#88 - Eat Tapas in Barcelona

At Pinotxos
(a Jose Andres recomendation)

I admit: I added this to the list knowing we were taking a family trip to Barcelona and that it would be pretty hard to avoid eating tapas when we were going to be there for almost two weeks and all very much enjoy tapas.

While I assumed the tapas would be good, I really didn't know how consistently good they would be, pretty much everywhere we went. Sure, some spots were better than others, but I don't think I ever left a meal of tapas disappointed. 

I also rarely left stuffed. Knowing we could always order more meant that we generally either under-ordered or ordered just enough. Plus, these were Barcelona tapas portions, not American gigantic portions, so after a few tapas meals, we got the hang of about how much to order, which always ended up just enough to satisfy and never (I don't think) leaving food wasted.

The literal only downside to eating tapas with the Krones is that I'm the only one who can/will eat mariscos, bivavles, most shellfish, whatever you want to call it and the only one who will eat the small oily fish like sardines and anchovies. Luckily, I had some opportunities to order my own little thing and also got to enjoy a meal of paella and snacks with Maria and her family. I was so pleased when Pere asked if I liked seafood, and I got to answer, "Yes, I like all of it." So, in case you were worried, it all worked out ;) Plus, Maria and I had more tapas later in the evening!

I didn't take many pictures at my favorite spot, which was in Figueres, but this list item was about eating tapas in Barcelona, so I guess that wouldn't count anyways!

#96 - Go to a New Country

So, instead of giving gifts during the year for birthdays and Christmas, my family travels together. 

In December 2019, we went to Costa Rica. 

In November 2020, we were supposed to go to Florence, Italy. The thing is, November 2020 was not a great time to visit Italy, specifically, so we went no where. 

Then, in December 2021, we decided to go back to Costa Rica. We'd all been vaccinated. We'd have our own house. Nearly everything we would be doing was outside. And when we got there, we found that Costa Ricans were taking the pandemic and precautions much more seriously than Americans. So much so that we actually felt safer there than in the U.S. Everyone was masked, unless they were eating, including in outdoor areas. To enter a restaurant, even an outdoor one, you had to wash your hands. And none of us got sick. Interesting.

In December 2022, we went back to Costa Rica again because, well, we kinda love it there. 

In 2023, my brother wasn't available during our usual time of year, so we decided to go somewhere in August. That obviously limits options, especially as he wanted to stay in the Central or Eastern time zones, so he could work some. So we decided to go to the Finger Lakes. Found a nice house. Would find fun things to do.

Then, in May 2023, I got a call from my mom, who was at lunch with my brother and dad. She said, "Hey, instead of going to the Finger Lakes in August, do you want to go to Barcelona in March of next year?" 

Um... yes.

So we changed the plans. We spent almost two weeks in Barcelona. We rented an apartment in the Gothic Quarter and then just explored. My parents had been to Barcelona many times, so they had a few suggestions, and we had a few suggestions, but mostly we just kept it low key. 

I love a city that is very walkable and has great food and wine. That's definitely Barcelona. 

I went for a walk in the Gothic Quarter every morning, exploring all of the narrow streets and alleys. I ran most days, either heading to the beach or a nearby park. We visited markets. We went to La Sagrada Familia. We ate tapas. We drank wine (or beer or vodka). We went to the Picasso Museum. We rented a car for a few days and saw the coast and the Dali Museum. And I got to spend a really lovely day with my friend Maria, who lives here.

I'm so thankful we took this trip together and look forward to future trips to this beautiful city!

#74 - Visit a New UNESCO Heritage Site

I call this one "Where's Chris?!"
because my dad was worried, but
that's Chris in the background.

The only place I requested to visit while in Barcelona was La Sagrada Familia. It wasn't because it's a UNESCO Heritage Site, and I don't remember when I learned about it, but I just knew it was an incredible architectural feat and just art. 

Well, those teachings, wherever they came from, weren't wrong. Inside and out, La Sagrada Familia is incredible. The gothic architecture and attention to detail are striking. Outside, the towers and details are hard to take in because it's so much and so beautiful. Inside, it's like walking through a forest with colors popping through stained glass windows within white walls and fixtures. 

While I'm not religious, the intentional symbolism within the structure, inside and out, is incredible. There's just so much there. The pictures cannot do it justice. 

It wasn't until I heard a mention on a tour that it was a UNESCO site that I realized it could fit this list item. 

#55 - See a Friend I Haven't Seen in at Least 3 Years

I cannot articulate the type and amount of joy I felt spending time with Maria Trias Arraut again. It felt very similar to the joy I felt spending time together in San Diego: easy and sometimes deep and sometimes light and sometimes silly. I'm so pleased we spent time together, just the two of us and with her family. 

I'm also thankful for my first paella experience with Maria and Pere (so delicious) and for the opportunity wander around Maria's hometown, chatting and seeing neighborhoods and spots I never would have found on my own.

We both left San Diego in 2016, and I'm pretty sure I've never been to Barcelona before, though she has her doubts. I hope the next reuniting is well under 7 years because I adore this special human!