Thomas – 24.11.2019 – Barcelona/Spain

My name is Thomas bust most of my life people have been calling me “hey”. I guess this is partially because of my easy-going lifestyle. I’m a dreamer by heart. That kind of person who eats pizza while lactose intolerant, upsetting everyone around me because of a stupid joke, who doesn’t respond to your texts because I’m too lazy to read the text not because I’m mad. So apologies in advance. The happiest day in my life was 4th July 12,016. Not because of Independence Day, no. It was the day when I – after nearly 15 years – fulfilled my life dream of climbing Machu Picchu in Perú. At that time I was backpacking South America and I have to say: best place for backpacking! So many great memories. Crazy people. Hot chicks. One of those I met was Martin who I only mention as he’s the guy in the very first picture next to Daniel and otherwise he wouldn’t be credited which I think would be a shame. Anyway, there I was, standing on top of that mountain looking down on the ruins. My expert dreamer level made it easy to imagine how life must have been back then. Just you and your loyal companion — Fred the llama – you’re lying in the sun at 3000 m height (that’s 9800 feet for all the Americans) and drinking Inca Cola – which btw is one of the worst things I ever drank. I’d rather do a Bear Grills and drink my own piss. Actually the true life they had was a bit different but then again I’m no historian so take it for granted what I’m writing here. A little while ago I went to a shiatsu massage which basically is a massage with Chinese or Eastern biology alas where they press certain points on your body to like clean your energy or get rid of your diarrhea and things like this. What I wanted to say is that I was lying there and my mind started wandering and I was on top of Machu Picchu again. I felt again the warm sun rays, the cold breeze of the wind; I saw the green fields, llamas jumping and running around happily. It’s amazing. My point with this is that if you have the chance to go, do it! And if not you should definitely consider going there. In all fairness it’s very touristy these days and even the two girls I hiked up the mountain with said they didn’t like it that much. But me – even though it’s stupid to say this – it changed standing up there. Just do yourself a favor when you’re up there: Sit down on the hill, looking into the village, take a deep breath and don’t think about life for a moment. Just enjoy the moment and relax. I believe that’s the best life advice I can give you. Anyway, fast forward to today and this “dude” hands me this book. Actually from the first time he told me about this idea – which I’m a big fan of – and the actual execution and creation of this book, quite some time has passed. I’M exaggerating but I think it was the whole summer. But I’m not mad. Procrastination is the key to success after all.

How I met him? Ah yeah, that’s what I’m supposed to write here. Well, after my South America trip I moved to Barcelona. I ended up working for this company – not gonna say names as I’m legally held to – and this quirky guy sits at the desk next to me. The time passes and he turns into one of my best friends. Not only in Barcelona but all over the globe. I learned a lot from him and I’m incredibly thankful for that. Let’s say without him my job would be 80 % less funny. If you want to recreate how I felt when I wrote this, read it again while listening to the song “Oula” by Aya Nakamura. As I don’t speak French I have no clue what it’s about but it’s a bit melancholic and creates a feeling of happiness and “home” even though it’s more of a sad song. I don’t know. I guess that’s what melancholy means. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Unfortunately Matthew is no longer with us so I wanted to keep up his spirit in here. I’m thankful for the times we had. Just let him be happy where he is now. I still don’t understand why somebody moves from Barcelona to Berlin but to each his own… With this I’m saying thank you and remember: Stay fresh cheese bags!