Day 0
Lincoln to Barcelona – Friday/Saturday September 20-21
Karen has talked about coming to Spain for several years. Our first trip to Madrid was almost fifty years ago (we purchased our first piece of art by a Spanish impressionist at a gallery across from the Prada and I carried it home on the airlines). I had visited Barcelona without Karen. This was our opportunity to visit Spain together after all those years.
The impetus for this journey was a call from our dear friends Pat and Chris Finnoff from Boulder, CO. – “would we like to do a bike trip to Portugal”? I didn’t even ask Karen – YES – and we would take that opportunity to do Spain first.
Only two airline flights – Lincoln Chicago Barcelona – American Airlines. Both were on time and uneventful. If fact they were easy, comfortable, and very friendly. Unlike Karen I sleep like a baby (after two Vodka’s and two Tylenol PM’s). And those seats in business class that recline to flat are close to a real bed. The only trouble was an almost 30 minute taxi time arriving in Chicago and anhour and a half in Barcelona after we landed to reach our ride – hurry up and wait.
Immediately we notice the beautiful architecture of Barcelona – old and in vastly different styles with square blocks each with a squared off corner. The streets are brimming with tourists – people from different backgrounds dressed in different styles. It’s a happy place. It reminds me of NYC in that respect.
The Mandarin Oriental is centered on one of the very best shopping streets. Of course it is beautiful in every way. In fact it appears new – new construction and/or new decorating. I ventured out on the streets to explore and perhaps find an ATM. I was soon to learn that neither card worked – old PIN numbers.
On our last trip to PV we hooked up with our long time friends, the artists Maxi and Ivan (they originated in Argentina and now live in Mexico City and on the coast of Spain. We arranged to meet them in Barcelona this evening.
Dinner at our hotel with the four of us was quiet, relaxing and as always, great fun. By 9:00 jet lag had taken taking over. A great start for another special adventure.
Robert
Spain & Portugal 2024 