Happy Anniversary in Barcelona

  Barcelona, Spain
Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Finally! We found a European city that actually wants to celebrate Halloween! The rest of Europe has not quite caught on to this wonderfully creepy and freaky holiday, but Barcelona is not just any other city.

Of course, there is still no comparison to Halloween in San Francisco, the freakiest place on earth. I mean hippy freakiness was born there. It has a very long history with this phenomenon of human nature, but Barcelona could be there in the near future. Tonight proved to me that the enthusiasm is there, and the people are dedicated.

So we arrived yesterday. Our travels were completely smooth all day until we got to Barcelona. The train from the airport to town had some sort of complication and dumped us off at a station we did not recognize or know. So of course, our survival skills had to come into play. We did find another train headed to our destination station. From there we took a taxi to our apartment here in Barcelona. It is located in Barceloneta right next to the harbor and the beach.

We are literally 3 blocks from the beach. So of course the first thing we did was put on our swimsuits and head to the water. Yesterday at 5 in the evening it was a balmy 25 C (thats in the high 70s F) and the water was just as comfortable. The end of this weeks forecast is not so balmy so I thought we should get in beach time before the cooler days come. Tomorrow is only supposed to be 70 and then the next 61 with showers...

So anyway we swam and played and then explored our neighborhood a bit. The place we are staying in was built over 100 years ago. It is a very narrow and very tall building. The stair are the kind that make you feel like you are going to fall constantly because of how steep they are. But the apartment is all newly refurbished and very colorful. The left the original beams and stone work uncovered to showcase the authenticity of the apartment. There is plenty of room for both of us and a nicely equipped kitchen.

So last night we went to a party at this great little club. Marty hooked us up with one of his connections and we ended up having a lot of fun and not getting in until after 5 in the morning. Early by Berlin standards, but not bad for a first night.

We dressed up a little since it was technically Halloween by the time we got there. Marty was the best in this horrible wig we found at a flea market (actually its a fabulous wig, but it looks a little cheesy on boys. Really fly on girls.)

Marty is Hip for Halloween

So the funny part is that the color matched Marty's hair a little too well. To the point that he had people betting on if it was real or not. He made one girl 20€! Someone actually bet that it was a real trendy indie rock haircut.

Today we slept in and then strolled around town. Marty found me another really great purse. I think I am developing a problem with purses. My collection is growing but I am discerning. They have to be of high quality and handmade here in Europe.

However the highlight of the day was sitting in front of the MACBA - the Museum of Contemporary Art. We didn't actually go in the museum, because the real show was out front with the myriad of skateboarders doing tricks, jumping gaps, sliding and grinding walls. They were a mixture of locals and international skaters and even some girls. Its an internationally famous spot for skateboarding and we were mesmerized.

Tonight for dinner we had our first paella together. Tomorrow everything is closed as it is a holiday. Gotta love that. The day after Halloween is a holiday. SF could learn from Europe :)

Hasta Luego Manchego...