apricot

apric

By Jane Simon Ammeson

Aslight tang from the Cantabrian Sea wafts through the gardens of Capricho de Gaudi as the setting sun casts a soft apricot glow on the brick walls of the 19th century summer home originally owned by Máximo Díaz de Quijano, a wealthy lawyer who lived here just a short time before dying young.

Capriciously Fantastical

Designed by famed architect Antoni Gaudi, Capricho is Spanish for caprice, a perfectly apt description for this former bachelor pad circa 1883 with its Persian-style minaret and red tile roof. Muted red blooms of hydrangeas match the centers of the deftly sculpted tiles of glossy ceramic sunflowers surrounded by green leaves. These cover the apricot-colored walls that as they rise change shapes, becoming pitched gables, turrets, tower, balconies, and other architectural whimsy.

Traveling in Time

Alone, I savor my solitude after a week aboard the wonderful Costa Verde Express, Spain's oldest tourist train, on a trip through Basque Country. Inside El Capricho there’s laughter and chatter as my friends enjoy the cooking of Sergio Bastard of nearby Casona del Judio. There’s music as well--a 1920’s tune I know but can’t name.

Synchronicity

As the wind slightly stirs in the depths of the garden, I muse at how both Gaudi and I arrived in Comillas by train though separated in time by a century-and-a-half. Might these synchronic events have opened a portal to the past? Could his spirit be here as well?

Then someone calls my name and I’m back, hungry and ready to join in. Will there be an apricot cocktail waiting for me?