A Taste of Something Fine

I didn’t make it. I still had not found a local church to attend mass by dinner time last night, but I was bound and determined I would walk around the neighborhoods around 11 PM to see what church doors might be open. I don’t remember exactly when, but sometime after 10 PM I must have fallen asleep. I woke up to sounds of people yelling “Bon Nadal!,” Catalonian for Merry Christmas. It was 1:30 in the morning and people had clearly been celebrating with passion. I thought about gong out then, but figured people were probably just on their way home and it wouldn’t last too long. I was to learn that Catalonians have more gusto that I thought and let’s just say when I went for my walk at 9 AM this morning, I passed a weaving Spaniard taking the last gulp from his “Top Beer” can. Lesson learned for New Years….take a good nap, and drink some caffeine in order to join in the fun.

Needless to say the town was quiet this morning. Barely an apartment light was on and there was no smell of bread baking. I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and heading up my hill again, back into the grounds of Parc Guell. I quickly found a path I hadn’t taken yesterday and discovered what I thought was ‘up’ yesterday was not. There was so much more toward the park tower. Here I discovered the route of the walkers and runners. I followed other paths that kept me mostly on the western side of the park, but I was definitely higher up than I was yesterday. It was a good work out and there was a nice number of people out an about. As I walked toward one bend there seemed to be music coming from somewhere within the landscape. As I walked around another bend there was Spanish guitar music playing, again, seemingly out of nowhere. Christmas magic.

It was a beautiful day. I only needed a sweater and the sky was blue. I walked down to El Born just for the walk and today’s pictures were all about the doorways and the architecture of the buildings along that route. There was a constant parade of people heading to family or friends, often carrying some dish with great pride – holding it out in front of them and smiling ear to ear. A human version of “Hooville” from the Grinch (!) Christmas Day is not the traditional day of gifts in Spain. That comes on Three Kings Day on the 6th. The day when the three kings brought their gifts to Jesus is the day that the children get their gifts here. Over the last two weeks it was interesting to note that there was extremely little in the way of Christmas decorations, save the use of string lights, or the occasional poinsettia. It is quite low key.

I stopped at a little café for my meal of the day. It was a day of firsts again for me. The Moussaka, which I had never tried before, was amazing. Then there was a meatball dish seasoned with something incredible, and then followed by something I have never, ever had…..coffee. I have never liked the taste of it. Ever. But through a mix up in translation I received a cup of café au lait and well, I loved it. That being said the ‘au lait’ part was a little hard for me later on (dairy allergies) but it was really, really good! I am trying new things.

And some things remain the same. A dog with a ball is a dog with a ball no matter where you go (picture). Three old friends talking, and the smell of fresh chocolate from the Chocolate Kitchen – a wonderful discovery that is only around the corner (!) Tonight a toast to all I am grateful for with a glass of Spanish champagne and two wonderful morsels from the Chocolate Kitchen.