A Little History, Art and Reading

A few weeks, months ago...I'm not sure how much time has slipped through my fingers since I checked in with you...I had a weekend of history, art and the motivation to read. Or at least the right reasons. Let's start with a wall from the 14th century that still stands in Barcelona, one of the entrances to the old city. The wall is located near Drassanes and if you don't pay attention you completely miss it. But if you are paying attention you see how incredibly beautiful it really is and how amazing it is that it is still standing against all odds and life has grown around it.



Then a few weeks before that, on April 23 we celebrated St Jordi day yet once again. Can you believe this is my 3rd St Jordi day?? How long have I been here? We stood by a lovely olive tree blooming roses and posed and celebrated love and friendship and the fact that we need to read! If you remember from past blogs, St Jordi is the Valentine's day of the Catalans, when the city is full of book stalls and roses and we trade roses for literature. This wouldn't sound so strange if it was more "in style" to read...


I also had the opportunity to go see a play with some of Susanna's friends and talk art and theatre which is never a bad thing to do. As you can see Susanna's little belly is developing quite nicely.



And so there you have it folks...the days before the madness began and I was the #1 tour guide in BCN (which I will explain in the next few blogs). But before I bid you farewell, please remember to READ!! and tell those around you to read...
What, out of ideas? Well no worries, I've always got suggestions:

"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy...same guy who wrote No Country for Old Men...absolutley amazing, dark and prose-like. I promise you won't put it down and it will get you to think about "the end". You'll see what I mean

"What is the What" by Dave Eggers Many of you already know that this man is my favorite and again he has pulled off a witty and intriguing novel, only this time it's closer to the heart. A book about the Lost Boys in Sudan who walked to Ethiopia avoiding war, death and hunger. A must!

"Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert At times it gets a little too sappy for my taste, but if you are looking for something to pull the strings of your heart follow this woman as she retells her journey across Italy, India and Indonesia, trying to find what belongs to her...herself. If you're about to go on a journey yourself, take this one with you...it'll help you.

I'm currently on "Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell and then some Doris Lessing...I'll let you know how it goes...now, go read!