Estación Liceu

Honeymoon Newsletter 2

hi, family,

we decided to come to barcelona early and are enjoying being in one city for a good chunk of time even though we are split between two hotels. we had a big day of train riding yesterday but got it all done for the rest of the trip (we will fly back to paris). when we crossed the border into spain, the police got on the train and were all barky and gruff about seeing passports. this never happened when i was here before but i think since march 11, things have changed just as they have in the states with 9-11. luckily they barely glanced at our passports but they did really hastle a guy behind us. we also made some friends on the train which helped pass the time. i sat next to a cool guy from slovakia and austin sat next to a funny guy from dublin who had the craziest, thickest accent. the slovakian couldn´t understand him at all.

we got to our super nice hotel fairly late but it is barcelona so at 11:30 we ventured out for tapas and a drink. we found the best little place and had an awesome tortilla española (egg, onion, and potatoes) and the local specialty, bread rubbed with garlic and tomato, drizzled in olive oil, then grilled. i had outstanding rioja wine and austin had some weird german beer. we talked a little to the owner and he brought us some liquer that he makes at home with grapes and herbs. it was neon green and very strong but not too bad. he was so proud of it and happy to share. austin and i liked the wine so much that we exercised our right to purchase a bottle to go at 12:30 a.m., woo hoo! I asked if it was ok and the owner said sure, you can buy wine whenever and as long as you are older than 4! ha ha, it was so much fun and so good.

since our hotel is so nice and we were so tired, we slept in and have been taking it easy today. we had a really nice lunch, i had a bocadillo de tortilla which is basically nice crusty bread rubbed with tomato and topped with the tortilla. i never knew they came in sandwiches. since then, we´ve been walking around the city and checking things out. we have plans to go to several museums and maybe the aquarium since it has lots of mediterranean creatures. tonight we are going to go out for a nice dinner and then a pitcher of sangria while we watch the night life. things really don´t get going here until about midnight and then people stay out til dawn, going to breakfast to end the night. we definitely won´t be doing that but will stay out kind of late to watch the beginning at least.

austin is currently trying to upload some pictures. he had to go to another machine to do so but i´m assuming he´ll put them on the flickr page.

we are having a wonderful time, the weather is really nice (better than bordeaux) and the city is amazing.

more later!

Love,

The Lunderoys

posted by Kelly @ 7:37 a. m.