Bon dia (good morning) Bloomington, Bon dia Chicago… Bon dia! Aside from acquiring a new favorite phrase (bon dia… incase you missed it), I am falling head over heels in love with Barcelona. A little over a week and I can already tell Barcelona will be difficult to leave. For now, I’m using my senses to soak it all up…
Hear: Take a moment, imagine a quiet town.
You good? What you imagined probably sounds nothing like Barcelona. Barcelona (like my beloved Chicago) is a city with a soundtrack all its own. Buses, cars, and mopeds fill the streets. Subways consume the underground. Clinking of glasses at cafes. American music blasting from stereos. Hard-soled boots hitting the pavement.
Barcelona’s sound in one word: movement.
Smell: There are many. My favorite smell will not surprise most of you: fresh bread. It is almost a guarantee to find a bakery on each block. A place that smells like bread, now that’s my kind of city.
Taste: Hey ma’- check out the cupcake picture I uploaded; I promise I’m not starving. For any foodie (like myself), Barcelona is a haven of flavors. Ham, potatoes, and seafood are staples here. Everything is fresh, prepared with olive oil, and delisosos (i.e. delicious, but I’m sure you got it)!
Touch: On Three Kings Day (Spain’s final Christmas celebration), I met my new best friend, “Om.” Take a seat, cross your legs, and repeat after me… Ommmm. Cute name, right?! He’s everything a yellow lab should be (i.e. soft and cuddly) with an added Spanish flair.
See: And by see, I mean people watching! Let’s talk about love. Affection is openly displayed in Barcelona (and it’s not just romantic). If Spain was Mount Olympus, Barcelona would be Aphrodite’s catwalk (although I’ve yet to visit Paris). Couples walk hand-in-hand, displaying what I can only define as confident vulnerability.
Until next time, hasta!
