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The last time I can remember lying down under a tree enjoying a bit of sunshine was last year in Norway.

La Gomera

Gaby
2004-01-25 13:00:57

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the bed. There it sits for quite some time, perched high on its legs. It is big. Now that we cannot see it anymore, it is even bigger. In our imagination, it is as big as something from out of a Kafka novel, Josef K., the poor bug, has followed us here from Prague. It is probably best left alone for the moment, we think, as it is more frightened of us than we are of it.

Half an hour later I see it is making its way towards the front door - then again, it might go into the bathroom as well. Jack's strategy is to switch on the light in the bedroom, so as to scare it away. The strategy does not work, the bug turns round to the bed.

It would make sense that it would run away from people, so Jack goes towards it stamping his feet. But instead of running away, the giant Cucaracha turns round and wiggles towards him.

This is war. Pieces of furniture are pushed aside, newspapers and shoes are used as weapons of attack and defense, all to no avail. The Cucaracha finds shelter behind the minibar. It looks as if we have lost the battle.

That morning by the pool, the only language we hear is German. It is amazing how the English will not go into the sun until it is at its hottest. At lunchtime we see the results. A Spanish waiter, pointing at the shoulders and cheeks of a burnt English teenager, giggles "tomat!". She gives him a cross stare and spends the rest of the time looking at her shoulders and pulling off bits of skin.

Our meal is nice. I have a chicken kebab with the typically Canarian mojo sauce, Jack has half a fried chicken.

At 4:30 I have an appointment with the hotel masseuse, Graziella, for an hour of "digitopuntura". She is Italian and has studied Chinese massage in Florence and in Peking. I tell her I only come for relaxation, as I love to be pampered when given half a chance. She says my shoulders are very tense and ...