Highlights of Geneva, however, were 1) watching the Geneva Marathon - which happened on the day we arrived (we landed seriously early), and 2) having a nice run in the rain along the beautiful lakeside a couple of days later. Food, as always, was great. And the people, as always, were friendly and accommodating (if not overly so).
Geneva Marathon near the 20km marker
The lake - shot from the top of the cathedral bell tower
After Geneva, I felt with my friend and business partner, Marisa, to Barcelona where we had rented a lovely little pied-a-terre near the Gothic Quarter. I had spent quite a bit of time in Spain when I was a kid, but in a more southerly region (near Gibraltar and Malaga). Everyone we spoke with prior to the trip had said Barcelona was one of their favorite cities. And after spending a few days looking at Gaudi buildings, parks and cathedrals, as well as getting intentionally lost in the Gothic Quarter on several occasions, spending time dining on wonderful vegan fare in beautiful plazas, drinking lovely wines a couple of times each day, and finally walking along one of the city's stunning beaches, it was difficult not to view Barcelona as one of the best places to hang out in Europe (if not in the world).
I speak Spanish fairly well. And my efforts were met with relatively good comprehension. And I usually got the gist of what was being said to me. But the main language spoken in Barcelona is a sort of hybridized Spanish and Catalan. It is usually understandable, but not always. A couple of times I simply turned into a deer in the headlights of a waiter or a person who was giving me directions. But a smile and a simple apology for lack of comprehension go a long way in smoothing over any international misunderstandings. And Barcelona's people do seem to have an understanding that their unique language, while beautiful, is not always fully intelligible to the mass of tourists who pour into the stunning city year-round.
Gaudi's Parc Gruell shot in panorama
Backside of La Sagrada Familia
I'll have more from Barcelona and Lisbon (the next city we visited on our itinerary) in a post shortly. For now I will simply conclude that travel, like running, is good for the body, mind, and spirit. It breaks down barriers and exposes the traveller, not simply to the culture, but instead to the humanity of those he/she encounters.
