With J working 4 days per week, I've been mentally and logistically preparing myself for exploring the cities on my own. I'll admit that over the years I've been with J I've become more and more dependent on him in every way possible. But, somewhere inside me, I know (and he constantly reminds me) that I am actually really independent and self-sufficient. I just need warning and time to mentally prepare and I'm good to go.
Barcelona is my first test.After waking up today, J worked a little while I did some laundry and surfed the internet for U.S. election news (Yay, Obama!!). Around 1:45 PM, we left to eat lunch at a local restaurant. By 3:00 PM, we had finished lunch and I set out on my own to Placa de Espanya while J headed back home to work. For the next 4 hours I walked around that area, took pictures outside the National Museum of Art and navigated my way to the Archaeological Museum of Catalunya where I negotiated a student entrance fee of 2,10 Euros in Spanish! The little Collins Gem Spanish Phrase Book is awesome. On the way home, I managed to buy a loaf of bread from a bakery. Again, the Spanish came out, but this time I remembered the word for bread (pan) from all the Menu del Dia we've had so far.
As for the evening, I have my blog to keep me busy. And, I have Star Craft, the Sims, SimCity, ZooTycoon, and the SlingBox installed on my computer to entertain me.All in all, I had a great day on my own! =)
Current Location: Barcelona, Spain
Traveling and eating are my two favorite interests. But, how do you do both for 8 months without breaking the bank? Here's our strategy for our 3-week stay in Barcelona:
Based on information we've gathered online and from Rick Steve's Europe Though the Backdoor , J and I decided to limit our eating-out to lunch only with 2-3 exceptions for dinner. For the most part, we will be ordering off the Menu del Dia (or, Menu of the Day) which costs anywhere from 8 to 10 Euros (approximately 1 USD to 1.5 Euros). This meal typically includes bread, a starter, an entree, dessert and a drink. There are usually 3-4 choices for the 1st two courses and 3-5 choices for dessert. Your choice of drinks includes bottled mineral water, a glass of house wine or soft drink. We've tried three Menu del Dia already and let me tell you, the portions are generous . What a deal! It's like Dine Around Seattle everyday, but cheaper!
Other than Menu del Dia, J and I are going to be switching amongst some seemingly popular local lunch alternatives, such as hot sandwiches, pizza and combination platters. As for dinner, I've been making really simple things such as rice porridge with chicken, chicken curry on rice and today's menu consists of fresh bread from the bakery, chorizo and gouda from the supermarket (I have yet to work up the courage to buy from a Xarcuteria). Other than lettuce for fresh salads, there seems to be a general lack of green vegetables. So, I am supplementing our meals with fresh fruit from the open air markets.
3 days into our stay in Barcelona, our plan seems to be holding up quite nicely. Let's see if it sticks.
After 2.5 days of hounding the company who rented us this apartment, we still have no internet access of our own. Yesterday's response was "Tomorrow! Tomorrow!" Today's response is "Today! Today!" But, it's 4:30 PM and there's no word.
J calling the manager: One of the main reasons we booked this apartment is because you said there was internet available. I need internet access today.
Him: I have many needs, too.
J: But, I already paid you for it!
grrrrrrr... Is this the "laid back" Spanish lifestyle that everyone talks about? J is trying to do as much as he can offline and occasionally leeching a neighbor's WiFi to send emails. The signal is very week and we get booted periodically. I seems like I can only send text emails. So, no pictures for now.
It'll be a bummer if we miss JL's Election Night!!
We're here!
Our first impression of the city
- Barcelona looks like Taiwan
- It seems safer at night than during the afternoon!
- Couples are a lot more affectionate in public - both heterosexual and homosexual ones
- The apartment does not look as nice as it's depicted on the website and WTF, no internet??? (to be fixed soon)
- On that note: very impressed that everyone has secured WiFi (save one, which we're leaching from right now)
- Holy crap! There's a Dunkin Donuts!
- Thank goodness we got a SlingBox because there are no English channels on TV
- It seems safer at night than during the afternoon!
- Couples are a lot more affectionate in public - both heterosexual and homosexual ones
- The apartment does not look as nice as it's depicted on the website and WTF, no internet??? (to be fixed soon)
- On that note: very impressed that everyone has secured WiFi (save one, which we're leaching from right now)
- Holy crap! There's a Dunkin Donuts!
- Thank goodness we got a SlingBox because there are no English channels on TV
Current Location: Barcelona, Spain
Yep, that's right folks. I'm pretty sure I've been suffering from food poisoning the past two days. What a way to spend your last few days at home! On the bright side, we're completely prepared for this situation. We have 2 types of prescription antibiotics, immodium, and lemon-lime gatorade powder to combat stomach bugs. However, I haven't used any of it thinking that I should save it for the more potent stuff that we will be facing in the next 8 months.
Gatorade Grape tastes like Bubblicious gum.
Current Location: Kirkland, WA
This tree has scratched our arms while we were moving into our home and scratched the side of our cars as we were pulling into the garage. During the winter it's a jungle of bare branches. During the summer it looks like one of those dogs that look like a mop and the leaves are a weird dark purple/brown brown color.
Despite everything, I think it's worth it...
As our departure date draws closer I am beginning to feel more and more homesick - even though I have not yet left. No doubt, I will miss my friends and family. However, I am only beginning to realize how much I will be missing the comforts of home. Here are just a few pictures of the things I will miss the most.
1. My beloved kitchen... how I will miss the rice cooker. I can already imagine the mess I'm going to make as I learn how to cook rice on the stove top.
2. My plush top king-sized mattress... aaaahhhhhh.....
3. My stuffed animals that I will not give to even my own children...
4. My wedding and engagement rings.... tucked away safely at the bank.. replaced with a $8.99 (tax included) sterling silver band
5. My snowboard and boots.... if I ski at all this season it will be on rentals in the Alps (I can't complain too much about this one)
6. My car... may we have a mild Boston winter....
7. My comfy couch... on which I have watched many HD shows
8. ... on my TV...
Thanks to all who came! =)
Highlights:
1. Great conversation and company
2. 40 pairs of shoes in the foyer
3. 1 bottle of Patron Silver
4. Taiwan Beer tasting
I'm glad we decided to come back to Seattle at the end of our trip. It has taken us 5 years to build a life for ourselves here, but now, we truly consider Seattle our Home.
Current Location: Kirkland, WA
Canlis Restaurant
2576 Aurora Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109When you call Canlis to make a reservation their automated greeting sets the tone for your dinner to come - "At Canlis you can never be overdressed." I will not comment on the non-food related experience because everything is as you would expect in a restaurant of this caliber. However, I will briefly express my amusement in their 'invisible valet' system where they just know who you are, which car is yours and when you're done with dinner so that they have your car ready for you as you exit the restaurant. We decided to skip the pre-fix menu and order off their regular menu (Picture 1). J and I got completely different things and swapped our dishes halfway into each course to get a tasting of all the food. This behavior is probably frowned upon at Canlis, but.. oh well...
Number in () represents my ranking of the dishes with "1" being my favorite.
My Dinner Sequence
1. Mango, Prawn & Advocado Salad (6)
2. Duck Confit & Plum Salad (2) - You can't go wrong with duck cooked in duck fat. It was the first time I've had plums in my salad and it was great. I ordered this dish because I really wanted a green salad with gorgonzola. Ironically, the gorgonzola was the only part of the salad that I didn't like because I felt it overpowered the other ingredients. (Picture 2)
3. All-Natural Prime New York Steak medium (1) - Surprisingly, this was my favorite of the night. I normally don't order steak at a restaurant, because I really enjoy the $8.99/lb NY sirloin from Costco which I just slap on the grill. But, I was craving meat. So, I ordered the steak and boy, am I glad I did! I definitely can't make this at home.
J's Dinner Sequence
1. Canlis Chowder (4) - I told J that this chowder tasted like the creamy soups that they would serve in a westernized steak house in Taiwan. He thought the comment would be insulting to the chef at Canlis, but I have always liked those creamy soups. *shrug*
2. Steak Tartare (8) - This was definitely the biggest disappointment of the night for me. I thought it tasted pretty bland.
3. Muscovy Duck (5)
To Share
Truffle Fries (7) - Sadly, the truffle taste and smell eluded me. Even so, this side dish still ranked higher than that tartare which was 3 times the price.
Grand Marnier Souffle (3) - This is probably the best souffle I've ever had, which may not say much because I've only had it maybe two other times. A little too much alcohol perhaps, but it was so soft and yummy. I swear it rose almost 2 inches off the dish! If my mom is reading this post, I know she's jealous. (Picture 3)
J and I were a little apprehensive about our dinner since we usually don't.. let me re-phrase... since we never go to fancy restaurants that enforce a dress code. But, we had a great time and the food was fantastic. This was definitely a great seagway into what will hopefully be a couple of Michelin star experiences during our upcoming trip. Thank you, IL, for this wonderful gift! =)
