Location: Gaucín, Andalucía, Spain

Meag: This morning I woke up extra early for my train because I needed to go earlier enough to get a reservation after our little mistake yesterday. I expected to be squeezed into the subway with my backpack during the morning rush hour, which we’ve done a few times and it’s never very fun. Surprisingly, there were very few people! I could get used to this kind of late-start lifestyle. It sounds lovely.

Anyways, not much to report for me today. I trained from Madrid down to Malaga, then caught the bus Estepona where Aunt Sally picked me up. She is my grandpa’s sister and I had never met her before but as everyone told me, she was lovely. We drove up the hill on the one-way, twisty road to her place near a little village called Gaucin. It poured all day long and the fog and clouds completely blocked out the view. When the clouds get out of the way, you can see all the way to Morocco from the house. I’m hoping it clears up before I leave so I can see this! Even with the torrential rain it is beautiful here. Palm trees always make me happy, and there’s also a bunch of lemon trees on her property. The cool red of Sally’s main house punctuates the vibrant greens, blues and yellows outside. The house I’m staying in has these adorable bright blue window sills, making the storm outside seem a bit less gloomy.

Aunt Sally, or should I say Dr. Sally, ran out to the “chemist” to grab some cough syrup for me. She is determined that I leave her place feeling better, so I was set up in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea, a book, along with three dogs and two cats while she set out for some medicine. I haven’t sat in front of a fireplace with tea, a good book and animals in so, so long. It felt very homey and relaxing. Just what the doctor ordered.

A couple of Aunt Sally’s friends came over for dinner. They live part-time here in Gaucin, and the rest of the time in Brussels so they told me about all sorts of stuff for when Sav and I get up to Brussels, and gave me strict instructions to call when I’m in town. It’s always nice to see a familiar face, so we will give them a shout in a few weeks!

Later on after I finished my job application, I was sent to bed by Dr. Sally with a big dose of cough syrup, a hot water bottle and a hot toddy. I’ve of course heard of the drink before, but never knew what was in it. Turns out it’s simply hot lemon water, honey and whiskey. It worked like a charm and I was passed out in no time.

M

Location: Barcelona

***Over to Barcelona

Sav: As it turns out Meaghan’s trip to her aunts was likely more relaxing and better for her health than my idea of moving on to Barcelona. I slept in later than I have yet this trip, which my body really needed, and then went to grab breakfast.

Up the street with a coffee in hand I researched the trains and then made my way over to the station, shocked again that my sense of direction didn’t fail me. We both know this trip is changing us in subconscious ways, but it’d sure be nice if it ended up giving me a small inner compass!

After a short train ride with a chatty Spanish woman (not sure why she kept chatting I had no idea what she was saying) I made it to Barcelona and found my hostel around dinner time. Po doesn’t have a train pass, and the tickets are more expensive than the bus so she hopped the bus and was to meet Ellie and I there.

The three of us wandered around, starving, before finally settling on McDonald’s because we couldn’t make a decision at our hunger level. Meaghan, we need you!

I crashed when I got home as the rest of the hostel headed out to a bar crawl. Earplugs in and cough medicine taken I slept for a solid twelve hours. Hopefully this cough is kicked soon.

S