Madrid... Where's the Ocean???

Barcelona dreaming came to an abrupt end. The weather turned cold, the cool crowd left their holiday revelry to return home, and I was left with a decision: to remain or go. There had been so many wonderful people who stayed at The Dream when I resided there, it just didn't feel the same when one by one they departed. One of our last nights together we all hung out in the common area laughing, drinking, and being silly. I sang for some dancers from Budapest and they danced for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE18OlRPGV8 Love it when artists share with each other!

Things began innocently...

Then, as we know... the controls are loosened!

Most wanted the travel mood to last forever. Since I'm not on holiday, it was a kind of break to be in their energy, and noticeably time for me to return to my mission. I had been waiting for word from a producer friend in the States about a singing tour of Spain. Alas the little violin was stroked when we heard there was no funding available. Literally the tide turned overnight. I had dinner with 2 gentlemen I met thru my couch surfing network. We melded on many deep levels and they both encouraged me to continue conquering my fears. I woke up the next morning with renewed determination, packed my bags to return to the center of Barcelona, but purchased a ticket to Madrid instead.

My courage corner around the Barcelona Cathedral.

Rui, the guitarist who sang & played with me all night to a small, but adoring, group of fans.

I am blessed to have met and performed with Rui around the Cathedral. When we parted at 6am one Saturday morning he gave me his email, but the disconnect came and I couldn't find him again. Miraculously as I circled the public market exactly one week later, we bumped into each other and planned a last rendezvous. Last 'cause I had already purchased my Madrid ticket a few hours earlier. Funny, but the final meeting wasn't meant to be. Thank you for the beautiful music at the Cathedral. I returned and sang alone in the alcove just hours before boarding my bus. Guess I needed to go it solo one last time.

Center City Madrid

As usual, I roamed the city to get the feel of it.

Madrid is beautiful, but I couldn't get a sense of my place there. I always miss being near the ocean for one. The other thing was the Big City Mean came crashing down. If there's just one thing I've noticed during my travels it's this: people in big cities are stressed to the max and unhappy. Now that's a generalization to be sure, but for the most part fairly accurate. I met kind folks there too. BUT... watching a car break-in midday while no one else cared kinda soured my taste for the place. I even stared the guy down and took photos and still he persisted!

Gotcha! Nobody to help...

The best part of being in Madrid was Nicole. She's a friend from Seattle who's studying Flamenco there. It was wonderful to reconnect with her, meet her friends, and catch up on all the happenings. She inspired my expat dreams! Keep on dancin' beautiful lady!!!

Christy, Laura, & Nicole my last evening in Madrid.

Its been difficult to decide where I belong at times. Seems like many of my moves of late have been last minute guttural ones. At one point I thought to return to Barcelona; I had a new place to stay with a friend of a friend, some musical pals to seek out, and a city I felt I knew. Then the 9th hour found me purchasing a bus ticket to Paris. After all, it was the place I intended to check out before Barcelona was even a blip on my radar. So... here I am in gay Paris!!! Don't quite know what's here for me, but she was calling, "Katt! Katt"!

I'll tell about my first day off the bus and my crazy hike through the city, bags and all, the next episode. Keep sending me love and good vibes. I can feel it & your faith in me helps me continue to put one foot in front of the other even when I feel lost.

Love You!!!

A Fall day in Paris...