The most wonderful place on earth.

Last weekend I had the great pleasure of accompanying my beloved lilbro Dani to his favorite retreat in Galicia, Sanxenxo. This time, Dani's wonderful boyfriend Sera sadly could not be with him for family matters at his village and my beloved Jelle could also not join us because he could not get off from work so Dani and I went alone.

Luckily, after a morning shift at Schiphol I was able to get a seat on the afternoon flight of Iberia to Madrid where I wanted to try to get on the first of the three evening flights to Santiago de Compostela. I knew that all the flights were heavily booked (some even overbooked) and it looked not that good. So I was a little nervous when I arrived at Madrid. Unfortunately, after a lengthy wait it turned out there was no place for me on the first flight to SCQ. I then went to the transfer desk where they put me on the next one at 21.35. After calling with my hubby Jelle at home to get his advice what to try next I decided to try to get on the flight to Vigo but also that did not turn successful.

So I waited patiently for the 21.35 departure to Santiago. When the gate agent of that flight arrived I was a bit "shocked" and saw my chances rapidly declining: he looked like a slightly modernized version of Jesus, had heavy dark rings under his eyes and did not look to friendly and inviting. But then I pulled myself together and thought "I must not judge from the outside, he sure is very nice and capable". So I started thinking positive ;-) Then, he started to accept staff from the waiting list and all of a sudden he took my boarding pass, scribbled a seat number on it and returned it to me by kindly saying "Sitz Nummer Fünf F" - I was totally puzzled that he took the effort to address me in german and felt confirmed that I must never judge only from the outside! In the end, after all, he was really nice and got me on the flight, YAY!I called poor Dani who after a six hour long car ride from Madrid would now pick me up at the airport in Santiago from where we would drive together to our 'home' for the next three nights.

I was so happy to see him again when I arrived. I always miss him and seeing and experiencing Dani in person and live is such an enrichment to 'only' chatting with him, naturally it adds a whole other dimension.

We went to our temporary home near Sanxenxo and when we arrived it was beautiful to see how happy our hosts were to see Dani again! It looked as if the lost son returned home and Isabel and Rubio were so welcoming and affectionate and extended that feeling immediately to me and I felt like I knew them for years already! Wow, I was stunned, I have never experienced that before. Though it already was late at night we were treated to a fabulous dinner and of course they needed to catch up with Dani and I was fortunate enough to witness all their chitter and chatter. ;-)

The next morning after having a breakfast at Isabel's kitchen Dani took me to a beautiful place, a beach in San Vicente do Mar. It was a gorgeous and sunny day and the place to me looked like paradise! I couldn't believe what beauty I saw, crystal clear blue waters, white and empty sand beaches and luscious greens, wow! I felt reminded (though not necessarily by the similarity in beauty but the tranquility of the place) of Jelle's and my favorite small retreat, Malta. We walked along the coast for a while and on the return to the car we made a short stop at small café to drink something.

Again I was astonished, this time to see that while we only ordered two cokes we also received some generous tapas with them, something I could not imagine ever happen in Amsterdam (especially not for that price!!!). Before returning back home to Isabel's house he also took me to the site of the famous Spa that is situated at La Toja where I had the chance to buy some wonderful soap and eau de Cologne at the factory shop. I now have a wonderful reminder of my beautiful trip every time I wash my hands or put on the Cologne in the morning - how's that for a change, a splash of Spain every morning brings very fond memories!

In the afternoon, we had lunch at Isabel again. This weekend had a special 'surprise' for Dani: he would see his friend Jorge again, Isabel's son. They had become friends many years ago but their friendship somehow ended in a "no-speaking" state about two years ago. While Dani had made efforts to restore their friendship it was never ment to be. But fate had decided else this weekend and Dani and Jorge finally spoke to each other again! Jorge was visiting his parents together with his boyfriend Fernando. We all met before lunch and Dani and he got involved in talks and finally we decided to all make a trip to Sanxenxo and have a walk.

We spent all afternoon together and Dani and Jorge talked a lot. Of course I was only mostly listening to their talk (as was Fernando) as I don't speak spanish and could not actively participate. For my part I did not mind at all as I was happy to listen to the wonderful language and the conversation, picking up small things and thereby learning. I felt somehow happy for Dani that something for him ended that he felt wasn't really finished before. I was maybe witnessing the start or the rediscovery of their friendship. Dani explains his impressions and feelings about it in his own blog. It turned out that Dani felt that the Jorge he spoke to was not the one he had left a few years ago. They still shared some interests and passions but he was now talking to a new Jorge and it remains to be seen if their friendship will blossom again. But that weekend, a good start was made as far as I can tell! I liked the Jorge I met. Also on sunday morning we all went together to have a pre-lunch drink and later lunched together at Isabel and Rubio's who had prepared a generous, gigantic and tasty lunch. I truly felt like part of the family, even though being the 'stranger' in the group of people (also Jorge's sister and her husband with baby and grandma were joining us for the lunch).

Saturday afternoon, while Jorge and Fernando stayed at a beach bar meeting with some other friends, Dani took me to his favorite beach. It was early into the evening and the sun was setting on the horizon but unfortunately mostly covered by clouds. This place means a lot to Dani and he was very emotional. He missed Sera a lot. Even having a bigbro by your side cannot be a replacement in those moments... - it doesn't even come close, naturally!

On sunday afternoon, Dani and I took a long and nice walk on a deserted beach. It was a bit rainy and foggy. But still, this was pure beauty to me, the wide emptiness and loneliness, the solitude that I felt at that moment was a sensational feeling! I truly enjoyed being able to experience this with my lilbro. I felt very privileged being able to share these moments with Dani. I was very emotional anyway that afternoon. Many things went through my head and at moments and places like these you tend to think about a lot of things. When in the car Dani played a song by Leona Lewis he had dedicated to me a few weeks before. I had to cry when I heard it because it means so much to me. It made me happy and I expressed my emotion in some tears. I treasure those moments deep in my heart and mind.

On monday parting was hard for me. I had such a wonderful weekend that I did not really want to leave. Isabel and Rubio have been so hospitable and as always when I am together with Dani I had a great time with my beloved lilbro. Naturally, I did not want to leave. Especially since I do not really know when I will see him again (of course there are plans but you never know how they turn out). After all, Dani has a life besides me and Jelle and he is luckily devoted to and heavily and happily in love with Sera. ;-) So our encounters will have to fit into their future schedules and I'm sure they'll find one or the other slot for us in future... :-) I simply can't wait for the next one. Dani dropped me in the afternoon on his return to Madrid at Vigo airport from where I took a plane to Paris and on to Amsterdam. Those flights went perfect with no problems at all and I arrived about one and a half hours later at home in Amsterdam than Dani in Madrid. Even though we both were tired (Dani even more as he did all the driving) and have probably gained weight I felt very pleased to have spent these few and great days in wonderful Spain in the awesome company of my lilbro Dani.
Beloved lilbro, thank you so much for inviting me to Sanxenxo, it was an amazing experience. I feel very privileged that you showed and shared with me your most wonderful place on earth. I now know this place too and start to understand the magic it bears.

I truly enjoyed all we did, I am happy and extremely thankful and proud for having you as my lilbro!

When I learned one thing this weekend than it's the discovery that no matter where and when you are but with whom you are which makes every place the most wonderful place on earth. That said, my little world turns richer and richer of beautiful places as I discover them with my friends and family, the ones I love.

As I told you, you are the greatest friend and best little brother in the world!