I came back home on Saturday evening, and I still don’t feel like I’ve settled down. In the meantime, two lovely artists passed away – Patricia Routledge on the day I flew to Poland, and Diane Keaton on the day I was coming back.
Below, random pictures without captions ;)
Monday was the last day I spent with my Dad, the two of us sipping coffees at El Gato. I love the laid-back atmosphere there – the slow pace, the easy chatter of customers in the background, everyone happy, unhurried. The staff add to it all, focused, but cheerful and open.
Was a little surprised by how relaxed my parents were at the airport. There we were again, sitting around a table with teas and a coffee (for Dad), chatting about random things. It all felt quite easy-going, no sense of rush. And that's what I like.
So, it happened I started Tuesday on a plane. After the journey that ended around two a.m., I managed about three hours of sleep before heading off to work the morning shift. I thought I was doing grand, all things considered, but by the early evening I felt washed out and unwell. It was a strange feeling; looking back, I think I simply forgot to drink enough water (especially, that I was walking a lot, mostly drawn out by the sunshine), and I paid the price for that little lapse in judgement.
It's time to pack, but there's really not much to do, I'm taking my trusty rucksack which always serves me well as a small cabin bag that fits easily under the seat in front of me. Throughout the day, I listened to Montaigne's Essays read in Polish. It was a longish adventure – after 25 years I returned to this text last November, but I couldn't/didn't want to follow the narrative every day. I've changed over the years, in the past I used to be more impressed, now I'm ready to argue every so often, and I think it's a good sign ;) Nonetheless, mostly enjoyed the listening.
I feel tension, kind of anxiety, Reisefieber. I think it's because Fred is not flying with me, he has to go to work tomorrow, and even more importantly, he has a doctor appointment on Wednesday. I'll be ok on my own, and he'll be ok on his own, just prefer us travelling together, it's more fun, I couldn't dream of a better companion.
‘Tis a rare fortune, but of inestimable solace; to have a worthy man, one of a sound judgment and of manners conformable to your own, who takes a delight to bear you company. Words of wisdom :)