The City We Almost Didn't Leave- Barcelona

We arrived on the train platform three minutes ahead of schedule. Our itinerary: take the cercanias train from Sol to Chamartin then catch the overnight train to Bar-ze-lona. The sinking feeling that we'd forgotten something rushed from my toes to my heart with urgency, "the camera! It's still in the apartment!" Colin's body paused and his eyes widened, but his ever enduring pragmatism took it's queue from my panic. Calculating train schedules he concluded he could run back to our apartment, get the camera, and make the next train.

I waited at the door of the Chamartin train to Barca (pronounced barsa or barza). I kept wondering if the camera was worth missing our trip. As quickly as they had tensed, my muscles relaxed, and my smile erupted as Colin ran down the platform steps with sweat dripping down his brow.

In the sleeper car of our train from Madrid to Barcelona

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Gaudi in Barcelona

Gaudi lived and created marvelous art work that both integrated with and stood apart from Spain's coastal city. He drew inspiration from the brightness of the sun and vibrance of nature resulting in an abundance of color which, for me, evoked a thrilling happiness to be alive. When we were in Parque Guell, or at the base of one of Gaudi's houses or especially in Sagrada Familia we felt as if we were able to experience the natural beauty of our surroundings through Gaudi's eyes. Colin and I talked about the significance of the Sagrada Familia's architectural distinction from other basilicas we had been too, and yet it's inclusion as a sacred place of worship. Being inside the building it was evident that Gaudi built and planned the church as an act of and place to worship the Lord. There is beauty in knowing that our tributes to the Lord are as unique and numerous as we are.

One of the houses Gaudi designed

View of the city from Parque Guell

Us blocking the view of the city

Parque Guell 

Parque Guell

Parque Guell

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 Open minded
"Bright room minutes from the beach, off the main tourist street." The airbnb listing promised a lovely stay with a young British couple. We could never have imagined the ways that Ben and Emma would unknowingly invite us re-evaluate our goals and expectations. We came to find that Ben and Emma had arrived in Barcelona from a very different route than Colin and I had. Through our conversation with them we realized just how little we know about the lives of others, and how ill equipped we are to make assumptions and judgements. Ben and Emma are beautiful individuals who reminded us how many ways there are to live this life, and just how blessed we are to cross paths with people from all over the world with diverse interests, dreams, and thoughts.

Maybe it was the combination of the perfect weather, life evaluation, and artistic intrigue, or maybe it was just the adventure in us, but Colin and I seriously considered staying in Barcelona for another year. We absolutely loved the city. Going to Barcelona was like talking to an old friend after years but being able to pick up right where you left off. We felt at ease, happy, and excited for what might happen next. In the end we decided it wasn't the right place to be, but Barcelona is the city we also didn't leave.

Although Barcelona felt like it could be home, we really only need each other to feel at ease, happy and excited for what will happen next. Thank you, Colin, for bringing sunshine and joy into my life.

Now for a few more pictures of our trip:

On the beach minutes from our airbnb

Empanada shop we found one night

Easter procession

Turkey

In March we took a trip to Turkey! All year had been traveling budget airlines. But, our turkey flight got canceled because it was routed through a snowy Frankfurt, and we got re-routed on a direct flight with Turkish airlines. Colin and I have to take a moment to thank the weather for giving us the best flight we took in Europe. Each seat had its own TV with recent movies and shows. The seats reclined, and there was room for your legs! There was a free meal. Turkish delight on toothpicks welcomed us into the country. We were like little kids finding a dollar from the tooth fairy for the first time.

We met our friends, Liam and Tasha, in Istanbul. It was so good to see some more familiar faces! The four of us wandered all over the city, sometimes on purpose, and sometimes by happy accident. Fresh fruit juice stands spotted the streets boasting gleaming pomegranates, opulent oranges, and prickly pineapples--all cut and squeezed to order for under a dollar. It’s safe to say we got our anti-oxidants and vitamin c while we were in Istanbul. We also found our way into a number of baklava and Turkish delight sweet shops. The ten-year-old in charge of one of those shops gave us a huge smile when we walked back into the shop with an empty box we had bought 30 seconds before, and our fingers pointing at the glass case again.

We celebrated Liam’s Birthday on our first night too! Liam brought his clubbbin’ jeans, and we went out! We ended the night as the only 4 people in a Kareoke bar with Liam and Colin singing Sexy Back. Needless to say it was a night I will always remember J

On a completely different note, the mosques in Turkey amazed us with their intricately painted patterns, vast dome ceilings, and deep red carpets. We sat under the lights and talked about the history of the ancient buildings. Going to Turkey gave us a new appreciation for the Ottoman Empire and the development of this part of the world.  Turkey was a fascinating collage of ancient buildings and traditions juxtaposed with zooming taxis, Starbucks, and wifi hotspots.

As you can see from the pictures we did a lot! We went to the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Basilica cisterns, Galata tower, the ever alluring shops, and through the streets of the city. One of the highlights was  going on a run through the city, along the sea, and through the gardens. Liam and Colin had a hard time keeping up with me, but I dragged them along :p Running through it is such a unique an rewarding experience. At one point a group of 12 year old boys starting racing with us, which is right about when Liam's competitive side kicked in :)

One night we hopped on an overnight bus to Pammukale—a world heritage site where natural hot springs flow over white salt mountains. The ten hour bus ride was...long. Pammukale was beautiful. It was a little rainey, but we still enjoyed it. We treated ourselves to the hot springs at one the town's hotels too, and it was incredibly relaxing. 

We couldn't leave Turkey without a good rub down at one of the Turkish baths. The one we went to felt ancient, the bath was relaxing and all we wanted to do afterward was curl up and go to sleep. 

It’s unreal to read the news about Turkey now and imagine the protests and violence. We had a beautiful time in Turkey, and we hope its people and its government are able to find common ground in the coming days and weeks.