Counting down

Okay so I have two weeks left before I leave for my Spain trip. This will be my second solo trip and so the butterflies of anxiety about going alone are not as bad as the first trip, but they are still there. Normally I plan and plan my trips about a year in advance but there were some unexpected circumstances that came along this summer which caused me to deviate from my "game plan". Originally I was going to try to learn the language and get just a basic understanding of commonly used words in the local language three months prior to my trip. What I didn't plan on was getting a promotion at work in May and spending most of my summer and part of the fall training for my new position, or as soon as I got trained in that new position that I would end up training someone else who may replace my old spot. So much time and effort went into work and the situations arising from the changes this summer that the only thing I could plan for my trip besides the plane ticket was booking my hotels in Barcelona and Valencia. Fortunately I have worked with a fantastic travel agent for a few years and she was able to assist me. At least I have a place to stay and the main two transportation's taken care of (I will be flying from Barcelona to Valencia and back, so this means another plane ticket besides just the cross country/Atlantic one).

So what do I have planned so far you may ask? Well I have my plane tickets going to Barcelona from San Francisco, my hotel in Barcelona and Valencia reserved and my plane tickets going to and from Barcelona to Valencia. I know where to go to get my Barcelona Card (this wonderful card that will help me maneuver the transportation system which includes bus and metro fare) and how to best utilize my two days in Barcelona so that I can get an overview of the city (using the Bus Turistic) before leaving for Valencia and the most important thing (for me as a foodie anyways=) where I will eat dinner my first night there and where the nearest chocolate cafe is. I found out that this one restaurant I went to in Paris, Le Relaise Entrecote, has a branch in Barcelona not too far from my hotel (not too far being about 3 miles away which is about 45-60 min. walk for me, typical when I travel to Europe I find) and about two blocks away is a popluar Chocolate cafe. As for the languange thing, well I bougth the Rick Steve's Spanish Phrase book which fits nicely into a small purse or a jacket pocket and a small journal to draw pictures in if necessary.

I found this video on youtube which gives a picture highlight of Barcelona along with some Spanish music.

Trip planning resources

I've been looking around for hotels to stay in Barcelona and Valencia. The resource I most often go to on the web is www.tripadvisor.com I love the fact that real people write the reviews, give advice in their forum, make lists of things to do, etc. I myself have made contributions to that site. But I'm still undecided on where to stay. I definitely want a place that has wi-fi capabilities since I will be bringing my laptop along and it should be near available transportation. So many wonderful places to choose but my budget will decide.

Then I looked at the map and saw how close Barcelona was to the border of France. I have a friend who lives in Perpignan and I just found out it is about 2 1/2 hours away from Barcelona. Now another choice must be added to the list. Should I dare risk driving the roadway of Spain and head up to Perpignan. I would love to visit and see her again. Plus a chance to visit the South of France. However I am a bit apprehensive of driving in a foreign country. The good news is that in Spain they drive on the same side as we do here in the States. But to drive alone by myself with a GPS system is a scary task and yet I do thrive on the challenge it presents to me.

Another choice on my plate is how to get to Valencia from Barcelona. Should I go via train, bus or fly. Then I saw that you can take a ferry from Barcelona to Majorca and then from Majorca to Valencia. Oh the many choices that travel affords you!

New year, new plans

I love the thought of a whole new year. The days stretched out before you with possibilities and pages in the book of your life still unwritten. Each year in our family it is a tradition to pick a verse to claim for the new year. We also write up goals that we want to accomplish in the upcoming year instead of New Year's resolutions. So this year one of my goals was to get another stamp on my passport from a country I have never visited before. OF course that began the craziness of picking where I want to go. Isn't it wonderful that the world is so small all you need is to jump on a plane and you'll soon be in another country? It isn't like back in the days of yore when you would have to take practically everything you own on a journey just across the States. Now all it takes is 5 hours on a plane and you can go from the West Coast to the East Coast.

So which country have I chosen for my next adventure you make ask? I actually chose two countries this time. I plan to go to Lisbon, Portugal and then head off to Barcelona and Valencia, Spain sometime this Fall/Winter. Who will go with me you may ask next? Well it will be me, myself and I. Oh! And Sebastien, my ever faithful traveling companion that can easily squish into a suitcase or backpack. =) IF any of my other friends would like to join me they can. Why there? Perhaps that is your next question. After seeing "Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown" and her eating this wonderful custard pastry dish. I knew Portugal was one of the places I must visit! Then on another travel channel show they were showing Europe's Largest Aquarium and how the aquarium go the fishes from all over the world. They had these two white beluga whales that they transported across the Atlantic Ocean and I knew that I wanted to visit this place. Europe's Largest Aquarium is located in Valencia, Spain. I did a little bit more research and found out that the Spanish dish "paella" originated in the same region. So how could I resist the lure of food and fish all in the same place? I could not! And as for Barcelona...well what is there not to want to go there? The city is lively, full of art, architecture, food and history. Between the Gaudi work's of art and a great tapas scene, there is so much to be discovered in this Spanish Metropolis.

So now that I have chosen the next destination for my world travels, it is time to get down to work. Going on a trip for me means plenty of paper footwork, research and learning. Not only do I have to study the history and culture of the place, but I want to learn the language. At least enough of the language to get by on my own and manage to keep safe, so I must get some books and CD's on how to speak Portuguese and Spanish.