Sangria, Sidra, Spanish Sausage And (Some) Sun...Porque Me Gusta Barcelona Y Madrid

After spending the last few months talking about other people's trips for 9 hours a day, it was bliss to actually be stepping on a plane myself for a quick getaway. Before now, Barcelona has somehow eluded me- when Patrick told me about his invitation to a wedding in Madrid, I couldn't resist a little detour to the Catalan capital.

 

I wasn't sure how our hostel in Barcelona was going to be- everything else was out of our price range. But we could not have asked for anything more- right in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, a vibrant, winding labyrinth of streets with cafes and shops tucked away here, there and everywhere. You feel like while the main road beside it, Las Ramblas, has become more built up and commercial, the Gothic Quarter has clung onto its charm, so you feel like you could be rambling along these streets at any moment in history.

We only spent three days there, but we packed a bit of everything in- cafe culture, beach chilling, and admiring the architecture. Even though we ended up in Barcelona's 'Catedral' by accident ("I don't think this is the Sagrada Familia- it's definitely already built"), the view from the top was great- especially with the intended destination, Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, staring at us in the distance.

So, what's the fuss about this Sagrada Familia, and why did we wander into the wrong cathedral in our quest for it? Well, the famous Spanish architect Gaudi started building his cathedral in 1882, and it's still being built- less than a quarter of the building was complete at the time of his death in 1926. Always exciting to a part of living and breathing history! Soaring pillars and stained-glass windows on the inside, then walking out and admiring the intricate designs on the outside...I look forward to seeing how this epic project will evolve within our lifetime.

Anyway, as much as I loved glimpsing Spanish history, let's talk FOOD. I thought I had the main highlights of Spanish cuisine sussed- paella, tortilla, jamon, and sangria. Then I discovered 'sidra'- Spanish cider- too exciting for a fervent cider lover! Though similar in taste to British scrumpy (a dangerously strong cider around 6-8%),  the way it was poured was very unique and distinctly Spanish.

My love for Madrid was a slow-burner...at first, we thought it was unfriendlier and more commercial than the bustling backstreets of Barcelona. Then we had another fantastic find- Calle Cava Baja, and its surrounding streets. Tapas bar after tapas bar- one with garlic mushrooms and a piano man, another with 'boquerones' (marinated anchovies) on tomato bread, one with fall-apart meatballs- all with many delicious sangrias.

When Patrick was off creating havoc with the boys on Andrew's stag party, I went glimpsing a small chaos of my own- the wacky, wonderful pieces of Salvador Dali. I just went to the Reina Sofia during the day- as I always do when I'm by myself in a new city- and was told by one of the staff 'Dali's exhibition is sold out during the day- but free after 7.' So I had a quick wander, settled down with a sangria for a few hours, then joined the long, long queue to see the work of an artist who pretty much defines 'surreal'. I loved seeing so many people lining up for an art exhibition like it is a rock concert- long may it continue.

All this chit-chat about the cities, and I haven't even started talking about the wedding! When we finally made it (!!) it was such a fantastic night- eating until we couldn't eat any more, dancing until we couldn't dance...OK, that didn't happen, we danced until 5am, and still wanted to dance some more! Congrats again Andrew and Karol- great to meet you, and you sure know how to throw a party!

Other high points in a nutshell...drinking in a bar over the Real Madrid stadium, eating oysters in the Mercado San Miguel, sitting in the sun after eating delicious chicken at sidraria 'Casa Mingo'. Me gusta...no, I LOVE España!

Chilling out in a Barcelona plaza.

Wandering around the Gothic Quarter.

The wrong 'Catedral'!

Up on the cathedral's roof.

La Sagrada Familia.

Mercado San Miguel.

La Plaza  Mayor.

The Royal Palace.

One of the tapas bars down Calle Cava Baja.

Una habitación con vistas...

...or, as us English-speaking folk would say, a room with a view.

Been here less than 12 hours, and already loving Barcelona! Will regale our Spanish tales next week...

The Kick Up The .... That I Need

REVIEW: THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST- Mohsin Hamid

I guess after you've worked at a bookshop, you're going to have a lot of books on your to-read list. This one, however, has lasted the test of time- a book that I would pick up, read its blurb, and say 'Must read that sometime' at least once a week. During what has probably been the most hectic two weeks of my life, I decided to finally give this a go during all those commuting rush-hours- and fittingly, I rushed through it.

First of all, the writing style completely won me over. It is essentially a conversation, in the city of , between a city native, Changez, and a nameless American man- except the latter never directly speaks within the novel. Changez just lets us know his presence: 'Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance? Ah, I seem to have alarmed you.' It feels like me we are taking the part of the American man, and Changez is speaking directly to us- a great technique used by Hamid to make his lead character a solid, sympathy-inducing character.

While it is a conversation, Changez turns it more into a monologue, recounting his time spent in New York, both as a student at Princeton, and a graduate at valuation firm Underwood Samson. At first, it seems everything goes swimmingly for him in the States- he's the top novice at his firm, he becomes infatuated with a gorgeous, charismatic American girl, he is able to help out his family back home financially. However, after 9/11, every aspect of Changez's world begins to unravel, as he begins to reject his new New Yorker self, instead asserting his Pakistani self and becoming wrapped up in the imminent atrocities in his homeland.

Just like every person in the book that meets Changez, any reader will become instantly charmed by his impeccable manner, his humble intelligence, and his genuine kindness. Arguably, the other characters are not completely fleshed out, but then again that is staying true to the nature of a monologue- it's all about the person speaking. The only character really delved into is the troubled Erica, as Changez seems to be unable to forget her.

Both cleverly and beautifully written with an intriguing ending, I'm definitely a converted Mohsin Hamid fan. If you want something unique, yet easy to relate to, give this book a go- I bet even the slowest reader will whizz through it in a week.

One more thing- the intelligent writing extends to the title. You will see the word 'fundamental' in a whole new light...

Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside...

...oh I do like to be beside the sea! (Now sure that song translates across the pond: here it is in case you're wondering what I'm on about!)

Anyway, Patrick had his first taster of the British seaside over the Easter weekend. Arcades on the pier (with Patrick as the arcade- basketball king), the lamest Haunted House ride ever (although I was terrified throughout), rainbows on pub doors, freshly made doughnuts, fish and chips by the sea, the Lanes....Patrick well and truly experienced everything Brighton had to offer.

Here are a few wind-swept photo offerings from the pier, taken in the tiny window when the sun made a rare appearance. Stay tuned for our next Great British Adventure- here's hoping our winter turns into Spring soon! Fed up of the cold now!

I Know I've Disappeared From Here...

...I'm just feeling a little queer.
My head feels like its going to explode
As I try to fit the mother load
Of new job info into my brain-
At the mo, I feel a little insane.
I must learn, press on and rise above
The challenges, and instead love
Helping people plan great trips
And embrace all the minor blips.
Please bear with me- I'll write more soon,
When I feel less of a buffoon!

The Next Chapter Begins...

...as I start my new job tomorrow as a Travel Consultant with this company. How do I feel starting completely afresh? Nervous, excited, curious- all those cliches. It might not feel like it right now, but feeling all those stereotypical emotions is good. If it's frightening...if it's challenging...then that means I'm moving forward. I'm always fearful of becoming trapped in a rut; this is just a more intense fear right now. When my stomach is flipping every which way tomorrow morning, I've just got to remember this quotation from Albert Einstein:

'Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new'.