Early morning in Barcelona

Spain, Barcelona,
25 Nov. 2010.

Early morning and still 15 minutes away from the Hostal provided free Desayuno at  08.15 h., fair enough, I can have a cheap Cafecito in a nearby Cafeteria watching this classic medieval warren of narrow Carrers that form the toursit attraction Numero Uno of Barcelona, wake up...an opaque window over my table showing me an early Cataluña capital....

Urdu speaking Pakistanis opening their stores, Hindu speaking Indians preparing their small shops for the day to come, slant eyed Asians wiping tables in Cafeterias and narrow bars, sigarette buts and smashed Estrella glasses from the night before are absent-mindedly brushed away. Outside in the street young rough looking Marruecos have their first smoke of a brand new day, murmuring under their breath, probably discussing the best way to make the first buck of the day...

Homeless losers having spent the night on cartons in quaint little Plazas, have a first peek at the rising sun over the antiquated Barri Gottic from under dirty and gruffy blankets, their dogs waiting inpatietly for their owners to be moved on by the Mossos d´esquadra on motorbikes...

The city´s street cleaners are already in full swing, dressed in green and yellow coveralls, they handle their brushes, expertly moving around the waking homeless, avoiding the smoking Marruecos, greeting neighbors and other early risers, the Hindus and pakistani shop owners preparing for the new day ahead...empty bottles and plastic cups still containing a remnant of Vino Tinto, disappear in gray colored dust bags...

Yeah; I feel like my mission of coming back to Barcelona and feel that old but familiar admosphere of the cataluña capital, remembered from years ago selling Mandala games and be away from the rheumatic cold rains of the Dutch autumn, has been accomplished ...