Manof Chpt 25

Chapter 25

(Gaudi's famed Casa Mila in Barcelona, a drawing)

Bruce spent another day touring the Gaudi sites as well as the hill of Montjuic. He strolled around the 700 foot hill overlooking the harbor and wandered into the museums, galleries and gardens.

It was a place where the Romans built a temple to Jupiter on Mons Jovis which may explain the name Montjuic. Some say the Jewish cemetery here gives the hill its name. Here were still relics of the 1929 world International Fair and the grand Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, lined with great exhibition halls.

He could see the Palau National with its historic art collections which he wandered around and made notes. It was a spectacular vantage point from where he could see much of the city.

A Tour of Montserrat

Later that day he took a tour of Montserrat, outside the city, high into the mountains at over four thousand feet. It is Catalonia's most sacred place and the Monastery is surrounded by chapels and hermit's caves.

It was a beacon of Catalan culture. He was able to hear the Salva Regina being sung. He made special note of the Basilica interior with its richly enameled altar and painting by local artists.
As he entered his hotel to change for his final dinner in Barcelona, he knew that some day he would have to come back.

He went to the desk and was handed an envelope. It was certainly the list of art dealers he had been promised by Rina. He opened it in his room. It read:

Dear Bruce:

It was very nice to meet you. You are a very interesting man.
I enclose a list for you and you know why. You may, because of the business you are in, know some of these people.
Some do business in the villages of France and a few are from other countries. If there is any connection to da Vinci there is a good chance these people would be interested. The private collectors are marked as such.
I hope they help but you can contact me whenever you like.
I can be reached at 93 311 22 003.
Have a safe journey and I hope you come back to Barcelona soon.

Marina Alvarez

Bruce read the list. He was surprised to note that there was one dealer in Sarlat and another in Amboise, both not far from Hautefort. But he had not heard of any of them.

He reached for the phone. It was only 9 PM and people ate and drank long into the night. He called the number on the letter and Rina answered. They agreed to meet.

Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona

She recommended a restaurant called Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona. It was a refreshing place, she said, with a spectacular view of the port. She would walk over and meet him. A taxi would deliver him to the door. They met at exactly 10:30. He was not ready for what he saw.

If she looked stunning in the shop she looked exquisite now. She had her hair tied back with a head band and she wore bright red form fitting pants and black boots. All the heads turned in the restaurant. The waiter was overly gracious and they were seated facing the sea.

"I was hoping you would call. I'm glad you did. A lonely woman in Barcelona is surrounded by temptations."

Bruce faced this seductive lady. "I'd be pleased to save you from such temptations."

The evening went well. The food and drink were delicious. The moon shone on the bay waters. There was a slight breeze that made walking cool and easy. She later insisted on walking him back to his hotel. He invited her for a night cap in his suite.

They finally said good-bye at the train station, early the next morning.

(Click here for Chapter 26)


	Chapter 25 (Gaudi's famed Casa Mila in Barcelona, a drawing) Bruce spent another day touring the Gaudi sites as well as the hill of Montjuic. He strolled around the 700 foot hill overlooking the harbor and wandered into the museums, galleries and gardens. It was a place where the Romans built a temple to Jupiter on Mons Jovis which may explain the name Montjuic. Some say the Jewish cemetery here gives the hill its name. Here were still relics of the 1929 world International Fair and the grand Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, lined with great exhibition halls. He could see the Palau National with its historic art collections which he wandered around and made notes. It was a spectacular vantage point from where he could see much of the city. A Tour of Montserrat Later that day he took a tour of Montserrat, outside the city, high into the mountains at over four thousand feet. It is Catalonia's most sacred place and the Monastery is surrounded by chapels and hermit's caves. It was a beacon of Catalan culture. He was able to hear the Salva Regina being sung. He made special note of the Basilica interior with its richly enameled altar and painting by local artists. As he entered his hotel to change for his final dinner in Barcelona, he knew that some day he would have to come back. He went to the desk and was handed an envelope. It was certainly the list of art dealers he had been promised by Rina. He opened it in his room. It read: Dear Bruce: It was very nice to meet you. You are a very interesting man. I enclose a list for you and you know why. You may, because of the business you are in, know some of these people. Some do business in the villages of France and a few are from other countries. If there is any connection to da Vinci there is a good chance these people would be interested. The private collectors are marked as such. I hope they help but you can contact me whenever you like. I can be reached at 93 311 22 003. Have a safe journey and I hope you come back to Barcelona soon. Marina Alvarez Bruce read the list. He was surprised to note that there was one dealer in Sarlat and another in Amboise, both not far from Hautefort. But he had not heard of any of them. He reached for the phone. It was only 9 PM and people ate and drank long into the night. He called the number on the letter and Rina answered. They agreed to meet. Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona She recommended a restaurant called Reial Club Maritim de Barcelona. It was a refreshing place, she said, with a spectacular view of the port. She would walk over and meet him. A taxi would deliver him to the door. They met at exactly 10:30. He was not ready for what he saw. If she looked stunning in the shop she looked exquisite now. She had her hair tied back with a head band and she wore bright red form fitting pants and black boots. All the heads turned in the restaurant. The waiter was overly gracious and they were seated facing the sea. "I was hoping you would call. I'm glad you did. A lonely woman in Barcelona is surrounded by temptations." Bruce faced this seductive lady. "I'd be pleased to save you from such temptations." The evening went well. The food and drink were delicious. The moon shone on the bay waters. There was a slight breeze that made walking cool and easy. She later insisted on walking him back to his hotel. He invited her for a night cap in his suite. They finally said good-bye at the train station, early the next morning. (Click here for Chapter 26)