Beppu Blog, Final Chapter

Sadly, our final entry from Boston Ballet dancer Romi Beppu ... stomach issues, a real Queen, and a final stop in Hemingway's old haunt.

For the first Beppu blog, go here.
For the second Beppu blog, go here.
Part three is here.
Part four is here.

Monday August 13th
With bus call at 4:15pm and class at 5:45pm, many of us head into Girona’s old city. Architecture of buildings, cobblestones walkways, quaint cafes set up outdoors under beautiful archways, and a grand cathedral. We are performing at the Festival in Perelada, but are staying one hour away in the city of Girona.

Bus finally pulls into the festival in Perelada. The drive getting there seems to pull us farther and farther away from the comforts of civilization. “Where are we?!?! Oh, oh, I see a cow! Oh, look sunflowers!”….Katelyn informs the group…. “Where is the castle?”

By this point we are all getting a little giddy, a little grumpy and just want to get of this overheated bus. What we thought would be a 35 minute bus ride turns into an hour bus ride out of the city and into the countryside accompanied by the varieties of farm-like aromas. These pungent, eye-brow raising scents would follow us to the theatre and greet us in waves throughout our stay in Perelada, especially during class, in between combinations. Heat and foreign smells often brought feelings of nausea and discomfort. A few dancers experienced abdominal cramps and sickness during our stay here. The heat, frequent travel, lack of adequate sleep and “who else knows what was in that tortilla?” could have been factors for temporary illness. Tempe was the dancer who suffered the most, but she stayed strong and pushed through like a trooper for a beautiful performance of Serenade and 4 T’s.

The festival in Perelada will be our last outdoor theatre on this tour, and probably the best as far as design, set up, stage space and flooring. The dressing rooms were spacious with sinks, running water, actual toilets and functioning showers. A fully equipped production office with wi-fi, air conditioning, and all the amenities we’d have in an indoor theater was made possible for us- outdoor under what seemed like tents set up atop stable metal posts. The festival celebrated its 21st year in existence and it has housed many prestigious ballet companies, musical artists and such. We were honored and excited to be part of it this year and as added bonus to have Roland Petit presented to us before curtain and to perform our Balanchine program for him. Post performance party was held just beside the theatre in a beautiful garden hosted by the festival directors. Many of our own Boston Ballet supporters were there to greet and congratulate us having flown in from Boston to see the shows in Perelada and Mallorca, showing their support. It was a great feeling to see familiar faces and hometown fans. We all partied until 2:30am (bus call back to the hotel in Girona) and continued the party on the second level of the double decker bus all the way back to the hotel.

3:30am Basta! Ready for bed! See you in Mallorca!

Thursday, August 16th
Arrive at Hotel Isla Mallorca. Although the flight itself is only about 30 minutes from Barcelona, the travel day is again long and taxing. The busing to the airport, checking in, waiting to go through security and all of the other annoyances that one must deal with when flying is magnified three times when traveling with 60 other people. Kirsten, our company manager, is the one who call the shots as far as knowing which gate to go to, what bus we are boarding, travel problems, meeting times and locations, theatre issues, and the list goes on and on. It’s a tough job with a lot of responsibility and stress but she delivers with an answer to almost any question or problem. Her no nonsense demeanor and straight-forward style get us through the tiring travel days. Thanks Kirsten, you are the best!

Friday, Aug. 17th
Free day in Mallorca means shopping and Playa for many of us. After breakfast we hop a taxi and head into the city for some shopping before siesta. No luck for shopping this time, the stores are beginning to repeat. There’s only so many Zaras and Mangos (popular Spanish clothing chain) that one can go to even if there are huge “rebajas” (sales) going one. We press on and head for the beach at Cala Major. “Oh my- this is like Waikiki beach, I immediately think, as we walk on the burning sand and dodge the multi-colored beach towels strewn all over the sand with just about every personality, body type and degree of sunburn possible. The water is warm and comfortable. Not quite cool and refreshing for my taste but warm enough to jump in and out without shocking your system. We spend the rest of the afternoon frolicking in and out of the water, lying on the sand, writing postcards, reading and cat-napping. Ah, this is the life!

8:30pm
Dinner with Boston Ballet Friends group at Castillo Hotel Son Vida. How do I describe this place? Literally, the lap of luxury. I am told that Paris Hilton stayed in one of the suites in this swank hotel.

Mallorca continued…………….
Boston Ballet Friends are there to share dinner with us and give us tips on buying Mallorcan pearls as we sip on wine, nibble on jamon y melon and enjoy the view of the city.

Saturday, Aug. 18th
The Queen is coming! The Queen is coming! Yes, indeed the queen of Spain, members of the royal family and her security were present for our La Sylphide performance in Mallorca. She was more than gracious as she came backstage after the performance to congratulate the company and show her appreciation for us and the show. It was a stunning performance to a completely sold out audience.

Tuesday, Aug. 21st;
San Sebastian, the 7th and final city of Boston Ballet’s Spanish tour! Rainy, overcast and FREEZING! Why didn’t I pack a jacket?!?!? With an average temperature of about 19? C many of us take the opportunity to do a little more shopping for warmer clothes of course. Aside from the weather, San Sebastian is a small, but beautiful city. The Parte Vieja, the older part of the city sits against the water where fresh seafood is brought in. At the top of the Parte Vieja lies a gorgeous baroques type cathedral. Again, across the Rui Urumea is the newer part of the city, where the Auditoria Kursaal (our theatre) sits. Less than a decade old, it is a huge, modern looking (in comparison to the rest of the buildings in the city) structure that one can’t miss.

Both performances of La Sylphide are a success once again as we wrap up our stay here in Spain.

Boston Ballet meets the Queen.