Katie B decided to grace me and the Spaniards with her presence.

And her presents.

Outside of Mexico we have only seen each other in US airports.  And now... in Europe! I was not very excited to be near the airport, but I was so happy to see her walk through the arrivals gate in Barajas that my last disaster faded quickly into the background.  We caught up while downing some over-priced airport coffee.  Work, Mexico, the future... so much to fill each other in on and plan (i.e. our next trip to Mexico) as we wait for our flight to Barcelona.  Jet lag didn't slow her down one bit... and the backwards Spanish system didn't seem to phase her. 

We tried to call her family from a pay phone in the airport... it didn´t accept the coins so I asked information what to do. Buy a card.  Where?  At the special machines.  Not in the overpriced-airport-goody stores?  No.  Where would I find a special machine?  Around.  Where are they usually located?  All over, but there is a lot of construction so it will be hard to find them. Where do you suggest I look?  Nowhere near here.

Thank you so very much for your help.

I put €20 on my cell to be able to make a call to the states.

Success!

We boarded and napped through the flight without any major problems... and surprisingly no minor ones, either.  We smoothly made the transition after landing in Girona from the plane to the bus that took us to Barcelona. Luck seemed to be on our side! But we weren´t about to jinx it by mentioning anything to each other.  After another hour of mass-transportation, we hopped off the bus and planted our feet on solid ground.  We were met by waving and shouting... are we that popular, already!? No, it was a man warning everyone about three creepy guys that were lurking around the fresh batch of tourists.  We tucked our bags tighter under our arms and headed to the elevators to escape.  We have travelled together all over Mexico; volanoes, waterfalls, horrible bus rides, Mexico City, suffocatingly hot beaches... we aren't bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tourists with blinders on.  However, in the elevator, a mere 7.23 minutes after arriving, and another attempted pickpockting, we were a bit paranoid and freaked out.  We wandered around a bit and with the help of a normal, nice man, we found our hostel.

We checked in and, after recieving a word of caution about pickpockets from the guy working, we set out to explore the city and get another coffee.  Coffee and tapas pretty much ruled Katie's time in Spain... roughly 31 cafes and bars had the pleasure of serving us.  While eating at Happy! (a not-so-Spanish restauraunt) the waiters from Mexico and Ecuador who invited us to go come to a going away party for their Italian friend the next night.  We crashed that night and slept until the afternoon before doing the tourist route of seeing Gaudi's architecture, the ocean, the Barrio Judio and the Rambla. 

While having some yummy mojitos and caipiriniahs at a tiny Arab-influenced bar we a guy ninja kicked one of the decorative lanterns.  The owner went running after the creepster but was stopped by the police because, even though he was defending his property and customers, he had something in his hand (a stick to beat the perp with) so he was in the wrong. What!? Apparantly backwards Spanish rules apply in Catalunya, also.  We met up with Rodolfo and Jorge, the waiters from the night before, and met their crew.  A fun and patchwork group of people from Ecuador, Italy, Mexico, Argentina and Italy.  We had a blast hanging out and enjoying an insiders view of Barcelona.  We even got into an exclusive, hidden bar that looks like just a regular apartment building from outside.  We were strolling through a plaza and stopped infront of a nondescript door when, all of the sudden, the door opened and the bouncer peeped out and hurried us in.  Sweet!  This is the best way to know a city... meet people who live there and jump on the band wagon.  Interesting and obvious fact that I want to point out: everyone we met was also a foreigner.  hmmm...

The next day we continued snapping photos and being tourists.  The Sagrada Familia was impressive and beautiful... and will be even more so when, if, it is finished.  I can't imagine, as an artist, designing something and knowing that you will not live long enough to see it completed.  I guess I lack confidence in others to wrap my head around that.  The city seemed to be covered in construction.  The pictures would have turned out a lot better without all of the trucks, telephone wires and destruction.  I guess that is what it living in today's world consists of.

I was worried what Katie would think about Ciudad Real as we got on the plane the next day.  I was going to have to work and that can be boring as an observer; it's not even very thrilling to me.  I do have to say, though, that Ciudad Real is the best city that I have found to go for tapas.  1.20 euros and you get, basically, a mini meal: a drink, french fries and half of a sandwich. There is variety but, being a vegetarian, olives and cheese are my main munchies.  The week went smoothly with Katie helping out in my classes and with my tutoring... we visited La Deliciosa for some, as the name suggests, delicious pastries and more coffee.

Madrid was a great ending to a fun filled trip.  One of Katie's friends, Joe, is studying in Spain with his cousin so we met up with them and some people from Brazil, Puerto Rico, France and Mexico before going to Joy, one of the big discos.  When people go out hardcore in Spain they don't usually start til about two in the morning and go until the sun begins to rise.  I guess I am just old because around four I had to go sit in the lobby and wait until they danced their hearts out and wanted to go home.  I think I enjoyed dancing inside the disco just as much as talking with the people who passed by when I was outside waiting.  It is very interesting what people will talk to you about; the topics of conversation ranged from politics, of course, to travelling experiences, mutual friends, family, art and literature.  I love Madrid.

I have a typical route that I follow when showing people around Madrid; I make adjustments depending on each person's likes but usually we hit Retiro Park, the Prado, Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, the Plaza Mayor, El Chaparrito's Mexican restaurant on Calle Mayor, the Royal Palace and the gardens.  I have to go to El Chaparrito's every time I am in Madrid; I am losing the ability to eat spicy food and that is not acceptable.  They know me now, not surprisingly, and are very understanding when I have to ask for veggie enchiladas with extra salsa.  And one more order of salsa, just in case, gracias.  So I saw Katie off at Barajas Airport almost not believing that the week had already past.  It seems that no matter how long we are together, or where we are, we always end the time with plans for the next visit.

Thanks for coming B, te extraño!

xoxcr