Holiday summary from Barcelona airport
A phone-produced free-ramble as my holiday draws to an end.
The ‘day’ began at 2:45 am local time - a quick shower and hour in the car, driven by my lovely host @sulayr, to Seville airport. The good thing about travelling at unsociable hours is the lack of traffic, and the only obstacles were a diversion, a rabbit, and a mouse. All three were successfully navigated, but I don’t fancy the chances of the rabbit - popular in paella dishes on the east coast of Spain....
Two weeks has gone super fast, which I guess is a good sign as it shows that we have been keeping ourselves busy visiting places, playing sports, and occasionally hiding under an umbrella at the beach. It can be quite windy on the south coast of Spain and I did have to chase our sombrilla on one occasion. My spanish isn’t great and so I had no words to warn people as it tumbled across the sands faster than I could run - the guy who finally caught it didn’t seem too pissed off and lo siento senor was all I had to offer 😳
Padel, described accurately as a cross between tennis and squash by one Hive member, was my favourite activity of the holiday and we played multiple times at various clubs. It’s the first time I’ve given it a go but thought I’d at least be better than awful - I’ll let @sulayr comment on how this absolute beginner fared. We played yesterday evening and the temperature was 30 something 🥵 - my Amazfit watch with some stats:
I drank 2 litres of water In total during and just after the game, and still ended up with a mild dehydration headache. Nothing to do with being gamed and sent around the court before the impossible to return smash came in 🤬
One night we visited a bar in Cadiz with a pool table. Despite the surface not being flat and playing like an ice rink, I still managed to show off the results of a misspent youth and make up for the Padel lessons. Two euros a game though on a pretty crap table is not cool - you can still play for 50 cents in the UK!
There was also time for some live music during my trip and we attended a socially distant concert in which Fuel Fandango performed. We were led to our table by a masked security guard and were allowed to remove masks whilst in close proximity to this location - taking a leak or going to get a drink required the mask again. Fair play to the organisers though as it was not as bad as it sounds, just a bit surreal.
I packed a frisbee (purchased in Valencia) for the trip, and also hired a bike for the week. Surprisingly, playing frisbee turned out to be a decent calorie burner, for me more than @sulayr - make of that what you will 😛 The hired bike was I think the last available bike for hire in the whole of Spain. The seat had suspension making it easily the best part - I am not a fan of small tires, narrow handle bars, and rubber brakes. On the outward journey I earned 3/4 times as many PAI as @sulayr who very surprised with this data - but less surprised after I suggested I ride her fancy mountain bike on the way home 😀
El Puerto de Santa Maria, the location of my stay, reminded of Cala Millor - where my mum lives on the east coast of Mallorca. At this time of year, the Spanish flock to the coast here, along with the guys selling fake Adidas trainers, and the folks wanting money from people taking a glance at the sand towers they have created. It’s impressive to see the speed in which these traders (who aren’t paying the market stall tax) pack up their wares when a police car shows up. The trick is to use a large cloth as the stall so the shop can shut in the time it takes to grab the 4 corners, spin the material, and run!
I like the place, but I’m easily pleased when there are sporting activities, some sunshine, and a beach. I’m told it’s best to visit in the spring and autumn, and so a return could be on the cards before the year is out, Covid-19 permitting.
And speaking of the virus, I’ll end this ramble with a few observations of what it’s like travelling in Europe by plane at present. A mask If you are walking, but not if you are smoking. No mask if you are eating, but make sure you put it on when taking your cup to the bin.
Temperature tests and hundreds of markers on the floor showing you where to stand. Flight attendants don’t touch your passport or boarding pass, but every single person touches the majority of the seats when they go to the toilet / serve food, etc, mid-flight 🤷🏽♂️
‘Please maintain a safe distance...’ is the automated message being called out on the tannoy at Barcelona airport, it’s time to board and sit less than 1.5m from bunch of people 😎
Cheers!
Asher
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A huge hug 🤗 and a little bit of !BEER 🍻 from @amico!
Un caro abbraccio 🤗 e un po' di BEER 🍻 da @amico!
Cheers @amico!
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.View or trade
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.Hey @abh12345, here is a little bit of
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from @amico for you. Enjoy it!Learn how to earn FREE BEER each day by staking your
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.Man, next time plan for a longer stay at Barcelona and I will invite you a !BEER
4/5 hours not quite enough eh!
Cheers though, a mental beer note has been made!
Have a good flight back home!
Thank you! Flight 2 or 2 departing soon!
You need to stake more BEER (24 staked BEER allows you to call BEER one time per day)
What a great holiday...Is two weeks enough to see historical places in Spain? or do we need more time? Meanwhile where is your historical place in Spain?
Have a great day my friend...
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I really enjoyed it thanks 😎
Two years might be closer to the mark to see most of Spain's historical landmarks, the country is quite large and there is much to observe!
I never even thought of the smoking whilst wearing a mask thing. Or rather not! Sounds like you had an awesome and kinda healthy holiday!!
A good reason to take up the vape/cigs, or at least pretend?!
Compared to a holiday with the lads, this one was super healthy!
Lol, I can see an uptick in vape sales for people even just getting one to pretend. Hell I probably would!!
Lads holidays are great but they can be brutal so that's fabby that yours was super healthy. No big get back in shape worries!
A vape for outdoors and a beer or two on the plane - if you are paying Ryanair prices for booze then it seems the masks are not required then too!
My knees have had a good break - they have stopped creaking this past week or so but it's time to get back on the squats tomorrow :)
Squatting your way to becoming Gluteus Maximus!!
At least you haven't got to rush back to work!
The biggest and best named muscle!
I think i'm heading back next Monday, it's not confirmed yet but I have the fear!
Oh man, don't let it be so!!!! Fingers crossed for more furloughs!!
What can I say... The better you play, the more pissed off you get? 😝 kidding! you definitely know how to hit the balls 😉
And the wind wasn't helping... 😓 I hope on your next visit we find a more decent bike!
Come back soon! 😊
I don't like losing! But I see you don't like losing also 🤫😛
I had wind and more hills on my leg of the trip on the bike hire, but backpack gave me a new ass so it was no problemo 😏
I will try to, so you can smash the ball at me again 😋
☮
😂😂😂
Except, I am the guy with the chair 🤪
Not the last 30 minutes 😫
But the important thing is (as @amico always says): Un caro abbraccio 🤗 e un po' di BEER 🍻
It takes me an hour to warm up :) I think I get better during the session and can still improve a lot with more practice, especially with my backhand!
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BEER
.ENGAGE
tokens.Keep it PG13 please
@sulayr = 👹
haha @tarazkp 's mind = 👹
I've been caught!
From day one!
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To support your work, I also upvoted your post!
nice to know that someone is on holiday :)
😎
Ending today though - time to look for the next one!
I shared a holiday post, but concerning last year. I think I won't be on holiday this year :(
I hope you can sneak one in!
We have a proverb: “Hope is the poor bread.” 😊
This doesn't look very pandemic'y and why we can't travel bullshit, I've been sold a lie, a lie I tell you!!!! Someone get me my passport I'm fucking off sharpish
The world is broke and needs people taking holidays!
If you have a beer on the plane, no mask required 🤯
LOL its a sign, you know when smoking was allowed on flights back in 1969, we put a man on the moon, ever since its been banned we haven't been back since, what does that tell you?
We are no longer aiming high?
I took an internal flight in Vietnam in 2003, you could smoke if sitting in the designated smoking seats at the back - bizarre!
Lol we’ve forgotten that a booze and a smoke is how the best ideas are born
That is weird but I’ll take it also wouldn’t mind a view of those Vietnam air girls either! Sign me up getting high on the mile high club
Usually around 3 am.
Actually wasn't really a fan of what I saw in Vietnam, Spain on the other hand.... :D
Silver ramping up like crazy .... big things finally happening
I need to get my mate who's holding mine to post it up here - could be time to offload soon?
not me, i'm in for the long haul, but who knows
Time has really passed so fast! Oh my.... Time to plan your next vacation so you wouldn't feel bad about this one ending😂
Yes, too fast!
Once I know what is happening at work I will be looking for flights 😇
Uuu awesome!
You sound totally pumped and I'm really happy you both had a great time......I will say no more but for some strange reason I feel all fuzzy and vindicated......
Best wishes :-)
The bits in between the lines were read well 😛
Hoping to get another trip in soon - direct flights at reasonable hours would be a big bonus. Cheers!
The current measures are pretty interesting. What's your opinion about further measures?
I tend to just go with the flow and wouldn't be surprised to see stricter measures here in the UK soon. Perhaps masks will become the norm for a long time yet.
Never heard "Tannoy" before.
The covid rules are ridiculous. Fear is the best control mechanism.
Loudspeaker? Not sure what the official term is :)
They are a bit slap-dash. 'Please keep a safe distance' - so we can choose the distance we think is safe?
@abh12345, These Colourful pictures are speaking for itself and about your Travel Times.
Have a abundant time ahead and stay blessed always.