Time on my own

Watch tower and Cyprus trees, Dachau 

I have been on the road now for over 2 weeks, most of it very busy with work and appointments: on and off trains and planes and in and out of taxis and trams and offices all day long. I counted and realized that I have been in 6 countries in 10 days. Finally this past week here in Munich, my resistance broke down a bit and I came down with a nasty head cold. I knew it would happen at some point, I just did not know where or when. At least it was over a long weekend here when I planned to have some time for myself anyway as you are back in London now. I was able to rest a bit, which was good and I even found a small shop in a train station nearby with a Vietnamese family doing manicures and pedicures so I had this done, and while it couldn't compare to what I get in Thailand, it made me feel somewhat better as well.  It is hard to take care of oneself when  traveling so much and one place starts to blend into another. 

Yesterday I felt a bit better so I decided to spend the afternoon out and to explore a bit. In the city, Oktoberfest is in full swing and it is too full of partying crowds for my taste, so I took a train to Dachau, an hour outside of Munich, to visit the museum that is set up there in the grounds of the Nazis first concentration camp. I spent a few hours walking around, reading and reflecting. I learned that in addition to the Jews, many thousands of others also perished here: Russians, Italians, Catholic priests, Czechs, Poles and Roma gypsies and others.  

If you had been with me, we would have talked about everything we were seeing and you would have made bold and sweeping statements about the evils of fascism and dictatorships while I would have tried to draw parallels to world events today. I would have said how lucky we are not to have had to face such a situation in our own lives and how I couldn't imagine what I would have done if I had.  In the end, we would have been glad to share it. Going alone was fine but it is not the same as if we had been together.

On work out music

     I spent last month in Thailand, together with you while I was in summer holidays in my job in Europe. During that time, I tried to support you in your working out. In order to do that, I even tried some things I am not accostumed to, such as Yoga and kickboxing. I went to the gym with you a few times and it was great, but I have to confess that I can’t stand that kind of music that they usually listen – in very loud volume – in those places. It’s something extremely bad, real trash. I dare to say that that is ear raping. I have recently been far from gyms – exercising outdoors – because of that kind of “music”. You always tease me because I normally go running while listening to recited poetry, classical music, bossa nova, Diana Krall and so on.

     I always imagine an ideal working out session in the gym with people listening to the “Four Seasons” by Vivaldi, “The Passion According to Saint Matthew” by Bach, “Also Sprach Zarathustra” by Strauss, a selection of bossa nova, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday or Edith Piaf. In that session, the instructor would be very enthusiast and very active, as well as his followers.  But this world is very far from being the best one possible...

Sunny summer days

The last few days have been spent wandering around Stockholm and discovering its sites of historic interest. It is our first visit to the city and we have both been impressed with what it has to offer visitors. While there is nothing on the scale of the monuments of Paris or London, it is "pleasant' in every way here: well laid out and very scenic with nice architecture fronting innumerable waterways.  The people are friendly and the standard of living here is very high as are the prices. But in any case, it is great to explore this place with you as I never imagined I would have the chance to visit.

I almost forgot to mention the weather which has been outstanding. We have been enjoying sunshine almost every day along with blue skies so we are very lucky considering most of the year it is freezing cold and dark in these parts. During our visit, we have been to many museums and other places but so far my favourite experience was when this afternoon we took a leisurely walk through the local neighborhoods of Soderman and Hornstull where we have our charming flat and enjoyed people watching, window shopping and a delicious plate of organically sourced Swedish meatballs at a trendy little cafe with some flat bread and cider. That was great. Simple but thoroughly enjoyable. I will keep it in mind always when I think of being here and sharing these days with you. 

Two pains

     I have come back to London after spending the whole month of August with you in Thailand, since I was still in summer holidays. We could be together every day and every night and do a wide variety of things. I am a bit tired from the long trip accross the world, but I am happy. This morning, when I woke up, I was recollecting the beautiful memories of this great time by your side.

     We had a few conflicts this time. When I look back, practically all of them were based on stupid things. I remember a message of yours on my phone after a fight and after you going to work rather upset with me: "You're a huge pain, but I love you." And I replied: "You too, but I love you a lot." Well, if these conflicts are not pleasant at all, at least we have had some sense of humor to approach them. That's something very important.