macblaze.ca

This morning we awoke, after a not unreasonably fitful night, just outside of Girona. A quick shower and it was off for breakfast. Eggs, cafe au lait, pain de chocolat, fruit and juice got us started. C elected to stay in bed until the last minute (literally we were pulling into the station). She’d showered and changed earlier, so I guess it’s forgivable.

At 8:30 we were in a cab and dropping off what few bags we had at the Hotel Regina. The concierge recommended the tour buses so we splurged and were touring by 9. First stop was a view of the harbour and Mediterranean and then off to Sagrada Familia.

I haven’t taken many pics with the phone so you’ll have to wait but: oh my. Given that we’re not much into touristy things we thought a bit at the sight of the line but eventually decides to go in. Line was actually pretty fast.

I’ve stood in awe of finished cathedrals, but the sight of an unfinished one was simply stunning. To be able to be part of such a project…

We found a 2nd elevator at the back of the building (the first had a 45 minute line) and the line was empty so we rode up one of the towers. A simply awesome way to connect more intimately with Gaudi’s design.

Then it was back to the bus and off to Parc Guell. I’d seen the tiled seats many times but I had no idea about their context. It was simply stunning to see Gaudi’s principles in that setting.

Back on the bus again and we were off to Casa Batilo. Again 16 euros was kind of disenchanting, but it was on Zak’s list so we went on in. Again stunning is too small a word. I would love to have a house that had such principles. I’ll probably write more as I add pictures.

Then it was a walk back to our hotel, which is very very nice, and sadly informed we still had no luggage. The website says it’s in transit so …

A shower and a nap brings us to now and it’s likely time for a late dinner on the Ramblas.

***

Dinner was tapas and sangria. Not bad. We arrived back at the hotel to find a note saying our luggage was in Barcelona but they don’t deliver. It’s frustrating enough without being able to phone someone up and get the damn stuff delivered. Looks like an early A.M. taxi ride so we can get going soon enough to make it to Monserrat.

Night

@ Well we arrived. Our luggage didn’t. After form filling out and information gathering, we board the Air France bus for Gare de Lyon. Hopefully our luggage will meet us in Spain.

@ we’ve picked up our tickets to Spain (and our Marmande to Bordeaux tickets) at the Gare de Austerlitz, and now it’s just wandering around time. We got some crepes at Carm’s favorite place on Isle St Louis and walked down to Notre Dame: damn crowded that place is. Lots of rest breaks to help our tired bodies. All this ends with a nap on the grass of the Left Bank.

@ After a leisurely walk back to the train station we had quick drink and discovered that the bathrooms were all for pay. 40 cents. Leslie’s patience started to wear thin.

But soon we boarded and discovered our first class goodies. There was an awesome shaving/bathroom kit with all sorts of nice smelling stuff. I recommend this trip on Eliposos Trenhotel to anyone. I will be adding images from the camera after we get home. First they show you to your cabin and you unpack (not much if you have no luggage). They took one of our passports to show at the border crossing (at 5 in the morning). We had two rooms with showers and bunk beds. Then you head to the dining car where you’d are suddenly speaking Spanish, even though you haven’t left Paris Austerlitz Station. As Zak and I waited we were served a glass of cava and some bread. After L & C arrived we had a great 3 course meal with a bottle of Spanish red and brandy and coffee to finish, all included in the ticket price.

The food wasn’t exactly gourmet but beat the hell out of plane food.

By this time, Zak isn’t able to remain upright and we call it a night. Our beds are made up by the time we get back and it’s a quick shower and off to bed. I mentioned the goodies: this included the shower of course, free bath kit with shampoo, toothbrushes, etc and even bath slippers.

Simply awesome.

Like a few other things, the original blog post got lost.

Speaking of lost, that’s where our luggage is. The flight from YEG was delayed almost 2 hours for maintenance so we arrived in Montreal believing we might have missed our connection. Luckily for a handful of train tickets worth $1000, we didn’t. Our luggage, however, did.

All in all, except for the race across Dorval, it was a good trip. Everyone even caught some sleep except for Zak.

So our washer broke this week and was finally repaired today. That means this evening, on one of the hottest nights of the year, just as we are trying to unwind, it’s laundry and packing madness.

And I have it on good authority that Carmen is also sitting in her easy-bake, rabbit hole doing… guess what: laundry and packing! So it bodes well for the camaraderie if we are already so in synch.

Well we are 11 hrs from leaving the house, the arrangements are finished and the only thing left undone is the hotel in Narbonne. I might even wing it on that one.

After a visit to the The Men’s Room… things just seem different.

before…

and after.