We regretted having to leave Barcelona, for a number of reasons.
The first, of course, is that it is a unique and beautiful city, abounding in spectacular buildings, stylish shops and unexpected moments of delight and discovery. Yet each of us had other, more personal reasons for feeling wistful.
Courtney mentioned, for instance, that the fast, reliable wifi in our apartment would be a major loss. And it certainly was a pleasure not to have to log in every time our phones locked themselves or wait long periods for a minuscule download.
Linda had enjoyed having a huge Massimo Dutti store right around the corner from our apartment in Carrer de Pau Claris. The stock was constantly changing and the shop itself, quiet and elegant, produced a soothing effect upon her, even after the Geelong Cats’ loss to Adelaide yesterday. As she wrote to me after the one-sided game had finished: “At least my anguish is over.” Massimo Dutti helped her to attain a state of rueful acceptance, while also sending her luggage weight to the maximum and beyond.
Davey’s stolid and abiding state of calm makes regret of any kind rare for him, even when he was thwarted in his plan to buy himself a second pair of slippers in the Gothic Quarter. “How many pairs do you actually need?” I asked him. He ignored my rudeness, but fate was nevertheless against him; the tiny shop where he had hoped to add to his stock of slippers had closed for a siesta on the afternoon of our last day. Many shop-owners roll down their shutters or lock up between about 2.30 and 4.30 every day. What a civilised city.
Dwayne, like Davey, is not prone to emotional excess of any kind, but he may drool in memory of the ribs provided at our favourite restaurant, Felice. Since we are flying to Germany, however, where the meat offerings are substantial, if not overwhelming, he should overcome this disappointment.
Shannon seems to be satisfied with very little. Some sight-seeing and a few shopping forays are all she requires. She may be sorry to leave the tiny winding alleyways behind, all the same, since she managed to find any number of small treasures there, such as a gold necklace and a nightie that could double as a little black dress and turn heads at any nightclub.
As for me, I revelled in every aspect of Barcelona and especially in our spacious, tasteful apartment, where, on the first morning, I placed many of my possessions on a little bookcase to make our room feel just like home. Our clothesline was an adventure in itself. I knew that if I was clumsy enough to drop the garment I was pegging out the window, it would plummet 3 floors. It was a pleasure to spread out after a month or so of living out of an increasingly crowded suitcase.
The other thing we shall all miss about Barcelona are the visual details and surprises.
Berlin, however, is no slouch in that respect.
Final Details:
- Our Apartment in Barcelona: 176 Carrer de Pau Claris, booked on Airbnb
- Taxi to the Airport: Our giant taxi took all 6 of us plus our luggage (for 30€). It was booked through AMB – Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona.
- Weather Change: Maximum temperature in Barcelona, a balmy 24 degrees; in Berlin, 16 degrees with steady rain from dinner onwards