Expectations

It's amazing how expectations shape our experiences and our enjoyment. I came to Barcelona 3 years ago for work and simply had an incredible time. The city was youthful and alive. There was a certain gritty, bohemian allure to it. It was edgy and fun and lacked the formality of cities like Paris or Rome. Working by day and tourist by night, it was amazing how much I packed into each day. 

Dali Museum

Sagrada Familgia, Museo Picasso, the Dali Museum, Gaudi's houses and an unforgetable Barcelona F.C. game in which Ronaldinho scored two goals in a victory for the homeside. And who could forget sitting or standing at Tapas bars every night until the late hours enjoying all those delicious offerings and good spanish wine. I recall coming away thinking this is a city I have to come back to. I've been singing Barcelona's praises ever since and we purposely planned our current visit here during the kids school break so as not to feel rushed if we wanted to stay an extra day or two. Unlike our trip to London for which we had no expectations, we were ready to be wowed by Barca. We even invited my cousin from Rome, Sal Rocco (imagine that.... another one!) and his family, to join us. 

Entertainment on Las Ramblas

Three days in to our five days here and so far it's been underwhelming and I can't understand why other than to blame it on overblown and unrealistic expectations. Perhaps the law of diminishing returns for me and overly inflated expectations I established for Nancy? Las Ramblas remains as crazy and entertaining as it was three years ago with all its human statutes and buskers and Sagrada Famiglia and other Gaudi attractions an intriguing commentary into the soul of a brilliant artist. And yet somehow Barca hasn't measured up to our inflated expectations notwithstanding the beauty and richness of this wonderful city. 

As my fingers hammer out these thoughts, it occurs to me that I should enjoy the simplicity of the setting instead of trying to figure out whether Barca measures up. Our apartment with, it's Romeo and Julliet balcony, overlooks Placeta del Pi, a very small and beautifully illuminated square where I sit and enjoy a glass of Temparillo. Placeta del Pi's charm is in it's simplicity - that, combined with the many musicians who stop to play and sing for the 75 or so people sitting and enjoying a late day cocktail. 

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia

At its center adorning the square sits a platanu tree, its speckled bark creating a beautiful mosaic. The sound of Iglesia del Pi's church bells strike 7 and as I finish the last drops of my wine to rush off and get ready for dinner I realize that I shouldn't be so quick to draw any conclusions on Barca! There is much to see and do over the coming days, highlighted by tomorrow night's game (10 pm kick-off - ouch!) in which Messi and many of his world cup Spanish mates take on Sevilla. With a pair of tickets in hand, Simona and I should be in for a real treat with 100K or so of our closest Barca friends. 


I can already hear the crowd.....   Barca clap, clap, clap, Barca clap, clap, clap..... 



Sal