Our last bit of our trip was in Barcelona. We spent 3 days there and by this time in the trip we were getting tired of big cities in general. Looking back we could have done a lot more in Barcelona while we were there but we enjoyed relaxing and pampering our selves by the beach for the most part. We found out that we appreciate the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean more than we appreciate the Mediterranean's tiny waves. After we left San Sebastian we took a train over to Barcelona and wandered around the first day. Amanda's waterproof camera was having some water problems so it decided not to work for 2 days and then on our flight home it started to work again. Oh well we have the mental pictures right!?! We couldn't resist having Tapas which is Spanish appetizers (this is where Kyle tried Calamari for the first time, and liked it!). They had a main blvd that had tons of street performers so we walked up and down and watched the performers. They had the artists that would draw cartoon figures of their customers so that was entertaining to watch. We actually got ours done together on our last day and I guess we should have known he wasnt going to be so good when his sign said "Drawing in 5 mins." Kyles sorta looked like him but Amanda's looked nothing like her. Oh Well.
The first two days we walked around the city and did a lot of site seeing and spent the peek hours of the day at the beach. The beach here didnt have the waves like San Sabastian did and the water was polluted a lot worse than the clean water in San Sab. Throughout the trip we have found that at the worst times Amanda decides to be friendly with people. She would be too polite to walk away from someone if they wouldnt stop talking, where Kyle politely step away. this happened again in Barcelona with a guy that was staying at our hostel. He wanted to go to the "American soda" pub so we told him we would go with. After we showed up we found out it was just the name of the bar they actually dont have american soda but our new friend still ordered what turned out to be a 5 euro glass of small pepsi (7 us dollars) and preceded to tell us the longest story known to mankind about how he ended up in Europe. By the ended of it we had about an hour remaining in Barcelona before we had to start our travels to Frankfurt Germany so after spending in the pub we told him we would meet him back at the hostel and left to finish our gift shopping.
Our last night we walked to the beach which was about a 20 minute walk away and sat to watch the ocean for a bit and we did a lot of reminsing. Our trip was out of this world, one of those things that is hard to explain to someone who wasnt there. We fully recommend everyone reading this takes the time to go to Europe and see the other side of the world, you will come back with at least one new perspective.
We flew out of Barcelona on the third night late and flew to Frankfurt Hahn (located an hour and a half out of frankfurt germany), once we arrived to frankfurt hahn at midnight we took a bus to Frankfurt international that got us there at around 2am. We decided that there was no point in wasting 20 euro a piece to get a hostel for 7 hours so we slept on the airport floor. It really wasnt that bad, probably because we were so tired by that point. Our first flight was I think 10 hours long from Frankfurt to Chicago. Amanda was really excited to watch a movie in English without the dubed voices.....but she ended up sleeping through both. On our second flight from Chicago to Phoenix we got to see tons of Lightning storms on our way so that we interesting to see from above the storm.
We compiled this top ten list of things we accomplished in Europe:
10- Visited a Concentration Camp
9- Rode bikes around all of Europe (including the Aran Islands in Ireland)
8- Walked up the Eiffel tower
7- Walked to the very end of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
6- Saw the Queen of England on her B-day (and gave her a high five oh course)
5- Went to Nude Beach (or "natural beach) in Italy
4- Saw the Pope give mass
3- Canyoning
2- Hiked the Alps
1- Participated (some more than others....kyle!) in Running of the Bulls
Its been a few days since we have got back from Europe and we are still in shock that it is over. The culture shock was evident from the first few minutes we were in Chicago. In Europe tax is included in the price so when it says 3.30 thats what you pay, no added on tax at the register. So we go to Starbucks in the Chicago airport and Amanda orders a large which was an American LARGE and later Kyle decides to get his own. He goes up and orders a Frap for 4.7 and the guy says ok that will be 5.20. Kyle looks at the guy kinda upset and says 'the price says 4.7, can you explain to me why its 5.20?' the guy simply looks at Kyle and says Tax.....ha we both got a chuckle out of that one because neither of us thought of tax. Reality has set in the we are both broke and its time to put the pedal to the metal. Amanda now is looking for a job and Kyle is moving all his stuff back to Globe for an internship in his home town. We still havent adjusted all the way to the time change, it seemed way easier to switch over when we first arrived to Europe. Phoenix didnt seem to care we were back it has been 115 everyday since we have been back. We would love to further share our stories with anyone who is interested and would also love to offer help WHEN you decide to go on your own Eurotrip. We met dozens of new "facebook" and lifelong friends and now have connections all over the world, we couldnt be happier with how our 50 day trip turned out.
We hope this last blog reaches everyone safe and sound. Love you all!
Amanda & Kyle
Here are our pictures of Spain: (sorry no pictures of Barcelona)
Spain Pictures
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