Spain

Barcelona, Spain

I know for sure I’m out in the streets of Barcelona for the night without a sleeping bag or my belongings. I wander along the broad boulevards, pass by the bustling night club scenes, and continue on my sojourn to nowhere. (Wanderer, page 85)

The two of us walk together down the streets, having a pleasant conversation. Isaac and I get a drink at a late night café. We sit around observing the activities of the night. The area is thick and lively with the local Spanish people. (Wanderer, page 87)

As I’m walking the streets of Barcelona, alone in the dark night, I notice another lonely soul wandering the streets. He seems harmless, a fellow student, maybe. He carries a duffel bag on his back, strapped across his shoulder. (Wanderer, page 86)

Balearic Islands – Ibiza

The white city of Ibiza is built on cliff-like hills overlooking the port. It is tiring walking up the inclined streets and walkways. (Wanderer, page 103)

The voluptuous female adjusts her bikini to cover her left breast as she readjusts her bikini bottoms, too. Looking innocent as can be at the three of us, she bats her eyes and smiles pretty. (Wanderer, page 109)

We are sailing around the island to the beautiful port city of Ibiza. I am numbed by the sheer beauty, like out of a painting, of the white buildings nestled on the hills overlooking the harbor. There is a reason why this small part of the world, hidden in watery seclusion, has such a grand reputation from travelers. (Wanderer, page 90)

I walk around the apartment complex, from one party scene to another―people dancing and drinking, laughing and smoking and toking. I join in the fun….A sexy short-haired-platinum-blond German woman catches my eye, as well as everyone else’s. (Wanderer, page 106)

We rushed out of the police headquarters back to the streets of the city of Ibiza. Let’s get out of here before they change their minds. (Wanderer, page 102)

Balearic Islands – Formentera

Today I greet the morning sunrise by jumping into the sea. I get naked before I jump in. The water is pretty cold at first, but I get used to it. It feels good to bathe in the sea. (Wanderer, page 93)

We have nowhere else to go until the morning when the boat leaves for Ibiza. We hang out near a smelly fish hole that is part of the dock area, to ensure we don’t miss our ride in the morning. We can’t take a chance, because we were warned explicitly, if we’re not on the boat in the morning then it’s off to jail. (Wanderer, page 98)

Formentera from the sea

The island of Formentara is exotic and strange, otherworldly to me. It is very barren in many places, dominated by red soil and endless rocks of all shapes and sizes. (Wanderer, page 92)

I notice countless small brown and green lizards everywhere, bathing in the bright sun. They scamper when any person draws near. The dry red dirt gives the island a pervading mood of heavy dullness. (Wanderer, page 92)

Valencia, Spain

Our boat will soon be docking in Valencia. I’m toting my backpack along with me as I walk around the ship. I find the gang together on the lower deck. Everyone wears tired expressions, weary faces, yawning, forming lines to the rest rooms and generally milling about on the decks. (Wanderer, page 121)

After we disembark we head through town as a group (The Formentara Five, along with the guy from South Texas). (Wanderer, page 121)

We arrive at a ticket window for the train station. Each of us purchases a ticket to the city of Granada. The train doesn’t leave till 12:40am, late tonight. The two of us walk together down the streets, having a pleasant conversation. Isaac and I get a drink at a late night café. We sit around observing the activities of the night. The area is thick and lively with the local Spanish people. (Wanderer, page 121)

We board our train a little after midnight. This will be another sixteen-hour trip. Good price―500 pesetas! (Wanderer, page 121)

Granada, Spain

It is Friday night, just heading into early evening, as we arrive in the vibrant city of Granada. (Wanderer, page 122)

Next morning we wake up early ready to tour Alhambra. The palace complex overlooks the city from on high. We start our journey walking from Granada, below, to the ascending road that takes us up high on the hill. (Wanderer, page 123)

The Alhambra Palace Complex is what has drawn us to this city. Oliver knew of it from his architectural studies, and put us on the course to get here. (Wanderer, page 122)

Flowing mountain water rushes through the honeycomb of palaces and gardens. The ever-flowing water is a key to the feel of the place. The artistic craftsmanship is so intricately detailed that it astounds the senses while taking it all in. As I walk through the park-like environment the sounds from the rushing waters envelop me. (Wanderer, page 123)

Aerial Panorama

Rock of Gibraltar

The bus driver rolls through the rickety rocky coast, overlooking the sea, as we travel to the town of Algeciras. We are down to the southern-most point of Spain, almost to Africa. We exit the bus and head straight for a bluff overlooking the bay. The world famous image I’ve seen many times from National Geographic to popular periodicals and in school learning appears before my eyes in real life. I pinch myself on the arm. It’s real. Wow! (Wanderer, page 124)

The famed silhouette of the Rock of Gibraltar, a British possession, glares back at us from across the bay…I feel like I’m at the end of the world! A space in time, a point in time―this moment is seared into my mind…. It’s only a short distance from here, yet it’s a continent away. On to Morocco! (Wanderer, page 124)

View Attributions

Flikr: Barcelona - city street crowd
Flikr: Barcelona - city & harbor
Flikr: Barcelona-park guell
Flikr: Valencia - Train station 1
Flikr: Valencia - Train station 2
Flikr: Valencia-Streetscene
Flikr: Valencia-Harbor
Flikr: Granada - Aerial View Panarama 1
Flikr: Granada - Aerial View Panarama 2
Flikr: Granada-Alhambra exterior view
Flikr: Granada-Alhambra interior detail
Flikr: Granada-Alhambra fountains & pools
Flikr: Gibraltar - Famous Rock
Flikr: Gibraltar - Sea crossing