© Dee Lovering
The strains of the fair floated merrily across the square where the people sifted through the clothing,ipad cases and souvenirs that the stall vendors offered for sale. The colourful fruit and vegetables were so attractively displayed they begged to be touched. Swarthy men conned the unwary with the age-old trick of picking the cup under which the seed rested. Unhappily money changed hands. Those weary of shopping ate seafood laden paellas, gazpachos, bougies and tapas. Beer flowed freely. No-one noticed the man climb the pole until he shouted, pointing, “Here’s the best view of the rooftop of Casa Mila.”
In response to Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers where you are invited in 100 words to give your story which comes on looking at Dee Lovering’s photo.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
That’s one athletic man. Intersting twist at the end there.
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Athletic and resourceful – one who knew some of the best sights of Barcelona were on the rooftops.
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Ha, ha! I was so sucked into your scene I could taste the paella…then the man on the pole! That’s funny!
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Glad you enjoyed it Charli. Great to have a chuckle.
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Nice twist. Beautifully timed.
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Thanks Sandra
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Pingback: Casa Batllo Barcelona Spain and the architecture of Gaudi. | Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)
Wow, That was quite a climb! Your reference to all the foods really grounded this story. Nice work!
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Thanks. Spanish and French markets are so colourful.
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That they are! I love the flower displays the best…then again the artists’ booths are so colorful..and the fabrics…oh they all are a delight!
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you portrayed the scene so well. it reminded me of my visit sometime ago. well done.
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Thank you.
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“Here’s the best view of the rooftop of Casa Mila.”
Now. in a typical open air fair style – did he start to sell tickets to join him at the top?
Randy
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Unfortunately, being a typical tourist he had to be off to the next must see site in Barcelona. However, you may have noticed the chap in the white pants – he’s now selling tickets.
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I want paella now. Great take on the prompt with a surprising twist at the end.
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Paella from the markets is mouthwateringly good. I want some too.
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Mmmm…paella! Maybe that gave the man the energy to climb the pole!
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He’d be too full after paella. Perhaps that is his reward.
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What a fun guy!
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He knew what he was looking for.
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Fantastic scene setting.
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Thanks
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Ha, that would be fun, I hope he doesn’t fall.
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His eyes are like stalks, they’ll keep him propped up.
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Delightful!
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Thank you
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Dear Irene,
I felt like I was there sight, sound and smell. I’ll have to pass on the view. I’m afraid of heights. 😉 Nicely done.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. Here is the view as you can’t climb it to see for yourself.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com.au/travel/world-heritage/antoni-gaudi/
Cheers Irene
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Lovely view. Thank you, Irene. I don’t mind heights as much when I’m in an enclosure. 😉
Two years ago this month, our prompt was in Barcelona. I wrote a story about Antoni Gaudi. Here’s the link if you’d like to read it. https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/3-may-2013/
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Thank you for the link Rochelle. A Gaudi love story of a different kind. Glad I had the opportunity to read your piece.
Cheers irene
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My senses have been assailed. Bravo. I hope the pole-climber had his camera with him.
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Great. He sure did Patrick. He sent the photo here (LOL) http://travel.nationalgeographic.com.au/travel/world-heritage/antoni-gaudi/
Cheers Irene
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What a character! I was pulled into the scene, and never saw him climbing. 😉
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He did it very quietly and there was just too much else to look at. 🙂
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