Chapter 5 XII

Madrid, Spain, July 09th 2009

It was finally the day to leave. I had been living in a hotel for a few days. Once I had found someone to live with Diego, there was no more space there for me. On the plus side, the hotel was paid by InGnio InGnieros, because it was their responsibility to get everything ready in Cologne. Everything encompassed the restructuring of the buildings, put up some nice signs and get equipment, like chairs and safes and safety doors in. At any rate, the hotel was fine. on calle Moscatelar, very close to the underground of Arturo Soria. My first night there was after the goodbye party with my soon to be ex-colleagues  and I had a little trouble finding my room. My terrenal possessions were there with me of course, Three suitcases and a backpack.

I had moved a little when I was a student and after my graduation too, this meant I had to get rid of some of my most beloved possessions: my books. And now again, I had that mixture of loss and anticipation on my stomach, as I was looking at my trip to the airport.

It was a familiar sensation though. I knew I'd be back to Madrid someday, but it all would be different. It was the last time I was there as a "local" and there were many familiar odors, colours and sounds that today I ignored, covered by the blanket of routine, which in the future would become seeds of memories. It was my last time to experience them fully. If Boone was right, it was not about leaving a city, it would be lost forever

The train gently rocked me until the airport, where I sat in the Iberia flight to Düsseldorf. After a couple of little detours, I arrived safely to the hotel where I was staying.

I had a few moments of relaxation and reflection as I sat within the cream coloured walls and grey forniture of the hotel. The following day I had to go and meet Silke and later on Jesús on a coffee close to  Eigelstein-Torburg

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Chapter 5 XI

Cudillero, Spain, June 26th 2009

The road startd to descend, surrounded by forest. It was odd that they were eucalyptus forests, but what can you do. Forestry policies where not all that well though back in the day. I knew I would have no chance to find a parking spot, so I did not even try. I knew that the best place to try find a spot was down by the harbour, so I went straight there. I shifted down into 4th gear, the transmission fighting with Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Fanfare For The Common Man and controlled the last meters with the brakes.

At the harbor, it was not hard to find a parking spot. After all, it was a weekday and, even though the air was warm and humid, it was windy and the sky was covered. Therefore, I took my rain jacket from the back before heading off. I did not expect it to rain, but since I left the Atlantic coast, I was no longer adapted to the ever present wind. Even in summer it made me feel cold.

I locked the car and headed to the start of the hill I had just drive down from, following the narrow sidewalk. Right before leaving the lot I could see the black Opel Corsa Jesús used.  Following on an impulse, I changed slightly my heading to go in front of the car and, without stopping, letting my hand feel in front of the cooling grill. The fan was off, but the heat was obvious.


Since Jesús had just arrived and had to get to his observation post, I decided to cut him some slack and buy him some time. I headed to the sea wall to breathe a little and have a look. 

Cudillero

After fucking about for what it looked like a sensible while, I took to the hill again and climbed the narrow staircase to a group of houses. On the ground floor of one of them, a sign over a door read: Diving school Xanas. It was hand painted with lively colours. The windows protected with thick bars, painted black. On the side a khaki  4 x 4 with a half ton trailer was parqued and the front wheels turned towards the wall. The rear had chocks applied.

I pushed the main door and found myself  on a small reception area. I could see one of the doors ajar, on which the old logo of the UEBEC was painted, an anchor under a crown and below the diver's fins.

I knocked slightly on the door, and the wooden door opened a little more. I saw Hector raising his gaze towards me from some nautical charts. I had made myself an idea of the distribution of the floor and I was convinced Héctor was alone..

Héctor fixed his gaze in me  and quietly asked
 -- what the hell are you doing here? --


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