Ok first entry of blog into Spain.
Michele and I first don´t like the train system or the bus schedules.
Why? Beccause no one keeps to the schedule. Everything is pretty much ´tomrrow´ and if you´re not quick to adapt to the Spanish schedule you will be hosed.
Our first day was all travel. We left at 5, stayed on the runway for one hour and then it was a 10 hour flight and another 3 hour bus ride to the time share. The timeshare was not I expected. It was really apartments...and in Spain it would be considered spacious and luxury. In the United States it would be Motel 6.
The next day, on Tuesday...Michele and I decided to bite the bullet and head down to Barcelona .. a 3 hour busride. NOTE TO SELF....if you can book things as close to the airport city as much as possible. For us...it wasn´t the case. We decided to stay because we were so late into Barcelona ... we didn´t think it was worth it to head back to Salou.
This was the closest. The Barcelona Cathedral was one of the sights we wanted to see, and we were NOT disappointed. The 1200 medival architecture was magnificent. I was astounded truly at the heigh and majestic architecture.
That very night, we bit the bullet and decided to stay in Barcelona. No tooth brush, no change of clothes...just what we had and our clothes. Talk about sponaniety. It was Barcelona Colon. Yes, the name is correct...named after the organ in your system, but the annunciation and the meaning is probably no what the Spanish thinks.
After the visit to the Cathedral we headed down to the local nightlife and had dinner outdoors. We had the classic dish of tapas, paella and some roasted chicken.
Quick overview and impression of Spain.
! Very much like any ordinary country until you hit the archiecture and food.
! Felt very safe...even when we walked down same neighborhoods that was less than desirable.
! Graffiti is very much everywhere. It´s not entirely a ´clean´ city, but it is full of culture and life.
! If you don´t know Spanish, be prepared to be fustrated. The Spainish drivers and clerks are not overly friendly...even when we tried our darnest to speak it.
! The accomodations and spaces here are less than US standards. We got on an elevator that would have brought out fear in any person. The elevator was about 6 feet wide and 6 feet tall. And it click and clacked with cables almost to break feel.
! The cars are small and people consider traffic laws a ´suggestion´ than the law.
ONE LAST NOTE ... for my friend who said they have internet everywhere...it really dpeends. On a massive city like Barcelona...yes. Small towns like Salou..no.
That´s my entry...and this time already cost 15 bucks for one night of digital life.
We´re safe and my wife is happy.