Friday night so I could get to the Airport on time. Absolutely no
problems getting there, and it was a pretty easy ride to the hostel. A
little hard to get there, as there wasn't a door. It was a corrugated
iron shed type door, but after clicking the intercom button I got in
fine, and got the briefing. Being the first time I'd stayed at a
hostel, it was kind of interesting. So, being 2pm on a Saturday and
being up from 6 I decided it was time to get something to eat. So I
took the advice of the hostel and had some Paella a la carte. Never
again. I have an issue with eating sea food...I don't like the way it
looks at you. It was good, don't get me wrong, I just don't like
prawns.
After that, I wondered around the old quarter and other assorted small
alleyways. I had a small walk planned, but it took so much longer as I
kept ducking down side streets just for the hell of it. Found lots of
interesting things, like the garden in the cathedral, and this
incredible little band. I took a video, but haven't had a chance to
edit it so it isn't up yet. Some fascinating pieces of architecture.
After having a wander, I went back to the hostel and hoped to meet a
couple of people to go out with, but they already had their own plans.
So I went to watch the water fountain display instead, and have a
wander around the museums. For some reason I never found out it was a
free weekend to get in the museums, so I wandered around an art
gallery after the fountain. It's quite interesting for me, as I
normally read all the signs, having to just look at the art and try
and interpret it. Not actually that interesting, so I didn't last that
long. After that, I went and had some over-priced tapas (never eat on
Las Ramblas) and then had a drink at what I called 'The Fairy Pub',
and what others would call 'Basque de la Fades'. Really, it's just a
themed pub but it was still worth the visit. Small drinks too, so
while I was on my own I didn't stay too long.
Next day, got up and had breakfast and got chatting to some Americans.
One of them was going to do the same thing I was, namely see
everything Gaudi possible in one day. As were two of the girls from
his room. So the four of us head off, and went to see all the major
Gaudi buildings. Lots of photos of them are up. We must have walked
for about 8 hours all up, and it was great. One of the highlights was
going up one of the towers in Sagrada Familia, and the two girls (who
incidentally were both from Australia) going straight back down the
lift as they didn't like the look of the stairs back down. Some
fantastic views, but disappointing in that we couldn't go all the way
up as that way was blocked off. Unfortunately at this point my camera
started to run out of power, so I didn't take many photos of the park.
All in all, well worth the trip.
I did also go out that night with a few other guys, to the Fairy Pub
again and then out to a little spanish bar, which they kicked us out
of at 3am. Needless to say, I was a little tired in the morning, but
got on the plane home fine, and then back home where I put the washing
on and had an early night.
Sorry for the shortness, but read this, look at the photos and then
read again and it will make more sense. I hope.
And then last weekend, Emma (housemate) was going down to Wales to
spend some time with her parents (it was her Mum's birthday) and she
asked me if I wanted to come along. So I did. I've now been to Wales
(I have some good Welsh slate sitting on my desk at work), Aberystwyth
to be precise. Fantastic little town. Very windy, and I didn't do much
site seeing but I will go back some time. As her parents are still
building a house, we stayed in a tent, which is something I hadn't
done for 10 years. I love the Welsh accent, and it was a cool little
trip away. Went rock pooling, had Yorkshire pudding for the first
time, talked about stone circles. Can't complain.
Anyway, that's up to date, but very sparse on details as I don't have
much time. Anything specific I've missed out (I can't think of any)
let me know and I'll edit this post....
But we have a game this weekend for AFL, which is going to be good. We
have a few players out with injury, so I might get a run in midfield
(I hope!). I was training at full forward, and I'm sure I'll be in the
ruck (I always am) but I'm hoping that my fitness will see me get a
run in the middle. We'll see though, but I'm looking forward to the
night out afterwards.
Had to say no to indoor soccer tonight as my ankle is still sore from
last week, but I am playing Gaelic again tomorrow night (maybe, they
have to get back to me first) so I'm keeping fit, having fun and
meeting lots of new people. It's supposedly summer (so they tell me)
but I had a beanie, scarf and gloves on on the way to work. Crazy
country.
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