Barcelona 2006

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At the end of July, I returned to Barcelona for the 3rd time in my life. For me, Barcelona is up there as one of the best cities in the world. It's young, beautiful and unique. There is the beach, the mountains, the architecture and a great culture of people.

On this trip, two of my close friends from SF, Halton and Angela, joined me for a deep dive into Spanish culture. We were welcomed and hosted by Berta and her boyfriend Josep, who I had met earlier in the year in London. Having 2 local people around to show us the city was an amazing gift. In previous visits, I had spent most of my time around the tourist areas of Las Ramblas and Porto Olimpico doing, well, touristy things. For me, though, travel is about integrating with the people, not about site seeing.

Berta and Josep welcomed us into their group of friends, talked to us about life in Barcelona, explained the subtleties of the Catalan people with respect to the rest of Spain, and took us out to bars and clubs where the locals spent their time. Without question, there is no better way to see a city than through the eyes of a local.

In three days, I was reminded of how much closer I have become with Angela in the past year, despite being 8 times zones apart, and I realized that Halton was more than just another one of the guys to hit the town with. In spending 48 straight hours together, I that he was an amazing person to be around and talk with, in addition to his fun, out-going, good-natured, independent self.

I have many people to thank for making this trip what it was. First is my friend Julie London, who was so welcoming to us back in London when we me at Electric and made sure that I got in touch with Berta when I went to Barcelona. Next, of course, is Berta and Josep, whose hospitality was amazing and made all the difference in the world. And last, Halton and Angela, for being great friends and travel partners, for being flexible, for being fun and for including me in your lives. I am blessed to be connected to all of you and I hope that connection lasts for ever.