We made it through the airport security with no trouble in Orlando....despite the lines outside in the congregating area. After arriving at our departure gate for Atlanta, we thought we had 45 min when in actuality we only had 15 min. So after unloading the laptop, the mp3 players, and cameras, we had to quickly REload them to board the plane.
Once in Atlanta, we discussed obtaining food before boarding the international flight but soon realized the brevity of our layover and hauled butt to our departing gate, with a faint thought to exchanging money before boarding. (That didn't happen) We soon realized we were the LAST to board the 5:45 pm flight. Once on board, we checked our clocks, my watch already set to Barcelona time showed our plane taking off at the stroke of MIDNIGHT. Our fears were realized when we found the seat backs blanked and were subjected to airline food. (Plastic Chicken and Rubber Pasta). Beth also enjoyed the brownies (notice the plural, she took one for the team and helped me avoid a sugar coma). It was hard, but I'm pretty sure Beth might take a little bit of pleasure in the extra sweets due to my inability to process sugar. Afterward, we attempted to catch some shut eye on the 8 hour flight...however the baby in the row ahead of us had other plans. Beth would like to call this irresponsible of the parents to do this to such a young child BUT then she realized she would be judging her parents previous attempts to bring a child across the pond. So a very light and brief nap later, I woke Beth for the breakfast and most importantly the 1st cup of coffee for the day.At the airport, we had our first friendly encounter with the local taxi car director dude asking Beth if it was "fria". Thus started the count of shout outs: 0.5. This only counts as a half due to Beth's interpretation of their "friendly" culture. Once at the hotel, after our friendly taxi driver gave us a discount on the fare. It was the first moment when Beth realized we would not be tipping. "Its just not the done thing here apparently." Its driving Beth nuts! :) We left the hotel with intentions of going to the Sagrada Familia, Beth doubted my sense of direction. "How do you know we're going north?" she asked. Umm, for those of you who KNOW me, I'm a Ranger, I have FANtastic sense of direction. Thus the doubt stopped there. (I Win #1) Also, from then on, Beth was in charge of the map; I just followed the control freak, my second love (Andrew, you are my first), Beth.
We acted like retards in the middle of town, making poses (as seen in Picasa photos, because there is too many to mention after this) probably not just to be goofs but also stay awake. After visiting the Sagrada Familia, we stopped for lunch where we butchered the Spanish language to order our food. (we can order, its just not pretty) This was also where we had coffee #2, the strongest cup so far. It was such a TINY little cup and OH so strong. I had to brave the coffee without sugar....Beth however dumped an entire packet (larger than the cup) into her cup. After this, on our way back to the hotel, we had the "HOLA!" encounter with some Spanish guy on a bike. Count :1.5. We returned back to the hotel for showers, new layers of clothes due to the colder than anticipated weather. We headed to the aquarium for possible entertainment...we probably annoyed the photographer at the aquarium by not even taking the Welcome" photo seriously. Sorry no picture of the picture....I assure you, it was hilarious. Afterward, we realized how EARLY it was and that we still needed to entertain ourselves. We went to the Supermarschet for essentials, champagne and chocolate to celebrate our successful day. Once wrestling with the internet became exhausting, we decided at 8 pm to watch something entirely Spanish, West Wing. (I knew I'd make you proud, Mom).
Day Two started a little early with a health emergency, by a little early I mean 4:30 am Barcelona time. My throat was in excruciating pain and I wanted to catch my parents before they went to sleep. However, the internet did not want to cooperate so the only thing we were able to accomplish initially was contact with Beth's family via Skype. They called my parents, and once we finally connected enough to purchase Skype credit, WE called my parents. I had an over the phone medical evaluation and recommendation. We then slept in. First order of the day was the throat spray and then two internet cafes later we had printed the essential cruise documents. One full breakfast at NOON later, we actually started our day. More coffee at breakfast. After wandering around and finding churches, we were on our way to the Arc de Triumph. We were at a main intersection, and I with the natural direction said we needed to head up the street. Beth however didn't believe me and so we crossed the street and headed in the wrong direction. (I Win #2). We wandered through a park, considered going to the Museum de Geologica but decided that was for Beth's Mom, not us and continued around the park. I took my traditional flower pictures, Beth collapsed on a bench (
le tired), and we finally made it to the arch. We also mastered the art of including things in the background of a photo of the two of us. (the picture in Beth's post). Afterward, we decided to walk back to the hotel....but we made a detour, to the Picasso museum. Beth was impressed with his early works (some done when he was merely 15 years old) however, the later years seemed to be on the level of a 6 year old. We then were practically escorted out of the museum by two security officers. (We were just looking for the way out, PROMISE) We then made the decision to grab take away and a LARGE bottle of water, because we were both dehydrated. After stretching, eating dinner in our beds, and finding the internet working just fine, we had catnaps and ventured out for last minute essentials of the cruise, i.e. more booze.
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