Remember last month when I said that I was about to head off abroad? Well, I scribbled in my notes every day just so the experiences would not simply breeze by. Here are the notes in reverse order, Memento-style.
Read on to make sense of some of these pictures…
Pilot on the flight home: “Hello boys and girls!” “It’s a typical summer’s day in Newcastle – it’s raining!”
Notes on departure: came across my first “Catalan republic” march in Plaça Catalunya as I am on my way to the Aerobus. On a different note, I am met with a “non-European passports this way please” at the airport.
The last day, I have managed to buy fabric, but should probably have gone there on day 1 to kick start my Spanish (they didn’t speak English), but we managed to learn some new words from each other, so that’s good? I also feel like I’ve become less the charming solo traveller on the last day, and I actually feel like it’s time to go home, which I guess is about right?
So far I’ve done two of these trips. For each one, I’ve felt that I want to come back again, with company. Don’t know if it’s because
1. there is a lack of company,
2. travelling solo elevates the enjoyment and makes me want to visit again,
3. solo/group travel gives such different experiences that it’s worth doing again?
Guy playing Chiquitita on “panflöjt” on the underground. Woman with scary-looking sunburns on same train.
The only people who are letting me have a go at Spanish are people who look Far Eastern.
Second hand shops smell the same as back home.
Funny thing is that I may be using both my hands and feet to make sure I don’t slip on rocks, but my phone was charging via the power bank the whole time. Technology! (NB The reason why I am climbing up rocks is in the next bit.)
It’s my birthday! I am continuing to spend each birthday in a, for me, brand new place, and preferably high up. So I am clunking up Montserrat outside Barcelona.
Came face to face with my would-be pickpocket. Managed to wrestle my belongings back.
Chinese tourists tried to speak Spanish to me (much like I’m trying to speak Spanish as best I can) because they were not sure if I was Chinese or from another SE/Far Eastern Asian country.
Tourist fashion trends, a selection: “I am made of ice and therefore wearing a puffer jacket”, denim diapers and crop tops, “el classico” featuring at least one chino item, Super Fancy (I have seen some very pretty dresses up in Montjuic castle).
Got asked whether I was under 30 and had to think about it. Got asked where I was from and had to think about that too.
Always bring the midi skirt.
Water (tap) does taste chlorinated. But in a toss-up I’d probably also choose free-from pathogens over taste. Sadly have not yet tasted water (sea).
Miles of walking in the city does not add up to fewer miles compared to walking in the country. Why am I still surprised that I am tired in the mid-afternoon after a day of walking around town?
I live on the tapas street?! (Goes to show that even though I love food, I am drawn to seeking out other things on holiday and miss crucial details…) Will obviously have to check this out later.
If you are ardent with your spf 50 but miss a spot, it will be really obvious where that spot is.
Tour guide notes:
“CNT = anarchist trade union;
in Catalonia we say ‘Merci, si us plau, and bom dia'”
Was wrestling with my suitcase in the overhead bins when I suddenly realised I was crowding the man sitting underneath. I apologised, and he didn’t seem too cross. I genuinely thought I was leaning against the seat-back and not him, but decided not to tell him that, lest I would *make* him cross by informing him he had the same texture as an airplane seat.
Take-off -1 week
Print list:
Flight confirmations
Hotel confirmations
Markets in Barcelona
Directions to hotel
(NB I didn’t actually print any of these things.)
More pictures to come next time. Including the food diary!
The Real World for Young People 