Three Weeks in Spain... (Part 1)
Updated: May 26, 2019
Ah! Three whole weeks in Spain...
It sounds romantic, doesn't it?
Sun...
heat...
busy beaches with bathing suits as optional...
bustling waterfront bars and bistros...
sunsets...
bbq, tapas, paella, and seafood fresh out of the ocean...
Initially, we found the exact opposite of all of this.
Cloudy...
Cool...
deserted beaches...
empty, or even closed up bars, snack shops and bistros...
language barrier (Catalan), so we didn't know how to order at restaurants we encountered that were open, or at the fish market (T^T <-- Me crying having to pass up all the gorgeous, fresh, beautiful seafood )
We also got word that Kelly would have to leave over my birthday. Flying back to Belgium to pick up the 4x4 at the port of Zeebrugge and drive back to Spain. Oh, and then Dahlia got a UTI.
To be extremely blunt, Spain did not start out quite as we had hoped.
BUT, it's not an adventure until things start going wrong, right??!
Character building.
(And that is what this trip is all about!)
By day 4 the sun came out and although we wanted to head for the beach, Dahlia needed a vet. And so the adventure REALLY began.
[Kelly will write about his vet adventure in another post...]
But once we acquired antibiotics, Kelly took the rental car, and headed to the Barcelona airport for Belgium with the hopes that our 4x4 would clear customs at the port. Then the 2 day drive back down to Spain.
Now, we're not here to promote Airbnb or anything, but I have to share that our apartment in Calafell was outstanding!! This is important to note, because I was in Spain alone with two dogs (one ill), no vehicle, a language barrier, and a pretty significant milestone birthday.
Friends, let me tell you, not only did my Airbnb host Esther take me out for the most delicious and most memorable 40th birthday lunch, she also was available for anything the dogs or I needed while Kelly was away! Now she is someone who I am honoured to call a friend, Esther is such an amazing and caring person - I cannot wait until we see her next!!
Then the sun came out...
The heat kicked in...
Beaches began to fill up...
Restaurants opened shop...
We ate tapas, regional rice, and ice cold desserts...
And I ordered by first round of fresh fish at the market (after having a bit more confidence in my Spanish!)
Yup, Spain is pretty awesome!! (Thank you!!)
Commentaires