Parrots in the Park

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  Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Thursday, October 16, 2008

I was walking through the Parc Guell when I came upon a grove of pine trees beside the path. There was a flock of busy pigeons feeding beneath it--a scene typical of any city landscape, really. Then I noticed something peculiar about the group.  For every 10 grey pigeons, there was a bright green parrot diving in for bird seed alongside them. I laughed with delight at the sheer weirdness of the scene.  As I continued to watch the group, though, it dawned on me that this was a perfectly fitting occurrence for Barcelona, the city where I have spent the last week.

Like any modern Western metropolis, Barça has busy streets, hurried crowds, fashionable ships and delicious restaurants.  Yet the city also has delightful eccentricities that make it one of the most beautiful and fun I have visited.  Modernist architects, like the city´s famous Antonio Gaudi, gave Barça its funky character.  From time to time when I stroll down the street, I look up to find a building that seems more fitting for a childhood cartoon, or a theme park, than for one of Europe´s major cities. Nestled between ¨normal¨ looking city streets, I cannot help but find these wonders amusing. Barcelona has a sense of humor, I think. Even the sidewalk tiles that line the asphalt streets bear the artistic touch of the city´s imaginative designers.  There are parrots among the pigeons everywhere in the city. 

Suzy, one of Casey´s friends from college, came up from Sevilla to explore Barcelona for most of our week here. Our trio quickly got into a daily routine that I was so fond of I have even said I wouldn´t mind living here permanently!  Every morning we head to our favorite coffee shop, La Danesa (a block from the diagonal metro stop) for great cafe con leche and a fresh baked pastry. The warm drinks are dirt cheap and the pastries are a good deal and right out of the oven. After a little reading, talking, and strategizing for the day, we set off for an adventure. One day we rented bicycles and rode through the city.  Our other excursions have included Sangrada Familia, the Palau Musica, the beach and harbor front, Las Ramblas, and various busy Plaças around town. Almost every day we make a stop at La Boqueria, a giant open air market off of the busy Las Ramblas, where we pick up things for lunch. Cartons of fresh raspberries are 1 euro, as are the 8 oz containers of fresh squeezed fruit juice (we like strawberry banana, kiwi, raspberry, or raspberry pineapple). We also load up on freshly sliced cheese, bread, chocolate and nuts before heading out for our regular picnic lunch. Since we eat lunch no earlier than 2pm (this is Spain!), it is 6pm by the time we are done with lunch and our brief afternoon siesta, which is usually comprised of another coffee shop visit.  By the time we head back to our hostel, change for the evening, and head out for dinner it is 8 or 9pm. After dinner, sangria, and some of Barça´s beloved helado (ice-cream), we are back to the hostel and in bed EARLY. By early, I mean 2am. There have been nights when the other youngsters in the hostel are still ¨pre-partying¨(that is, drinking at home before going out to the clubs) at 1 or 2 when we get back for the night. 

It is a totally different way of life here, but its fun, and funny.  It is great to be in a city that makes me laugh with delight.  

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