It's already been over a month since I returned to the States, but I still feel like I need to complete my adventures in Europe by writing a bit about my last trip of the year - or maybe I should call it the beginning of the summer. To start our summer vacation off right, KT and I went up to Barcelona for two days. While in Barcelona, I always manage to stay awake all night and walk home at 8:30 a.m. marveling at the fact that I stayed up so late. This trip was no different than the last.
We partied like we were 18 again with people we met at our hostel (and via CouchSurfing) and managed to do very little sightseeing. I did make KT see the Sagrada Familia at 11:00 p.m. the night before we left. It is just as amazing in the dark as it is in the day light. We also hung out at the beach and watched some World Cup games as part of our tourist activities.
From Barcelona, we flew to Trapani (on the western coast of Sicily), spent a few days there lounging on various beaches and visited the Egadi Islands where we were mesmerized not only by the desert landscape surrounded by crystal clear teal blue water, but also by the huge number of men wearing Speedos. I don't care how hot you are, I don't need to know THAT much about you.
All in all, our motto during the 10 days we were in Sicily was "F*** tourism, we're going to the beach." And that is what we did in our remaining destinations, Catania and Palermo. Italian culture is wonderful because no one feels pressure to do anything. We ate 3 hour dinners, drank coffee every day at least twice and ate pastries like it was our last day on Earth. Sicilians are wonderful; hardly anyone spoke English, but communicating in a mix of Spanish, English and hand gestures worked just fine. I will most definitely return to the island at some point to drive the coast, eat more amazing food and take in more of the island.
