and so we walk

We have created a walking monster. Every day five maybe six hours. The wining and dining has waned and is replaced with walking, sightseeing and window shopping. Sigrid, Claire and I walk; and so we walk. Walking along Las Ramblas, through the winding streets of el Raval, into the funky barri gothic quarter where artists work in their half hidden studios tucked behind painted doors. Walking past another of Gaudi's impressive yet unfinished churches and then into the hip Born quarter. We meander through the zoo, past the very human-looking apes and chimpanzees, back out into Barcelona city again, past the park, around the art gallery, back to las Ramblas and round and round the markets slurping on the 1 Euro fresh juices of strawberry and kiwi, banana and raspberry, coconut and mango – heaven in a plastic cup.

At night we walk in circles to find the cheap cava bar recommended by RyanAir. In a little alley that we had already walked past, behind another unnamed door is a crammed bar filled with locals eating their cheap burgers and drinking their cheap champagne getting ready for a night on the town. There is little chance of us getting served in the next ten minutes so we test our Irish luck on St Patrick's day and the 6 euro jugs of sangria and the soccer game with Barcelona vs Germany on the television amidst a bunch of cheering supporters it seems a good fit. A chance encounter, a friendly conversation, another walk and a reggae, funk and hip hop jam session sees our walking shoes off and our dancing shoes on.

As we walk home, past the quarters, past the port, I watch the locals cruising past on their hired red bikes. For 24 euro a year you use these bikes to get around the city at any time of day or night. Walking is good, but dare I say it, cycling is superior for sure. I daydream on the way back to the hostel… I am living in Barcelona, an after-work cerveza in Born and I ride my bike home, no helmet of course, basket filled with fresh market food, a bread stick and a bottle of wine, of course.