BRIEFLY BARCELONA

Monday, October 17, 2016
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and Canary Islands
Our ship would be departing from Barcelona so we thought it prudent to get there a day early, just in case. As the old saying goes: "You don't wanna miss the boat." I had booked an AirBnB, our first, since Amy had always encouraged us to do so. Also, it was substantially less than Barcelona hotel rooms. I found one that came highly recommended, and we booked it. 

Based upon the description, it sounded perfect-- reasonably-priced and central to everything . Unfortunately, the listing left out one critical detail. The apartment was in a 4-storey walk-up and we were on the top floor. Our fully-packed bags would have to be schlepped up the narrow staircase, and I was to be the schlepper. This was no easy task, but I gritted my teeth, and the schlepping commenced. When it was over, the bags were as grateful as I that they had made it. A good fifteen minutes of recovery time was needed. The reward was a comfortable room in an apartment decorated in a student-like motif. It was fairly basic but would do for the night.
Our day had started at 3 a.m. to catch a 6 a.m. flight and we were sleep-deprived, so a nap was in order. Afterwards, we were revived, and left the apartment to explore this vibrant, beautiful city. The streets were teeming with people, with loads of tourists and citizens afoot. We walked the Ramblas, a popular thoroughfare where you literally 'ramble’ down the street, taking in all the action. Lots of great people-watching. Having been to Barcelona before, we didn’t visit any of the tourist sites, but decided to leave our destination to fate . And fate delivered. 

We found ourselves at a Oktoberfest celebration in a huge tent filled with some heavy-duty partying going on. There were amusement park rides, games, junk food, but mostly beer-guzzling Gen-Xers and groups of older guys. The music was blaring, and everyone was having a good time. So, we got us some steins of German beer, shared a table with young couples and a bunch of very happy Albanian guys and we joined in the festivities. Non-stop toasting going on around us. We sang along to the oldies, and it was lots of fun until promptly at 11:00, when the party was over. Pretty happy ourselves, we stumbled back to our apartment.

And that was the sum total of our time in Barcelona. The next morning, we made our way to the port, and boarded the Brilliance of the Seas for our cruise to Tampa.

The next blog will be from somewhere in the Atlantic.

Comments

MYrna
2016-10-20

Glad you were able to partake in what sounds like a very wild and wooly Oktoberfest! Despite the long schlep up to your BnB, the room met your needs for just one evening! Barcelona is supposed to be lovely....

I hope you find many more exciting adventures on your cruise! Please keep blogging as your travels abound!

Miss and love you both....

MySu

melissagquest
2016-10-21

Whoa! There are a couple of photos there that made me think *I* had over imbibed at Oktoberfest, LOL. Glad to hear you made your boat!

melissagquest
2016-10-21

Whoa! There are a couple of photos there that made me think *I* had over imbibed at Oktoberfest, LOL. Glad to hear you made your boat!

Hope Springman
2016-10-21

Bleary-eyed in Barcelona - you certainly had a great time after a B and B shlep up and down stairs, but even that was part of your European adventure. The Ramblas is always fun, and by now you're being treated like royalty on a beautiful ship. Wishing you safe travels on our way back to North America.

AandA
2016-10-22

We love your adventures! Your blogs are awesome. We love you.

Cecile Lapowich
2016-10-22

WOW! Your faces certainly take on interest after a few beers!!! HAHA! y now you are cruising on the sea and I certainly hope you are enjoying the cruise. Always lots to do, see and participate in.
Imagine the muscles you now have, David, after schlepping your luggage up and down those stairs at the Barcelona AIRBnB. Hulk Hogan will have nothing on you!!
I do enjoy reading your times away and the wonderful experiences you have. I look forward to your next blog.

2025-02-11

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank