miércoles, 13 de junio de 2012
miércoles, 9 de mayo de 2012
Barcelona como la gran meca que es para turistas varias, pór qué quedamos nosotros?
Tres años y medio aquí, y contando. Una vida llena de posibilidades, alegria y felicidad.Pero también de ciertos obstáculos.¿Pór y para qué a nosotros los extranjeros nos atrae tanto Barcelona?Como abejas a la miel, no dejamos de estar atraidos por lo bueno que nos ofrece esa ciudad.
Pero me pregunto; ¿Qué cosa nos hace sentir tan a gusto aquí, para decidir a quedarnos a largo plazo?
Pero me pregunto; ¿Qué cosa nos hace sentir tan a gusto aquí, para decidir a quedarnos a largo plazo?
miércoles, 11 de abril de 2012
An unexpected experience one Easter week
A number of months of sporadic emailing. A sense that he would be particularly reserved and formal.A desire to meet him but not over riding.
Months inbetween messages in which lives were lived, and energies focused on other projects and people.Two strangers living in separate countries: one in his, and the other elsewhere.
A casually planned meeting leading up to Easter weekend.The city thriving with tourists and a sense that time was on their side: holidays yearned for and now relished.
Physically no surprise: it was already understood from this side that there would be attraction.Not pleasantly surprised therefore: what had been expected, was indeed delivered.
An almost awkward but strangely comfortable first chat whilst walking through the streets.Trying to watch his face, but instead having to look down to avoid tripping or standing in something less desirable.Eye contact so important, but at times hard to encounter.
A perfectly chosen dinner in his second venue choice.Anchovies and cheese on bread; his own invention, or so it seemed. Ham, olives, white wine and beer. A dry sense of humour, disguised by a reserved and formal manner. Food consumed and particles of personality revealed.
No expectations: the complete opposite infact.Wondering if another drink would be suggested. It was.
Sitting together in the bar where Javier and Penelope had their fight in Vicky, Christina Barcelona. Drinking the strongest drink one could have chosen for a first date.Happy.
Another drink in a French inspired bar, and this time an amusing, more open conversation. Everything seemed so natural. laugther and feeling like oneself. His eyes were beautiful. His hair. His reserved but confident air.
Next stop the kebab shop, his friend´s deserted flat.A shot, some water. Nothing was expected but everything was gladly received.Kisses on the sofa.A warm arm wrapped around. An awkward but life enhancing moment.
.
A shower: cold floor, warm water. Cold floor, warm towel wrapped around a vulnerable but happy body. The mirror. The question. More laughter.Very comfortable. The kebab left to go cold on the floor outside the bathroom.
Someone else's bed. No hesitation. In the midst of such natural romanticism, the ultimate carnal act. Animalistic, yet sweet and beautiful.
Dressing again and about to leave. Change of mind, turning round to see him lying there promising a night of warmth and a mid morning breakfast. Back into bed, fully clothed. His arms automatically there to catch.
Awoken by the endless banging and crashing of the neighbours comings and goings. Heat. Nausea. Three separate trips to the toilet pan. Then back to the bed. A delicious post sickness sleep and then more romanticism. One toenail black with fluff. Pretty eyes. Calm, masculine energy.
Happy.
Surprised to see him walk back into the room after his shower; fully dressed, handsome and smiley.
A breakfast between two new friends. Nice, but tainted by sickness. A lovely fairwell with promises of being in touch. No expectations but a sense of hope.His last comment said in English and somehow out of place.
A sunkissed walk home through the streets, with the remnants of the night before there for all to see; but a satisfaction and contentment that was sorely needed.
Months inbetween messages in which lives were lived, and energies focused on other projects and people.Two strangers living in separate countries: one in his, and the other elsewhere.
A casually planned meeting leading up to Easter weekend.The city thriving with tourists and a sense that time was on their side: holidays yearned for and now relished.
Physically no surprise: it was already understood from this side that there would be attraction.Not pleasantly surprised therefore: what had been expected, was indeed delivered.
An almost awkward but strangely comfortable first chat whilst walking through the streets.Trying to watch his face, but instead having to look down to avoid tripping or standing in something less desirable.Eye contact so important, but at times hard to encounter.
A perfectly chosen dinner in his second venue choice.Anchovies and cheese on bread; his own invention, or so it seemed. Ham, olives, white wine and beer. A dry sense of humour, disguised by a reserved and formal manner. Food consumed and particles of personality revealed.
No expectations: the complete opposite infact.Wondering if another drink would be suggested. It was.
Sitting together in the bar where Javier and Penelope had their fight in Vicky, Christina Barcelona. Drinking the strongest drink one could have chosen for a first date.Happy.
Another drink in a French inspired bar, and this time an amusing, more open conversation. Everything seemed so natural. laugther and feeling like oneself. His eyes were beautiful. His hair. His reserved but confident air.
Next stop the kebab shop, his friend´s deserted flat.A shot, some water. Nothing was expected but everything was gladly received.Kisses on the sofa.A warm arm wrapped around. An awkward but life enhancing moment.
.
A shower: cold floor, warm water. Cold floor, warm towel wrapped around a vulnerable but happy body. The mirror. The question. More laughter.Very comfortable. The kebab left to go cold on the floor outside the bathroom.
Someone else's bed. No hesitation. In the midst of such natural romanticism, the ultimate carnal act. Animalistic, yet sweet and beautiful.
Dressing again and about to leave. Change of mind, turning round to see him lying there promising a night of warmth and a mid morning breakfast. Back into bed, fully clothed. His arms automatically there to catch.
Awoken by the endless banging and crashing of the neighbours comings and goings. Heat. Nausea. Three separate trips to the toilet pan. Then back to the bed. A delicious post sickness sleep and then more romanticism. One toenail black with fluff. Pretty eyes. Calm, masculine energy.
Happy.
Surprised to see him walk back into the room after his shower; fully dressed, handsome and smiley.
A breakfast between two new friends. Nice, but tainted by sickness. A lovely fairwell with promises of being in touch. No expectations but a sense of hope.His last comment said in English and somehow out of place.
A sunkissed walk home through the streets, with the remnants of the night before there for all to see; but a satisfaction and contentment that was sorely needed.
lunes, 26 de marzo de 2012
miércoles, 22 de febrero de 2012
Emotional Security in Foreign climes
To live abroad, and to live a single life, has it´s obvious advantages and various disadvantages.
As a single woman in Catalonia three years have passed in which many attempts were made to get to know the locals in a romantic context. It hasn´t been easy, and at times your awareness of being from a different culture is blatantly obvious, and serves as a barrier.
On one hand you are seen as exotic, but on the other, you are too exotic to be fully accepted.
However, throughout the last three years I have learnt endless things about myself, both as a woman and as a British woman.
I have felt fully accepted by the Catalan and Spanish people in nearly every situation, context and manner.However,sentimentally I have lacked the emotionally security of having a partner.This is slowly but surely changing and I believe being open and accepting whilst truly enjoying the culture in which you have chosen to live, helps form long term relationships.
language differences and cultural and moral clashes can of course cause issues. However, although living and working abroad is a constant challenge, it leaves you feeling stimulated and alive on a daily basis.It also serves to distinguish you from those around you, and can at times leave you feeling isolated.
However, once you have formed a strong base in a foreign country, everything else seems to fall into place.
Can you have everything I ask myself?Emotional, work and financial security?
As a single woman in Catalonia three years have passed in which many attempts were made to get to know the locals in a romantic context. It hasn´t been easy, and at times your awareness of being from a different culture is blatantly obvious, and serves as a barrier.
On one hand you are seen as exotic, but on the other, you are too exotic to be fully accepted.
However, throughout the last three years I have learnt endless things about myself, both as a woman and as a British woman.
I have felt fully accepted by the Catalan and Spanish people in nearly every situation, context and manner.However,sentimentally I have lacked the emotionally security of having a partner.This is slowly but surely changing and I believe being open and accepting whilst truly enjoying the culture in which you have chosen to live, helps form long term relationships.
language differences and cultural and moral clashes can of course cause issues. However, although living and working abroad is a constant challenge, it leaves you feeling stimulated and alive on a daily basis.It also serves to distinguish you from those around you, and can at times leave you feeling isolated.
However, once you have formed a strong base in a foreign country, everything else seems to fall into place.
Can you have everything I ask myself?Emotional, work and financial security?
miércoles, 15 de febrero de 2012
Descubriendo poesía Catalana....
El día de Sant Valentin he descubierto ese poeta Catalán y me he enamorado de sus letras.Ha sido muy interesante a ver como suena el romanticismo en otro idioma.
UN SONET PER A TU, Miquel Martí i Pol
Un sonet per a tu que em fas més clar
tant el dolor fecund com l'alegria,
un sonet amb els mots de cada dia,
amb els mots de conèixer i estimar.
Discretament l'escric, i vull pensar
que el rebràs amb discreta melangia,
com si es tractés d'alguna melodia
que sempre és agradable recordar.
Un sonet per a tu, només això,
però amb aquell toc lleu de fantasia
que fa que els versos siguin de debò.
Un sonet per a tu que m'ha permès
de dir-te clarament el que volia:
més enllà de tenir-te no hi ha res.
IN ENGLISH
A sonnet for you which makes me clearer
both: pain and joy,
a sonnet with the words of every day
with words like know and love.
Writing it quietly, I want to think
that you will receive it with the discrete melancholy,
as if it was some melody
always nice to remember.
A sonnet for you, only that
but with that slight touch of fantasy
that makes the verses real.
A sonnet for you that has allowed me
to tell you clearly what I wanted:
there is nothing beyond having you.
lunes, 13 de febrero de 2012
Valentine´s Day: commercialism and romanticism combined
However, this Valentinés Day one should celebrate all forms of love; motherly, fatherly, sisterly, brotherly and friendships
.Instead of focusing on what we don´t have, and what we want, we would be better off thinking about what we have already achieved and the love that we are actually surrounded by.
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