We just got into Barcelona and found our hostel after a long day of train travel. We woke up at 6am at our hostel and headed out to the Gare de Lyon at 6:40. Our train from Paris to Montpellier left at 8:40 and Matt, Paul and I enjoyed our rightful place in first class. It was my first time in a first class compartment of any kind and I must say that I was a bit underwhelmed. First class meant a slightly larger seat and a better table and an electrical outlet (which helped). On the way I was able to finally start my arrangement of "Higher Ground" by Stevie Wonder and by the end of the day had everything except for the bridge part done. I'm really excited with how it's coming.
We had a three hour layover in Montpellier so we Matt and I went to McDonald's to get Royal's with Cheese to say that we've had Royal's with cheese. They were excellent.
Our train to Barcelona was in second class and the train would've been really cool and modern... 30 years ago. The countryside in France and especially once we crossed into Spain was beautiful, however, and I was able to get some more arranging done. On the way, our train was delayed because the officers on board had to stop to kick off some stowaways. This is the first and only time in my life that I have actually had a reason to use the word stowaway in my daily life. Winner.
Also, as we were nearing Barcelona, Paul had a great conversation with a crazy drunk man on the train. I saw him stumbling around the dining car when I got a sandwich earlier and then as he approached us I got back to my arrangement and tried to look away. Paul was caught in the trap, however, and the guy started talking to him in not-really-Spanish. He was wearing gray capris, sandals, and on open Hawaiian shirt revealing an unfortunately hairy chest.
The gist of the conversation seemed to be about how the man thought the Spain-Germany game was going to be a defensive battle and that the spirits told him that Germany would win so he apparently decided to drink himself into a stupor so as to not notice the impending Spanish loss...
We finally got off the train about a half hour after it was supposed to get Barcelona and we booked it for the nearest metro station... which wasn't very close. After finally finding the station, we navigated the metro to get to the Sant Pau region and then walked around there until we found our hostel. We got up to the hostel and immediately dropped our bags to watch the game. It was a scoreless tie when we got in but about ten minutes later, Carles Puyol, the ugliest man in professional soccer, used his misshapen head to steer the ball behind the German keeper. Spain almost added another goal later but couldn't navigate a two on one break. Still, they played solid defense and the large crowd at the hostel celebrated heartily after the win was sealed.
Now we're relaxing at the hostel while the crowd has gone off to party. Tomorrow is beach and recharge day.
Cheers!
-Simon
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