4/4 (viernes)

When I try to use the Spanish (words) I just learned to start a conversation, I find that I usually get a response in a flood of Spanish and I have to apologize and let them know I don’t understand. But, I feel that it sets up a friendlier atmosphere than if I had started with English.

I’m walking around the fair weather city of Granada.

Andalucia’s light is soft, like it is infused with a milky white.

It softens the outlines.

4/5 (sabado)

I’m back in Barelona.

The light here is rather purplish.

I finally get to face my suitcase at the apartment.

The washi paper is fine.

Thank goodness.

4/6 (domingo)

I wonder if Gaudi also looked upon the sight of the Sagrada Familia bathed a reddish-purple in the morning light during the scant minutes of dawn.

Photographs show that there was almost nothing besides fields around the church in the old days.

I’ll try to remove the buildings that have been built around it since, as I picture it in my mind

The surrounds have changed, but the church has stood and continued to be built for over 100 years.

I’m reminded of the picture book “A Small House”.

It’s about a small house that stands as it is, while its peaceful surroundings go through more and more changes.

I’m imagining the Sagrada Familia as it was when it was built amongst the fields.

4/7 (lunes)

I wake up before 6 AM.

I pull open the curtains and the centry-old facade of the Sagrada Familia looms before me. I know it is there, but am still surprised by it.

The voices of birds are cheerfully calling from the dark.

What I think are construction elevators start moving up and down after 7. Are there people working already? Lunch and dinner are about 2 hours later then what is normal in Japan, so it seems surprising.

The night recedes and around 7:30, the rising sun paints the steeples red. As of now, this time of day is when it looks the most beautiful. I wonder how many faces it will present during the month here.

I cook and eat some genmai rice. It was a little hard, but delicious.

The staff at the Barcelona Tourism Office made an exception and have specially allowed me the use of a bicycle that normally only residents are allowed to use. In addition, I’ve picked up a PASMO-like pass for unlimited use of the subway. It appears that it can be used for buses too. Bicycle, bus, subway, sometimes taxi. I’m all set to make my way around the city from today.

I’m thankful for all the help I’ve gotten from various people.

100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups… is what I wanted to do, but I end up at 60.

For some reason I’m trying them even though I don’t normally do them in Japan.

I’ll be here a month, and I get the feeling that I should have something that I continue to do on a daily basis.

Takehiko Inoue