I spent five days there. The first two, I did not bring the laptop because I did not realize you could plug them in and mine had short battery life. Then I realized this was because I needed a new battery, so I took the computer to the shop and was without it for two … More Biblioteca de Catalunya

Solving the SNCF mystery. The sun in the cathedral, with its palm trees. The Archive of Aragon, with Columbus’ original capitulations. Getting a library card. The port. The theatre listings, the Café de la Opera. The tourists, the trendy shops. Buying green shoes. The rain. Lost and there were no locals to ask for directions, … More Some notes on Barcelona today

Or one week of goodness, although I am hoping to get three. I had four days of peaceful writing at home, and four days of excellent work at a summer institute. Otherwise this summer has had more problems and far less calm than had been foreseen or planned. Now I am going on three weeks … More Quatre jours de paix