Hola, Barcelona!

I made it to Barcelona!

Of course, it's never a Swan journey without some unforeseen obstacles.

I woke up before the crack of dawn, figuring I'd give myself plenty of time to get across town to the train station, just in case.

As it turns out, that was a very, very good move on my part.  

I jauntily walked to the local metro stop, self-assured, for surely it wouldn't be a problem to buy a metro ticket.  I had even had the foresight to save up my coins because I knew the machines don't take bills or American credit cards.  FYI, for anyone planning to travel to Europe, most places now only take these newfangled credit cards imbedded with a microchip.  As Carol has since explained to me, they're much safer, but since my ordinary California credit card does not contain such a chip, I've had to use my debit card to get cash more than I expected.

To continue.

As I'm walking, I'm thinking, "I've got this, no problem!"

Because, what could possibly go wrong?

I get to the metro, go to the ticket machine, confirm what ticket I need, and then realize, to my horror, while these machines have a coin slot, it's been blocked off.  Credit card only, buddy.

Merde.

Thankfully, I also had the foresight last night to google how long it takes to walk to the train station, just for shits and giggles.  So I know, if all else fails, the hour plus timeline I've given myself is more than double the amount of time necessary to walk the whole way.

So I start hoofing it.  I try the Jean d'Arc metro station, which is the next closest in the right direction.  No dice.  I finally make it to Jean Jaures, where I find a ticket office and buy a ticket and, blissfully, make it to the train station, with time to spare.  There I buy two gigantic water bottles at ridiculously inflated prices and board my train (first class!) for Barcelona.  

Whew.

A little over three hours later I got off the train, and quickly found my way to the metro where I bought a ticket and got off at the correct metro stop and then, I got lost.  Again.  It seems to be a theme.

Only this time, anticipating such an event, I had googled a map of the area around my hotel and took a screen shot so it was saved on my iPad.  Take that!

With only a little trouble I reoriented myself and found the hostel, where I was told I couldn't check in until 2, but yes, I could leave my bag.  Then, of course the first logical item of business: food.

Having skipped breakfast and also faced with the need to kill some time, I walked down the block a bit and found a sidewalk restaurant.  Which is where I am as I write this.  It's definitely more pricey than what I've been going for lately, but the quality is definitely worth it.  And anywhere that brings out olives as outstanding as these as a starter is in my good graces instantly. 

For the main course I went for the fresh market fish (monkfish) with potatoes and romanesco.  Also outstanding, and I am going to have to learn how to make romanesco.

At the moment I'm on my second glass of the cheapest rosé bubbles they have and wading through a 1/2 portion cheese plate.  

I don't know how to explain it but I already feel very comfortable here.  Even when I thought I was lost I didn't feel the least bit concerned.  I just sat down on a bench and calmly looked at the map until spotted a useful landmark.  I still haven't figured out the street signs around here (where the hell are they?!) but I am very glad I'm staying here for a week.  

Now I'm going to top off my lunch and two glasses of bubbles with an espresso before wandering back to check in at the hostel.  Another habit I've picked up here, coffee.  Black coffee at that.  Never been a coffee drinker but there is something so wonderfully civilized about a shot of caffeine after a meal to jolt you out of the food coma.

The adventure continues!

~Swan