montjuic & parc guell

La Fuixarda climbing tunnel at Montjuïc

Jessica impresses all of the dudes

Antonio Gaudi’s Parc Guell

Community siesta

Yes, sometimes we’re all still middle schoolers

There have been two points on this trip that I’ve observed Jessica in an extreme and contagious form of elation. First was when I arrived to Barcelona and we caught up and chowed down at a Basque restaurant covered in photos of jolly old men. Then there was today, perma-smile on her face, upon our finding of this urban climbing gem in Parc de Montjuïc. At some point in time, the road of La Fuixarda was over-taken by climbers and they closed it down - turning the driving tunnel into a perfect place for climbers to play; rain or shine, day or night. There were so many people taking advantage of the free playground, but hardly any women. With a killer toe hook and an entirely graceful finish of the route, Jess knocked the socks off a group of experienced looking fellas. How proud I was of JZ!

It was our last day in Barcelona together so we packed it in. Floating around to the remaining corners of the city that we wanted to see, finishing out with a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Arts, a climb to the top of the uniquely beautiful Parc Guell, and an evening coffee with Federico. In a few hours the three of us would be dispersing to our separate parts of the world - Jess to the States, Federico to India, and me to France. In a way, my heart felt divided in 3. I wanted more time with Jess, things were just getting good. And we were just beginning to feel at home in this city with a friend like Fede. If Barcelona had a Trevi Fountain, I would have thrown the last of my coins into it. Either way, one day I will return.