So, as you can see I have returned safe and sound (sort of sound) back to cold cold Copenhagen from the warm lands of Barcelona & Lisbon. I have returned with a new appreciation for Sangria and sunshine as well as an empty wallet. However, as I look at the prices in Copenhagen that I would have considered " a good deal" I have to make a dramatic sigh. Barca and Lisbon were so much damn cheaper. Why did I choose Copenhagen again?
Spain
We arrive at the fashionable time of 11:20(ish), just in time to catch some Barcelona nightlife. But not before we make the intellectual decision to hop in a cab with a stranger who claims he knows where we need to go and that he is Danish. Note: He says this after he finds out we are from Copenhagen and as if because he is Danish, he is safe.
After I stand outside of the car for a few seconds and contemplate not getting in I finally climb in the middle and claw at Sam and Sarah's arms to show them how unhappy I am about this decision. We make it to where we need to go and impostor Danish man offers to walk us to our hostel. NO THANK YOU NO THANK YOU. We stand there with our bags and watch him walk out of sight to be sure he doesn't know which sketchy street we are staying on. "Taken" scenes flashing in my head.
As we walk down crowded streets we find our hostel. Or rat hole would be a more accurate description. We walk up the stairs and my eyes are on the look out for furry little animals to be running around. After we check into our humble abode we discover the ...bathrooms. I will spare you all the details and just say we all refused to enter the bathroom alone so when one of us had to go we all went. And when I took a shower I was accompanied by dirt and tiny little hairs that were noottt my own. How nice. I could practically see my mother running out the door.
To get out of the room, we go exploring. We are approached many of times with "I love you" and if I wanted to have left Barcelona a married woman, I would have had no trouble. Of course my husband would have made his living by selling the cheapest of the cheap beer on Las Ramblas. What can I say, I attract the winners. We call it a night after a free glass of champagne and some people watching. I lay a scarf over my pillow and try to not think about what critters may be crawling through my bed.
Having no plans at all is the way to go. We sleep in, take our time getting ready, and venture out to the streets and the sunshine! My body is deprived of the vitamin D and I can feel my skin soaking it in. We walk for hours with no definite direction. We end our day by the water watching volleyball
We go back to the room and siestas set in. Except my fever was taking over and while Sarah and Sam got ready to go to the shots bar to meet Francesca and her sister, my body refused. I had a long internal struggle about whether to drag myself out of bed or not and finally the more responsible and sickly side pulled through and I decided not to go. Instead I had a date with some nyquil and lots of blankets.
The next few days in Barcelona were just as glorious as the first day or random walking around. We got to switch to our second hostel when Kate and Francesca joined us and we were all very excited when we saw clean sheets and a huge clean bathroom. That night we went out for a very late dinner and drinks and then made our way to the club Apollo, which apparently has the best sound system in ...Spain?Barcelona? I don't quite remember but it was loud. And expensive. But the free drink they give you is worth it...and the only drink I let myself consume. Because. Well. It was free. And I am. Well. Cheap. We stay out way too late, and I spend way to much time coughing from people lighting joints and cigarettes in the crowd. We decide to leave after a mosh pit starts. I'm sure watching my 5'3 self in a mosh pit would be amusing, however, I may not be here to write this blog. It was terrifying. Also, it was getting old explaining to people No Hablo Espanol and running from Spaniards especially after I lost my voice. Some people did decide to have me type everything on their iPhone. Points for creativity.
We did a bike tour and I thought Sam and Sarah were going to ask to stay with the tour guides afterwards. Accents are extremely attractive though.
Watched the Barca game in a crowded tapas bar. Bedtime.
Lisbon
Gorgeous.
And we were lucky we even got to see it at all. After almost missing our flight (which was in the middle of the day) we finally stumble onto the plane and I passed out. At least when I wasn't coughing or trying to hold in coughing.
We manage to make it to our hostel without any obstacles unless you count the harassment of the restaurant people on our street trying to get us to eat nice, expensive, grown up meals. Our hostel turns out to be amazing. I didn't want to leave. And they fed me breakfast. Every morning. NOM.
After walking around for what seriously felt like hours, we finally found somewhere to eat. If you know me, I'm sure you can imagine me lagging behind the group grumpily because I hadn't eaten in over 6 hours. But as soon as they brought the never-ending bread out I went back to normal and all was right in the world again. Except it cost me an arm and a leg to eat my chicken curry.
Then we decide to do the pub crawl through our hostel. 13 euro for lots of free shots and drinks. Of course we attended.
Bar #1-One shot of what may have been kool-aid. Then one shot of what may have been rubbing alcohol.
Bar#2-They let us loose on an open bar for exactly 1 hour. Power hour on an entirely new level.
Bar #3 -Well. As I said before they let us loose on an open bar so the exact color of the shots of bar #3 can not be promised but as a group we have decided on the color yellow.
Club #4-Well. The music was good. And the shots probably were too.
Bedtime did not come until very early the next morning. And McDonald's was more than necessary the next day. As were sunglasses. We decided it was a good day for a light stroll around the city. Nothing to strenuous.
That night consisted of more good food and ended with me drinking one glass of wine and falling asleep on the couch in the lobby.
The rest of our time in Lisbon was extremely leisurely and the definition of Spring Break. Minus the multiple trips to McDonald's. We flew out of Lisbon and landed in Milan around midnight. We then proceeded to find food and I read an entire book waiting for our flight at 7:20 am. Needless to say, all we saw of Milan was Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Arrive back in Copenhagen. Exhausted. Hungry. and in need of a shower. And now we have the sickness, hence why I missed the notorious Tuesday Kulørbar outing. I'm becoming extremely way to responsible.
Next adventure: London in a few weeks!
Wish you were here.
