I’m back to my home that’s not my home. It’s strange to be in a different apartment in the same complex (only 12 units). I arrived on the weekend of September 11, the national day of Catalunya, which has a different meaning here. While most nations celebrate a victory day, the Catalans chose a day of defeat commemorating the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714. Because September 11 was on a Friday, it was a “puente” (literally a bridge, but meaning a long weekend). I was slightly horrified when I arrived that the town was packed with tourists and second home owners just as it was when I left in July! The parking lot of my complex was full and there were cars on the street and people everywhere. It was disheartening. But then on Monday morning, voila! They were gone!! School started and everyone scattered. It’s wonderful to be here in the peace and quiet and beauty of the place. I couldn’t be happier!
That said, I’m ambivalent about leaving to come home. I’ll be flying out of Barcelona with my new French friend and my two dogs in October, almost five months after my originally scheduled departure date. I hate that there is a murderous virus out there and I didn’t enjoy feeling like a prisoner held somewhat against my will, but it’s been wonderful and dispiriting and challenging and instructive and I wouldn’t change the experience for anything.
I’m dreading the travel back to the States. I bought a face shield, which I’ll wear with my N95 mask I’ve been saving. I plan to quarantine myself in Galveston when I get back. Who knows what kind of people and germs I could come in contact with during the trip!
Hope to see each of you in some safe space very soon!! Of course, I have a few more weeks of adventure before I leave… I love it!
I get emails from a French food company, La Belle-Iloise, because I’ve ordered some products from them. They sell fancy canned tuna and sardines of various types. But, for you Texans, you’ll be glad to know that you can get a jar of your favorite “famous Texas recipe” for Mackerel Chili made of white beans and chunks of mackerel! Yum! Those french have got our number!
Susie's Senior Year Abroad 
A bittersweet odyssey; much more Spain (& France!) than originally anticipated but with “complications.”
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(from roger) You’ll doubly disheartened in TX to see that Trumpers refuse to wear basks and anti-Trumpers do; the colleges and football games don’t care, but hurricanes can ruin a perfect day! You should move to more civilized California, home of the the interminable wildfires.
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Ha Ha! It’s tempting!
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Why didn’t you tell about getting locked out of the condo twice?
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Drum roll…next time!
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Mackerel chili! That is hilarious! Y
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so glad you finally have a solution. and frankly, seems to me that you’ve been in a world that has a lot more respect for this virus than the one you are returning to. regardless, glad to know you can finally get home. it has been an adventure for you, even if unexpected. so, just enjoy the next few weeks as you would have if covid had not come along. even with all the barriers, i remain a tad envious of your whole adventure! i’d ask for some souvenirs, but most of the things i think about are foods that you can’t bring back with you anyway!
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Holy mackerel, how was it?
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Haha! I didn’t order it! Yuck.
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keep trying to post this and it keeps disappearing before i get done so if this is repetitious, oh well. anyway, was in a seafood store in birmingham yesterday. a woman came in and bought a big bag of fish heads and an even bigger bag of shrimp shells. assume it was for a fish stock but those heads and eyes looking out!!. anyway, i think you should order the mackerel chili to see if it’s worth repeating!! and you can save the jar for your souvenir!! stay safe!
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Maybe I will!
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