Oh Spain, you had me at Sangria....
The trip to Barcelona was fabulous, but I am delighted that I am officially en route home. I'm ready to take a hot shower (with good water pressure) and generally appreciate that the majority of people around me will once again be speaking my native tongue. I will admit I was feeling a bit forlorn the first day or so, but once I got moving I was back to feeling and acting like myself. The highlights of the trip included a 31,000 step day walking, exploring and hiking, my first ever soccer match and a Spanish cooking class.
I have loads of stories to share, but most are better told than written. I also have lots of pictures, but those too are happening another day. Here are a few of the highs and a few lows from the trip.
Things I loved about Barcelona:
- The weather was amazing! It was warm and sunny but not overly hot
- The architecture is fascinating. The city has evolved over centuries and the dichotomy of old and new is stunning.
- Soccer at Camp Nou, the massive 100,000 seat FC Barcelona stadium. Truly the most amazing, vibrant display of sportsmanship I've ever witnessed. Fans were cheering and singing the whole time. In fact, the singing started at the Metro station on the way to the stadium. It was a very cool experience!
- Walking and hiking less popular tourist sites outside of the city center. I walked nearly 14 miles on Friday visiting parks and gardens and museums. I ended the day with a hike up mount Tibidabo to glimpse a spectacular view of the city.
- Witnessing the Good Friday parade of sorts. I can't even describe this with words. I'll try to post the video later
- Spanish cooking class. We made Paella and Sangria. Oh Spain, you had me at Sangria...
- The impromptu walking tour of El Born by the bouncer at a bar who happened to very much resemble a hobbit. He went to the soccer game with me as my translator and navigator. Seriously, the dude looked like a hobbit. I don't know why I didn't take a picture of/with him. Drat!!!!
- Travelling alone! There were a lot of times in Barcelona where I would have loved to have a traveling companion to experience everything with, but the actual travel part, getting to and through airports, is awesome alone. I get to do everything my way on my schedule. Turns out I'm pretty great at being a spoiled brat!
- The fun, friendly bar staff at Stoke and Travel Bar! I met amazing people, some that were working and many that were fellow travelers. Top of the list is Wendy, the bartender/owner of Stoke, Gucci, my hobbit tour leader/translator/soccer pal, Mickel, the gay German parade witness, Peter, the recent divorcee from the cooking class, Erin, the hilarious, self-proclaimed Asshole from Charlotte, NC
- Watching the street performers.
Things I didn't love so much...
- My crappy Spanish skills. Most people speak at least some English, but knowing Spanish would have been very advantageous. I do know that Catalan is the official dialect of Barcelona and the Colonia region, but everyone also speaks Spanish.
- My even crappier navigation skills. I got lost trying to find my hotel every day. The city center is a maze of narrow alleyways and just when I thought I had it figured out I'd make a wrong turn and end up in a square. It was maddening.
- The crowds of tourists. The 100,000 people on the way to and from the soccer stadium was nothing, the hordes of tourists gawking at trinkets and shouting in every language under the sun were making me crazy.
- Dogs on retractable leashes. Many of the asshat tourists from #3 also had dogs on this damn retractable leashes. I hate those f*ing things.
- The food. Sadly, much of the food was disappointing. A few exceptions were the Iberian ham, the olives and the lamb tapas dishes
Looky there, more good than bad. It truly was a great trip, but I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tonight
until next time...
XOXO