Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Journal 2 a Barcelone / 2nd Journal in Barcelona

Wednesday, September 28th 2005

4am Oh man! Can’t I just sleep some more? I’m getting up but I don’t want too. I don’t want to leave those comforting arms. It’s great that I’m goin to Barcelona but I’m not as excited as I should be. As I packed some umbitekook and wekkel (dutch chips), Jan-Kees gave me a box of After Eight, can’t believe he remembered. I told him they were my faverite when he, for some reason, pointed them out at the market few days ago.


It’s 5am as we’re leaving the house, should’ve left at 4:40, my flight’s at 6:20. It’s still dark outside. Got my boarding pass, time to go. Gave Jan-Kees my music note necklase I bought in Poland a year ago. As I gave it to him, I tried to explane what it meant to me and why I was giving it to him but the emotion took my voice. I hope he’ll never forget me as I’ll never forget him. It took all my streigth to keep myself from letting a tear role down my cheek. Bye Jan-Kees, take care of yourself, I’ll miss ya! As I waited in line to pass thru the metal detector, I saw Jan-Kees looking at me, he stayed there until after I passed the metal detector, until he couldn’t see me anymore. That’s it, I can’t anymore, I can’t hold the tears, my eyes are full of salry water. Oh Jan-Kees, how is it possible to meet someone and get attached in such a short period of time. Could you please explane this to me ‘cause I don’t have a clue. Thank you Jan-Kees, thank you for everything I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough.

It’s 5:50am now and I’m waiting for boarding, I’ll send an SMS to Jan-Kees. He answered a few minutes later. I’m so tired and I have a headeache, thank god this flight is only 2hrs. Got myself some Wekkel, I love those mmmmm. No customs as I’m flying within the Shengen so no stamps in my passport L Gotta take the train (2,30 Euros) to Barcelona then, gotta take a bus (1,15 Euros) to Eloy’s place. I’m enjoying the fact that I understand most of the time even Catalan which is similar to spanish. The architecture is beautifull especially the balconys each with a beautifull desing. This bus is goin thru a narrow street which seems to be in vogue in Europe. Eloy’s beeing very nice to me, I have a room of my own and a set of keys. I definetely think I’m goin to go back to MTL now. I’m tired of doing the tourist thing and goin from one city to another.

It’s starting to get dark and I’m walking downtown Barcelona. It’s beautifull! I got myself to a street where there’s a large side walk in the middle where you can find street entertainers, shops, convenience stores, gift stores, etc. Look at there, there’s a food market called La Boccaria, where you can find a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, candies, chocolate, seafood, dry fruits, ect. There’s a distinct smell when you go from one alley to anothere, very nice. This market, reminds me of Le Marche Jean-Talon in Montreal. As I left the market, I saw a stand where they sold Orxata (a typical spanish drink) I had to get myself one. It tastes like sweet skimed milk mixed with coconut juice. After drinking half a small size cup, I couldn’t force myself to drink more. Garbage it is! That was insightfull!

Made a couple of phone calls, as I was talking to Isabelle, a guy came to me and looked like he wanted money or something, I ignored him and he left. No christ! He’s still here! I tought he left me alone. I hung up and when I started walking, he followed me and talked to me, I ignored him but then, he made a violent move as to hit me. No way! I walked to the 4 guys that were talking on the street and explaned the situation the best I could as they didn’t speak english nor spanish, they were Italians, they spoke a bit of french. They talked to the guy and got rid of him. Afterwards, I walked with them for a bit, better play it safe. What? Jan-Kees just SMS me, that’s so sweet of him. He’s the best! How cute can he be?!? No wonder I like him so much. Wanted to eat some spanish food but after what just happened to me, I’m goin at McD’s and back to the appartment.

I called Jan-Kees but I only had 7 mins so he sent me an SMS asking for a landline number where he could reach me. I’m on the bus back to Eloy’s appartment so, I’ll text him when I get there.That’s nice! There’s a church on top of a hill which is very well lit. It produces so much light that you can see a glow surrending it. Wow! Eloy sent an SMS to Jan-Kees for me as I’m out of credit, a couple of minutes later, he called. So sweet! He told me to hold on and give Barcelona a chance, I guess I should but I’m too tired physically and morally. Well, I guess this travel adventure is soon coming to an end.

Thursday, September 29th 2005

They’re making some renovations in the building and it’s keeping me from sleeping. I called British Airways to have my ticket changed for a closer date and to leave out of London instead of Athens. My flight is Athens to London and it’s much less expensive for me to go to London then Athens. What? This is crap! They won’t let me leave from London, I have to go from Athens. Might as well find a cheap flight from here to MTL, will most likely be less. Oh, that’s great! The bus drived didn’t stop for me to get in. Nice! This city’s starting to get on my nerves and wright now, I have a short fuse. Eloy cooked this morning and it was very goo, I really didn’t expect that from him. I’m not as close to Eloy as I am to Jan-Kees. This is crap! To go to Athens, the cheapest flight I found was almost 300$ plus 100$ to change my BA flight is 400$. I found a direct flight from Barcelona to Montreal for ~650$. For only 250 more, I get a direct flight instead of goin Barcelona-Athens, Athens-London, London-Montreal.

I’m really very upset now. I called Isabelle and I was too emotional to keep myself from crying and as usual, she knew exactly what to say to make me laugh. Finally reached my mom who could only tell me to rush home. She says the dogs are waiting for me and that Fanny keeps on goin to my room. I’m taking my spirit up and keep on goin. I’m back on Las Ramblas the street field with flower shops, pet stores where you can buy lezards, iguanas, turtles, mices, rabits, ferets, birds (including chickens incase your planning on opening a St-Hubert restaurant or you want fresh eggs for breakfest, roosters if you need a wake up call – very effective – time? When the sun come up, pigeons as if there weren’t enough on the streets). This street is very lively as you can imagine! Took myself to the market to get some comforting food, chocolate! This chocolate cost me almost 6 Euros for 6 pieces and it’s not even good. This is not my day. I really want to go home.

I walked to the end of the street and when I was walking back, this guy in a car started calling me. I ignored him but then, I saw him park his car. I fled, I went somewhere he wouldn’t be able to see me. This city is becoming very scary to me. All the signs are pointing towards, get out of here, fast! I strolled around the borrow and found a couple squares (piaza). Nice! Ate again at McD’s. It’s bad news when I start to consider McD’s comforting. There are so many street entertainers here, all taking tourists attention. They play statue and when you give money, they move and do something. This guy all in white, is sitting on a toillet bowl with his pants around his ankels and a book in his hands that he pretends to read and when you put money in his jar, he pretends he’s taking a crap and that it smells awfull. Makes people laugh and take pictures like me for example. There’s somking of a Jive, Swing demo tonight so I’ll go. Should be interesting and take my mind off things.

Went back to Eloy’s appartment to get my shoes and info on night busses I can take back to his place. There’s a bus/metro card you can purchase at all metro station thru a machine that you can use 10 times for 1h15min. It’s 6,30 Euros so 0,63 Euros/use (1h15min). Oh! And if you want the bus to stop at the bus stop, you have to make a sign to the driver (why the hell do they have bus stops in that case!?). When I took the bus, I asked the driver to let me know when we get to Vallcarca and he asked me where I was goin, when I told him he let me off at a closer metro station (no need to change). That was nice of him. God I love this pen! I bought a pen earlier today with a note book and it’s great to write with. Well, I’m on my way to the dance school and I forgot my jacket. Ah well!

This was nice, I got to dance with some fairly good dancers most importantly, I got to dance. This is great! On this trip, I got to dance in London, Amsterdam (a suburb – Pomerand) and Barcelona. Gotta luv it! There’s another dance tomorrow and I’m definetely goin, there’s also a workshop on the weekend but I can’t afford to go and it’s Ok. I shared a taxi with a dancer to downtown and now, I’m waiting for the night but which according to the scheduel will be there in 10 mins. It’s not very hot, the wind is cold and I’m tired. I should be in bed in 30-40 mins. I can’t wait! God I love dancing! All this trouble is worth it, if it means I get to dance.

Friday, September 30th 2005

It’s another day in Barcelona. I’m feeling much better today as meeting all those dancers was refreshing. I can’t wait to go out dancing tonight. Trying to sleep in Eloy’s appartment is hard as they’re doing some renovations in the building and the noise starts around 8:30-9 in the morning. I’m mainly having disrupted sleep. Great! Maybe today, I’ll eat something else than McD’s. Good idea! Stoped at this place where they sell baguette sandwiches and pizzas. Got myself a 4 cheeses pizza baguette that I didn’t eat in full as it had blue cheese, the only type of cheese that makes me yeak. Also got a chocolate croissant that didn’t taste so good, all that for the “bargan” price of 9Euros, 7Euros for the “pizza” and 2Euros for the croissant. Hey, wait a minute, that’s not a bargan price, that’s actually expensive. Oh crap! This city got me again, it really hates me!

Bought my plane ticket to London for October 5th. I was surprised to have Justin chat wit me on MSN messenger. It was nice to have news from him, also chatted with Sebastien (a swing dancer from MTL) and my aunt Carla for a bit. Did my usual travel activity, strolled around the city. Still hungry! Found a nice vegeterian restaurant were I got a pretty big fry with ketchup and mayo for 1,80Euros. Getting back to Eloy’s place to get my dancing shoes. He amazes me every day, Jan-Kees just text me saying he’s worried about me and have been trying to call, so sweet. Everytime I think he can’t get sweeter, he suprises me with more sweetness. How can I ever love another man!?! J There’s a lot of people here at the dance, it’s not only swing but C’n’W, latin dances and ballroom dances. They had a show that lasted way too long (1:30-2hrs) and that wasn’t very good. All that time waisted!

Saturday, October 1st 2005

Another month has started as well as another day. Gotta send Jan-Kees’s keys back to him today. The metro here is weird, depending on the line you take, the carts are different. On line 3, you have to push on a handle for the doors to pen if you want to get in or out. Weird! I’ve been in Barcelona 4 days now and all I can think of is goin back to Montreal. I’m goin to London on Wednesday hoping that British airlines will let me go home. I hope London will be nicer to me than Barcelona. I don’t even know how much money I have left.

Sent the keys, finally! Walked around the port. Sails for sale! Loads of freeking sailboats. I’m soooo tired of traveling, I feel I’m not appreciating this city as much as I should, I also feel that it shows in my writhing. I don’t write the same things I use to or give as much details. My feet are hurting from all the walking and I think it’s such a petty as I could do many things. Got myself chips, chocolate and olives, goin to the appartment to enjoy a movie night.

Sunday, october 2nd 2005

There’s some swing dancing outdoors on a square today. I’m gonna go of course! This is realy nice! I love dancing ! It can’t be! Did I just see! So cool! I was dancing when I saw Vincent and his girlfriend. Now, that’s a nice surprise. I’m far away, across an ocean and I meet people from Montreal. This type of thing, can only happen in the swing scene. It’s making me sooooo happy to see familiar faces. Yeah! People I know. The sad part is, they’re leaving tomorrow. Ah well! At lease I get to see them today. What a nice day to dance outside! Well, it’s 2:30 and the dance is finished.

This girl just asked us if we wanted to go eat with them. Good idea, as I’m hungry and I’d like to eat something else then McD’s. Viincent and his girlfriend aren’t coming well, I’ll see them later at the dance in this park at 6:30pm. This nice girl keeps on trying to talk to me but I understand 7 or 8 words out of 10 which is a good average but not always good enough to understand her. It’s nice, we’re 7 people at the restaurant enjoying pizza and pasta. Feels nice to be with a group of people. One of them speaks french and he’s really nice. We try the best we can to understand eachother as we talk together. Well, it’s 4 pm and I’m a bit cold. 2 of the dancers left me at a hostel so I can check it out but it looks a bit sketchy. Took the bus to Eloy’s place. This bus took me to an area I’ve never been, around park Guell which I’ve been told to see. It’s really beautifull.

I spoke with Jan-Kees and he bought a car yesterday. It’s silver, with aluminium rims (like he wanted), it has the CD player he wanted, it’s 3 years old and it has 41 000 km it’s about as old as the first, has 20 000 km more and it doesn’t have the feeling of a new car but it’s cheaper and they gave him more for his used car then the other dealership. I’d say it turned out for the best. Jan-Kees is still a bit upset about the other car but he’ll get over it and see this one as the better option. Anyways, he’s keeping it for 2 years and them he wants to get a new car. I’d say things are goin pretty well for him. He’s quite lucky but he doesn’t seem to realise it.

Well, time to go if I want to stop at the internet to check out on hostels as I don’t know if I’m staying at Eloy’s place tonight or not. Too late! They don’t seem to be there. I somekinda knew it wouldn’t work as there’s a workshop goin on at the same time. I just wish I’d gotten to see Vincent and his girlfriend again. Ah well! There’s another dance tomorrow but they won’t be there. Well, my beeing here in Barcelona might not be a total waist after all. This park is nice. There’s a huge fountain/waterfall as well as a big lake. There’s some people smoking hash and juggling, feels a bit lik the TamTam on the Mount Royal (Montreal). I’m tired! I’m gonna go back to the appartment. Walked by the Arc of triumph seems to me there’s one in every country.

Monday, October 3rd 2005

Eloy got back late last night which let me save another night from the hostel. The girl who stayed here previously, is making trouble apparently so we’re changing the locks. I don’t know if I’m sleeping here tonight or not. This is enoying! I never know when I have to go to the hostel, normally I would just leave but my budget requiers me to try and save as much as possible. Today, I’m goin to try and get myself to that church that glows at night.

Today’s the 1st day I actually feel like doing some tourism. To get to the glowing church, I have to take, the metro, the train, a funicular and a bus which I can all take with my pass. I’m there, weeeee! Well, there’s an attraction park next to the church (as I suspected), it ‘s small and expensive 22Euros per person. The view is magnificent from up here, you can see the mediterrenian sea and the mountains on the other side. There are people living around the funicular and the church/attraction park. It’s sunny with a chilly wind. I think I’ll go downtown take some pictures I’ve been wanting to take since the first day but never got the chance, if I have some time, I’ll go to the beach and I’ll get myself some fries at that veggie restaurant I like.

We’ll see if I have time ‘cause I gotta be back at Eloy’s place by 9 pm to know if I’m staying there or not. On and I also have to check out those hostels I found online. Well, found one of the 2 hostels, it looks ok. Got my fries at Maoz and now, I’m at the beach. Hello Mediterenean sea! This is a beautifull rockless beach. It must be nice to like in a city next to a beach and Jean Dore beach is not a beach, really! Soooooo nice! Well, can’t say I haven’t been to Barcelona!
Finally got myself to take those picture on “something de gracia”. Wow, I’ve done everything I wanted to do today. Tomorrow, I’m goin to go see park Guell, everybody’s been telling me to go and it would be shamefull not to go. Got myself some snacks and I’m goin back to the appartment, it’s a bit early but I’ll take advantage of the time to watch some DVDs. Well, I can stay tonight good, I’m saving 15Euros but tomorrow night, I’ll go to the hostel as it would be problematic for me to leave in the afternoon on Wednesday. Still a good deal for me, I haven’t sleeped in a hostel since London about 2 weeks age. In some ways, I miss it as it is where I meet the most people.

Well, gotta go as there’s a dance tonight. The good thing about me beeing in Barcelona is, there seems to be many dances these days. That was nice but it ended a bit early 12:30/1am. The thing is, as for DJ’s it seems to go from bad to worse. This time, it took 2 to 3 mins for them to put an other song. Ah well, it’s better then notting. Got to speak with Andrew quite a bit. He gave a workshop here this weekend, he’s been travelling around europe giving workshops in every city. That’s nice! Wow, it’s freezing tonight! I have my vest on but I’m wearing a skirt. I just missed the bus so I have to wait half an hour for the next one. I’m also very tired. People have been nice to me these past 2-3 days. Things are goin better but mostly, I’m conserned about my flight back to Montreal.

Tuesday, October 4th 2005

Today seems like a nice hot day, good day to go to park Guell, I mean. If you don’t make a sign to the bus driver when the bus passes by, it won’t stop. I’m walking down onw of many paths within this park and I’m feeling good as the sun keepsme warm. This park was designed by Gaudi and the monuments were built between 1900 – 1914 now this park is considered an important historical site. There’s lots of plants including cactus and palm trees. Once in a while, you’ll stumble in human construction and beautifull panoramic views. Dogs are running around leachless. This little black dog’s been having lots of fun with a rock. Oh crap! I smilled at the owner of that dog earlier and now he’s following me. Didn’t he understand that my interest was purely on the dog. Oh god! He’s talking to me. Ouf! Got rid of him. First, I tempted my chance by speaking french, it’s hard here as we’re so close to France and English is such a universal language. Of course, he had to speak french. I told him my name was Nathalie and that I was from Paris on vacation with my fiance. He still asked me out after I refused, he asked me if I was available tomorrow, told him I was leaving (the first truth I said in the entire “conversation”). He’s finally gone, thank god These old geesers don’t they know that young girls don’t want them unless they’re a celebrity, gorgeous or rich and about to die. Ah well!

As I was walking in the park, I saw a building that looks like a cake stand out of the trees. I walked myself along the paths toward that giant cake another one next to it appeared to me. Nice! I arrived at a panoramic balneare disigned by guess who! No other than Gaudi. It has a long bench all around it which has been designed to follow your back. Very comfortable, tho there’s no cussion. Goin down the stairs towards the cakes, you get to somekinda room field with pillars then, you walk down next to a giant lezard followed by a cascade to find yourself inbetween the cakes. Nice! It’s quite interesting. Enough og this park, gotta go back to the appartment fetch my stuff and get to the hostel. It’s really nice out today. Got myself to a hostel not far from Las Ramblas it’s 16 Euros including breakfest.

The good thing is, when shopping in those souvenir shops held by indians, you get to negociate. A shirt that normally is 12,50, I paid 8 Euros, one that’s 32 Euros I got for 22 I was also offered a hand bag for 15 Euros instead of 29. I’m proud of the savings I made on those 2 shirts. Didn’t get the hand bag. The cheapest way to get some food at Las Ramblas is either McD’s with their specials, Maoz ( the vegeterian restaurant) or going to Champion (a super market) and get stuff there. Tomorrow and Thursday are goin to be long days, very long. Can’t wait to be back in Montreal and relax. I’m gonna go to bed early tonight so I can get breakfest tomorrow morning and get a good long sleep.

Wednesday, October 5th 2005

Didn’t get much sleep as part of the window in the room was missing so we couldn’t close it as it was very noisy outside. I went to bed at 10pm at midnight I still couldn’t sleep after that I didn’t check the time but I probably didn’t fall asleep untill 2 or 3 in the morning. There was a club that playe loud, awfull music, people talking loud and later screaming, the garbage truck I could even hear when they closed the doors to the shops. I was still awake when the bar/club closed.
Now, it’s 11am I’m in a park wearing the same clothes I’ll have on for the next 32-48hrs. I got to mingle with 2 swiss girls in my room who spoke french and I got to eat the “breakfest” that was included, mainly kellogs cereal, biscuits, chocolate croissants and drinks (orange juice, coffee, milk or hot chocolate). Well, it’s better than notting. I’m so tired and I won’t be able to sleep untill I get in the plane to Montreal, hopefully tomorrow.

Great! It’s cold and clowdy today. Well, Jan-Kees is back in Amsterdam, he must be at work. Let’s e-mail him! E-mailed him, he got the painting he wanted and now, he’s back to work. I’m gonna go back to the hostel and rest on one of the couches, I’ll also get myself some fries at Maoz on my way there. Gotta leave this place by 4pm to catch my flight at 7. Got myself a salami sandwich (only bread and salami 2,50 Euros) for tonight or tomorrow. Finally tasted one of those pitas at Maoz, it’s good. They put balls of falafel and salad in a pita before they give it to you and then, you can fill it up with all sorts of stuff on a counter self serve. A bit like subway but you do it yourself. It taste quite good and it’s affordable, about the only thing that is in this city.
This is most certainly the most expensive city I’ve been in, more than Rome or Amsterdam of course, less than London if you count the exchange reat but even then, I’d say they’re pretty close. I think that goin to London to get my passport stamped is what drained my bank account. Notting much I can do about it now. I’m at the airport of Barcelona. I was lucky as when I left the hostel, the bus was right there and I only waited 5 mins for the train. My flight leaves in 1hr and I have a five euro bill left (which I hope to exchange for pounds once in London), 17 Euro cents, 18,26 pounds, 15 CAD and some Zloty coins which is worth notting outside Poland. Wow, I’m rich!

I’m hoping that by this time tomorrow, I’ll be on a flight back to Montreal. I’ve got 2 small pieces of umbitekoek left for tomorrow morning, got some chocolate hoping it’ll help me stay awake all night. That’s nice, I left my pillow on a seat somewhere, it’s only a pillow (thank “god”) but I like it when on the plane. I’m alwready tired from not sleeping much last night. Hopefully, I’ll be able to take a nap on this short flight (2hrs). I just can’t wait to be back in Montreal. I’m just tired of travelling. It’s good if you have one destination in which you plan to stay for awhile but not when you’re goin from city to city. I don’t know how those backpackers do it. Really!
I feel a bit ashame to be goin back so soon. I really wanted to stick it out for awhile. You’d probably say that 4 months is awhile but I was more thinking in terms of years. Well, I guess I can go on with other plans such as language classes, getting a laptop, studying the ocean, road-trip in the southern states with Isabelle, getting my visa and move to Australia for a year then maybe go to Asia and teach. There’s so many things I want to do. I’ll get there! I will!

It’s 15 past 11pm and I’m at the Heathrow airport. When I got myself to Gatwick, I went to BA and asked to change my ticket. The guy at the counter told me there was no space untill October 8th, I asked about a stand by ticket and he said I would have to see at the BA counter in Heathrow. So here I am but the counter is closed and doesn’t open ‘till 5:30am. I’m sooooo tired and I can’t sleep as I have to keep an eye on my luggage. 6h and 10 mins untill they open. The coach to get here was 18 pounds. I changed my 5 Euro bill and got myself a sandwich, chips (or crisp as they call it) and coke for 2,89 pounds so now, I have 1 pound and some change left. Great!

The price to change my flight ticket is double what my mother’s boyfriend said. At the price this is all costing me, it would’ve been much cheaper and less of a hasell to get a one way to Athens and then a one way back to MTL from wherever I am. Really! I’m never booking flights with him again. I’ll do everything on my own thru the internet. I have such a headeache, I hope I’ll be able to get a seat for me tomorrow. I don’t want to stay here 2 more nights. Tried to reach my mum a couple of times. I’m sitting on a bench reading Da Vincy’s code that Kelee’s Boyfriend gave me as he left the Pink Palace. Some guys are sleeping on benches but I can’t, gotta keep an eye on my luggage.

Thursday, October 6th 2005

It’s 5am, I’ll go to the bathroom and freshen up as much as I can, I’ll change my shirt at lease. Got a bit of food including chocolate to keep me awake. I wonder if I could find some umbitekook in Montreal. I’ll definitely miss it. Man, this is long. If I get to take the flight to MTL today, as I’m hopping, I’ll have to wait untill 5:30pm to leave and I’ll get home at 7:30 MTL time (12:30am London time). Groovy! At lease, I’ll get to sleep on the plane. Sleeeeep, ahhhhhhh! Can’t wait to go home, I’m so exhausted!

Weee! Got my ticket home for today and it costs half of what the guy at Gatwick was goin to charge me. Gotta call my mum. Men this flight was long. I was unable to sleep as I was sitting next to old folks that smelled really bad. Now that’s my luck!! Can’t believe how much weight my mother took, looks good on her! Finally home! Well see you guys soon! ;)

No comments: