Journal - Spain and Portugal - Fall 2001
9.11.01 - Barcelona
Pleased to emerge onto the main square at Las Ramblas. Light, color,
amazing architecture, beauty everywhere! Loading up my first roll of
super 8.
9.11.01 - Barcelona
Had a feeling I should call home. My father was quite alarmed, "did you
hear the news?" Coordinated attacks on America. Flipped on the TV and
saw the horrors. I wept.
9.12.01 - Barcelona
Ups and downs today. Read about the disaster. Locals are asking about
the tragedy, they want my perspective. Suddenly, I'm an ambassador. Did
an extensive architecture walk around town. Saw Gaudi, La Sagrada and winding
alleyways in the Gothic Quarter. Saw a workman eating beans from a tin
bowl for lunch. Newspapers show flames and skyscrapers. Sore feet, sad
eyes, strange day.
9.13.01 - Barcelona
The sound of church bells came streaming through the window this
morning. Caffeine and sugar blast at "Cafe Di
Roma." Watched the tide of humanity on Las Ramblas. Lunched on sardines,
red peppers, olives and fish. NATO has invoked article 5 for the first
time in history. What a strange time to be away from home.
9.15.01 - Cadaques
Went out last night in Barcelona to the Villa Olympica, a massive
nightclub complex. Had miserable paella, chugged a few brews, got down
to the music with the freaky peoples. Cabbie "forgot" to turn on the
meter on the way home. Saw some sad characters on the street in the wee
hours of the morning. Left early the next day for the northern coast.
Nice to be out of the big city, away from the people and the media.
9.17.01 - Ripoll
Spent a good part of the day at the Cap de Cristo, a wind swept outcrop
in the Mediterranean. Found a cute little cove, stripped naked and lay
in the sun. Drove all afternoon to middle class town of Ripoll.
9.18.01 - Valle De Nuria
A vacation from a vacation. Rode the cog train to the mountain
resort of Valle De Nuria. Incredible. Hiked over the peaks to
France! Shot color super 8.
9.19.01 - Grenada
Long day on the road, Euro drivers are nuts! Got the pedal to the metal,
hectic. Navigated the sprawling city of Grenada to a lovely little
hotel. Scooters everywhere, cops blowing whistles. Ready to get out of
the rental car! Tomorrow Alhambra!
9.21.01 - La Herradura
Spent the day under the gorgeous Andelusian sun. Most of the beach
cities along the coast are high rise nightmares. La Herradura is
dusty but small with a nice, rocky beach and no cheese. Easy drive to
Nerja, saw Flamenco dancers in the street.
9.23.01 - Sevilla
Lousy hotel (Sierpes), beautiful city. Incredible architecture, city
squares, fountains, statues, people drinking beer in the street. Saw a
foot stomping, hand clapping Flamenco show. Started
shooting black and white today.
9.25.01 - Salema
Gorgeous beach town on the Algarve coast. German sunbathers in the nude,
Portugese fishermen in sweaters and wool hats. Idyllic. Hours of
bronzing. Cold water! Met some Americans here with updated news about
the attacks. Instant friends.
9.27.01 - Lisbon
Long bus ride to Lisboa, sat right up front on a double decker bus.
Another amazing Euro city. Everything is made of cobblestones and tile.
Hiked to the fortress on the hill. Gypsy beggars. African statesmen
wearing suits and sunglasses. Cous Cous for dinner. Political discussion
in the street. Love Lisboa! Ready for home.
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