Play this audio as you read for a more immersed experience:
[wpaudio url="http://robrogan.com/images/cafeaudio2.mp3"]
I arrived in Barcelona yesterday. It was strange seeing the skyline of the city from the plane this time. Returning was a different feeling than being there the first time. The best comparison I can give you is the feeling of seeing the face of a loved one after a while. I’m not referring to the “oh I missed you feeling,” but the less conscious recognition of certain details of the person’s face. Faces are all just faces, but the unique parts of each one is what enables you to distinguish them. So, when I was flying over Barcelona, I noticed some buildings that I hadn’t given much thought to the first time around. It was all simply “that’s Barcelona” when I came the first time. This second time felt more like “oh yeah, that building, very nice, I feel at home.”
I hope I didn’t muddle you up in the description, but it was something distinct, and worth noting.
My back was drenched with sweat by the time I made it to the apartment. I had two very large bags (50lbs each), and rolling them was no issue, but carrying them two flights of stairs into the metro, jumping on said train, jumping off, ascending a couple of flights, going down a hallway, descending again, hopping on another train, and off, and up, and over, and OH an elevator! Then down the street, and which way is number 69? Whew. Fortunately, I had a sweater over my shirt, so I didn’t look sweaty except for the red face. Unfortunately, I was wearing a sweater. I prefered to leave it on over looking sweaty. So that was that.
I am being put up with a family by the Gerona stop in Barcelona. The mother is very nice and I’ve only met her so far. The apartment is also very roomy. I like it. I’ll get pictures of the room and everything later. Right now I’m in that awkward adjustment phase I’m learning is typical the more I stay with strangers abroad. I’ve never had as good an experience as I did when I lived in Costa Rica with a family for a month. They were the nicest and most inclusive. The last time I was in Barcelona, the people were nice, but not too inclusive. Well, regardless, I kind of ghost my way around the place for a few days until we all feel more comfortable. I got up this morning, showered, went back to my room, and then left the apartment for breakfast (at this café currently). All of this was done without encountering the people that live there. I wasn’t being evasive, but I wasn’t going out of my way to find them and say hello either.
You see, with my experience in Costa Rica, the place I stayed provided three meals a day and everything. I ate and conversed with them all the time. I felt like a family member! The first Barcelona family was only paid for two meals a day, and the mother would just set the food out for me and sometimes sat with me, but I didn’t have one meal with the family. This time, my arrangements do not include any meals on their part. I have to get my own food. You quickly learn how essential food is to socializing.
Back to as I was saying, I got up and left the apartment without a word (they were in another room I suppose) and I walked about to find a place to get breakfast. After passing a few cute cafés, I noticed one with that typical “wifi 
” sticker in the window and knew it was my winner.
I need to learn some breakfast words, but saying “esto” tends to work fine for the time being. I got a café con leche and after saying “esto” I learned that I picked out a blahblahblah de chocolate. Unfortunately my ear wasn’t up to catching what the guy said this morning. It was good, and de chocolate is all that mattered. It’s a narrow place with little tables and a typical Spanish bar. They play old-but-not-too-classic music.
I’ve been here a while and it’s time to pack up and walk on.
To do:
- go to Movistar and get a new SIM or re-active my old one for my Spanish cell.
- go to a store and get a bar of soap, a razor, and something to make for food later.
