I like this beach. It is not incredibly attractive (especially after being in Cadiz) but it's big, relatively clean, people are playing backgammon on their towels (soooo jealous), and men of all ages have a beach futbol game going on (shirts v skins, barefoot and apparently no formal positions or limit on # of players). There is a "boardwalk" lined with little shops. I didn't bring a beach towel on my trip in an effort to maintain the carry-on status of my backpack. I found a sarong type thing, big enough to work as a beach "sheet," in one of the shops and it's compact enough to pack and take with me. Small victory. Oh, and I asked a complete stranger to put sunscreen on my back.
I had a fun interaction on my way to the beach. I was told to get the 32 bus at the park. I found a stop for the 32 on each end of the park and I figured one must be going to the beach and one must be returning. I asked a friendly grandmother, in Spanish, where to get the 32 to the beach. She told me I was in the right place and that she was waiting too and then proceeded to tell me that she'd been waiting a while because the streets had been closed for a run this a.m and she didn't know when it would come. I told her I would wait with her. Along came 2nd grandmother and her and 1st grandmother proceeded to talk for about 30 minutes about the busses. Everytime a bus came around the corner they would ask me if it was the 32 (maybe they couldn't see?) and we would all laugh when it wasn't. Then, they told me to ask the driver of the 31 bus if it went to the beach. He told me it went close to the beach but the 32 would be there in 5 minutes. Knowing my new-found ability to get lost everywhere, I decided to wait with my new friends for the 32. Well, 5 minutes was more like 20 but we did get on the bus and they directed me to sit because it was a long ride. So I did. I love those ladies. They made my day.
They also helped me decide that I am going to take Spanish classes once I'm done traveling. I want to be fluent and not just get by. I love this language, even with the challenges and frustrations I experience when I get confused or lost, and I love feeling my brain work.
I'm liking my hostel experience so far. Yesterday I met a woman named Annie from Montreal while we were doing laundry and we wandered around the city a bit. Annie had bought food to cook dinner at the hostel and was kind enough to share. I hope I find her again today so I can return the favor (although I'd prefer to take her out for paella tonight). I hung out in the common room for the Spain v. Paraguay game and met a great group of travelers from Australia. We went out bar hopping for a bit and oddly enough I was the only one in the group who spoke any Spanish. It felt kind of great to be the one "translating." I even taught 2 of the women how to order gelato in Spanish.
So while I hope I find Annie or the Australians again (or meet someone new even) once I get back to the hostel, something odd happened to me this a.m....I woke up and just wanted to go to the beach alone. I wanted quiet, I wanted to think, I wanted to wander my own way. It was fabulous to socialize for a bit but I have gotten used to a weird silence in Spain where, if I choose to, I can hear people around me and join in but, mostly because of the language difference, I can also just tune everyone out and just hear myself over the buzz of the babel. I guess it's about balance...taking the time to "do me" but also finding company when I want it. It's also about being ok letting my thoughts and feelings roam when my attention isn't occupied for a moment.
Last night I considered switching my reservations in Barcelona to a hostel. I like the open invitation to talk to anyone that exists in a common room at a hostel. But then this a.m. I had my "I want to be alone" moment coupled with having to tiptoe down from my top bunk (1st bunk bed in 11 years!!!) and then attempt to silently get myself together so as not to wake the 3 sleeping men who were not there at 3:30 a.m when I got in and I'm sure they did not want to wake up at 9 a.m with me. I like being able to lay out my clothes (although I'm sure these 3 guys don't want to steal my bikini or the dress I wore last night) or charge my phone while I go to the bathroom. Also, I've realized, I don't really party like I used to.
So, for now, my decision is to stick with my private room w/ shared bathroom in Barcelona. This place also has a common breakfast room so, perhaps, I will meet people there. If I get down or lonely again I will revisit my choice of hostel/hotel in Rome and Florence, well, maybe just rome. I'm considering making Florence/Tuscany (my last stop on my trip) my week of beauty, silence and relaxation.
And for now, I really hope I'm on the right bus (and find the right stop) to get back to the hostel...fingers crossed!
No comments:
Post a Comment