Martin Olson

I first met Martin in 1984. I was travelling through Europe at the time and Iwas getting kind of lonely and homesick and felt I needed to put down some roots as I was hopping from country to country, city to city via eurail. I was sitting among the rocky edges along the coast in Cadaques. Martin was spear fishing and popped out of the water and asked if I wanted to go fishing with him. He was from California and was visiting his grandmother. His mom was at the beach that day and he introduced me to her. It was uncomfortable meeting her - she was sunbathing topless. That was a special moment for me, not the intro to his topless mom but just the connection with such a great guy. From that point on we hung out everyday during my week in Cadaques. 

I stayed longer than anticipated in this small town because there was the best company to be had with Martin. He and his family invited me to dinner at their grandmother’s vacation apartment. Chicken and rice! Three rounds for 120 pounds of me who at that point in my travels had really missed home cooking. I almost ate them out of house and home. I had thirds and out ate all three of them combined. I bet there was a family holdback on account of me. 

We “learned” how to windsurf for the first time because it was so cheap to rent a windboard...but there was no wind. With no air movement we just stood afloat on the boards with sail in hand and just drifted to at the whim of the lapping waves. Afterwards we got our haircut together at Romans Salon. You can tell from the picture of me and Martin that I needed it more than he did. 

That week in Cadaques was the longest I stayed in any one place during my travels and was the highlight of my 2 months of travel. I have so much gratitude to Martin for being not only a companion but a friend when I was feeling homesick. We explored different beaches, visited the Salvador Dali museum and joined in the town dance at the public square. 

We exchanged a few letters/postcards when I got back to Vancouver but then lost touch. Not until spring of this year did I hear from Martin. Some 36 years later. He searched my name on FB. He called over FB.... we chatted for over an hour. "There's not many Barry Jungs from Vancouver” he told me over the video call. “I was hoping it was you” 

Martin: Do you remember when we first met? 

Me: Ya. at the beach. You were with your mom. 

Martin: I bet you remember because she was topless. We both cackled with laughter. It was such a gift to hear from Martin! 

He told me on a subsequent call that he had MS. For decades it gradually took away his mobility, his love for running, swimming, cycling. He was a triathlete. He told me it was starting to limit his speech and his ability to use his phone and that he was nearing the end of his life. Despite his physical limitations, he would call me,using Siri to send voice or text messages. He was always positive, asking me about my life and family. 

We exchanged pictures and stories of past and present. We only knew each other for not more than a week over 36 years ago and yet he has had such a significant impact on me. I grieve that he is gone yet I am so grateful that he would reach out to me in his remaining days to reconnect. 

Thank you Martin! May you be experiencing the Peace that surpasses all understanding. 

Miss you brother!