A quick late comment! Yes to pleasure when traveling rather than to-do lists. I struggle with all the things we “should” see and do and instead try to focus on what I believe I will most enjoy.
Hi Mari, Hello to a fellow traveller from last year's W & P. I only just now got around to reading this piece, which I so enjoyed. I was in Spain in 1964 and well remember the late eating hours. I'm sure I went to a concert one night and had dinner *after* the concert. Worse still, I suddenly, and unexpectedly, got my period in Toledo; Toledo was in lockdown, the streets were empty - it was siesta time! A somewhat messy memory. Best wishes to you ❤️
This is a great one Mari! The Zen koan you mentioned I was just talking to someone about a few days ago, but everyone has the story a bit different… which makes it fun.
You are correct though on the “unfortunate becoming fortunate” perspective, which I have to admit is hard for me sometimes since I have not figured out how to predict the future. So trusting the self, then following your will and desire from there usually brings some incredible experiences (lucky as they may be).
I do wonder if there have been studies about eating late like that, I mean digesting while sleeping? The dreams can be intense for sure. I am an early bird eater so that never goes over well for me.
My wife is flying to Madrid today, for work. She was complaining this morning that one of her 'work dinners' begins at 10:00 pm (!). By which time, we are both usually sound asleep.
When the two of us visited Barcelona together, years ago, we arrived for dinner at every restaurant exactly at 7 pm--just as they were opening. Half the waiters were still putting on their outfits, the tables weren't set, the kitchens still empty. The staff clearly thought we were insane: who eats dinner at 7 pm! On the other hand, we never had any trouble getting a table....
Ha! Your story reminds me of the time Casey and I were in Seville, and we wanted lunch. The waiter told us it was “too early” (it was 1:30pm), so we went to a middle eastern place and had a fantastic meal.
Good luck to your wife with that insanely late work dinner!
A quick late comment! Yes to pleasure when traveling rather than to-do lists. I struggle with all the things we “should” see and do and instead try to focus on what I believe I will most enjoy.
This is wise! We can’t see everything, and it is wonderfully freeing to declare, Nope, this is not for me—and do something else instead.
Hi Mari, Hello to a fellow traveller from last year's W & P. I only just now got around to reading this piece, which I so enjoyed. I was in Spain in 1964 and well remember the late eating hours. I'm sure I went to a concert one night and had dinner *after* the concert. Worse still, I suddenly, and unexpectedly, got my period in Toledo; Toledo was in lockdown, the streets were empty - it was siesta time! A somewhat messy memory. Best wishes to you ❤️
Oh dear! So inconvenient! I do not get how people adjust to the late hours and mid-day closures!
This is a great one Mari! The Zen koan you mentioned I was just talking to someone about a few days ago, but everyone has the story a bit different… which makes it fun.
You are correct though on the “unfortunate becoming fortunate” perspective, which I have to admit is hard for me sometimes since I have not figured out how to predict the future. So trusting the self, then following your will and desire from there usually brings some incredible experiences (lucky as they may be).
I do wonder if there have been studies about eating late like that, I mean digesting while sleeping? The dreams can be intense for sure. I am an early bird eater so that never goes over well for me.
Cheers to a great trip and more to come!
I think the beauty of the story is that it encourages us to avoid defeatism. Everything changes, and things will start looking up soon.
As for the late dinners, I think this is why everyone goes out clubbing into the wee hours—to burn off the calories!
My wife is flying to Madrid today, for work. She was complaining this morning that one of her 'work dinners' begins at 10:00 pm (!). By which time, we are both usually sound asleep.
When the two of us visited Barcelona together, years ago, we arrived for dinner at every restaurant exactly at 7 pm--just as they were opening. Half the waiters were still putting on their outfits, the tables weren't set, the kitchens still empty. The staff clearly thought we were insane: who eats dinner at 7 pm! On the other hand, we never had any trouble getting a table....
Ha! Your story reminds me of the time Casey and I were in Seville, and we wanted lunch. The waiter told us it was “too early” (it was 1:30pm), so we went to a middle eastern place and had a fantastic meal.
Good luck to your wife with that insanely late work dinner!