BARCELONA AND MADRID

I went to Barcelona by train and met up with my friends for a couple of days. Then my high school friend arrived from the States for a two week adventure around Spain. I love Barcelona. It is not what I remember it to be like. I remember being accosted, robbed and being afraid to walk around the city. Not this time. This time the city and the people were hospitable and welcoming! I met up with a friend who had decided to live there, she moved from London and I can really understand her choice.

We went to Park Guell and Sagrada Familia. The park contained some of Gaudi’s famous homes and architectural monuments and then we went to his Church. It truly is something to see. I still cannot understand how he was able to sell such a design to the Church and to those who were going to pay for the construction. It is still not completed and construction started in 1883. Yes, it is beautiful, but not a classical design by any ones imagination. It looks to me like a design made by Dr. Seuss for one of his books.

We went to see the Dali Museum, which was also fascinating. He was a talented artist, with a very sick mind. Our tour guide told us about his aversion to sex and that he married a women who found others to play with. Not a bad gig, if you can get it.

Then onto Madrid. Went to the Museum Renia, The Greco Museum in Toledo, and the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum. Needless to say I am Museumed out!!!! So today I have decided to take a rest. I have been walking close to 10 miles a day to see all of the sights in the various cities and museums and I have had it. I did not go to the Prada Museum today with my friend, because I am tired and I was there last year when I came here with Lewis. Boy does Lewis’ ghost follow me here in Madrid. I see him at every turn that looks familiar. It is just not the same. But at least I keep going!

Tomorrow I leave for Seville. Another train ride, but so much easier than taking a plane and oh so much cheaper when you factor in the cost for your luggage. Your plane ticket is cheap, but your carry on bags and your checked luggage costs twice as much or even more than what you have paid for your ticket. Reality is strange.

So I am traveling. I am seeing the sights and continuing with what Lewis and I had decided to do when he was alive. It is different, difficult and at times I am so depressed that I do not know what to do with myself, but on I go. I think that he would want me to be doing this. I feel as if he is seeing the sights with me, not always, but when I do it makes me smile. Sitting at home moping or being depressed does not help me nor would it help Lewis, so why do it. The same with my illness, being closer to my doctor does not render a benefit. If and when I need him, now her, I will go in to see her. I shall be returning to Miami in February for just that purpose. I have my appointments to see my doctor and to get my blood tests and my Pet Scan and I hope for the best. Upon receiving good news, I shall start to travel again.

Go out and find that which brings you joy! Find that which allows you to think of something other then your illness, troubles or losses. I found traveling to be my elixir. Find yours. Live your life and don’t let anything or anyone take it away from you. Smile, look forward to something, give love and accept it and be a friend to someone who needs one and you will see that it will help you feel better and it may even help you health wise.

Life is not merely surviving!!!!!