December 14-17, 2009- Barcelona, ES- Hotel Allegro with Travel Buddy, Steve Nowak
On December 14th, travel salvation came in the form of Michigander Man, Steve Nowak. For a month and a half I had been making new connections, and through them, discovering more about the greater world and the unearthing the undiscovered in my soul- gathering and growing with each step. But at some point, the novelty of it all became a bit much, I was feeling the drain from information overload and nearly over processed with all the new. I suppose I felt tired, but I didn't really know it, until revival stepped through the sliding doors at the Hotel Allegro. Giving me his huge Joker-like smile (mischievous and intriguing) and picking me up off the ground in a bear hug embrace, he made me feel instantly at ease, yet excited for a few days of travel in tandem. With him, I didn't have to explain myself, not only did Steve understand why I was traveling (something he does for both work and enjoyment himself) but he knew also how I could maintain my love for home despite my need to leave it behind. We talked of future travels and snow accumulation in Michigan, the crazy characters of the world and our family and friends back home. He loved every moment, every part of the adventure, as I did, but also knew the place I carry in my heart.
Another plus seemed to be our shared sick sense of humor, which just made all of our time together all the more entertaining. A trip to the Christmas market, though festive, would not typically conjure up huge barreling laughs as it did for us. From the log reindeer placed in compromising positions, to the pooping nativity (and gnome!) figurines, to the video we took (and replayed for hours) of Santa riding Rudolf- it was a gutter-mind's dream. Merriment was made around the city and twisted moments enjoyed, from the building shaped oddly like male anatomy- which seemed to become even more so with the addition of our two heads in the picture, to the well-endowed, life-sized, plastic goat belonging to one Christmas Story scene.
We explored every inch of the city, metro navigating and pavement pounding by day, strolling under the Christmas lights by night. It wasn't the warmest of weather, with this-can't-believe-this is-happening-in-Spain white stuff floating in the air but I suppose our thick Michigan skin and thirst for a good brew, helped us along the way. Maybe also Steve's sugar buzz from the handfuls of candy he would grab from the hotel reception at each departure- I'm sure they didn't like having us hooligans around, especially considering that he wasn't technically supposed to have another person staying in his room, but that only seemed to make the situation more enjoyable. A hotel picnic with Spanish omelet, 40's, and cheese I had to cut with the complimentary plastic comb, our best times were found in the details and little moments- this is what makes the adventure truly memorable.
A city on the sea, Barcelona was pre-destined to be a place that I would enjoy, but here I was surprised to find myself more captivated with the buildings than anything else- a city dotted with the art of architectural masterminds, providing it with touches of magic amongst the every day structures. From the clever, curvy, and whimsical to the angled, bold and modern- I found it to be like walking through a gallery. Twice I returned to the park designed by the man responsible for creating art both amongst the pavement and the trees- Antonio Gaudi. His fairy tale skeptical, Park Guell is a place unparalleled to any city park I've ever seen. It can only be explained as part "Jurassic Park" and part "Where the Wild Things Are". It's larger than life magic makes you feel like Alice in Wonderland. Bright, bold mosaic patterns contrast with subtle, earthen colored archways, there seems to be no method to the madness but that just makes it all the more interesting to get lost in this alternate dimension. In the city I felt transported to a place of childhood dreams, everyone needs those pure moments of joy. The mysterious Gothic Quarter, the buzzing La Rambla, the flashbacks to yester-year at the sea-side Olympic grounds, Plaza Cantalunya and my pigeon encounters- all this was interesting but Park Guell was something else- something I will never forget.
Barcelona is a visual feast and I ate up every second with a wonderful companion to share it all with, a perfect way to say adios and salud to Espana!
Cheers,
Em