Day 2
Our Loggia
Slept till 11:00, then all took our time getting up. We all fended for ourselves for breakfast. Kristen did not approve of the ultra-pasteurized milk (unrefrigerated); tastes fine in coffee.
As we got ready, several groups from the hotel walked down to our house for the view. Jordi also stopped by with a basket of fresh veggies fro their garden. Tomatoes, onions, lettuce, zucchini and a pepper! Very nice, and it was fun to go to the second floor window in response to his whistle and say “Buenos Dias, gracias”. (Almost all my Spanish.)
As we got ready, several groups from the hotel walked down to our house for the view. Jordi also stopped by with a basket of fresh veggies fro their garden. Tomatoes, onions, lettuce, zucchini and a pepper! Very nice, and it was fun to go to the second floor window in response to his whistle and say “Buenos Dias, gracias”. (Almost all my Spanish.)
Didn’t leave the house till after 1:00. Took the drive in “Thomas Cook Driving Guide to Catalonia” for central Catalonia. It was a nice if unspectacular drive through Cardona, Salsona, Sant Llorenc de Morunys and Berga. Went through several tunnels, which were new and exciting for Kristen. Passed by a green water reservoir and drove over its dam.
Spanish towns do not seem as welcoming as French towns. They don’t make you want to stop the car and get out. Maybe it’s the mix of old houses and Franco / Socialist crap that seems to be in every town. We’ll have to see as the week goes on.
Also, the people stare, which I now remember reading about in a guidebook. Makes you a little paranoid.
Came home about 4:30 and made lunch – scrambled eggs, ratatouille, from the local veggies, and cheese. Jill took a walk while Dad and Kristen explored the house. Listened to music on TV channel 8 (mostly western pop), played backgammon, then dinner at 9 in the “good good” restaurant for about $60 (I don’t know, I never saw a bill).
I had a duck / mushroom / pine nut cannoli-type thing, Jill gazpacho. Kristen had a cheese / meat cannoli plate that mom mostly ate. Jill didn’t like the vinegary gazpacho; I did. Main course – Jill smoked duck breast, (too smoky for Jill) and fish from the Mediterranean for Dave.
Magda the waitress, with assistance from another waiter, translated every menu choice for us. Jordi stopped by to try to tell us we could ask his wife Nuria if we want any toys for Kristen. Poor guy feels bad because he doesn’t speak any English. We should feel bad because we don’t speak Catalan!
Dessert of some kind of ginger / veggie / cake type thing (Dave – good) and chocolate ice cream (Kristen). Foolishly followed by tea and coffee that kept us up till 1 a.m.
Day 3 >>>
Spanish towns do not seem as welcoming as French towns. They don’t make you want to stop the car and get out. Maybe it’s the mix of old houses and Franco / Socialist crap that seems to be in every town. We’ll have to see as the week goes on.
Also, the people stare, which I now remember reading about in a guidebook. Makes you a little paranoid.
Came home about 4:30 and made lunch – scrambled eggs, ratatouille, from the local veggies, and cheese. Jill took a walk while Dad and Kristen explored the house. Listened to music on TV channel 8 (mostly western pop), played backgammon, then dinner at 9 in the “good good” restaurant for about $60 (I don’t know, I never saw a bill).
I had a duck / mushroom / pine nut cannoli-type thing, Jill gazpacho. Kristen had a cheese / meat cannoli plate that mom mostly ate. Jill didn’t like the vinegary gazpacho; I did. Main course – Jill smoked duck breast, (too smoky for Jill) and fish from the Mediterranean for Dave.
Magda the waitress, with assistance from another waiter, translated every menu choice for us. Jordi stopped by to try to tell us we could ask his wife Nuria if we want any toys for Kristen. Poor guy feels bad because he doesn’t speak any English. We should feel bad because we don’t speak Catalan!
Dessert of some kind of ginger / veggie / cake type thing (Dave – good) and chocolate ice cream (Kristen). Foolishly followed by tea and coffee that kept us up till 1 a.m.
Day 3 >>>