Wine~n~Trip

Arriving in Barcelona’s airport felt familiar, like being in Vegas, only without the haze of smoke. All the signs included English translations and the information desk was helpful with directions on which bus to take to my hotel. Just be sure to have your own map of the city, since the tourist map’s street names are a bit sketchy.

After being in Saint Emilion for a week, Barcelona’s Cataluyna Plaza and Rambla felt overwhelming. Hot and sweaty from lugging around my backpack, I finally navigated to the Hotel Constanza. With an “HC” etched on the glass entrance, I thought I was at the wrong place due to the sleek, modern interior. Simply put, it looked too fancy for me. Yet, with Mark Knopfler’s “Philadelphia” playing in the background, I was checked in without any problems.

I was instantly thrilled with my room with its black, white and red decor, and modern glass and metal fixtures in the bathroom. Upon seeing the glass partition in the shower, I jumped up and down in joy. No more sit, squat in a bathtub trying not to flood the floor!

Just one problem: I couldn’t make the lights work. Finally I figured out the system. There’s a slot just inside the door where you insert your keycard and voila, on come the lights!

Today I’m trudging off to Tarragona on my pilgrimage to the Priorat in search of more great wine.