I’m so sorry you’re going through all this, Christina. Beyond the scam and the invoice and the weight of the current situation, there’s that gut-punch feeling when someone turns out not to be who you thought they were. We know people can lie or act in bad faith, but when it happens up close, it still knocks the wind out of you.
That Marías quote about seeing it, but not wanting to see it—yes. It’s not just about being fooled. It’s about the quiet heartbreak of having wanted to believe. And that’s not weakness. That’s being human.
Thank you so much, Miranda. That’s exactly it. Really appreciate your kind words. Do come and join us in one of our group calls soon. You have been missed! Xx
Love this, deeply envious you interviewed Javier Marias ( would love to read that) and sorry about the scamming. I adore Madrid! Hope you find a better place to stay.
Thank you, Amanda. You are always so kind. The link to the interview is now in the piece. I have now found a (boring) hotel in Madrid, and am hoping to like it more than before (without Juan!).
What a nightmare! This kind of thing just makes you feel constantly sick, I hope you are somehow able to bring it all to and end. Just to say also Javier Marias! What a unique and incredible mind. Dance and dream is one of the best books I’ve ever read. (I think it’s in that same trilogy that there is a character with a dog whose clawed feet go “tss tss tss” and as someone with a bit of a phobia about dogs it captures exactly that sense of dread I get when I hear dog feet and clinking leash close by!)
Thank you, Donal, but I'm so sad to hear that. I imagine it would take a shelf-load of books to explain why, but I'm really sorry but that's how things are for you now.
I tapped like but it's for you, not for liking the dilemma/s described. Constant vigilance seems to be a fundamental requirement of the modern condition. And a hardening of resolve. Be strong.
I’m so sorry you’re going through all this, Christina. Beyond the scam and the invoice and the weight of the current situation, there’s that gut-punch feeling when someone turns out not to be who you thought they were. We know people can lie or act in bad faith, but when it happens up close, it still knocks the wind out of you.
That Marías quote about seeing it, but not wanting to see it—yes. It’s not just about being fooled. It’s about the quiet heartbreak of having wanted to believe. And that’s not weakness. That’s being human.
Sending strength—and a little steel, too. xx
Thank you so much, Miranda. That’s exactly it. Really appreciate your kind words. Do come and join us in one of our group calls soon. You have been missed! Xx
Rotten bad luck, Christina (both Juan & booking.com). Loved this piece, as always. It's great that no matter what befalls you to write about, your ire always comes around to the Donald in the end ;) Noted you save a bit for Vladimer too, so I believe you'll like the following. I don't know if maybe you take the Atlantic anyway. (It's a bit pricey I think, at £11.90, I paid over here in Canary Wharf.). IMO a really quite incisive article x John (I hope links work in here ... https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/04/trump-maga-national-interest-usaid-destruction/681735/?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Thank you so much, John. Alas, the Donald is absolutely everywhere as a reminder of the worst of humanity. Juan was practically Mother Theresa!
Love this, deeply envious you interviewed Javier Marias ( would love to read that) and sorry about the scamming. I adore Madrid! Hope you find a better place to stay.
Thank you, Amanda. You are always so kind. The link to the interview is now in the piece. I have now found a (boring) hotel in Madrid, and am hoping to like it more than before (without Juan!).
What a nightmare! This kind of thing just makes you feel constantly sick, I hope you are somehow able to bring it all to and end. Just to say also Javier Marias! What a unique and incredible mind. Dance and dream is one of the best books I’ve ever read. (I think it’s in that same trilogy that there is a character with a dog whose clawed feet go “tss tss tss” and as someone with a bit of a phobia about dogs it captures exactly that sense of dread I get when I hear dog feet and clinking leash close by!)
Thank you so much, Donna. Really appreciate your kind words and I’m thrilled to hear you’re a fellow fan of Marias!
Enjoyed this as I always do. Sorry for your misfortune. I have got to the point where I trust almost nobody any more.
Thank you, Donal, but I'm so sad to hear that. I imagine it would take a shelf-load of books to explain why, but I'm really sorry but that's how things are for you now.
So sorry these sucky things happened to you. People are shite sometimes. X
Thank you so much, Emily. Yes, they do appear to be! X
I tapped like but it's for you, not for liking the dilemma/s described. Constant vigilance seems to be a fundamental requirement of the modern condition. And a hardening of resolve. Be strong.
Thank you, Rose Marie. I hate to have to think that way, but I think you are right, unfortunately.
Yep, it goes against my grain too. However....
Ugh, that sucks, Christina. It really shakes your faith.
Thank you, Wendy. It certainly does.
Sorry about the scam. It can so easily happen to any of us. It nearly happened to my wife, but the bank's security system stopped it just in time.