Oct 29.2009 - Barcelona, Spain

DKP : Finally Barcelona is ours for the taking, or shopping as it worked out. I am NOT a shopper by nature, I hover into a store and get what I need rather quickly and move on. However, Barcelona inspired me to shop. Europe is setting the new trends right now in my opinion and Barcelona is leading the way in Spain. I am sure I have seen things that will not be seen in the U.S. for a little while now, if ever. I appreciated the progressive approach to design, the strange use of typical fabrics mixed with unconventional materials and buying Spanish or Italian made products in their homeland is a price worth paying to avoid the export markups - niiiice.

Plus, did I mention the shoes? A few of our crew friends helped us out and took us around, to Zara and a few others stores packed with things done the Euro way. We then found our way to a lovely Tapas bar where we samples Padron Peppers, Cod Fritters, Manchego Chesse, Mozzarella in Olive Oil with fresh tomatoes and herbs along with a medium local cerveza. By the way, in some European countries, you don't so much choose which beer, you just ask for beer and you pick the size. Kind of simplifies things really :-)

Next time we visit, I look forward to seeing the older part of town, however the modern Barcelona is pretty rockin' on it's own and the Goudy style is ever present. Locals in fitted suits on scooters abound mixed with visitors from all over the world. Spain does seem to be a fairly affordable vacation spot for Euros, Asians and Americanos alike. Thanks to Lucy and Savio for spending part of their rare bit of time off with us.