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Post by wales on Apr 24, 2012 13:18:34 GMT -5
This was the first time Howell had ever been to Barcelona, but he figured that it was time to see someplace new and frankly, for the week he had free, going to Spain sounded like a good plan. The day was clear, warm, and vibrant with life as the streets of the city busted with Barcelonans and tourists, shouting out their fares or asking for directions. Howell couldn’t speak a word of Catalan or Spanish, but he didn’t worry about that much. Hell, he didn’t even have a map, but felt no anxiety with wondering form place to place, seeing the sites aside form the major attractions, buying himself food or drink when he needed it, and only taking the time to memorize which hotel he was staying at.
The city was beautiful, the capital of the Catalonia region of Spain, and on this particular day, it was just right, weather wise, and temperature. The Welshman strode through the streets, his white, half-buttoned up dress shirt kept him cool with his light swim shorts, sandals instead of his usual shoes. There was little worry in his mind that he’d be mugged r anything, and if someone trued something with him, he was sure that his past skills with rugby would be more than enough to come in handy. His passport was somewhere safe, as was his money, and slowly but steadily, Howell made his way to the world famous, Barcelona beach.
The beach seemed to be busier than the streets and while the Mediterranean Sea looked quite inviting, Howell had never been one for swimming and so, he felt no shame with settling by one of the beach side bars and ordered himself some sort of Spanish beer and settled in to watch the sea and sip his beverage. The cold drink felt good with the warm weather but anywhere you go, even in Spain, company would have been appreciated, though it didn’t faze him much.
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Post by Eduard Von Bock on Apr 24, 2012 14:08:15 GMT -5
Spring wasn't happening very quickly in Estonia, so in yet another of his brief travels, Eduard took the time to find a warmer locale. He wanted to have some nice weather for once that wouldn't immediately revert to winter once more. Though he was used to the weather back at home, he felt that was a genuine enough excuse to get out of the area and head to Spain. He hadn't had the opportunity to visit here before and decided to make the most of it. Having traveled through some of the common sights of Barcelona, he made his way towards the beach. Which indeed was very vibrant and busy at the moment.
While he couldn't get enough of swimming in the sea when he could, the Estonian simply felt like sometime to rest and relax a bit was necessary. And as so approached the nearby Spanish bar. He was wearing some neat light dark grey shorts and a blue short-sleeved polo. In addition, he had some closed-toe sandals so it wouldn't be too ungainly at the beach. Once at the bar, he sat not too far from another patron, and ordered a Spanish beer. The other man didn't look to be from around here either. And while the thought of starting a conversation came to mind, Eduard wasn't certain that it was in any way appropriate.
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Post by wales on Apr 24, 2012 15:41:07 GMT -5
Howell was halfway through his beer when another man came to join him at the bar, though he sat away from him. At first, he paid the stranger no heed and continued to drink his beer, gazing out at the sea, and thinking of a Welsh piece of music in his head. He was beginning to regret not taking his fiddle with him, which he had decided to leave in his hotel’s safe. Perhaps tomorrow he’d take it with him, set up a place, and just play. He wouldn’t be doing it for the money, but a crowd was always nice to see, he appreciated being watched, and this city was inspiring.
After a few more sips, he was nearing the bottom of his beer and so, he called over the bartender to order another. Glancing over, he noticed that the other man, who was blond and wearing glasses and looked to be American or something, was drinking the same kind of beer and was evidently, almost finished with his as well. Being the nice, sweet-hearted guy he was, Howell ordered two beers and told the bartender to give the other to the man. A nice gesture like that made Howell feel good and he didn’t even care if he got a thank you or something. Instead, he began to sip his second beer and went back to looking out across the sea.
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Post by Eduard Von Bock on Apr 24, 2012 17:53:34 GMT -5
Eduard was nearing the end of his beer when the bartender slid another one his way. Confused he inquired to find that it was from the other patron in the bar. Thinking that this was quite a nice gesture on the other man's part, the Estonian was determined to thank him. It was the very least he could do. Something like that was most unexpected without some sort of motive, and he doubted that there was anything behind that move. Therefore, he moved a bit closer still keeping some space and spoke to the other patron of the bar. "Thank you," he said accompanied by a small smile. He went to sipping at his second beer and looking at the sea while awaiting any response from the other man. It wasn't a big deal if he got one or not. He just wanted to let the other man know that the beer was appreciated. He leaned back against the bar and was contented to listen to the sounds of the sea and whatever was going on at the beach.
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Post by wales on Apr 25, 2012 21:07:04 GMT -5
Howell was just about to start humming when the approaching movement of the man whom he had kindly bought a beer for attracted his attention, and a smile instantly sprung to his lips when the stranger thanked him. Closer and actually looking at the other man straight on, Howell could deem that his earlier thought that the man was a foreigner to this land like himself was probable. “Et bayne mae pleasure, laddeh. Nawt a problem et ahl”. Howell’s welsh drawl was think in his accent, easier signifying his business as a tourist here in Barcelona, and just as the other blond turned to the see, so did he.
He debated going back to his humming that actually was never started, but settled in instead to watch the noonday sun dance across the waves of the Mediterranean in the form of a thousand sparkles. Boats, water skiers, fisherman, and jet skiers all shared the body of water, while swimmers hugged the coast, close to the shallows of the beach. Being a shy man, Howell was never one to soak conversation, even buying the beer was bolder than usual, but his kindness sometimes overruled his shyness. He was content with never speaking another word to the spectacles-wearing blond man beside him…. still, he took a swig from his beer and turned to say, “So! Whayt bae bringin’ yahself to Barcelona, laddeh? Ef yah don maynde mae ahskin’ thayt es….” He accompanied his ignition of conversation with a Welsh grin, and took another sip of his beer.
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Post by Eduard Von Bock on Apr 25, 2012 22:08:53 GMT -5
Eduard was quietly enjoying his second beer having thanked the other man for buying it when he had heard a question being directed his way. He had nodded pleasantly when the other had said it wasn't a problem at all. Pretty generous gesture, he couldn't help but think to himself again. Admittedly, he was a bit interested by the man's accent, and trying to think of where he could be from. Maybe he would find out but the first part was to continue this conversation. He didn't mind not talking but might as well respond to the other man.. one never knew, he had met others in a similar fashion so it wasn't no big thing. "Me, I was just here for a visit, a vacation so to speak. Look around and maybe enjoy myself.. And you?" He continued to look out to the sea and sip at his beer contentedly like there was no worries in the world.
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Post by wales on Apr 27, 2012 19:21:54 GMT -5
“Vacation aye? Sayme ‘ere…. For ah week from London”.
The chap was proving to be pleasant and comfortable with at least a small bit of conversation. The fact that they were here for the same reason was understandable. As Howell had read it, Barcelona was high up on the charts as being a favorable tourist attraction, one of the reasons he had chosen it over Rome or something. Smiling at the stranger, he switched hands holding his beer and extending his hand over towards the stranger in greeting.
“Tis a pleasure, laddeh. Mae nayme bae Howell, Howell Gwydion, and naw ay’m nawt English…. Ay’m from Wales. Yahself?” The origin fact Howell liked to get over early, because as a Welshman, there was nothing more infuriating as being called a bloody Englishman. He kept his smile on though, he meant nothing by it, but the man knew so there was no room for error.
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Post by Eduard Von Bock on Apr 27, 2012 19:44:22 GMT -5
Eduard wasn't surprised that the other man was here for the same reasons that he was. After all, there was reasons that so many people liked to visit out here. It was a pleasant place to say the least. He felt a bit comfortable around the man and decided to continue being friendly. Besides, it would be rather uncouth and unnecessary of him to think otherwise. The Estonian accepted the Welshman's hand for a handshake before replying.
"Nice to meet you, Howell. I'm Eduard Von Bock... I'm from Estonia." And though Eduard hadn't experienced too many English before outside of the one encounter in Dublin, he was certain upon hearing Howell initially that he was different. Although he would likely never mention that conjecture to anyone. It was just a lucky guess after all.
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Post by wales on May 20, 2012 14:21:15 GMT -5
“Tis’ a pleasure truleh ta mayt yah, Mister Von Bock”.
Lifting up his bottle in additional greeting, grinning at the blond, glasses wearing man, Howell felt like he had accomplished something at least for that day, if meeting a complete stranger was an accomplishment. Settling back into against the bar counter once more, the Welshman took another swig from his beer, content with the level of conversation, and allowing his shyness to creep in that would stall him from being the one to continue the idle talk. Surely if the Estonia wished to speak more, Howell wouldn’t be rude or anything but would indeed answer, but seriously he didn’t really have or know what else to say at that point. Both of them were from different parts of the world in a completely different country from either of their homelands.
Running a hand through his untamed head of blond hair, his opposite hand’s thumb rubbed slightly his perspiring bottle as various people’s, moved about on the beach before actually finishing the bottle and placing it gently on the counter for the bartender to take it away. Leaning forward to rest his arms against his knees, he began to think as to where he could possibly go next…. Again, he didn’t have a map and he could always return to his hotel room for a little siesta in the spirit of being in Spain, freshen up, and hit the club or bar scene later to check out the music scene. The question now was, considering the little silence between the two men, should he just get up and leave or actually say bye?
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Post by Eduard Von Bock on May 26, 2012 14:12:16 GMT -5
Eduard remained comfortably quiet, content to sit and drink his beer while watching the sea. He didn't really have too many plans later and unfortunately, didn't seem to have too much to say to the other man either. Which was a real shame, since Howell seemed like a pretty pleasant guy to know, although quite quiet as well. The Estonian admittedly was used to being around more outgoing people so he would be free to listen and occasionally comment. But since there appeared to be a lack of things to say, he was really wondering if the other man would simply leave and when. Not that he wanted him gone, but really other than an introduction there simply wasn't a whole lot to say.
He decided to simply get another beer and maybe in a few he would go down to walk on the beach or something along those lines.
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