Barcelona & Sarabi

We stepped off the train in Barcelona bracing ourselves — another packed European city? But even by the time we had walked (dragging our suitcases over cobblestone sidewalks all the way) to our Airbnb, we were already falling in love with Barcelona.

It is, of course, packed — just like London and Paris — but the city planning here goes a long way. I remember briefly studying it back in my architecture/city planning courses, but Barcelona’s grid is really interesting — primarily because at most intersections, they cut the corners off the buildable section of the city block.

It’s a simple but elegant move that allows more light to filter into the streets, creates space for people to gather, and makes the city center feel incredibly walkable and pedestrian-friendly (despite being enormous!).

We knew we didn’t have long to explore, but we did our best to get out and about, wander this lovely and very inclusive city, and soak up all the time we had. Again, it’s just so much easier to be in a Spanish-speaking country compared to the ongoing battle we’ve gotten used to in French-speaking regions (when we do go ashore), and the food and wine were terrific.

Somehow one of the top tourist attractions here is the Erotic Museum (which comes with a complimentary glass of champagne), so we made that a soft guidepost. Turns out, it’s directly across from the largest market in the city — which looked amazing, vibrant, and colorful… but was also incredibly packed with people, so we quickly shied away.

We spent some time walking through the Gothic Quarter and its incredibly tight alleyways, became card-carrying members of the Barcelona Weed Club (just to make sure we understood how things work in this part of the world), and — as you might imagine — found an incredible taco shop.

Our Airbnb here may have been the best one yet. We’ve already started to figure out that the best way to score an affordable place in the heart of these cities is to book one on an upper floor in a building without an elevator.

The incredibly tight spiral staircases in Europe (not anywhere close to being ADA-compliant by U.S. standards — but also one reasons Europe doesn’t seem to struggle quite as badly with the housing crisis) tend to weed out most people, especially those carrying bags.

When we saw the word “attic” in the listing, we figured we’d be crammed under some low beams. Instead, we stepped into a light-filled penthouse with its own spiral staircase and two balconies overlooking the city.

Just as we were starting to find our comfort level with the tightly packed crowds of European cities… our Airbnb had to go and make the experience so good from above the streets that we didn’t want to leave to be on the streets at all.

While we wished we had a few more days in Barcelona (and we’re excited to return someday), we weren’t sad to leave — because one more train ride away meant seeing our friends Owen and Miranda for the first time in three very long years.

We had mentioned to our friends/boat buddies from svSarabi (no longer aboard) that we'd be in Europe and were elated to find out that they would be as well before setting off on some epic adventures of their own. — Miranda walking the Camino, and Owen motorcycling through the Alps — but we quickly found a few overlapping days, picked a town somewhere in between (southern France), and booked a place.

We packed up the bags again, set off to catch a train, and got off grinning — only to immediately launch into typical reunion hilarity trying to find one another in the train station. (Pro tip: “I’m under the clock” isn’t all that helpful when a train station has two sides and multiple clocks.)

If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ll remember these guys from our early years aboard. We toured most of the Caribbean together — despite swearing we’d never become 'boat buddies' with another crew.

We spent all of COVID quarantined together off Antigua. We convinced them they needed to see Bonaire before ending their time aboard (which led to them buying a condo and moving to the island...). It’s fair to say we have a lot in common. And if we’re honest, they migrated from “friends” to “family” a long time ago.

There’s something sacred about the kind of friends you’ve weathered storms with — literal and otherwise — and we fell right back into rhythm with them like no time had passed at all.

We spent every possible hour catching up, getting advice and homework (as always), and had the best couple days imaginable before finally parting ways.

We got very close to barging in on their 10-day trip to Corsica just to avoid saying goodbye — but sometimes the best way to keep good friends is to not invite yourself on the romantic island getaway they’ve planned before they head off on solo journeys separately. 

Wherever we meet next... I'm certain it’ll feel just like coming home.
Until next time friends!