Barcelona

Greetings,

Im off today after spending the last week in/around Barcelona. What an incredible city. I spend the first night in the city on a Saturday night pub crawl with over 80 people from around the world, danced in an underground old Gothic grotto and then ended the night at one of the notorious clubs. Spent the days wondering around the city, super narrow lanes, saw some Gaudi architecture and art and enjoyed the sunny days on the Mediterranean beach. I went clubbing, met up with an old friend from Kimberley - yea Chelsea - hung out with some cool dudes from Belgium, shopped, lost things, found things, jammed with a collective of musicians in a jazz/salsa club......but was however kicked off the congas after a few minutes of me being unable to quite find the rhythm. I relinquished my place to one of the other players took over and ended the session. Drank beer, sangria and wine on the streets, on the beach, and in numerous restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges etc. Ate amazing food, tapas and big lunches. Relaxed.

One morning, I decided to get out, explore the region and try to use up some more of my rail pass. To I spent the day ´Riding the Rails´ with no real destination in mind, just the Costa Brava region, along the northern Spanish coast. I was thrilled and excited with this prospect of ending up where I ended up. I was only prepared for a day on the beach (trunks, towel, book) and my skate. I ended up going to this city Figueres, where I had my mind blown for a few hours at the Salvador Dali museum and theater, before catching another bus to this super small place on the rocky Catalan coast called Cadeques, where Dali lived. I had my wallet, was booked into the hostel in Barcelona for the night and had a ticket for the Sonar music festival the following day back in Barcelona.....other than that I was just on the move.

I accidentally got off the bus in the wrong city.....opps, but was for the best as I had my beach time on the white sand beaches, got a massage by a Chinese man, skated around the old street and swam in the blue salty water of the Mediterranean Sea. I finally made it into Cadeques, checked into a small Bed and Breakfast -the Matrimonial suite- and had dinner and wine in this Italian restaurant, the inside looked like it was dug out of a cave. I took the rest of my wine with my as I exited the restaurant and proceeded to watch a lightning storm dance across the sky. Rugged coastline, small rocky beach, hotels in classic blocky and white walled pose along this small coastal bay, narrow cobble streets, grass growing through, adorned with cafes and restaurants with mad class, style and charisma. As I watched the bobbing sailboats light up with each lightning strike and the metronome consistency of the lighthouse on the point, my thoughts wondered to the past where perhaps the surreal and magnificent imagination of Dali himself sat at this view, conjuring up fantastical ideas and peices...

Next day, what a contrast, I jetted back to Barcelona for the afternoon where I went to the multi-day Sonar Electronic music festival. I hooked up with my Belgium friends, and watched Djs and live acts from all over Europe and the UK perform in the day hours. This was such a wild scene. Heavy euro electronica scene. I hung out all afternoon before hitting the hay early last night.

Im heading back to London tonight, and then Vancouver tomorrow afternoon. What a trip. So good. Till next time.
Jeff