Barcelona — Tarheels & China Toes

Barcelona seemed a fitting choice for my 40th birthday trip and a first locale to kick off my travel blog. Mi primera vez en España! A train across the campo from Madrid and getting in super late. The lovely woman at Hotel Universal and her willingness to engage with my broken attempts at Spanish. A birthday morning walk up to La Fundació Joan Miro for some modern art and a café, an afternoon walk along the beaches from Port Olimpic to Parc del Forum and back. An eye-opening (and mouth-watering) trip to Mercado de la Boqueria and cooking class with all of the Catalonian classics: gazpacho, seafood paella, Spanish tortilla and Crema Catalan. Sun and sand and tapas. A punishing hike up to Parc Guell, La Sagrada Familia in the noonday sun and the early evening crowds at Casa Battló. Swimming in the rooftop pool at my hotel and the crazy German ladies. Churros and Gaudí and late evening rambing 'round La Rambla and El Barrio Gotíc. An amazingly warm and welcoming city to travel in solo -- Barcelona, I have no doubt I'll be back!