I honestly don't know where to begin to summarize or explain how this trip to Spain was so wonderful and memorable on many different levels. Firstly, I am in love with the architecture, especially in the area surrounding Mandy's apartment. The scale of the whole city is friendly and not at all overwhelming. I easily found myself dreaming of someday living there...maybe for a few months a year during retirement ;). I also enjoyed spending precious time with our dear friends, Tally and Nachum, who moved here about 2 1/2 years ago. I miss them a lot and it was very hard to say good-bye because I don't know when we will meet again. But the overall best part, hands-down, was seeing how my precious child has grown into such an amazing adult. She was our tour guide, translator and overall "hostess with the mostess". I am so proud of how she used this opportunity to fully immerse herself in Barcelona, sure she could have traveled around Europe more but instead she chose to learn and experience as much as possible about the city...such a wise choice and not one that many students make. I feel blessed to have had the chance to witness Mandy in her (temporary) element.
As I sit here eating yet another delicious pastry waiting for my flight to depart home I can't help but reminisce about the eight days we just spent in Espanya. There are too many topics I would like to share my thoughts on so I will limit this to just a few.
First the city ..... I could not have imagined how beautiful the city would be. The architecture, weather ( excluding a few raining days), location on the Mediterranean and mass transportation systems were more then I could have hope for. After eight days and at least twenty trips on the metro I think I am an expert on the subway system. I was amazed at how clean the city is and how well maintained all of the buildings are. There is an abundance of plazas and park areas which lend themselves to grabbing a bite to eat, sitting on a bench and watching the city pass by.
Second the language ..... It is apparent that this city does not see many American tourist ( case in point in Begur in the Costa Bravo coastal region we were thought to be British. I have been called many things but never have I or my family been mistaken for British). The residents are not quick to attempt to engage you in English unless you specifically ask them in Spanish if they " se hable English". Some did but many did not. I am happy and am impressed with Amanda's mastery of the Spanish language. If her four month semester abroad ( holiday) has done anything it has allowed her to enhance her Spanish speaking skills ( which hopefully will translate in additional job opportunities after graduation). Without her translation the trip certainly would have taken on a different vibe.
Third the food ..... As mentioned above the defacto breakfast food seems to be a pastry and expresso. Unfortunately for my waist line I did not find one piece of pastry I did not find delectable and after figuring out how to order a cup of tea with milk Annette and I found ourselves often waiting for Amanda in the local cafe. For any chocolate lovers you will be happy to know that every pastry is available with either a chocolate topping or chocolate filled.
For dinner a couple of nights we sampled the local pizza offerings. One particular restaurant offered an array of pizzas and I had the one topped with Iberian ham ( I think this is another version on prosciutto). It was tasty but at the other restaurant the pizza was little more than a store bought frozen pizza warmed up in the oven. On our second night in town we had Tapas for dinner. One Tapas in particular I will never forget. It was some type of potato ( taste and similar consistency to potato sticks) with two sunny side up eggs served on top. The waiter chops up the eggs and mixes with the underlying potatoes and whatever other " sauce" there is. This dish has immediately made my top ten foods of all time and I highly recommend it. Finally there is the prosciutto baguette. If this were available in the states as it is here I think I would not eat pizza nearly as much. They typically coat the inside of the baguette with a tomato spread and then add the prosciutto and a little cheese. Delicious !!!!! On one day I think we ate three of these sandwiches and I could have eaten three more.
Fourth the friends.... It was great to reunite with our since departed from Haworth friends the Kormans. They moved to Barcelona about three years ago and it was great to see them again. Nachum and Tally had as out to their hacienda twice for dinner and in typical Tally fashion the food was spectacular. As an add surprise I was able to attend a Barca Football game with Nachum and his son Daniel. Nachum has a corporate box and it was amazing to be able to watch " football" at its highest level in one of the worlds most renown stadiums. It was hard to say good bye to them not known when we will see them again and it reminded me how good a friends they became to Annette and I while they were state side. Hopefully we will share time again with them soon.
In closing it was great to see my daughter after three months abroad ( even with the ridiculous nose ring). Her ability to adjust to foreign city living has impressed me enormously and I now know that when the time comes for her to fly from our nest she will be well prepared. It is difficult leaving her behind today but I take solace in the fact she will be home again in four weeks.(when I say difficult I mean doing everything I could not to cry as my heart was breaking watching her return to her apartment in the city as Annette and I walked into the airport)
So I say adios to all my Spanish speaking readers and good bye for now for all the English speaking folks.
xoxo,
3/5 of the Perruccis
(Durk and Liv I'm going to make you do the same so get ready)