Dear Lover,
We’re in Spain, and I couldn’t be happier. Since I was a teenager, it has been my absolute dream to go to Spain. Your boss gave you airmiles as a thank you, and you decided you would take me to Spain. You’re so selfless, and you love me so much. It has been the trip of a lifetime for both of us. I’m going to jot down a few things I never want us to forget:
Berlin: Our first stop. We were a bit overwhelmed by the flight and the language, but you found us a terrific hotel right around the corner from Checkpoint Charlie. I ran along the Berlin Wall, and we had the most delicious seafood dinner where we got to choose our fish fresh from the counter. Your favourite part was the Topography of Terror because it focused on Germany during WW2 (a part that you felt had been really overlooked generally on our bus tour). Generally, the German people don’t want to focus on the war – this has been an interesting thing for us to learn about. You bought a really neat book so we can take the information home with us. Berlin seems like ages ago now.
Valencia (or close to it, sort of): We stayed at Carol’s house. We thought we would try out having just a private room. It’s official – not for us. Holy smackers was this place ever hot. You moved the carpet outside so I could lie down out there while you listened to your podcast because I was too tired to sit up, but too hot to be inside (and I missed you too much). We were up and out of there pretty early. This was also our first experience of Spanish Nights – we couldn’t figure out why the heck she and her husband were up so late! We bought a fan the next day, for fear everywhere else would be just as hot and with no AC (they weren’t, and they had).
Cervera del Maestra: I’ll remember this place as the castle on the hill and the town all around. It was like stepping back in time. We stayed at Reuban’s place, and it was AMAZING. The front door was divided in two, and you had to use the knocker to lift the latch. The terrace was nothing short of breathtaking. In this village we first tried Tapas and discovered our love of chiperones. We also learned that English wasn’t going to get us far.
Peniscola: I was really excited to see this place, and you had no idea what was in store. You were pretty impressed when we arrived. The castle jutting out from the shore was amazing, surrounded by walls in the ocean. We swam here for a day, and then decided to book ourselves into a hotel for the next two nights so we could live here. We bought a floatie and an umbrella. You also bought me a beach blanket that I hope we’ll have forever. I impressed you with my ability to negotiate and walk away – something I think you never thought I would do. Truth be told, I’m a bit disappointed I didn’t get a blanket for Elizabeth, but I’m choosing to believe I’ll find something in Barcelona when we go there. The ocean here was incredible. The beach was amazing. I think the best thing we ate were the garlic shrimpies. We also shared a paella one night – you took one for the team because it had to be two people minimum. We also locked ourselves out of our room on our balcony while engrossed in a magic show that you were convinced wasn’t live… we don’t always agree on everything 🙂
Mas de Barberans: This is where we are now as I type. We’re really into the swing of things now. Our Spanish is improving, and we’ve joked about learning to speak it together at night at home. You’re having a nap now, and I’m looking at the amazing adventures we’ll take tomorrow. I cried twice on the way here because it was just too beautiful, and you didn’t mind one bit. You found the cutest apartment for us (hosted by Ernesto), and I think we’ll be exceptionally happy here. Next stop, Barcelona.
I think this trip has made us closer than ever. You really are my best friend on top of everything else. We need a new word for love.
xo
Dear Lover 