Once a Lifetime You Just Have To

Just a few weeks ago I had the honor of hosting my parents and their very good friend Betty. All I can say is that it was what I had been dreaming of since I got here. The difference is that they came just when they had to, just when I was ripe, stable and ready to show them a city that I have fallen head over heels for. We walked around the city endlessly, saw just about everything, somehow and miraculously avoided the rain that seemed to threaten our every step but never quite did it.

The visit started on a raining Saturday morning, over a table laden with breakfast goods: cafe con leche, fruit, breads, cheeses and all the essentials for the energy we needed for our walks. The rain didn't quite let us be that day so we took advantage of staying home, catching up and resting. I was nervous, I admit, that the week would be ruined by weather, especially when I realized that Barcelona is an outdoor city and there is absolutely NOTHING to do if you don't like visiting museums.





But luckily the next day was sunny and it gave us enough reason to celebrate the American Mother's day by walking to the center, meeting with Julia halfway, looking at the Pedrera, Caso Batllo, having vermouth for the first time in one of my favorite places to have vermouth on Sundays, and of course making a stop at Plaza Felip Neri, my absolute favorite plaza and introduce my parents to Idoia, Carles and Ada...3 beings who have made my life be the incredible life it is here...



From the Plaza we walked through el Gotic and went to have an AMAZing lunch and watched the VIPS from Cali shake off their Jetlag...precious, to see my parents in Europe, sitting across from me for the first time in their lives.

The following day, we made our way to El Born, where we met up with Alex and had not so good Shwarrmas (it was a holiday and everything was closed) but balanced it out by buying gelato and sharing! My daddy and I had a moment when we lit two candles silently in Santa Maria del Mar and said a little wish for each other. Afterwards,we walked to Arc de Triomph and headed home to rest and prepare a feast for my roommates to finally meet these much talked about Americans...





Then there was La Boqueria...oh the day we ate like Kings and Queens of touristlandia. We went to the color market and bought only the freshest ingredients like sausages, cheeses, fresh watermelon and basil to make my little version of Gazpacho with a twist, and so much more. We went home after drinking from Caneelleytes fountain that promises to bring you back if you take a sip from the sweet water. After a filling lunch and the siesta, essential, we made our way up Tibidabo and sat at Mira Blau to admire the amazing view of the city. I could've cried looking at my parents' faces and hearing their stories and they reminisced among the three of them.



The following day, although clouds threatened our plans, we decided to make our way south to Sitges to show my parents and Betty a little of the Mediterranean. My plan was really to take them to Sant Pol del Mar but the skies are always riskier up North and so instead we opted for something closer and almost just as nice. We walked around the small and quite town, ate rotisserie chicken, window shopped and admired the small streets and all the beautiful babies that passed by the main street as we drank cafes con leche and chatted.




On the last day, after bidding Betty goodbye, my parents and I had their very first paella with Susanna and Sergi in no other than Barceloneta. Before that though, I surprised a very pregnant Susanna and my mom with massages at one of my favorite places in the center. They were enchanted and meanwhile, my dad, Sergi and I sat around and sipped tea and relaxed...Although the sky finally bursted out with rain, we decided to continue making our way to the beach and sit somewhere indoors and eat an authentic meal.


That very night as my parents packed their bags and prepared for the long flight back home, I prepared a little pica pica dinner for them and invited my favorite people for one last gathering before saying adeu. We garnished the table with only the best and sat around chatting and meeting my parents.
The night came to a successful close and although it saddened me to bid them goodbye, I also delighted in the fact that I had had everything I imagined and that long awaited moment of seeing them surrounded by the people I've met here only added to my emotions and happiness.





Once in a lifetime you just have to...