The First Apartment

I found the first apartment for our trip on Homeaway.  Up front, we all decided that our first choice in accomodations for every city would be apartments.  It's easy to do this in Barcelona.  There are tons of rentals available.  Prices are across the board, but it can definitely be done without spending too much.  Tony wanted to stay in a different neighborhood than where we are staying when we return to BCN to fly back home, so I researched neighborhoods and El Born seemed like clear favorite among like-minded travelers.  There weren't that many 1 bedrooms open during this time.  Since the ladies aren't here for this portion, we didn't need much space.

I chose a place that Tony said "looks like dump".  But it was under 100€ per night, and in a great neighborhood.  We took a taxi in from the airport and met Julia, the apartment owner, at the actual unit.  First observation: El Born is definitely a cool neighborhood.  And the building looks fairly hip. Maybe the pictures were deceiving.  We got buzzed in and had to haul our luggage to the 6th floor up a steep, narrow staircase.  And this is a European 6 floors, meaning American 7 floors! Ugh.  We won't have to feel bad about not exercising on this trip.

Julia spoke very little English.  She kept speaking to us in rapid Spanish, as if we knew what she was saying. So we just kept nodding our heads.  There was enough mutual understanding of the languages that we did a get a general idea of what we were each trying to say.

Tony and I both decided that "dump" wasn't a fair word.  "Bohemian" is a more accurate description of the place.  Small, with a bed on the ground, but also with a small kitchenette and a view out to the city.  Completely acceptable.  As I write this we are going to spend our third and last night here.  So I can honestly say we were happy with our little bohemian studio.  We'll post some pics later.

View from the apartment

Hi - it's Tony - and I'm awake from my much needed nap. Our 24-hour journey followed by a night on the town, a day at the most wonderful beach in Stiges followed by another amazing late-night dinner - the jet lag finally caught up to me. This will be a very interesting post as it will come from four different people who all see things differently and communicate differently at different times.....depending on what kind of trouble we're in.

David and I have had a wonderful time settling into Barcelona - exploring the city, relaxing, eating, drinking and being a part of a local community called Born. It is a fantastic Barcelona neighborhood - far from the tourist traps. We've rubbed elbows with the locals, hung out on the streets waiting for our table and have been welcomed. I must admit - we have yet to see any Americans here. Not to be snarky - but a much needed break from the chaos and silliness from back home.

We're packing up in anticipation of the arrival of our gal pals - Sooz and Mic! In the meantime, I believe it is time for a refreshing beverage and little more time hanging with our friends in the 'hood.

Ciao for now. (Yes, I need to brush up on my Spanish!)

In The Beginning

How Did This Start?

Well - Tony and I mentioned in a text to Mic and Sooz, oh yeah, Mic and Sooz aren't here yet.  They will arrive tomorrow.  I guess I should also mention that we are in Barcelona.  Anyway, we mentioned that wouldn't it be great to blog our trip so we remember what we actually did.  Since no one texted back offering to set up the blog, I decided to do it. Tony is napping and I'm bored, so no time like the present.  

I'm counting on us all making entries, and hoping that when the aforementioned Mic and Sooz arrive, one of them can show me how to write in something other than New Times Roman, an uncreative and ugly font used only for people's first resumes, in the 1980's at least.

What Will The Format Be?

I don't know. It will be an organic process that evolves and changes as we proceed, hopefully in Helvetica at least.

Introduction or Introduccio

This blog is meant for 4 people to track our experiences in a 2 week ransacking of Spain and Morocco.  2 of us have taken this long painful coach class journey from Portland. That's right- Rip City, Rose City, Bridge City, and so on and so forth.  2 of us come from New York. City, not state. 

This journal is for the enjoyment of the of 4 people traveling- David, Tony, Mic and Sooz.  But we want to share with any of our loved ones that care. But this is not to be taken too seriously. We promise that no animals will be hurt in the creation of this space, but we don't promise anything beyond that. So, let's get this bitch started!