Truly, there is little about the US way of life that works for me. Europe (and specifically the Iberian peninsula) has so many things going for it that suit my style:
- Universal healthcare
- Beer and a sandwich for €3.95
- Outdoor cafes, everywhere
- Coffee and beer are fine, but water is suspect
- Cheeese!!!
- Walking everywhere
- Dinner starts at 8:30pm (and even then, just barely)
- Good wine at $7/bottle
- Most days between 50 and 80 degrees
I will admit, not all of Europe is knocking it out of the park, but Spain and Portugal certainly do for me. This is a lifestyle I could get used to with little difficulty. I’m excited to try living in Portugal next month – obviously, the vacation mindset will have a luster that might wear off after several weeks in a row, but I do truly think that the Iberian peninsula is the ideal place for Luke and I to live when we retire (and sooner if the US becomes a true fascist authoritarian state and we need to escape).
Melissa and her aunt are here with us, so we did a grand walking tour. Barri Gotic, Casa Battlo, and Barceloneta. It’s been a delight to show first-timers around the city.
There is something wonderful about returning to a city time and time again. We know where we are, where things are, what’s worth seeing, and what isn’t. We have a favorite restaurant (Taverna El Glop), and we know the city’s customs and rhythms.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since the first time we came here, but also it’s amazing that we’ve been coming here for 25 years. La Sagrada Família had no roof when we first saw it, and now it is nearly done. I remember seeing the cathedral for the first time and Luke and I making a vow to come see it when it was done in 2020. Well, 2020 came and went and the cathedral still isn’t quite done, but we are still coming here, together, and that beats out any architectural achievement in my mind.
Vacation Days 