Home again

I spread out my arms, and felt like I was soaring! High, flying adored, on my bike I have missed much in the past two months. The sea fell on my lips, and air wafted through my hair. A kind of freedom and relief rarely felt, yet whenever felt rejuvenates. Speed flew past my ears with the wind, as I pedalled swiftly through the night. A cool breeze, a starry night, the night before my last day in the Netherlands.

It felt a bit strange to be home again, even stranger with the knowledge that within the next 24 hours I will be packing up and leaving again. Home had somehow become a sort of stop-over, between one destination and another, from one place in life to another. Ironic, since home is supposed to be a place you return to after a long journey and rest. But there is no rest for me, not now.

My cat greeted me at the door as I entered. She sat and watched me, turned her head sideways, adorably as if to say that she recognised me, but that it has been much too long. Yet, the two months in Barcelona was just the beginning. Coming Monday will be the start of a new era in my life, a real move out of the house I have been living in, or at least been going back to, for the past ten years.

It is with strange feelings that I now sit in my own room, knowing that the day after tomorrow this room will no longer be my room, but just a room like so many I have, or am about to, grace.

Goodbye Barcelona

The final few hours, in Barcelona. My home for the last two months, my home for the Summer of 2008. And now so soon, it all seems to come to an end.

So much has happened in the past few weeks, in so little time, that I wish I could try to capture it all in words. Now I am about to leave with mixed feelings. Exhausted most of all, but at the same time overjoyed that I have graduated from a highly-respected University. Tired most of all, but at the same time anxious what ample opportunities in the great wide space out there.

Barcelona, thank you for the great times, the moments of tension, the moments of laughter, friendship, and harwork. Thank you for the beauty in your narrow alleyways, for the beauty of your citylife, and for the excitement and liveliness you have brought into our lives.



BARCELONA

Barcelona Barcelona
Barcelona Barcelona
Viva

I had this perfect dream
-Un sueño me envolvió
This dream was me and you
-Tal vez estás aquí
I want all the world to see
-Un instinto me guiaba
A miracle sensation
My guide and inspiration
Now my dream is slowly coming true

The wind is a gentle breeze
-Él me hablo de ti
The bells are ringing out
-El canto vuela
They're calling us together
Guiding us forever
Wish my dream would never go away

Barcelona - It was the first time that we met
Barcelona - How can I forget
The moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away
Barcelona - La música vibró
Barcelona - Y ella nos unió
And if God willing we will meet again someday

Let the songs begin
-Déjalo nacer
Let the music play
-Ahhhhhhhh...
Make the voices sing
-Nace un gran amor
Start the celebration
-Ven a mí
And cry
-Grita
Come alive
-Vive
And shake the foundations from the skies
Ah,Ah,Shaking all our lives

Barcelona - Such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona - Like a jewel in the sun
Por ti seré gaviota de tu bella mar
Barcelona - Suenan las campanas
Barcelona - Abre tus puertas al mundo
If God is willing
-If God is willing
If God is willing
Friends until the end
Viva - Barcelona

Hours before the presentation

In a few hours, it will all be almost over. A presentation still needs to be done, but at least the vast majority of deadlines, assignments, assessments and lectures are all over. A sigh of relief, but not just yet.

It is interesting in a group of people how quickly you see people's true nature. Though we are supposed to be in a group project, it appears to be always the same people who show up at meetings, the same people who go to bed late, and always the same people who do the writing, the administrative work, and who try to get everyone else organised! And I happen to be one of these people.

Not that I am complaining, but sometimes you ask yourself and wonder: where are all the rest? Why are they not involved? Why do they get the same assessment as me, when they have done almost nothing at all?

I do enjoy what I have been doing for the past few weeks. We are involved in such a historic prjoect that could potentially change the way the world thinks about space activities. I mean this is why I chose this project, and why I volunteer myself to do whatever I can to make it however better it can be. Because I believe in space, and its ability to bring people together. When we humankind discover what possibilities are out there that overshadow the pettiness of nationalism, greed, indifference and intolerance, then we will realise that we need unity, peace and understanding of one another. In space, we realise how lonely we are, and realise the ugliness of our small feuds and discontents.

Tomorrow, the project will be presented and delivered, and it will be over for us. But a new age has just begun. If not, then at least for me.