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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