11-01-25 Barcelona
Today was remarkable. There were so many little moments that could have been dealbreaker, but turned out to be world connections, and kindnesses, and as someone else pointed out to me, good karma.
I was up very early, like very early and got some work done before getting ready and heading out. I was fortunate to run into Wendy and Bev and Leanne on my way out so that I could say goodbye properly. By then was super confused about how to get to Park Güell for the beginning of my booked excursion. I finally just went and paid €450 for the Cruise shuttle to take me near the world trade center. From there, I activated my maps and headed for the metro station. It seems very straightforward how to take the train followed by a 13 minute walk and end up where I need to be and I still had an hour to get there. I put on my big girl panties and headed down into the underground metro system to find that the ticket buying systems were only in Spanish and confusing. A couple was walking by and I shrugged and pointed at my phone about where he needs to go and put it in the machines that I was confused and they picked up on it in spite of the language difference and helped me to purchase my €365 Ticket I followed them to the turnstile and he promptly scanned his ticket to give me my One Direction on him. That was such an amazing kindness and turned out at the end of the day to be especially great when I had to rush to make a train and had a ticket already.
According to my app, I was only 13 minutes away when I came up out of the subway, but as it happens, it was basically straight uphill and when I finally got to the top, it was the back gate to the park and I was not allowed through. I was pointing the direction of walking all the way around the huge park all the way up to the observation area and then back down to where I needed to meet my group.
I was at the lookout at the top and couldn’t figure out which of the two options to take so I asked a gentleman walking by with his dog and we used to translator to finally get a suggestion of the way that I should walk. I was 100 yards or so down the path when I heard him trying to get my attention and when he did, he took my elbow and pointed me in the direction of the trail that I truly needed to get down to the group that was awaiting me. It was an amazing kindness by a stranger, and I did make it on time.
Our guide Alex was phenomenal. I must say that the guides we have through via to really do know what they are talking about. I have no complaints about that.
Park Güell was, I think beyond imagination. Every little detail was so well thought out so well designed
I observed An entertained our guide by telling him that I felt like I was in Bowser’s castle
From there, we took a bus to Sagrida Famillia which basically just blew my mind. I had known have appreciated Gaudi but now I am his biggest fan.
Once the two of us over, I put it to the gift shop and bought a magnet and a fan and then struck out for my 30 minute walk to the Picasso museum. It’s funny I didn’t enjoy it there even if many of those pictures I find depressing or underrated no, I meant overrated lol
Now I had one last mission to find the Lego store, so I walked as fast as my little legs carry me and once I got there, it was overwhelmingly busy, but I took some pictures of the cool bills and had my passport stamped. I didn’t want to buy a pen for Glynn‘s grandson, but they had none available.
From there, it was a very brisk walk to the metro station a short joint with the ticket I purchased earlier and then a fast walk to make the last shuttle before I was supposed to be on the ship. We had to clear customs in Barcelona, as if we were leaving the EU and there were some very stern looking bodyguard who couldn’t help themselves, but laugh when I asked if they would also stamp my Lego passport
I do love the souvenirs that I got today and I was super happy to connect with Kathy and make a plan to meet them for the comedian show at nine as they already had dinner plans. I saw that the solar group was meeting at six so an hour before that I was changed and down hanging out and it turned out that there was no one to coordinate the group as Adriana was busy so she asked if I wouldn’t mind. I actually had a great deal of fun and people were super impressed with my leading the group. Joe set up everyone in the chat app and then ask if I would like to join his table for dinner. It was very nice to go to the dining room with six other people and have a nice meal and then he and I hurried off to meet G&K. The comedian was funny. They were good laughs head and we went for a nightcap before heading our separate ways. Joe was a good continent of information for the upcoming ports and we will be looking at making plans together. I do feel bad for him because he made a connection with a woman Sherry, who was on the first leg of the attorney, but had to leave it Barcelona. The fun thing is he is having his three granddaughters meet him in Walt Disney World at the same time Rae-Anne I will be there so maybe we’ll get some time to hang out. It’s good to have a friend.
I am very, very tired. I have been a very, very long time and have put on a lot of miles. 
triumphgal 