Barcelona

Sorry for the delay in posting, but Gratallops is not exactly on the wifi map.  The one hotel in town does have wifi but it was a hike up the hill to get to it and I wasn't going to take the time to post to the blog while we were there.  

We had a great time in Gratallops.  It is a Medieval town with TINY streets.  The first night we were there I scraped the side of the car as I drove up to the top of the town/hotel.  I couldn't believe cars could drive on some of the the streets, but low and behold, we ducked into  entryways a few times so that cars could get by.  That top step in the photo was the offending party.  How do you say "goodbye damage waiver" in spanish? 

Kaitlin is determined to walk by herself now.  She will only hold your hand if she's crossing a street or climbing a step.  She insisted on walking down the steep stone streets and of course she fell down.  She got her hands out but then toppled onto her face.  She's got a nice bruise on her forehead.  I imagine all of the kids in Gratallops have had their fair share of tumbles.  When we said goodbye at the bakery, they asked what happened and then gave a knowing nod when we described the tumble.

The apartment we stayed in was once a barn for animals.  It was pretty small and rustic.  Downstairs there was a living room and kitchen with an enclosed bathroom outside and a little courtyard.  Upstairs there were two bedrooms and a little space at the top of the stairs that could be described as a library/study.  The interior was tile/stucco/plaster with exposed beams and some exposed stone masonry.

Today we drove to Barcelona.  We spent about three hours trying to change U.S. Dollars (do they still have any value???) to Euros.  We've wasted a lot of time trying to change currency.  I think the saying "Take half as much stuff and twice as much money" should be followed to the letter.  I would amend it slightly, by adding "no matter how good of an idea it may seem at the time, do not purchase a stroller."  Damn that thing.  It's awkward, hard to fit in the car and makes steps/stairs a real pain.

We're having a great time.  I would love to come back with a bicycle.  The roads around Gratallops and Falset are begging to be ridden.  We saw a pack of riders one day and dozens of riders in Falset.  Good god, what more could you ask for?  Winding mountain roads, good food, great wine, beautiful scenery...  Surely there is a all-carbon Orbea loaded with Campi Record and a classic Banesto wool jersey with my name on it...  Sweet dreams, sweet dreams.