Dateline: Barcelona, Spain. The two back-to-back cruises have ended and we await our plane to Munich via Madrid. Tomorrow we fly Munich-to-San Francisco with a stop in Chicago. Some concluding thoughts about Barcelona, and this part of the world in general, follow.
Thought one: They have lots of pine trees in this part of the world that don’t look like grown up Christmas trees. Instead the have the same profile as a normal deciduous tree. They are common in Rome, and I’ve also seen them in Barcelona. I wonder why we never see them in the U.S.?
Thought two: In Malaga we rode all over town in a Citroen taxi that was small outside but had lots of room inside for five non-anorexic adults. Such a vehicle seems like it would be practical in the U.S. Why isn’t someone building and selling it?
Thought three: There is graffiti on freight trains in Europe just as there is in the U.S. This is sad because many European train cars have a quaint, old-fashioned look about them that is not improved by extravagant spray paint self-expression.
Thought four: Barcelona is home to a number of examples of exuberant architecture, not just those by Gaudi. I suppose he set the tone and others followed along; in any case it is fun to view.
Thought five: This part of the world – the Mediterranean and nearby Atlantic coasts – hosts a very large and active ferry boat fleet. In any major port you see several of these quite large sea-going vessels all featuring the current, approved-as-safe design with “roro” (roll on, roll off) ramps in the stern. I imagine it isn’t uncommon to drive your car aboard and cruise to a port near your destination, before rolling off and finishing your journey. I would also guess that over 50% of their paying fares are commercial, moving trucks full of goods from one island to another, from one continent to another (Africa is nearby). I wonder if this is as common on the Great Lakes as it is in the Med? It would make economic sense, I believe.
Thought six: There is great variation in the disembarkation procedures at different ports and with different cruise lines. The one we just went through with Norwegian in the port of Barcelona was a model of efficiency. The luggage was on an airport-type traveling belt, we could stay in our cabins until luggage was out and ready for us to pick up, and customs was so perfunctory as to be almost invisible. The airport shuttle bus left promptly without needing to be full and the trip to the airport was smooth and relatively brief. Other unnamed cruise lines and cruise ports (hint: east-central Florida) should emulate what we just experienced.
Thought seven: In Munich (local name Munchen) tonight I hope to find some Ritter Sport Rum Raisin candy bars – my very favorite and they are made in Germany.
