Above, watercolor of beech trees.
With only four days to go I can’t help but begin to reflect upon this trip to Spain. Some things I have learned:
Roundabouts, once mastered, make a lot more sense than intersections with lights.
Though more slowly than I used to, I can still learn.
Spanish people, in general, are more patient and open, less arrogant, entitled and suspicious than people in the USA. I first sensed this on my last trip but this time I became convinced.
Seeing and observing is a wonderful short term experience but being engaged, feeling useful and creating are essential to me.
Newly met people can feel like family quickly.
I don’t yet feel Spanish. Not sure that I feel American either.
I want my life to include more quiet, less crowds, less proximity to violence and more contact with family and friends.
I miss my chicken family more than I thought I would.
Final doings around Girona:
Jardines de Cap Roig, botanic gardens
On one side, beautifully kept gardens with all varieties of Mediterranean-friendly plants, many having flowers wafting heady aromas. On the other side, the Mediterranean and awesome views.
Yes, the water is really that gorgeous.
Flowering saguaro in the cactus garden of Jardines de Cap Roig
I then drove to a nearby beach town, Llafranc, and took the steep path up a small mountain to a light house. There was a great view of Llafranc.
That night my Airbnb host Mai made a traditional dish from Mallorca in my honor. Don’t call it pizza! It’s “coca” and comes in many versions. This one has a topping of chard, marinated onions and tomatoes with lots of olive oil. Simple and delicious.
Besalú
Besalú is yet another well-preserved medieval village, charming and highly-touristed. Unfortunately the Museum of Minatures and the Jewish Mikva (the only remaining vestige of the Jewish life that once flourished there) were closed that day, but I enjoyed the hour I spent roaming the atmosphere-laden streets.
Why must people insist on portraying chickens with teeth? I would be horrified to meet such a chicken. How would they like it if chickens portrayed them with chicken feet?
The outing was capped off by a visit to Lago de Bañolas. I felt too tired to make the six mile walk around it but sat and enjoyed these water lilies. I have been much less prone to push myself on this trip to do something that my body resists. It felt good to frequently give myself permission to relax, sit and enjoy.
Tomorrow I begin the final leg of my trip — three days in Barcelona. I hear there’s a good flea market there on Sundays that I just might be able to make it to in time. I also will revisit Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterwork cathedral. I can’t pass up another opportunity to bathe in the light of the stained glass there again.
Joline
Thanks a million to my amazing Girona hosts Mai and Juan Carlos.
Letting yourself enjoy the scenery and giving your body a break sounds good to me. You’ve got that figured out. What a treat to see your journey!
Such beautiful landscapes and scenery! Safe travels home, Joline.