Family time

The other day, I was doing some work in my room and heard a knock on my door.

"Stop bothering me, I'm busy!" I said, annoyed, thinking that it was my mom.

"It's me! I just wanted to see if you lost and gained weight." It was my grand-mother. I was surprised that it was her, and I immediately felt bad for what I said earlier. My grandmother doesn't live with me, and she came all the way here to see me...because I left home for a month. So I came out and talked to her for a while and told her that we should go for dimsum together soon, which we did today.

My grandmother likes to tell me about how stupid my grandfather is, because he fell down the escalator the other day and couldn't get up. She had to get back down to help him. Sometimes, I feel bad for my grandfather because he's always the victim; everybody scolds him all the time. It's true that he gets lost all the time, he has a bad temper, likes to gamble and he isn't logical, etc...I still thinks he's adorable. His favorite hobby is recording Chinese series. My grandmother is even more adorable, she loves to bake muffins and learn new recipes from her Italian neighbor.

Today isn't any special day, but I'm happy I spent some time with them. I feel like I don't spend enough time with my family, especially my grandparents. As soon as I came back home on Monday, my mom called my grandmother to let her know that I got home safe. I feel like I don't talk to them often enough...it's always my mom that has to act as the intermediate person between us.

After the dimsum, we went to a store to get some food, and the lady at the cash said to my grand-father "Is it a special day today? Your whole family is shopping together!"

"Yes, my granddaughter brought us to dimsum! I have two granddaughters actually," my grandfather proudly said, "those two!"pointing at me and my sister. He was all happy.

The little things we do matter to them...and I want to spend more time with them from now on.

Barcelona: Miki

I took the bus back from Madrid to Barcelona, and then took the train to get to my hotel. When I got off the train, I couldn't find my way. I asked the first guy I saw for directions.

"Excuse me sir, do you speak English?"

"Un petit peu...a little bit."

"Oh wait, do you speak French?"

Sure enough, he's actually a french guy who moved to Barcelona with his family because he fell in love with the culture here. He looked for the address on his GPS, and the hotel was 9 minutes walk from where we were.

He said that I reminded him of his younger self travelling the world when he saw me with my huge backpack, and he wanted to invite me for a drink and he'll drive me to my hotel after. I hesitated, he could rob me, he could kidnap me...but in the end, I decided to trust him. "Don't be scared, Elaine." he reassured me.

We sat down on a terrace and had a talk about our travels and our lives. "When you travel...you learn to understand people, and you learn to read them. Just like you...you decided to trust me and have a drink with me."

He said he loves Barcelona because people are nothing but nice. He helped me and hopes that one day I will help someone else...

I'm so thankful I met him!

Barcelona: Vitor

I had stomachache and didn't feel like going out in Barcelona. I was so sick and sad. I went on tinder and started swiping, haha. That's how I first started talking to Vitor.

"What are you looking for on tinder?"

"Meeting interesting people, girls mostly ;)"

"Boys aren't interesting?"

"Yep, but I'm already satisfied with my male friends. And you?"

"Sex."

"I didn't want to put it that way. Sex with interesting people, do we agree?"

I didn't even want to talk to him, I just wanted answers to questions and didn't feel like talking about anything else. I just asked him his height and for more pictures. That's how superficial I am. He suggested that we meet after 10pm, because he had to visit his grandmother. At that point, I stopped responding. I just changed my mind.  I was just sad and wasn't in the mood to joke around.

He noticed that I like Pantera, and absolutely wanted to meet an Asian girl who likes heavy metal. Since I stopped responding, he started wondering if he said anything wrong.

"I don't really want to meet anymore."

"Okay, what happened? Just wanted to be nice and have something to talk about. I now feel like a psycho, thanks a lot."

"I didn't mean to, just changed my mind, sorry."

He really wondered what went wrong and didn't want to feel like a freak or a psycho. I felt bad to make someone feel that way just because I was sad, bored and undecided.

"You didn't do anything wrong, I was just lonely."

"Okay, I guess not anymore. Sorry to bother you. Have a nice trip and don't feel lonely!"

"Thank you. You seem like a nice guy. "

"Not enough ;) If you ever come back, I'll remember you, the not so angel-like girl"

I thought he seemed so nice. I disappointed him, but he still wished me well. I wanted to keep in touch with him.

"Better for me to not even try to understand. It has gone from "the day I meet a fine asian lady" to "the day I feel like a moron/psycho" hahaha, life can be so funny."

"You're not a moron. I'm the moron."

"Hahaha, no. Something happened in your head I guess...never mind, it was my fault, I got carried away."

"I'm just a little heartbroken."

"I know how that goes...11 years with the love of my life. I understand. It's hard. Don't grab onto the first guy! Wait for the right one for you. I grabbed on the first girl that bumped into my life after my heartbreak and it was a big mistake. God, I talk too much!"

"Haha, you're very nice. Thanks for the advice."

"I have another one; meet me! I had to try..."

"Haha :)"

"Just kidding...all I have left is to look at your photos and curse, haha, at myself not at you. Hope I entertained you at least."

"We can meet...but not for sex." At this point, I thought he was quite interesting and wanted to get to know him.

"I have a special place...do you want to have a walk with me? A friendly chat and I look into your eyes is all I ask for."

We finally decided to meet in front of the metro station near where I stayed.

"I'm nervous." Not many guys would admit that they are nervous, and I like that he did.

I walked close to the metro station and saw a guy walking my way that looked like him, but I wasn't sure...and he didn't say hi. As soon as we walked passed each other, we both turned around and smiled.

We walked a little bit and sat down somewhere. I felt an instant connection with him. He studied in New Mexico when he was 16, which is why he speaks English...but he speaks English with a Spanish accent, which I find so cute. I could listen to him talk forever. He hates it when I say that he's cute though.

He told me about his ex-girlfriend who he dated for 11 years. It wasn't going so well and there were problems of communication...and he ended up cheating on her. He decided to be honest and told her about it. She took him back, but changed her mind after she realized that she couldn't trust him anymore. He still wants to talk to her, be her friend and know how she's doing, but she doesn't want to stay in touch. However, she texts him every year on July 31st to wish him happy birthday. How sad!  He asked her to stop doing that because it makes him sad that she doesn't want to talk to him, but reappears only on his birthday. Women can have some of the weirdest theories sometimes.

The first girl he met after that 11 years of relationship is an Argentinian girl. He never loved her, but he was lonely and grabbed onto the first girl he met. She wanted to work in Spain but couldn't get a visa, so he married her just for the papers even if he doesn't love her. That's how nice he is...it's a strange kind of nice. He's divorced now.

He used to work at the airport and seems to miss it from time to time. He was the representative of the union and the bosses hated him. Barcelona built a huge airport, but then they realized that the economy wasn't doing so well...so most of the airport is useless. They also fired 40% of the people who worked there. "Why don't you fire me too?!" he loudly said to them. He's the kind of guy who is full of passion and who isn't afraid of losing. He got fired, and used government money to travel for 2 years.

He really likes off-road adventures. His favorite city is Rio de Janeiro. When he travels, he sleeps 5 nights on the street like a homeless, and 1 night at a hotel. He told me many crazy stories about his adventures and misadventures. He once traveled to a city in Spain without ever touching the paved road and without a map, on a motorcycle. He's a true free-spirit, which I admire.

He studied psychology but ended up working in marketing, because it's hard to find a job in psychology. He's from a town called Valencia and said that people in Barcelona thinks he has the accent of a poor person. During his free time, he likes to make music in his room. He taught me a lot about Spain. I wasn't aware of political and cultural issues in Spain, such the division of the Catalan and Spanish.

When he finally asked me what my story was...I didn't tell him much. I didn't know what to say. "It's complicated" I simply said. He's a passionate guy who gives a 100% to things he sees as worthy, even if it's unconventional. He said he never met a girl like me, who seems so cold, and has a so-used-to-everything kind of attitude. It's the way I've been for the past few years...nothing seems so good, or so bad, and I'm rarely impressed, excited or disappointed. I don't know why...it's as if I lost my sense of taste. That's why I admire him even more, and I'm curious about him.

We talked a lot about everything and nothing. I noticed he had really ugly nails, because he bites them. He also smokes. He seems unstable and just wants to live day by day; he doesn't have any solid future plans. He said he thought women were made to be abused when he was younger. He likes to be mean and he doesn't care about them. He once told a bulimic girl that she's fat (without knowing he said). He hurt more than a few, and doesn't regret. He's the kind of guy I would never date if I were in my normal state in Montreal. But I really like him, and I can relate to him. Life is strange.

He tried to kiss me, but I didn't let him. As we started walking back. he asked again "Can I kiss you?" I said no. "I don't like guys who ask. I like guys who just do it...guys who are assertive."

"Sorry, my parents raised me to be polite." he replied. He's so funny. Then, he just held me tight and kissed me, without asking this time. The way he held me is very different from anything I've felt before, it's as if he's giving me a back massage. "You stink!" I said, I didn't like his cigarette breath. He just laughed.

We spent the next day together. He left work early to come see me. I was never really into holding hands; I prefer holding arms. Most guys I've done that to, usually just leave their arm straight, sometimes with their hand in their pocket. But he actually folded his arm in 90 degree so my hand just rested there comfortably. It's so old-fashioned. "That's the way I walk with my grand-mother, but with you it's much better." We laughed so much.

Unfortunately, I had to leave for Madrid...and we had to say goodbye. "I'll always remember when I kissed you, and you said that I stink," he said, mimicking me saying it. "If you keep talking to me, I have a confession still to be made ;) Take care and be happy!"

"I'll miss you a lot. Thanks for the time we spent, and for sharing your funny and personal stories. Maybe we'll see each other again someday, we never know. Take care for now!"

"I think I could fall in love with you if you had given me time..." he said.

"I think I could fall in love with you too..."

It was a long goodbye...

Oh, and the confession is that he downloaded his favorite pictures of me to keep them so he can remember me. How sweet!

When I got to Madrid, we still kept talking. He recommended a place where I can get the best squid burger in town, so I went to get it the next day. Then, I decided that I definitely had to go back to see him in Barcelona. I changed the time of my bus ticket so I can leave Madrid earlier. Maybe he's just good with words, and I really don't know much about him. Sometimes, I would get this feeling that he will do some stupid shit and I will end up hating him...just like every guy I've ever known. There's no point in seeing him again, really...but life is short, I really want to enjoy every last second of it. He's such a gentleman, and he's very generous and chivalrous. Maybe because Spain is a less-developed country than Canada...not that it should have any correlation...

He would send me some of his music from time to time. I really like them, and I think it a way of knowing him better.

Finally, we saw each other one last time before I flew to Paris. He's someone I will remember for the rest of my life. He's one of those people who changed my way of thinking, even if it's just a tiny bit. I think all of this is just incredible. Going to Spain was really a last minute decision. If I didn't get fired, I would not go to Morocco...and if I didn't go to Morocco, I wouldn't go to Spain...and I wouldn't have met him. Although he says he's a mean guy, I truly believe he's a sweetheart inside...and I hope he won't get hurt anymore.

...and I try to write as much detail as I can, because memories will fade someday, and I might never see him again. I just really want to remember everything about him.

Wouldn't it be nice if we lived in the same city?

Barcelona: Unknown stranger...another one!

I arrived at a hostel in Barcelona at 6 in the morning.The guy who worked there welcomed me. I didn't know his name, but he had a septum piercing and a few tattoos. I couldn't check in yet so, I fell asleep on the couch. He put a blanket over me while I was sleeping, and I thought it was so sweet. The next day, I found an extra blanket on my bed, when everybody just had one. I was confused, but I believe the same guy left it there for me. I never saw that guy again, and didn't have the chance to say thank you...but I felt well taken care of. It made me smile :)

Barcelona: Unknown stranger

I stayed in a hostel in Barcelona, and there was that Asian guy in the same room who I didn't talk to, but I heard him talk about him quitting his job that was too stressful for him. He worked in the banking industry in New York and started questioning about where his life is heading.  He might potentially travel up to a year and get to know himself and this world, discover and reflect about his future.

A lot of people tried to convince him that it's a risk to quit his job and to quit the traditional route set for us....but he knows he'll be at a better place when he goes back home. It's hard to just leave your life and your comfort behind after so much hard work, but if you wonder about the bigger world out there? if you think you're not totally happy? if you need inspiration? if you're lost? if you think maybe? Then, it's time to do something about it. He's a good conversationalist, and has an interest in other people.

I could relate to him, even though I didn't quit my job...I just got fired, haha.

On the day he had to leave, I went to eat breakfast downstairs as he was packing in the room. When I got back up to the room, he left already...but I found a beer on my bed. I wasn't sure at first, but I knew it was him ...and it made me smile. Although we didn't talk, we somehow came across each other in Barcelona, I heard his story, and he left me a beer. It's almost as if we met in some way. I wished we actually talked to each other. Life is strange.

I hope we meet again someday, somewhere in the world.

Paris, day 4 and 5

Today, I decided to explore Montmartre area, which is known for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur. It used to be an artistic village, but artists can't afford to live there nowadays. My favorite part of the day, is accidentally finding that huge street with lots of food stands around the Basilica...it was probably a special day or something. The food was so good, and everybody just sat on the hill to enjoy the view of Paris with their sandwich au foie gras, macarons, escargots, etc...it was awesome!

Paris, day 3

I met a french guy today on the rooftop of a hotel for a coffee.  He's quite interesting; he's a filmmaker, does yoga, listens to music that I don't know...and he's into BDSM. He said he doesn't believe in relationships because it's not natural and it's a survival thing imposed by society. He told me about why he thinks French people are so pretentious. Overall, we had a good conversation. He walked me to the metro after the coffee, and as he walked away, he turned around and loudly said "I think you're beautiful, Elaine!" He's quite charming even if he sounds slightly arrogant. "Thanks!" I said, laughing at him a bit.

I spent the rest of my day at the Louvre. Someone told me that if you had to spend one minute looking at each piece, you'd spend six years in the museum. That's how huge it is. It's better to pick what you want to see in advance if you want to enjoy that museum. If you try to see everything, you'll end up appreciating nothing. Personally, I'm not too much of an art fan, but I really enjoyed the Egyptian section of the museum. Also, I wanted to see the famous Mona Lisa, even though it was surrounded by people.

Paris, day 1 and 2

I just got back home yesterday, and the jet lag isn't too bad. I was really excited to come back home...there is so much I want to do for fall. Paris was beautiful...but there were too many tourists. It's not really my type of vacation; it's very crowded and you wait hours to see the famous places...and as I said, I only decided to go there to meet up with a friend who stood me up in the end. It's also one of those places where many people go to take pre-wedding photos...and most of them are mainland Chinese. I still prefer countries that less people travel to...it doesn't stress me out as much.

I arrived in Paris in the evening of Wednesday, and didn't do much. I stayed in a quite nice area, which is very close to that famous street called Champs-Élysées. The streets in Paris are very wide, and sometimes a little confusing. The next day was a productive day. Someone recommended me to do those free walking tours, which are cool because Paris is huge and if you don't have much time, you can decide where you want to spend more time after they show you around.

We walked through the latin quarter to the little island where Notre-Dame de Paris is, and then we talked along Seine river under some of the famous bridges, such as that bridge with locks, but most are removed now.

Apparently, those locks reached a few tons...that's too much love for the bridge! We also walked passed the famous Louvre museum, the Tuilerie Garden and Place Concorde, which is where the tour ended.

From there, I walked on my own to Eiffel tour. I didn't know my way, but it was easy to find; you just had to walk towards it.

On my way there, I walked passed Photoquai, which is a photography museum on the banks of Seine that presents non-European photographers. I'm so glad I found that place accidentally. I could spend hours there. I definitely prefer these type of museum than those world-renowned museum where most people go for the hype of it. Not that it takes anything away from those museums, but sometimes, it ruins the experience.

I reached Eiffel tower an hour later, and I wanted to come back at night because it sparkles when it's dark.

So I walked to Passy area and came accross that place where a scene of the movie Inception is filmed. I saw it on a magazine on the plane, but I told myself that I will not go look for those places...unless I randomly find them, which would really make me happy. And I did! It made my day.

After that, I went for a boat tour to see Paris at night, it was indeed very romantic!

Goodbye Spain!

I left Spain this afternoon, and I really miss this place already, especially Barcelona.

I've told some people that I'm going to Barcelona, and some of them discouraged me because of pickpocketing, women wearing skimpy clothes, machos, etc...but really, I totally fell in love. Of course you have to be careful as you would be anywhere in the world, but never be fearful! It's such a colorful place, people are nice and know how to have a good time. It's definitely a place that I can picture myself living in.

I felt so happy for the first time in a while!

Madrid in pictures

Madrid is a nice place, but I feel it has less character than Barcelona, which is still one of my favorite cities in the world. Madrid is a safe place, and not much happened here.

I met an Italian guy here and visited the city with him...but he tried to hit on me in the end, which pissed me off. I gave him a weird look and stopped talking to him. Also, my British friend that was supposed to meet me in Paris isn't going to come anymore because his girlfriend raised concerns. I was never attracted to him, and just missed him as a friend...Sometimes, I feel like I don't deserve to have any male friends. Anyways, fuck them all.

Here are some pictures of Madrid...

Barcelona, day 3

On my third day in Barcelona, I visited the Gothic Quarter, which is full of medieval alleyways. It shows the real Spanish heritage. I also spent some time at the port, then Las Ramblas...it reminds me of the old port in Montreal, except that it's a lot more crowded, bigger, more beautiful here. It's nice to join the crowds and delight in the architectural beauty along the wide walkway. There is so much to see and I feel like I haven't spent enough time here!

That concludes the touristy stuff I've done in Barcelona.  I didn't do much on the last 2 days because I spent it with someone that I thought was really amazing. I will write about it later :)