Fast Train to Barcelona

To Barcelona, Spain -- Day 1

Meg here for the blog. Today was largely a travel day.  Although the AVE train didn’t leave until 12:30 in the afternoon, we were a little paranoid about getting all our stuff through the Metro, especially because the last time we did so it was 1:30 in the morning and there weren't a lot of people around.  

Also, we just wanted to be early because we were worried there might not be enough storage space at the end of the train car.  As it turned out, we got there in plenty time.  We definitely splurged on the train ride as the AVE train stands for Alta Velocidad Espana or High-Speed Spain and goes from Madrid to Barcelona in 3 hours, as opposed to other trains that take nearly 9 hours.  

We were all amazed at the smoothness of the train. There was ample room for our belongings and the storage area handled our 4 cases, as well as other baggage.  The travel through the Metro was a bit hectic as there were more weekenders out and about, but we made it.

The scenery smacked a bit of California.  Lots of shrub-covered hills and olive trees.  The landscape was interesting as there were plateaus during much of the ride. In contrast to the States, cities here are very compact leaving lots of countryside open.  

I didn’t see one cow, goat, sheep, pig or horse, and there were hardly any homes, barns or structures, just beautiful open space.  The kids enjoyed the ride.  Kylie busied herself with her writing and then changed it up to making outfits for Mr. Monster, her stuffed animal traveling partner that friends gave her before leaving.

Dex wrote in his journal (under duress) and finished some math, while Dean worked on the blog and I made "lunch" of bread, jam and fruit.  After that, I fell asleep.  

The train made two very quick stops along the route and, after the first stop, there were some changes in the terrain.  As we neared Barcelona, we caught our first glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea, a first for me!  It was beautiful.  The hills picked up a bit and the crops were mostly grapes. We've definitely noticed that wine is cheaper than water at most restaurants – something I don’t mind, but the kids aren’t fans of.  Go figure.

Our entry to Barcelona was exciting.  It was about 4pm and the station was busy; it was a cross between a mall, a metro station, and a train station.  After having such a good handle on the Madrid Metro, it was disappointing that we couldn't find any information on the Barcelona Metro.  Our phones were thwarted, which was also a bummer.  But, as it is with travel, we slogged through, made a few mistakes -- getting on wrong trains and going the wrong way -- but finally, after a true lunch break where the kids had three ham & cheese croissants and Dean had a café latte, we made our way out of the metro line and up to the streets of Barcelona.  The first thing that struck us was the jumble of buildings.  Clearly, Barcelona is a "younger" town than Madrid.  There were newer buildings alongside older ones, more bikes than in Madrid, but the same bustling feel – people everywhere.  

We found our pension a little more easily this time around, helped greatly by the fact that it was 6pm, and we actually had a decent night’s sleep the day before.  Pension Francia was our new home, and, despite not having an elevator and going to the 3rd floor to get to the office, we were relieved to hear that the bikes would not have to be lugged up to our 6^th floor room -- they could be shoved in the storage closet... on the 3rd floor.

Dean carried each bag up to the closet while the kids and I had fun looking out of our balcony, which gave us a birds-eye view of the plaza down below.  

What we’ve loved about Spain are all the neat businesses and restaurants that are literally around every corner of the city.  Markets, beautiful clothes, shoes, purses, make-up, fruit stands, pharmacies, bakeries, restaurants – they are all tucked away around corridors and alleyways.  No gigantic malls, no chain stores, no huge parking garages – just little shops that offer all kinds and variety of things.

After getting the rest of our bags up to our room, we decided to head to the beach.  We were on the main drag that takes us there, and Dean and I hadn’t realized the size of the Barcelona beaches.  It has a bit of a Miami feel – loads of people, hotels, food, action, bikes, rollerbladers.  It was a great vibe.  

The kids immediately went for the sand to make sand castles (not the pig creation above, however).  I had to dip my toes too.  It was exciting thinking that we were here, in Barcelona, on the Mediterranean!  

With all the beach activities, we didn’t sit down for supper until 10pm – just when things were getting going, it seemed.  It was a good day even if we were still waiting for dessert at 11:30.