Barcelona Here We Come! (Aug 11-15) - Euro Adventure 2023https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7f23fc_3523d30bdfaa46fdb017b7ca399674f4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/7f23fc

Arriving in Barcelona at 9am, even after flying first class (See ADVENTURE ONE OVERVIEW), we were semi-rested, optimistic and ready for our second visit to the capital of Catalonia. We grabbed our backpacks, filled with three months of clothes, shoes and toiletries, excited for our adventure.

SIDE NOTE: We tend to be thrifty, opting for less expensive alternatives when available, but also desiring authentic experiences, which sometimes leads to less than desirable outcomes.

Case in point, there are a few things you can’t see in the picture of us exiting the airport with our backpacks. It’s HOT, HUMID and our backpacks are HEAVY.

Because we did not seek out help in buying appropriate backpacks, neither were specifically fitted to our body shape or size – meaning sub-optimal positioning and weight distribution. Second, a cab would have been the best choice for transportation to our hotel after an overnight flight. Instead, I suggested we experience public transportation which led to multiple questions: which train, which direction, which stop, how much and more than a few mistakes along the way, including getting off too soon and carrying those HEAVY backpacks multiple blocks longer than necessary. Did I mention life is a learning process?!

Finally, we arrived at the Melia INNSide Apolo hotel, within walking distance of the cruise terminal, which Chris had pre-paid.

SIDE NOTE: Our goal was to pay as much of our adventure in advance, while employed, with our existing cashflow.

The front desk clerk fancied himself a salesperson and was more than happy to attempt to upsell us a currently available room for an additional 60 Euros/night, or store our luggage until our designated 3pm check-in time. As suspected, we declined the available room, changed clothes and set out to explore. Did I mention the heat?

Anyone who knows me, knows I don’t tolerate heat for long. It took a few miles of walking in 95 degrees, with oppressive humidity to remind me - we’re retired! We no longer have to see and do everything, racing from one sight to the next, fitting it all into a one- or two-week time span. With this new realization, we returned to our hotel, where we were now able to check-in, showered, and fell asleep in a nicely air-conditioned room. Thanks to my messed-up body clock and racing mind, I awoke at midnight, inspired to record my thoughts, and found a small conference room on the mezzanine where I started typing into the wee hours, until Chris came looking for me, insisting I acclimate to our new time zone and go back to bed!

Back in 2018 we spent four days in Barcelona exploring the city and its rich history. We had a pretty good idea of where we wanted to see again or learn more, so day two found us on the #Hop-On/Hop-Off Barcelona City Tour as our means of transportation and rode both their East and West Routes:

REVISITING PRIOR LANDMARKS

We checked in on the status of Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Roman Catholic Church in the world, under construction for over 140 years. Envisioned by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, construction began in 1882. At the time of his death in 1926, less than 25% was complete. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 as a minor basilica. Completion was anticipated in 2026, the centenary of Gaudi’s death, but COVID further delayed the project. Some estimate full completion closer to 2040.
We wandered through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, which began as a Roman Village, and includes one of the city’s busiest and best-loved porticoed squares – Placa Reial. It is accentuated by a fountain, palm trees and two streetlamps designed by a young Antoni Gaudi. The square sits near La Rambla, a perfect pedestrian boulevard for shopping and people watching.

SIDE NOTE: For health reasons, I went vegan two months prior to our trip. At this point, I thought I could maintain my preferences.🤣

Along our route, we enjoyed breakfast at #Waffle, a delicious and highly-rated vegan restaurant near another of the city’s biggest squares, Placa d’Espanya. Located at the bottom of Montjuic hill, the square once served as a site for public hangings, until the gallows were relocated in 1715. It is the second-largest square in Spain, and easily recognizable by the old bull-ring-turned-shopping center inspired by Moorish architecture. What you see today was built ahead of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition or World Fair.
A few other favorite sights on our tour included more buildings by Barcelona’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudi. Known for his Catalan Modernism, his work greatly influenced Barcelona’s architecture, as seen at Palau Guell and Casa Mila.
We enjoyed lunch with a view, at a small café overlooking the city from the base of Tibadabo, the amusement park Chris remembers visiting on a family vacation when he was 9!

Our evening kicked off with Spanish Vermouth and traditional appetizers at a long-time friends’ home, prior to dinner at an Argentinian steakhouse. He is a native English speaker, who has lived and traveled around the world, speaks multiple languages and works as an International Executive Coach and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Instructor. He has a natural intellectual curiosity, strong observation skills, and is quick to share his opinions. We had a lively conversation about the differences between Europeans and Americans, which would foreshadow some of our experiences while traveling. It was a great way to round out day two!

RETIREMENT MEANS TAKING TIME TO RELAX

Day three allowed time for sleeping late and catching our breath after wrapping up careers, enjoying a whirlwind of retirement festivities, one overnight flight and two days of sight-seeing. I also focused on figuring out how to write a blog using only an iPad (successfully written, but not published), and we discovered more restaurants. We also deepened our appreciation for staying indoors during the heat of the day, siestas and late dinners as the locals do.

We visited a delicious vegan breakfast hang-out #Tropico for a second day and had the good fortune to converse with a lovely young ”digital nomad,” living in Barcelona for a month. She works for a tech start-up out of Brooklyn, NY. Interestingly, she grew up in Boulder, just up the road from us. She had already spent time working and living in Medellin, Columbia, in Turkey, and planned to try out Mexico City next. Perhaps I was born a generation too early as I envied her life and experiences.

We spent some time wandering the city, strolling historic neighborhoods, exploring the port and beaches, admiring the architecture, and watching people. I appreciate how, much of Europe treasures its old-world buildings, and even when demolition is necessary, the facade often remains intact. There is a sense of respect for history, its tendency to be repeated when not understood, and a recognition that our existence is merely a moment in time. Old world architecture represents such skill and craftsmanship, requiring time, money and materials that do not seem to be valued in the US.

SIDE NOTE: We are not foodies. At all. Food is required sustenance. It is not where we spend our money or seek enjoyment. Yes, we traveled Europe for three months amid Michelin Star restaurants and James Beard award recipients, but you will not find references in this blog.

SEEKING MONTSERRAT

On our final day, we went looking for the train that travels to Montserrat. We had read it was strangely difficult to locate the correct entrance. It was in a less than prominent, and poorly marked location near Placa Espanya, which we found. Due to maintenance, we were required to travel two stops, get off, board a bus, then re-board the train a few stops away. The signage failed to mention (or we failed to learn Spanish so we understood) that the bus ride meant we would be waiting for an hour until the next train arrived, underground, in the heat! Our reward upon arriving in Montserrat, Spain, was a beautiful cable car ride to the Benedictine monastery that sits atop the mountain. The site's history goes back to 880 AD when according to legend, shepherds saw a bright light and heard music coming from a cave. When they approached a grotto, they found an ancient wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary and Child, supposedly carved by St. Luke, taken to Spain by St. Peter, and hidden during the Moorish occupation. Today, about 80 monks live on-site dedicated to deepening their religious experience, working and giving shelter to pilgrims. The Basilica is also home to Europe's oldest boys' choir, Escolania, who sing in various religious services.

SIDE NOTE: Do you know the difference between a church, cathedral and basilica? We did not. A basilica has relics.

Following a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria, we hiked along one side of the mountain, admired the many chapels and sculptures, grabbed some lunch and headed back to Barcelona. We hope to return during cooler weather to complete the four-hour hiking loop from the town below to the monastery and back.