So I did a shoddy job of posting while I was in Spain, but I plan on adding a few posts with highlights from my six weeks in country.
For the first two weeks after I arrived, I spent most of my time working. I sat on the couch/futon/bed, legs crossed, laptop on my lap, and iPod with Talkatone app nearby. Some crazy part of me thought that it would be no problem to spend the prior three weeks in Seattle, add two more days of flying, and have no trouble catching up on work. I knew I was wrong when I arrived -- I was terribly behind from traveling and had a few weeks to complete seven reports.
Lucky for me, Sant Andreu was the perfect place to explore when I did take some time off. The Tostadero around the corner filled me with chocolate croissants and café con leche for only 2.30 euros. They event had a series of Boston Tea Party prints on the walls.
For the first two weeks after I arrived, I spent most of my time working. I sat on the couch/futon/bed, legs crossed, laptop on my lap, and iPod with Talkatone app nearby. Some crazy part of me thought that it would be no problem to spend the prior three weeks in Seattle, add two more days of flying, and have no trouble catching up on work. I knew I was wrong when I arrived -- I was terribly behind from traveling and had a few weeks to complete seven reports.
Lucky for me, Sant Andreu was the perfect place to explore when I did take some time off. The Tostadero around the corner filled me with chocolate croissants and café con leche for only 2.30 euros. They event had a series of Boston Tea Party prints on the walls.
Just on the other side of the square from the apartment was the back entrance of the Xurrería. M, P, and I indulged in this deep-fried delight, with chocolate dipping sauce.
Sant Andreu was so lively all day, except siesta from 2-5pm. I took walks around the neighborhood, peering into all the shops at their rebaixas, taking note of all the places to get fresh-baked bread, local produce, stinky cheeses, and all matter of meat, both recently butchered and long-cured. Many nights, at dusk, I walked around the tight streets back from the main thoroughfare, still in awe at all the orange trees, political graffiti, and families also strolling around.
On weekend three, we took our first road trip -- 3 hours southwest, still in Catalunya, to Horta de Sant Joan to visit M and P's camino friend Christophe. C has a sweet travel van, with a kitchen, bathroom and enough space to fit all four of us.
On weekend three, we took our first road trip -- 3 hours southwest, still in Catalunya, to Horta de Sant Joan to visit M and P's camino friend Christophe. C has a sweet travel van, with a kitchen, bathroom and enough space to fit all four of us.
A monastery in Horta de Sant Joan
Pilou, the wonder dog
Most of the weekend we spent talking and exploring the monastery grounds and hiking a trail to a shrine up the mountain. I regret not bringing my camera on the hike though I don't think it would have captured the eerie stillness amidst the high winds that day. I didn't have a winter coat so I wrapped myself in a wool shawl to stay warm.
As always, it was nice to escape from the city -- even a city I love like Barcelona. The air smells better and the pace is slower... in a good way.
As always, it was nice to escape from the city -- even a city I love like Barcelona. The air smells better and the pace is slower... in a good way.
Stone arches at the monastery
M bundled
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