I didn\u00b4t talk about Barcelona last time I was here, except to say it was great and I was going to come back. Well, I have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
——<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The past few emails you\u00b4ve probably noticed I\u00b4ve been mentioning this person called Ella that seems to be in all the same places I am. The reason is we\u00b4ve been travelling together for the last couple of weeks. She\u00b4s Canadian, which (as those who know my history will know) is an instant bonus point, and she\u00b4s a writer, which earns another. She, like all the best people, is capable of being utterly absurd and deeply profound, often within minutes of each other, and with complete sincerity for both. (I\u00b4m even stealing from her in saying that.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She’s a Winnepegger. She has long brown hair. (Clear enough mental image for you?) And she\u00b4s become a fantastic friend very very quickly. She\u00b4s been supporting me through emotional rollercoasters and a nuisance of a cold (which is now all but gone, thanks for asking) and she\u00b4s generally an amazing person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, in terms of the stories I am telling you, there\u00b4s one thing you should remember: she speaks French and Spanish, and she could get by in Portugal as well. The deal is, she\u00b4s the translator, I\u00b4m the bodyguard. (Stop laughing. Stoppit. Yes, I know, I know. Look, she\u00b4s much better at her job than I would be at mine, but I figure I can play the odds on this one a few more days. Just shhhhh. She thinks I know kung fu.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u00b4ve gone to some places I would never have gone to alone. I\u00b4d like to take this opportunity to publicly give the big big ups to Ella.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyway, so I\u00b4m back in Barcelona. Yesterday Ella and I went to see the Sagrada Familia (my third time, still amazing) and Parc Guell (my second time, still amazing). I had been craving getting back to the Park – it\u00b4s my favourite place in the city, I think, even knowing that the city is full of great places. The last time I was there I didn\u00b4t get to linger as much as I would have liked…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
…cue flashback music, go to black and white…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(1) morgue wandering around Barcelona with two reasonably normal looking American guys of a similar age to he… VOICEOVER: …because I\u00b4d fallen in with some jumped-up crazy punk rock guys from Fargo, Shipley and Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(2) Mark stroking his beard and thinking about Amsterdam… VOICEOVER: they\u00b4d seen some interesting things on their travels<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(3) Shipley lifting up his t-shirt and rubbing his nipple, apparently while dancing, as onlookers regard him, appalled. SFX: that “its getting hot in here” song VOICEOVER: and picked up some interesting habits<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(4) The trio in montage at P\u00e2rc Guell, past the amazing works of Gaudi, strange pillars, crosses on a panoramic lookout, the steps with the colourful lizard, the corridor that looks like you\u00b4re inside a cresting wave, and more, faster and faster and faster, intercut with Shipley looking more and more uncomfortable. VOICEOVER: but the real problem was the quart of juice Shipley sucked down at the wrong time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(5) Montage goes past faster and faster until it\u00b4s just a blur and suddenly CRASH CUT to still shot of Mark and morgue hanging around outside the toilet. The door opens, Shipley comes out, shaking his head. He pauses, looks thoughtful, turns around, goes back inside. (Astute observers will note that Mark looks somehow gleeful.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(6) Different shot. Still waiting outside the toilet. VOICEOVER: the gates were opened, so to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
…end flashback, back to colour…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So. This time, Ella and I were careful with our food and drink, and we were fine. It\u00b4s a stunning place. We could have lingered for a long time. I\u00b4d like to think, if I was a local, I\u00b4d go there often. Places like this shouldn\u00b4t ever be taken for granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barcelona keeps opening up new possibilities. I could stay a lot longer, but the road onwards is beckoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
——-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shout outs to my amigos from Fargo, who I have shamelessly mocked for purposes of your amusement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
morgue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[waybackmachine link to original<\/a>]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"