Thankful for Family
Familiar faces are a great sight to see after a few months of traveling. While it is thrilling to be able to see so many new things, it is very refreshing to get a taste of home after not having one for a while. My parents decided to come to Barcelona over Thanksgiving, and we had a great time. It was fun to play "tour guide" for the week, showing them things I had discovered in the month and a half I was there. I also got a second chance to be in Barcelona and see some of the things I'd missed the first time around.
I found us an apartment to rent for the week, which turned out to be cheaper than a hotel and a much better choice. We had a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, a balcony and even a washer and dryer. My mom found her favorite spot to be the balcony, which she made her post, watching the daily lives of the peculiar Spaniards. If you ask my dad his highlights of the trip I would guess he might say a few things. One might be watching the Packers on Monday Night Football (in Spanish time), and another might be the chicken salad at Flamont.
There are countless options for places to eat in Barcelona. The task of deciding where to dine can be overwhelming and quite a burden, especially when hungry. Due to my mother's great skill in people watching, we discovered that the restaurant right next door to our apartment was quite popular. Hoards of people gathered outside of it the first night we were there, smoking and chatting, awaiting their turn for a table. Any previous doubts we might have had were cleared and we knew that the next night we must try this place that everyone in Barcelona seemed to be going!
The next night was Sunday, and the place was far less busy. We found out, though, why this was the "place to be". White tablecloths were arranged amid modern décor and the menu featured unbeatable prices. It was no wonder we returned 3 times! My dad discovered this chicken salad that we would all come to decide was the best thing on the menu. Pesto dressing mixed with a little balsamic vinegar was drizzled over cool slices of grilled chicken and pine nuts on a bed of radicchio and arugula. Full of flavor and refreshing, it was a great start to any meal. The main courses were great too, as were the bottles of wine. The struggle of deciding where to dine was eased a bit with this great place right next door!
Our fondest memories of the visit were in the time we spent with the people we love. Nothing in the world, as many places and things that we see, can compare to the company of our family and friends. We miss you all, and hope that through this blog you feel like you are spending a little time with us!
