Barcelona
We landed in Barcelona around 10 am, and it was warm! Yes warm at the end of October, like t-shirt warm! We dropped our bags at the hotel and took to the streets. Barcelona has this magnetic pull that I can never resist. The city is filled with beauty, with its colorful and detailed building facades, and the atmosphere just gives me indescribable joy.
We made our way to the Ramblas, though it seemed that we weren't the only ones with this brilliant idea, as the street was packed. Gabe and I thought that the end of October might have offered a respite from the tourists. Nope.
So we left the craziness of Las Ramblas and entered the Mercat de la Boqueria. The market was a kaleidoscope of sensory delights. It showcased an array of stalls, each brimming with exotic fruits, freshly squeezed juices, an astonishing variety of saffron, chocolates, and even fried potatoes - the tornado in particular. (a whole potato sliced into a spiral shape, skewered, and deep-fried). Of course, there were the usual meats and veggies. (To experience a more quieter, local market we also went to the Mercat de la Concepció set in an elegant modernista-style building (a different day).
Lunch at Cal Pep was next. This spot is where reservations are not an option. We joined the line, the doors eventually swung open, and the host began seating people at the counter, in the interior, or out on the terrace. "Dos? Tres? Cuatro?" they asked. We sat at the counter. The moment we sat down there was a bustling open kitchen. We were drawn in by the sight of the chefs cooking and the hilarious banter between the staff. The seafood selection was out of this world, with an array of fresh catches displayed on ice. From prawns to clams and tender squid, we decided to let the server choose our menu. This was an authentic culinary adventure that captures Barcelona's food culture, and we couldn't have been happier. Charlie loved this place so much that if it were solely up to him, we'd be dining here for every single meal! When in Barcelona, it is either all about Gaudi or all about the food. Note to self - Make sure to plan ahead and purchase tickets in advance for everything. Nowadays, even a casual stroll through Park Guell requires pre-booked tickets online. It was a bit disappointing, but at least we can return soon. Today was match day, and it was Barcelona vs Real Madrid. In hindsight, we should have been more proactive and checked if there were games happening while we were here, but it slipped our minds. Nevertheless, we caught the game in the hotel lounge, and it was a bittersweet experience as Barcelona ended up losing. On the bright side, it was quite cool to see that Mick Jagger was in attendance, and it turns out the Rolling Stones are partners with FC Barcelona, which was rather unexpected but interesting!
Sunday was a fantastic day spent with Amanda, Alfred, Chloe, and Oriole. Alfred swung by our hotel at 11 am to chauffeur us to Amanda's dad's house, nestled in the countryside just 30 minutes outside of Barcelona. There, Enrique whipped up a paella that we enjoyed, all while swapping stories and reconnecting. Later in the day, we embarked on a trek across Barcelona, a solid hour west of the city, to witness Chloe on the basketball court. Her team, Barcelona, is highest in the league, and the gym was packed with families. The local community, primarily from Mali, added a vibrant touch with many women donning traditional dresses. There was even a group of kids in the back pounding on drums, though I'll admit they got a tad annoying, especially when they rattled those drums while Chloe's team was in possession of the ball. Keep in mind these were 12-year-old players, and the energy in the gym was intense. Despite a tough challenge, Chloe's team won. It was a memorable game day. The rest of our time in Barcelona was all about exploring the neighborhoods, indulging in some delicious food, and playing cards.
Halloween had a slightly different vibe here compared to the US. Many places were decked out in Halloween decor, and I spotted several posters advertising Halloween-themed events. No Trick-or-treating happening here. The Plaça Catalunya was bustling as usual. Gabe was lost in a camera shop, and the boys were busy exploring the FC Barcelona official store. I, on the other hand, stood on the street, people-watching and taking in the scene. Then, out of the blue, this towering guy strolled across the street in a black jumpsuit, donning a Jason mask, and lugging a massive machete. My first thought was, "What on earth is happening?" But then it hit me, it was Halloween! I burst into laughter. The machete was fake! Phew. As the night unfolded, we saw more people and kids in costumes, and it was amusing, yet it also tugged at my heartstrings, realizing that it was the first Halloween we didn't get all dressed up. Then, something truly surprising happened. We were walking down a random street, debating where to go for dinner. Suddenly, Gabe hears his name, turns around, and lo and behold, it's Gabi Cazes! He was there with his wife and two kids. Can you believe the odds of running into someone you know in a city as vast as Barcelona, with 5.6 million people? What's even more incredible is that he had just moved here two months ago; we thought he was living in Paris. It was a heartwarming and unforgettable moment, and all of us were grinning from ear to ear.
We learned that "Panellets," small marzipan-based sweets coated with pine nuts, are a traditional food for All Saints' Day in Barcelona, we sought out a highly recommended bakery to sample this treat. Delicioso!
Fast Forward to November 4: Our last night in Barcelona was a memorable one, spent with Amanda and Alfred in their neighborhood, el Prat de Llobregat. We had a delicious dinner, and afterward, we returned to their place. Alfred mixed us Spanish style gin and tonics, while Amanda strummed her guitar, and we all joined in for a sing-along. It was an absolute blast! We ended up staying up well past 1 am, which made our 5 am wake-up call the next morning quite daunting. Nonetheless, as they say, all good things must come to an end, and we had an early flight to catch back to Biarritz.
