I’m gonna level with you, I never experienced the amount of fear anywhere else than in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Even the word gothic sends shivers down my spine. You see I fear of the dark since my childhood. Not darkness itself but all the horrid creatures I can’t see – those that are obviously not there. Don’t ask me why, I wandered in Barcelona late at night. Boy, was I scared! All the streets are gloomy and spooky, squares are empty and narrow…
What we call Barcelona today was, like many other areas in Europe, part of the Roman Empire in ancient times. Just a few steps behind the Barcelona Cathedral in Carrer del Paradís you will find the Temple of Augustus – well the remains of it. It’s not strictly speaking hidden but not easy to find.
There I was, walking alone watching the stars above when a silhouette ran through the street. My innate curiosity finally overcame the fear I felt and for no explicable reason I followed it.
Much to my consternation the silhouette slowed down so I could gain upon it. Her, I soon realised.
We were now walking together without any purpose and my mood changed. I felt more and more comfortable. But there was another thing I felt. Valor with a bit of intimacy. It felt as though this woman and I could change the world at will, because hand in hand we are powerful beyond imagination. Silly, isn’t it?
Also quite shocked I suddenly comprehended the depressing lackness of this feeling from my life before that moment. What a waste of decades. I felt so sorry for myself I could only look at my feet.
When I looked up again she was gone. But I wasn’t sad at all to be frank. I learned my greatest lesson there and then: the only thing better than living a content life is that you share it with someone else.
