A one-hour train ride from the lively city of Barcelona takes us to the laid-back fishing port of Arenys de Mar, where our one bedroom Airbnb awaits.
Sunrise, Arenys de Mar
I think that we could sit on this 12th floor balcony forever, and watch the sail boats and paddle boarders on the mellow Mediterranean Sea. Our month-long stay is flying by.
Enjoying our November home in Arenys de Mar
Sailboat regatta and paddle boarders
Before sunrise each morning, we watch a fleet of fishing vessels venture out in orderly fashion to capture the fruits of the sea.
They return in the afternoon and place the catch on conveyor belts, where various merchants bid on the seafood plethora. Anglers give prizes to a handful of lucky schoolchildren out on field trips.
Daily Fish Auction, Arenys de Mar
Excitement on the dock when the fishing boats return
I also go fishing – at the market. Using my credit card for bait.
Fish Market Arenys de Mar
Walking and biking paths line the port and shore. It is interesting to us how people walk by and do not look at you, or engage in conversation outside of an occasional, quick “ola, bon dia.” But even more interesting is how their dogs act the same way. Most dogs are off-leash and under voice control. The canines do not show any interest in people and do not look at us either. It is taboo to try and pet a stranger’s dog and the owner does not even like it if you just look at the dog for too long. It is so different from the US where we go a bit gaga over our pets. Thus, dogs in the US act like us, and European dogs act like them. Purely a socialization process.
Dogs don’t even look at you!
When we are not walking the trails, we ride the commuter trains like the locals. A monthly train pass only costs 20 Euro. Most mornings, Marilynn rides the rails to a nearby town that has an “Anytime Fitness” where our free membership even works in Spain.
We spend many hours walking the sea paths and riding the commuter trains
The train pass also allows us to take a field trip of our own to a late breakfast at our favorite market in Barcelona, “Mercat St. Joseph.”
La Boqueria Market, Barcelona
Baby squids and eggs for brunch
Even in this shoulder season the market gets crazy crowded in the afternoon. Especially when cruise ships unload hordes of humans.
Time to flee the market!
Nice to ride out of the city back to our mellow digs, where we walk along the beach to the next town, Canet de Mar. Here, we routinely hike up to “Pedracastell o Creu” the huge cross that towers above town.
Hiking to the Cross above Canet de Mar
Views over Canet de Mar
Okay, time for another field trip. (Love these train passes) This time to the town of Girona, where we stroll the streets and admire the architecture. My favorite is the petrified witch on the outside of the Cathedral.
Gargoyle of the petrified witch of Girona
Marilynn’s favorite is the Pont de les Peixatereies Velles, better known as the Eiffel Bridge, built by Gustave Eiffel, and surrounded by colorful houses that line the river.
Crossing the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, better known as the “Eiffel Bridge, Girona
Girona, Spain
Colorful houses line the Onyar River, Girona
The Cathedral steps are also notable, made famous when the TV drama “Game of Thrones” filmed there.
Girona Cathedral
Enjoying views from our balcony, cooking, eating varieties of fresh seafood, and drinking beer and Cava, fills our afternoons.
Views from our Balcony
Sea bass and sweet potatoes
Sun setting over Barcelona
Stuffed Squid
We celebrate Marilynn’s birthday with fresh Galician mussels steamed in green curry.
Happy birthday to me. Mussels and broccoli on the Balcony
Friendly people fill the sidewalk cafes. We force ourselves to leave our digs to join them. A man at the table next to us engages in conversation. He asks where we are from. He is French but has been living here for 57 years. “They call French people Froggies here,” he says. “It’s because we eat frogs, and to them that is disgusting.”
Vibrant sidewalk cafes
Spain enjoys an average life expectancy of 84 years, second highest in Europe (Italy and Sweden are tied for first). In contrast, the US average is 78.4 years. People of all ages walk everywhere they go, on a daily basis in these walkable cities. We all hear the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, but it is not just the diet. It is also the laid-back, friendly lifestyle. Meals are seen as an opportunity to connect with family and friends, which means as much as the fresh food.
Three weeks into our stay, a friend from the US joined us for a visit. It feels good to share a place you have come to love with others. And maybe sharing food and conversation with our friend will add a few more hours to our life expectancy.
Sharing Arenys de Mar and Paella with a friend from the USA
As our month flies by, we ride that train back to Barcelona for a final four-night stay. No more home cooking, but we shall squeeze in one last field trip to “Montserrat Monastery.”
Montserrat Monastery
Montserrat Basilica
Black Madonna of Montserrat
Signs of the Christmas holidays surround us and our flight home looms. Hope that the flight flies by as quickly as our month in Spain did.
Main street Arenys de Mar, beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Thank you, Abundant Universe!
Great pictures. Happy birthday, Marilynn.
Thanks Crystal! And Happy birthday to Bob too. Can’t wait to hear about your travels! Marilynn
You have convinced me to add Spain to my “gotta go there” list! What a beautiful place to celebrate another year of exploring. Happy belated birthday Marilynn! Safe travels my friends.
Hey Holly, Spain is definitely a fabulous place to visit…or maybe live? Thanks for the birthday wishes. Hope to see you soon! Marilynn
A perfect month! I can imagine it seemed like only a week. The view from your condo, the food, everything looked perfect!! (Happy birthday Marilyn)
Hey Karla, Thanks for the birthday wishes, and same to YOU! Yes indeed, it was a pretty perfect month in Spain. Now it is time to plan our next adventure lol 🙂 Marilynn
Gotta agree that balcony view would never get old for me . Beautiful view indeed . Kinda weird though that people don’t make eye contact with others and even their dogs don’t make eye contact ?? Wonder why they don’t approve of others petting their dogs is another weird issue . Looks like you guys had some great weather during your stay . I think I’ll pass on the eggs over baby squid hahaha . Just gimme the eggs hahaha .All in all looks like another great adventure . Looking forward to what’s next . Stay safe friends .
In all honesty, we thought of you and laughed when Marilynn inserted that squid photo into the post! I’ve see the dog thing before in Europe and learned the hard way when I tried to pet a guy’s dog on a sidewalk in France, and he scolded me.
I always think of you Glenn when eating something like baby squid lol! And of course I always think of you when we are on a beach, or enjoying a beautiful water view. 🙂 Marilynn
Hola Amigos, Dulce and I spent time in Barcelona and loved it. Gracias👍🏾😎🍻
I remember James. Spain has been one of those places we keep going back to. Lots to love. Best to you and Dulce! Marilynn
As always, living well. Great photos and prose as always too! Getting back to NE Spain is high on my list, want to go to Besalu near Girona, where a former beloved pastry chef from Seattle has a 400-year-old farmhouse for rent. He’s living the dream there now too with wife and daughter. As soon as geriatric kitty goes over the rainbow bridge, I’m hitting the road! High on my list too, Japan (to ski “Ja-pow”) and Scotland/Ireland and Scandinavia (to track down relatives and swim in the sea). And when you said a friend came to visit, our gal popped into my mind, and scroll down, there she is! Looking forward to hearing about your next adventure! Ciao and happy holidays from wet and gray Seattle (but the sea is fine!).
Hey Jill, Love your list! We initially were planning a winter trip to Japan, but when this opportunity in Spain came up, well things changed. Every day is a new day in our world lol. Marilynn
What a beautiful adventure. The photos were special. The narration was interesting. Keep it up!
Thank you, Kay. Was truly a great stay in an easy-going, beautiful place. That’s the plan, keep it up for as long as possible.
Happy B-day Mar. I’ve heard Spain is superb place to visit. I see terrific views and food.
Thanks Bob! Spain is a pretty perfect place to celebrate a birthday!! Marilynn