Really?!?

Still living off the Barcelona buzz back on the farm. 

When I returned, the family asked me how the trip was and I told them I saw many beautiful things. I was quite surprised to find out no one has traveled there. Showed them books on Gaudi I had bought to entice them to go. Most kinda looked at it, but not much.

I was curious, how come no one has gone?  "Because it's too far." they responded. 

I was NOT surprised to find the one person who has been there. Yep, you guessed it - Tio. Twice. As I showed him the book, he responds in delight "It's marvelous! Barcelona is a great city." and compliments me on the good purchase I made. 

I'm slowly finding out that I have more in common with this 91 year old than I would have ever imagined. One night when I was going upstairs to call him down for dinner, I started looking at his bookshelf. He has books on every subject imaginable. Including a Hemingway novel or two.

He tells me he reads a lot and on every subject because it is good to know things about the world. It's probably the reason he likes to travel and see things as well. I listen to him smiling as we watch the news. He is excitedly talking about the American election and Colin Powell's explosive endorsement. 

"Do you want to go to Covadonga?" I ask. "Yes, you can go if you like." he responds. "No, do you want to go together? In your car?" I explain still smiling. 

He looks surprised and tells me of course he would be honored to take me there and show me all the wonderful things Covadonga has. He asks Consuelo if she would like to join us. She doesn't want to. We both tell her "You should come with us." No, she's seen it already. He begins to argue with her "Why not?". I imagine Tio has seen it hundreds of times but every time he sees something in Asturias or Spain for that matter, it still has that magic for him.

We both agree to pick a very sunny day to go and he also wants to take me to the Picos de Europa. Not sure I'm up for a twisty mountain drive with Tio but we'll see. Besides the scary car driving, I really like taking trips with him. When he talks, I sit and listen like an eager student. I love hearing anything he says. He's very smart and has great insight about the world. 

I believe a lot of the family think he's crazy but he's just ahead of the curve. I mean, what 91 year old do you know that has a roving robot lawn mower? 

The family sometimes roll their eyes or shluff him off when he starts talking. He's a bit different then them. He's a bit different then most here and I tell him than most people I know back in the states. He just shakes his head and waves me off when I say this. 

I want another trip with him. I may need to take a flask of wine with me but I will walk on the wild side and get in the car again with that cat. It's worth it.

It's been rainy and cold the last two days. Fall is in full swing. After being cooped up long enough, I decide it's time for a walk outside, damn the rain. As I start to put on my raincoat, the family can't believe I'm going out. Tio looks at me, points at his head, laughs and says "I think you might be a little crazy." 

"A little crazy, yes, but it's goooood." I say with a mischievous grin. He just nods in agreement and gives me a big smile.

 

Let the Sidra flow!

Sidra mania has hit Piedras Blancas in the form of their annual festival. It's been rainy the last few days and I think it's finally broke for at least a little bit.

Went to the beach yesterday despite possible rain showers cause sometimes I just need to be near the water. Something I am finding as a result of island living the last few years. I get itchy if I don't see water every so often. It was churning yesterday with these storms and was cool to watch waves breaking into shore leaving no beach whatsoever. Found a spot to hide out in the rain while I watched.

Consuelo thought I was crazy going to the beach in that weather but it's nothing compared dealing with weather on a boat. The first week I started working on the snorkel boat, the captain told me to get in the water and scrub the hulls. Huh? This meant jumping in with a suction cup handle (think kitchen-mate) in one hand and a brush in the other. 

Had no clue what I was doing. I just kept slamming the suction cup onto the side of the boat and tried to scrub the algae off the bottom of it. Hanging onto that little piece of plastic, while trying not to let waves breaking near the reef smash me into the boat. I bounced around like a ragdoll. Since then the elements don't bother me too much.

After dinner, I decided to head down to the Sidra festival which would be in full swing. Learned my lesson by not showing up early to fiesta. So I bundled up and started walking when I sensed something I haven't felt in over three years.

Fall. 

A wonderful smell of home fire and dried leaves accompanied by brisk air. I breathed deeply to take it all in. God, I love that feeling. When I arrived, the fiesta was crankin'. Saw many a raised bottles pouring for tables and tried to shoot a couple. People just raised up without even thinking about it and held a dignified pose for the pour. One guy I shot looked like a dancer while doing it. When he finished and turned, his mullet tail brought back the reality.

As I was shooting, these guys started calling me over to take their photo. I laughed and motioned for them to get together. Then another group of men grabbed me and said "how bout us?" they said while pointing at themselves. So I gladly took their photo. Had a great time doing it. 

Something that I keep coming back to about this town. I always end up liking it the best because the people are real, warm and inviting. They look you in the eye and smile genuinely when passing them. You feel like you know them even if you don't. Something I love about Key West as well.

I start watching the little boys running around collecting Sidra corks. They're grabbing them as fast as they're hitting the ground. Treating them as treasures and using them to play. They chuck them across the front of the stage area and all race to get it first. The one who catches it first is victor and gets to chuck it next.

The camera battery gives out and I decide to sit and listen to the band. What's this? ENGLISH?!?! The singer is singing the blues and I've never been so happy to hear English in all my life. Since arriving, I haven't heard practically any spoken in town. He sings a couple tunes and one that sounded like it was from the beginning of Raising Arizona complete with yodeling. The grand finale was "This Land is Your Land". 

It was bizarre to hear it for two reasons. 

One: I don't think I've heard it since the second grade. And Two: people were bopping their heads along to it like it's a Mariah Carey song. Since he's singing in English I'm devouring the words and really listening to it. It makes me proud of America and reminds me of all the beauty we have back at home. I get a little homesick.

Who knew I'd have a patriotic moment at the Sidra festival in Spain?