Her: So, I spoke to my roommate and we're both happy to have you stay longer than two weeks if you need to.

Me: Really? Oh that's great news. Thank you!

Her: Of course. The room is quite small but...

Me: It can't be smaller than the one I've been in.

Her: So, tonight I'm going to a sort of women's network here in Spain. I can ask about your joining if you'd like... it's lots of coaches and other women in business. I'm referring people all the time to each other. You could offer English lessons... coaching... whatever.

Me: That would be so nice... This is exactly what I needed, Roxanne. It's so good to be with you again. I feel like I can breathe. I've just been so isolated.

Her: Yeah. I understand.

Me: I've never been lonely in my whole life. Never. Or homesick. I didn't think it was in me. But I met that part of myself last week.

Her: Well, you won't be lonely here for long, that's for sure.

Me: Thank you for everything.

Her: Of course.

My favorite street in Barcelona... It's like Spanish Portland. Narrow cobblestones, little movie theater, and tons of restaurant and shops. This is where I would want to live if I could.

And.

A tortilla.

That's all.

"In what constitutes the real happinesss of human life, (the poor) are in no respect inferior to those who would seem so much above them. In ease of body and peace of mind, all the different ranks of life are nearly upon a level, and the beggar, who suns himself by the side of the highway, possesses that security which kings are fighting for."

-Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, 1776

Thanks, Adam.
Although my bank account will soon be diving into the world of negative numbers, I do have the absolute freedom to sun myself in the park for as long as I wish.

I just learned that although people in the middle class are happier than those living in abject poverty, those who are in the upper class are not happier than those in the middle class? And yet we work so hard to get there... (from the book, Stumbling into Happiness)

I leave for Morocco on Friday for 5 days of coach training in the desert. It's so beyond my imagination that I find I don't have material with which to daydream.

Then I'll stay for two weeks with a French woman named Roxanne who works for the Coaches Training Institute here in Barcelona. Then... who knows.

I'm still looking for work... jogging in the morning... saying prayers... writing songs... missing Maine... feeling groundless and alone.

I'm going to go celebrate my wealth with a .60 euro baguette and a good book in the park.

My office.

Today was a good day. I found a way to make some money. I jogged next to the sea at sunrise. I watched Family Guy in Spanish. I found a way.

My first Friday night in Barcelona was out of control, yo! I'm talking about a puzzle, some Spanish tv shows and mad cups of tea. It was crazy! Watch me now!

Him: British Airways...

Me: Hola... podemos hablar en ingles?

Him: Yes, one moment.

(Hold music... ice-cream truck version of "The Entertainer")

Him: Yes, hello?

Me: Hi, I’m calling about two pieces of luggage that didn't come in with me yesterday on BA flight 484.

Him: Okay, can you give me please the file registration number?

Me: It’s BCNBA11286

Him: One moment.

(More "Entertainer")

Him: Okay, yes?

Me: I wasn’t able to give you a contact phone number and I’d like to give you one now.

Him: We have phone number 011 207 939...

Me: That number won’t work. It’s an American number and the phone is going to die soon because the charger is in the luggage. I have a Spain number now.

Him: Okay, what is that number?

Me: 648 756 235

Him: Okay, thank you, have a nice day.

Me: Also, I was just on-line and noticed that my last name was spelled incorrectly.

Him: Yes, it’s Wilson, right?

Me: Yes, but the information on the website said Ilson.

Him: Wilson?

Me: No, Ilson, without the w.

Him: Oh, without the w.

Me: Right.

Him: Okay, thank you, have a nice day.

Me: Do you have any information about that baggage? I need it right away.

Him: Okay. Please, one moment.

(I swear it is the exact sound of an ice cream truck... why is THIS their hold music?)

Him: No, we have nothing.

Me: Great. Do you have the address?

Him: Yes... Carrer Sardenya, 74-75...

Me: Actually, it’s 74 - 78...

Him: Yes, one moment.

(blingy bling bling blading blading... bladdada bladda bladda...)

Him: Yes, anything else?

Me: I guess not, no.

Him: Thank you and have a good day.