SPAIN, THE FOOD, THE PEOPLE!

We´ve loved being in Barcelona. Loved being in Spain, in the Iberian Peninsula.

After a few hiccups in the old cultural and at times arrogant Madrid, a place with smoking cafe´s and tapas, a spiritual awakening in Santiago de Compestela, an enlightening stop in medieval Seville, we´ve come to the beautiful Port Barcelona and are about to leave it...knowing that maybe we won´t be returning, but maybe we will.

How many people always want to return to Spain. I know many do. And we do..if time and situation allows. It´s just that kind of place. And for me, Spain is the first European place i´ve been to, so it will always be special. I won´t include Portugal here because...that deserves it´s own reflection.

Seeing the bullfight in Madrid and Flamenco in Seville have been special.

In Barcelona, we´ve seen the harbour, experienced the old, ingrown culture that is part of Spain, learned about the wonderful artists and turbulent history and just tried to absorb what is sometimes a place of medieval mystery, yet other times a place that has a clarity and freshness about it that defies words.

Wé´ve heard the ambulance sirens sounding off, about every half hour, alerting to us to the Road Scooter injuries and deaths. Listened to buskers in the metro, museums, parks playing Patchables Canon, reminding us of our special day and the red carpet at Cotts Civic Centre. Admired the hooks on the buildings that carry furniture up 6 storeys. Scorned the grafitti, even on our front hostal door. Smelled the stench of drains. Breathed the refreshing ocean smells. Felt the claustophobia of metros. Saw the thousands of cured Jamon legs hanging from cafe windows.

We´ve been surprised with the information that Barcelona Harbour has the biggest freezer in Europe. The Harbour. I could go on. The bridge, the restaurants, the shops and most of all the fantastic boats that are moored there. Magical.

The food has been delectable. The tapas, which we have experienced in every place, even though very GOOD in Seville, were very nice here. Certainly a variety here. Yet expensive. As was the Sangria which you can buy in a supermarket for a third of the price as that in a restaurant.

The caramel crunch biscuit which we ate at the harbour, then had to run back to get two more of were TO DIE FOR. They were sort of like a butterscotch snap (not the drink, the biscuit!) only better! OH YUM. With chocolate on of course.

Jamon (ham) and queso (cheese) have been something we´ve eaten regularly. Breakfast, lunch and dinner!!! Vino Tinto rioja rates a mention. Good red wine! Oh, and the donuts. Who could forget them. They have a different texture to Aussie ones, soft and fluffy and not so sweet. Very noiice. Wé´ve also sampled the icecreams that are not as good as Seville but the waffle smell SO GOOD. Wafts down the street just capture your senses! The Paella. Mostly eaten in Madrid, but also experienced here, could maybe be better...

And we´ve seen the modernisation of the city. The design of the city infrastructure is cleverly laid out. The cycle ways, the metro, road systems, cable way, buildings and museums. Post 1992 Olympics i know there´s been great developments but it´s also a city of progress that doesn´t seem to be going to stop.

Of course i have to mention Gaudi´s Sagrada Familia again. I´d love to see the huge tower in the middle at it´s completion, in about 30 years. Wouldn´t that be a dream?

The people have been really friendly here too. In the shops, restaurants and in tourist spots. There´s a more jovial sense of humour not seen in other parts of Spain. In just this hostal alone, Mario, the spanish who was schooled in Virginia, has been really helpful and friendly, as has his wife.

Our senses have been assaulted. And we´re about to leave.

Goodbye Barcelona, goodbye Spain.

PS CONGRATULATIONS to the MIGHTY DOCKERS on their win against Melbourne!! :-)