Kabul first evening 12.1

Plaza Reial Barcelona
Kabul hostel
Dec. 1

The first concern was whether I could get here without accident or incident. Whether I would be safe and feel safe in this place. Whether I would pull some absent-minded stunt that would make me miserable and mad at myself.

Nothing bad has happened, beyond some minor anxiety and confusion. I arrived before 3 and had to wait to check in. The music downstairs and the general dissolute atmosphere repulses me, but it is quiet in the room and on the roof is a terrace open to the sky. Every now and then loud voices from below drift in. Very nice. A bombproof locker for my things. I found the peace of mind I needed to go out and walk the rest of the tourist boulevard "La Rambla" down to the waterfront. The buildings are old, ornate and elegant. The streets full of people speaking Catalan. Street artists. No musicians. Dozens of places offering 2 Tapas plus pizza or paella for ten euros or so. I looked at the sailboats moored there. Found one wooden schooner among hundreds sequestered behind the fence at the exclusive harbor club. Made it back to the fresh food market off La Rambla. Incredible arrays of meats, fresh fish, fruits, veggies, mushrooms. Dinner is served free at the hostel at 8:30. I had a rich english breakfast at Heathrow, but was quite hungry when I walked through the market. Was a bit overwhelming. I got a cheap baquette and prosciutto sandwich and the biggest persimmon I have ever seen. Must have weighed a pound and cheap at that. I have to go back with a plan.

I do not expect to make friends here. Not my people … and it isn't the language. It suddenly seems like everyone is speaking English. My coed ten bed dorm room is filling up with young women. I hope I can sleep with them all tonight. Joke. (emphasis on sleep) There was an altercation in the lobby when I was down there a while ago. A woman was letting the this guy know that he had been an asshole - hitting on her last night and asking her "How much." He said he was drunk. it was a joke. She wouldn't let it go. He laughed it off. Said it was a joke. He didn't know what he was saying. He was drunk. as he sat there busily downing beers… building up for some kind of repeat I suppose.  You get the drift.  It is quieter up her on the roof. Two tables nearby. Playing cards at one. Talking pleasantly at another. All speaking English with different accents. The common tongue it seems. I have no hopes of learning Spanish or Catalan. Not an efficient plan, but it would be nice if I had the time

In a couple of days the novelty will have been pretty well used up I guess and I will be ready to move on. I am open to surprises however.

Tomorrow I will either find a good free wifi spot or just pay the 5 Euros for a days unlimited use and get caught up on the blog.