And Every Moment Is Precious – UK/Spain 2009

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Precious moments.

Basking in the warmth of the fading summer sun in Winchester.

Walking in the rain in London, puddles of water splashing with every heavy footstep.

Inhaling the scent of wet grass and sheep droppings in Avebury.

Marvelling at the 90,000+ mobilephone wave at a Coldplay concert in Wembley as Viva La Vida thunders on.

Going 65 metres up into the towers of the Sagrada Familia to experience a most breathtaking sight that can only be inspired by a greater being.

Standing in awe at its base, and wondering about my puny yet significant existence in this universe.

Getting drenched by angry waves, and laughing at how much I look like a drowning duck.

Meeting Carlos, a film director from Mexico, again and again and again in San Sebastian because the city is only that big.

Being ecstatic with the knowledge that Robert Duvall is sitting just 10 feet away from us while we’re watching his movie, Get Low at the San Sebastian International Film Festival.

Being mistaken for a movie actor (budget movie only).

With eyes closed, listening to the melodious strumming of flamenco music at Park Güell and letting the music envelope my entire being.

Drinking cider in Reading with my brother and realising that despite the different lives we lead, we are essentially the same.

Cheering Liverpool on at the Kop end of Anfield.

Eating Dulce de leche gelato and walking hand in hand, our fingers intertwined, secure in the knowledge that we have each other.

Limping several kilometres along the beach to view The Wind Comb by Eduardo Chillida.

Taking in the colours and smells of the morning markets.

Giggling and making faces at each other at a 3-star Michelin restaurant, oblivious to our surroundings.

Making new friends – Mireia, Elena, Jose Ramon, Carlos, and many more.

Sitting by the beach at night, in silence, and thanking God for every precious moment that He has so graciously given to us.

Getting totally lost in Spain and enjoying our journey of discovery, of life, and of each other.

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For past writeups on food in Spain, check these out:

Mugaritz

On the Pintxos Trail

Note: All pictures, with the exception of the Coldplay album, are mine.

43 thoughts on “And Every Moment Is Precious – UK/Spain 2009

  1. What a vacation, what a journey! Now I wanna revisit both UK and Spain and do it all over again! (I shall totally blame your posts on the further damage to my bank account, but my heart thanks thee gladly. Hee.)

  2. omg, robert duvall! omg, get low!!! that film still hasn’t been released in the u.s. (or anywhere else), but the buzz is that it’ll get duvall his first oscar nomination in over a decade.
    that looks like an amazing vacation, but attending the film festival would be the definite highlight for me! ermm, the low point would be having to go to a soccer match. blek. 😀
    a journey of a thousand miles ends with two beautifully toothy smiles. so heartwarming =)

  3. LFB: You need to recover from Macau first. Maybe, as a cheaper alternative, you can serve paella at home, put on some flamenco music, drink sangria and pretend you’re in Spain. 🙂

    Hairy: thanks! Really nice of you to say that.

    Manggy: Samuel Jackson? 😛

  4. Wow Sean, you weren’t kidding when you told me you enjoy movies. You’ve certainly done your homework. Aiyoh, I can assure you that you’ll cry watching that movie. It is so good on so many levels and Duvall’s acting is amazing! Did you just say “blek” to football? Join the club, pal. Tim’s a big fan, and I suffer in silence. Grin.

  5. i love this comment – meeting Carlos, a film director from Mexico, again and again and again in San Sebastian because the city is only that big… i can just imagine how quaint and small and gorgeous san sebastian is la!

    were u standing on the edge of the rock (lk bald eagle in norway) when u got splashed?! how cool.

    excellent shots. bow bow!

  6. A Lil Fat Monkey: I also have a video of the waves. Damn cool, coz you can hear me yell expletives.

    cumidanciki: Hahaha…yes, San Sebastian feels like a kampung. 🙂 No, I wasn’t standing on the edge of the rock. I was on safe ground, or so I thought, until a huge wave came unexpectedly and drenched me from head to toe. Not funny!

    J: hehe…we can all dream…

  7. Hi, I just stumbled across your blog this morning, trying to look for Marmalade’s phone number, and I come across very thoughtful writing and photography as well. Thank you for stirring my dormant memories of Barcelona. Life is beautiful, and we need more people like yourself to portray it as such. 🙂

  8. all the pictures are marvellous Meena 🙂 I really love how you take pictures at the right place and right time! for me, still more to learn as I’m not really that artistic 🙁
    anyway, there are 2 particular pictures that caught my attention
    1) BE roaring (I think he’s cute rather than fierce)
    2) Anfield (hello.. I’m a Liverpool fan as well)

  9. Paps: You were with us in spirit, dear. We thought about you all the time….like missing your wedding and all….*sob*

    Michelle Ho: Welcome welcome! Thanks for visiting! Thanks for your lovely compliments. Will definitely strive to write more. 🙂

    thule aka leo: Yar, you’ve discovered the real BE – he’s a harmless little bunny. 🙂 As for Liverpool…hehehe….BE considers you a brother.

  10. Haal beer uit je hoofd. Ze zijn uitgestorven. We kunnen niet opeten. We eten wortels en bessen in plaats daarvan.

    Ik lees uw post in een tijdje, kostbaar. 😀

  11. I hatechu.

    U take such wonderfully breathtaking photos of such wonderfully gorgeous places.

    My friend told me I can get a ticket to Barcelona on Turkish Airlines for less than RM1,000. Meetchu there in 2011, ok?

    *checks forgotten kitty*

  12. gfad: Θα φάτε φέρει μάλλον παρά μπύρα ποτό. Αρκούδες δεν έχουν εκλείψει. Τουλάχιστον, δεν έχουν ακόμη.

    gfad: I lubyew. Thank you for loving my pics. Can you feel the love flowing through those pics? I can. Especially from the last one. Yes, meetchu in 2011. I need to start putting aside the dough.

  13. Wahhh.. so magnanimous ar? Dat oso can share? I not your SIL Kat y’know… 😉

    BUt you onli say dat to ur cheemuis, right? Dun simply say to any biatch ok? Sure got takers wan.. so tall, dark and hamsem.. 😀

  14. That was ( & is ) an extraordinary reflection & unfolding of the artful wonders & colors of digital photography , the great natural affection of together man & woman and we share your beautiful taste and feel of an exquisite first world wonder…:)

  15. Christine: Good times, right? 🙂 Here’s to many more.

    gfad: Even if got takers, BE will reject (I hope). hehe.

    keatsthesunshinegirl: Yes, it’s a lovely holiday destination. 🙂

    Jeremy: hehe…go…you’ll definitely enjoy going there.

    backStreetGluttons: Thank you….now to take you to our 3rd world destination, which is also equally beautiful and exquisite!

    unkaleong: Ask gfad, the tour organiser. 😛 Glad this post has brightened up your day, dear. 🙂

  16. Super photos! Super writeup! Sounds like you had a great time… must keep The Lovely Wife away from this post or else she will pester me for a trip….

  17. tastebudtalk: the one in Oxford serves typical “cafe-style” food, and while it wasn’t mindblowing, it was fresh, wholesome and tasty. So yeah, I’d go back there again if I had the chance.

  18. Hi, just stumbled across your blog. Lovely shots you’ve got here. And you even manage to capture the same 4 ladies in both the shots of Parte Vieja, they do add an interesting touch to the photos. Thanks for sharing them!

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