Warning!
This is a book for the open-minded only!
If you feel that you already know all about the mysteries of our existence, your view of life is set and you would like to keep it this way, then this book is not meant for you. Don't bother reading...
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Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason, mastery demands all of a person.
- Albert Einstein
For the next few weeks, I was fortunately spared the unpleasant task of telling Andi that I had not broken up with Beni. Because right after the end of term I found myself on a plane, heading to Barcelona with my classmates.
In the meantime, Beni went to Heidelberg for the free concert that Sri Chinmoy was giving on the eighteenth of February.
And something else went to Germany. Something, which was going to change my life forever. Although I absolutely did not realize it at the time.
In spite of missing the unique opportunity of attending the concert, I did enjoy my trip to Spain as it was quite the adventure.
Already on our first day, a pocket thieve tried to steal Samantha's purse while we were walking down the famous scenic pedestrian street called the 'Ramblas'. Hiding his hand under a folded newspaper, the scoundrel advanced from behind upon our friend, who was being sandwiched between two other girls. Luckily Sabine, who was walking beside me as we were following the small group of our classmates, realized his intent in time: just as he was about to snatch the purse out of the handbag that he had already unzipped.
Screaming bloody murder, the tiny, dark haired girl sprinted towards the man, who instantly knew that he had been uncovered.
With lithe, flowing movements, he effortlessly disappeared, blending into the crowd of tourists and natives that was flowing around us in all directions. The ease with which he had escaped our wrath left us utterly speechless.
Too bad! Well, at least he had not managed to grab Samantha's purse.
Marlies, however, was not as lucky. Hers disappeared, while we were sitting in a restaurant enjoying dinner. How anybody could have taken anything from her handbag, which she had hung over her seat that had stood right next to a wall, was anybody's guess. Especially, since the table closest to hers had been crowded by myself and a few other girls from the academy. . .
We were all considerably more careful with our belongings after these two incidents and I kept my hand on top of my small bag at all times.
After the meal, we returned to 'our' youth hostel in the center of Barcelona. The five bunk beds in each room reminded me of those in a barrack: they were simple, squeaky, iron things, covered with a thin mattress. The yellow-and-brown-checkered bedding was provided, but we had to make the beds ourselves. We also had to share our room with girls from all over Europe, as most of our classmates had been assigned to different rooms.
"Hey, it's such a nice evening. I am going out. Who wants to join?"
I admit, Marlies' offer was, indeed, tempting. As our accommodations were situated right at a very popular court square, all kinds of interesting sounds kept floating through the open windows, attempting to lure us out to explore.
