Faces of My Life Here

Yesterday I finally downloaded my mobile photos to my computer. These were taken in the last year, since we've been here. They are just pictures of me...

This is Jett and I waiting for the Bus to Vilanova, where we take a children's yoga class. Jett is my assistant. Yes, Jett really is that white. And yes, that girl in the back ground is a bit scary. 

Jett loves to draw. And this is one of his first portraits of me. Done about 6 months ago. 

One of my most favourite places in the whole apartment is right here. On the sofa. Some days I don't move much from here. 

This is me on the way to Vilanova on the bus. Its only about 25 minutes away. I go on Thursdays. 

I bought some new socks at the market. There is a local (huge) market here every Thursday. I bought two pairs. I really liked the orange ones. 

On this day, I got off at the wrong station!  Well, I hardly ever travel by my self, and on this day, I went to Amma's darshan. Albert had to work. I went there by my self, and I wasn't sure what station I had to get off at - and this sign said something really dismal like 'oh, you want THIS station? Well, get off at the NEXT stop.' Only I couldn't read it very well from inside the train, and all I really saw was the station name... and I made a mistake.

Me pretending to sleep. 

I was very happy this day, because its the first day I took my new trolley for a walk to the super market. I can do that every day now, but then, it was the first time!! Its me and my trolley. 

Photos: Tiffany Jones

My Mid Morning Break

Across the road, I sometimes stop by for a chocolate stick. And coffee with milk. 

This little lovely is a chocolate xuxu - and is really wonderful!!! I have to have two coffees with this one. 

One of my favourite cakes is this ensaimada, with custard. I love the burnt sugar taste. And its SO soft!

We were told, 40 days ago, that we had to eat a lot one day - for Fat Thursday or Fat Tuesday?, so we said ok... and we ate as much as we could. I love Catalonia. 

Who says I don't study Catalan? I do it the best way possible, by living the traditions of the second breakfast: pastry and coffee. Of course. 

Our monkey!

Happy easter! Everyone here buys these cakes with eggs on top. They are called mona. Love to everyone!

Training for the Camino de Santigo

On saturday we walked 20 kilometers. Its just the beginning!


Photo: Albert Vila

The Pavement Stalker

Today, as I was walking along the street with my little trolley on the way to the supermarket, my attention rested on a man whom when he saw me, stopped and hissed through his teeth. I didn't understand the sound, and looked closer at his face. He was smiling in what can only be described as lurid. I ignored him and kept walking.

After a few steps I realised he was following me. In which case I hastened my step, and continued a long the street wondering what I was going to do. If I went to the shops, he could corner me in one of the aisles and to be stuck with such a man in a small area was much worse that being on  a relatively crowded street. I decided, that before I changed my shopping trip strategy, I should be sure if the man was such a creep.

I stopped in front of the fruit and vegetable shop and looked with interest at the oranges on display. The man walked passed, and much to my horror, stopped and turned and started walking towards me hissing.

I turned to him, and said loudly 'stop it. Just stop it.'

He said, in Spanish, that he didn't understand me. I told him to stop it, loudly, and started to turn to passers by in an attempt to embarrass him. He just smiled in such a foul way, I wondered where he came from and for how long he had been doing this for. He was hardened.

I called the attention of two young men walking down the street who stopped and looked at the man. I walked passed them all, and went to a different supermarket a few streets away.

Honestly, I kept looking over my shoulder to see if he was there.

I kept thinking, but, what did he do, actually? Imagine I had to explain to police what happened. And actually, nothing much happened at all. But the feeling he gave me, was oppressive. He had very evil intentions.

Anyway, although I felt unhappy for twenty minutes or so, I was glad I didn't just ignore it. That I faced the man, and said something instead of pretending. I'm not going to walk down the street being afraid, just because of one man.

Photo: Tiffany Jones

Honk Away

I don't know if it was the cortado taking immediate effect, or the too full glass of wine I had for lunch dousing my sensitivity, but I just had an about turn.

I was standing at the lights, waiting to cross when an old woman in a car was hesitating to turn. Another car behind her, beeped loudly and insistently, and I laughed. Well, inside. When the 'beeper' went past, and I saw the look of cool disregard on her face, I laughed a bit more.

Maybe my British heritage is finally loosing up here, as it turns into spring time, melting away as the last of the snow.

However, it could just be the first beep of many to come in the warmer weather. Honking does seem to increase in the warmer weather. Could be a cool statistic to learn and quote at appropriate moments in conversation.  Or not.

Photo taken from C's

Listen to Aunty Tiffany!

Its cold out there! There are record snow falls and record low temperatures all across Europe. And still, people do not know how to dress for the weather.

I grew up in a sunny corner of the Gold Coast, Australia. We lived by the beach. When it was cold, we put on a jumper. A jumper is what you call a jersey. If it was still cold, we’d swap our thongs and sandals for sneakers or closed toe shoes and wear socks.  

When I was a young adult, I moved to Norway. That year it was the coldest winter since 1955. It was -25 day after day, and I had no idea how to get myself warm.

You may say I’m a slow learner, but it took me a good two years before I understood that a jumper and sneakers were not going to keep me warm in the winter.

There is one phrase I learnt in Norway that has been helpful ever since. ‘There is no bad weather, there is just bad clothing’. And I’m here to share my secrets with you.

First of all, you must wear warm underwear. Girls, forget those skimpy little things that show the flabby part of your bottom, you need to keep your tush warm and rosy, not pinched and blotchy from the cold.

Then, you must wear wool, silk or an equivalent material that breathes, closest to your skin.  That is singlets, t-shirts, stockings, long johns, or long underpants under your normal clothes. That is your first important layer.

After you put your winter clothes on, then you need to be sure you have a scarf, gloves and a hat. Don’t be afraid to mess that hair. You’ll have plenty of time in the spring to let your hair out.  Cover your ears!!

The cold air creeps into the parts of your body that are exposed to the elements, so it’s important to keep as much of your body covered by warm clothing as possible. And remember, if you begin to sweat then remove layers of clothing. Sweating in cold weather seems to be an instant recipe for influenza.

Ok! Enough of the lecture! But, I’ll be watching from my window, making sure you’re all wearing sensible clothing this winter! Signing off this time as Aunty Tiffany.

Originally published in the Revista del Valles