It was midnight on a Saturday. Barcelona was just getting going, the streets were alive. Sitting on the steps of Cathedral Santa Maria del Mar eating gelato, I was quiet. My friend turned to me, what are you thinking about? Tears started to well in my eyesIm just so grateful to be right here, right now.
Each year, around this time, we have to visit the Jam Cruise ship we are chartering in January in order to have meetings and make plans for the upcoming event. Its called a site inspection. Because the MSC Orchestra is in the Mediterranean until it comes transatlantic for the Caribbean season, we were extremely fortunate to travel to Europe for a week. I tacked on 48 hours in Barcelona before I came back to reality.
Let me just sayI try to live in the moment here in the states. But its hard. Noise just occupies so much of my life, whether its paying bills, driving somewhere, working, dealing with drama, the list goes on. You know what I mean, that little voice in our heads that just wont shut up. Each day in Europe was like a brand new mind, a new moment of humility in every country, a cultural wake-up call. I am truly humbled to have gone there. I only wish Americans could avoid going to Costco and instead, have outdoor fresh food markets scattered around town, where we shop daily to preserve the nature of it, instead of freezing in bulk in order to preserve time that it takes to go shopping.
Here is my story displayed with delicately taken photographs. Please note I actually took 137 photos this is an abridged version.
We talk about being so free in the USA, but I have deep and disturbing feelings about being free prisoners. I dont want to get into it all, as this column is about beauty, not ugliness. But heres my messagePLEASE TRAVEL. We are so sheltered in our little communities, whether they are NYC, Colorado or Ohio. And I know its expensive, but put international travel on the top of your list if you can. It will change your life, as it has done so to me many times over.
Upon waking in Barcelona, I walked down the quiet and narrow streets in search of some morning yummyness. I stopped at a tiny cafucked behind a cobblestone road and watched them cool off the newly roasted coffee beans, grinding them, pouring me the freshest cup of coffee I had ever tasted. Topped off with a soft croissant, I brought my delightful breakfast outside to a table, took a deep breath, and sank into the smells, sounds and deep satisfaction of being right here, right now.
