Barcelona

I went to Barcelona for a lovely weekend with my traveling buddies (and a few extras). I can't believe how different this city is from the rest of Europe. I fell in love with the Gaudi architecture and this beautiful park deep within the city (and the 85 degree weather in early October). It was simply amazing. We stayed in this little harbour-side apartment right near the Ramblas and this random art deco statue. The view was simply amazing.

As a group, we did a nice bike tour around the city. That is definitely the best (and most efficient) way to cover lots of ground in a city. Our tour guide was a trip; he was native to Barcelona with an interesting view on the Catalan public (I wouldn't say he was a huge fan). He showed us all the major sights, however his knowledge of the city was general, at best. Then again, we had Pete with us who asks the most random questions possible so maybe we were just stretching to the depths of his knowledge. We made a pit stop at the beach (trucked in) where said tour guide told me to go "take a bath". We think he was telling me to go for a skinny dip with him; regardless, it was hysterical. I was a bit embarassed by him but I think he meant well.

On Sunday, everyone headed to the Picasso museum without me. (I'd seen enough Picasso in Madrid the previous year.) In my disorganized self guided tour of the city, I stumbled across an area of the Ramblas filled with caged birds. I was TERRIFIED and proceeded to wander across the street into a jam packed market. This market had "Borough" like tendancies but was much more compact with a more spanish flair (obviously). I grabbed a smoothie at one of the little hour stands and wandered around for a bit.

I had to cut my Barcelona trip a bit short to jaunt off to a meeting in Paris. Actually, I was just outside Versailles in a little village called Trappes. My hotel was right next to the Palace of Henry XVI. His palace was HUGE! I think he was overcompensating... Actually, working in France got me out of the "work funk" that I've been in. I finally worked on a job, in Europe, where I was proud of the work product and think I made a bit of difference to the client. They've asked that I continue to help them out, but due to my personal committments I don't think that will be possible.

Which brings me to.... the stress I've piled on to myself. I have to be out of my flat in two weeks, am heading to the US for a training for two weeks and need to sort out my "leave of absence". Ugh. On top of all that, I need to book my travel to Berlin, Krakow and Prague while also sorting out accomodation in London for those two weeks. Double ugh. Oh well, I can only do what I can do. Off to pack...