Goodbye USA, Hello World

So, after lots great sights + adventures, many fond farewells and the final flurry of sorting through things and paring down to a backpack, we find ourselves in Spain. It´s taken us a few days just to get caught up on sleep again, but we´re finally getting into our groove AND we´ve had a bit of time to reflect on how truly wonderful our time in the States has been + all the wonderful friends and family we´re leaving behind. I´d be lying if I said there haven´t been any tears shed, but the love and encouragement we´ve received alongside has eased any uncertainties about taking such a big step. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who´s been a part of the big sendoff!

So far, Barcelona is as wonderful as I´ve remembered and I´m enjoying seeing it through Darin´s virgin eyes as well. Things have changed a bit since ´98 - The city feels more prosperous, work has moved full speed ahead on Gaudi´s Sagrada Familia + the Euro is in (so it´s about 2x more expensive). We´ve been stretching our legs getting out into areas around the Barri Gotic (where we´re staying) and trying to get off the tourist path, but we´ve seen some of the prime attractions too - The Rambla, Casa Mila, Casa Battlo, Teatro de la Musica Catalana, Parc Guell + Sagrada Familia (which I´ll expound on later). The food situation hasn´t been horrible for us veggies either, despite the fact that Spain IS carniverous. We´ve had decent bread, FANTASTIC olives, good veggie tapas, tortilla espanola (potato + egg fritata), falafels, a variety of beans, fruit, great coffee and lots of good, cheap vino blanco + vino tinto that doesn´t break the bank at around $3-$6 for a totally drinkable bottle. If you haven´t been here yet, put it on your list of places to visit sooner than later.