Barcelona the first stop on the midlife crisis travels and as always it did not disappointed me as it  is a vibrant city of life, culture, families, friendship and both sea and mountain what I  love so much, that I know that I could only live in country where I could be close to both. Arriving to Barca on Thursday eve was good since the departure from Dublin was at 4pm and therefore  had good night sleep night before. My dear friend R was waiting for me at the airport and for once I had a friend waiting for me which is nice The drive on moto through Barcelona night is very thrilling and invigorating change after parking my ass at the plane, however comfortable it is.

Dropping bags and heading out like I thought we will, we did straight to the streets for a few beers with new acquitted friends. Beers as nice street café is always refreshing and since they all live in Barca I ‘ve got the best introduction to the night life from new local friends. Well food and drink progressed as night progressed too and we had changed the street bar for some nice local tavern with tacos, nachos and music behind the secret door which was masked as jungle wall. I learned that this is apparently top bar on TripAdvisor where every tourist coming and as we sat at bar you can hear the English and American accent behind out backs. Some even asked the staff if this is the music place, so they had to be shown the secret passage in the jungle to the jungle life at the back. Well since it was Thursday the jungle life amounted to few slightly drunk people and we had decided that there is nothing to hunt for in this jungle at the moment. Therefore we left the place slightly in the wee morning hours of new day. On the way we stopped at square somewhere beside La Rambla here guys know the bouncers and we have got in to metro style vaulted rooms with music too laud to talk and for me to old to even listen “even as for middle aged “. Left it around 4 in the morning I start slowly wondering through morning streets of Barcelona to get to apartment so happy with the start of this trip. Well, about 45 min ish later I was not so happy as tired and slightly wet “it was raining, even in Barca” I tried to ring my friend to let me in. As the rain grew heavier and heavier, so it was my understanding that this is not my lucky morning and apartment with nice folding sofa bed is out of my reach. Looking across the Carrer de Padilla I saw the sign from heaven “HOTEL” and I was saved, slightly dancing in the rain “well when you drunk you think you dancing” I crossed the street and to the amusement of night time receptionist tried with broken Spanglish to get a room. I could not really remember how much time went by before the receptionist explained to me that the hotel is full and that I need to go around corner to the next one but to me it seems like flash of light. Well few light “dance” steps around the corner and another slightly amused night receptionist, my luck has changed and he was so polite and helpful when I had explained that my amigo locked my out of apartment that ha gave me some discount rate which I had gladly paid around 5 am in the morning as I would pay whatever cost for a bed at that time. Later next day I realized that I had paid 45 for a night. Well the room was ideal for drunk middle aged guy as it was in the basement without daylight , noise and it was comfortably cold so I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. Great start of the trip and I like it, no I love it 😊

Woke up around 11, better said opened eyes as I was not awake not until after shower. All so nice and clean, I love the hotels sometimes especially when I do not need to clean up afterwards as I was still breathing dragon breath of alcohol so any work requiring lowering my head was out of question. Ahhh so nice to breath fresh air and feel the sun on my face …. Hotel Teatre I think was the name. Well got out turn on the phone and start walking the street towards the Sagrada Familia as I have ticket for 12:15 to enter tower and the what’s up beeps with message from R send t 7:40 “where are you ?  I left key at café next door” so my luck turned again as I was lucky to get my things and rest a nit before I will explore the Sagrada Familia again as I do it every time I’m visiting and every time is more and more attractive and beautiful. The waiter in the coffee place  just smiled as I entered and say Hola Daniel and without hesitation pulled the key from below the bar and gave it to me. I don’t know what R told him but he had a smirk on his face so understanding as every barman has seeing drunk in the morning. Well the little nap was quickly dismissed by Olga jumping and licking me all over “ha ha no it was not a girl” but French bulldog, so I decided to rather leave for Sagrada earlier. Nothing against French but not my style of napping.

ieset’s say that the Sagrada Familia never disappoints but quite opposite , inspire and see what can be achieved in life time by one person who has vision and determination, what a legacy ! The light and colors within this church will bring me in all the time as they are the proper representation of God instead of the dark and gloomy cathedrals and churches. The details are amazing and even the wild life represented at the entrance doors is something that I could watch all day long but since we are in Spain the siesta time is talking time and after the busy night I did welcome such a good invention. Did about hour of nap and this time Olga was not in mood for any games just laid at my feet “girls take hint” 😊 and then took her for a walk. I did a bit of tour walking as I was tired and ready for a easy day but still went wondering around until R came home so we could have a bit of chat, rest and then went train some BJJ with C who I met last night and I was lucky to get invited to his class which I really enjoyed, even if I was out of shape.  Beer after training and ride home on moto “best thing is the moto” and rushed bed around midnight. Saturday morning woke up around 8 “not bad for middle aged 😊 “ and after turning phone on the message from R arrived, asking to take Olga for walk to allow her nature calls to be answered. Well I have to say I knew that man with babies is like magnet for some ladies but I have to say even dog sometimes do the trick “ I know why you et her R”. Did about hour and half walk and then let her at apartment and went to Tibidabo what was on ,y list from previous visit. Beautiful hill and the amusement park was full of kids and families as it was Saturday and nice sunny and warm “at least for me” since the locals are with jackets, scarf, etc all the winter accessories and here I go in the t-shirt and vest enjoying the trip. Funicular was nice but since I was used to this from home nothing much special. The top with church was nice as well as churros and hot chocolate before I went to nature behind the hill and walk the forest trails, what coils like snake thorough foliage. Found some nice secluded spots for admiring the city below on my own and some not so quiet as the local scouts were out and about and as much as I love Spain, Spanish teenagers are as loud as they possibly be, maybe there is some competition for loudest person in scout team. Anyway beautiful walk around the forest park lasted until the sunset as I walked all the way to Plaza Kennedy for metro.

Just in time to catch L7 metro to Plaza Catalunya and walk a little bit before R called and arranged a pick up by moto on the way home from work. It is so thrilling I have to get moto myself. This evening we were both a little bit tired so we just went did threesome walk with Olga and then went to this fab restaurant for Pulpo / Octopus what is my favorite sea food . Small restaurant which I do not remember name now doh ☹ but full of locals for excellent dinner of sea food. Have two portions of pulpo, one of jamon iberico and roasted peppers with cerveza and we were ready to hit the road again. Some video of the moto driving on my Instagram blondaknacestach for those who wish to see it before they live it.

Sunday came way too fast but with fabulous sunny weather and 20 degrees I have pulled my shorts and t-shirt on as the washing was on for the used long sleeved clothing until we get one to one with Olga for two hours around neighborhood, cris-crossing the streets and avenues. Upon arriving home  I had pulled the washing from the washing machine and Olga was ready at the door as she must understood that now we are going on the roof. Well first of all, if you have not seen loco dog you should see her doing the laps like Ferrari F1 driver under pressure, nearly perfect the cartoon skidding of rear legs. The other thing is that the view over the roof tops is straight at Sagrada Familia through azure blue sky with sun shining so you can take top off and sunbathing at the roof. Well day like this cannot be waisted so get the washing on the line, change some broken Spanglish sentences with neighbor and hey let’s go to Moutjuic, this time by metro as time is precious at day of departure. Get off the metro and instead of waiting for bus with rest of tourist I went walking up the hill and soaking the atmosphere of locals sitting at street cafes and debating or just enjoying whatever they have been served. Few minutes up the hill and I was there at the town swimming pool at the side of the hill overlooking the city nearly like infinity pool, what a great location “you can log in to sports-tracker if case you want to see location and find me under emil175” and then right beside the pool is the station of the cable car what is going to the top but again I opted for manual power of my legs. Nothing could describe the beauty and the views as much as I’m not the best photographer and my compact camera could not get all the views but some are in gallery for you to judge but best is done in person, so please do it. Just below the castle got café con leche and croissant as late breakfast Spanish way, looked at the beautiful view at port and city as well as girls “well the day I stop looking is time to write parte” and then walked up the hill to caste i.e fort and the view from top was worth as well as it of history that there was place where Nazis executed president  in 1940. Well camino de mer if I remember right was nice walk around the castle with view at sea and lots of opportunities to sit down to admire the views and there was also archery practice at the side. The walk winded its way to Olympic stadium what was closed due some private event but still beautiful area and I can imagine the Olympics must be fabulous in 1992 as Freddy sang the Barcelona.with

Took a walk down through the gardens what was so refreshingly green and full of parrots lying around loudly and boldly like Spanish teenagers. Amazing views and locations within city. However since café con leche and croissant could not fuel body forever, even if the traces of beer were still in the system eventually the hunger came and it was time for lunch. So much choices but R invited me to his place of work for treat of lunch at his expense so I was not ready to disappoint him 😊 Lunch was great and the staff knew that I’m friend of manager so I was treated very nicely and even some visitors were looking who the hell am I since the manager came to my table and some of the staff running around me like  I was some sort special.

Well food was excellent, sangria too and I have this as treatment where the bill was signed “Thank You” so if you are reading this R I would like to THANK YOU for such treat and all your effort as you have done exceptionally well there and you are some manager that they should be happy to have you in employment.  Also I met C again and it was nice to see him again and if I ever coming back to Barca I surely visit your mat and train there as you are good teacher and I enjoyed the training very much. Well time to wrap up and head for airport to another leg of this midlife crisis trip, now to Morocco as I was always longed to see it but have not have time or determination to do it. So now as we are descending to Marrakesh I’m finishing his article and second G&T Bombay sapphire with Sweeps and two real raspberries. Well so long for now all who ventured here to read this.