Flavors of Spain

As you could probably tell from my last letter, I'm not too impressed with the apartment that we have rented for a few days while here in Barcelona. Duran rented it for a couple of reasons but chiefly because it had two bedrooms and had a picture of some nice flowers.  It's actually very, very small and has tiny rooms and a tiny bathroom and micro shower.

I have changed my thinking on it.  This is how many average Spaniards live. I could be in a nice hotel that has American standards, but that would diminish the experience.  I am here to see what Europeans live like.  I know what a nice hotel is like.  I really have not had a real Spanish experience.

Obviously I now understand some of the frustrations and some of the lack that many Spaniards have, but today I saw the other side of the balance sheet.  I went to the market to buy some fruits and pastries.  The strawberries were incredible.  We grow lots of strawberries in Santa Cruz, but none taste like the ones I just tasted.

Duran liked them, but didn't seem as impressed as I am.  The bakery had some nice croissants, which we will eat in the morning.  I'm loathe to make generalizations after being here about 30 hours, but I don't think the common Spaniard has luxury in terms of nice cars or large homes with modern appliances, but the luxury comes in marvelous flavors and wonderful food and art.

I had fruits in France and Italy also, but Spanish fruit so far is the best. Naturally, this is based my extensive experience over hours and hours of time in each of these countries.

I went to the airport to pick up Duran.  It is one thing to struggle with travel knowing a little Spanish and the Spanish knowing a little English. It is quite another thing to know zero Spanish and the Spanish knowing zero Chinese.  Duran said that when he was here last, he asked directions and they gave it to him in Spanish.  He said he didn't understand.  So they said it again in Spanish, and then a third time.  Perhaps they believed he would pick up the language with repetition, but it didn't work.

So we will limp along with some amount of communications.  Duran's english is, how shall I say....hmmm....inventive.  If he cannot think of the correct english word, he will create one.  His english writing is much better than speaking.

Tomorrow we will see many of the great architectural works in Barcelona. Pics to come...I promise.