Last Day in BCN

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1/31/2019
We have fallen behind in our blogging in our attempt to squeeze every last bit of joy out of our final day here. It's odd to finish what has been our standard travel cycle of two weeks, and still have two weeks to look forward to in a new place. That helps to mitigate the sense of an ending. Still, I've always felt a bit of loss upon leaving Barcelona.
4 TV Channels for Tarot & Astrology


 I feel sad to be leaving Barcelona but I am excited to travel onto Valencia.  We have enjoyed the vintage tile floors and ceilings in this apartment but I like the other apartment better because of the light and expansiveness of the view.  Yes this one had a better kitchen, but I have to accept that I really don’t cook that much.  First it is hard to buy all the herbs etc.  needed for more complicated recipes and I remain intimidated as hell when it comes to the markets.  I imagine myself striding up to order but the reality is once the questions start I lose all conviction and just agree with anything.  There are so many inexpensive restaurants too.  The kitchen is good for breakfast and light evening meals so a small minimal space is fine.  But I am glad we tried this one because I would always have been imaging that it was the small kitchen stopping me from cooking.  It’s hard when reality clashes with what you think you want.  I think it’s my image of myself that I confuse with what I want.    

We spend our morning beginning the cleaning and packing process and make reservations at a nearby restaurant, Gresca, for lunch. I vow to really work on my Spanish next year--maybe take courses at AB Tech. Then again, it's a totally different dynamic to travel here compared to Germany where I have a pretty good grip on the language. Our oblivion creates challenges that are sometimes funny and sometimes frustrating.
Fabrica del Vermut
For example, I go down to the pharmacy to get cortisone creme, toothpaste and hand moisturizer, and somehow end up with foot cream. I decide that is OK rather than to take the time to reassert my need for crema del manos. My feet are, after all, dry as well, and this should work on my hands! A bit more concerning was arriving at Gresca to be told the reservation I'd made over the phone (in English) was for tomorrow. I know the difference between hoy y mañana, but somehow miscommunicated. Luckily we just had to wait until 3:00 and that gave us the chance to try a Vermuteria we'd spotted down the street.
Gresca
Gresca was excellent. We had fresh fish--cod prepared just beautifully. It was as delicate and fresh as any fish I've had. The cheesecake was amazing. I thought it was made with Brie and Kitty thought there was buttermilk involved, but it turns out it was blue cheese. That probably sounds awful, but somehow it worked. More savory than sweet, but that is often the way for desserts here and we both enjoyed it.
Barceloneta
After lunch we ride the bus down to Barceloneta for a seaside stroll. We walk until it's dark and make our way into new territory, fairly close to where we were in Poblenou. Watching the sunset over the water makes for a perfect end to our time in BCN.

Barceloneta

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