We arrived this morning around 11:00 after a fairly uneventful flight. I didn’t sleep on the plane, which was totally disappointing, but I was feeling ok. After all, I was in Spain!! Huzzah!
We got through customs very quickly (and without any questions…weird) and got in line for a taxi to go to our apartment. The apartment is pretty awesome. Large living space, two bedrooms, and really close to the main pedestrian/social area—Las Ramblas. After getting settled in, Terri and I both crashed out for some sleep. I know you’re not supposed to sleep once you get overseas because of jetlag, but we both couldn’t help it! Just 3 hours didn’t hurt though. We got up around 4:30 and decided to head out to walk a bit in the city. We walked the length of Las Rambles (I took just a couple of pictures) and then stopped at a coffee shop for a latte and a sandwich. Yum. We then went to the grocery store to pick up some water and some wine for later. On the walk back, we ran into (quite by accident) Rose and Matthew! They were going to met us around 6:30 at the apartment, but when we weren’t there, they stopped by a bar for a beer or two to wait. At one point, Rose went to go check the apartment again and ran into us. We had a beer with them, chatting to catch up (they’ve been in Spain for a couple of days already) and we eventually went back to the apartment.
Later that night (around 10:30) we headed out to have a few drinks and to get some food. We decided that we’d each pick a place and have at least one beer so we can check out different places in the city. The first place was a cute little ornate bar that looked more at home in Paris than in Spain. We then moved on and during our walk to the next place, we passed through part of the Gothic Quarter. It was GEORGOUS. Even at night, the amazing architecture and buildings and monuments were breathtaking. I can’t wait to go there in the day time and get some pictures. Beautiful.
After coming across a large square, we went down yet another small side street and Matthew picked a tapas restaurant. From the first step into the place, we knew it was going to be delicious. We got a booth and then went up to the front counter to pick out our tapas. Well, Matthew and Rose did first. The waiter almost immediately came back with their selections—calamari, fried zucchini (??), crawfish (I didn’t partake), and tomato and mozzarella sandwich bites. Incredible—especially the calamari. There was both fried and fresh and I loved each bite. After that was all gone (it didn’t take long), Terri and I went up to pick some stuff out. I eventually left Terri up there and when she got back, she told us that she was able to go behind the counter to see the full selection.
The waiter then came by with another spread of amazing food—some sort of whitefish on bread (a little too salty), a gnocci-type potato dish, potatoes with a yummy spicy sauce, and the kicker…escargot. I wasn’t going to try it at first, but then I HAD to. When am I going to have the chance again??? And guess what…it was SO GOOD. I ended up having about three. The sauce was a roasted pepper-type red sauce which was amazing on everything we dipped in it. And I dorkily kept the shell of my first escargot. Yum yum yum.
After dinner (I was practically rolling down the streets after this), we went to another bar that was a heavy-metal bar. All purple and skulls and the like. This time I had an estella dam (I think). San migual is better to me. I need to find an easy light beer.
Then, we walked home to go to bed. It’s now 2am and I’m typing this up so that I can remember my amazing first night in Spain. I can’t wait for tomorrow.
(I wish I had my camera tonight so I could share the food. So good)
1 comment:
ONLY you could find a heavy metal bar in Spain. Seriously. :)
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