While I continue to write and rewrite and overthink and under-edit my essay on why I’m becoming a coach, here’s the journal entry from my 14th day of living in Spain while on the Shultsbattical, the European family sabbatical I took with my husband and kiddo this spring. The past few rainy and then crisp and sunny days in LA brought me back, as did those super tasty Olive & Herbs Mixed Nuts from Trader Joe’s that I snacked on tonight before dinner.
Spain. Cold fingers, cozy slippers, heater on 20, thank god for our umbrellas and ponchos, women in cool sneakers (New Balance, Bimba y Lola, no name multicolor sporty), handsome and classy men with wavy salt and pepper hair and blazers under or over puffers, fresh bread (sourdough!), fresh cheese (goat), olive trees everywhere - babies with 3 leaves and ancients with hundreds, 24:00, cobblestones, spectacular views, church bells ringing (only the best - the Alcazaba right out our window), the lushest and greenest fields, friends old and new (Jesus the cyclist, Carmen and Toni the wine experts, Lupe the cheesemonger, the Texans with the nonprofit, Anna y Alba from the park), steep climbs on the bike in the countryside and with the stroller in town, near daily laundry and learning to love our clothes rack for air drying, hamentaschen made of sliced corn muffins and dollops of jam.
Spain. What day is it? Supermarket closed? Sunday. Cafe con leche. Molletes. Sweet tomato stew with espinacas y garbanzos (Jewish!) that Andrew made. Masks and cigarettes. Old men and women gabbing with friends or sitting pensively on benches in parks, plazas, streets. Lots and lots of Spanish, some English or German from tourists. What time is it? Naptime? Stores closed for siesta? 2-5pm.
Spain. What does it feel like? I don’t want to leave yet. Be positive. I just got here. I love it here. Nowhere else to be. Simple, minimal, natural, historical, calm even when it’s busy, joyful, welcoming, easy, accessible, walkable, digestible, heavy (the food!). Giddy, excited, curious, fresh, stimulated, no pressure.
What place are you pining for? I’d love to read your love letter. Share some tidbits in the comments and we can all experience a mini getaway.