February 23, 2012
-
Barcelona, Spain
We had to return to the airport in the early afternoon, so this was really just a blitz visit to the Catalan capital, but we still had some time to be very active in the morning. First point of action, after breakfast and checking out of our hotel of course, was a visit to the Aquarium in the Mare Magnum area, once more a first for me in this city. The Aquarium had just opened when we got there and we took our time to see their impressive fish tanks, including the giant tank that you can actually move through (without getting wet, mind you) on a conveyer belt type of walkway. Just as Camp Nou yesterday, this was something I had never done in this city (often in Barcelona I just like to be outside, enjoying the sun and the people) and again it was something I didn't regret. I was happy that I visited the Aquarium!
Afterwards, we had a stroll through some of the streets in the Gothic area, past the Cathedral (and actually visiting its cloisters) and for a quick lunch close to Plaça de Catalunya, from where we took a bus to the airport. Some quiet time in the airport, a smooth flight back to Amsterdam and a hasty goodbye to my sister and my nephew as they got on the bus to Amstelveen... and that was that again! A long awaited visit to Barcelona had turned out to be very nice, very successful, and very enjoyable.
Camp Nou was impressive, of course, but the nicest aspect really was that I could spend some time with Joyce and Beau. They live in Limburg, so it's not like I see them daily (although Facebook has brought the family a bit closer together again) and it was really nice to have a couple of days together with them. It's also interesting to see how Joyce (and that goes for my other sister Ilse as well) is raising her children, especially now that these children have become, or are rapidly becoming, young adults. I don't have children, will never have them, and that actually is fine by me (I don't miss having children and never have) but to see how my sisters are singlehandedly, and very capably (under circumstances that aren't always easy) are raising their kids and turning them into responsible and caring young people actually makes me feel proud of them. And, more so than Camp Nou or the Aquarium, that was probably the best thing for me to witness here in Barcelona. Now if only my nephew could get a contract with FC Barcelona...
Recent Comments