Domingo

I’m in love with how everyone here shows affection. I don’t mean only physically, but also emotionally. From the simple yet meaningful double-cheek-kiss given upon greeting an old friend (or meeting a new one), to the outlandish display of warmth between lovers on the street, Barcelona is covered in love. Not only love between lovers but also love between friends. Several times Monj and I have seen siblings or girlfriends holding hands on the street. We turn to each other and wonder why this is so much more accepted here than back at home. We have also lately been reflecting on how European style bends the "normal" gender barriers; the boundaries and roles that have been so blatantly assigned by American society. For example, in clothing stores sometimes we literally cannot tell where the men’s and women’s clothing sections begin and end. Styles bend so much farther than in the states. Men here get away with wearing skinny jeans, “capris” (pantalones piratas, literally translating to pirate pants), ballet flats and tank tops while women get away with wearing sports jerseys, loose fitted jeans and combat boots. This is not only different but also slightly refreshing. There is less pressure to be something... if that makes sense.

On Sunday we had one of our best days in Barcelona (although lately we feel like everyday has been a “GREAT DAY!”). We were planning on going to the Picasso Museum because it is free on Sundays, but when we arrived the line was laughable- down the street and around the corner. So we changed our plans. We found some gelato in Born (with a gluten free ice cream cone!!) and then walked over to parque Ciutadella. We were immediately taken aback by the amount of people! Nearly every square inch of grass was claimed! Families with small children playing games in the field, lovers stretched out on picnic cloths, and friends laughing and reading. Our ears drove us towards a group of people gathered in a circle playing guitar, banging on several types of drums (some makeshift beer bottles) and dancing. The circle was always in flux- people came and went. Others sat around them in the shade of nearby trees, laying with friends and tapping along to the impromptu beat. We joined the people and sat back in the grass, closing our eyes and hearing the murmur of all the voices around us blend with the music.

To me this felt like heaven. It was so relaxing! Everyone was outside, hundreds of people sharing this public space and enjoying the weather together. While it sounds cheesy, I felt an invisible sense of camaraderie. The community was warm and welcoming. The affection in the park was overwhelming. Later on Monj and I walked to the pond and rented a boat for a half an hour to putz around with oars, “rowing” around and laughing. I think it was one of the best Sunday afternoons of my entire life.   

Ps- On Saturday night we went to a speakeasy! We read in some notes given to us by friends who studied in Barce before us that a “modern” speakeasy was located off la rambla. We had to walk to an unmarked door in the northwest corner of a plaza, ring a buzzer and stand quietly. The door opened and we walked up several flights of stairs. When we went inside it was like being transported back to the 1920’s! We felt like we were characters in the Great Gatsby! Everything was decorated with antiques and dim lighting. We had a blast drinking wine and chatting with the bartender.

Coincidentally, the next day we saw the bartender walking in our neighborhood of Gracia (MILES away from the bar) and made eye contact with her! It amazes us daily how small this city can seem…