The Beach

Today made me wish we had more time in Barcelona. In the morning we made our way downtown and into a perpetual and grandiose farmers market that was absolutely bustling and some of the most fun I’ve had so far. Individual sellers were hocking fresh fruits, fish, cheeses, crustaceans, meats, breads, pastas, pastries, drinks, nuts, candies, and everything in between in such an array of colors and aromas and sounds that it overwhelmed the senses. If you looked around you could find killer deals, and Stacey and I got a large meal of grapes, fresh bread, a substantial wedge of brie, two fresh fruit drinks, and some candy for under ten dollars.

We took that meal with us to the beach, where we relaxed and enjoyed people watching. Out in the water a ways there was a long row of enormous concrete cubes (about 6-8 feet per side) rising out of the water that had been scattered perhaps as a breakwater, perhaps as an I-dont-know-what, but it looked just far enough to swim out to. So I did. The water so warm and comfortable and clear and beautiful and it was at this point that I was sad that our time here was nearly over. Our train was leaving tonight, and we didn't have time to fritter away like I would have liked. Swimming up to the blocks was surreally beautiful because the water was so clear that I could see at least 15 feet down. The cubes scattered away in a pyramidal pile as they descended in the water, and as they did so they ever-so-gradually became less and less pronounced, making the water below a gradient of vibrant colors: the grey and algae-covered gold of the concrete blocks blended into teal, into the most gorgeous blue-green and finally into the azure of the beach’s depths. I wish I had my camera with me because my clumsy words can’t do it justice.