Baby Gerard

While I was away in Formentera, something very special was happening back in Barcelona.
Susanna was about to become a mother forever and the long awaited Gerard was about to make his grand appearance. Halfway into my vacations I got a very excited phone call from Sergi announcing that 4days later than expected, little Gerard finally decided to let go of his slumbering hideout and come to the world.

More than a month has gone by now and I am watching this little jellybean grow, create his own little self and form his features somewhere between Susanna and Sergi. I also have the honor of watching as Susanna tends to him, whispers their very own language and holds him tight. Although, motherhood contains many responsibilities, changes and developments, I admire the secretive relationship that they have. I do have to admit I am a little jealous that he has taken "my spot" but we have come to terms with it and now I have my very own language with him to and I love how when I hold him he gets quiet and listens to me and waits for me to take the next step.


I also like that when I get off of work, it is a matter of walking down a few blocks, crossing the chaotic avenue, getting into an antique elevator and entering Susanna's apartment where the sun keeps it warm and the smells are of birth, innocence, baby powder and peace, where I drop my bags, take off my jacket, turn off my phone and stop to speak nonsense to someone who has suddenly appeared.
He is turning into my little escape and my little buddy.

Welcome to the world Gerard!

And Then There was Heaven

It seems like it was years ago, a long blurry memory of perfect beaches, sunsets and sunrises, not thinking simply because I could and organizing my day based on the beach I would go to and the sandwich I would eat. It is almost impossible to put into words what I felt the moment I stepped on to Formentera's land and let go, literally, of everything I had left in the city.

It all started with a long and cold ride on a big ferry. We met up Friday evening and positioned ourselves for the long 9hour ferry ride that would eventually take us 12. People had warned me about it, told me to be prepared, it was rough...They weren't kidding. It's the ferry that stops at Ibiza so you can imagine the array of passengers. Then, they blast the air conditioning at full speed and you literally freeze, thinking only of the warm beaches you will soon be on. We also fought to reserve more than one seat so we could stretch out and sleep since it was an overnight trip. But we will not go into detail about this because I am here to give you a little piece of paradise. And so let the magic begin...

Just so you get an idea, the very small Balareic Island stretches out to a mere 14km and there absolutely nothing to do but go to the beaches and drink mojitos at night and then go to sleep to repeat the same thing again. But that is okay because they are the most incredible beaches I have ever seen in my life. And I have seen a lot of beaches in my life. The people are "Hippy Chic" or bohemian and friendly and very slow in pace. In August, precisely when we went, the prices double and the island is invaded by Italians who have saved up all year to come to Formentera. It is surreal. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like off season. The terrain is dry, desert like and rocky but that only adds to the magical atmosphere. Fig trees being held by sun cracked wooden poles, scooters scoot scooting everywhere and cove after cove after endless cove of crystal blue water.


And so the first night we celebrated by dressing in white and going to get mojitos at a well known beach bar to watch the sunset. Being on the East coast, I couldn't remember the last time I had seen the sun set and suddenly I was hypnotized and thrilled to be there, watching the shadows, the colors of glowing reds, blazing oranges and gas blue glow and change.


People danced and laughed around me and I thought, "I am finally here." Since having watched Sex and Lucia (if you haven't seen it, do it!) I had fantasized about coming to this island and suddenly I found myself right there, in the middle of it all.


Ana, Idoia, Sandra and I didn't do much other than lay in the sun, talk, sleep, photograph and search for the perfect sunset. The very first day I arrived I fell asleep on the beach for two hours and that's where I left all my worries and qualms with the world.
Mojito in hand and some very sexy booties, we simply fell into the life of Formentera in August.


By the third day, I officially checked out. I found it difficult to speak and to think about the everyday things. I felt my bones releasing and my body falling in love with the place I was standing at. Each day surprised me with a new beach and I couldn't help imagining what it would be like to give it all up and stay right there, where my feet were planted. On the fourth day we went to a beautiful beach called Cala Saona, way overcrowded, but beautiful. The water was crystal clear and midday we decided to swim way out and ended up on another smaller cove with just a few people and a lot of red clay.




Later we went to have an iced coffee break and I decided to go off for a walk by myself and photograph. It was a moment of surveyance, where I found myself delicately placed on the line of tranquility, my shadows, footsteps and me. The crunch below my feet reminded me that I was alive and that I had brought myself here.


The world, this moment had suddenly become mine and I can't begin to express to you how this feels. But I do suggest that from time to time you try to disconnect and do this, to find the feeling that you are in full control of that second and that second alone. A second where you have a view of the world from above.

The Days that Followed

Of course you can't do Formentera without going out on a boat for a day and so we did just that. Halfway through the week, we decided to rent a small boat and discover the island from the outside since we had it covered from within.


We discovered the most amazing and expensive yachts I have ever seen in my life and I discovered the meaning of blue. A blue that is impossible to replicate by human hands. It surrounded me and I realized that if I could imagine it, this would be the color of heaven. We all sat as Idoia acted as Captain and halfway through the day we had nothing to say. I listened to the soft splash of the waves against the boat and the hum of the boat as it put us to sleep.

I found what I would want my dream boat to be like, the small wooden one. A boat on which I could escape in and do exactly this everyday...can't you picture me?

That evening, after our bodies readjusting to steady land, we went to Pilar de La Mola where on the way up the only mountain you have a spectacular view of both sides of the island. We walked around the famous hippy market, bought little treasures and ate dripping chocolate crepes.


After the mountain we went back down to Es Pujols and had dinner and cocktails. We were invited to a glass of Moet Chandon by a stranger and laughed at the mustached Italians. I have to admit my friends were the prettiest girls in town.


The week was coming to an end. Soon paradise would be a distant memory, but we continued to make the very best of everyday, knowing that the very best is always only temporary. We woke up on the 7th day and had breakfast at a cafe recommended by a student of mine. We ate warm chocolate croissants and planned the day, more beach time.

We found another amazing spot, Calo des Morts, recommended again by the same student and went to a little beach local with four blue painted tables and amazing hamburgers. We laughed at the treasures we were able to find each and everyday and appreciated all the beauty around us, starting with the friendships we had formed, ending with the nature that protected us.





Then and then, that evening we, the girls and I did our very own bbq, starting our very own fire and all and popping a chilled bottle of Moet Chandon to celebrate the beauty of the days we had lived.
Then came the last day. Idoia would leave us before we had a chance to leave, flying off across the Atlantic towards Canada. We awoke up early and headed to the beach one last time.



Finally, the very most magical moment came. In the late afternoon, Sandra, Ana and I drove to the end of the world, aka Cap de Barbaria, where we drove on a narrow road that seemed as it would spit you into the sea but at the very end you were saved by a lighthouse. It had to be one of the most breathtaking places. There was nothing but a lighthouse and a steep cliff that fell right into the water. And I whispered, "heaven."




And I finally awoke to my last sunrise in Porto Sale, window, open and the green lit up by the early golden morning sun and this was everything I could've wanted and only dreamt of when I would be back again.


We headed back to Ibiza that day, I bought myself a hat I will never wear again and ensaimades and rested assured that the city would be exactly how I had left it, chaotic.