Why do we travel?

It is happening again, the Queen is intellectualizing . The worst version of the Queen. No where to run, you are now hostage of her vaguely enlightened ramblings.

But this somewhat legitimate question is what has been occupying my mind as I find myself in new places with a rental car.

What am I looking for with all this traveling?

One might be tempted to answer that I want to see nice sites, new landscapes, culture, history, art. I thought that was it. After more than a month of this new lifestyle, I have to admit it is not.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against Trip Advisor or tourism in general. I encourage every one vacationing to prepare their trip, check all the boxes, set a nice budget and go for it. Have a drink in this popular bar, enjoy this great restaurant, be amazed at whatever old wall you will be told must be seen.

I am only slightly interested. Almost not interested at all.

I am just coming to realize that I am not on vacation, I am on a journey. And part of that journey is to understand what it is about. I have finally understood what it is not about, tourism.

So, my Queen, what are you in search of?

I have been getting hints at what it is I am looking for since the start:

- Leaving my comfort zone (Manual transmission is a good example).

- Stripping to the essence (Two pieces of luggage contain my whole universe)

But most importantly, not being able to rely on anything I know, including the language, and still finding my balance, is the challenge I am happy to meet every day.

With that mindset, every little outing becomes a discovery and holds the infinite potential of making a friend, or understanding something new about the world.

I don't need a museum for that, i just need someone to talk to, in Spanish for example, and then let the gods of friendship decide.

The little synagogue in between the massage parlors

One day in the absolutely amazing city of Palma, (amazing due to its cleanliness, safety and friendly atmosphere) , we were in search of the only synagogue in Mallorca. Don't ask me why. Probably because I was influenced by the Duchess Agnes and Grand Queen Irene, who have an interest in those things.

We knew it would not be a grandiose building like the cathedral of Palma, due to the ancient persecution of jews in Spain who had to hide to celebrate their rituals. So we were looking for a hidden entrance and we found it in the midst of a series of massage parlors. By massage parlor, i am not talking about the physical therapy massages, I am talking about happy ending massages, administered by non-medical personnel (or so I was told...) .

In that less than glorious surrounding we were welcomed with open arms by the couple who run the place, whose names I sadly do not know, and who took a full hour of their day to tell us all about the history of their small little temple, the holidays they celebrate with the tiny Jewish community of Mallorca, their challenge to find kosher meat, and mostly their absolute passion for their mission and their way of life. Even the renegade that I am was moved by the light in their eyes, and their immediate attachment to us.

We exchanged, we talked, we laughed, we promised, we hugged with force and real affection. I saw a tear in the man's eye when we parted, it was beautiful and unforgettable.

That was worth it.

The reunion of the royals

As was hinted earlier, the three royal members of my family were together for a whole week of .... of what? How can I summarize this intense week?

Some eating, some drinking, some talking, some walking, some sleeping, some tv watching, some gossiping, some spending, some laughing and lots of loving.

There was some singing too.

The talent displayed in the video below is literally unbearable to watch. So watch at your own cringy peril. We enjoyed it though.