Coast to Coast

     Today marks the end to what has been an incredible part of this journey.  Memories and friends have been made all throughout, and not one will be forgotten.  As it is hard to say goodbye to the ubiquitous beauty and lively atmosphere of Barcelona, I open a new door to carry on this journey that I could live day in and day out forever.  From one coast of the shimmering Mediterranean to the next, I look forward to Rome coming later in the day.
     As for the past couple days, it has been quite a ride.  The days spent exploring new places and relaxing on the beach.  The nights filled with meeting new people and expanding our languages by more than double.  Learning a small bit of Catalan, Basque, French, Sweedish, and German had left us seemingly unable to remember how to communicate in English. 
     It is quite different from the states, however, in the matter of when people go out at night.  The hour a normal night back home might end is when everyone is just beginning here.  Not more than a quick shuffle of people here and there between the hours of 10 p.m. and 12 a.m., but after midnight, the city comes to life with vibrant energy.  People fill the walkways, streets, and beaches, and no one stops the rush until the sun pierces the horizon.  Back to back nights of staying out until the break of day has left me in a state of dreariness.  A couple cups of coffee at our local cafe down the street has proved to be much more than a necessity this morning.
     Barcelona has proved itself to me, and I will most certainly be back to visit again someday.  Perhaps for a while longer to expand the area in which I have visited, as Spain has an incredibly vast amount of things to do, places to see, and cultures to embrace.  In the more immediate future, Rome has my undivided attention for the next few days.  I am engulfed with excitement.