Come alive

"You see, I'm crazy for you. Touch me once and you will know it's true."

Will I ever get enough of you, Barcelona? Though my body is tired from lack of sleep and running around the city, my spirit is rejuvenated! Sitting at the airport waiting for my delayed flight, I relax and take joy in the delightful memory from the full week of meetings, reunions, and intimacy. You know this is not goodbye, my love. I will be back to taste your distinctive vibe and passion before you know it.

Since I started my journey in May 2011, I have only been to three countries for specific purposes. This is the first trip with no deliberate aim except to visit places I have never been to. The heart-warming Barcelona prepared me well for the next unknown destinations. As usual, I didn't do much research and will simply let the flow take me to countless unexpected encounters. Here I come, Prague, and you are next, Vienna.

早上7時39分，咖啡店內播起熟悉的旋律，是Cocteau Twins的This Love，想起鍾愛這首歌的老朋友，我倆的清葱歲月，接待我等沙發客的東道主要中午才能另配門匙，所以一早便要與他同步出門，於寒冷濃霧中四處尋覓，終於找到這所精緻小館，好讓我暖暖身、喘喘氣、定定神... 這是我在布拉格的首個清晨。

在巴塞與不同單位密集地開會、見面、敘舊，我仿似有用不完的能源，心靈亦被充得滿滿，已深深愛上這個自由熱情之都，所以這個只是後會、必定有期。

Waiting, tasting, anticipating... at Barcelona airport.

Thanks to my first morning shelter from the misty cold Prague, I finished my blog entry at last.

Let's rewind back to London.

Off to a modeling session & spotted this magnificent view by the Thames.

The adventure never stops.

Ali using his photographer instinct.

Bookshop literally by the river.

Can never get enough of Jazz, especially from the oldies.

The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living by the celebrity British artist Damien Hirst. Some of his artworks were kind of provocative, but I feel like there is still something missing... I'm just not engaged.

A view of London from Tate Modern.

Gorgeous perspective from Ali's guest room. Thank you for the lovely week, my dear!

Oh yeah, return to our favorite "French guys" cafe in BCN.

Squat for circus practice.

NO, no one is drunk here.

Street performers are still my welcomed surprises as I wander around.

Brunch party at Linda's. Got to love your unique way of avoiding the camera, my love. ;)

So much food, so much joy.

So glad we shared the week together, my Lena. KISS KISS!

Sitges, a town 30 mins train from Barcelona.

Left: reaching to our hope. Right: a sample street view of the laid-back town.

The infamous shot when you google-image "Sitges".

Walking, talking, pausing, kissing... what more can you ask for?

The last sunset reminds me it's time... but only to say "see you later".

A memorable scene in BCN under my buddy, Miquel's home.

My first impression of Prague - Václavské náměstí - the heart of the city.

Morning visit to the Charles Bridge is rather quiet and refreshing.

Excellent weather for wandering among such historical structures.

Buildings with individuality fill the entire city.

Though St.Vitus Cathedral is not really in use except for tourists, its marvelous interior still has a breathtaking presence. (well, at least when it's not packed with crazy picture taking tourists.)

A taste of the romantic Prague

Ahha, I always manage to find a peaceful corner to feel my own heartbeat & the rhythm of the city.

Sketching is a wonderful way to slow down, observe & listen.

What's next?

今天沒有任何計劃，難得又天朗氣清，決定在家附近走走，找一所有落地玻璃的咖啡室邊望街邊寫下近日的感受。

友人的住所位於Shoreditch，是一個頗有個性的地區，四處都是特色小店，街道上人來人往，各有自己的獨特氣質，一個中年人眉頭深鎖，帶著匆匆步伐，轉眼便略過，那邊廂有個衣著光鮮的鬚根型男從容不迫地與手電裏的朋友談天漫步，腦裏忽然浮起剛才閒逛時所遇到一位面有瘀痕女子的模樣，不知道他們背後有著怎麼樣的故事？我不會亦不可能知，他和他和她曾經歷過而帶他們到這一刻狀態的心路歷程，其實我極喜歡退一步去奇想，我們每個人在這大世界電影中所扮演的角色。

回到倫敦後，腳步放慢了，耐心工作，為下一站儲錢，亦參加了不少新奇的活動和企劃，繼續體驗這個多姿多彩的城市，然而夜欄人靜處時，我發現內心深處仍有一種令人麻疹的空虛感，以往它一出現，我便會變得不知所措，彷彿整個人的價值都被抽空，近日它又於夜深造訪，我承認它始終有種壓倒性的威力，淡淡的孤單及無力感亦會隨之而來，趁機來一個空洞派對。現階段雖未能參透箇中深層的因由，但我正學習與之相處，提醒自己放鬆、放手、放開對某些人和事的執著，無須過份緊張，這過客遲早會脫下神秘的面紗，慶幸沒有再陷入極端混亂中，深呼吸一口，我仍活著，多好。

完成這篇博客的一剎那，有新動向了，四月將會回巴塞隆納一趟，然後經布拉格過維也納，來一個三星期的小旅程，另外我的藝術家駐場計劃獲批了，七八月會到波蘭的別爾斯科-比亞瓦市讓生命藝術進行另一場革命，期待！

The feeling is back at night. I shall not give in. Take a deep breath. I am still alive.

As much as I don’t welcome this empty feeling into my heart, it will find its way to creep in once in a while. Recently, it lingers around with its buddies, loneliness and helplessness before I went to bed. Though I’m no longer striped naked by its presence, I admit it still has an overwhelming force. Perhaps the mystery of its origin will be revealed in time. Nonetheless, it is a not-so-friendly reminder to let go of my control freak nature. I’m learning to live with whatever comes along. Well, at least I took it easier and didn’t fall into the intense chaos this time around.

There is no genius here. Just an ordinary guy tries to follow his heart and lives life to the fullest. Problems and feelings will come and go. I won’t give up. Life is worth striving for.

London has been quite bright these days. I try to absorb the light whenever possible. This afternoon, I took a 45 minutes walk in the golden sun to meet my friend in Covent Garden. Foot is the best transportation here. It is cheap, healthy, and reliable. 5 weeks have passed since I came back. I continue to labor for saving and explore stimulating activities while proactively waiting for the next chapter to unfold.

At last, some doors are opened. I’m going on a three weeks trip to Barcelona, Prague, and Vienna in April. It will be lovely to see some good friends as well as explore another part of Europe. And guess what? I got accepted to an artist residency in Bielsko-Biala city, Poland! Wohoo!!! Will be going there for July and August. It’s time to make some art again. Can’t wait for another art-life revolution.