It has been a long time since anyone told me to "get lost" in other words go away and leave others alone. When I was a child, my mother would periodically tell me to get lost, I would go for a long walk around the farm, or explore the old barns, or pop-into visit my grandmother and great-grandmother.
I got lost in Barcelona, in a different way. This time it was me, who wanted to leave others alone. The streets of the Gothic Quarter were overrun with tourists, with hundreds of vendors vying for any available euro. I was out for a walk, I was not feeling it, so I turned right, went in a couple of blocks and found a quiet street, headed down it to wherever it took me. I turned right, left, left, right, and probably right again, thinking I was making my way back to the busy main street. Someplace I failed to close the box, and I walked and walked, and got lost. Absorbed in the joys of meandering the streets of the old city, with no clear plan. Time was on my side the ship didn't leave port until evening.
I stumbled across a market, and bought a year's supply of saffron,
then pulled up Google Maps on my phone. I was lost, about 2-miles from where I thought I was. I made my way back to the harbor and the ship, having been completely lost in the experience.
I needed that. At times it is just what I need.
For anyone wondering, Sweet Bear, stayed on the ship that day. We had spent several days in Barcelona on a previous trip, and he wanted a day of rest. I got lost, giving him a day to relax.
Getting lost I say can be good for the soul sometimes....and you never know what jewel you may come across.
ReplyDeleteOn a sidenote, this is the first time your blog has appeared in my reader in over two weeks!!!!!
Glad to hear I am not lost in the feed today.
DeleteOh, saffron here in Spain. A wonderful surprise for a cook.
ReplyDeleteWe both love to get lost. We’ve made some of the best discoveries that way. “Hmmm, I wonder where that road leads,” is a common phrase before we’re off on another adventure.
Saffron is amazing to work with. It is the one thing I want to find when I visit Spain.
DeleteThat sounds like a rejuvenating getting lost story.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea were I went, it was a great wander.
DeleteI like getting lost, as long as I have a means to find my way back.
ReplyDeleteBread crumbs, perhaps?
Google Maps, if that had not worked, a taxi.
Delete"Not all those who wander are lost." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
ReplyDeleteI do not have a good sense of direction, have been way off course many, many times, and like you, have had many unexpected, delightful adventures. Perhaps the wanderlust in me?
For some reason in Europe my sense of north / south / east /west is all off.
DeleteGetting lost in new places is one of the joys of traveling.
ReplyDeleteContrary to my inner control freak
DeleteIt can be an unexpected pleasure to wander in a foreign city. I have been blessed and cursed with an excellent sense of direction so I am seldom completely lost but I do like not knowing exactly where I am. (As long as I can always call an Uber or a taxi or find public transport in an emergency!)
ReplyDeleteThose narrow winding streets made it easy to get lost
DeleteSounds like a nice wander! What do you do with a year's supply of saffron? I know nothing about it.
ReplyDeleteI primarily use it in rice dishes.
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