Today began with the familiar sound of Mike’s 7:30 alarm, but both of us were aware we wouldn’t be rising until 8:30. I decided to kick off the day with a four-mile run from our hotel at Plaça d’Espanya to the Olympic Park. The route included a moderate hill that rewarded me with stunning views of the city. Along the way, I enjoyed the sight of dog walkers and various sports fields for rugby, cricket, football, and tennis, as well as a large track. I returned just in time for a quick shower and breakfast at the hotel.
By 10:00, we set off for a bus tour of Barcelona, joined by a local guide named Anna who shared significant historical insights about the city. We wandered through the streets, marveling at iconic landmarks like La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, many of which were constructed for the 1929 World’s Fair and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
After capturing some pictures of these spectacular sites, we enjoyed a delightful lunch featuring tapas and fish dishes. One of my favorites was grilled bread topped with tomato sauce and olive oil, alongside crispy fried eggplant. I also ventured to try mussels for the first time, surprisingly enjoying their taste despite their appearance and smell.
Our next stop was the home of Freixenet Cava, where we toured the wine cellars and learned about the process of crafting these sparkling wines. Cava is primarily made from three or more top-quality grape varieties grown in the region. The local grape-growing methods benefit from the area’s altitude and unique soil composition, which naturally retains rainwater without requiring irrigation. However, increased temperatures due to global warming have led to earlier harvests in recent years.
The wine-making process involves crushing the grapes to obtain the best-quality juice, which is then fermented with yeast and sugar. The bottles undergo a lengthy fermentation, after which the sediment, known as “lees,” must be removed. Automation has significantly streamlined this process, making it far more efficient than manual methods used in the past. The winery produces millions of bottles each year and is a major supplier to the U.S. market. After the tour, we sampled two popular Cavas; while I’m not a big fan of alcohol, the insights into the production process were fascinating.
In the evening, we made our way to the Olympic Stadium for the Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Brest, last year’s Ligue 1 runners-up. Even though I was feeling somewhat down due to an earlier match where my team, Manchester City, drew against Feyenoord, the atmosphere was electric. Early in the match, Barca’s striker Robert Lewandowski converted a penalty, followed by additional goals from Dani Olmo and Lewandowski again, sealing a 3-0 victory for Barcelona. It was exhilarating to see fans decked out in Barça merchandise, including Ramy in his lucky Lewandowski shirt and Daniel sporting a sleek black hat and commemorative scarf. Witnessing my first Champions League game was truly unforgettable.
Overall, it was a remarkable day filled with cultural exploration, culinary delights, and thrilling sports action. It serves as a reminder of the joys of travel and the unique experiences that come from immersing oneself in new environments. There’s a bright side in every setback, and even though my team didn’t fare well, the memories from today are surely ones that will last a lifetime.