone vanishes, and I was not able to get any straight answers, and was a bit concerned of being idle for so long. Of course I enjoy swimming in the beach, but I would go early in the mornings, as dogs are not allowed when the sunbathers are around. So…here I am.
I will be forever thankful of those who made my stay all that more enjoyable, #1 Edward, #2 Victor; the neighbors: Sr Isidoro, Zaira, Ana and other premianencs; as my son put "exceptional" people: Jordi Gascon, Maite and Xavi; the weekend saviors: Carme and her dog Nala, Alicia, Berta and Eloi; those linedancing folks: Merche, Tere, Rosa, Gloria, Carmenes; Albert, who despite being so busy always checked up on me; Esther and her entire culé family; my english students: Maria, Natalia, Lidia, Jordi and Hector, my new "eco" friends that inspire me so: Marisa, Annelies, Paca, Concha, Iosu, Maria Antonia, Mamen, Jon, Diego, Lidia…the list goes on…love you all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hZrXdJ-ibo
that's centigrade, translates to 98.8 F...I guess it's no surprise to anyone, at least anyone reading this blog, the weather itself is an adventure anywhere you are; that was last week, it's cooled off a bit, for a few days anyway, it hailed 6cm diameter (2.3") a couple of days ago, breaking historical records of destroyed crops.
Back to me now, I'm getting ansi to get busy with the new future enterprise, as I feel this whole experience has been like a long vacation, I cheap one at that; I had the same feeling when I was living in Hermosa Beach (91-94), perhaps it's because I'm so close to the beach. However I just scrolled down my old posts and I'm in awe of how much has happened around me and in my head too. A week ago I was ready to call the airline and change the date of my return, particularly during the dinner party to celebrate the end of country line dance classes, while I have a great time dancing with these people, that is the only thing I share with them. It was a potluck and I refused to chip in 5 euros for the purchase of plastic plates, silverware, papers napkins (all non recycled) and corporate sodas, no one could be bothered with the "inconvenience" of bringing these items from home, but I did, and created a bit of a stir. But then last Monday evening I ran into Angel and his dog Max at the beach, I hadn't seen them since last summer, we began to talk about Maxs' diet, as he seems slightly chubby, one thing led to another, turns out he was part of Transition Towns London when it was starting and he was living there, he began a green basket coop 3 years ago here in Premia (there's a waiting list now), he's involved with "indignats" Premia, created a "time bank", but has been to busy lately to follow up on it as he's working for an energy coop. So I went to meet these people as instructed last Wednesday, only to find that they were just deciding to pick it up in September, as the summer holidays are here; again I'm confused, how do you take vacation from being "indignat"?
While I'm still teaching english to old and new people, I said good-bye to Maria, my most regular student, who by the way, did pass her KET exam, and I was very happy for her, I believe the only reason her family had doubts (I had non) was because when her dad took her to the big city, at 10yrs, she was dwarfed by all the 15 and 16 yr olds taking the test with her. I didn't tell her for sure that I wouldn't be here when she comes back after the summer, on the one hand because she seemed too sad with that idea, on the other hand because "who knows"? I sorta have similar problem with my friends, as they're always asking if I'm still thinking of leaving.
In the meantime, I went with Edward, as he needed to collect a press release for his magazine See barcelona, to the recently open Cannabis Museum of Barcelona. Just the restored building Palau Mornau is reason enough to see, but the exhibit I also found fascinating, one hall has fabrics, another old medicine bottles, and famous people from Shakespeare to John Wayne. No sample to take home, but a brochure, and one of those fun picture taking thingamajigs which let's you email yourself. Check it out.
Afterwards we walked the neighborhood a bit, so he could get a sense of who is still in business, and if there were any new ones for possible customers. We ran into this intriguing open doorway with no signage, but an obvious and recognizable art bench, the Enric Miralles Foundation.
A pre-existing huge ceramic store, that I had never seen before, because of it's location I guess, 30 years ago Escudellers street was the epicenter of low life and prostitution. Art Escudellers
Last night the pirates came back, as once again the festivities are here, you can see it better on this news clip
And just six days away from going to Soria, to mee up with ecologistas en accion for the ecomarcha, this time I will get there by train and bus, and leave Wilbur here, as he's not allowed on the bus. I'll catch up with you again after I come back.
love to all
I landed in Vancouver on Tuesday, staying with my mother in Squamish until she and Victor (he also landed here on Thursday) find a little time to drive me down to Seattle, so I can pick up a rental to get Wilbur and myself to California.
I will be forever thankful of those who made my stay all that more enjoyable, #1 Edward, #2 Victor; the neighbors: Sr Isidoro, Zaira, Ana and other premianencs; as my son put "exceptional" people: Jordi Gascon, Maite and Xavi; the weekend saviors: Carme and her dog Nala, Alicia, Berta and Eloi; those linedancing folks: Merche, Tere, Rosa, Gloria, Carmenes; Albert, who despite being so busy always checked up on me; Esther and her entire culé family; my english students: Maria, Natalia, Lidia, Jordi and Hector, my new "eco" friends that inspire me so: Marisa, Annelies, Paca, Concha, Iosu, Maria Antonia, Mamen, Jon, Diego, Lidia…the list goes on…love you all.
