Gracias por todos

During our outings the day before I spotted an odd street side park not far from our hotel. Since the room was on the seventh floor, I didn’t want to be a nuisance and engage in the noisy exercises of Insanity. Thus, I thought this awkwardly placed public park would work just fine. For the most part it did. I hadn’t thought about the dirt, which I kicked up and nearly choked on several times. Mixed with the heavy sweating, I must have looked like a troglodyte. Several folks, including local police, stopped to watch me. I kept going and all turned out fine.

Once I finished the routine I returned the mini DVD player to the room and took off to explore just a bit more of Barcelona. I so enjoy the funny things you see while running, such as a woman in a terry cloth robe tending her rooftop garden. Two elderly gentlemen having a cordial, yet firm argument on a sidewalk bench. Shopkeepers smoking cigarettes while unloading fresh bread.

I sprinted across spacious, tree-lined sidewalks, taking in the sights of the morning and reflecting on those from the previous day. I likened Spain to Babylon from days of old. This romantic, beautiful and strategically placed country has long been revered as a cultural center for sports, arts, music, dance, food, drink and groundbreaking architecture. Holding true to their roots and keeping pace with the times the modern urban areas practice sophistication with ease and grace.

Traffic flowed well in the busy morning hours, especially for a highly populated city the likes of Barcelona. Busses, taxis, bikes, scooters, numerous walkers and a fair amount of joggers all made their way in harmony. Time did as it does and ran out on me. I had to get back to prepare to head to the airport for a full day of travel. I said a prayer and found myself calm, centered and ready for the day. Graicas por todos, Espana.

Tom