life behind a lens

chapter eleven

June 16, 2015 - Figueres, Catalonia

"Wake up everyone! Today we're exploring one of the towns in Costa Brava! See you in twenty minutes."

I groan into my pillow. Glancing at the clock, I realise it is actually only 8:00. I take a few minutes to laze around and I can see the other girls doing the same. When I finally can heave myself out of bed, I recognise the excitement building up inside me.

Grabbing my camera and slinging my clothes on, I head for the sitting room of our house, so I can go through the settings on my camera. Some things are more important than lazing in bed all day.

Later on, we catch the coach to the suggested town, Figueres. The roads are much like the other towns we visited. Dusty, sand-swept pathways, dried, yet still green grassy plants. Once I thought I caught sight of a tumbleweed, floating steadily across the breezy landscape.

The town is home to the famous Salvador Dalí (a surrealist artist) Theatre and Museum. As we drive past, I catch sight of the burgundy coloured building, topped with an astonishing number of giant egg shaped statues. Strange. Yet even with the egg statues, the museum is a breathtaking view. Most of Dalí's paintings consist of deformed shapes, I don't understand how he turned them into art.

The sign says "No photography", so we don't stay long. Afterwards we take some photos of the outside of the museum, and then the teachers give us an 'arty photo' challenge. Pretty childish I know. Whoever can take the most inventive photograph, wins. I rush round the side of the museum, with Becky following suit. We turn down a small corridor-like lane, before we reach the front of the building.

"Are you sure we're allowed to be here?" Becky asks.

"No, we're not. What were you saying?" I answer confidently.

Becky shakes her head in exasperation, and we continue round the street to try and find a good spot for photography.

Before long, we find a narrow door which seems to lead inside the museum. There are no signs here, so we walk in cautiously. I spot a list of paper stuck to a wall, and glimpse a curtain.

There is no doubt about it, we have reached the Theatre.

***

The lights have been dimmed, so it feels as though our entrance was part of the performance. Becky clutches at my hand, whispering.

"We should get back, there's nothing to see here."

I sigh. I suppose she's right.

"I guess you're right." I echo my thoughts concededly.

Upon our exit, we notice a gentle breeze spring up outside. The warm air is pleasant across our faces. Bright sunlight comes in blinding rays high in the sky, like a burning flame in comparison to the dull darkness of the Theatre.

My bronzed skin seems pale compared with the darkly tanned people here, sunning themselves on the nearby benches. We head back through the side street. Taking a quick photograph of the cheerful scene behind me, I make a mental note to copy up a drawing when I get home. Drawing and painting are other things that keep me busy besides photography.

Back with the group, we realise that we are not late for the announcement of the winners for the 'arty photo' competition. What a shame. Sometimes it's fun when we get lost. No, seriously.

It turns out my photo was so unique that it won the mini challenge. Just kidding. A certain Becky Green won the prize.

I watch, stifling a laugh as Becky munches through a whole package of chocolates on the bus ride home. Dozing off, I hear the crumpling of the empty package as my friend finishes off the sweets.

Gazing out the window at the dusty sunset that hovers above the horizon, I feel too exhausted to even take a quick photograph of the beautiful view. I smile silently to myself as I think about our discovery of the theatre.

Life is too short to follow the rules.