Blogs from Catalonia, Spain, Europe - page 6

NOVEMBER, 2, 2019 Sadly, we came to our last full day in Barcelona. We were no longer living in the charming neighborhood of Barri Gotic and since there was nothing of interest to keep us where we were, we had breakfast at the hotel (of far less quality than anywhere else in Spain) and quickly left to begin our day. We walked down to the Metro stop to find the Red Route Tour Bus for the Hop On Hop Off City Tour run by the Barcelona Transport Company - TMB. Not an easy task. We were approached by a few other confused tourists looking for the same bus and since we had scoped it out the night before, we were able to help. We wanted to cover more ground in Barcelona before we left, and since ... read more

OCTOBER 30, 2019 Since we hadn’t bought coffee for our coffee maker we decided to go for an early morning walk before today’s tour to look for a nice cafe. Cafe Zurich must have been calling us. We sat outside at a little table near Plaza Catalonia watching the city come alive, feeling very European and tres chic all while enjoying great coffees and to die for pastries. A little Switzerland in Spain? You bet. It was later in the morning so we did not suffer the lines of the Coffee Rush. Our waiter brought our Trenza and Muffin Xocolata pastries and coffees to the table. Yes, it took a little time, but nothing to complain about, we were on vacation soaking up the atmosphere, the reason we came here! At 10am we met our van ... read more

OCTOBER 28, 2019 Gate 1 announced that this last day of our tour would be a “free day” so I had booked the Barcelona in a Day tour (in advance) from Viator. Dave and I took a cab to our meeting place from our hotel. Kathleen from our Gate 1 troupe had decided to join us for the day. We met our first Viator guide Oliver who is an art historian, most appropriate for what we were planning to see: the Sagrada Familia. Crowds had already formed at 9am so Oliver scrambled to get our tickets. Oliver began outside the church by explaining the three doors to the church which represent the Nativity (Birth), Passion (Crucifixion), and the Glory (Resurrection). Currently there are only 8 towers completed but when fully built there will be a total ... read more

Everytime I hear this question I feel fear and tears. I instantly clench and tears form at the backs of my eyes. Although I published a daily vlog though lockdown talking about it face to face is just not the same, when I write a blog or film a vlog it doesn’t feel like talking to a person but just releasing whats inside outside. I was confronted in London with the question so many times, a question I can’t process, the short answer is - ‘I feel like I have a form of PSD my body is in shock still and everything is yet to be processed but basically it was not ok.’ Not only does it make me feel fear & tears but as I have still not dealt with the pain I feel intense ... read more

Crossing the border, apart from a whoop whoop from ourselves doesn't change the scenery or weather, the border building is a derelict building, which could be reinstated should the need required, we wonder as we cross pre Brexit. Our destination is what is known as The Dali Triangle, Port Lligat, his home for some 40+ years, Figueres, his Museum, Art space and final Resting place and finally Pubol the castle he bought for his wife Gala, decorated for her and is her final Resting place. We arrive late in the evening and chose Roses as our stopping place before taking the twisting road over to the other side of the Pennisula known as the Cap de creus Pennisula. Roses as we are finding out is like so many of the Spanish seaside resorts closed “nobody is ... read more