What is so lovely about writing this blog is that I feel I have friends close to me even when so many are far away. Thank you all who wrote such loving messages to me after yesterday’s post.
I think the Virtual Vermut idea has taken off and I will start writing that next week – not sure what day yet but I’ll invite you in good time!
And perhaps another day for the Virtual Adolescent? Someone suggested this one could come complete with remote control – that sounds good.  Mute button, change channel, switch off!
Today I girded my loins and after Catalan class forced myself to go to the gym. No arguments. A quick reviving coffee in Roca Umbert art centre (and a tiny little chocolate croissant – really tiny) and I cycled over to Golds Gym.
It is a bodybuilders place, no frills, even the womens’  changing room has been taken over by the men so I had to leave my bike in the office and ask someone to check for naked men before I went in to have a pee!
Tiffany discovered the place and invited me to go along with her the first few times. I like it because there are no young skinny brown Catalan women in skimpy shorts.  Apart from us there are never any women at all!  I like it because I can go in, do my exercises and leave without any faffing about with induction sessions or membership cards. I also like it because it is cheap – 20 euros for a month so even if I chicken out half the time then I am still only paying about 1 euro a visit.
What makes it hard then?
There are no women! So sometimes I feel conspicuous and alone as the boys pump their muscles and shout across the room to each other in Castellano.  The music is often incredibly loud and the videos are ‘interesting’!  I think it must have been kick boxing I was watching on Monday – it involved two men getting their heads very tangled up in each others arms and legs and groins.  Then they stood up and kicked each other.
Today it was great. My least favourite minder was on duty but he was very friendly this time. There were only four other men who stayed mostly in the free weights area, leaving the machines just for me. The music was tolerable so I could hear the tango on my ipod and the video was actually enjoyable to watch.  A lot of women doing belly dancing  and occasionally kissing each other while making eyes at the camera.  I stayed an hour and a half and left feeling great.
In terms of scary things I think going to this gym is on a par with the Barcelona milongas when I go on my own but….at least I don’t have to wait for someone to ask me to dance!