A Sunday in Spain Springing Forward up Montserrat

Something just didn’t seem right when I woke up this morning.

In my Spanish castle huge bedroom the iPhone says it’s almost 6:00 a.m. Outside, however, it’s dark as can be. I see sparkling stars dotting the remote country sky, and that’s about it. I make my way down the stairs to the kitchen, and finally figure it out. The clock on the wall opposite the stove ticks quietly away an hour earlier than my phone. It’s daylight savings, the day to spring forward here in Spain. I look out the window at the just brightening mountains and misty vineyards and have to laugh. I just went through this a couple weeks ago in New Hampshire.

In this restored Spanish castle called Anima Mundi we hold yoga retreats. I have four people scheduled today for 8:00-8:30 a.m. meditation, followed by an hour of yoga. After that, breakfast, and then a drive to Montserrat. I’ve been in Spain less than a week, but everyone I talk with tells me I must see Montserrat. I actually did see it on my first morning in Barcelona. Way off in the distance outside this beautiful city, a towering mountain with rock formations unlike any I’ve ever experienced pointing straight up into the rich blue sky. In the car now, but approaching from the other side, I see them from the passenger seat. We’re going up there?

Montserrat has been a monastery for over 1,000 years! It is also a mountain sanctuary, a geological phenomenon, a cultural center and open air museum. We want to get there in time for a noon presentation of L’Escolania de Montserrat, one of the oldest boy’s choirs in Europe, but as we ascend the winding road in on this Sunday morning I see a lot of other people do as well. We park along the road rather than wait in traffic and hike up a kilometer or two…enjoying the views along the way.

We could have taken that yellow cable car up – can you spot it way down there? – but hiking provides a better workout! 🙂

Up top now, joining the throngs under a warm alpine sun, I am, well, there’s no other description for it…amazed by all that is way up here at this elevation.

I love the markets! Even so, I resist the urge to buy some cheese, wine, and other things in bottles made by monks and go recline for the duration of the afternoon in some sunny, grassy place up here, analyzing clouds blowing over the Pyrenees. After all, I am here with four wonderful yoga guests of our retreat representing England and Spain, and they want to move.

They rightfully want to move! They’ve been at a yoga retreat and are now reinvigorated to the max. The elevation, the climbing does not phase them. I joke that my vegan cooking for the retreat has also provided them this remarkable energy. Hey look, there’s a cross way up over there. Of course we’ll power up and check it out because that’s what people out from a yoga retreat do.

They do take a few minutes and honor my request to stop for a photo…but only a few minutes. Then it’s off to see more!

Back in the car following the hairpin turns down, we find the sweet voices of L’Escolania on the radio. We didn’t hear the boys singing in person, but we hear them now. Yes, angels indeed. The end to a perfect day, even with one hour taken away by a surprise, encore daylights saving event.

Love and Peace,

Dave