Mr. Nobody thinks of Barcelona

A friend just asked if i had any recommendations on Barcelona, where the lucky girl is heading in late spring, which is most likely the best time to visit. I spent just over a week in Barcelona about six years ago and, apart from a complete fiasco with the accommodations (booked online, private apartment, view of the beach: seedy hood, cockroaches, dirty sheets and towels, bed made out of a slab of concrete) loved the city.

Especially loved the fact that it never sleeps and feels infinitely alive.

Here are some of the recommendations i gave her, in case somebody else is looking.

Barri Gotic is the best place to stay. Gotic is amazing because it is the oldest part, you can wander it for hours and get completely lost and then hopefully find yourself again. It's also very convenient to everything.




















Most memorable things we did:

• Parc Guell (Gaudi, but outside and oh so worth it, great view)
• Sagrada Familia ... because you have to. It's quite amazing once you're up close.
• A very seedy bar absinthe in El Raval (loved El Raval at night, scary a bit, but in the best way)
• Fundacio Tapies (a very small museum...made me cry...i have never seen Tapies works in person and i never cry when i see art...so there)
• Sex Museum...because it's open late and it's fun.
• Churros and chocolate (the dipping sort) at Cafe De L'Opera...at 2 am. Just the atmosphere of this place: http://www.cafeoperabcn.com/  
• Barcelonetta (during the day, the beach)
• Casa Batlo or Casa Mila (pick one)
• The big market on Las Ramblas

In general, we just wandered a lot. We sat in plazas and drank sangria and observed the human circus. At all hours.

We spent a day in Valencia (which is a 3 hour train ride i think) and loved it a lot more than we expected. Especially if you're into Paella.

Food-wise, in Barcelona, i can't give you names because we just wandered and ate where it looked good. We ate mostly tapas. There is a part of the day, our dinner, when not much is open, but tapas are :) And they are delicious. Read up on tapas before you go. There is an etiquette to it that we weren't aware of. There are cold tapas on the counter that you can just get a plate and take, but there are also hot tapas which are more hidden somehow, and you have to find them and ask for them :)

There, quick and dirty. Ask away if you're going.

Signing off to do dishes and dream of Barcelona.

Mr. Nobody makes his appearance

My son is taken to saying that "Mr. Nobody" did this or that, especially when he's not ready to take the blame or credit for said action.

I feel like quietly, i too want to have a Mr. Nobody.

And so it begins. This blog. And pursuing my dreams...as Mr. Nobody. Hopefully on my way to become a Mr. Somebody.

I have many dreams and i will try to blog about each of them.

Some of them:

• Finish my novel, get my short stories published
• Lose weight acquired through multiple moves and a pregnancy
• Be a better friend
• Live in England, even for a little bit
• Meet Neil Gaiman (we're talking dreams, right?)
• Read every book that I've bought in the past year
• Become Mr. Somebody