#secretgem

Original photo Paula Cuello. June 28,2022

SITGES, SPAIN

The secret beach near the train station in Sitges, just outside Barcelona, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Unlike the more popular and often crowded beaches nearby, this secluded spot offers a more intimate and tranquil experience. Nestled between rocky cliffs and accessible by a short walk from the train station, it provides a sense of escape and privacy, making it perfect for those looking to relax away from the usual crowds.

The water here is beautifully clear, and the gentle waves make it ideal for a refreshing swim. You can unwind on the soft sand, soaking up the sun, or explore the rocky areas that frame the beach, which are perfect for a bit of snorkeling or discovering local marine life. The views are picturesque, with the cliffs adding a dramatic backdrop that feels both natural and private.

Westminster Cathedral

and the byzantine style cathedral was beautiful with its gold mosaic chapel ceilings and ornate columns of all colours, and there were worshippers from a diverse range of backgrounds.. silent in prayer…  and I wondered around and watched the candles flicker and I spoke to a woman who worked there and she told me they wanted the whole ceiling to be gold and later a man who worked there said the same thing, and I said, are you getting any closer to getting the amount you need, and he said it took spain 200 years…

and then I bought a ticket and got the lift up to the bell tower, and it was completely empty, and there were sweeping views of the city and the wind blew in my face as I gazed at the cityscape, happy to be there, freer than free… every weather came and went, rain and sun and wind, and the sky was moody grey with patches of pastel blue and I looked out to St James Park and the Houses of Parliament and the BT tower and it was an(other) London… and there alone in the empty bell tower, above everything, I felt so grateful to be alive…