Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Barcelona Adventures Part Tres: Cava & International Dinners

Alright, last Barcelona post, I promise.  Don't pretend like you don't want to read this.  We all want to live in a glorious European country that prides itself on cheap booze and ham sandwiches.  So off we go -- 


After my day of beach strolling and creepily watching old men exercise (I promise I'm mentally stable.  For the most part.  Ok, you're right, even I couldn't type that with a straight face), AW finally arrived from London!  We met virtually years ago through a mutually friend of ours who had studied in England, but I knew from my university in Boston, so it was so great to finally meet in real life! 


After a bumpy start (he missed his flight from London > Barcelona, and then I proceeded to have a panic attack until I was assured that he got another one), we spent Wednesday strolling around the Barri Gòtic, went to Catedral Santa María del Mar and Parc de la Ciutadella.  It was nice, and continued in the theme of relaxing, European wandering. 


I'm not sure what exactly AW is trying to accomplish here,
but I am confident that it was hilarious at the time.
We found some street art on the way to the park.
..and I have the mind of a 13-year-old boy.
Thursday was even better because, yes, there was wine.  Oh, joyous day!  Faithful readers, if you ever get the chance to visit Barcelona, please PLEASE take a day trip to Freixenet.  It takes all of 45 minutes on the train and you get a killer wine tour of the caves for only 6,30€.


That car is in the shape of a wine bottle.
These people know how to start a visit off right.
For those of you who don't know, cava is sparkling wine made in the Penedes region of Cataluña in caves.  HOW COULD I PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET DRUNK IN A CAVE?  You're right, I couldn't.  At the end of our tour, they popped open a bottle of bubbly and gave us what appeared to be Ritz crackers, though I felt quite hoity toity eating them whilst sipping on my cava, so I'm convinced they're rich people crackers.  

I basically had to restrain my pinky from
shooting up when I held that glass.
But, wait! There's more after the jump.  (Is the suspense killing you?  I know it is.)


After AW's departure, Friday was mostly spent doing last minute shopping for my family and prepping for a lovely dinner that S & L decided to host as a farewell to me.  They invited two more friends, one from Azerbaijan (S's homeland) and one from Spain who they had met while they were in college.  One thing I absolutely love about growing up in New York is that I have friends from all over the place.  I love having dinner with people from different parts of the world and learning about how they do things because it is almost always different from how I do things.  

In case you didn't already think S was a total badass, he is also writing a book about his travels in Russian and it is AMAZEBALLS.  This is Volume I and it covers 15 countries.  I feel like I'm in the presence of a celebrity.  (Except he's more like a big brother who I am wildly jealous of.)  

S with the first copy of his book.
Also known as yet another failed attempt to
get him to show signs of happiness in photos.
me, S, and L on my last night in Barcelona

And there you have it.  All in all, it was an incredible trip.  I got to see old friends, drink a ton of wine and fanta de limón (I shall bring you back to life in NYC.  Somehow, I promise), and completely forgot about everything that stresses me out at home.  It did exactly what a vacation was supposed to do and I wish I could go back.  Incidentally, now I have the travel bug and am furiously planning my next trip.  Ideas?


This is apparently the third tallest building in Barcelona
and it totally looks like a vibrator.

1 comment:

  1. They have a similar building in London near Brick Lane. It's hilarious.

    -WahYizzle

    ReplyDelete