Espana

I last left you at plus 35 degrees in a free hotspot in a starbucks in Potsdamarplatz in Berlin. So much has happened since then. I am back in Vancouver ready to hit the ground running although I wish I was on a beach in Barcelona. Anyways I will fill you in on the story from Germany to Netherlands to Spain and finally home via UK.

No alcohol served after 1... But drugs are still Available - Amsterdam, Netherlands

How can a society close its bars at 1 am yet sell pot in coffee shops located across the city. Amsterdam is a place to see, a place to experience... a place I probably would not see again but at least I have seen it once. A society where morality is turned upside down. Where smoking up and being high is a normal state of mind. Where women parade behind glass windows for people to gawk at and arrange a quickie ranging from 50 euros up to 300. Amsterdam itself is beautiful.

Most of Amsterdam has various canals that you can go to one part of the city to another via canal, walking, biking or even by tram. As I mentioned before walking and bike riding is a norm in Europe and cars are usually second or third choices. We were only in Amsterdam a couple days but we got a taste of the city.

Heineken brewery Experience.

If you like beer then you must like Amsterdam’s finest brew. Heineken brewery tour allows you to taste the beer, and find out how it is made. We sat in a movie where is should us the life of a beer bottle from production to consumption. Beer is big business and a big part of Amsterdam.

Coffee shop

$5 euros or $8 dollars cnd. Choices are a pre rolled join with 100% hash, 100% marijuana or 50 50. Or you can have special cakes called space cakes or muffins. That should get you high for a cheap amount. Alternatively you can hit the bar

170 proof absinthe

Vincent Van Gogh cut off his ear because he was intoxicated on Absinthe. Absinthe for many years was banned and now it is allowed at select locations. It taste like sambooka but with every sip, you get closer and closer to the edge. Two cubes of sugar on a silver spoon a bit of alcohol, and you get to see the flames consume the sugar to a caramelized state. Add the absinthe, add a tad of water, you have the once banned drink. Prost as they say in German. Don’t know the Dutch terminology for cheers. A start of a very interesting night.

XXX district

The famous red light district is located by Dam square. Across the bridge you see the famous red light district. We never got a chance to do “day in working girl” tour but many tourist of varied ages flock to the district. Mostly it’s an intrigue of the lifestyle of a legalized prostitution. Just like real estate the hotter girls take the good locations and the not so hot ones occupy the back or the less visited areas. I could not imagine the diseases this area is infested with. Anyways a sight to see regardless.

Sex Museum

Of course a must see is the sex museum. I was not impressed as really it is just a collection of old 1800’s porn collection. Pretty much a waste of time.

Espana

We jumped on a night flight and we were off to the highlight of the trip. Spain

Seville

We got to Seville late at night, after listening to some angry Europeans screaming at the front desk, poor Spanish girl. She had to listen to this for 20 minutes, only leaving us waiting at 1 am for our turn for a reservation. Common sense, book a room get a confirmation number. Book an extra room get another number. No number no guarantee. So frustrating… Waking up we got our rental car from Eurocar Rentals. Driving to Seville a new city a new road network no clue on where we are going. A friend of ours Shai had lived there so luckily she gave a quick ternary of things to see. The highlight of Seville was the Cathedral. The tower overlooked 30 floors up and overlooking the city once a host for an expo. The cathedral was enormous. The apparent tomb of Christopher Columbus lies there. With some Islamic influence the cathedral has some domes but mostly old European architecture. Breathtaking at the space and size. Next stop Granada.

Granada.

Located a couple hours away on a major highway where going 140 was considered slow. There was a sigh that had a snail causing a couple cars to get in an accident. Basically it was telling us not to be a snail or you will cause an accident. Arriving in Granada we experience severe road rage and frustration. Who know roads good have 4 names or that once you were on a road you would have to wait 20 minutes to turn left or do a uturn. The traffic in the city was crazy. The city itself was nice. Once we found our hotel we got a bite to eat at a taps bar where you get a pitcher of sangria and 4 taps for 7 euros. What a deal. Stocking up on some groceries from the Korean store. Well snacks for the road at least and some water. Being 35 degrees plus was causing dehydration and us appreciating the air conditioner in the car. The next morning we went to the purpose of my euro trip. Al Hambra is an important Muslim symbol of over 300 years. The only Muslim structure still standing from the fall of Muslim rule of Spain. The area is located on the mountain overlooking Granada. Once an area to protect the palace by spotting intruders. The area is the size of 4 blocks I would say. One are is the general garden a serene place where nature takes centre stage. One are was the military base where the tower protected the area.

The third area was the gated walls which featured the most important area. The royal palace. The architecture is a foundation for much modern Islamic art. The jamat khane in Lisbon is made after the Al Habra. Many artists, archictures and historic buffs see the Al hambra as a very important piece of history, culture and foundation for art. Spending the 3 hours the experience takes you back to the medieval type city and the calm of the nature and extravagance of honey combed domes, geometric shapes and domes. The gardens are impressive. Hard to explain but the experience was well worth the journey. Tick that off the list of things to see in my lifetime.

Road to Barcelona

From Granada we went through Valencia for a night. We arrived in Castelldefells located half an hour from Barcelona near the beach. The drive was beautiful located near the Mediterranean. To get to this little city we needed to drive in the hills where we were on the edge of a cliff seeing views only you can dream about. This made the whistler drive seem average. Of course this drive was also taking pace at speeds that should not be allowed...

Barcelona – Las Rambas

I love Barcelona you can stroll down Las Rambas street after getting of the train. Here the city is alive with markets, fish, fruit, clothes, everything on one street . You keep walking and you arrive at the waterfront and the large beaches. I only wish I had more time to hang out there. longer.

Gaudi

If you are an architect you would know of his work. In Barcelona there is a famous church were you Gaudi using a special type of archeture has made a temple which is ginormous, breathtaking, and an icon. This impressive piece of art symbolizes Barcelona.

Revisit needed

So much to See in Spain, I need to go to a football game, need to see a bull fight, need to enjoy the beach, need to learn the beautiful language and drink more of the wonderful café I need to go back… soon. This trip gave me just a taste and a define place to revisit soon I hope

Lessons learned in Spain

· If you going to go out in the town, leave your passport at the hotel. pickpocketers everywhere
· What speed limit, cops do not care about how fast you are going
· The emergency light is set and a symbol that a hear brake has jut been made
· Booze is super cheap in the supermarket in Spain
· Learn Spanish, ordering food is very difficult otherwise. Pollo means chicken..
· Women in Spain are breathtaking….learn the language
· Street names are difficult to find, and oh ya every block a new name of the street
· Learn the roundabout rules, yield to cars on the left, free for all sometimes
· Do not use the tolls, 14 euros for 100 km.. ouch, get a Michelin map and use the alternative roads which are not that bad and you get to see some interesting towns along the way
· Hungry, don’t bother looking for beef jerky… just go to the trucker stop for a gourmet meal, they will give you bread and charge you extra, they will charge you more to sit at a table rather then the ledge of the bar… just be careful as cost add up
· Gas is expensive…
· Rent a car, taxis are a rip off, and with a car you get freedom as long as you don’t mind learning the nuances of the road and people
· Turn up the salsa mix of Cold Play… great song
· On Las Rambas do not get the first juice you see, go around the corner and the juice is suddenly not 2.5 euros but only 1 euro, great drinks


I am sure I missed lots of great memories but again that’s what pictures are for. After Spain I stayed one night in London before heading to Canada for another wedding in Calgary. Also got a chance to catch up with friends, hike up a trail near Banff. I am kind of sad as this will probably be the last trip for a while. Until next time happy traveling and Ciao…