Are You Afraid of The Dark?

It was the kind of day that was a bit deceiving. The sun shone brightly and after enjoying her coffee she walked to her suitcase to pull an outfit for the day. Her eyes settled on a cream linen summer dress with thin straps. It would be the perfect dress for exploring the city given its cool fabric. She packed a bottle of water and her camera into her backpack as she excitedly locked the door to her Airbnb.

As she stepped outside she was hit with a cool chill in the air. It was much cooler than she anticipated. Then again, it was only 8:00 am so she was hopeful that as the sun rose higher the temperature would also rise. Barcelona was not a particularly early riser. With the exception of shop owners and people who were on their way to work it was a rather quiet morning for a weekday. The "rush hour" didn't feel quite like a New York rush hour. The Spanish seemed to have a laid-back easy going air about them even whilst commuting to work. She mused how people back home generally avoided eye contact in the morning and communicated only if absolutely necessary.

Today was a day to explore the gothic quarter and all of its exceptional architecture and history. First up was El Call, the old Jewish quarter. Filled with dark history that dates back to Medieval Times it seemed the perfect place to start the morning. As she took in the sights on the cool morning she shifted sides of the streets choosing to walk to the sunny side. Somehow the cold shadows and narrow streets left her with an eerie feeling. On August the 5th 1391 there was a massacre of the Jews in Barcelona causing, apart from the obvious huge loss of life, a vast fleeing from the city or at best the conversion to the Christian faith. Jewish public life virtually disappeared for hundreds of years.

It was mid-morning when she decided to stop at a cafe for a snack. As she sat looking up at the bright blue cloudless sky she was grateful to have a table in the sunlight. She was alone at the small cafe and was grateful to be able to select what she thought was the table with the most beautiful viewpoint. Perhaps it was obvious that she was American but the shop owner turned to a radio station that played English music. As Halsey's "Without You" played in the background she couldn't help her attention being shifted to the lyrics.

"Just Running From The Demons In Your Mind

Then I Took Yours

And Made Them Mine

I Didn't Notice 'Cause My Love Was Blind

Said I'd Catch You If You Fall

And If They Laugh

Then Fuck Them All"

She mused at how much clearer everything was with time and reflection. As much as she didn't like the shadows. As cold as the darkness was, it was only after these experiences that we can really appreciate the beauty of life and warmth. She felt grateful in her conclusion that love was a choice and not a feeling.