The Plane in Spain

• September 23
• September 24
• September 25
• September 26
• September 27
• September 28
• September 29
• September 30
• October 1
• October 2
• October 3
• October 4

October 2

Velasquez at the Prado

Well, it's moving day again. We're saying goodbye to Barcelona and heading out to Sitges a resort town on the Mediterranean Coast about 20 miles or so southwest of Barcelona. We took a taxi to the train station. Sants Estacíon is a huge railway station. It's also a metro stop. An information kiosk got us headed to the right ticket window. 2,40€. Later we were on Platform 5 waiting for the Sitges local.

The countryside quickly becomes settled but rural. The local makes about six stops on its way. At one stop, I saw a young guy race out of the station, jump down into the track bed, run across two pair of tracks, jump up on the opposite platform, and slip into the train going toward Barcelona, just as the doors were closing. He has a lot more dash than I do.

About 40 minutes later we were at the Sitges station. We took the wrong turn at the end of the platform and ended on the far side of the tracks, rather than at the station. I pulled out my trusty guidebook, found a map, and got us to a tourist information office that had a taxi stand. Within minutes we were standing in front of Hotel Calipolis, Sitges' premiere gay boarding house for wayward men. Just kidding. It's a very pleasant hotel with a very helpful staff. We have a nice room on the fifth floor which, while not overlooking the sea, has a gorgeous view of the village.

We freshened up a bit than headed out to the beach and to do a little exploring of the town. I stuck my feet in the Meditteranean Sea. So this year, it's been the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean. Feet sticking is very important for me. I guess it's like a dog marking his place, only I just stick my feet in the water. I took a picture of my feet in the water....

I walked in the water and on the beach a bit, then Ron and I walked along the beachfront past a church, up some mysterious alleys, and back along the water. We stopped for an ice cream and grazinado, then turned up the hill into town and slowly winded our way back to the hotel. We had a light lunch at the hotel, then off to the beach for a couple of hours. Time just kind of happens here. Everything is four to five hours later than when we would be doing it at home. It's a very strange schedule for me, but interesting. And to think that a whole society eats dinner at 10 p.m.

Around 7:45, we headed out to find a place to eat. Just off the main gay strip, we found a gay restaurant, Parrots. We had an excellent meal. Ron had a very nice vegetarian spread, and I had roast duck breast. Ron's appetizer was a courgette tarte; I had a salad with scallops and a wonderful citrus dressing. We finished with a panna cotta, and figs in red wine with ice cream. Add some sangria, a white wine apperitif, and a shot of apple liqueur and espresso, and that pretty much sums up a wonderful meal. The two waiters were cute, friendly, helpful, and happy. We really enjoyed our experience.

Mano and Hans from Amsterdam sat at the table next to us during dinner. We struck up a conversation with them and enjoyed their company. Mano is originally from Malaysia. Both of them are quite the world travelers. Mano had a ready smile. Hans looked a little severe, but could be readily coaxed into a smile. I think it's the first extended conversation we've had with other people on this vacation. Travel tip 2: learn a foreign language.

After dinner, we moseyed back to the room (it was well after 11 p.m.); I gave Ron a backrub of sorts, then I closed my peepers, and off to sleep I went.