home sick? me?

I was talking to Deborah on Skype just yesterday, I was confessing some sadness about not being back in Marin, and how we miss going to Mill Valley Dog Park, as she's been going to Sausalito recently.
I didn't think much about being home sick before, since I've moved around so much. I do remember feeling a sense of calm every time I went home the three and half years I lived in Hermosa Beach. I convinced myself it was the sight and smell of the ocean so close that made me feel warm and fuzzy.


My grandmother Adela would get homesick when she was away from Spain too long. And Deborah mentioned that when she tried to live back in New York, she just couldn't do it anymore. Damn California, you've spoilt us rotten.


However when I first came to live in the USA, I must say, it took me about 3 or more years to not miss Barcelona. Right now, to tell you the truth, I can't stand it; I like going out of the city. Like yesterday morning for example, Albert was going to Vilanova i la Geltru, a large town about 1/2 hour south to film Lost in London, a play by one of his theatre companies, so I tagged along and took Wilbur for a walk on the beach, and it just feels good to be out, away from the tall buildings and traffic. Sorry I forgot to take my camera, but here's a link to Pasifae , she was the wife of Minos, King of Crete, she became madly obsessed with this large white bull; anyway I could see this huge bull sculpture at a distance, right by the water, and I came closer to see that she was actually inside the bull's stomach.

The previous day I was meeting Hugo for lunch, somewhere along the Rambla de Catalunya, which is one of the popular downtown streets. Hugo had been waiting to get his work visa renewed to go back to San Francisco, usually once every three years, this time took longer than in the past (possibly due to furloughs?). We sat outside as the weather was pleasant enough, and order "el menu del dia" which was cream of zucchini and sole with salad. 




After we drove up to Parc Guell for a stroll, this is another of Gaudi's masterpieces, which was supossed to be a whole development of maybe 100 homes and finally only 3 were built. I hadn't been up there in over 20 years, so it was a treat.

where to lay the egg?

...is an old catalan saying, which some would say when speaking of my grandfather who would travel back and forth with the family, hoping for the right place.

Edward and Wilbur on the beach

riera between Calafell and Segur de Calafell

So, as I'm pondering where to (temporarily) land; I'm conflicted between the bucolic life outside of the city, which I have been used to for the past 24 years, and Wilbur would definitely prefer, as a friend of my mother offered me to stay in a duplex home that is near finish remodel for 500 euro/month, in the beach town of Calafell, one hour south of Barcelona, or another friend who offered her apartment in the beach town of Canet de Mar for the same amount, or should I be more practical and stay in the big city where I have more opportunities to find work?


Speaking of work, this morning I was up early for my first interview, I was referred to by Monica, it's to promote the free classes by social security for unemployed people. Sadly I was asked to return once I have my DNI (documento nacional de identidad), which hopefully I will have next week. Actually I had foreseen this, but I thought I should get my feet wet anyway, besides since it's a goverment thing, it can always lead to other better stuff...maybe?

Edward and Wilbur

Monica, Wilbur and me

Last Sunday then Edward and Monica picked me and Wilbur up to go to the town of Calafell to check it out. I had been there a few times 25 years ago, when Jordi was a baby, and the beaches down south, Costa Dorada, are known for taking babies, as the sand is fine and the water shallow, in contrast with the Costa Brava where the sand is rough and very deep waters. But just like everything else, it has changed too, more developed.

calcotada

mmmm!

Anyway, the trip doubled up as a traditional outing to celebrate the beginning of spring onion season, where one town in this area is famous for "La Calcotada". Onions are barbecued or grilled, and dipped in Romescu sauce, and dropped into ones mouth from above. Bibs are very necessary. This dish usually comes with a plenty of others dishes too, usually a platter of a variety of barbecued meats, lamb, rabbit, chicken etc. 

ou esclafat

We decided to try another specialty of the house "ous esclafats" fried egg over house fries and truffle sprinkle, and you smash the egg by cutting it into small pieces in order to mix the flavor. It was delicious, despite my egg allergy. And the "escalibada" which some of you have already tried, are the roasted red bell peppers and eggplant, but in this case they had a round of warm goat cheese in the middle; and I'm telling you, this combo is sooo good.

carrer de la barca 6

After this meal, we went to see the "house" for rent, and for a stroll along the beach strand, where Wilbur enjoyed chasing seagulls and accidentally falling into water that was hiding below a sand dune.


What would you do?