Wednesday, May 15: On this Wednesday afternoon, after listening to and double-marking eighteen tedious presentations by John G’s students about the cities in the world they dream of visiting, about how “the life is beautiful” and “Paris/Tokyo/Sydney are so beautiful and nice and I advice {sic} you to go there,” I escape the university early. The temperature on this day is 106 degrees Fahrenheit and even after I drive my tiny turquoise Suzuki Celerio home with the air conditioner cranked up full blast, I feel like burnt toast when I pull into my driveway 30 minutes later. I immediately do as I do every day when I get home: put on my pajamas, turn on all three air-conditioners and all five fans, gobble down two dolmas and a plateful of sliced cheddar cheese with tomato wedges on crackers, and plop down on my couch to read about Barcelona in my bulky Lonely Planet Spain.
Always the queen of wasting time, I eventually force myself to get up and at least make one small step toward packing for my not-imminent-enough departure soon after June 26. I open my red suitcase and start trying on clothes that I think I’d like to wear on my vacation to Spain and Portugal.
Yikes! I know I have gained weight but I didn’t realize how much the bulge around my middle is now emphasized in every tank top and cute knit sleeveless top I own. Since in Oman I always wear baggy long-sleeved shirts, I have been in great denial (though admittedly secretly aware) of how unsightly my body has become. I try on a number of plain tank tops and cute flowing ruffled tops and red tops with colorful embroidery, tops that remind me of flamenco dancing and sangria and azulejos (blue & white painted tiles found everywhere in Portugal) and the striped arches of Cordoba’s Mezquita. The ones that best camouflage the bulges go in the suitcase and the others go in a pile to be shipped back to the USA for hopefully better days.
first steps in my packing process
I have been dreaming of wandering through the Glory Facade of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and eating paella by the sea in Valencia, wandering through and marveling at the Alhambra & the Cordoba Mezquita, eating tapas in Seville and drinking wine while under the influence of Spanish guitarists. In these dreams, I look as cute and Spanish as a person of my age and German heritage can look. But. Unless my right knee stops giving me problems and I can go on a full-out exercise regime in the next month, I will sadly need to change my vision.
Oh well. In the meantime, after finishing off marathon sessions of the 3rd season of Downton Abbey and the Christmas special where Matthew Crawley gets killed in a car accident right after his baby boy is born, I distract myself from my sorrows by diving in to Lonely Planet Spain, making asterisks next to places I want to visit in Barcelona and Valencia. Alternately, I lie on my couch in my air-conditioned flat and read Duende: a journey into the heart of Flamenco, by Jason Webster, about the author’s search for “the intense and mysterious emotional state – part ecstasy, part melancholy – that is the essence of Spain’s signature art form: flamenco.” I search on Youtube for Spanish flamenco music and classical Spanish guitar music to add to my iPod Nano. I download Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, to my Kindle and search in vain for a Kindle version of The Seamstress by Maria Duennas (highly recommended by mrs. carmichael of being mrs. carmichael). I do a Google search for novels set in Spain or in Portugal and add 22 titles to my Goodreads “to-read” list. I look for a small-group local tour in Andalucia, which I find, and I look on booking.com for low-priced but decent hotels in Barcelona, which don’t seem to exist. I pencil in an itinerary on a calendar and on maps of Spain and Portugal.
And of course, I manage to waste time preparing a new blog where I will eventually post about all my European journeys. So far, I’ve only written one post from a 2003 trip to France, but once I return home to the USA, I plan to post about both of my trips to France, a 1999 trip to England, and my upcoming trip to Spain and Portugal (and hopefully many future trips including a walk on the Camino de Santiago and trips to Italy, Croatia, Ireland, Switzerland, and anywhere else I can afford to go). If you feel like taking a look, hop on over to in search of a thousand cafés.
Finally, I dream. It’s not much longer now.
You’re on your way now Cathy
Yes, I am, although it still seems so far away. At least I’m having fun anticipating. 🙂
I can so relate to the flowing top/tank top conundrum, with the thickening middle section of the body – which seems to thicken a bit more each year. I remember my grandmother telling me that would happen, back when I was a preteen. I have watched all of season 3 of Downton Abbey – except the final episode. I know Matthew dies, and I suspect I’m resisting seeing it. But I will, before Season 4 starts. I tend to do a lot of online searching before I go somewhere, and read a travel book creating for myself a much more extensive agenda than will actually happy, but you really do immerse yourself in the country, don’t you?! I’m looking forward to enjoying your trip vicariously.
Well, Carol, you are certainly right about the midriff bulge getting more rotund every year! What is the deal with that?? I hate it but even when I exercise, which I haven’t been doing much lately because of my knee, I can’t seem to get rid of it.
I had to search high and low for that last episode where Matthew dies, and I knew it was coming too, but that didn’t make it any more palatable. I was so sad he had to die off. Of course I have to keep reminding myself this is just a TV show!!
I love planning and anticipating a trip as much as taking the trip itself, and like you, I often plan much more than is humanly possible. But it’s fun to have big plans and to dream of them all coming true. That’s part of the fun of travel. Thanks for joining on my trip! 🙂
I love how organised you are, Cathy. I never start packing until the day before, even when I’m going for 6 months. I know you’re going to love your Spanish trip, and I hope all your dreams come true, right down to the guitarists and your cute Spanishness. 🙂 Why don’t you look for your hotels on http://www.tripadvisor.com/
and http://www.expedia.com/
Thanks, Sylvia. I am always organized; if there’s nothing else you can say about me, you can certainly say that. I have been feeling so useless in these last days not taking any steps to prepare (although I did sell my car and that was quite a process), so at least I made some first moves yesterday. Thanks for wishing for my dreams to come true! 🙂 I will definitely check out expedia, though I’ve also looked at tripadvisor too! 🙂
Wow your time there in Oman is almost done and your trip is now starting to feel like a reality! We all can relate to the middle bulge! 😦 As we get older, the weight seems to settle all over 😦 Just forget it and just go and enjoy yourself and worry about the weight when you get back to the states!
Have a great day girlfriend and keep dreaming and the day will be here before you know it!
Thanks so much, Theresa! Isn’t it so frustrating about the middle age spread??? Oh well, I don’t think there’s much I can do about it now, so I guess I just have to accept it. I’m just looking forward to being in Europe again; I do believe Europe is my favorite place to travel on the planet. Anywhere in Europe! Thanks for your good wishes!! 🙂
Oh I’m soooo jealous of your upcoming trip! Sounds like so much fun! 🙂
Thanks so much!! I cannot wait!! 🙂
Do you have “Tales of the Alhambra” by Washington Irving on your list, Cathy?
I hope you can find time to spend at least a couple of days in my part of the world – and I would like to invite you to come and stay with me (well, US really, but my hubby is used to me inviting blogging friends to stay) when I would love to show you a few of our local delights 🙂
Marianne x
Hi Marianne, I didn’t have “Tales of the Alhambra” on my list, but it is there now. I’ll have to check and see if I can get it in Kindle version. Is it really worthwhile?
I am definitely planning to be in your area, Marianne, although I haven’t firmed up the dates yet. It would be a pleasure to meet you and spend a day or two with you!! I would love it. I’ll let you know my itinerary when I know it, and we’ll see if we can work something out. Right now I’m studying up on Barcelona and Valencia; when I get to Malaga and Andalucia, I’ll be looking in great detail at your blog!! Thanks for your really kind invitation!! 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
Just let me know the (possible) dates as soon as you know them, as I tend to have quite a lot of guests requests/booked into this particular “hotel”, especially over the summer months! First names written on the calendar gets it!
OK, Marianne, I will certainly do that! I’m waiting until the university has bought my plane ticket, then I will know my dates for sure!
Oh this thickening middle problem! I’ve lost 22 pounds but still look a horror in lots of things because I haven’t got a waist!
Good for you, Gilly, losing 22 pounds! I’m having trouble losing even 1!! Last year at this time, before my holiday, I went on an exercise and diet plan where I lost 10 pounds. But this year, I’m having some knee problems and can hardly walk at times!! That really puts a kink in my exercise plans. Maybe I’ll just have to accept that I have to deal with the middle bulge! It’s funny though, as we get older, that middle never seems to whittle down, no matter what you do! 😦
Ah, sweet anticipation….I can sense it in your writing. And yet, you were in Oman for a reason and it has taught you many lessons. Don’t miss out on them by already living in the future! Have you thought about wrapping up your Oman sojourn and mining the gold that was there?
Yes, Annette, I’m really anticipating my vacation and my return to the U.S. I know I have learned a lot while in Oman and I will do a reflection post on it when I leave. I have a few more tales to tell, some of which will come after I’m out of the country. I also have a few more adventures planned, so there is definitely more to come about Oman. Some posts I’ve already written and are scheduled to come out sometime after I’ve gone. Don’t worry, there is plenty I learned, some good and some bad, and I have lots to say (as I usually do)! 🙂
Looking forward to it – and to meeting you when you get back!
Me too, Annette! Definitely looking forward to meeting you! 🙂
Lucky you, going to Barcelona, such a fabulous city…and I have it on good authority that clothes shrink when they are left hanging in the wardrobe for too long….that’s my excuse anyway!!
Thanks you so much, Joan. Yes, I feel really lucky to be going to Spain and Portugal. I’ve been saving every penny over the last 5 months so I can enjoy an extended holiday. After this semester at the university, I certainly need it!
I like your theory about clothes shrinking when hanging in the wardrobe too long! For sure!!! That MUST be what has happened! 🙂
Cathy, your upcoming Spanish adventure sounds positively glorious, and I know you can’t wait. What a well-deserved reward! We were just in Barcelona again last year – I think it gets better with every visit. And amazingly, Spain is the first place we went when we were moving back to the USA after 2 years in Sudan! Kindred spirits!
I’m guessing that once you leave the stress behind and embrace your new life, the weight will just melt right off. 🙂 Hang in there. ~Terri
I’m very excited too, Terri. That’s funny; it sounds like we are kindred spirits. After I lived in Korea, I went to India for 3 weeks on my way home. That was a hardship. I hope Spain isn’t as such! I’m sure it won’t be as Europe is much more civilized than India! I hope you’re right about the weight. I would definitely be on an exercise and diet regime right now if my knee weren’t giving me problems!
I’ve still not been to Spain, so I look forward to reading about your adventure there!
I’m looking forward to reading about your Spanish adventures. As for Downton Abbey, first they knock off Sybil, who was the nicest of all the sisters and then they give poor long suffering Matthew the chop! I couldn’t believe it…
Thanks so much, Carol. Yes, I couldn’t believe Sybil was killed off then Matthew soon after. And it was very soon after for me because I got the whole season and watched it in marathon sessions. I am so sad still about Matthew because I liked him immensely!! 😦
I think everyone feels that way. It’s been a very popular show here.
Your trip sounds heavenly – even without a waist. My waist was 18 inches when I was about that age, and now I would be happy at 32. I don’t measure it any more, and there are other parts of me that seem to drape over it anyway. That sure never happened when I was younger! Oh well, the chocolates taste good, and all the flavors of Spain are there for you to enjoy. You can diet when you get back to the US. I think I’ll start mine tomorrow – no – Monday – no – maybe in a couple of weeks?
Yes, Marsha, this trip is sounding more and more heavenly the more I read about Spain… Haven’t even started planning Portugal yet. Sure wish I had a waist though (or should I say a little waist; I definitely have a big one!). I know all about the “draping over” bits! Yes, I started a diet a month ago, but every day I keep going off it. I don’t know why I have no self-control…. And I know that tapas and sangria and all other Spanish and Portuguese foods will be calling my name!
There you go! Wish I was coming with you! 🙂 It sounds amazing. 🙂
You’ll be well prepared and you’ll have a great time, ans I hope we get to see the photos! Something about your description of coming home in the heat & turning everything on, etc., was so clear – I was there. Glad you can see Downton Abbey – it’s so much fun, no?
I can’t wait, Lynn! Yes, I’ll be posting all about my trip on my blog about Europe: http://www.catbirdineurope.wordpress.com
I love Downton Abbey, but now I’m all finished up to Matthew’s death. What will I do until January when Season 4 continues???
Congratulations on selling your car! Wow that’s great news.
I too have discovered than none of my summer capri length pants are fitting me because of my bulging middle. Oh well…
sorry to hear you’ve got a bad knee. What’s wrong? I use a homeopathic cream called “traumeel” when I have any muscular problems on my limbs. Not sure whether you can buy it there – I could mail it to you.
You are so kind, Rosie, to offer to mail me that cream. It’s okay, my knee pain comes and goes and I can get some of that cream once I return home. Sometimes after I exercise, it gives out on me, or twists and causes a stab of pain. I’ve had a partial knee replacement in that knee and it seems to give me trouble from time to time.
I was really happy to sell my car, although I do miss it, especially since I’m now driving a tiny Suzuki Celerio. Yes, it is really a shame about the bulging middles. I wish they’d start making bigger waisted pants for us baby boomers!! It’s such a shame the way our bodies “settle” as we age. 🙂