Los chicos en la playa / The Boys at the Beach

Yesterday, Ben took me to Barcelona's gay beach, Mar Bella.  And boy was it bella. 

The beach was covered in bodies.  No, not "Saving Private Ryan".  More like "Saving Ryan's Privates".  Wow.  For the last 10 days, the city has been laden with serious party-goers for a dance festival called Circuit.  It tends to attract gay boys from around the world. 

The boys at Mar Bella beach

Having let myself go a bit since the wedding in late June, I felt like a whale on the beach against all the hard, skinny, tanned bodies.  I couldn't believe it.  And in true euro style, a few went sans swim suits, letting it all hang out for all the world to see.  Having said that, there was one particular older gentleman who wasn't afraid to let it whip around while dancing by a cabana.  Yikes. 

I quickly learned that people don't really go to the beach to play sports or tan.  They come to check out the other boys in skimpy clothing. 

A little about Ben.  He's from NYC and worked in consulting for small businesses.  He lived in BCN a few years back.  Fluent in spanish and likes triathlons and traveling, very worldly, young gay man. Along with Ben, two of his fabulous friends joined us - Anna and Neil.  Anna, a slim and outgoing Australian in her mid-thirties, teaching English.  A great conversationalist.  Neil, a Brit who's been teaching English in BCN for over 7 years.  His boyfriend is a retired Champion Latin Ballroom Dancer.  Very sweet with some of the bluest eyes I've ever seen.  

We spent the afternoon staring at the sea of muscle that was Mar Bella that day.  We chatted about the cultural and political differences between our respective Anglophone countries - Canada (me), US (Ben), Australia (Anna) and UK (Neil).  With so many foreigners (known as "giri" here) in Barcelona, it is becoming more and more clear to me that cultural observations and comparisons will be a common topic of conversation each time I meet someone new.  Don't get me wrong, I welcome it whole-heartedly.  But I must admit that when I was propositioned about the level of conservatism in our country, I could only give a general answer.  It took some time for me to articulate what I felt was an accurate depiction of our culture.  I also felt that I needed to give a good answer, knowing that it would potentially shape what my new friends would think of Canada and Canadians hence forth.  

Aside from staring at the boys on the beach, I spent most of the afternoon listening to my friends speak openly and chimed in every once in a while to let me know I was still alive and listening.  

It was an awesome 5 hours on the beach (Mike would be so proud!)  Looking forward to taking some of you there when you visit... 

More boys at Mar Bella

   

Midnight in Paris

Last Friday night, Angel and I went to see Midnight in Paris, the new Woody Allen film at the local art cinema on Verdi.  I must admit, my expectations were low-medium at best.  The few other times I've seen Woody films, I remember feeling a bored with the pace that is characteristic of his films. This time was different.

Perhaps it was because Rachel McAdams (fellow Canuck!) was in it. Maybe it was because it was in English and I could finally fully understand something in Barcelona.  Or maybe it was because I've been so relaxed in BCN that I could truly take the time to appreciate it.  Nonetheless, I liked the film a lot.


In summary but not to reveal too much, a Hollywood-screenwriter/aspiring writer (Owen Wilson) and his fiance (McAdams) visit Paris with her parents.  In love with the idea of Paris in the 1920's, the writer magically reverts back to this coveted time period at the stroke of midnight each night of his visit to interact with many of the famous writers, artists and other bon vivants who made Paris their home before the start of the Great Depression.  The experience is life altering and inspiring for him.  Without giving anything away, there are several notable cameos that make the movie all the more enjoyable to watch.


Coming home from the film, I was inspired to learn more about Hemingway, Dali, Fitzgerald and Stein.  I need to track down a copy of The Great Gatsby.  I downloaded a Cole Porter album and have fallen in love with it.  

A few interesting facts:

• Rachel McAdams fell in love with her current boyfriend Michael Sheen (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) during the film.
• Carla Bruni (Sarkozy's wife) makes an appearance as a museum guide.

Here's the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRWfS2s2v4


Check out Midnight in Paris.  It's fun and light.  And if you don't agree, at least the shots of Paris are beautiful.