L’Escala
We're really missing out on the wildest storm on the west coast of Europe right now. Huge shoutout to Storm Ciarán for bringing those record-breaking winds! Belharra a renowned big-wave surf spot was breaking! The spot only comes to life during powerful storms when large swells generate enormous waves that challenge even the most skilled surfers. I kept receiving alerts on my phone about the beaches in Biarritz being closed due to dangerous ocean conditions. The city placed enormous sandbags along the Grand Plage to protect the Casino building. It's pretty crazy, even the parks had to shut down because of falling trees. The wind speeds hit over 140 km/hour at times.
Meanwhile, we're here in L'Escala, just cycling around and soaking up the warmer weather.
We had a good time in L'Escala, and a big thank you to David for being an awesome host and guide. Our ebike adventures took us all over the place (shoutout to Luke, who tackled those steep hills on a regular bike like a champ). One day, we were soaking in the beautiful views when, out of nowhere, it started pouring rain—like, not just a drizzle. We were drenched by the time we found a cafe to take cover.
The funny part? I actually checked the weather report before we left Biarritz, just to see if we needed any rain gear. According to the forecast, no rain was in sight, so we didn't bother bringing anything. Classic, right? And since we were traveling light, there wouldn't have been room for rain gear anyway—haha! We made the most of it, though. We enjoyed some hot drinks, dried off as much as we could, and then got back on our bikes. We made a stop to escape the rain at a small museum. There were old photographs showcasing the area's history and artifacts unearthed from the Empúries ruins. We pedaled about 7 km from town to the Torre de Montgo, turning what could have been a dampener into a memorable part of our adventure. The Torre de Montgó, a historic watchtower, stands tall overlooking the Mediterranean. From the Torre de Montgó, you can see the easternmost point of Spain and the end of the Pyrenees. David shared that Dali claimed to be the first person to see the sunset in Spain! We also biked around the Empúries in L'Escala, feeling like time travelers. These Greek and Roman ruins are seriously cool – from the massive amphitheater to the bathhouses, it's like stepping into the past.
So, David shared he's lived in 36 different places and speaks seven languages. When I was talking about my struggles with learning French, he gave me good advice: try everything. Do improv, take a dance class—basically, throw yourself into situations where you have to speak the language. We joked about it, and now I've committed to trying five new things in the next month. “David Made Me Do it.” Here comes number one! We decided to go to the municipal pool in L'Escala, and just as David was about to dive into his laps, he casually mentioned that an aqua gym class would start in 10 minutes. Sure, why not? So there I was, in an aqua gym class, except there was a little twist—it was taught in Catalan, not Spanish. I had no clue what the instructor was saying. I just tried to mimic their movements and sneak peeks at the other two people in the class. The boys, hanging out at the end of the pool, were practically rolling with laughter watching me navigate this linguistic workout. Talk about a hilarious and unexpected start to my challenge!
So, we finally wised up and booked spots ahead of time! We had tickets for the Dali Museum in Figueres. The building itself is a piece of art, oozing eccentricity and capturing the essence of the man. Once you're in, it's a journey through Dalí's mind, from his iconic paintings like "The Persistence of Memory" to sculptures, drawings, and optical illusions. If you're into art or just love a good dose of the surreal, this museum is an absolute must-visit. Charlie really found it a bit strange. We were strolling through one of the last galleries, and as we passed a particular piece, he casually said, "More hairy vaginas" in this deadpan tone. I had to bite my lip to keep from bursting into laughter. Gotta love Charlie's unfiltered take on art! The entire museum is unique and special, but hands down, the highlight for all of us was the jewelry exhibit. The pieces were stunning: Imagine delicate, intricate jewelry pieces coming to life with subtle movements.
Our next stop was Eduardo Groslambert's place for a visit. I can't quite recall the last time we saw him—maybe around 15 years ago? Nonetheless, it was awesome catching up and finally meeting his longtime girlfriend, Flo. We headed to Windoor (indoor skydiving) in Empuriabrava, just a 5-minute drive from Edu's place. David was there for training, and Luke and I had a session reserved. Charlie wasn't up for it—totally not his thing. But, keeping in the spirit of saying yes, Luke and I dove into the experience. Three minutes in a wind tunnel was a whirlwind of fun! Our final plan before heading back to Barcelona was a coastal hike with Edu and Flo. The day unfolded beautifully with clear blue skies, a refreshing breeze, and occasional drizzles. To cap it off, we had the best mixed seafood plate before making our way back to Barcelona.
