Barcelona

My last leg of the trip brought me to Barcelona. By this time, I was in my third country, my camera was broken, I was running low on clean clothes, and developing a deep, lasting hatred towards my 8.32 kilogram backpack (I still look at it with contempt once in awhile). It could have been a recipe for travel burnout - if not for the fact that I was reunited with Marta, fellow Willing Suspender.

It was absolutely fantastic staying with her. Marta's apartment was right on the fringe of the "tourist" part of Barcelona, but removed enough that I felt like my stay was authentic. And she was an incredible host - one night, she cooked a Spanish omelet, roasted peppers and eggplant, and sauteed a traditional Catalan mushroom after I said I wanted to try "Something Spanish that wasn't a tourist trap". From the bottom of my heart, Marta, thank you, for letting me crash on your sofa, for cooking me the most amazing meal, and just for being an incredible friend.

Since I had been to Barcelona before, I wanted to see things that I hadn't seen the first time around. Marta worked during the day, so those were mostly spent on my own. It was nice, being able to explore the city at my own pace, go where I wanted to go.

I must have walked at least ten miles in the three days I was there. I climbed to the top of a massive hill to see Castell de Monjuïc. I walked from Parc Guell to Sagrada Familia to the beach. And, of course, I walked up and down the Ramblas, making more than one stop at the feast for the eyes that is Mercat de la Boqueria.

I also spent a good deal of time getting lost in the Gothic quarter. A maze of winding, narrow streets, the Gothic quarter has tons of antique shops and unique stores. I learned very quickly that if something catches your eye, look at it then - you will never find that store again if you try.

Barcelona the second time around was definitely better than the first. Sadly, my ten day vacation of a lifetime ended far too soon, and before I knew it I was leaving the Mediterranean and touching down in Dublin once again. 

And it was raining.