Salutations from Catalonia!
So in between my transit from Frankfurt to Paris I made a last minute decision to have a stop over in Barcelona to visit my dog. For years my family has raised and trained labradors to be seeing eye dogs for blind people, and as a consequence these dogs can land all around the world. Phineas, our dog in Barcelona, has been living with a blind man named Xavier for about 3 years now, and they have been doing very well together. Phineas was our “best” dog, having a very calm disposition but still active and playful. It was very rewarding to see him working, as I put a lot of time and effort into raising him. The fruits of your labor aren’t often realized right after you work so it was encouraging to say the least.
I stayed with Phineas’s family Xavi and Anna and their two children Paula and Meritxell. They are some of the nicest people you could ever meet, showing me all around Barcelona, feeding me, and giving me that local experience that far surpasses one of a typical tourist. The Paella, Tapas, and Spanish Omelets were all delicious, coming from “off the beaten path” establishments that I otherwise would have passed up.
Both Xavi and Anna took time to take me all around Barcelona, showing off their beautiful city. Camp Nou was spectacular (only surpassed by the shoe of course), and the Gothic neighborhoods at twilight took your breath away. Narrow streets and twinkling streetlights call for you to wander all through the night.
But on my way to Paris now!
Fell like I am traveling with you Brian. Have never been to Barcelona but now feel I must get there some day. Have fun