What’s in a name?

On June 24, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Ibiza, Life, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

It was early. Very early for Ibiza, but when you’re on a tight schedule with work to do and a beach bicycle to procure – needs must.

San Jordi Flea Market was quiet at 10am on a Saturday morning. “Right, I think last week the bikes were over by the fence” T said. The boys started to head in that direction but I broke off. “Back here at 11am, S” A instructed.

I left them to it, after all there can be no finer experts in this particular type of hunting than a couple of mountain bike trail blazers.

Sunshine shone on an assortment of stalls offering everything from tablecloths to vintage record players, ornamental ducks to jewellery, books, clothes, and dolphin clocks. This was a market with everything.

One €1.30 coffee later, I spied the boys. “Any luck?” I asked. “Yeah, well we found one but it’s overpriced and he won’t give it to us for any less.” “How much?” “€40. But there could be any number of things wrong with it – and we don’t want to get a call from you saying: ‘Pick me up, the chain’s come off.’” A said.

“It was a good bike” said T slowly.

We went to take a look at her. There was a fair amount of standing around, hands on hips, investigating further. “Take her for a spin, S. See what you think.” I thought she was mighty fine – but I feel at home on practically any bicycle so I was in my element. “I’ll give you something towards it on the grounds I can use it when I’m here over the summer.”

The deal was done and I cycled her back to the van. “How about Betswana for a name” T asked. “Hmmm, not sure.” I lifted her into the back of the Ford Transit and A propped her up carefully.

Next stop was the beach. “Fancy jumping off some rocks today S?” A asked. “No! Definitely not!” T turned around and smiled. “How about we call her ‘Sarah’?” I shrieked with delight. A took a while to respond. “Yeah, okay, that’s a nice name for her” he concurred.

Back at the casa early evening I ventured towards the garage. The boys were about eight beers down and Sarah was propped up in a faint state of disarray. “We’ve stripped her down; the grease had turned into glue – like sap from a tree. She’s looking sweet now though. Want to take her for a spin?”

A night out with the locals

On June 20, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, Ibiza, Life, Parties, People you may have heard of, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

Things happen in Ibiza. Nice people pick you up from the side of the road at Es Caliu restaurant and take you to VIP at the hottest gig in town.

“Who is this guy?” I asked my hostess once in the car. “You know” she replied, “He sings that song: “I need to know now, need to know now, can you love me again?” “Oh, yes, I do know it!” “He’s phenomenal” she said.

We drove through the wilds of the Ibizan countryside towards the setting sun and the even wilder environs of San Antonio.

On arrival at Ibiza Rocks Hotel we were yellow wristbanded and ascended to the VIP area. Upstairs from the balcony, we took a view – literally. From our premium vantage point we could see the by now infamous swimming pool and a young buoyant crowd, eager to see their peer perform.

It was so happening, with the buzz of a singer about to appear on stage who I feel we’ll be hearing about for years to come, that I struggled to keep up.

The charisma of John Newman’s performance was something to behold. A strong voice, a unique look and a way with words: “I know you’re all here for the week you’ve saved up all year for – so let’s ‘ave it tonight!”

Hands were in the air and R – the hostess with the mostest turned to me excitedly: “This is it! This is the song!” Everyone sang along to an anthem less intangible than those of the 90’s – closer to the heart, and transmitted from a man who wears his on his sleeve – enhanced by a voice that’s still in my head today.

The after party took place at a small rustic hotel, deserving of a guided tour such is its history on this island. I stood in reception and took in the illustrious photographs adorning the walls.

Suddenly there was a commotion at the entrance. I heard the the Northern tones of a dominant force and immediately made my way through the fray to introduce myself.

“For goodness sake, how old are you with a voice like that?” “I’m 24” he replied. He smelled lovely, hair slicked back with a blonde streak, a gold necklace around his neck ..and I spotted some white socks. “Are they a tribute to Michael?” I asked. “No! Don’t look at the feet!” “But I love your look! It’s different. Where did you get that interesting pendant though?”

“Thank you” he said. “I try, I try. Oh…I designed the necklace myself.”

Of course he did. It goes without saying.

A love thing

On May 18, 2014March 30, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Ibiza, LifeLeave a comment

“I liked the way we all hugged at the opening ceremony” I said to Belinda, one of the founders of Healing Ibiza (www.healingibiza.com), “In fact I think it was my favourite part; I’ve always loved a good hug!!”

She smiled and explained that a few years ago at the beginning of the festival they’d started it off by laughing. “I bet that was great!’ I said.

“Yes, it really got things going, it was so lovely to hear everyone sounding happy!”

The two day festival was coming to a close. I was looking forward to winding down and thinking back on all I’d experienced, from a Japanese Singing Ring treatment to a workshop entitled ‘The way you breathe the way you live’, to some scrumptious eats and a foot massage at a place deep in the countryside of Ibiza that lends itself to healing and relaxation.

I lay down on a softly cushioned hammaca as I spotted Steve walking past. “I’m sorry” I said sheepishly.

“Where were you this morning?!” he asked – referring to his workshop on ‘The 9 keys to raising your vibration’ which I had missed.

“I heard it was very very good, but I just, well basically I was…”

“Too tired?” he offered. “Hey, that’s fine – I’ll do another one in London soon, you can come to that.”

I’d already told him the day before over a super juice if I vibrated on any higher a frequency I’d be off the charts.

A Swiss/Swedish couple, joined me with their three month old baby. They told me about various treatments they’d undertaken recently in Europe including water therapy in Ibiza. Inevitably the chat lead to mindfulness as it often does these days. “You must look up this amazing course in Ireland – it’s Lomi Lomi massage training with aspects of meditation. It’s run by this incredibly brilliant Hawaiian lady called Jody. We’re going in June.”

“Wow, that is one well-travelled baby!” I exclaimed.

Johannes strolled over. We’d met at the ‘Love and Money’ talk the day before. A forthright German gentleman, he was happy to give an opinion when I asked him what he’d thought of it. “Well, love and money comes and goes, I’m looking for something more permanent. I’m looking to be surprised – to learn something I don’t know already.”

I closed my eyes, soaking up the remaining heat of the days’ sun, and thought about what that could be. Postscript: Grateful thanks to the organisers, and founders Toby, Belinda and Cheryl for making it all happen.

Some unusual sights

On May 2, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Fashion, LifeLeave a comment

Another fashion ‘moment’ saw me up bright and early briskly walking towards High Street Kensington via the park on the most glorious day of Spring so far.

On Westbourne Grove I walked past a man in a telephone booth – gesticulating animatedly and shouting as he leant against the side. Five minutes later and I was heading through the gate to Kensington Gardens: It almost took my breath away. The clearest blue sky with a soft haze settling in the distance, the trees heavily laden with young green blooms, and the air – pure and fresh with a hint of May.

People strolled or bounced past. Various pooches ran about – one jumping up to catch the birds instead of the ball that had been thrown for him. I walked across the grass towards the Palace. Looking down at my feet I noticed freshly cut grass clinging to my sneakers along with the dew.

Exuberance was everywhere and I took my pace down to a stroll savouring every moment.

As I leant on the railings facing the palace a park keeper approached. “What are those beautiful purple flowers – the ones that look like Bluebells only bigger?” I asked, pointing to them. “I’m not sure.. Lovely aren’t they? Next year we want them right up to the trees here – it’s nice to have a bit more colour. There’s a great machine that cuts the turf just enough to allow the funnel behind to drop in a bulb, then closes the turf back over the top. We’ll get hold of one of those to do the job”.

We discussed the beautiful day further. “Is that a South African accent?” he asked me. “No, Irish” I replied. “My colleague, Mark, asked me about Ireland a couple of weeks ago and what part he should visit there. I told him it was pretty and that Cork and Kerry were very nice. He came in the next day and said ‘Mate, I booked it! He’s just back today and loved it! You never know if someone’s going to like the same place you did…”

“Kate and Wills back yet?” I asked. He leaned closer and said conspiratorially “Yeah, yeah they’re back. I shouldn’t really tell you but you know they’re about if ……”

I felt the warmth of the sun on my back, the promise and hope that this time of year brings and set off again with a spring in my step.

That perfect smile

On April 27, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn LifeLeave a comment

MP appeared at the door to the waiting room grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“You’ve been waiting for this moment for 10 years” I said, swiftly followed by “I’m a bit nervous by the way”. “That’s an unusually timid voice for you” he replied, still grinning.

I picked up a leaflet from the table. “Please don’t make my teeth like this” I said pointing to a picture of some remarkably straight and gleaming gnashers. “S, that’s a ‘snap-on’ smile” he said laughing. “There’s no way yours are going to look like that”.

I noticed the absence of his white lab coat. Why wasn’t he wearing it? I wondered. Instead he was dressed all in black, as if about to embark on a dangerous mission.

We moved into the surgery. “MP, you haven’t taken any ‘before’ pictures yet!” He pulled out a large camera, and before I could even finish the sentence a variety of shots were taken of the teeth I’ve had for a few decades now…

An hour and a half later my mouth was released from it’s doughnut style hold and I could speak again. “Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for” MP said as he handed me the mirror.

I smiled into the looking glass observing my new clear braces – or are they white? I still can’t really tell. Bigger than I thought they’d be, I immediately took to the look of them like a duck to water. “I love them!” I exclaimed.

“Okay, you’ve got the number here, just call if you’ve got any questions”. “Why would I need to call?” I asked MP, suspiciously. “No, no reason. You’ll have some discomfort over the next couple of days, but after that things will settle down. Don’t eat any curry – that will stain the ‘doughnut rings’ around the braces”.

Half an hour later, I stood before the counter at Pret. “Have you had a good morning so far” I was asked by the lady serving me. I hesitated, then replied “Well, yes, I had my braces put on” and smiled at her. “Oh! I so want to do that!” she said, “But, I can’t – it’s too late, I have implants already”.

I sat down by the window and drank my probiotic blueberry yogurt through a straw feeling even more pleased with myself, whilst wondering at the same time when the pain would kick in.