Barcelona!

just a quick note to say that i *finally* went to barcelona today, and it was beautiful. wouldn't live there though (which i was seriously considering as an option.) not half as lively as i thought it'd be though... then again, it's a sunday in december so maybe i should wait for a weekday in spring. anyway, it's a cosmopolitan city that actually earns its title (unlike vancouver) and some parts are so grand you'd think you were in paris if you didn't know you were in spain. ;) i finally got to have the paella i've been dreaming about since paris & it was de-lish. it was gorgeous & we had an amazing day, but all that being said, the more i travel and awesome as it is... it's getting to be kind of a let-down. i sort of feel like solomon in ecclesiastes - everything is meaningless, there is nothing new under the sun. not really, as i think it's more the kinds of experiences i'm over & i need to shake it up a little, but - i am finding many experiences lacking without people i love around. and finally, an observation: french guys are really sweet. we went with a group and one lady brought her teenaged son, and we'd all keep tabs on each other so no one got lost... boy keeping tabs included. most north american guys i know are too hot shot, 'independant', or self-possessed to care, but it was so cute to see this teenaged kid look over his shoulder to make sure i was still following behind. it's a gentle responsibility that's ingrained. the same happend when we went to paris with the school & a boy behind me on the metro made sure i got out through the hoards at the right station. it's endearing & sweet. but... i wonder if they grow out of it as i haven't seen any grown men do the same... hmmm... ;-) anyway, time for bed. i just wanted to end on the little anicdote that as we were picking passengers up on the bus, one older lady who was waiting decided to mock the driver by whistling, making the hitch-hichers' sign, and pretending that she was showing some skin (calm down - leg - but thank goodness she was wearing pants ;)) and i nearly died of shock & laughter. man catalans are characters. ;-) aiight, g'night!