Sleeping in Barcelona
We got pretty lucky on this one. We were looking to rent a Westfalia (camper van) for our time in Spain-France and ended up finding the exact same model to rent as the one we own in Quebec. The only catch was that it was not available until 5 days after we arrived in Barcelona since the owners had a trip planned with it.
I started looking around for a hotel or apartment in Barcelona for the Easter weekend. The options were uninspiring and the prices were a bit scary – especially for the very first nights of a 15 month trip. This was not the time to blow the budget.
Just as I was about to move on to another camper option, the owners offered to us to stay in their apartment in Barcelona until they were back. Woohoo! We were to take care of their cats (kids are so happy with that one) and use their bikes, and apartment until they return and we could take the camper. It didn’t take me more than a 1/2 second to agree.
It has now been 5 days that we have been hanging out in this 11th floor, 3 bedroom apartment in the neighbourhood of Poblenou and just off the rambla (pedestrian street). As I mentioned before, I need time to rest after the events of the past few months and as a result, I am not interested in sightseeing at the moment. Even being in Barcelona cannot tempt me. And I think Gino and the kids are just as happy to follow. *edit* In fact Gino and the kids are loving the lack of sightseeing too. *end-edit* So instead of playing “tourist”, we have been playing “visitor”. We have been sleeping late, reading books, cooking, playing games – music in the apartment and heading out for just a 2-3h walk or bike each day – mostly to the beach. Oh and we saw a movie – Beauty and the Beast (in english) which Millie adored.
My favorite part so far of this transition time is the lack of my need to be in communications. I only brought my phone (no computer!) and the kids are amazed. On top of that I have so far resisted getting an European SIM card. With the exception of reading my novel on it, it is silent. My emails are silent…for the first time in 13 years…and we’ve been using a real map to get around. No Internet, no checking anything at anytime. It is wonderful. This is what I’m looking for.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The street in front of our apartment has been permanently blocked off for cars and is now a cement park. Please Canada – take inspiration! It is so popular and beautiful.
Time out for a little work-out play at the beach
Time to get some sun into these hibernated white-bodies of ours.
These 2 need nothing but each other to have fun.
Just had to put this one in here since he looks so happy laughing with his sister.
Thought we went back to Canada for a moment…ah nope, it is still warm despite the mastodon
As someone who is fairly passionate about urbain planning (or lack of in many cases), Barcelona is my dream city! Another example of a “wow” idea, that didn’t just stay an idea – they really did it: a grass rail-bed.
Millie who can’t stand seeing anyone hurt, gives Andy a ride home when he has a blister.
Recent Comments