Meeting Marcos
I first met Marcos at the farewell party for the Italian professor specialising in Space Science at the University of Barcelona. I was being supervised by Etsuro Sotoo, who is head sculptor at the Sagrada Família. I was in Barcelona doing research on the Sagrada Família as a Master’s student in the summer of 2014. Many Japanese people visit the Sagrada Família; it is one of the most famous tourist sites. It is said that Japan is the country with the most books about Gaudí. I am one of those who have been drawn in. I wanted to meet Mr Sotoo, and I was finally able to do so after several attempts to arrange a meeting. Mr Sotoo introduced me to everyone at the farewell party. They all introduced themselves to me with great interest. Marcos not only took an interest in me, but we also exchanged emails and he suggested we meet again.
Memories of Marcos
After the party, Marcos took me to lunch with a friend of his from university. We played football in the street and did our homework together. I fell asleep while studying and Marcos took a photo of me and showed it to his friends, laughing.
My most striking memory is that he took me by car to the church on Tibidabo. He knew the priest, and the priest took us up to an upper floor where tourists are not allowed. The view of the whole city of Barcelona and the Mediterranean lifted my spirits. At the same time, the view made me realise that this city has a rich natural setting, tradition, history and a great cultural climate, surrounded by sea and mountains and a clear blue sky.
When we arrived, from the upper floor, an orange sunset was waiting for us. Marcos said that God had placed it before us. That sunset and Marcos’s smile still speak to me now.
What Marcos’s death taught me
He told me: «I want to be a priest». I think he would have been a great priest if he were alive… He was active and fun, much loved by his friends, and he had an understanding heart. I could not believe his unexpected death. Far too soon to leave this world. But he lives in my heart even now. I want to live with him in my next life. Although I shared little time with him, I feel a deep sorrow. That is all I can say now. When I visit Barcelona again, I want to see the world that Marcos left behind.
Machine translation. If you spot a mistake, do write to us.