I can't believe I'm finishing up my history of a traveler series today, though the bright side to all of this means all new adventures await me and I'll be sharing them in real time instead. My last trip abroad before starting this blog involved my sister, snow on palm trees, and a trek through Spain in January. On a wild hair we decided to take a trip together right after the holidays my senior year of college. I'm not sure what possessed us, neither of us had the money, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Looking back now, I know it was the best idea.
We started our journey a day late thanks to a Delta gaffe, and landed in Barcelona after the longest flight and a half of my life. We were tired, luggage-less and ready for a hot shower and something yummy to eat. Turns out we arrived on the wrong day because everything was shut down due to
El Día de Reyes. The Day of the Kings is as big as Christmas Day for Spaniards and everything is shut down. We surrendered ourselves to the situation and enjoyed a day of wandering the abandoned streets, and eating in one of the only restaurants we could find still open. A lesson for those with wunderlust, check for local holidays/traditions before you book your flight. It could save you a headache or two.
Barcelona was pleasantly warm and inviting for January and we discovered the great art of Gaudi, and visited his almost finished Sagrada Familia, and delighted in his Park Guell. His life's work has since impacted me more than a can say and it all stems from this trip. I could devote an enter post to him and might in the future but I haven't shared the part about snow and palm trees yet. We departed Barcelona for Toledo and Madrid having long forgotten our rough beginning.
The entire trip my sister was completely smitten with palm trees, obsessively so. Any time she saw one she wanted to take a picture, or have her picture taken in front of one. It was really cute. While visiting Toledo it began snowing and the snow stuck to the sparse palm trees in little courtyards around the city and Sarah kept squealing as we passed them. We still joke about it to this day, even as she now lives in a state where palm trees aren't all that rare. It's my favorite memory of all, and to be honest I don't remember much else about our time in Toledo.
In Madrid we enjoyed amazing tapas, flamenco dancing, and more sangria than I care to admit but it was the squid sandwiches or "Bocadillo de Calamares" that stole the show. If you ever visit you have to go to the historic Plaza Mayor and eat one of these amazing sandwiches at Casa Rua, they're cheap and they're the best. Madrid was a winter wonderland while we visited and we met the nicest bartender from Australia who practically paid for our meal one night. He asked nothing in return, just our company at his stools for the night. It's moments like those that make traveling the most magnificent of all.
It's funny but I can't help but think of Ryan when I think back on this trip, we weren't even dating but our friendship had just rekindled (after two months of not speaking) right before departure. Something had changed but I wasn't sure just what yet. Taking this trip gave me the time I needed to think and dream as it turns out. The spanish siestas do wonders for the mind, and sisters know way more than they let on. More on that another time though. big kiss, bekuh
