Infinita Belleza: Infinite Beauty

In Barcelona, Spain

Hello my friends! Hola amigos mios! Oi meu amigos! Mar7aba as-duqatees! How are you feeling? What has changed since we last crossed paths? I am grateful and happy to be able to tell you about my latest trip to Europe! I was honored to have the chance to visit Germany, France and Spain! 

I’ve always been a fan of the Germans, for they are continuously polished and savvy. Although I only went to Berlin for a few days, I was able to greatly admire their country’s cleanliness and ease. Not to mention, people were friendly and spoke perfect English! A German lady even joked, “I am double your size!”, which was true, but that’s the beauty of the world, no? My biggest interest was all the WWII and Cold War era history, as I feel I can better understand people and my country itself when I see things from another perspective. I felt these strong emotions when I saw the remains of the Berlin Wall and the Jewish Memorial...what a world we live in. How can we as humans let madness and pride get to us so simply? I looked within myself first to find these answers and I am still working on them from my own perspective.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Bermany

My new friend Mel and her son (who were hosting me during my short stay) were kind enough to allow me to prepare typical German dinners with them and they spoke about their experiences in the country. She was German, born of Kurdish descent, and her son was a mixed with Creole. I noticed much diversity in the country and I felt as if Germany is the closest to Utopia that we should so strive for. 

After a few days in Berlin, I headed to my beloved Paris, France! It’s always chic and I am delighted to dress up and have a fancy glass of champagne! My days were rather calm and spent visiting cafes+museums with friends I made last year. Of course, I took daily romantic walks along the Seine river, with pretty views of Notre Dame. I dreamed of my greatest desires and for a better world. I was a little self-conscious with my French, for the Parisians are often busy or in a hurry and I had to keep up a fast pace. I did manage to survive and when I got confused, I just gave them a big smile! 

Following sometime and a day trip to the famous Champagne houses in Epernay, I bid adieu to my Parisian comrades and headed to Marseilles, France! I had never been to the South of France and it was gorgeous! The sun kissed me more passionately and the air felt deliciously crisp against my skin. I felt as if this would make a good home, as I felt truly French here. Everyday, I would head to the cafe and have a cafe au lait with a pain au chocolat. I would then head over to the market and buy what I needed for the day. I got the most joy out of buying French yogurt, sold in tiny glass jars with honey.  Oh! How the smallest and simplest things make me happy!

As I frequently mention, I enjoy being in diverse places, as my background and upbringing is one of the most diverse...and Marseilles was filled with Italians, French, Chinese, Algerians (most which resembled a young and handsome Zinedine Zidane!) and people from other places! And I must tell you that the beach was wonderful too! I sunbathed nude, because it was legal and many were doing it. What amazed me is that no one cared, everyone was too focused on themselves to judge anyone else’s body—if only people everywhere could do this. I met many divine people, whom I shared my thoughts with and of course, I had to ask them about President Macron! As expected, he was highly spoken of by the French people (whom I asked).

My view, in Marseilles, France

One in particular, asked me a question that I’ve pondered about before...he asked, “Where do you feel most beautiful?” I chuckled and said I felt most beautiful everywhere except the United States! I mean that...when I am in other countries, I don’t feel as much pressure to have to do all these beauty things, such as getting facials and always styling my hair. Or a maybe I just don’t feel as rushed or need to impress as much in other countries? In Europe, I took my time eating and made sure to sit for every meal. Here in San Francisco, I try my best, but I usually end up having my coffee to-go or eating while staring/working at my computer. I am striving to slow down and savor each moment…Somehow, I managed to make time and to spend a few days in Nice and lived the high life! Hahaha, just kidding! I felt super poor because everything was elegant and usually expensive, but worth every hard earned dime! The French Riviera was exquisite and I felt all worries and responsibilities melt away when I swam in the clear waters.

A beach in Nice, France

Originally, my plan was to only visit Germany and France...as I never had much of an interest in Spain. But at the beginning of the year, I met someone I grew to love dearly. He is a Spanish gentleman working in data mining and artificial intelligence, who swept me off my feet! I did not speak much of him, as it ended as quickly as it began. It left me the most confused and a bit hardened that I’ve been in a while, but it clearly set me on a better path. I wanted to discover the place that made this man so charming and lively. The cheesy things he would say to me, I adored! Even if I knew they were cheesy! When we’d go for walks in the moonlight, he’d say, Mira como te mira la luna…te quiere, pero no tanto como yo te adoro. “Look at how the moon looks at you, she likes you…but not as much as I adore you!" Sadly, our lives did not coincide and it would be our demise…sadly or another tragedy to triumph scenario? I would like to think a triumph, since months later, I had the time of my life in beautiful Spain!

The love of my life! Paella, in Madrid, Spain

Ironically enough, I would conquer the hearts of the Spaniards in Barcelona and Madrid! I was pleasantly surprised at their warmth and charm and we became instant friends! In particular, I became great friends with my hosts, whom I’d parade around the city with or take their recommendations when I was solo. I was a regular at the mercados and feasted on tapas, paella and impressed the Spanish with my high tolerance for Cava—it’s the bubbles that I love! 

My greatest joy in Barcelona was having churros for breakfast, everyday! They were just so fresh, crisp, and sweet! I was also pleased at an even greater diversity in Spain and I combined my joys of eating food with cultural exploration. At one of the churro cafes, I asked a woman and man about their beautiful colorful dress and they said it was traditionally Senegal. I awed at the artisanship and quickly asked if they knew of Miriam and Amadou! They are a Senegalese blind couple who make great music! They beamed with excitement that I knew them and we bonded over Spanish and French conversation. And they agreed with my day dreams and I asked them if they knew…Quelle heure est-il, au paradis? “What time is it in Paradise?” They smiled and asked, Quelle heure est dans votre coeur? “What time is it in your heart?”. As a true fan of Manu Chao and Miriam+Amadou, I knew the answer…

Barcelona's finest breakfast ;-)

I went alone on this trip, but never felt alone. I found confidants and friends in people, for they always had a smile to give or a few words of wisdom for me. I could see this sparkle of life and hope in everyone I met. Alas, much of it was hidden beneath the burdens and boredom of everyday life and I can only hope I helped bring it out. Certainly, the world continues to inspire me and I never want to stop learning! Thank you, Universe, friends and family, for a life full of infinite beauty! One that is full of excitement and hope. Stay sane and humble my habibis, let’s see where I end up next! 

Quelle heure est-il...dans ma ceour?