Barcelona Day 2

Hola!  Buenas noches!  We are in Barcelona and getting settled in, my language mishaps notwithstanding.  I really wish I was one of those people who picked up languages easily and within a week would be nattering along in somewhat broken, but understood, Spanish.  But, alas, as my Madames from French class from grades 3 through sophomore year will tell you, my tongue makes sounds that would give any native pause.  (After spending a month in Paris as a sixteen year old, living with a family who spoke limited English, I finally eked out an accent that didn't grate, but man oh man, it doesn't come easily). 

I'm feeling a little sensitive about it, because I really long to pronounce things correctly and have been listening to Spanish language podcasts and reading a grammar book on the subway and making DK (who is pretty much fluent in Spanish, sigh) listen to me playact making a reservation on the phone.  But preparations aside, I can get a case of the nerves and fumble over my carefully practiced phrases and next thing you know, the waiter is asking me if I'd like the English-version menu.  And don't even get me started on trying to figure out the Catalan v. Castilian, which just throws a monkey wrench into the whole confused works of my brain.  It is but Day 2, so I have a little time to be as a sponge, right? 

In other news: Barcelona is fabulous.  We arrived early Saturday morning after a looonnngg flight (which was made better by a surprise amenities kit DK put together for me that included honey lip balm, my favorite tea, antibacterial wipes, a water-face-spritzer thing, orange tic-tacs, mints, a granola bar, ear plugs etc.  – in other words, holy moses, is he sweet).  Unfortunately, our apartment was not ready for an early check-in, so we wandered about the little medieval streets in La Ribera and La Bari Gotic, the narrow stone twists and unexpected turns and beautiful ironwork a good match for our sleepy, dreamy moods.  The city was remarkably empty, save for the occassional little red and white city bicycles whizzing by (I love that this free bike program exists; we talked about whether it would work in NYC, but since it seems to runs on an honor system, unlikely).  We ate incredibly fresh sautéed wild mushrooms and golden grilled calamari, with perfect mineral-y glasses of cava at a counter in the wild Boqueria, which was pretty much heaven.  Finally, having stalled to about 2:30, I was zombie-like with sleepiness and we went to throw ourselves at the mercy of the rental company to please please let us check in.  As very good luck would have it, not only was it ready, but they had upgraded us to a lovely two-bedroom on a higher floor in the same building since there was apparently some issue with the hot water in our original. 

We are right by the Plaza Catalunya and our place is large and lovely with a balcony that looks out over the rooftops in both the living room and master bedroom and big French doors everyplace.  After a very critical two-hour nap for me, we went to the grocery store for food and came home fat with fresh shark steaks and tomatoes and crusty baguette and mango yogurts and baby lettuce and arugula and raspberry jam.  We cooked dinner, had a big glass of cold wine and watched Persepolis (the apartment has a DVD player and DK, somehow knowing this, carted over our netflix) and proceeded to sleep until noon the next morning.  NOON.  I honestly cannot think of the last time DK slept for than four hours in one go, so this was an unprecedent miracle (and much needed; I worry, you know?)  

Today we got ready (big mugs of tea, more crusty bread with real butter and jam slathered on it) and spent hours in the Picasso museum, then more wandering, then another totally absurd tapas lunch (grilled foie gras on ginger bread?  Well hello, sailor!), then relaxed on the couch reading before we headed out for Moroccan curry.  We're pretty much playing the trip by ear, which suits me just fine so long as it includes lots of jamon and a little bike trip I've been secretly imagining.  There's so much I'm excited to see and then we hope to get a few days to head out of the city for a few day trips.  Now if I could just get the accent down. . . .

Eh, it'll come with time.  In the meantime, I'm all about enjoying this seemingly perfect city. Adios! 

Comments

[Susan]

Don't worry about the accent; just giving it the old college try is usually fine. Barcelona sounds divine. Eat lots of jamon for me (and manchego and tapas and little baby squid grilled a la plancha).

[Jean]

Enjoy it! Glad you are having fun away from the worky-work.

[spoiledonlychild]

Come back. I miss you. Your posts are so much fun to read.

[Florida web design]

I visited Barcelona way back in 1991. had a fantastic time and loved the open markets and squares. Walking through the alley ways in buildings which led to a huge square filled with all types of vendors and entertainment. it was absolutely fabulous. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.