End of the year

As it was written on the beginning of that famous Dickens book: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..., this year was like that. Well, maybe not to exaggerate, but it has been a year of really high ups and some low downs. Nonetheless, after spending two weeks already in Barcelona, I am seeing things in a different way. More optimistical, with a different perspective and appreciating the good things that were, are and will be.

Such as warming up to the smile of two little candles that are just beginning to walk into this world, or to enjoy the conversation with an old friend around some coffee cups

Happy New Year and see you soon!

Leaving

It is really amazing how fast two weeks and a half go by. I arrived with a list of things to do, or to sort out, people to see, places to see again; but now that I am about to leave, I could not do it all. In any case, I leave glad because I could do most of the work I planned to do, I had enough time to see my family, and I could some friends. About sorting some other things out, well, I will leave it for another moment, as usual.

Right now, with my bags already packed and about to leave for the airport, I feel a little sorrow because I am leaving mixed with the anticipation of going back to Taiwan. It took me three days to get used to the Catalan life and now I wonder how I will feel in Taiwan. The question I ask myself as I travel around the globe.

The next post will be from there.

Reading

During these last few days that I have been in Barcelona, when I go to the Physics building with the metro —to do some work—, I have recovered an old hobby of mine that I used to do during my degree and, particularly, while I was doing my PhD: reading a book in the metro. Since I left the city, I could not do it neither in Columbus, where I took a bus at the beginning to go to work, and afterwards I rode my bicycle; nor in Madrid, where I had to drive; nor in Taipei, where I walk to my office. The result is, after spending a few minutes lost inside a parallel universe, that I can catch up to some of the pile of books pending to read. This time, I had even help from a long flight from East Asia.

I must find some time to visit a couple of bookstores before I leave and see if I can get some more books in Catalan to bring back to Taiwan.

Tesla

Saint John's Eve. Night festival for some, with firecrackers and rockets. For us two, Tesla at Razzmatazz. I had seen them before when I was in America, and we witnessed another great gig last Tuesday. This time, in company of my brother. We have been listening to their songs for years; very emotional.


I know what I will be listening to in the near future.

Back in old Europe

A long flight, not uncomfortable, and fairly uneventful —apart from a rollercoaster-like fall due to turbulence in the first leg of the trip that left most of us breathless. Upon arrival, worrying health news in the family that, fortunately, seem to have turned to nothing today after the cause has been found. And at the same time, great joy seeing the two babies, grown up and doing their stuff. There are some smiles, toothless still, that really wash away all the worries in the world. All together a day of reunion with my brothers, around some tables, as it should be.

One day in Barcelona already; one day back in Europe and I am not used to seeing so many westerners in the street yet. My first impression, in the plane or here already, was not too positive. Cultural shock?, it could be. I am too used maybe to being in Taiwan. It has a gentler side. It was called Formosa for a reason. And it is for a reason that I am missing a little beautiful thing too.

First day, then, and I have already done some work. Happy about that , too.